IKEA Opens Wednesday, Here's What You Need To Know

OAK CREEK, WI — It's less than a week before IKEA opens its first Wisconsin store, and the Swedish home furnishings store has announced the full schedule of Grand Opening events to celebrate Wisconsin's first store.

“We are excited to be opening our 48th store in the U.S. and our very first store in Wisconsin,” said Samantha Gravina, store manager. “We have received such a warm welcome from the Milwaukee-area, and we want to return the favor by welcoming our shoppers with food, fun and iconic IKEA products.”

Customers can begin lining up at the store at 5:00 a.m. on Wednesday, May 16. Entertainment for customers waiting in line will start at 6:00 a.m. and the Grand Opening ceremony at 8:15 a.m. The doors will officially open at 9:00 a.m.

Traffic Tips

Thousands of visitors are expected in the area when IKEA opens, and police in Oak Creek have come up with alternate routes for driver to either avoid or head to the new store. The store is located on a 29-acre parcel of land on the Northwestern Mutual property just west of I-94 and just north of Drexel Ave. and South of Rawson Ave. Its address is: 7500 South Ikea Way, Oak Creek, WI 53154.

There will be 1,100 parking spots at the IKEA, but if you can't get one, here are a couple suggestions:

Ikea W/B traffic: Right-turn lane will be for Ikea only, Center lane is right turn into Ikea or to continue W/B, Left lane is W/B only.

There will be no left turns from E/B Drexel to Ikea, entry only by W/B traffic or use of the College Park 'n Ride Shuttle.

Due to road construction on S 13th St., expect heavy traffic congestion on W Drexel from 27th St. to 13th St.

Use Alternate routes, including the College or Rawson ramps from I-94.

Giveaways

Shoppers will be greeted with family-friendly events, special offers and thousands of dollars in gift cards—including three gift cards valued at $500, $1,500 and $2,000. Throughout the entire day, visitors who join IKEA Family or scan their IKEA Family card in-store at an IKEA Family kiosk, info tower, tablet or during checkout, will also be automatically entered for a chance to win a $250 IKEA Gift Card through the IKEA Family loyalty program.

IKEA Welcome

• The first 200 children (12 & younger) in line receive a free FAMNIG heart-shaped soft toy, valued at $4.99.

• The first 1,000 adults (18 & older) in line receive a special “welcome” gift.

IKEA Welcome Sweepstakes

• On Grand Opening, visitors in line before 8:00am CDT will be entered for a chance to win one of three gift cards, valued at $500, $1,500 and $2,000.

IKEA Bag Giveaway

• Customers will receive a free IKEA FRAKTA blue bag, valued at $1.29 with any in-store product purchase.

IKEA Family $250 Gift Card Giveaway

• On Grand Opening, visitors who join IKEA Family or scan their IKEA Family card in-store at an IKEA Family kiosk, info tower, tablet or during checkout, will be automatically entered for a chance to win one of twenty-two (22) $250 IKEA Gift Cards.

IKEA Oak Creek Offer

• When you use your IKEA Family card in-store from Wednesday, May 16-Monday, May 28 and spend a minimum of $125, you will receive $20 off next purchase of $100 or more via email.

Winners will be randomly drawn every hour during store open hours.

Grand Opening Day Hours:

Store: Open 9:00 a.m. | Close 9:00 p.m.
Restaurant: Open 9:00 a.m. | Close 8:30 p.m.

Regular Store Hours:

Monday through Saturday: Open 10:00 a.m. | Close 9:00 p.m.
Restaurant Open 9:30 a.m. | Close 8:30 p.m.
Sunday: Open 10:00 a.m. | Close 8:00 p.m.
Restaurant Open 9:30 a.m. | Close 7:30 p.m.

Fast Facts

Here are a few details about the store:

• Oak Creek IKEA is one story tall
• It is approximately 295,000 square feet.
• 1,100 parking spots
• 50 showrooms
• 3 model homes
• self-service area
• 300-seat cafeteria
• supervised children play area
• preferred parking for families
• employs about 250 people
• generated 500 construction jobs.

Former Mayor Scaffidi said - at the time of the original Ikea announcement - that according to a 2012 survey of Oak Creek residents, when asked what residents would like to see, they reported wanting two things: more restaurants, and IKEA.

The former mayor went on to say at that time that Northwestern Mutual approached him about the idea of bringing IKEA to Oak Creek - an idea he welcomed. "I think this is going to be a tremendous addition to the city," he said.

Image Via IKEA