COLUMBUS (WCMH)– The brand new Columbus IKEA store is now one week away from its grand opening.
On Wednesday, crews were still putting the finishing touches on the 354,000 square foot retailer.
IKEA’s Columbus location will be its second in the state of Ohio, with the other being in the Cincinnati area.
Although the doors will open to the public on June 7, customers can begin lining up on Monday, June 5.
The Columbus Division of Police is working on a traffic plan to manage the incoming shoppers.
IKEA is located on the northeast corner of I-71 and Gemini Place.
Traffic is expected to be heavy around the new store during the Grand Opening week and subsequent weekends.
Columbus police have released their plan on how to deal with the additional traffic volume. Check out the map below.
According to Lt. Paul Weiner with the Columbus Police Department, traffic will continue to flow normally during the first few weeks the store is open.
However, when the parking lot becomes full the police will transition to a traffic pattern that forces traffic into a one-way circular path.
Police officers will be posted at 14 intersections leading to and from the store.
About half of the officers will be on-duty, the other half will be paid for by IKEA.
It is estimated that IKEA will end up covering one-third to one-half of the cost of the additional manpower and traffic control.
Plans to get employees of local businesses to and from work if the traffic pattern is executed have also been discussed.
Lt. Weiner says patience will be necessary for anyone traveling anywhere near the new store.
To celebrate their grand opening of their 44th U.S. store, IKEA is giving away free stuff to people who get in line first.
Wednesday, June 7, 2017 giveaways:
- First 44 adults 18 and older will receive a free EKTORP three-seat sofa.
- The next 100 adults will get a free POÄNG armchair.
- The first 100 children 17 and younger will receive a free FAMNIG heart-shaped soft toy.
- The first 2,500 adults will receive an envelope that could contain an IKEA Gift Card worth $10-$250, or a “Buy One, Get One Free” cinnamon bun, hotdog or soft-serve frozen yogurt voucher.
- The first 100 adults that bring proof that their birthday is June 7th, will receive a gift card in the amount of $44.
Thursday, June 8, 2017 giveaways:
- The first 44 adults will receive a free queen-sized HAUGESUND mattress.
- The next 100 adults will receive a free ALINA “sleep set” of bedspread and cushion covers and two FJADRAR pillows
- The first 100 children will receive a free GOSIG golden dog soft toy.
Friday, June 9, 2017 giveaways:
- The first 44 adults will receive a free 365+ 6-piece cookware starter set and a FORTROLIG food container storage set.
- The next 44 adults will receive freezer bags filled with five different Swedish meals, complete with beverages and desserts, from the store’s Swedish Food Market.
- The first 100 children will receive a voucher for a soft-serve frozen yogurt that day at the Exit Bistro.
From June 7th – June 11th every visitor may enter to win one of ten $1,000 IKEA Gift Cards through the IKEA FAMILY loyalty program.