When we last visited the new IKEA store back in January, the interior was just starting to take shape. The warehouse, showroom and restaurant areas were mostly open shells with utilities still being connected and fixtures yet to arrive. A return visit yesterday revealed a much different picture.
“It’s still a work in progress — the construction mostly done — but we still have to finishing with racking and furniture and room settings,” explained Joseph Roth, U.S. Expansion & Property Public Affairs Manager at IKEA. Just as customers assemble the products they purchase, we have to assemble the displays for the store.”
Roth, along with Store Manager David Garcia Gatto, stated that the store is progressing on schedule toward its opening date, with opening day ceremonies that will include the raising of US, Swedish and Ohio flags, and the sawing of a log, which is meant as a good luck tradition.
For more information, visit www.ikea.com/us/en/store/columbus.
All photos by Walker Evans.