Thursday IKEA announced its schedule of grand opening events in an effort to generate buzz for the Swedish furniture chain's new Jacksonville store.
“We have received such a warm welcome from the Jacksonville community, and we want to return the favor by welcoming our shoppers with food, fun and iconic IKEA products,” said Leontyne Green Sykes, store manager in an email to WJCT News.
IKEA is encouraging people to line up starting at 9 a.m. on Monday, which is 48 hours before the Jacksonville store’s opening on Wednesday.
The new location at the corner of Gate Parkway and I-295 on the Southside has a full slate of entertainment and giveaways scheduled. Entertainment starts at 6 a.m. on opening day with a ceremony starting at 8:15 a.m.
“We want customers to thoroughly enjoy the grand opening experience. In preparation, we have worked with the city of Jacksonville to secure additional overflow parking and we will have shuttles available for those directed to our temporary parking spaces,” said Green Sykes.
Here’s the schedule:
Wednesday, November 8, 2017
- Rest Assured*- The first 46 adults (18 & older) in IKEA Jacksonville will receive a free EKTORP three-seat sofa, honoring our 46th U.S. store.
- Take a Seat* –The next 100 adults (18 & older) will receive a free POÄNG armchair.
- For the (Truly) Young at Heart – The first 100 children (17 & younger) in IKEA Jacksonville will receive a free FAMNIG heart-shaped soft toy.
- Pick a Card, Any Card – The first 2,500 adults (18 & older) in IKEA Jacksonville will receive a random prize envelope with IKEA Gift Cards ranging from $10 to $250, or a “Buy One, Get One Free” cinnamon bun, hotdog or soft-serve frozen yogurt voucher.
- Happy Birthday to You and IKEA – The first 100 adults (18 & older) bringing proof to IKEA Jacksonville that their birthday is the same as the store’s will receive a gift card for $46, a tie-in corresponding to IKEA Jacksonville as the 46th U.S. IKEA store. Offer valid only on Nov. 8.
Thursday, November 9, 2017
- Sleep Like Royalty* – The first 46 adults (18 & older) in IKEA Jacksonville will receive a free queen-sized HAUGESUND mattress.
- Cozy Comfort* – The next 100 adults (18 & older) in IKEA Jacksonville will receive a free ALINA “sleep set” that includes bedspread and cushion covers.
- Kids’ Best Friend – The first 100 children (17 & younger) in IKEA Jacksonville will receive a free GOSIG golden dog soft toy.
Friday, November 10, 2017
- Cook Like a Pro* – The first 46 adults (18 & older) in IKEA Jacksonville will receive a free 4-piece SENSUELL cookware set.
- Meatballs for a Year* – The next 100 adults (18 & older) in IKEA Jacksonville will receive a voucher for 12 monthly meatball meals for two at IKEA Jacksonville’s Restaurant through next year, expiring on November 30, 2018.
- A Cold Sweet-ish Treat – The first 100 children (17 & under) in IKEA Jacksonville will receive a voucher for a soft-serve frozen yogurt available that day at IKEA Jacksonville’s Exit Bistro.
Saturday, November 11, 2017
- A Meal on Us- As a thank you for your service, veterans can enjoy a complimentary entree in the IKEA Restaurant by showing a form of military ID (active/reserve/retired).
Wednesday, November 8 - Sunday, November 12, 2017
- Play Big If You’re Little – Balloon artists, entertainment and face-painting will enhance the family-friendly fun at IKEA Jacksonville from November 8 through November 12, 2017.
- Enter Our Home, Enter to Win – From November 8 through November 12, 2017, visitors to IKEA Jacksonville may enter for a chance to win one of twenty $250 IKEA Gift Cards through the IKEA FAMILY loyalty program.
As part of the grand opening celebration IKEA is also offering a one day deal on two products - the BILLY bookcase and IKEA Meatballs. On November 8th, select BILLY bookcases will be sold in-store and online for $49* and customers will be able to purchase three bags of IKEA meatballs for $19.99 at stores nationwide.
*One per household, see IKEA-USA.com for additional details.
Bill Bortzfield can be reached at bbortzfield@wjct.org, 904-358-6349 or on Twitter at @BortzInJax.
