5 Things That Inevitably Happen When IKEA Comes to Town

Perhaps you’ve not heard–because you’re living under a rock maybe–that there’s an IKEA coming to Memphis. For those of you who didn’t already know…

IKEA is coming to Memphis!

For a lot of people, that means a lot of emotions: joy, relief, excitement… And of course, the completely uncontrollable thoughts that go through just about everyone’s mind when they find out an IKEA is coming to their town. There are {at least} 5 stages of excitement associated with the arrival of an IKEA in your town, and all are completely natural, we promise.

1. All of your furniture either spontaneously breaks or becomes disgustingly and unbearably out of style. 

Seriously. Build a bonfire and start completely over, y’all.

2. Instead of changing light bulbs that go out, you decide to just completely replace the light fixtures. 

Every light fixture you own should just be replaced by this incredibly beautiful Death Star-esque light fixture. More commonly known as the IKEA PS 2014. 

3. You’ll scoff at the idea of shopping with your kids in tow. 

Because at IKEA you can drop those {potty-trained} boogers off at Smaland: the play area at the front door. Yeah. They even have a ball pit, with clean balls.  

And if your kids aren’t potty trained yet, no worries! They even have fun little stations throughout the store where the kids can play while you design your dream life room.

4. You’ll begin noticing how inefficient your kitchen is.

Why are there so many Rubbermaid containers jammed in this cabinet? Why is our cereal on the floor? Why do we have so many cabinets and no long skinny drawers for pots and pans? We need new knobs for all our cabinets and I won’t sleep until I’ve seen every last option!   

5. A craving for Swedish meatballs will hit you. Hard. 

There’s a restaurant and a bistro at the new IKEA in Memphis. And LAWDHAMERCY you have try all the food! But most importantly, you have to try the Swedish meatballs… and the Daim candy bars. Trust. Also, there’s a section in the restaurant for your kids to eat if you’d like to sit in peace. That’s right: a kiddie table, complete with TV and little chairs. 

For sure, you’ll want to sign up to be an IKEA Family, y’all. It’s free of charge, gets you tons of discounts, and even extends your alotted time at Smaland! You can sign up here, or wait until you go to the store between December 14 and 18 so you can enter to win a $1,000 gift card!

Customers are allowed to begin camping out at 8:00am on Monday, December 12! Why are people going to want to camp out? Well, there are some great giveaways happening…

Wednesday, December 14, 2016
• The first 43 adults (18 & older) in IKEA Memphis on December 14, 2016 will receive a free EKTORP three-seat sofa, honoring the 43rd U.S. IKEA store.
• The next 100 adults (18 & older) in IKEA Memphis on December 14, 2016 will receive a free POÄNG armchair.
• The first 100 children (17 & younger) in IKEA Memphis on December 14, 2016 will receive a free FAMNIG heart-shaped soft toy.
• The first 2,500 adults (18 & older) in IKEA Memphis on December 14, 2016 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.
• The first 100 adults (18 & older) bringing proof to IKEA Memphis on December 14, 2016 their birthday is the same as the store’s will receive a gift card in the amount of $43, a tie-in corresponding to IKEA Memphis as the 43rd U.S. IKEA store.
• From December 14 through December 18, 2016, visitors to IKEA Memphis may enter a drawing to win one of ten $1,000 IKEA Gift Cards through the IKEA FAMILY loyalty program. IKEA is matching the prizes (a total of $10,000) with a donation of home furnishings to Hope House, a local organization that provides early childhood education in a safe, loving environment to children affected by HIV/AIDS.

Thursday, December 15, 2016
• The first 43 adults (18 & older) in IKEA Memphis on Thursday, December 15, 2016 will receive a free queen-sized HAUGESUND mattress.
• The next 100 adults (18 & older) in IKEA Memphis on Thursday, December 15, 2016 will receive free Zone 1 home delivery for purchases made that day.

Friday, December 16, 2016
• The first 43 adults (one per immediate family) in IKEA Memphis on Friday, December 16, 2016 will receive a voucher for a monthly meatball meal for a family of four at IKEA Memphis’ Restaurant through next year, expiring on Friday, December 15, 2017.
• The next 43 adults (18 & older) in IKEA Memphis on Friday, December 16, 2016 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 (17 & under) in IKEA Memphis on Friday, December 16, 2016 will receive a voucher for a soft-serve frozen yogurt available that day at IKEA Memphis’ Exit Bistro.

Wednesday, December 14 – Sunday, December 18, 2016
• Balloon artists, entertainment and face-painting will enhance the family-friendly fun at IKEA Memphis from December 14 through December 18, 2016.