Swedish Retailer IKEA Expands Presence in Texas And U.S. With Proposal for Store in Frisco, TX

Furniture World Magazine

IKEA announced it plans to build a store inFrisco, TX as its first store and restaurant destination in the Dallas-Fort Worth Metroplex and its second store in the state. (IKEA Houston opened in 1992 and will move in August into a new building twice the size.) Pending city approval, construction of the proposed IKEA Frisco could start as earlyas Spring 2004, with an anticipated opening date of Summer 2005. Bordered by the Dallas North Tollway on the west and Texas State Highway 121 on the south, the 25-acre site will include a 310,000 square foot IKEAstore at-grade with 1,400 parking spaces. Located in the very successful 'Frisco Bridges' shopping district, this store will blend local design features with the unique architectural design for which IKEA stores are known worldwide. "We are very excited about the prospect of entering the Dallas-Fort Worth area at this site in Frisco. It is an exciting opportunity for us to join a fast-growing part of Dallas-Fort Worth area at the intersection of two major highways, in a location that is easily accessible to the entire Metroplex," said Doug Greenholz, real estate manager for IKEA. "There are many Metroplex customers who already know IKEA by having visited our existing stores, whether in Houston, around the country or abroad. Based on the constant inquiries we receive, IKEA is confident there will be much excitement about the unique shopping experience we will be offering right here in Frisco." In addition to offering nearly 10,000 exclusively designed items, IKEA Frisco will feature 50 different room settings, five model homes, a supervised children's play area, as well as a 300-seat restaurant that serves Swedish specialties such as meatballs with lingonberries and salmon platters. Other family-friendly features will include a Children's IKEA showroom, baby care rooms, preferred parking and play areas throughout the store. Besides jobs created during the construction phase, 400-500 co-workers will join the IKEA family when the new store is fully built. IKEA Frisco willprovide significant annual sales tax and property tax revenue benefits forlocal governments and schools. "We also look forward to being a partner in the local community," continued Greenholz. IKEA currently has more than 190 stores in 31 countries, including 18 in the United States. As part of its North American expansion, the company plans to open 5 new stores a year for the next ten years. Other U.S. stores being planned include: Atlanta, GA; Bloomington, MN; Brooklyn, NY; Dublin, CA; New Haven, CT; Philadelphia, PA; Somerville, MA; Stoughton, MA; Tempe, AZ; and the relocation in Houston, TX. Since its founding in 1943, IKEA has offered a wide range of home furnishings and accessories of good design and function, at low prices so the majority of the people can afford them. Recently, IKEA was named in Working Mother magazine's 18th annual list of the "100 Best Companies for Working Mothers" and was honored with the magazine's Family Champion award for family- friendly programs. IKEA is recognized as a socially responsible company, and continuously supports initiatives that benefit causes such as children and the environment. To visit the IKEA Web Site, please go to http://www.ikea-usa.com .