IKEA Opens the Doors to Its First Store in the Southeast In Atlanta

Furniture World Magazine

IKEA, a leading home furnishings retailer, will open the doors to its first store in the Southeast and 23rd in the U.S., in Atlanta, GA on June 29. In celebration of the grand opening, the new store has kicked off the IKEA Atlanta Ambassadors of "Kul" (Swedish for "Fun") campaign giving five lucky Atlanta-area residents an insider's look, taste and feel of the IKEA Atlanta experience before its doors open to the public on June 29. IKEA Atlanta partnered with WSTR-FM (IND/Star 94) on the "Ambassadors of Kul" campaign to help find the five Ambassadors of Kul" who were randomly chosen from more than 1500 online entries. The five winners will live in the store from Sunday, June 26 through grand opening day on Wednesday, June 29 and participate in "Kul" (fun) activities such as a Swedish cooking class with an IKEA Restaurant chef, a scavenger hunt and an opportunity to be an IKEA designer for a day. To complete this one-of-a-kind experience, each of the "Ambassadors of Kul" will receive a $2,000 IKEA Gift Card. In addition, IKEA Atlanta will match the Ambassadors' prizes (a total of $10,000) with a donation to benefit the 21 local centers of the Boys & Girls Club of Metro Atlanta. "We are so excited to bring the fun and unique IKEA Family-friendly shopping experience to all of Atlanta," said Lynda Mee, IKEA Atlanta store manager. "It seemed only fitting that our "Ambassadors of Kul" grand opening campaign bring to life the entertaining spirit and enthusiasm of Georgians in a way that closely resembles the shopping experience all visitors soon will be able to enjoy." As a symbol of "new beginnings," the Honorable Mayor Shirley Franklin and Pernille Spiers-Lopez, president, IKEA North America will join IKEA Atlanta store manager Lynda Mee in the traditional Swedish log-sawing ceremony, which takes place just before IKEA Atlanta officially opens its doors at 9:00 a.m. on June 29. A representative of the Atlanta Boys & Girls Club will also join the ceremony and grand opening festivities. Additional IKEA Atlanta grand opening festivities include: Early Bird Catches $4,000 in IKEA Gift Cards - The very first person in line (18 and over) for the IKEA Atlanta grand opening at 9:00 a.m. on June will win $4,000 in IKEA gift cards. Got PDA? Get a Room! - Publicly display your affection for IKEA by being one of the first five adults (18 and over) in line for the IKEA Atlanta at 9:00 a.m. on June 29, and enjoy your wait in the comfort of a mini IKEA room setting that you'll take home for free! The New State Chair - The next 100 adults in line receive a free POANG armchair. For the (Truly) Young at Heart - The first 100 children (under 18) in line for the IKEA Atlanta on June 29 will receive a free soft-toy. Dream Home Makeover - All visitors to IKEA Atlanta from June 29 until July 4 can enter to win $10,000 in IKEA gift cards to makeover their home by filling out an entry form. Everyone's A Winner (Almost!) - Twenty-thousand IKEA Atlanta shoppers will randomly receive "Everyone's a Winner" Cards with free prizes such as a free hot dog from the IKEA Cafe Bistro, a comfy sofa or a $500 IKEA gift card from June 29 through July 4. You Say It's Your Birthday - The first 100 visitors at IKEA Atlanta on June 29 through July 4 who can prove that day is their birthday will receive a $10 IKEA gift card. IKEA currently has more than 210 stores in 33 countries around the globe. In the U.S., IKEA aims to open five new stores a year. Other U.S. stores being planned will be located in: Bolingbrook, IL; Brooklyn, NY; Canton, MI; Dublin, CA; Frisco, TX; Somerville, MA; Stoughton, MA; and West Sacramento, CA. IKEA, a leading home furnishings retailer founded in 1943, offers a wide range of home furnishings and accessories of good design and function, at prices so low that the majority of the people can afford them. IKEA currently has more than 210 stores in 33 countries, including 23 stores in the United States. IKEA has been ranked in FORTUNE's annual "100 Best Companies to Work For" List, Working Mother magazine's annual list of "100 Best Companies for Working Mothers" (two years in a row) and Training magazine's annual "Top 100" ranking of companies that excel at human capital development (three years in a row). IKEA supports responsible business practices and innovative initiatives that help protect the environment and the future for children around the world.