Take a sneak peek inside the new IKEA

Hey there, time traveller!
This article was published 21/11/2012 (4707 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

Are you getting IKEA-cited?

Hundreds of workers are putting the final touches on the Swedish furniture giant’s soon-to-be christened store on the corner of Kenaston Boulevard and Sterling Lyon Parkway.

Pillows are being fluffed in the more than 50 showrooms, stuffed animals are being placed on the shelves and the cooks in the 651-seat restaurant are serving meatballs by the thousands to all the workers.

“There has been this crazy excitement in the store since the first blue panel went up on the sides months ago. That’s really magnified now. I think people can see the light. We’re so excited to open the doors,” said Maegan Sheskey, Winnipeg-based spokeswoman for IKEA.

The first customers will pour into the store next Wednesday morning at 9 a.m. Dignitaries such as Mayor Sam Katz and Premier Greg Selinger will be on hand for the opening ceremonies, which will start at 8:20 a.m.

The first 1,000 customers in line – they can start the queue at one minute after midnight – will receive a flat-packed box containing a $75 gift card and an Allen key. The holders of five golden Allen keys will have a chance to win a $5,000 gift card.

geoff.kirbyson@freepress.mb.ca