IKEA opens newest store in Columbus today

The 354,000-square-foot building is built on 33 acres at the corner of I-71 and Gemini Place in the Polaris Centers of Commerce out, and features 1,100 parking spaces on 33 acres at in the Polaris Centers of Commerce development. The property is approximately 15 miles north of downtown Columbus.

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The project has stimulated the Columbus economy already — adding more than 500 jobs during the construction phase, and approximately 300 more workers will be employed when the new store opens. The location also has one of Ohio’s largest rooftop solar arrays – consistent with the solar presence at 90 percent of U.S. IKEA stores – as well as three electric vehicle charging stations.

A spokeswoman for IKEA confirmed that the first camper in line for the IKEA giveaways is Felicia Andres, a woman from Springboro. The state will celebrate the opening of the new store with special appearances by Ohio Lt. Gov. Mary Taylor and IKEA’s U.S. President Lars Petersson at the opening celebration on Wednesday. The store signifies the growing presence of IKEA in the United States — this is the 44th IKEA location in the country.

» INSIDE LOOK: IKEA to open in Columbus next week

The retailer will recognize some of the first customers by giving away thousands of dollars in gift cards and merchandise — including sofas and armchairs. Customers can start lining up at 9 a.m. on June 5, approximately 48 hours before the store’s opening.

IKEA opened its first Ohio location in West Chester Twp., just north of Cincinnati. That store was built out in 2008.

Special offers include:

• The first 44 adults (18 & older) in IKEA Columbus on June 7 will receive a free EKTORP three-seat sofa.

• The next 100 adults (18 & older) in IKEA Columbus on June 7 will receive a free POÄNG armchair.

• The first 2,500 adults (18 & older) in IKEA Columbus on June 7 will receive a random prize envelope with IKEA Gift Cards ranging from $10 to $250, or a “Buy One, Get One Free” cinnamon bun, hot dog or soft-serve frozen yogurt voucher.

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• From June 7 through June 11, visitors to IKEA Columbus 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 The Homeless Families Foundation, a local organization that provides housing assistance and educational services to homeless families living in Columbus.

• The first 44 adults (18 & older) in IKEA Columbus on June 8 will receive a free queen-sized HAUGESUND mattress.

• The next 100 adults (18 & older) in IKEA Columbus on Thursday, June 8 will receive a free ALINA “sleep set” of bedspread and cushion covers and two FJADRAR pillows.

• The first 100 children (17 & younger) in IKEA Columbus on June 8 will receive a free GOSIG golden dog soft toy.