IKEA may open stand-alone cafes:

https://www.fastcompany.com/40400784/ikeas-big-bet-on-meatballs

IKEA may open stand-alone cafes:

https://www.fastcompany.com/40400784/ikeas-big-bet-on-meatballs

We are fortunate right now that our food entrepreneurs are investing in local concepts. We still lag behind in bringing some good chains in. Norman sure seems to be reeling them in though.

The thing about OKC is I think the local dining scene here is strong enough that I really don't feel the need/want for the national chains. One exception to that would be that I would love to see a McCormick & Schmicks here. Other than that, I am pretty satisfied with the local dining scene here. There are still a few holes, but I would much rather see them filled by local restaurateurs than chains.

i got their meatballs swangin........

just get the freaking main store here, or FOH

IKEA may open stand-alone cafes:

https://www.fastcompany.com/40400784/ikeas-big-bet-on-meatballs

Somehow i doubt people will go out of their way to go eat meatballs when they're not a "captive" audience at the store.

But hey, we buy $8 nachos at a football game, but still buy the $4 version at Taco Bueno. Same with hotdogs. Maybe they're on to something and we'll all be surprised. Definitely not aware of a fast food chain serving meatballs......lol

I don't think anyone's posted this, but IKEA recently announced they are now making weekly deliveries to select zip codes in Oklahoma once a week for a flat rate of $99. Hopefully this is a sign they're considering entering the OKC or Tulsa markets.



http://www.ikea.com/us/en/store/frisco/service
Zip Codes: http://www.ikea.com/ms/en_US/img/local_store_info/frisco/ikea_frisco_okc_zips.pdf

This was pretty much how it started for Milwaukee. For several years they delivered to Milwaukee from the store by Ohare I think for 79.00 once a week. (A little over an hour drive) Now Milwaukee is getting their own store. So it might not be anytime soon, but it might happen. I figure maybe an Oklahoma store, San Antonio, and maybe second Houston in the next 10 years or so.

I've been to the IKEA in Dallas several times with the now ex-wife and I never understood why people are attracted this store. But then again, this is coming from a man that can spend an hour or 2 at Lowe's and walk out with nothing !!!

A San Antonio area store was announced in November. A Fort Worth store has also been announced.
IKEA, announced it is submitting plans to the City of Live Oak, Texas for a San Antonio-area store that would increase the Swedish company’s U.S. presence with its fifth store in the state. Pending approvals, construction of IKEA Live Oak could begin in Spring 2018, with an opening in Summer 2019.
Pending necessary approvals and agreements, construction of an IKEA Fort Worth could begin Spring 2018, with an opening Summer 2019. Until then, Metroplex customers can shop at Collin County’s IKEA Frisco, online at IKEA-USA.com, or in Grand Prairie as of Fall 2017. Two other Texas stores are located in Houston and Round Rock, and a San Antonio-area store is planned to open Summer 2019 in Live Oak.

Located approximately 10 miles north of downtown Fort Worth, the 289,000-square-foot proposed IKEA Fort Worth and its 900 parking spaces would be built on 27 acres at the southwestern corner of Interstate 35W and N. Tarrant Parkway.

Located approximately 15 miles northeast of downtown San Antonio, the 289,000-square-foot proposed IKEA store and its approximately 1,000 parking spaces would be built on 31 acres at the southwestern corner of Interstate 35 and Loop 1604.

I've been to the IKEA in Dallas several times with the now ex-wife and I never understood why people are attracted this store. But then again, this is coming from a man that can spend an hour or 2 at Lowe's and walk out with nothing !!!

Agree with the IKEA sentiment. Went through the Frisco store and saw endless aisles of some of the *crappiest* "furniture" I'd seen at absurd prices. Yet people were handing over money like it was going out of style. Didn't get it then. Still don't. We came out with a couple sets of drinking glasses at a pretty decent price, but not truckloads of stuff the way their stores are clearly intended to generate. Oh well.

Agree with the IKEA sentiment. Went through the Frisco store and saw endless aisles of some of the *crappiest* "furniture" I'd seen at absurd prices. Yet people were handing over money like it was going out of style. Didn't get it then. Still don't. We came out with a couple sets of drinking glasses at a pretty decent price, but not truckloads of stuff the way their stores are clearly intended to generate. Oh well.

I have basically the same feelings. They do have a few decent things. Like I got a decent dresser and nightstand for my daughter at a good price. But the vast majority of their stuff just seems like crap and it isn't cheap, especially compared to other lower end furniture. I would also never touch their baby furniture, that stuff gets recalled all the time.

And now for a completely different side of things - bought some CD racks (with sliding doors, not just open racks) about 15 years ago from the one in the northern burbs of Chicago, they've survived moving from there to Puyallup, WA, then to Sumner, WA, then to OKC, and they're still completely totally rock-solid, just a few scratches that I've covered with a Sharpie.

And now for a completely different side of things - bought some CD racks (with sliding doors, not just open racks) about 15 years ago from the one in the northern burbs of Chicago, they've survived moving from there to Puyallup, WA, then to Sumner, WA, then to OKC, and they're still completely totally rock-solid, just a few scratches that I've covered with a Sharpie.

I don't understand how people who have never owned or used IKEA merchandise can definitively call it cheap product. Not one of my IKEA products have been difficult to assemble or fallen apart in the several years we've owned them. My wife grew up on IKEA furniture that is still going strong 20 years later.

Minimalist doesn't mean cheap or brittle. It just means that maybe you don't need a lion's head carved into the corners of your solid oak recliner.

They have cheap stuff as well, and if the only thing people know is their super cheap products then they could easily be inclined to think it's all like that. My daughters bedroom is all IKEA. Her quality bed and dressers are solid and will last her for over a decade at least. My fat self has spend many nights in her toddler bed without any issues. Meanwhile, the little storage shelf we paid $30 for splintered while screwing it together.

Even at IKEA you get what you pay for if you shop their bargain section.

I've spent over $1,000 on a bed frame (every year they release a Stockholm collection of items with some choice items for mid century fans) that's frame, not bed, made of solid walnut throughout with stitched leather headboard pad and looks like it could have been designed by Hans Knoll.

Do you also "not get" Trader Joe's?

IKEA is hiring for the Grand Prairie, TX store. Hoping that they will open before OU vs. TX.

Grand Prairie, TX IKEA opens December 13, 2017

http://www.ikea.com/us/en/about_ikea/newsitem/101717-IKEA-to-open-grand-prairie-december#

It's (possibly) happening!!

*****************

IKEA considering Oklahoma City (http://www.okctalk.com/content.php?r=549-IKEA-considering-Oklahoma-City)

The mother of all retailers, Swedish-founded IKEA, is considering a location in north Oklahoma City.


http://www.okctalk.com/images/pete/ikea1.jpg


OKCTalk has learned that initial talks have commenced to bring the legendary company to an area near Memorial Road, most likely in or near the Chisholm Creek development located between Pennsylvania and Western Avenues on the south side of Kilpatrick Turnpike.

A typical IKEA store is a distinct blue and yellow – the national colors of Sweden – and comprised of approximately 300,000 square feet.

In the customary two-story layout, shoppers enter on the second level and follow a counter-clockwise route through an extensive showroom of furniture and home accessories. Located on the first level are a market hall, self-serve warehouse area and checkout.


http://www.okctalk.com/images/pete/ikea2.jpg


Each IKEA includes a restaurant serving local cuisine and beverages along with traditional Swedish food including their famous Swedish potatoes and meatballs.


http://www.okctalk.com/images/pete/ikea4.jpg


Almost all of IKEA’s furniture is designed to be assembled by the customer, which the company claims to reduce costs and increase value. Most items have one-word Scandanivian names.


http://www.okctalk.com/images/pete/ikea3.jpg


The nearest store to Oklahoma City is located in Frisco, Texas. Currently, over 400 IKEAs are operating in 49 countries around the world.

The Memorial Road corridor in the far north area of town continues to be the focus of many big-box retailers and new-to-market chains. Recent additions include Von Maur, H&M, Cabela's and TopGolf, and Costco just commenced construction on the southeast corner of Memorial and Western.


http://www.okctalk.com/images/pete/ikea6.jpg

That would make my year.

Thanks Pete. There goes my income.

Ikea would be a very welcomed addition to OKC . . .

That would be AWESOME!! but I am sorry, I will believe it when I see it. I just can not see them choosing OKC over Tulsa.

Alright, so there's enough here for you to post this, but how likely is this? We talking a 90% chance for this to go down? Because this is absolutely awesome. This is huge news.

If a full-sized store came to Chisolm Creek, that would take up a big chuck of real estate. I wonder if the dine-in theater or soccer stadium are still in talks or if these died on vein?

That would be AWESOME!! but I am sorry, I will believe it when I see it. I just can not see them choosing OKC over Tulsa.

Don't believe they are even looking in Tulsa right now.

Pete, I really really really hope this happens; however since it was five years from the first word on a possible Costco to a building permit I'm assuming we should temper our expectations?

That would be AWESOME!! but I am sorry, I will believe it when I see it. I just can not see them choosing OKC over Tulsa.

It's too close to the Kansas and Missouri store. I'm kind of surprised to here they are considering OKC based on what the requirements they were looking for a few years back.

^

Costco was different.

They had a letter of intent then backed out, then opened Tulsa, waited to see how that would do, then came back to OKC.

These deals always take time and are never done until they are done (and even then, things can happen) but if this was to move forward it would likely be in the next year or so.

I'm more excited to see how many reactions Pete's facebook post gets than I actually am for us to get an IKEA.

https://www.facebook.com/OKCTalk/posts/1943828929042050

Never been to an IKEA but all the furniture I've ever seen from there seems super cheap and brittle.

If a full-sized store came to Chisolm Creek, that would take up a big chuck of real estate. I wonder if the dine-in theater or soccer stadium are still in talks or if these died on vein?

If that happens I won’t know what to think. IKEA would be a good addition for OKC but the most exciting part of Chisholm creek element of having a true mixed lifestyle center will be gone. Oh well, I suppose another one could be built elsewhere along this corridor in addition to the ones that are already planned.

That would be AWESOME!! but I am sorry, I will believe it when I see it. I just can not see them choosing OKC over Tulsa.

This makes no sense at all. OKC has more people, and is growing faster than Tulsa.

This makes no sense at all. OKC has more people, and is growing faster than Tulsa.

OKC also has a much larger pull for an Ikea, as it will pull people as far away as Amarillo and all of northwest Oklahoma and even part of far southwest Kansas. most of the rural areas that Tulsa could pull already just go to the Kansas City store

IKEA does a huge business with college students. OKC is very centrally located for OU, OSU, UCO... By far the 3 biggest universities in the state.

People from Tulsa would merely drive down.

If that happens I won’t know what to think. IKEA would be a good addition for OKC but the most exciting part of Chisholm creek element of having a true mixed lifestyle center will be gone. Oh well, I suppose another one could be built elsewhere along this corridor in addition to the ones that are already planned.

I suspect being a true lifestyle center was always back-burner anyway and they'll be happy to be rid of it. Obvs I'm speculating, but I feel like there are things you do up front (e.g. sidewalks/walkability) if you're serious about lifestyle, and I just never felt like they were.

I have a lot of family in Tulsa that would gladly drive down for an IKEA.

This makes no sense at all. OKC has more people, and is growing faster than Tulsa.

Tell that to REI...Costco....Traders Joes....Hard Rock....OKC got the Container Store! Tulsa lands good stuff, and so do we.

Tell that to REI...Costco....Traders Joes....Hard Rock....OKC got the Container Store! Tulsa lands good stuff, and so do we.

completely different types of stores that look at completely different factors when determining locations

Tell that to REI...Costco....Traders Joes....Hard Rock....OKC got the Container Store! Tulsa lands good stuff, and so do we.

Can't consider Hard Rock, as none of OKC is tribal trust land, so no casinos are present here. Tulsa has a ton of it. But OKC is quickly turning the tide on where stores go first.

It's too close to the Kansas and Missouri store. I'm kind of surprised to here they are considering OKC based on what the requirements they were looking for a few years back.

Actually Dallas is closer to OKC then those stores are to Tulsa, but there are two store up that way so your point makes sense.

Can't consider Hard Rock, as none of OKC is tribal trust land, so no casinos are present here. Tulsa has a ton of it. But OKC is quickly turning the tide on where stores go first.

I agree

Tell that to REI...Costco....Traders Joes....Hard Rock....OKC got the Container Store! Tulsa lands good stuff, and so do we.

OKC is also at a much more prominent location then Tulsa with convergence of three major interstates which would seem to make it much more desirable to a destination retailer like ikea. None of the stores you mention are major draws to people from out of state except maybe hard rock but the only reason Tulsa got that was because it’s a casino and they can build them anywhere in or around Tulsa which isn’t an option here.

Tell that to REI...Costco....Traders Joes....Hard Rock....OKC got the Container Store! Tulsa lands good stuff, and so do we.

The myth that Tulsa gets more good retail before OKC is something that needs to completely die:

http://www.okctalk.com/showthread.php?t=37659

I'm more excited to see how many reactions Pete's facebook post gets than I actually am for us to get an IKEA.

https://www.facebook.com/OKCTalk/posts/1943828929042050

Never been to an IKEA but all the furniture I've ever seen from there seems super cheap and brittle.

It seems that way, but a lot of their stuff is really well designed. I have an IKEA Malm platform bed frame and dresser that I bought about 6-7 years ago, and though I have had some minor issues with them, they've been solid and I have enjoyed the bed greatly. The few issues I've had were easy to correct. Their bookcases are really cool because they take into account things like trim; their bookcases are notched at the bottom so they will sit flat against the wall and clear any baseboard trim. I've been super impressed with the IKEA stuff I have.

That would be AWESOME!! but I am sorry, I will believe it when I see it. I just can not see them choosing OKC over Tulsa.

I think the days of Tulsa getting everything first in the state are coming to an end. OKC has really caught up in recent years. Tulsa World actually did an article not long ago that addressed this topic.

https://www.tulsaworld.com/photovideo/slideshows/photo-gallery-the-okc-stores-tulsa-needs-the-tulsa-brands/collection_c2a09ca6-7858-5940-af32-95cbb00ad7b8.html

As for IKEA, as much as I would like to see one in OKC I really hope it doesn't replace the lifestyle portion of Chisholm Creek.

I think the days of Tulsa getting everything first in the state are coming to an end. OKC has really caught up in recent years. Tulsa World actually did an article not long ago that addressed this topic.

https://www.tulsaworld.com/photovideo/slideshows/photo-gallery-the-okc-stores-tulsa-needs-the-tulsa-brands/collection_c2a09ca6-7858-5940-af32-95cbb00ad7b8.html

As for IKEA, as much as I would like to see one in OKC I really hope it doesn't replace the lifestyle portion of Chisholm Creek.

I agree, maybe it won't actually be located inside Chisholm Creek

I think the days of Tulsa getting everything first in the state are coming to an end. OKC has really caught up in recent years. Tulsa World actually did an article not long ago that addressed this topic.

https://www.tulsaworld.com/photovideo/slideshows/photo-gallery-the-okc-stores-tulsa-needs-the-tulsa-brands/collection_c2a09ca6-7858-5940-af32-95cbb00ad7b8.html

Or, you could just read the OKCTalk article that tracts this in detail rather than some superficial little story with 1/10th the info where almost no time or effort was expended.

It seems that way, but a lot of their stuff is really well designed. I have an IKEA Malm platform bed frame and dresser that I bought about 6-7 years ago, and though I have had some minor issues with them, they've been solid and I have enjoyed the bed greatly. The few issues I've had were easy to correct. Their bookcases are really cool because they take into account things like trim; their bookcases are notched at the bottom so they will sit flat against the wall and clear any baseboard trim. I've been super impressed with the IKEA stuff I have.

IKEA also has two categories of stuff: college and first apartment cheap stuff that can be fairly flimsy, and solid wood pieces that can be moved over and over again without taking damage.

Billy bookcase vs Hemnes bookcase is a relevant example.

It seems that way, but a lot of their stuff is really well designed. I have an IKEA Malm platform bed frame and dresser that I bought about 6-7 years ago, and though I have had some minor issues with them, they've been solid and I have enjoyed the bed greatly. The few issues I've had were easy to correct. Their bookcases are really cool because they take into account things like trim; their bookcases are notched at the bottom so they will sit flat against the wall and clear any baseboard trim. I've been super impressed with the IKEA stuff I have.

It's better than Walmart or Target particle board furniture. If you want something that will last generations, you have to buy or make something out of solid wood which is heavy and will cost you more. In this day and age people like to change out their stuff every few years it seems.

It seems that way, but a lot of their stuff is really well designed. I have an IKEA Malm platform bed frame and dresser that I bought about 6-7 years ago, and though I have had some minor issues with them, they've been solid and I have enjoyed the bed greatly. The few issues I've had were easy to correct. Their bookcases are really cool because they take into account things like trim; their bookcases are notched at the bottom so they will sit flat against the wall and clear any baseboard trim. I've been super impressed with the IKEA stuff I have.

:iagree: I've got some CD/DVD shelving with sliding doors, and they have the same notches on the bottom - genius. I bought them in IL about 15 years ago and they've survived with everything still totally tight and completely intact (aside from a few scratches that were fixed with a Sharpie) through moves from IL to Puyallup, WA, then to Sumner, WA, and then to OKC.

OKC also has a much larger pull for an Ikea, as it will pull people as far away as Amarillo and all of northwest Oklahoma and even part of far southwest Kansas. most of the rural areas that Tulsa could pull already just go to the Kansas City store

Tulsa pulls in the NW Arkansas market which is a fast-growing metro of 500k with high average incomes.

But I agree an OKC location makes the most sense.

Thanks for getting this for us Pete!

Thanks for reporting this; we haven't opened all the stuff we just got in Frisco last weekend!
This is news we can use.

So the chances appear to be better than 0%, but less than 100%.

Also, I presume you wouldn't have posted so broadly (social media) if there was any percent chance of "scaring them off".

So are we at 51% and still pretty iffy?

Or 85% and solid, just not locked in on some details?

Another huge myth: 'Scaring them off'.

I've seen a certain reporter make this claim (as in, "Well I knew about it but didn't want to cause problems with a pending deal") but it's utter BS. Also, it's a reporter's job to report the truth, not do favors to the various people involved.

I was a very successful commercial real estate broker of both leases and sales and I can assure you that is all just nonsense.

Sounds like code for “we knew they were getting handouts from the city and we didn’t want them to get pushback after we report on it”.

^

If a reporter really has a story, they report it.

And there are scores and scores of examples of the Oklahoman reporting something before it was done, despite claiming they never do that sort of thing.

Nm

^

If a reporter really has a story, they report it.

And there are scores and scores of examples of the Oklahoman reporting something before it was done, despite claiming they never do that sort of thing.

Surprised they haven’t jumped on this yet after you posted it. The Tulsa World already picked it up and actually cited OKCTalk.

Surprised they haven’t jumped on this yet after you posted it. The Tulsa World already picked it up and actually cited OKCTalk.

TW has it near the top of their website.

I'm sure the Oklahoman is trying to figure out how they can report on this while completely avoiding crediting us.

http://www.news9.com/story/39231339/city-reacts-to-reports-ikea-may-be-coming-to-oklahoma-city

News9 giving no credit to OKCtalk.com

KGOU reported on it this morning, crediting OkCTalk.