I don't know if you can tell from our pictures or not, but our lower levels remain unfurnished. We moved from a house that was just under 1,000 square feet, so needless to say, we only have enough furniture to furnish most of the upper level. So LD and I have been thinking about driving to an IKEA and renting a Uhaul trailer to bring back some furniture. However, the three closest IKEAs are all about an 8-hour drive from Kansas City. But others have already made that long drive to an IKEA.
Sam and John from "Our First House" blog recently drove to the IKEA in Chicago, and had some bad luck on their drive back. You can read all about it here: http://roecircle.blogspot.com/ .
So, I was thinking about us, Sam and John, and another blogger who also recently drove to an IKEA to purchase furniture, and it occured to me that Merriam would be an ideal location for a new IKEA!!!
Like other communities, Merriam has been hit hard by the economic downturn. However, there are two potential locations for an IKEA here.
Potential Wonderful Locations in Merriam:
1. A brand new Circuit City was built in Merriam last year, and it was supposed to open right before the holiday shopping season. Unfortunately, Circuit City filed for bankruptcy, so the store never opened in Merriam on I-35 and Johnson Drive.
2. Merriam also has another large tract of land close to the 67th Street and the I-35 exit, which remains vacant due to the slow economy.
With those thoughts in mind, we had an opportunity to speak with Carl Wilkes, the current Merriam Mayor, and pointed out how the City's central location would be an ideal place for an IKEA. We informed him of IKEA's appeal, affordability, demographics, current locations, and potential economical boost to our area. He seemed interested and wrote down the information. Well, we planted the seed, and hope that he runs with it.
So, if you know of any investors looking for an opportunity, let them know about our idea!
With those thoughts in mind, we had an opportunity to speak with Carl Wilkes, the current Merriam Mayor, and pointed out how the City's central location would be an ideal place for an IKEA. We informed him of IKEA's appeal, affordability, demographics, current locations, and potential economical boost to our area. He seemed interested and wrote down the information. Well, we planted the seed, and hope that he runs with it.
So, if you know of any investors looking for an opportunity, let them know about our idea!
This is not a real IKEA location only a dream!
In the meantime, we will probably take that trek (like many others before us) in a month or two to the IKEA in Minneapolis.
Genius! I second that! It could have saved us an entire weekend. I would think it would be a good market since there are no IKEAs close.
ReplyDeleteFYI, the Schaumber store has much more in stock than MN and is about the same drive. Just check the store online the night before to make sure they have what you want.
hmmmmmmmmmmm
ReplyDeleteMy fiancee and I have done the Minnesota trip! It's not bad at all, but I agree that you should check what's in stock online before you go.
ReplyDeleteWe did a cargo van from Enterprise. It was a lot easier than dealing with a trailer, and you'd be shocked at how much you can fit inside! We did three 8' tall wardrobes, a living room storage center, a king-sized bed, and two nightstands...and we were far less than halfway full.
Obviously you should measure before you go, but I think you could pretty well fit a floor's worth of furniture in there. Those IKEA folks pack efficiently!
Good luck!
My wife and I, and a couple of other friends, made the trek to St. Paul Ikea last year to take advantage of the kitchen sale (the kitchen is still in boxes in my living room unfortunately).
ReplyDeleteA few years ago, I looked into it, and the franchise model. While Ikea stores are all franchises, all but 2 are owned by the same parent company. They have a slight monopoly, you could say, and I can see why. The cost would be astronomical. Facilities, inventory, and logistics.
I agree that Merriam would be a great location, however, if you look at the existing stores, they are very close to either rail or major waterways. I think that Brooklyn, NY is one of the best examples. They're in a shipping yard. Their ships come into NY and pull right up to the store. From there, cargo is easily placed on rail or sent down rivers or the coast.
That said, the west bottoms look good....if the west bottoms weren't plagued by other issues.
BTW, love the blog. From one black lab & mcm owner to another! Take care.
Jason
www.jasonrichardtaylor.com
Wow, you did it! Your dream for an Ikea in Merriam is coming true. I'm thrilled since I'll be moving back to KC in a year or two and I've been shopping at our Ikea here in Canada since 1985. It's great we'll have one down there too, thanks!
ReplyDelete