And so it begins

Report at 9:30 says there are 6 or so people already! I’ll be running out for pics soon.

The Enquirer’s Ikea shopping primer

Some good tips though I think they did it out of order. Would have been nicer to do it in the order of the “maze”. But they’re new to this, I’ll let them off.

Oh, it does have a couple nice info bits:

Updated: The Website Active Dayton has IKEA on it’s “things to do this week“. They also have a new circulation of the old write up about where they names come from. (NO love for Iceland? Come on, they still speak Viking!”)

Wednesday’s Festivities

What should you expect?

Something like this, only with large melting piles of snow.

All the action starts at 6am Wednesday. There is going to be many things planned I know. Music and performances are the usual fare from my many years of watching the opening reports from other places all these years. Then finally, Store Manager Lonnie Rodgers will welcome the community into the IKEA family with a traditional Swedish log-sawing ceremony, bringing good luck to the new home and its future visitors. Following that there will be some words form West Chester Township Board of Trustees President George Lang and IKEA North America president Pernille Lopez.

There will be a flag raising. West Chester Trustees Catherine Stoker and Lee Wong who will raise the U.S. flag. Honorary Swedish Consul for Ohio Michael Lee Miller who will raise the Swedish flag, and Congressman John Boehner’s District Representative, Ryan Day, will raise the Ohio flag.

Big Stuff:
Word is “Team Lachey”, Nick Lachey’s Choir from Battle of the Choirs will be performing (do not know when) at the IKEA grand opening on Wednesday! I heard whispers of other celebs as well making appearances, but not who exactly that was going to be. (Jen Note: Personally I wonder if that includes Peter Frampton who lives in Cinci full time, and has for quite a few years now. That would be so awesome as he’s got his second coming as a popular culture icon recently, thanks I think in large part to “The Colbert Bump!“).

Take LOTS of pics!
It’s going to be a great show. I urge all readers to bring your digital cameras and when you get home (after collapsing from exhaustion of course) upload your pics to the IKEA West Chester Flickr photo group (requires free account). If you don’t have a Yahoo account, or don’t wish to make one send them to me and I’ll add them for you with credits. If you add them somewhere else online instead just send me the link I’ll share them here.

Show us what you shoot Wednesday, no matter how funny, silly or dorky! I know everyone will enjoy seeing them, especially those who aren’t able to come.

Early Lineup still on

Line up begins at 9am. And that’s solid and confirmed. It’s still on. The sidewalk under the loading awning is clear and dry.

Warning though: They now have a little demilitarized zone set up with badge checks and such to even get on the property. That will remain so I imagine until 9am tomorrow. So don’t go at midnight tonight thinking you are all sly - they won’t let you in.

I am not foolish enough to camp out two nights in this cold wet muck, I just can’t take it. (My husband would also kill me if I came up with pneumonia… again.) I however will be there Monday on and off all day to document stuff and then finally take my place in line later on Tuesday and stake out through the night till the opening Wednesday morning. I’m used to pulling all niters.

For those in line Tuesday night: Bring a DVD. I’ll bring the MacBook we’ll have a movie night (if I can manage to find an outlet somewhere).

REPOST: The rules and prizes for Opening Day

This is a report, and a pull from a webpage, but it’s the info you’ll want to know if you are goin’ to be camping out in line, or even just showing up nice and early.

The Microsite is back up now “official” with the offerings for grand opening day!. Basically it’s what I posted last week.

6 a.m. Wednesday, March 12, live entertainment will start. I’ve heard some of the stuff planned, pretty cool. The American, Swedish and Ohio flags will be raised and singing of the national anthems of the United States and Sweden will happen. Then they saw the log.

THE PRIZES

The first 100 people (18+ and older) in line get a free Poang chair. (My husband is already jazzed, he’s wanted one forever)

First 100 Children (18 and under) get a free FAMNIG Pillow (the heart with arms one).

If your Birthday is March 12th you get a free $10 gift card (bring photo id).

The site says the first 2500 people in the doors on March 12th will receive a Gold Envelope with prizes inside from $10 to $250 gift cards, free food, and vouchers for free merchandise and BOGO Cafe items, etc. (yes, that number is right, 2500!)

Follow the arrow on the front page to be one 10 Lucky people who will get $1,000 gift cards (by filling out the online form and dropping it in the box March 12th to 20th). You can also be one of who knows how many winners of a $50 gift card given out on the site by sending a SMS Text Message to play a trivia game! How cool!

All the instructions are there, including many cool things like interactive virtual tours of the store with pics and vids.

THE RULES FOR LINING UP

At least 18 years old - bring ID

Must stay on the Ikea premises at all times. You may leave the lineup area are for a 10-minute bathroom or smoking break only.

May not participate in another IKEA promotion within one year.

Smoking is not permitted, but visits to a designated smoking area are allowed for 10 minutes at a time.

Dress for the weather. Sleeping bags, lounge chairs and folding chairs are acceptable. You have to pakc them away in the car when they tell you Wednesday morning. Can’t bring it inside.

You cannot sleep in your car. No grills, open flames or electric heaters.

NO Line saving. IKEA security will be conducting line checks. If you are found to be away from the lineup area during a check and do not return within 10 minutes, you will forfeit any prizes.

You can have a support team to bring you food/supplies while you are waiting in line, but you cannot leave line or you will lose your place.

No weapons or alcohol. No cussing either (oops in advance!).

Campers will required to sign a liability and publicity release

Advertising other businesses not allowed. (so put that sign or shirt back in your car!)

Columbus Dispatch Article

I talked with them a week or so ago, as did a few other OHIKEA readers in Columbus… read it here.

More Articles

A couple good articles on how IKEA, and Union Center, came to be.

About three years ago, Schumacher Dugan folks were saying, ‘Ikea who?’

West Chester 75 spawned Ikea: Boom germinated when a farmer wanted to move

Pre-opening Campout

Anyone else thinking it’s going to be canceled too?

I mean 15 inches of snow in 20 degree weather is one thing, but add winds blowing powdery snow that clings to you and makes you damp and it’s just asking for Hypothermia. And to top it off, tomorrow it’s supposed to rain… joy.

Friends & Family Day Cancelled!

Damn snow. Just when I found a friend too!

I don’t know if it will be rescheduled. More as I know it.

The Worst Storm in 30 years

A blizzard? During IKEA opening week?? 15 inches???

What did we do to deserve this?

Wednesday appears to be the best day all week though. For those filing in the big line to get in it will at least be pleasant-ish.