Ikea grand opening in Utah today

By Staff -- Home Textiles Today, 5/23/2007 11:52:00 AM

Draper,Utah– This suburb ofSalt Lake Cityis celebrating the grand opening of a310,000-square-footIkea store today, with GovernorJon Huntsman slated to be on hand.

The 255^th store worldwide, this Ikea is the 30^th in the United States– marking a doubling of the store base since 2003, the company said.

Besides amenities for which the home furnishings specialty retailer is well known, such as Swedish meatballs and other delicacies served in both bistro and restaurant settings, this store will offer 51 inspirational room-settings and three model homes “reflecting a variety of living situations,” the company said.

Store manager Paul Janzen was set to oversee a traditional Swedish log-sawing ceremony just prior to the opening, bringing good luck to the new home and its future visitors.