Grand Opening festivities for the new IKEA store in Canton, MI

PHOTO BY JASON RZUCIDLO / AMERICAJR.com

The new IKEA store opens for business on Wednesday, June 7th!!

CANTON, Mich. – A brand-new IKEA store has opened! For those of you who have been traveling to Chicago or Philadelphia or even Toronto to shop at an IKEA, your wait is over. You can now shop at the new store, located in Canton, MI, just off I-275 and Ford Rd. Today was the Grand Opening of the store which included many festivities for the celebration.

The first 100 adults (18 and over) received a postcard that will be redeemed in store for a free armchair. It's valued at $49.99. The first 100 children (under 18) in line will receive a free heart-shaped pillow. There will be entertainment and face painting for the kids from June 7th through the 11th. Kids can get a macaroni and cheese meal that comes with a drink for only 50 cents.

The first 5,000 people in line will receive a prize envelope. Inside the envelope, there could be a gift card valued anywhere from $10 to $250 or a coupone for a buy one, get one free hot dog or frozen yogurt dessert. Shoppers who visit the new Canton IKEA store from June 7th throuth 11th will be able to register for one of ten $1,000 IKEA gift cards.

Mark McCaslin is the store manager of the new IKEA Canton store. He announced, "We are excited to bring the fun and unique IKEA family-friendly shopping experience in Canton, the entire Metro Detroit area, and even all of Michigan." McCaslin added, "The excitement, surprises and shopping experience customers will receive truly reflect the enthusiam the IKEA Canton coworker family feels about this big day and opening the store."

The opening of the new IKEA store has transformed the entire Canton community. Local businesses are happy to welcome IKEA to the city. It is located in the middle of the very busy Ford Rd. shopping district. Other nearby businesses are offering specials to shoppers who visit their store also. ABC Warehouse, a retailer located directly next to IKEA is offering free food on opening day.

I spoke to many of the excited shoppers that waited days for the new store to open. Stephanie, was one of the first people in line. She is from Romulus, MI and arrived on Sunday at 10 p.m. This was not her first IKEA store. She has also been to the IKEA in California. Stephanie is excited to see the dressers.

Amanda, another excited shopper is from Wyandotte, MI. She arrived on Sunday at 11:50 p.m. This will be her first time visiting an IKEA store. Amanda said, "I'm really excited to see the kids stuff and the layout of the store."

Bonnie, who resides in Oak Park, MI came for the grand opening of the Canton IKEA store. This is also her first time at an IKEA. Bonnie wants to see, "Everything! There's too much. I just bought a new house. I've got every room organized. They gave us free food." She arrived at the new store on Monday at 2 p.m.

Darryl Weathers, another excited shopper is from Sterling Heights, MI. He got there two days ago, on Monday, at around 4 p.m. Weathers said this will be, "My first experience. I've heard so many great things. I'm looking forward to good bargains. I've never camped anywhere before. Restaurants gave us free food."

Zoe Hollins is from Detroit. She came to the IKEA store on Monday night at midnight leading into Tuesday. When asked if it will be her first IKEA store, she said, "No. New Jersey and San Francisco. Nothing in particular. I like the whole store. I've sat here." She is lucky to be one of the first 100 shoppers to receive a free chair. Hollins added, "It's free so I'll take it!"

Nadine lives in Detroit. She arrived at the Canton IKEA store at 11 a.m. on Tuesday morning. I asked if this will be her first IKEA store. Nadine replied, "No. I've been to New Jersey and Long, Island New York." When asked if she was looking for something in particular, Nadine said, "Everything. I'm gonna get something. I'm very excited!"

Marilyn Case resides in Clarkson, MI. She came to the IKEA store at 2 p.m. Tuesday afternoon. I asked if she has ever been to an IKEA before. Case answers, "My daughter, Jessica, took us to an IKEA in Chicago. I love this store. It's like simplistic modernistic furniture." She was lucky to be one of the first 100 shoppers to get the free chair. Case adds, "It looks so comfortable."

Julie is from Garden City, MI. She arrived at this new IKEA at 4 p.m. on Tuesday. This will be her first time shopping at an IKEA store. Julie enjoys, "The marketplace where all the cheap little things are. The kids department." Julie will also be receiving a free chair. I had pointed out that one was on display. She adds, "I'm getting a free chair...very excited!! I haven't tried it out yet."

Denise Varner lives in Plymouth, MI. It is just minutes from the new IKEA store location. When asked if this will be her first IKEA store, Varner replied, "No. I've been to Philadelphia, Toronto, Hamilton and Chicago." I asked her if she was looking for something in particular. Varner added, "Organization stuff. The kitchen stuff is really reasonably priced. I just got here at five o'clock yesterday."

Click here to see pictures from inside the new Canton IKEA.

PHOTO BY JASON RZUCIDLO / AMERICAJR.com

Local government leaders such as Robert Ficano, Wayne County Executive were in attendance to celebrate the grand opening of the new store.

Local business and government leaders attend the grand opening

Mark McCaslin is the store manager of the new IKEA store. He led the grand opening festivities. Pernille Lopez presented a check for $10,000 to the First Step, a local organization that provies free services for victims of domestic violence and sexual assault.

Canton Township Supervisor Thomas Yack welcomed everyone to the city. He was heavily involved in bringing the Swedish retailer to the area. If it wasn't for him, there would be no IKEA here. A huge amount of thanks goes out to Mr. Thomas Yack.

Wayne County Executive Robert Ficano raised the American flag during the grand opening ceremony. An IKEA employee sang the U.S. national anthem. The Swedish Consul General for Michigan, Lennart Johansson raised the Swedish flag next. Finally, State Senator Bruce Patternson and State Rep. Phil LaJoy raised the Michigan flag third.

PHOTO BY JASON RZUCIDLO / AMERICAJR.com

A look at the front of the new IKEA store located in Canton, MI.

What is IKEA and what to they sell?

IKEA is a swedish retailer offering low prices on everything for the home. They sell furniture, kitchen accessories, lights, plants, shelving, beds, appliances, pet products and more. There are more than 10,000 exclusively designed products at IKEA. You can explore over 50 rooms on displays.

Shoppers are able to visit the store, pick out their items from the warehouse on their own. There is a children's play area that resembles a Swedish farm house and forest. IKEA has 17 regular checkout lanes and 8 self-checkout lanes. More lanes are being made available for opening week to handle the extra heavy traffic.

IKEA offers two restaurants and a food market inside. The restaurant offers breakfast, lunch, dinner, snacks and dessert. You can purchase a full hot breakfast including eggs, potatoes and bacon for only 99 cents. It is open one hour before the store is open for shopping. The IKEA restaurant can seat up to 300 people. The restaurant features Swedish and American foods. You can order Swedish meatballs, shrimp sandwiches, salmon platters along with pasta, chicken and vegetarian dishes.

A smaller restaurant called the Cafe Bistro is located on the botton floor just behind the checkout lanes. There you can purchase hot dogs, cinnamon buns, frozen yogurt and soft drinks. Directly next to the Cafe Bistro, you'll find the Swedish foodmarket. It features Swedish desserts, treats and frozen meatballs that you can take home and enjoy.

When you arrive at IKEA, the first thing you are going to want to do is the following. 1. Grab a measuring tape, pencils, store map, a yellow shopping bag or a shopping cart. 2. Enjoy your visit.

IKEA was founed by Ingvar Kamprad in 1943. The retailer distributed it's first catalog in 1951. IKEA is the world's leading home furnishings retail company. In a short period of time, IKEA has grown to include 28 stores in the U.S. and 236 stores worldwide. IKEA was named one of the "100 Best Companies To Work For" by Fortune Magazine in 2005.

Click here to see more pictures from the IKEA Grand Opening!! We've got an exclusive look inside the store...

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