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CuatrodeMayo
06-06-2008, 08:48 AM
cuatro, my dear friend, a thirty thousand dollar millionaire is a condescending term that snobby californians use to describe (typically young) people who get their first $30,000 job, go out and buy or lease a benz or beemer and live above their means. i've had folks in california tell me dallas is the land of TTDM

Gotcha.

cedbled
06-28-2008, 09:54 PM
I'm in Houston right now, and just visited my first Ikea today..... I have to let ya'll know that O-City definitely needs one!! I grossly underestimated the sheer breadth\depth to this freakin store, and I can honestly say that should one ever come to the 405, I would be completely satisfied as to the amount of options presented.

I feel very confident in believing that this would do a LOT for the city, as far as quality of life is concerned...

I was very impressed.

jarrington00
06-29-2008, 09:20 AM
Before IKEA, I think Oklahoma City needs a Container Store (http://www.containerstore.com/).

metro
06-30-2008, 09:14 AM
I'm actually surprised we don't have a container store yet. But I'd MUCH rather have an IKEA first.

Kerry
06-30-2008, 09:25 AM
IKEA will come to OKC when OKC has an abundance of 300 sq ft apartments. I don't see that happening anytime soon.

jbrown84
07-01-2008, 09:38 PM
Does Frisco, TX have an abundance of 300 sf apartments?

Kerry
07-01-2008, 09:56 PM
My understanding is that Dallas metro has more than their fair share of small loft style apartments that IKEA caters to. Well, at least the IKEA here in Atlanta caters to that crowd. They have display after display of "How to live in 350 sq ft".

CuatrodeMayo
07-02-2008, 08:26 AM
The irony is that their US stores are so anti-urban. Talk about sprawl.

Kerry
07-02-2008, 08:32 AM
The irony is that their US stores are so anti-urban. Talk about sprawl.

The one here in Atlanta is pretty urban. It is located at Atlantic Station near midtown and is 4 stories. It has 2 levels of parking and the store itself is 2 stories on top of the parking. There are ramps to put your shopping cart on to go from one floor to the next.

metro
07-02-2008, 09:18 AM
Kerry, Atlanta has wayyyy more urban living options than Dallas does. The Atlantic Station Ikea is a fairly urban environment whereas the Frisco, TX (the only one in Dallas area) is wayyy out on the edge of development for the DFW area, surrounded by massive sprawl. It would be our equivalent of Deer Creek. It took me 3 hours to walk through the Frisco, IKEA. It's only 2 stories and is surrounded by a massive sea of parking (not a garage). Frisco Ikea also doesn't have the ramp to take shopping carts from level to level. I've also been to one in LA and it was fairly suburban in nature, (in a somewhat bad part of town with no condo's/apts that I could tell, just older run down homes)

CuatrodeMayo
07-02-2008, 10:33 AM
The ones in the NYC area (besides the new one in Brooklyn) and Chicago are way out there.

jbrown84
07-02-2008, 01:08 PM
The San Francisco location is across the bay in a very suburban area of Oakland.

mburlison
07-02-2008, 08:26 PM
I've outfitted my apartment here in Mckinney w/ IKEA pretty much... cheap and reasonably sturdy, but there is a wide range of what you can spend there... some of it not much better than some of the "put together" kits you can get from wal=mart, some pieces nicely made, though, I've been happy with it. They play up the "its good if its from Europe" thing there, but look closely at the tags ;). Nice store, though, an event in itself.

HOT ROD
07-03-2008, 12:50 AM
yap, ours in the Seattle - Tacoma area is way out too, in the suburb of Kent (S. of Seattle).

loriencfau
07-07-2008, 08:20 PM
Before IKEA, I think Oklahoma City needs a Container Store (http://www.containerstore.com/).

Agreed - I need to get my container on.

lasomeday
09-13-2008, 06:09 PM
I think that OKC is far enough away from Frisco to get one, and our demographics are improving. They target young people in apartments/college students. Portland, OR has one and Portland is not much bigger than OKC. Also they are as close to the one in Seattle as we are to the Frisco store. Their store opened up last year, so maybe we are in the pipeline to get one in the next few years.

bluedogok
09-14-2008, 12:12 AM
It would be cool to have IKEA, but OKC is too small a market and doesn't have the population required for IKEA to locate here. Most large chains or businesses have standards set up like that. I don't believe IKEA would ever come to Oklahoma based on this alone.
We have had one here in the Austin area (on I-35 in Round Rock) for a few years now, we have similar population sizes. The rumor is that San Antonio is going to get their own and that is why the Ikea here was built so far north, that along with incentives from Round Rock. I would think that with the focus of Edmond to develop an I-35 retail area that (or along I-35 in Norman) would be the location of choice depending upon which incentive package is better.


I don't think Mathis has anything to worry about. IKEA serves a completely different market segment. They carry inexpensive, build-it-yourself, disposible, modern, loft furniture. You won't find the kind of quality that Mathis carries in an IKEA. IKEA is trendy and fun, but the novelty has worn thin with me. I have bought stuff at IKEA and have been disappointed in its quality. It's the Wal-Mart of furniture and home decor.
We have some Ikea stuff, it is hard to beat their stuff like bookcases/shelving for the price. If you want "Wal-Mart quality" furniture, try Big Lots Furniture. Ikea furniture is great for its intended market, if you want high end modern furniture then Dane Design or Suburban would be your choices. We do have a Motif Modern Furniture (http://www.motiffurniture.com/) outlet store here close to South Austin in Kyle on I-35.

cedbled
09-15-2008, 12:33 PM
so, no news on this at all?

Chase
04-15-2009, 09:48 PM
I do know that a major site criteria for IKEA is 2,000,000 people in a 60 minute drive time. I don't think OKC is there yet but I am sure IKEA is watching closely and when population numbers get a little closer to that, they will pull the trigger on a store here.

scootinger
04-15-2009, 09:58 PM
Or we could just increase the speed limit on the turnpikes to 100mph and we'd be at the 2 million figure easily ;)

Luke
04-15-2009, 10:09 PM
A few weeks ago, one of the newschannels said that the development just north of Quail Springs Mall (which is on hold) is to have an IKEA in it.

HSC-Sooner
04-15-2009, 10:19 PM
Or we could just increase the speed limit on the turnpikes to 100mph and we'd be at the 2 million figure easily ;)

I second this. LOL.

cedbled
04-15-2009, 10:31 PM
A few weeks ago, one of the newschannels said that the development just north of Quail Springs Mall (which is on hold) is to have an IKEA in it.

2 questions:
Is the development where the IKEA would be on hold? or just the part nort of QSM?

U remember the station u saw that on\article\webcast?

Luke
04-15-2009, 10:35 PM
That big town center type development which is north of QSM is on hold. That development was to have an IKEA according to... I wanna say Fox 25 maybe? I wasn't watching the news, it was like a lead in blurb or something. But I was like, "Wow, IKEA?" Then I changed the channel.

CuatrodeMayo
04-15-2009, 11:35 PM
A tease, probably. Just to get you to watch their channel.

zrfdude
04-16-2009, 02:38 AM
It was KFOR. They interviewed the developer of Tuscana and were quoting some of the proposed features, with IKEA being one of them. I think the developer said they are starting to build parts of Tuscana, but just small offices and maybe a restaurant.

Edit: http://video.kfor.com/global/video/popup/pop_playerLaunch.asp?vt1=v&clipFormat=flv&clipId1=3556956&at1=News&h1=Sluggish economy delays projects

metro
04-16-2009, 10:20 AM
A few weeks ago, one of the newschannels said that the development just north of Quail Springs Mall (which is on hold) is to have an IKEA in it.

Watched the link to video, it sure didn't sound to me that IKEA was coming, they said it was part of the proposed retailers, but the developer also said things and the economy have changed. I'll believe it when I see it.

Also to the posters above, I believe Central OK is close to 2 million if you count the 60 minute drive, you'd have Chickasha, Shawnee, Purcell, Guthrie, El Reno, Weatherford, and all small towns in between. Lawton and Pauls Valley are right at about an hour or slightly over as well. We should be near that 2 million within hours drive depending on where in metro.

stlokc
04-16-2009, 11:30 AM
I hate to burst anybody's bubble regarding population, but St. Louis has almost 3 million people and no IKEA, the reason that has been given is that there is a huge store 4 hours away in Chicago. Also, Kansas City has 2 million in their metro and no IKEA. I'm not sure there is anything magic about the 2 million number.

scootinger
04-16-2009, 01:08 PM
Watched the link to video, it sure didn't sound to me that IKEA was coming, they said it was part of the proposed retailers, but the developer also said things and the economy have changed. I'll believe it when I see it.

Also to the posters above, I believe Central OK is close to 2 million if you count the 60 minute drive, you'd have Chickasha, Shawnee, Purcell, Guthrie, El Reno, Weatherford, and all small towns in between. Lawton and Pauls Valley are right at about an hour or slightly over as well. We should be near that 2 million within hours drive depending on where in metro.

I wouldn't say so. The Oklahoma City-Shawnee CSA includes the majority of those cities (maybe not Weatherford or towns that are really far out), and its population is just short of 1.3 million. see Oklahoma City metropolitan area - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Oklahoma_City_metropolitan_area)

Luke
04-16-2009, 01:16 PM
If you count Tulsa as our largest suburb, then we're a shoo-in.

;)

Tex
04-16-2009, 07:09 PM
Watched the link to video, it sure didn't sound to me that IKEA was coming, they said it was part of the proposed retailers, but the developer also said things and the economy have changed. I'll believe it when I see it.

Ditto... I think the IKEA plug in the video was only conceptual rather than official plans for an IKEA.

jbrown84
04-16-2009, 08:10 PM
I hate to burst anybody's bubble regarding population, but St. Louis has almost 3 million people and no IKEA, the reason that has been given is that there is a huge store 4 hours away in Chicago. Also, Kansas City has 2 million in their metro and no IKEA. I'm not sure there is anything magic about the 2 million number.

But Austin has one and they are what, only 3 hours from Dallas and much smaller than KC or StL. Doesn't really make any sense.

bluedogok
04-16-2009, 09:24 PM
I hate to burst anybody's bubble regarding population, but St. Louis has almost 3 million people and no IKEA, the reason that has been given is that there is a huge store 4 hours away in Chicago. Also, Kansas City has 2 million in their metro and no IKEA. I'm not sure there is anything magic about the 2 million number.
There isn't one between Salt Lake City and Chicago, Frisco is the furthest north one in the middle of the country between SLC and Chicago. This includes the Denver market as well. I would think Denver would get one before OKC would.


But Austin has one and they are what, only 3 hours from Dallas and much smaller than KC or StL. Doesn't really make any sense.
When they opened up the one here there were several things that came out about the how/why they located in Round Rock. One was they got a good deal from the City of Round Rock, people assumed there would be one in San Marcos because that would be between Austin and San Antonio and it could be near the outlet malls there. One other thing about the reason for the far north location was they eventually plan on putting one in San Antonio. Another was demographics as it is a smaller market than they have traditionally located in, there was a high number of the age group that is their target demographic, plus with all the California/tech migrants who were used to Ikea I think that might have played a part in the location here.

I believe all the US market stores are franchise stores and I think the Texas ones are owned by a Texas based company. I remember reading that somewhere.

jbrown84
04-16-2009, 09:45 PM
SLC has one but not Denver? Very bizarre.

bluedogok
04-16-2009, 10:34 PM
The SLC one just opened somewhat recently, before that there was none between Sacramento and Chicago with DFW (Frisco) and Phoenix (Tempe) the only ones between them but very far south.

Thunder
04-17-2009, 09:11 AM
Anyone notice that IKEA is having commercials in the OKC media market lately? It's more along the line of appliances. I think they're testing this market to see how it goes in current discussion on adding a store in OKC.

Tex
04-17-2009, 09:32 AM
Anyone notice that IKEA is having commercials in the OKC media market lately? It's more along the line of appliances. I think they're testing this market to see how it goes in current discussion on adding a store in OKC.

Did you all know IKEA appliances are made by Whirlpool? The logo on the appliances says IKEA but underneath it has something about developed by Whirlpool.

Luke
04-17-2009, 09:48 AM
I remember reading that since IKEA's distribution warehouses were on the coasts, it
limited their expansion to the central portion of the US.

PLANSIT
04-17-2009, 12:22 PM
SLC has one but not Denver? Very bizarre.

I've heard distribution logistics, but one is on the way:

http://extras.mnginteractive.com/live/media/site36/2008/0910/20080910__ikea~p1.jpg

metro
04-17-2009, 12:49 PM
Anyone notice that IKEA is having commercials in the OKC media market lately? It's more along the line of appliances. I think they're testing this market to see how it goes in current discussion on adding a store in OKC.

Doesn't necessarily mean anything, many national retailers purchase "regional" or "national" buys so commercials get aired in markets where companies don't even do business. It's still "Branding" though, and a brand like IKEA, people including myself drive to Frisco,TX for.

Luke
04-17-2009, 12:56 PM
We're planning a trip to IKEA in May. Should be fun.

BG918
04-17-2009, 09:20 PM
I bought a sofa at the one in Frisco last summer, and will probably be buying the adjacent love seat soon. I like the contemporary look and bought my bedroom furniture from Suburban (oxymoron?) on Portland, but wanted to save money on my living room so I went to IKEA.

Taggart
04-18-2009, 01:56 AM
Those people comparing IKEA to Mathis Brothers or Bob Mills have obviously never been or have spent very little time around an IKEA. In Los Angeles, Dallas, pretty much everywhere they've set foot, IKEA becomes the new Wal-Mart. I know here in LA it's the first answer you get when you ask someone "I need a ..."

People also go there just for leisure and for everyday things like eating dinner. It's very strange to me, but it happens. Also, the other thing most aren't considering is that IKEA is ultra-sweede-modern and MEGA CHEAP. Where else can you get stylish halogen desk lamps for $2 or a full wood and chrome dining set that folds into itself for $110? Their products are priced to undercut every other furniture outlet around.

IKEA virtually takes over every market they reach. They are also very successful in markets where people are fond of bargain-over-cost stores like Wal-Mart.

I have no doubt that they'll make out like gangbusters in OKC.

MY criticism is OKC doesn't need one. There's already too many people who think they're ultra-sophisticated because they buy all of their decor at Target.

Thunder
04-18-2009, 02:43 AM
I didn't realize they're that cheap. What about the quality?

Just how exactly are they selling things so cheap? Very small profit margin? Is that why they need 2 million people within 60 hours driving range to add up all those small profit margin?

grantgeneral78
04-18-2009, 06:01 AM
Are they still planning on coming to OKC?

Luke
04-18-2009, 07:17 AM
MY criticism is OKC doesn't need one. There's already too many people who think they're ultra-sophisticated because they buy all of their decor at Target.

So, you're against OKC getting an IKEA because we don't need even more people who think they're sophisticated?

oh kayyyy

onthestrip
04-18-2009, 09:54 AM
For those that are unfamiliar, maybe a visit to their website would give you and idea of what they have and what they charge. Cheap and cool? Yes. Last a lifetime? Doubtful.

We can talk all about IKEA, but the reality is that we are probably a decade from being on their radar.

Thunder
04-18-2009, 10:16 AM
So, you're against OKC getting an IKEA because we don't need even more people who think they're sophisticated?

oh kayyyy

I don't think he meant to say that he doesn't want any more sophisticated people around here. He's saying that the sophisticated people would still rather shop at Target than IKEA.

Well, at first, I thought it was upscale and expensive. Now it is known to be cheap and affordable. I think IKEA can do it in OKC, considering the high traffic that Walmart get, then people would definately shop at IKEA only if they are aware that prices is cheap and affordable.

I don't see a reason for IKEA to not locate in OKC. If Walmart can do it (look at all of the stores Walmart have here), then IKEA can do it. As someone stated that IKEA is picky on location with 2 million people within 24 hours range, then IKEA is judgemental of Oklahomans. We are the people that spend, spend, spend, so IKEA is blind to that. Look at Hobby Lobby, they're fairly expensive, but it doesn't stop people from driving up their sales.

bluedogok
04-18-2009, 12:09 PM
I didn't realize they're that cheap. What about the quality?

Just how exactly are they selling things so cheap? Very small profit margin? Is that why they need 2 million people within 60 hours driving range to add up all those small profit margin?
I can't make some pieces of furniture (materials alone) for what we can buy a comparable piece at Ikea. It is not as good of a quality as what I could make or what you could buy at a traditional furniture store but it is better than what you can find at Big Lots/Gardenridge and slightly better quality than what Target offers. It's not Bernhardt or that quality but they do have some higher grade stuff that is in between a Target and Dane Design/Suburban in terms of quality. We have some Ikea storage cabinets and coffee/end tables, we are also going to use the Ikea kitchen cabinets when we redo the kitchen because they are a whole lot less than what we can buy at Lowe's or Home Depot. Their stuff looks good for the money, no it isn't as finely detailed as you would find at a high end store but then most who are considering Ikea stuff aren't willing to spend thousands for a piece when a few hundred dollar piece will do the job and look nice doing it.

It is not just a furniture store, it is a HOME store. You can outfit an entire house from an Ikea, in addition to furniture they have light fixtures, silverware, cookware, dishes, rugs, sheets, etc. They have a good food section with a bunch of Swedish foods that are pretty good.

Look at the online catalog (http://www.ikea.com/us/en/) or better yet sign up for the print one, it has more stuff and the more OKC addresses in their mailing list might make an impression.

southernskye
04-18-2009, 04:43 PM
If you go to one, try the Swedish Meatballs in their food court.

We bought a bed frame there about 4 years ago for under $100. We used it for a while and now its the teenagers bed, still in great shape.

JerzeeGrlinOKC
04-18-2009, 08:10 PM
If you go to one, try the Swedish Meatballs in their food court.

We bought a bed frame there about 4 years ago for under $100. We used it for a while and now its the teenagers bed, still in great shape.

We've been pretty disappointed with the furniture (maybe you can blame me for being awful at putting things together, too, perhaps), but love the accents and small decor items. Would love to see one come to the metro!

On the topic of the food court though, love the Swedish Meatballs, but IKEA also has Tarrantino's Panzarottis (its a deep fried pizza turnover). Its just awesome. Only place you can get them is in south Jersey or at IKEAs, randomly. Love the swedish lox too.

kevinpate
04-18-2009, 09:23 PM
lamps, snacks and bed frames ... may not be a target but sounds like it ight as well be. Just not seeing the excitement of the place, certainly not to a level of making a multi hour journey to hit one

bristolscene
04-18-2009, 11:20 PM
lamps, snacks and bed frames ... may not be a target but sounds like it ight as well be. Just not seeing the excitement of the place, certainly not to a level of making a multi hour journey to hit one

Most people like it for the style of stuff they have. Most of their stuff is pretty minimalistic contemporary stuff typical of Scandinavian design. That's why I like it, and why most people I know like it. The place is full of that type of stuff, but isn't so common in places like Target or Wal-Mart.

soonerguru
04-18-2009, 11:50 PM
It's pretty fun. I would have to agree that the quality of the merch is questionable.

krisb
04-19-2009, 10:04 AM
I would take IKEA over Target any day.

Taggart
04-19-2009, 07:52 PM
My experience with IKEA is that their electronics are definitely questionable unless it's a relatively simple item like LED lamps. Their halogens are good half of the time. I've seen IKEA lamps last for years and some catch fire within a few weeks.

Their furniture looks much better than the furniture at Wal-Mart but is only slightly better in construction. Most is made out of MDF and veneer like Wal-Mart. The things that are solid wood are priced a little higher, but are still not meant for very heavy use. Most of it is manufactured in China.

Everything else - pots and pans, decor, vases, silverware, artwork, bedding, linens, servingware, random items, toys, are very inexpensive and is of useable quality.

The bottom line with most Sweedish-design is that it looks great, but is more of a museum piece than something to be a functional, everyday piece of utility.


For my other comment - no, OKC NEEDS more sophisticated people. But they need people who really care about making a great interior look - not just buy everything from Target and call it done. I mean, Target has good stuff, sure. But just because you bought EVERYTHING off the shelf from Target (or IKEA) doesn't mean it's great interior design. It's like someone claiming to be a coffee expert because they go to the Starbucks on the corner "all the time." And more or less I was half-joking anyway.


Oh and an update - I just bought 24 glass vases from IKEA for a wedding arrangement and they were $2 each.


...

andimthomas
04-19-2009, 10:12 PM
By the title, I was getting overly excited =(

krisb
04-19-2009, 10:43 PM
The bottom line with most Sweedish-design is that it looks great, but is more of a museum piece than something to be a functional, everyday piece of utility


Not sure I buy this statement. IKEA products are some of the most functional pieces made. I have an IKEA couch that has completely removable/washable cushion covers. They also sell replacement covers if needed. Also, most of the furniture is designed for small apartments and such. Which means it is designed for optimum efficiency in a small space. That's what Swedish-modern design is all about...style and function. Your statement above seems to be missing what IKEA is all about.

CuatrodeMayo
04-19-2009, 10:45 PM
X2

Taggart
04-20-2009, 03:03 AM
Not sure I buy this statement. IKEA products are some of the most functional pieces made. I have an IKEA couch that has completely removable/washable cushion covers. They also sell replacement covers if needed. Also, most of the furniture is designed for small apartments and such. Which means it is designed for optimum efficiency in a small space. That's what Swedish-modern design is all about...style and function. Your statement above seems to be missing what IKEA is all about.

I'm not saying there aren't good things at IKEA, it's just that most of the products there aren't built with quality as a priority. For what they do, they do well. Style, sure. Function, most things work ok. Products that last, you usually take a chance each time.

Don't get me wrong, my style is very mod. I'm a designer and like artsy-fartsy as much as the next person. My opinions on IKEA though are you never can predict if you're really getting a true value for your money. From my experience, bedding and couches are usually their strong points.

And I'd agree with you mostly except I wouldn't put efficiency and functionality in the same category. While I agree that a good balance is ideal, designing for small spaces is always going to give some compromise in functionality.