Ikea: Work progresses on Wisconsin store

OAK CREEK, WI – IKEA, the world’s leading home furnishings retailer, today announced steel framing has progressed far enough that installation of the iconic blue composite panels has begun on its future Milwaukee-area store. Installing the blue panels is a construction milestone keeping the store on track to open Summer 2018. Until the store opens, local customers can shop at the closest IKEA stores: Chicago-area IKEA Bolingbrook and IKEA Schaumburg, and Twin Cities-area IKEA Bloomington, MN; or online at IKEA-USA.com.

The 290,000-square-foot future IKEA Oak Creek and its approximately 1,000 parking spaces will be built on 29 acres at the northwestern corner of Interstate 94 and Drexel Avenue, approximately 12 miles south of downtown Milwaukee. IKEA has contracted with Pepper Construction to build the project, and store plans reflect the same unique architectural design for which IKEA stores are known worldwide.

“With IKEA Oak Creek taking shape and the blue paneling now going up, we continue to be on track for a grand opening next Summer,” said Lars Petersson, IKEA U.S. president. “We hope to be enclosed by winter, and cannot wait to begin transforming the building’s interior to look like an IKEA store as well. We know there are many customers in the area who are excited for us to open, including those who are driving great distances to shop at our other stores as well those who have yet to experience the unique IKEA shopping experience.”

The future IKEA Oak Creek will feature nearly 10,000 exclusively designed items, 50 inspirational room-settings, three model home interiors, a supervised children’s play area, and a 300-seat restaurant serving Swedish specialties such as meatballs with lingonberries and salmon plates, as well as American dishes. Other family-friendly features include a ‘Children’s IKEA’ area in the Showroom, baby care rooms, play areas throughout the store, and preferred parking. IKEA also will evaluate potential on-site power generation to complement its current U.S. renewable energy presence at 90% of its U.S. locations.

IKEA Oak Creek will provide significant annual sales and property tax revenue for local governments and schools. And – in addition to 500 jobs expected during construction – 250 coworkers will join the IKEA family when the store opens. Opportunities will be available next year for candidates interested in working at this employer of choice in home furnishings sales, interior design, customer service, safety and security, cashiers, goods flow, receiving, warehouse and replenishment. Also, setting itself apart, IKEA Oak Creek will offer nearly 50 food service opportunities in its Restaurant, Swedish Food Market, Exit Bistro and coworker cafeteria.

Since its 1943 founding in Sweden, IKEA has offered home furnishings of good design and function at low prices so the majority of people can afford them. There are currently more than 400 IKEA stores in 48 countries, including 44 in the U.S.

IKEA has been included in rankings of “Best Companies to Work For” and has raised its own minimum wage twice in two years. IKEA incorporates sustainability into day-to-day business and supports initiatives that benefit children and the environment.