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Let’s be real for a minute. Life on the Outer Banks is expensive AF. Right? We’re all trying to find the balance of working enough during our busy season and saving enough for the off-season months. We’re trying to furnish homes with the perfect blend of high-price tag, locally bought furniture and second hand antiques. Enter IKEA Norfolk. This marks the 50th store in the United States for the popular chain. The Norfolk store opens to the public on April 10th, but this morning they invited the media to come and tour the store.
I’ll just say, Holy Smokes. They weren’t messing around when they put together their 50th milestone store! IKEA Norfolk is going to blow you away.
Now, before I get thrown too much shade for not shopping local, I'd like to just mention that I would love to shop 100% local but my family budget just doesn't allow it. I'm thrilled to be able to buy furniture that is affordable and stylish without breaking the bank. I still love buying from our local businesses as often as I can.
You don’t have to be Swedish or even own a house to love IKEA, but unless you have one nearby, you might not have a single IKEA product in your house. Why? Their shipping is often more expensive than their products! For Outer Banks folks, this is really going to be a great option for furnishing and accessorizing anything from your home to your AirBnB. Although, with over 10,000 products, IKEA certainly isn’t limited to just the home.
For business owners, IKEA offers amazing desks that are both modern and easy to assemble. A quick stop in Norfolk can help you put your workspace together just before our busy season approaches.
For someone looking to update a space in their home for AirBnB purposes, you can use IKEA’s kitchen or room design tools to create a space that is sure to book quickly and get you the return that you are hoping for.
For anyone, and I mean anyone, looking to organize their home… IKEA is the place to be. Calling all Marie Kondo fans… April 10th is YOUR day! They have a super innovative home organization station that allows you to play designer right in the store.
Don’t even get me started on the fact that you can buy lighting, decor, photo frames…
I couldn’t purchase anything today since they’re not set up for sales just yet. Rest assured, I’ll be one of the first in line to snag some of their amazing outdoor furniture and decor for our deck. As the weather heats up and the sunshines down, I am just ready to live on my porch with my family, cold drinks and snacks. IKEA Norfolk will be one of the limited stores that offers outdoor furniture year round, not just during spring and summer months!
Speaking of snacks… one of the best parts of IKEA is the fact that you can go and enjoy yummy treats like their world famous Swedish meatballs or my personal favorite, their soft serve ice cream. They treated us to so many goodies first thing this morning!
But the BEST, 100% most amazing thing about IKEA is that they have…. drum roll please…. CHILDCARE AND A BALL PIT FOR YOUR MONGRELS TO GET OUT ALL OF THEIR ENERGY. I repeat, CHILDCARE AND A BALL PIT FOR YOUR MONGRELS TO GET OUT ALL OF THEIR ENERGY.
IKEA Norfolk is honestly going to be such a great store for our local families. At just an hour and 20 minutes from the Wright Memorial Bridge, it’s an easy day trip for anyone on the Outer Banks. I’m already thinking about how in just 3 short years my Joey is going to need his college dorm room gear and I happen to know that IKEA has me covered. Little know fact, Joey K loves getting new bath towels. He’s already stoked to get some new, super soft bath towels from IKEA on opening day! Seriously, from day 1 of his life, a soft, fresh bath towel has brought him joy.
My main takeaways from this morning:
1. IKEA Norfolk will be delivering to the Outer Banks. Yes, delivery of all things including kitchens and install.
2. IKEA Norfolk has a surprisingly small carbon footprint with only 10% of their trash going to landfills. Plus, they have the highest number of solar panels on a roof in Virginia.
3. They have an awesome section marked AS-IS! This entire section is discounted and it's still in great condition but was possibly built and returned or built by a store employee by mistake for one of their showrooms. It's an amazing place for a deal!
4. They have childcare, y'all. A beautiful facility, professionally trained employees and their standard of cleanliness meets my expectations!
5. Inspiration! IKEA has rooms set up that are sure to inspire you in more avenues of life than just home decor and functionality of living.
What are you most excited about for the IKEA store? Head over to my Instagram stories for some of the LIVE coverage of my in-store adventures today and see how you can enter to win in our IKEA giveaway!
Plus, IKEA Norfolk is giving away so much good stuff on opening day!
IKEA Welcome
The first 200 children (12 & younger) in line receive a free FAMNIG heart-shaped soft toy, valued at $4.99.
• The first 1,000 adults (18 & older) in line receive a special “welcome” gift.
IKEA Welcome Sweepstakes
On Grand Opening Day, visitors in line before 8:00 a.m. ET will be entered for a chance to win one of three (3) gift cards, valued at $500, $1,500 and $2,000.
Happy Shopping!