IKEA opens to huge crowds and celebration
Posted on 19 Feb 2009 by Justin Ruckman
video: Justin Ruckman, watch this video on Vimeo
IKEA’s grand opening yesterday morning brought a huge crowd out with a lot of enthusiasm. The festivities included a children’s choir, a Swedish men’s a cappella group, speeches by Pat McCrory and the president of Ikea USA, and the sawing in half of a ceremonial log.
We’re a little impressed with how quickly the Observer got a similar video recap post up, so we feel obliged to link to theirs as well. But ours has a funky track by famous Swedish electronic jazz duo, Koop. So there’s that.
Tons of photos below the fold.
photos: Matthew Tyndall, view these photos on Flickr
I enjoyed the video but as hard as I try, I just don’t get it. I can’t comprehend an opening of a furniture store to have this effect on people. Thanks for covering it. I’ll show the video to my wife who really, really wanted to go.
The first time I went to an Ikea it was like a religious experience. And you can’t understand it until you’ve been yourself. Then you’ll spend an inordinate amount of time trying to “convert” your friends!