Line Grows As Ikea Set To Open
Amid a flurry of last-minute preparations yesterday for the grand opening of Red Hook's Ikea, the line outside the store grew to more than 50 people.
Most have been waiting outside since Monday morning, after the Swedish retailer said it would give a free "Ektorp" three-seat sofa, worth about $400, to the first 35 customers who enter the store today.
Some furniture squatters complained of an overnight sandstorm and a rude awakening early yesterday morning to welders adding coverings for posts that support the front entrance.
"I didn't sleep last night because by the time we got tired, the sun was up. We're starting to feel it now, though," Brandy Turner said yesterday afternoon from the comfort of her tent.
New York City's first Ikea officially opens its doors today at 9 a.m., but entertainment for waiting customers will begin as early as 6 a.m.
The Swedish furniture giant will forgo a ribbon-cutting; instead, store and city officials will mark the opening with a log sawing, a Swedish tradition said to bring good fortune to a new home.
The American, New York State, and Swedish flags will be raised on separate flagpoles, and students from P.S. 15 in Red Hook will provide a rendition of "America, the Beautiful."
The speaker of the City Council, Christine Quinn, and the president of Brooklyn, Marty Markowitz, will speak at the event. Mayor Bloomberg was scheduled to appear but will be in Washington, D.C., to attend Tim Russert's funeral.
