Like Us
Follow Us
Is it time for a closer IKEA?
This is a question I've pondered for years. Not too seriously, mind you; only on the rare occasion that I need to go there. While I am not an overly avid IKEA shopper, there are certain needed household items that make the trek down to Schaumburg, Ill., a necessary and worthwhile one.
At least, I thought so.
My husband works from home and our home office was long overdue for an overhaul. This weekend, in a borrowed pick up truck, we decided to make his desire for an acceptable workspace a reality and headed south to the closer of the two Illinois Swedish superstores.
But as my husband and I hopped into a borrowed pickup truck this weekend to make the journey, I wondered if we were wasting our time. The drive -- with the ongoing construction and lane closures -- was well over two hours. Were we really saving any money once we filled up the portion of the gas tank we'd used? Probably not.
Still, we love the new office furniture we bought -- and we love all the little extras we came home with, but hadn't intended on buying. It's like the Target experience, but worse. On second thought, maybe I should keep a safe two-hour distance from this place ...
What's the consensus here? Do you make the trip to IKEA when you need a slew of affordable yet attractive home goods? Or does a five-to-six hour shopping experience negate any potential savings? If there were an IKEA just outside the Milwaukee area (even a one-hour drive west or north would be better than the dreaded toll road), would you shop there?
Permalink
Print
Talkbacks (16)
Share this: 
Talkbacks
CoolerKing | Oct. 26, 2009 at 7:08 a.m. (report)
The Ikea in Schaumburg is OK. However, from my last experience, the best way to shop there is during a weekday unless you want to make a really long hike back to your car. Keep in mind this is a HUGE parking lot, I'm not being lazy. But it makes a difference when you're hauling furniture back to your vehicle. Weeknights and weekends were not the best. I could see an Ikea somewhere between Madison and Milwaukee.
| Rate this: |
ChateauDweller | Oct. 21, 2009 at 4:35 p.m. (report)
Isn't IKEA a chain? Where are all of the corporate-chain haters!?
| Rate this: |
DowntownRed | Oct. 20, 2009 at 11:41 a.m. (report)
I don't think Ikea would build a store in Wisconsin. Yes, the two IL stores are fairly close but there is a lot of population in those areas. The Schaumberg store draws from the northern areas including Milwaukee and Madison and the Bolingbrook store draws from the southern area and northern Indiana.
While Milwaukee is big enough, Ikea usually puts its stores where it can draw from two fairly large cities. I don't think Madison would qualify as big enough. Their first Ohio store that opened this year is near Cincinnati but draws from Columbus and Indy in addition to smaller cities like Louisville, Lexington and Dayton. A WI store could be similar to the Pittsburgh Ikea but even that draws from Cleveland. I don't think WI will ever get an Ikea.
And that's fine. The stuff has gotten better over the years but I still see it as "starter" furniture. Plus, CB2 has cooler stuff. Rather see them come here.
| Rate this: |
Jimmy_Jones | Oct. 20, 2009 at 9:43 a.m. (report)
A Tosa location would be best, it would still pull in people from Madison but also people from Green Bay / Sheboygan / Appleton / Oshkosh / Fondulac ... I couldn't see them driving down to Milwaukee and then out to Oconomowoc.
| Rate this: |
curlyboy1978 | Oct. 20, 2009 at 9:36 a.m. (report)
Correct me if I am wrong, but a few years ago wasn't it rumored to be looking for spots in the metro area? I am sure real estate insiders had mentioned IKEA looking at Oak Creek and Oconomowoc. But then the economy blew up and nothing since...
| Rate this: |
Show me the other 11 Talkbacks
 |
16 comments about this article. Post your comment/review now |
Facebook comments
Disclaimer: Please note that Facebook comments are posted through Facebook and cannot be approved, edited or declined by OnMilwaukee.com. The opinions expressed in Facebook comments do not necessarily reflect those of OnMilwaukee.com or its staff.
Recent Articles & Blogs by Julie Lawrence
Starting out right: suggestions for some great first dates
Published Feb. 18, 2011
Nervous about where to take a first date? Relax. OMC is here to help. We've compiled this list of casually impressive spots that are sure to charm your date, no matter which part of town you're in.
Celiac beer lovers can rejoice over more gluten-free choices at Burnhearts
Published Oct. 19, 2010
Millions of Americans are living with Celiac Disease and several Milwaukee-are restaurants and grocery stores are doing their part to make eating and living comfortably a little easier for those seeking breads, pastas, cereal, desserts and even lip balm made without gluten. What about about beer? This is Milwaukee, after all.
The Fast Foodie introduces us to the globaco
Published Oct. 12, 2010
To really understand the concept of The Fast Foodie, the latest player in the ever-expanding local street food game, is to first understand the concept of the globaco.
The Waukesha restaurant guide
Published Sept. 30, 2010
Last year was a big year for downtown Waukesha, which saw the addition of the Black Trumpet Restaurant in the Clark Hotel, Ray's on South and Sakura Japan Sushi & Grill, its first sushi restaurant. Here is an updated account of what the city is bringing to the dining table. While this list doesn't cover every last eatery, it includes the newcomers as well as several perennial favorites.
The Gumbo Git Down raises Gulf money
Published Sept. 28, 2010
Paul and Lori Fredrich operate "Burp! Where Food Happens," a local food blog that focuses on seasonal cooking with "real" food that is locally-sourced. But this Oct. 10, the foodie duo is shifting its food focus due south by helping to organize the Gumbo Git Down, an afternoon of delicious Southern fare and music in support of the Gulf Restoration Network.
Milwaukee Film Festival: "Jean-Michel Basquiat: The Radiant Child"
Published Sept. 26, 2010
Tamra Davis, director of "Jean-Michel Basquiat: The Radiant Child" and close friend of the artist, interviewed Basquiat in 1985, at the height of his career in New York. Less than three years later, he died of a heroin overdose at age 27 and Davis shoved her intimate footage into a drawer and left it there for 20 years.
New Columbia St. Mary's hospital opens Oct. 12
Published Sept. 21, 2010
The dust has settled and the attractive landscaping is complete, paving the way for the East Side's new Columbia St. Mary's Hospital to open Oct. 12.
Do your part to help #SaveTeecycle
Published Sept. 17, 2010
If you're a Milwaukeean on Twitter, chances are you're already aware of the various efforts to help the homeowners who lost close to everything this past July in what's been dubbed "The Great Brew City Flood."
Call Me Lightning hits the road with Russian Circles
Published Sept. 17, 2010
After playing a few shows locally this summer, including the inaugural "Save the Turf" benefit show at the Cactus Club in late September, Call Me Lightning is hitting the road with Chicago's Russian Circles for a tour that shoots them around the Midwest and the West Coast.
Milwaukee artists contribute to Ace Hotels' style statement
Published Sept. 16, 2010
If you're unfamiliar with the brand, Ace is a small chain of boutique hotels that cater to the "creative class" by offering stylish rooms complete with high-end amenities. Two Milwaukee artists where chosen to create art for a room in its New York location.
