Ikea announced Tuesday the first Wisconsin store, which will officially open its doors to the public on Wednesday at 9 a.m., will allow customers to begin lining up at 5 a.m. for a special treat.
In celebration of the grand opening of the new Ikea in Oak Creek, about 12 miles south of Milwaukee, the store said a variety of giveaways and promotions will be offered bright and early.
It marks the company's 48th store in the U.S.—and excitement for Wisconsin residents who traveled to Bolingbrook or Schaumburg in Illinois or Bloomington in Minnesota for their Ikea fix.
According to the news release, the first 200 children (12 and younger) in line will receive a free FAMNIG heart-shape soft toy and the first 1,000 adults (18 and older) will receive a special “welcome” gift.
In addition, visitors in line before 8 a.m. will be entered for a chance to win one of three gift cards valued at $500, $1,500 and $2,000. Giveaways will also include an Ikea bag and a family $250 gift card.
Family-friendly entertainment will also be available to enhance customers’ experience with balloon artists and face painting scheduled to take place on Wednesday, Saturday and Sunday, stated the release.
The 293,000-square-foot store was built on 29 acres at the northwestern corner of Interstate 94 and Drexel Avenue and will include nearly 10,000 exclusively designed items, 50 room settings, three model home interiors, a restaurant and a play area for children.
"Besides furnishing our store, we are also focused on recruiting and training all of our coworkers joining the IKEA family," store manager Samantha Gravina said in a statement.
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Open job opportunities listed online include positions in "sales, customer service, goods flow, receiving, warehouse and stock replenishment."
Last year, Ikea increased its average minimum hourly wage to $11.87, which is $4.62 above the current federal wage and marks a $1.11 increase, or 10 percent, from the previous year’s average minimum pay.
