This week was the grand opening of Charlotte's very first Ikea. It's been insanely busy and today was no exception!
It opened on Tuesday to throngs of shoppers. My friend Christa was one of the first people in the doors and celebrated with all of the other shoppers who were chanting "IKEA! IKEA!" The first 100 people got a free chair and the first 2,500 got gift cards that varied from $.50 to $1000. Lucky Christa-girl won a $250!!! That's a WHOLE-lotta crap from Ikea especially.
Anyway, Jim and I have been desperate to visit our first Ikea store since we'd heard about it's groundbreaking last fall. It seemed like this day would never come. Jim decided that today would be the big day. We headed out after Jack got up from his nap. Since it's about 40 minutes away, we piled in the jeep and prayed for napping babies. We didn't get that, but it was still a pleasant ride. There is something about the ride that lulls them into quiet, mellow babes.
We arrived along with a BAZILLION other people. We got off at the correct exit and quickly whisked back onto the highway and off at the NEXT exit. We followed the caravan of cars that circled the block and ended in Ikea's parking lot. We were directed into the first overflow parking area (also known as parallel street parking) and quickly made our way into the store. It was SOOO cold! About 40 degrees and WINDY. Poor Jack whimpered the whole way in.
We got in and hit the aisles. We had a BLAST looking at everything. We've only ever cruised the website so this was amazing! So many things, so CHEAP! We grabbed the glasses that we needed, some wooden hangers and some steak knives. I know, really exciting stuff, right?! ;-) I wanted to buy one of everything...luckily Jim was there to restrain me. :-)
There were so many people there with carts, buggies and strollers that if you took one wrong turn, you were toast. Think, salmon, swimming upstream! Kinda scary really!
We headed upstairs and grabbed some lunch. It was absolutely delish! In the midst of all of the craziness, I ran into TWO people I knew. 1 was a girl that I rode the bus with in MIDDLE SCHOOL! Kara. The other was a girl I was in college with (and also NUMEROUS group projects with), Robin. Robin and I spoke quickly, introduced our respective kids and moved along.
The day was an absolute blast! We spent 4 hours there total. I can't even believe it. What a time suck! It was worth it though!
3 comments:
You went today!?! Jordan and I went today too and it was so great. We can't wait until the crowds die down so we can go back and spend more time.
Vic
Is that the same Robin that got yelled at in class? I can't remember the teacher's name now...but he threw the trash can across the room to get our attention...yelled at her...then threw us all out. ~KK*
Vicky, yes, we went Sunday. Can you BELIEVE the crowds? Sadly, I want to go back again! What did you and Jordan get??
KK, Yes, it's the same Robin. I had completely forgotten about her getting kicked out. It was Mr. Rees. I can't forget that scene though. That was HILARIOUS and scary all at once. Remember all of those FREAKING story boards we had to do?! That was when I thought you were a big ol' fake with your fancy Kennedy name. ;-) What a moron!
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