IKEA is know for its minimalist home furnishings focused on functionality and affordability. The new Webster store officially opened June 26.
Courtesy Photo/IKEA
Swedish design — and Swedish meatballs — have come to Webster with the opening Friday of a new Ikea store.
The Webster team expected thousands of shoppers on its opening day, said Frederik Rabe, market manager for the Houston region, during a Wednesday preview event.
“There’s an incredible demand here, and this is just the natural next step,” Rabe said.
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The 93,000-square-foot store near the South Freeway and NASA Parkway will be the retailer’s second store in Houston; the first is at Antoine Drive and I-10.
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Here’s a look at some of the features of Webster’s Ikea.
A sign in the new Webster Ikea lists the store’s different sections.
Yvette Orozco/Staff photo
Smaller size, ‘full Ikea experience’
The Webster store is smaller than typical Ikea stores, but “it feels like a full Ikea experience,” Rabe said.
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The company’s flagship Houston store on Antoine is nearly 300,000 square feet.
The store features the retailer’s well-known maze-like paths through departments, with more than 7,000 items on display and an additional 4,800 available for immediate purchase.
The Ikea in Webster features the retailer’s well-known maze-like paths through departments.
Yvette Orozco/Staff photo
“Now there’s another four-letter company (after NASA) that’s coming to this area known for space exploration,” he said. “We are experts in outdoor space, small space, kitchen space, bathroom space.”
Ikea is known for its minimalist design in home furnishing. The designs meld modern Scandinavian lines and lighter toned woods with nods to mid-century modern influences — the architectural and interior design concept born in the 1950s in the U.S. — highlighted by gold or brass and dark greens, Rabe said.
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Ikea is known for its minimalist design in home furnishing.
Yvette Orozco/Staff photo
Swedish deli features popular meatballs
It includes a deli serving Swedish-inspired foods, including the company’s signature Swedish meatballs.
The new Ikea in Webster includes a food court serving Swedish-inspired foods, including the company’s signature Swedish meatballs.
Yvette Orozco/Staff photo
Resell and buy discounted gently used items in-store
An “as-is” department, which showcases “gently used” items at a discount price and Ikea’s buy-back and resell program, are new additions to Ikea’s offerings, said Carlos Mier, the store manager of the Webster location.
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An “as-is” department, which showcases “gently used” items at a discount price and a Buy Back and Resell program, are new additions to Ikea’s offerings.
Yvette Orozco/Staff photo
The new Ikea in Webster has more than 7,000 items on display and an additional 4,800 available for immediate purchase.
Yvette Orozco/Staff photo
An array of accessories is on display at the new Ikea in Webster.
Yvette Orozco/Staff photo
The warehouse at Webster’s new Ikea is stocked with items.
Yvette Orozco/Staff photo
Surrounded by other retail and entertainment destinations
The Webster store is anchored in a thriving and evolving retail and entertainment hub near I-45 and NASA Parkway, and near Baybrook Mall and a major music venue development coming in the next few years.
The Webster store gives shoppers in the region access to the Ikea experience while boosting local retail life, said Katie Vela, marketing and tourism specialist for the city of Webster.
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“For many, an Ikea visit is a planned outing, creating opportunities for visitors to spend additional time in Webster by dining at restaurants, shopping at neighboring retailers, enjoying entertainment venues, and supporting businesses throughout the city,” Vela said in an email. “The new store further strengthens Webster’s position as a premier retail destination, reflects the confidence that nationally and internationally recognized brands have in our market, and creates new opportunities for surrounding businesses.”