IKEA in Phoenix is now open: A look inside the new store on opening day

Anticipation for the new IKEA in Phoenix hit a fever pitch Wednesday, when thousands lined up for the store’s grand opening.

Some arrived as early as midnight. By the time doors opened at the long-awaited second metro Phoenix location at 4643 E. Cactus Road, a crowd had already formed outside the 75,000-square-foot store near Cactus Road and Tatum Boulevard.

The opening drew a steady stream of shoppers throughout the day, many eager to finally get inside the maze-like store without making the trip to Tempe.

When the doors opened, customers streamed in to browse more than 23,000 items, including home decor, kitchenware and smaller furniture pieces.

Employees welcomed them with applause and handed out moose-shaped chocolate bars as shoppers entered, adding a celebratory feel to the opening.

The event also fittingly had a decidedly Swedish flair. Mikael Örn, the honorary consul of Sweden in Arizona, spoke ahead of the ribbon-cutting ceremony. Employees waved miniature Swedish and Arizona flags, and pop tunes from ABBA played outside as the crowd gathered.

Inside, the store is smaller than the Tempe location but still follows IKEA’s familiar layout, guiding customers through a series of showrooms, some styled to reflect Arizona homes. The store also includes an “As-Is” section where discounted secondhand items are available.

The store’s small deli, which serves IKEA’s signature Swedish meatballs, was also popular with the throng of customers that flocked to the retailer on Wednesday.

For some local shoppers, IKEA’s arrival in Phoenix was long overdue.

Phoenix resident Layal Rabat, who says her home is “97 percent IKEA,” described the store as more than just a place to shop.

“It’s a store that makes it possible for broke asses to afford furniture that can’t drop $2,000 on a couch,” Rabat says.

Others were simply excited to be there. Phoenix resident Maria Vasquez waited two and a half hours in line.

“IKEA’s just my favorite store. I like the little special gadgets they have,” Vasquez says.

Scottsdale residents Alessandra Hernandez and Cheyenne Layman said they came for both inspiration and the experience.

“We love IKEA,” Hernandez says. “Our kitchen is completely IKEA. I love to look through the showrooms and visit the food courts.”

Here’s a look inside the new IKEA in Phoenix.