The Swedish Are Coming, The Swedish Are Coming!
Posted by: kmikeym | From: November 6, 2005
Everyone loves IKEA. No, everyone does! Some people don't know that they love it, but they do. Fairly priced modern furniture... what's not to love? Sure, occasionally you'll end up with the same set of bookshelves as a friend, but isn't that a small price to pay to have a living space that isn't milk crates and a futon?
The Portland IKEA rumors had been swirling for so long it was getting a little awkward. We all knew they were coming, and they knew they were coming, but no one knew anything official. And then, finally, the news broke: IKEA is Coming to Portland.
(Rendering from PDC)
The news first broke on October 20th on the Hispanic PR Wire (nice scoop!) where pending permits, construction of the future IKEA Portland can begin next spring, with an anticipated opening in Spring 2007.
Almost as exciting about the news itself, including the idea that IKEA will be featuring four model homes, a 250-seat restaurant, and 75 bicycle racks, is that the location they settled on is the desolate MAX stop, Cascade Station, out by the airport. The MAX was extended out to the airport in 2001, and finally, six years later, they'll have a reason to open the doors at that stop!
It's interesting that Portlanders are so excited and welcoming to such a giant "big box retailer" considering all the anger recently over a proposed Wal-Mart. Mayor Tom Potter was quoted as saying that IKEA "shares Portland’s values," as reflected in its liberal benefits for employees, environmental practices and encouragement of public transit use. AP) It will also be interesting to see how many Washingtonian's head south to purchase at the tax-free IKEA to avoid the 6.5% sales tax.
But they will all look better too. :)
I don't fear the power of IKEA. I think it's a gateway drug to nicer living spaces. People get into IKEA, and then they become a lot more aware of their surroundings and pretty soon they are spending more time and energy (and money) on where they live.
Posted by: Mikey at November 7, 2005 12:04 PM
I agree with you, Mikey. I love Ikea, and think it is a great place to start filling in the blanks. But now, I am much more likely to spend more money on something if I know the designer and its background, rather than buy the quick-fix version from Ikea--which is kind of how Ikea educates its consumers. I will still drop a mean dollar at those yellow doors, though.
I truly feel that this could keep me in Portland for longer than I otherwise would have stayed. Is that too effed for words?
Posted by: Rebecca at November 7, 2005 3:11 PM
I think it makes sense Rebecca. IKEA offers nice looking furniture at low prices, and being able to control your home allows you to feel more invested in it.
I also like that IKEA means you be here longer as that sort of validates my posting about it here. :)
Posted by: Mikey at November 8, 2005 2:08 PM
With all due respect, that's the craziest thing I've ever heard.
Posted by: chas at November 8, 2005 4:04 PM
Hey Chas, I'd be very into a respectful argument on the good vs. evil of a nearby IKEA, but you'll have to be specific about the ills...
Posted by: Mikey at November 8, 2005 4:22 PM
while i understand why this is a brand that a lot of people like and i also understand why people like it, i think that it does more bad than it does good.
while i think there design is better than most other things around, i think the furniture mildly sucks the life out of a room. it's very flat and col, but mostly just knowing that there are millions of the the same piece of furniture in middle class design minded white people is depressing to me.
that's a bit harsh, but the concept of everyone having incredibly similar (due to same furniture) living spaces does bum me out in a hardcore way.
we, as urho, are supposed to be about individual expression and i feel like ikea represents the exact opposite of that.
Posted by: Steve Schroeder at November 29, 2005 8:38 PM
i think if you mandated everyone had the same furniture in the same house, you'd still see enough personality come out from different people's spaces.
I see what you are saying, but the same designs you see at IKEA you see at DWR for like 8 times as much money. By making nicely designed furniture affordable and easy, it allows to spend money on other things that better personalize a space, like art and music and such.
I also don't think it's going to be as bad as you think. There is a lot of diversity within an IKEA, and there are a lot of other options. Besides, where else are you going to get a bed for $100.00 that you think looks good?
It can't be bad to have the choice, and that is what I am most excited about. IKEA exists in so many places already, and I have not heard of people complaining about the same-ness before.
Posted by: Mikey at November 30, 2005 1:34 PM
Sunday Sunday Sunday combat shopping at the Ikea store. Hear the rumble fight the crowd....mmmm lingonberry soda and meatballs...err now back to that combat shopping.
Posted by: Jay W at April 2, 2006 1:30 PM
Swedish are coming? Great! Because I am looking for native Swedish speakers for our projects. Interested? please call at 503 334 9906
Posted by: hanna at August 9, 2007 1:12 PM
Uh, Hanna? The post is actually about IKEA... not Swedish speaking people.
Posted by: Mikey at August 9, 2007 4:26 PM
I'm from Swedish and I can speak Sweden :)
Nah I found this site by using teh google to search for "The Swedish are comming, the swedish are comming". It comes up as search number 3!
So Mike I don't write to spam, but instead to redirect people to what they might first have been after!
Ciao from down under
http://users.tpg.com.au/jtense/swedishrcomming!.mp3
Posted by: esnettense at November 8, 2007 8:07 AM
Post a comment:
By Christmas 2007, every living room in Portland will be identical. I've seen it happen before.
Posted by: chas at November 7, 2005 7:46 AM