Postcard from the Slope

What’s The Traffic Going to Be Like Once Ikea Opens

2 Comments

My visit to IKEA sits uncomfortably in my stomach. It didn’t feel right even though I enjoyed the delicious buffet and the gorgeous city views.

They’re boasting about their opening celebration and all the freebies. Giving out 35 free sofas. Big Deal. The idea that people are going to wait on line for two days bothers me.

They’re doing other stuff too (listed below).

But what about the 17,000 visitors they’re expecting. How many of them are going to take public transportation and water taxis when it’s big items like sofas, wall units, and kitchen appliances that they’re buying???

Yes, IKEA has delivery. But still.

Their first weekend could be hellish; the narrow streets of Red Hook clogged with traffic. Everyone is waiting to see what that’s like. Quiet Red Hook transformed into a traffic nightmare.

Here’s the list of opening day activities and freebies:

— Sofa-get about it! – The first 35 adults (18 and over) in line at the IKEA Brooklyn grand opening on June 18, 2008 will receive a free EKTORP three-seat sofa.

— Take a Seat (And We Mean Take It!) – The next 100 adults (18 and over) in line at the IKEA Brooklyn grand opening on June 18, 2008 will receive a free POANG armchair.

— Pick a Card, Any Card – The first 2,500 people to visit IKEA Brooklyn on June 18, 2008 will receive a random prize envelope with IKEA Gift Cards ranging from $10 to $250, or vouchers for a free cinnamon bun, hotdog or frozen yogurt.

— You Say It’s Your Birthday – Visitors who bring proof to IKEA Brooklyn on June 18 that it is their birthday will receive a $10 gift card.

— For the (Truly) Young at Heart – The first 100 children (under 18) in line at IKEA Brooklyn’s grand opening on June 18, 2008 will receive a free FAMNIG heart-shaped cushion.

— Enter to Win When Entering our Home – From June 18 through June 22, 2008, visitors to IKEA Brooklyn may enter a drawing to win one of ten $1,000 IKEA Gift Cards. IKEA will match the prizes (a total of $10,000) by donating to Red Hook’s Conover House, a supportive housing program that provides a stable, nurturing environment for families in need.

— Play Big and Eat Big (If You’re Little!) – Entertainment for kids such as balloon artists and face-painting will take place at IKEA Brooklyn from June 18 through June 22. Kids also can enjoy a macaroni-and-cheese meal with a fountain drink for 99 cents.

— It’s Easy Being Green – On Thursday, June 19 and Friday, June 20, the first 1,000 visitors each day will receive a three-inch tropical plant, representing IKEA roots planted in Brooklyn.

2 thoughts on “What’s The Traffic Going to Be Like Once Ikea Opens”

  1. Well, I’m sure the traffic will be a nightmare.
    Of, course many people will also go there without a car, since most Brooklynites and most Manhattanites don’t have a car to take there.

  2. If we see “Quiet Red Hook transformed into a traffic nightmare”, let us remind ourselves that most of the people of Red Hook didn’t oppose IKEA (or Fairway). Because it is isolated, the traffic nightmares, if any, shouldn’t significantly affect the rest of us, any more than Fairway, Lowe’s, Home Depot do, certainly since the novelty has worn off.

Comments are closed.