'Excitement is building:' IKEA workers put finishing touches on new store before grand opening



OAK CREEK -- The grand opening of IKEA Oak Creek comes Wednesday morning, May 16 -- and shoppers are expected to line up before sunrise.

Latisha Brice



"The excitement is building there in the store and we are starting to set up for the customer lines," said Latisha Brice, IKEA spokeswoman.

Long lines are what IKEA associates were preparing for Monday, May 14-- two days before the grand opening. They were also setting the stage -- yes, an actual stage.

"At 6 a.m. on Wednesday morning, live entertainment. So we'll have a DJ. We'll have a band," Brice said.

IKEA prepares for grand opening in Oak Creek



IKEA prepares for grand opening in Oak Creek



Brice told FOX6 News spirits were high with less than two days to complete the finishing touches on Wisconsin's first IKEA store.

IKEA prepares for grand opening in Oak Creek



"You know, making sure we have all the price tags on everything -- all of our displays are set," Brice said.

On the inside, employees were busy stocking the last open shelves. IKEA employees from the Schaumburg, Illinois were even in to help out.

"So the store will have the same 10,000 unique IKEA products as all of the stores," Brice said.

Brice said the grand opening will be not only a momentous occasion for shoppers, but also for the 300 new employees.

IKEA prepares for grand opening in Oak Creek



"So they have been working hard preparing to open the store. They are just as excited as the community is," Brice said.

Brice has opened four other IKEA locations across the country.

Again, the entertainment begins at 6 a.m., opening ceremonies begin at 8:15 a.m. and the doors open at 9 a.m.

IKEA prepares for grand opening in Oak Creek