IKEA Columbus held its grand opening on Wednesday, and it stopped traffic. Literally. The Scandanavian furniture mega-store chain has one other location in Ohio, in West Chester near Cincinnati.
Today is the day! @IKEAUSA in Columbus opens at 9am. 139 people in line! All free couches claimed. Other people getting chairs & gift cards. pic.twitter.com/e3EN3CfpjI
— Mike McCarthy (@mikewsyx6) June 7, 2017
According to ABC 6 in Columbus, the grand opening was already shaping up to be an epic event by early morning:
- Traffic was affected in the area as early as 5 a.m. Two vehicles were involved in a crash at the entrance.
- More than a dozen officers were posted at 14 nearby intersections changing the traffic lights to keep cars moving.
- More than 10,000 people were expected to shop on opening day, according to the furniture superstore. Columbus police said the number could be as hight 12,000.
- As of 6 a.m., more than 150 people were in line to shop, having camped overnight. The first 44 people got a free couch.
MAP: There are four IKEA locations within easy driving distance of Northeast Ohio.
