By Daniela Julio-Cano, FOX23 News
TULSA, Okla. — IKEA is opening its first Oklahoma store in Tulsa, giving shoppers across the state a new place to find affordable home furnishings, furniture and decor.
The 51,000-square-foot store is located in the Tulsa Hills Shopping Center at 7309 South Olympia Avenue.
The store officially opens on Friday, October 23, with grand opening festivities beginning at 8:00 a.m. and doors opening to shoppers at 10:00 a.m.
The store features furnished room displays, including kitchens, bedrooms, living rooms and bathrooms, along with thousands of products for customers to explore.
More than 3,000 products will be available for immediate takeaway, including home accessories and smaller furniture items.
For Tulsa residents Olivia Wilburn and Bella Damon, local high school students who grew up in the city, the opening represents another opportunity for the community.
“I am really excited to check it out and see what’s all there,” Wilburn stated.
Wilburn said the store could also help her find items for her future dorm room as she prepares for college.
Damon said she is excited that Tulsa was selected for the new store and believes it reflects the city’s continued growth.
“It’s really amazing to live in such a beautiful city where we have so many opportunities just to have purchasing options,” said Damon.
Michelle Ridenhour, who was born and raised in Tulsa, said she has never visited an IKEA before and is looking forward to experiencing the store for the first time.
She said the area around Tulsa Hills has changed significantly over the years through the addition of more suburban development and shopping options.
IKEA Market Manager Ben Sandoval said the company chose Tulsa as part of its effort to make its products more accessible.
He said customers in the area have been traveling to IKEA locations in other states for years.
Sandoval said the company has hired more than 60 local employees to staff the new store, with additional IKEA employees from across the country helping prepare the location for opening.
The opening also includes a community investment.
IKEA is donating $10,000 to Family & Children’s Services, a Tulsa nonprofit that provides mental health and recovery services and supports children and families.
Sandoval said the company looks for opportunities to become a community partner when opening new stores.
The Tulsa location is part of IKEA U.S.’s broader strategy to expand access to its products through a combination of in-store shopping, online ordering, pickup and delivery options.
IKEA Tulsa will be open daily from 11:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m. following its grand opening.
