I'd Camp Out! (had I known)

Brando heard on the radio that the last three or four IKEA stores to open the first person in line got a new car or a furnished room or something as spectacular. I heart IKEA but I'm STILL not if I really would've camped out for that.

Early birds camp out at IKEA
11/13/2006 6:45 PM
By: News 8 Austin Staff

Anxious customers are already getting in line at the new IKEA store in Round Rock that’s set to open on Wednesday at 9 a.m.

A handful of people have set up tents hoping to win grand opening prizes while workers put the finishing touches on the store. The first 100 people inside the doors get an IKEA chair worth about $80.

"I'm here for IKEA, being here for three days, I have nothing else to do, take time off and I'm here because I love IKEA, love the furniture and the free chair," camper Andrew Tingley said.

Moments before the doors open, store manager Jeff O’Shaughnessy will welcome the community with a traditional Swedish log-sawing ceremony, bringing good luck to the new home and all its future visitors.

To celebrate the grand opening, IKEA will give away thousands of dollars in gift cards:
• Pick a Card, Any Card – The first 2,500 people to visit IKEA Round Rock on Wednesday will receive a random prize envelope with vouchers for goodies such as IKEA Gift Cards ranging from $10 to $250 or “Buy One, Get One Free” hotdog or frozen yogurt treats.
• Enter to Win When Entering our Home – From Nov.15 – Nov. 19 visitors may enter a drawing to win one of ten $1,000 IKEA Gift Cards. IKEA will match the prizes (a total of $10,000) with a donation to benefit the Williamson County Children’s Advocacy Center, a local assistance provider to abused children.
• You Say It's Your Birthday – Bring proof to IKEA Round Rock on November 15 that it is your birthday and receive a $10 gift card.

Additional grand opening festivities and customer appreciation prizes include:
• Take a Seat (And We Mean Take It!) – The first 100 adults (18 and over) in line at the IKEA Round Rock grand opening will receive a free POÄNG armchair.
• For the (Truly) Young at Heart – The first 100 children (under 18) in line at IKEA Round Rock grand opening will receive a free FAMNIG heart-shaped cushion.

The 252,000 square-foot store is located along Interstate 35 at the University Boulevard exit. The store employs 300 coworkers, and features 10,000 exclusively designed home furnishings all under one roof, a 300-seat IKEA Restaurant, a supervised children’s play area and 1,200 parking spaces.

From today:
Round Rock's new IKEA store officially opened for business Wednesday morning.
KVUE News

Customers walk through the doors Wednesday at the new IKEA Round Rock.

More than 2,500 people had already walked through the doors of the new store by 11 a.m. Wednesday. It's located at the La Frontera shopping center off Interstate 35.

Amid much fanfare, IKEA opens to mass crowd on first day
Austin Business Journal - 11:40 AM CST Wednesday

Dozens camped out overnight and thousands lined up in the blustery winds this morning to be among the first to enter the massive retail store. The doors opened at 9 a.m., and by 9:30 there was still a line of people waiting in front of the store.