The store that is best known for its delectable Swedish meatballs and low-priced, easy-to-build furniture has decided to take its restaurant experience up a notch. IKEA Atlanta, the sovereign IKEA for the entire state of Georgia, invited customers to participate in a weekend-long (April 29 through May 1) celebration to commemorate the grand re-opening of its newly remodeled eatery.
The ribbon-cutting re-opening ceremony began on Friday, April 29 at 5 p.m. The patrons were lined up awaiting the early bird giveaways and discounted IKEA family food offers. The giveaways included free IKEA goodie bags filled with organic food products and mystery envelopes that contained prizes ranging from food offer coupons to $5 to $100 gift cards.
"We know that there is so much more to food than food. Food brings people together at home in everyone's daily lives, and we wanted to reflect that in the new dining experience at IKEA Restaurants," said Patricia Meumann, U.S. commercial manager for IKEA Food.
Nearly all of the restaurants nationwide are undergoing a full remodel so that customers will be able to enjoy a newly redesigned and customized dining experience featuring three different restaurant zones. The first area lends itself to a quick bite for the shopper on the run; the second space is family-oriented; and the third section is called "Fika" — Swedish for "to have coffee" — with a living room atmosphere.
"'Fika' stands for 'break' in Swedish, like a coffee break," said IKEA Atlanta store manager Jill Matherson. "People can socialize at these big tables, sit and relax in these couches. It's supposed to be like a coffeehouse feel. There's free wi-fi and places to charge your electrical equipment."
When asked about the number of Fika sites in the restaurant, Matherson said, "In the restaurant we have two. So we have this relatively large Fika area in the back of the restaurant that tends to be a bit quieter. Then there's this small Fika area up front that resembles a living room setting. That could be where you're waiting for another family member somewhere in the line."
Matherson came to IKEA Atlanta in September 2015, bringing 26 years of IKEA experience with her.
"We are very privileged to have had such great leadership here at IKEA Atlanta. We've been open now going on 11 years," said IKEA Atlanta marketing and public relations manager Deidra Cunningham.
The restaurant's new decor offers something for every visitor. There is a bar stool with high round table area for the "quick bite" group. There are the Fika and long-attached table areas for the large family customers — these are family-oriented areas that have conveniences like baby-bottle warmers, stand-alone toddler play equipment, colorful prints and wooden tree displays.
One of the most innovative additions is the free use of IKEA Varv floor lamps with wireless charging pad, which are located at the restaurant entrance in the upfront Fika area. You can easily charge your smartphone by just placing it on the lamp's charging pad. Two devices can be charged at a time because there is also a USB port built into the lamp. If your smartphone does not support wireless charging, you will need to purchase a wireless charging cover sold by IKEA.
Since IKEA has introduced the new veggie ball with vegetarian chili on the side as a good alternative to the popular IKEA meatball, IKEA has begun its initiative to have a reduced environmental impact for a lower carbon footprint.
"We will continue to serve delicious food, offering a taste of Sweden at affordable prices, but with increasing focus on the aspects of food that are really important to people: health and sustainability," said Michael La Cour, managing director of IKEA Food Services AB. "We have high ambitions, and our journey in this direction has just begun. I am proud that we now take the first step and started serving veggie balls."
IKEA includes organic foods on their current menu and they plan to add more in the future.
"Right now we're trying to find 75 seasonal employees for the summer. So anybody who's looking for a fabulous part-time, with hours that actually are closer to full-time [should apply] — because the summer is our Christmas season," said Matherson. "For us at IKEA the Christmas season is not the biggest peak time...it's the summer."
There is the Taste of New York, the Taste of New Orleans, the Taste of Chicago, but what about the Taste of Sweden? IKEA gives the American an opportunity to experience the cuisine of a far away European country.
"It's the biggest Scandinavian-Swedish restaurant in Atlanta. So we get lots of people coming to visit us and enjoying a taste of Sweden. Some of them shop and some of them don't. We welcome them all," Matherson said.
Currently there are only 25 U.S. states with IKEAs, and there are expansion plans which include the opening of the next store in Las Vegas this May. IKEA also will be opening new stores in Memphis, Indianapolis and Jacksonville over the next year or so.
One of the customer benefits that does not cost a thing is the IKEA family membership card. Here's what the membership consists of:
- Free to join by signing up with your email address
- Free coffee or hot tea every visit
- Buy-one-get-one-free frozen yogurt cone
- Member-only monthly exclusive product discounts and food offers
- Monthly random selection of an IKEA family member to win a $100 gift card
AS the only IKEA in the Peach State, IKEA Atlanta is a one-of-a-kind retail experience.
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