Why IKEA really matters to Kansas City
Yael T. AbouhalkahThe cynic in me says: IKEA is coming to Kansas City - and that means we will all be able to buy some more inexpensive furniture.
But the optimist in me says: IKEA is coming to Kansas City, and that’s going to please lots of furniture customers and help save them money (no more trips to Minneapolis and no more shipping charges).
Plus, unlike Trader Joe’s (purveyor of food knockoffs you can buy almost anywhere), IKEA’s stuff actually does have some pizzazz about it.
I can see the new Merriam store being quite popular with Kansas Citians. And the economic development there is going to help the struggling Merriam attract more shoppers, more stores and a few more tax dollars.
Finally, getting IKEA is another pat on the back for the metro region. Yes, we’re big enough at 2 million people to attract a national-brand store that has a pretty good reputation with customers.
The masses have spoken: They wanted IKEA and now we’re going to get one.
Eric Kimlinger
7 months, 4 weeks agoIt is also one more example of why Kansas City is vastly superior to our neighbor to the East!
Michael Johnson
7 months, 4 weeks agoYael, why would you be cynical about a company opening a store here, employing local workers, and offering a product at competitive rates? That’s a good thing. Your previous editorial laments the anemic job growth in this area. So when a company does come here, you’re cynical about their motives? Are you unhappy that they’ll be making a profit? I hope they do. Investors, employees and suppliers hope so as well. Do you dislike the property, business, and payroll taxes they’ll be paying? What do you dislike or distrust about this? There are only so many high paying, bonus-laden editorial jobs around town. The rest of us have to find something to do for a living while we dream vicariously of a columnist’s life.
Clinton Thomas
7 months, 4 weeks agoMichael, the article started wit one cynical sentence, then closed with seven optimistic ones about why this is good for Kansas City. It’s not a cynical article at all. If anything, he’s providing a counter-point to those people who are cynical.
Mark Hastert
7 months, 4 weeks agoHooray! Soon we’ll be able to lug incredibly heavy boxes into our homes and spend countless hours assembling furniture and cabinetry; all all without having to spend two days on the Interstate, after which we’ll need to go to Trader Joe’s and get some Charles Shaw to guzzle!
Jim Burdick
7 months, 3 weeks agoIts 2 years away,maybe you can lug a chunk of copper there and barter for a futon since the dollar wont be worth squat by then!