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Veni, Vidi, Visa: I Came, I Saw, I Shopped At Ikea

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The Tampa Tribune

Published: November 15, 2007

Dianna Felch drove from Lakeland and arrived about 11 p.m. Sunday in Orlando. She slept in her van in a shopping center parking lot, then spent the next 48 hours waiting to be the first customer through the doors. Of what? Of Ikea.

Florida's newest Ikea store opened at 9 a.m. Wednesday, and Felch was among hundreds who poured into the store as yellow-shirted employees cheered and banged inflated thundersticks like those at hockey and basketball games.

The Swedish furniture store with locations internationally often inspires cultlike customer loyalty and spurs people to drive for hours.

Until recently, "I didn't even know what Ikea was," Felch admitted.

Business, Page 1

•Orlando's Ikea has 309,000 square feet of self-described "Scandinavian modern style furniture and accessories."

•The first 100 customers Wednesday received a free chair valued at $89.

•During the night, Ikea workers entertained people in line with games such as Ikea Bingo.

•Ybor City is scheduled to get an Ikea in 2009.

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