IKEA hands out freebies, provides security to campers waiting to get inside
Tuesday, March 11, 2008
For campers waiting in line for IKEA West Chester's Wednesday, March 12 grand opening, home for the next 18 hours takes a range of forms, from the simple to expansive.
For Vernon Schardt of Trenton, a folding chair and a few blankets were enough to keep him comfortable Monday night.
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"I should be cool for one more day," he said, adding that he expected to be fine drinking coffee and tea, and eating donuts, cookies and other snacks handed out by IKEA staffers throughout the day.
Other campers preferred a few more amenities.
"This is the first time for me sleeping out, and putting up a tent," said Robyn Anderson of Cincinnati. She said she expected to camp out in comfort, however, with books, DVDS, music and an electric heater she could hang in her brand new tent. Though not a camper, she said she was not worried about spending her first night outdoors. IKEA provided ample security, she said, and she added it seemed far less intimidating than driving in last weekend's snowstorm.
The largest tent on site as of Tuesday afternoon belonged to Jen Segrest of Middletown, founder of IKEA fan Web site www.ohikea.com. Her four-person tent contained two cots, a recliner, two chairs and a table stacked with cookies and food. A picture of Saint Tokig, ohikea.com's mascot, was pinned over the entry way.
"We're not here to load up (on furniture)," said Segrest. "We're here for the experience."
IKEA staff provided entertainment for the campers in the form of hourly games like bingo and musical chairs, and handouts of frisbees, catalogs and blankets.
Though roughly 30 people were in line Tuesday afternoon, IKEA spokesman Joseph Roth said he anticipated an increase in numbers Tuesday night, with at least several hundred IKEA fans in line by the 8:30 a.m. start of Wednesday's opening ceremony.



The largest tent on site as of Tuesday afternoon belonged to Jen Segrest of Middletown, founder of IKEA fan Web site www.ohikea.com. Her four-person tent contained two cots, a recliner, two chairs and a table stacked with cookies and food. A picture of Saint Tokig, ohikea.com's mascot, was pinned over the entry way.
A picture of Saint Tokig, ohikea.com's mascot, was pinned over the entry way of Jen Segrest's tent Tuesday, March 11.
Here is a suggested tour of IKEA, as offered by IKEA officials.