OxfordPress.com

WEST CHESTER TWP. — A year of rumors and speculation about Swedish furniture-maker IKEA building its first Ohio store locally could be put to rest tomorrow.

West Chester Twp. Trustee George Lang said the popular manufacturer of ready-to-assemble furniture is expected to announce its plans at an 11 a.m. press conference Tuesday at 9113 Cincinnati-Dayton Road.

"I think it's a done deal, but it won't be official until tomorrow. I don't pretend I know what they're going to announce, although I'm pretty sure it's going to be a positive," he said.

IKEA will likely build its 300,000- to 350,000-square-foot store on a vacant lot on the southeast corner of Muhlhauser and Allen roads adjacent to Interstate 75, he said.

The lot is owned by Schumacher Dugan Construction. Development Director Chris Wunnenberg declined comment.

The West Chester Twp. store would be the only IKEA in a 300-mile radius, with other stores near Chicago, Pittsburgh and Detroit.

"This means we will have one of the premier retailers in the world located right here in West Chester. Without question, it could be an anchor for more development," Lang said.

West Chester Chamber Alliance President Joe Hinson said the township's ability to attract the elusive retailer will cause other businesses considering this area to take a second look.

"A name like IKEA is one that stands out because they could have gone elsewhere and they have chosen Butler County to build here," Hinson said.

"The business of relocation — where a business wants to be — is extremely competitive, and it shows this area can compete with larger markets."

IKEA officials did not return calls for comment on the possible announcement. However, spokesman Joseph Roth said last month the company had plans to open about five new locations a year, increasing its U.S. roster from 28 to 50 stores.

He did not confirm a move to the township at the time, saying IKEA is considering multiple locations in Ohio.

Other areas rumored to be under consideration included the northern Columbus suburbs.

Roth said when considering a possible location for one of its stores — considered destination sites that draw from hundreds of miles — the company looks for easy access to major highways and about 20 acres of land. The company projects it needs about two million customers to support one store.

Early estimates suggest the furniture giant would rake in $1.5 million a year in sales tax revenue for the county.