5 things you didn’t know about IKEA West Chester as it turns 10

IKEA West Chester opened 10 years ago this week at 9500 IKEA Way. The 344,000-square-foot store looms large off of Butler County’s Union Centre Boulevard exit and continues to be a big hit with shoppers near and far.

Here are a few things you may not have known about the store:

1. It’s offering a series of discounts through Saturday

To celebrate reaching the decade mark, IKEA West Chester on March 9 launched a week’s worth of family-friendly activities, marked down prices, gift cards, food and product giveaways.

The first 10 visitors each day through March 17 who present valid photo identification showing their birthday is March 12 will receive a $10 IKEA Gift Card.

Each day of the celebration features family-friendly activities such as "Kids eat FREE Tuesday," face painting, balloon art, story time and an appearance by the Cincinnati Museum Center. For a complete list of activities, click here.

MORE: IKEA is 10 years old in Butler County, and it has a week of activities planned to celebrate

2. It donates to local organizations

IKEA West Chester generates a healthy profit margin, but it also gives back to numerous area organizations. Some of those who have been recipients of the retailer’s generosity are Lakota Local Schools, University of Cincinnati, Ronald McDonald House, Cincinnati Children’s Hospital, Artworks, Toys for Tots, Over-the-Rhine Community Housing, One Way Farm, Bethany House, First Step Home, Reach Out Lakota, Lighthouse Youth Services, Hannah’s Treasure Chest, and Cincinnati Red Cross.

3. 50 employees who started at the store are still there

The West Chester location employs 250 people, of which one-fifth are among the original employees who greeted shoppers when the store opened its doors March 12, 2008. A co-worker rally this week featured the store’s manager recognizing the milestone, plus cake and cupcakes. Employees who attained the decade-long milestone received a $500 IKEA gift card.

4. It’s eco-friendly

On Jan. 24, 2012, the store plugged-in a solar energy system installed there. The 128,000-square-foot PV array consists of a 1,026-kW system, built with 4,186 panels.

That investment by IKEA reinforces the company’s long-term commitment to sustainability and confidence in photovoltaic technology. IKEA owns and operates each of its solar PV energy systems atop its buildings – as opposed to a solar lease or a power purchase agreement.

5. It was Ohio’s first IKEA

When it opened on 28 acres of a 56-acre parcel along I-75 at the southeastern corner of Allen and Muhlhauser roads, IKEA West Chester was the first and only Ohio store. New locations debuted 114 miles away in Columbus in June 2017 and 122 miles away near Indianapolis in October 2017.

It was the company’s sixth location in the Midwest, 34th in the nation and 274th worldwide. There are now eight IKEAs in the Midwest, 47 in the nation and 414 in 49 countries, according to the company.

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