IKEA Miami gets ready for launch

IKEA is prepping for the grand opening of its new Miami-Dade location, set to open on Aug. 27, 2014 to mark the company's second South Florida outpost.

“Construction work has advanced far enough to allow the interior build-up process and finishing details to be complete by August 27,” noted Selwyn Crittendon, store manager of the future IKEA Miami. “Now our primary goal is the final training of the more-than-350 local hires joining the IKEA coworker family.”

Customers will be able to begin lining up at the door 48 hours in advance of the opening to take advantage of grand opening promotions.

The new 416,000-sq.-ft. store is located in Sweetwater adjacent to the Dolphin Mall, at the intersection of the Dolphin Expressway and the Florida Turnpike. It will also feature South Florida's largest rooftop solar array.

As is typical for the Swedish retailer, IKEA Miami will house nearly 10,000 products, 44 room vignettes, three model home interiors, a supervised play area for kids and an in-house restaurant.

The opening is set to create 350 jobs, in addition to the 500 jobs created from construction.