To view our videos, you need to
enable JavaScript. Learn how.
install Adobe Flash 9 or above. Install now.

Then come back here and refresh the page.

CHARLOTTE – IKEA is marking three years in the Queen City, and the company is giving the community more options than just furniture. The business is credited for revitalizing that part of university area and generating sales tax revenue.

The blue building and yellow block writing are infamous for affordable furniture. But for developers, the IKEA store in north Charlotte offers much more. This month marks three years since IKEA opened a location in Charlotte and has been generating revenue for the city and county ever since.

"It put this area back on people's radar screens," said Mary Hooper, executive director with University City Partners. "The good news about the contribution is it occurs on many layers, not just on tax for property, tax for sales.”

Hopper said the furniture giant helped resuscitate development in the corridor just off Interstate 85.

"For us it is a longer term, deeper investment then just the tax base. And we really want to be that partner long term,” said Charlotte IKEA Deputy Store Manager, Jackie DeChamps.
“So three years for us feels like we're just babies in and it's just the beginning."

DeChamps said opening a business during a recession may be a direct route to failure for most, but not for IKEA. The Charlotte store avoided lay offs, and maintains three hundred employees year round.

University City Partners said there are developers looking into the area near IKEA, including two separate residential apartment complexes.