Will Lubbock Ever Actually Get An IKEA?
Have you heard the rumor that an IKEA store is coming to Lubbock? It's been going around for years, and it's also been on the "rumor mill" section of LubbockInTheLoop for a really long time with zero updates. There was even an article by the Lubbock Avalanche-Journal back in 2014 that discussed the possibility of one coming to town, but it's since been removed and is unavailable online.
So, what's the deal? Are we ever going to get one? I could totally go for some cheap furniture, Swedish meatballs, and other random odds and ends. The closest IKEA to Lubbock is in Frisco, and while I love IKEA, I don't love it enough to drive over 5 hours to shop around. Yeah, I know, I can just shop online...but it's not the same.
IKEA is currently the 8th most valuable retailer in the world, according to Statista, with about 231,000 employees worldwide. I don't know about you, but I've got some friends that would love a job there. We also have plenty of space at the South Plains Mall for one. I'd stick it in the back corner of the parking lot that nobody ever uses.
From what I can tell, it was only ever a rumor and there were never any concrete plans to open one here. Maybe if we all whine loud enough, IKEA will hear us and set up shop in the hub city. That would be pretty spiffy, but I won't hold my breath.