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IKEA Rego Center Store Opening Pushed Back to Fall 2020 Due to COVID-19

Rendering of IKEA Store coming to Rego Center shopping mall in fall 2020,

April 29, 2020 By Michael Dorgan

IKEA is delaying the opening of its new store at the Rego Center mall due to the coronavirus pandemic.

The popular Swedish homeware and furniture store was expected to move into a 115,000 square foot space at the corner of Queens Boulevard and Junction Boulevard this summer.

However, IKEA told the Queens Post today that it is pushing back the store opening date until fall.

“Due to the COVID-19 pandemic and the shelter-in-place orders, we will delay our opening until the fall,” the spokesperson said.

“While our timeline has shifted a little, we look forward to meeting our new neighbors in the future and feel energized by the opportunity to bring a new, more accessible shopping experience to the many customers in New York City.”

The Rego Park store will be IKEA’s first in Queens and third in New York City. The retailer opened a Brooklyn store in 2008 and last year opened a Manhattan location on the Upper East Side.

The Queens store will be different from a conventional IKEA. For instance, it will be less than half the size of standard location.

The store will have thousands of products for purchase and takeaway–but larger furniture items will only be on display and have to be shipped to people’s homes. The store will also have a grab-and-go eatery– featuring products such as its iconic meatballs– as opposed to a traditional IKEA restaurant.

The new concept, the company said, is designed to accommodate the borough’s commuter lifestyle and reliance of public transportation. The Rego Center mall is served by the E, M and R subway lines and by several bus lines.

Home goods chain At Home is reportedly opening a 130,000 square foot space at the Rego Center mall too. An opening date for that store is not yet known.