News from May 2006
IKEA Coming to Orlando
IKEA, the world’s leading home furnishings retailer, today announced plans for a store in Orlando, FL -- increasing the Swedish retailer’s planned presence in Florida and the Southeastern U.S. Pending permits, construction of the future IKEA Orlando can begin later this summer, with an anticipated opening in Fall 2007. Until then, customers can shop at IKEA Atlanta, which opened last June, or online at http://www.IKEA.com . (In addition, a store will open Summer 2007 in the South Florida city of Sunrise.)
The 310,000 square-foot IKEA Orlando, with its 1,200 parking spaces, will be built on 22 acres off Eastgate Drive, south of Conroy Road, at the southeastern end of The Mall at Millenia, and will reflect the same unique architectural design for which IKEA stores are known worldwide.
"We are thrilled to be locating an IKEA store at this site in Orlando where we can meet the needs of customers from the Panhandle to the Sun and Treasure Coasts," said David Iemolo, IKEA real estate manager. "We know IKEA Orlando will be more convenient to existing customers while also introducing the unique IKEA family-friendly shopping experience to new customers across Florida."
Besides offering nearly 10,000 exclusively designed items, IKEA Orlando will feature three model homes, 50 room settings, a supervised children’s play area, and a 300-seat restaurant serving Swedish specialties such as meatballs with lingonberries and salmon plates, as well as American dishes. Other family-friendly features will include a ’Children’s IKEA’ area in the showroom, baby care rooms, preferred parking and play areas throughout the store.
In addition to jobs created during the construction phase, approximately 400 coworkers would join the IKEA family when the new store opens. IKEA Orlando also will provide significant annual tax revenue for local governments and schools. "We look forward to being a partner in the local community," added Iemolo.
There currently are 235 IKEA stores in 34 countries, including 27 in the U.S., where the company plans to open 3 to 5 stores a year. Other U.S. stores are being planned in: Brooklyn, NY; Canton, MI; Draper, UT; Dublin, CA; Portland, OR; Round Rock, TX; Somerville, MA; and Sunrise, FL.
Since its 1943 founding in Sweden, IKEA has offered a wide range of home furnishings and accessories of good design and function, at low prices so the majority of the people can afford them. IKEA has been ranked in FORTUNE’s annual "100 Best Companies to Work For" List (two years in a row), Working Mother magazine’s annual list of "100 Best Companies for Working Mothers" (three years in a row) and Training magazine’s annual "Top 100" ranking of companies that excel at human capital development (four years in a row). IKEA incorporates environmentally friendly and socially responsible efforts into day-to-day business, and continuously supports initiatives that benefit causes such as children and the environment. To visit the IKEA Web site or for information about working at IKEA, please go to http://www.IKEA-usa.com .
Posted on 25 May 2006
Disney Welcomes 2 Billionth Guest
On 2 May 2006, Disneyland welcomed guest Emmalee Mason of Colorado Springs, Colorado as she became the honorary two-billionth guest to visit a Disney Park. Amidst a blast of colorful confetti, musical fanfare and a parade of congratulatory Disney characters, Mason was whisked away to Disneyland’s iconic Floral Mickey for a special ceremony.
Andrae Rivas, the 2006 Disneyland Resort Ambassador, presented Mason with a giant golden key and a lifetime pass to all 11 Disney Parks around the world at such distinct locales as Hong Kong Disneyland Resort in Hong Kong, Walt Disney World Resort in Florida, Tokyo Disney Resort in Japan, Disneyland Paris Resort in France, in addition to Disneyland Resort in Southern California. Rivas also gave Mason a one-of-a-kind proclamation designating her as the honorary two-billionth guest to visit the Disney parks over the past five decades.
During her special day Mason received a private photo session with her family and Mickey Mouse, an exclusive tour of Disneyland Park and Disney’s California Adventure Park, a special attraction experience with Mickey Mouse, and was feted as Grand Marshal of Disneyland’s 50th anniversary parade.
“It’s truly amazing and awesome!” exclaimed Mason. “We’re here on holiday and just wanted to come and see the 50th anniversary, who knew this was going to happen? It’s just awesome!”
Posted on 10 May 2006
Brush Fires Shut Down Roads
Roads in Central Florida have been closed by brush fires sparked by the tinder dry conditions together with a lack of real rainfall. A 30 acre fire just west of SeaWorld Orlando shut down Interstate 4 and the Central Florida Parkway, when it ran alongside I4 and jumped accross the Parkway. About 72 firefighters fought the fire and extinguished it after 3 1/2 hours.
Much of the Central and Southern areas of Florida have been suffering from Brush fires one of which has been raging since April 21st. The problem is so widespread that Governor Bush has declared a State of Emergancy and ordered the National Guard to help fight the fires.
Posted on 10 May 2006
