HUNTSVILLE, Ala. — Excited shoppers lined up early Wednesday morning as IKEA opened its first Alabama location at the University Place Shopping Center. By 7:30 a.m., a large assembly of people was already waiting to get a first look inside the Swedish retailer’s Huntsville store.
Inside, visitors can enjoy IKEA’s Swedish Deli, which serves hot and cold favorites like meatballs, plant balls, hot dogs, veggie dogs, and cinnamon buns. Meals are available for dining in or taking home.
This smaller-format store reflects IKEA’s strategy to bring locations to mid-sized cities. It has more than 5,000 products on display, with about 2,000 items available for immediate purchase, including 75 small furniture pieces. Larger items can be ordered for in-store pickup or home delivery…