A visit to Ikea

I have mixed feelings about Ikea. For the price, they do have the best modern design of any store I know. (Of course Design Within Reach has really great modern design too - but despite the name they are hardly within reach of most people.) They are a great place to outfit a dorm room or beginner apartment. Or even to augment a later home as long as you don't go overboard with too much Ikea stuff. I like their little food shop at the end filled with Swedish delicacies, where I've bought delicious cheese at a very reasonable price. I like that their advertising includes all types of people, couples and families.

I'm not crazy about the seemingly endless winding path that you have to follow through the store. I've always thought this would not be a good place to be in when an earthquake hits, a factor I sometimes think of when living in southern California. Although I've since learned you can shortcut some of it by finding the almost hidden doors. Mr. Nankie hates that almost all the furniture is made from particle board and not real wood. And he feels it is poor quality. Though we have had several pieces that have held up very well over the years.

But pros and cons notwithstanding, there is one thing I think every time I am there. I do wish they sold stock in their company! And I don't even buy stock, but I would make an exception for this. Because I have NEVER, I repeat NEVER been to that store that it is not bustling. And with such a wide range of customers - young (mostly), older (some), ALL ethnicities (at least in the Southern California one that I frequent), gay and straight couples - all are represented every time I go there. And the lines just keep on coming of people leaving with carts piled high with stuff.

Of course, getting it home and trying to put it together is another story.