The world’s largest furniture retailer is coming to Tulsa.
IKEA announced Tuesday it will be opening its first Oklahoma store in the former Belk location in the Tulsa Hills Shopping Center. The 51,000-square-foot space will feature some 3,000 items and 200 small furniture options.
“For years, Tulsans have rallied around the idea of having an IKEA in our city, and I’m proud to say this generation of leaders made it happen,” Mayor Monroe Nichols said following the announcement.
In 2024, several organizations, including Tulsa Remote and Tulsa Young Professionals, launched the “Tulsa Loves IKEA” campaign” to attract the Swedish retailer to the city. The initiative featured an IKEA-inspired pop-up restaurant called Tulsmå, a public art installation and an open letter.
Over 60 Tulsans traveled on a charter bus to an IKEA location in Frisco, Texas, as part of the campaign.
“We certainly have to think that it (the campaign) played a role,” said Justin Harlan, Tulsa Remote managing director. “I think it really showcases the way in which a city like Tulsa can come together with collaborative partners and get the attention of big brands.”
Harlan said several Tulsa Remoters —who receive a $10,000 grant if they agree to move and work remotely in Tulsa — miss out on some of the amenities bigger metropolitan areas have to offer. Until now, people have had to travel to Texas or Kansas City to shop at an IKEA.
Tulsa officials expect the retailer to bring in an additional $30-40 million annually to the city, boosting retail sales and driving traffic to the Tulsa Hills shopping area. The store’s indirect impact to the area, according to the city, is expected to be more than $100 million.
The shopping center — located on South Olympia Avenue — is currently home to other retail giants such as Target, Best Buy, Sam’s Club and several restaurants.
In the coming weeks, Tulsa City Council is expected to consider an economic incentive package aimed at bringing the retailer to the city.
Ismael Lele is a Report for America corps member and writes about business in Tulsa for The Oklahoma Eagle. Your donation to match our Report for America grant helps keep him writing stories like this one; please consider making a tax-deductible gift of any amount today by visiting this link.
