Ikea Coming To Danbury?

Ikea is a home furnishing retailer in a class by itself.

It's latest U.S. store is planned in Merriam, Kansas, at 349,000 square-feet, nearly three times the size of Brookfield's CostCo at about 120,000 square-feet.

"I can tell you with certainty it is a rumor and it is unfounded," said Economic Development Director Bruce Tuomala, who investigated the foundations of the rumor and found them lacking.

Greater Danbury Chamber of Commerce President Stephen Bull said Ikea is so large, like the Danbury Fair Mall, it would require an exit and entrance ramp on a major highway all to itself. Those aren't easy to come by, and no new exit or entrance ramp is planned in Danbury.

"It isn't coming," Bull said.

The rumor arose recently when 57 houses were proposed for vacant land near the corner of Backus Avenue and Kenosia Avenue.

On that article, Steven DeVaux wrote at 7:55 a.m. Tuesday, "And what of IKEA coming to town in the near future? Mill Plain road perhaps or Backus Avenue?"

That was followed 22 minutes later by g, who wrote, "I'd be a lot happier with an Ikea than 57 new homes and no new schools."

Finally Steven DeVaux ended the Ikea comments with, "Go IKEA! (or rather Come IKEA!)"