Ikea on track to open this fall, hire 300

Last edited 9:47 a.m., Feb. 27, 2014

The first Kansas City-area Ikea location is one step closer to reality.

The Kansas City Business Journal reports crews are now installing the store's iconic blue and yellow panels and pouring concrete to frame the showroom and restaurant. Construction is on target and the Merriam, Kan., location is set to open this fall.

That's good news for area residents, as Ikea expects to hire 300 employees to fill its 359,000-square-foot store. KCBJ reports the store, which will sell 10,000 items, will include 50 room models, a supervised children's play area, a 450-seat restaurant and 1,200 parking spaces.

Read more from the Kansas City Business Journal.