IKEA a Boon to Draper Economy

None by KCPW

(KCPW News) If shoppers are thrilled that IKEA's doors are open in Draper, city officials are positively giddy. Draper Mayor Darrell Smith says the giant home furnishing store is the biggest economic boon his community has seen:

"It's going to bring in a lot of revenue and we just think it's a great fit - they're going to be great neighbors," says Mayor Smith.

Smith estimates IKEA will contribute 750-thousand dollars a year in taxes to Draper, plus tens of thousands more to the County and State. He also expects the store's location at I-15 and Bangerter Highway to become a hotspot for other retail outlets, hotels and restaurants to accommodate the thousands that come to shop IKEA. North America IKEA President Pernille Lopez says the Draper store already shows signs of doing a strong business in at least one category:

"The children's department was packed and it overperformed all the other areas," says Lopez. "We're very excited about that and will make sure we focus a lot on that as we move forward."

In 2006, IKEA did $3.75 billion in sales in North America. The company kicked off its partnership with Utah yesterday by making a $10,000 donation to The Children's Center, which treats children with emotional and behavioral problems.

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