BUCKTOWN — The Swedish furniture and home behemoth Ikea plans to open an interactive pop-up in Bucktown in celebration of its 75th anniversary and latest catalog.
Dubbed the “Ikea Inspiration Experience,” the free pop-up is expected to open next Thursday, Aug. 23 at 1714 N. Damen Ave. and run through Sunday, Aug. 26, according to an Ikea spokeswoman.
You can’t buy stuff at the popup. Ikea say the event is meant to provide inspiration.
The storefront near The 606 has hosted various pop-ups over the past few years since Marc Jacobs closed its boutique there in 2015.
Designed to “surprise and delight Ikea fans,” the pop-up will allow visitors to immerse themselves in four rooms inspired by the brand’s 2019 catalog for a multi-sensory experience with sounds and scents, according to the company.
Other perks include an opportunity to go back decades in a light switch activated “Time Machine” photo booth and play a trivia game to win prizes.
For those craving food, the brand will also set up a special meatball bar, offering free meatball samples with dips.
The pop-up will be open 10 a.m. – 9 p.m. next Thursday, Friday and Saturday and 10 a.m. – 7 p.m. Sunday.
The traveling showroom experience started in New York City earlier this month. Chicago will be the second stop.
In a Yelp review of the recently ended pop-up, a fan raved about the time machine photo booth and said and she won a Tupperware set and a throw pillow after playing the trivia game.
On Instagram, a New York mom posted photos of her son making himself at home in a white chaise lounge.
