west valley
Volume 29 Issue 36 Goodyear, AZ
June 6, 2018
Business Briefcase
ByConnorDziawura
IN THE BIZ
Hello, readers! School’s out and summer is in session, and with that acknowledged, there’s quite a bit to discuss today! While I must start on a bit of an unfortunate note, with a major business retracting its West Valley plans, I have a few smaller businesses with approaching plans to balance it out. Well, here’s the news! First, I’ll start with the bad news for West Valley shoppers and home décor enthusiasts. IKEA has pulled its plans to open a second Valley location in Glendale. “While this is an extremely difficult decision, we will not be moving forward with our plans to build a store in Glendale,” said IKEA Senior Public Affairs Specialist Latisha Bracy in a statement. “We appreciate the outpouring of support and excitement that our fans have expressed, and we are disappointed that we will not be able to physically join the vibrant Glendale community.” Bracy’s statement acknowledged a rapidly changing retail environment and, subsequently, a new business model for long-term growth. The company is also looking to expand to more urban city centers, so some expansion plans may change. An investment in e-commerce and services
is a large focus for IKEA. Last September, IKEA anticipated construction in Glendale could have begun as soon as fall 2018 pending city approval. The store was projected for a potential spring 2020 opening. The proposed location would have been 348,000 square feet situated on 29 acres of land, with around 1,100 parking spaces, at the southeast corner of Loop 101/Agua Fria Freeway and Bethany Home Road. “Obviously, while understanding, we are disappointed in IKEA’s decision because we knew this location would have been hugely successful at this prime location,” Glendale City Manager Kevin Phelps said in a statement, acknowledging this as just one of multiple planned projects across the country that the Swedish company will forego. “The city of Glendale is committed to working with the property owner (USPS 004-616) is published weekly
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Steven Strickbine, publisher Christina Fuoco-Karasinski, editor Connor Dziawura, Assistant Editor
to help identify a new developer that can benefit from the attributes of this special site,” Phelps continued. IKEA’s other location in the state is in Tempe. Moving along, and on a more positive note, a new QuikTrip is coming to Buckeye, south of the Walmart in Sundance Towne Center at the northwest corner of Yuma and Watson roads. Construction is scheduled to begin in the next three to four months, with a potential opening in spring 2019, according to a company spokesperson. Keeping with Buckeye, Snap Fitness’ future location is progressing, but may open a bit later than planned. While the plan was to complete the location in August, the new goal is December, according to owner Lorenzo Suozzi. He estimates the new
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