Ikea chooses Marietta for second metro location
Ikea will open its second metro Atlanta store in Marietta, a deal Mayor Steve Tumlin hailed Wednesday as one of the largest and most important economic developments in the city’s history.
Ikea is under contract to buy 28 acres on Franklin Gateway from the city for more than $9 million. The plot just off Interstate 75 was one of several Marietta bought and redeveloped using bonds approved in 2013.
“The city has worked very diligently on the redevelopment of the Franklin corridor and Ikea would like to be part of that redevelopment,” said Jim Anastos, a real estate manager for the company.
The plan submitted to the city calls for a 338,000 square foot store, which would likely employ between 250 and 300 workers. The project would also create several hundred construction jobs. A city spokesperson said Ikea received no tax breaks or abatements.
Anastos said the company did not have a timeline yet for construction or grand opening. He said Ikea did a lot of research before choosing Marietta for the site of its second metro store.
“We have a very strong customer base throughout Cobb County,” he said.
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Meris Lutz is a contributing writer covering climate, the environment and the economy. She is particularly interested in stories that explore the intersections between climate change and labor, markets, health, biodiversity, government transparency and public access to natural resources.
