When it comes to shopping at Ikea, SW Florida shoppers only have two good driving options right now.
That’s going to change.
For now, you can either drive all the way to Tampa (most likely Fort Myers residents), or you can drive to Miami (most likely Naples residents). The Tampa Ikea is a 125 trek miles from Fort Myers and a 166 miles haul from Naples. The Miami Ikea is 118 miles from Naples and 149 miles from Fort Myers.
But sometime in the winter of 2027, the drive to the nearest Ikea will get shorter, more like a hop, skip and a jump, especially for Fort Myers residents, when the popular furniture store opens a new location “right up the road” in Sarasota.
How far will it the new Ikea be from Fort Myers? Only 79, miles or just a little under an hour and a half north on I-75 − not accounting for seasonal traffic.
From Naples? Only three miles less distances than going to Miami, so that’s a wash.
Ikea, also known for its delicious Swedish meatballs, recently announced it’s opening seven new stores in the U.S. in early 2027.
Six of the locations of the popular global home furnishings and furniture chain, including the new 48,000-square-foot store in Sarasota, will be the familiar larger-format stores. One will be one of the chain’s newer small-store formats.
“At IKEA, our focus is on making it easier for more people to access affordable, well‑designed home furnishings,” said Rob Olson, interim CEO of IKEA U.S., in an April press release. “Opening a new store in Sarasota builds on our broader efforts to meet customers where they are, including expanding our footprint in Florida last year through five new Plan and order points with Pick‑up at select Best Buy locations across the state.”
Here’s what to expect.
Why wait? Shop Ikea online now
Where is Ikea opening in Sarasota?
The new Ikea will be in University Town Center at 147 N. Cattleman Road in Sarasota, part of a roughly 86,000-square-foot expansion of new retail, restaurant and service space.
What will shoppers find at the new Sarasota Ikea?
The new location will be 48,000 square feet of home furnishings, decor, and furniture, with more than 5,000 products on display, the company said.
More than 3,000 curated items, accessories, lighting, textiles and over 100 small furniture pieces will be available to buy and take away on the spot, Ikea said. Larger items, such as sofas, beds and the entire IKEA range of furniture, can be ordered online or in-store, available for free pickup or delivery with a charge. There will also be an as-is section, featuring “gently used” products and discontinued items at reduced prices.
Customers will be able to schedule one-on-one consultations for personalized design advice, and the chain’s famous Swedish deli will be serving up meatballs, plant balls, falafel balls, veggie dogs, cinnamon buns, and more, to eat while you shop or to take home.
Shop Ikea furniture and food
When is Ikea opening in Sarasota, Florida?
No exact opening date has been announced. Ikea originally projected a summer 2026 opening, but on July 11, USA TODAY reported that a winter opening is planned.
The other locations on the way are:
Ikea recently opened new stores in Chantilly, Virginia, on June 18 and Rockwall, Texas, on May 13.
Where are Ikea stores in Florida?
Shop Ikea online
C. A. Bridges is a journalist for the USA TODAY Network-Florida’s service journalism Connect team. You can get all of Florida’s best content directly in your inbox each weekday by signing up for the free newsletter, Florida TODAY.
Mark H. Bickel is the Audience Development Director for the Naples Daily News and The News-Press in Fort Myers, Florida.
This article originally appeared on Naples Daily News: Ikea announces it’s opening new store a short drive from Fort Myers
Reporting by C. A. Bridges and Mark H. Bickel, Fort Myers News-Press & Naples Daily News / Naples Daily News
USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect
By C. A. Bridges and Mark H. Bickel, Fort Myers News-Press & Naples Daily News | USA TODAY Network
