Sarasota’s growing University Town Center has been in the news a lot in the last few weeks and months. In June and July alone, What Now has covered planned openings by brands like Pure Green, West Elm, and Dick’s House of Sport.
Now, there’s more big news for UTC: this fall or winter, it’s getting an IKEA.
The IKEA store was originally planning a summer opening, says coverage by the Sarasota Herald-Tribune. This month, however, the company reportedly told USA Today about 7 locations it has in the works, and the USA Today coverage lists the Sarasota store as anticipating a “Winter 2026” opening.
However, a representative told What Now on Thursday that the store is still targeting an opening in late fall. Either way, this probably means November/December.
Offering an enormous variety of products for the home, IKEA is known worldwide for its mission “To offer a wide range of well-designed, functional home furnishing products at prices so low, that as many people as possible will be able to afford them.”
“Spread all over the world, we have a passion for home furnishing and an inspiring shared vision: to create a better everyday life for the many people,” says the IKEA website. “This, together with our straightforward business idea, shared values, and a culture based on the spirit of togetherness, guides us in everything we do.”
“The new location will be 48,000 square feet of home furnishings, decor, and furniture, with more than 5,000 products on display,” the Herald-Tribune coverage says. It continues: “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.”
The new IKEA will open at 147 N Cattlemen Road.
You can keep up with all things IKEA by following @ikeausa on Instagram.
