MACOMB COUNTY, Mich. – Could Metro Detroit's next IKEA store be headed to Macomb County? It might be happening soon, according to reports.
A single store can have a major impact on a community. Look no further than what happened in Canton back in 2006. That's when IKEA opened up on Ford Road, and people have been coming in droves ever since.
Now there's word that the Swedish furniture Goliath has its eye on Macomb County.
There is no doubt IKEA is a destination store. In the Amazon era, shoppers will still travel an hour or more to get the chance to buy Swedish furniture and pastry.
In downtown Mount Clemens Tuesday, resident Theresa Mahan said while watching her children that she is an IKEA lover and frequent shopper.
"Furniture, accessories, towels, kids' toys, stuffed animals, everything," Mahan said.
Macomb County is morphing into a vast shopper's paradise. Its unique offerings include L.L. Bean, Cabela's and a hundred stores you didn't know you couldn't live without.
IKEA's lone Canton store is bothersome to Mahan.
"Because of the location," she said.
Macomb County Executive Mark Hackel admitted IKEA is kicking the county's tires.
"There is an interest, we understand, with IKEA to be part of what's going on right now, and that being said, we're excited," Hackel said. "We're hopeful. I'm excited they're talking about a new center on the east side, and we're going to engage them once they're ready with that part of the process."
The exact location is still in question. Will they like the Gibraltar Trade Center spot or the vacant land next to Cabela's?
"We're talking about the international connection with the Blue Water Bridge, and obviously, the Canadian counter parts have an access to it," Hackel said.
You can watch Rod Meloni's full story in the video posted above.