OREANDA-NEWS. IKEA Canada is pleased to have officially broken ground on its new store in Quebec City. Newly appointed Store Manager Annika Lenoir is setting the vision for the new store, which is on track to open in late summer 2018.

Located south west of the Charest (40) and Duplessis (540) Highways interchange at the intersection of Rue Mendel and Avenue Blaise Pascal, the store will take roughly 14-16 months to complete. It will be approximately 340,000 square feet (31,386 m2), which is roughly the size of five football fields. The Quebec City store will be a destination for the whole family, including IKEA’s full range of 9,500 products, inspirational room sets in the Showroom, Market Hall, Restaurant and a SM?LAND supervised play facility for kids. Customers will be able to take advantage of a suite of services such as home delivery, assembly, planning and returns.

"We are so excited to bring to Quebec City more of what people know and love about IKEA," says recently appointed Store Manager Annika Lenoir. "Quebec City residents have shown great support for the brand since the Pick-up and order point opened. Now we want to amplify the customer experience at IKEA Quebec City and ensure it’s a fun day out for the whole family."

Lenoir brings to her new role more than 20 years of experience at IKEA, both in Sweden and Canada, and currently works as the Quebec City Pick-up and order point Manager.

"IKEA is keen to improve life at home and understand the needs and dreams of Canadians in Quebec City," said Marsha Smith, IKEA Canada President. "Annika’s broad experience in opening new locations and her deep understanding of the Quebec City marketplace will help ensure we are providing relevant solutions to the unique home furnishings challenges in Quebec."

Lenoir will soon begin the task of recruiting approximately 200-250 co-workers to join the dedicated team currently working at the Pick-up and order point. Jobs will be available in Sales, Restaurant, Interior Design, Human Resources, Logistics, Operations and more.

"The construction of a full size IKEA store is not a dream, it's becoming reality for thousands of families that have been waiting a long time for it, " said Quebec City Mayor Regis Labeaume. The groundbreaking is a strong signal that confirms the strength of Quebec City’s retail market and vigorous economy."

IKEA Quebec City store will be LEED certified when it opens. With a particular focus on energy and waste avoidance, there will be waste management equipment installed to maximize material recycling and diversion from landfill. Additionally, every single light source throughout the store will use LED lighting. While the store will operate in a sustainable manner, it will also provide inspiration and solutions that will enable customers to live a more sustainable life at home. For example, visitors will find solutions that will help them reduce and sort waste, save water and energy and encourage healthier living.

IKEA strives to be a good neighbour and partner in our local communities. In 2016, ?cole des Jeunes-du-Monde in Quebec City received a $4,000 grant towards greening their school grounds as part of the IKEA Canada Outdoor Classroom Program in partnership with Tree Canada. In 2015, the company introduce a Refugee Support program, which has now provided $190,000 of IKEA home furnishings to help Syrian refugees settle in each of the communities in which IKEA operates, including Quebec City.

IKEA Quebec City is the second store announced as part of IKEA Canada’s ambition to double the number of stores from 12 to 24 and become more accessible and convenient to the many Canadians. The first store to open as part of this coast to coast expansion plan is IKEA Halifax, scheduled to open later this year.