Reopening Austin

Austin-area IKEA reopens with built-in safety measures to combat COVID-19

IKEA is now reopen.

Courtesy photo

As they say in Sweden, "Vi är öppna!" (Thanks, Google Translate.) After shutting down in March in response to the pandemic, IKEA's Texas stores, including its Round Rock location, have reopened. The Swedish furniture brand announced the news last week along with new protocols to combat the spread of COVID-19.

As with everything reopening amid a global pandemic, the IKEA Round Rock shopping experience will be different. In a June 3 release, the company laid out its "enhanced safety measures in place following guidance from the CDC and state authorities." This includes:

physical distancing
preventative hygiene practices
temperature checks for workers
"rigorous" cleaning and sanitization practicing
maintaining strict capacity limits

This also means onsite restaurants and Småland, the in-store children's play area, will remain closed. The Bistro, however, remains open for to-go meals, and items in the Swedish Food Market remain available for purchase.

IKEA warns that as the pandemic changes, the store will adapt its public safety measures accordingly.

"In this rapidly changing environment, we will continue to frequently evaluate all our actions to ensure we are making the right decisions for our co-workers and customers, always putting safety first," the release notes.

In addition to Live Oak, IKEA's Live Oak (San Antonio), Frisco (DFW), Grand Prairie (DFW), and Houston stores have also reopened.

IKEA Round Rock is open Monday through Saturday from 10 am-9 pm and Sunday from 10 am-8 pm. Special hours for seniors and at-risk customers run Tuesday and Wednesday, 9-10 am.

openings

Closure News

Furniture chain American Freight closing Austin and all other stores

American Freight

There's a big sale going on at American Freight.

There's a huge sale on furniture going down right now, but for a sad reason: American Freight, a chain of furniture stores operating in dozens of states, is permanently shuttering all 328 locations, due to “sustained inflation and macroeconomic challenges,” according to its parent company.

That includes one store in Austin, at 13435 N. Highway 183, Ste. 101.

The closing comes after its parent company, Franchise Group, Inc., filed for bankruptcy protection, according to documents filed in the U.S. Bankruptcy Court in Delaware.

Store closing sales began on November 5, both online and at its 328 locations. Hilco Consumer-Retail is managing these sales for American Freight as the business winds down its operations nationwide. Significant discounts are being offered on the brand's full assortment of inventory.

Shoppers can save up to 30 percent off the lowest ticketed prices storewide. Available items include living room sets, bedroom furniture, dining tables, and a selection of scratch & dent and new in-box appliances, such as refrigerators, washers and dryers.

New inventory is arriving and expected to move quickly, so customers should take advantage of this prime opportunity to enjoy exceptional deals before it's too late.

"Our goal is to deliver outstanding value to customers during this full chain closing sale," said Ian Fredericks, CEO of Hilco Consumer-Retail. "Everything is on sale and must be sold, and we recommend shopping early for the best selection."

During the store closing sales, select American Freight financing and delivery services will remain available to customers, presenting a unique opportunity to shop exceptional discounts with the convenience of flexible payment and home delivery.

The chain has 39 stores in Texas.

Sale Details
They're offering up to 30 percent off the lowest ticketed prices on furniture, scratch & dent, and new in-box appliances. Discounts are valid in stores and online. All sales are final, of course. Shop now for the best selection while supplies last.

closings