Curbed Features

When Ikea opened its first U.S. location in 1985, just outside of Philadelphia, shoppers were so enthused that the store ran out of merchandise and had to close for several days. When the brand opened its second U.S. location in 1990, 27,000 people showed up on opening day. Even so, Ikea's growth in the U.S. has been slow and very strategic. Curbed National traces Ikea's American path, including adorable early missteps like wine and water goblets that, European-style, "looked like orange juice glasses." [Curbed National]