Your Nearest IKEA Just Got Closer: Huntsville Store Opening in 2026

Issue #526

August 14, 2025

In this What’s Up Columbia issue…

⛅️ Columbia’s Weather - Partly to mostly cloudy w/ High of 89, low of 70.

📰 Your Nearest IKEA Just Got Closer: Huntsville Store Opening in 2026

📰 Music City Loop Plans Move Forward Beneath Downtown Nashville

🗓 List of Upcoming Events - Just Updated!

🎵 This Week’s Live Music

🗓 Know of Some Local Events Not Listed? Send us the Details!

Your Nearest IKEA Just Got Closer: Huntsville Store Opening in 2026

Columbia residents, get ready — your next IKEA shopping trip is about to get a lot closer. IKEA U.S. has announced plans to open its first Alabama store in Huntsville in early 2026, just about an hour and a half drive from Columbia.

The new store will be located at University Place Shopping Center, 6125 University Place Drive, right off I-565 and close to popular destinations like MidCity and Bridge Street Town Centre.

Spanning 46,000 square feet, IKEA Huntsville will feature fully furnished room settings designed with local living in mind. Shoppers will find over 5,000 products on display, with 2,000 items ready for same-day takeaway. Larger pieces like sofas and beds can be ordered online for pickup or delivery.

The store will also include:

  • A Swedish food section with favorites like meatballs, veggie dogs, and cinnamon buns.

  • A central planning area for one-on-one design consultations.

  • An As-is Department for gently used and discounted items, promoting sustainability.

“We are thrilled to open our first store in Alabama,” said Javier Quiñones, CEO of IKEA U.S. “This opening highlights our commitment to make it easier and more affordable to access our home furnishing products and solutions.”

This Huntsville location will join the region’s existing IKEA stores in Memphis and Atlanta, making Scandinavian flat-pack runs much easier for Maury County shoppers.

Pro Tip: There is an IKEA pick-up location in the Nashville area (3868 Logistics Way, Antioch, TN) which makes it easy to pick up bulky online orders in person for a $30 flat fee.  

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Music City Loop Plans Move Forward Beneath Downtown Nashville

A large pit has been dug near the base of the State Capitol as part of The Boring Company’s proposed underground transportation system in Tennessee. The 10-foot-deep, 20-by-20-foot test excavation is intended to study the rock beneath downtown Nashville, which is known for being exceptionally hard.

The long-term plan calls for two tunnels that would transport passengers in Teslas between Nashville International Airport and downtown in about nine minutes, with completion targeted for 2027.

The current work site is largely shielded from public view by fencing and green tarps. According to the Tennessee Department of General Services, the next stage—pending final approval from the governor—would involve a much larger excavation measuring 40 by 100 feet and extending 30 feet underground. This depth is standard for the company to avoid interference with utility lines.

City approval has not yet been requested for any digging that would affect public water or electrical infrastructure. Future plans could involve tunneling for up to 10 miles, starting on airport property and extending beneath Murfreesboro Pike, Lafayette Street, the Music City Center, Eighth Avenue, and ending at the State Capitol.

The Boring Company’s public project information states that the initiative is in the design phase, with site preparation set to begin in the third quarter of 2025. Tunneling would follow in the fourth quarter. The project is fully privately funded, with no taxpayer dollars required for construction or operation. Passengers will pay a fare to use the system.

Planned safety measures include real-time gas and smoke detection, a wet standpipe fire suppression system, and a bidirectional ventilation system. The company also notes that its Vegas Loop recently earned the Gold Standard Award from the U.S. Department of Homeland Security for security and emergency preparedness.

Upcoming Local Events

🗓 Have an event to add? Send us the Details!

Thursday, August 14th

Friday, August 15th

Saturday, August 16th

Sunday, August 17th

📌 Mark Your Calendars…

Aug 14 - 23: Tennessee State Fair (Lebanon)
Aug 22: Tennessee Titans First Pre-Season Home Game
Aug 28 - Sept 1: Maury County Fair & Expo 
Sept 27 - 28: Pilgrimage Music & Heritage Festival

👇 Click the Links to Learn About our Local Business Sponsors! 👇

🎵 This Week’s Live Music

Thursday, August 14th

Robb Harris, Puckett’s, 6:00 - 7:30 PM
Todd Ciprian, Tito’s Spring Hill, 6:00 - 9:00 PM
Neal Pennington, McCreary’s Irish Pub, 7:00 - 9:00 PM
TBA, Whiskey Alley Saloon, 7:30 - 9:00 PM

Friday, August 15th

TBA, The Spot, 5:00 - 8:00 PM
Ryan Keeler, Buck & Board, 6:00 - 9:00 PM
Karaoke Night, Grinder’s Switch Winery, 7:00 - 9:00 PM
Tom & Robert, McCreary’s Irish Pub, 7:00 - 9:00 PM
Eastern Dreamers, Puckett’s, 7:30 - 9:00 PM
TBA, Whiskey Alley Saloon, 7:30 - 9:00 PM
Lydia Rae, Grazie! Italian Eatery, 7:30 - 9:30 PM
Zone Status, Fozzy’s Bar & Grill, 8:00 - 11:00 PM

Saturday, August 16th

Miles Damaso Group, Puckett’s 10:00 AM - 2:00 PM
Grasskickers, Amber Falls Winery, 3:00 - 7:00 PM
Bethany Trainor, Buck & Board, 5:00 - 8:00 PM
Johnny Jameson & The Empty Pints, McCreary’s Irish Pub & Eatery, 7:00 - 9:00 PM
The Howlin’ Embers, Puckett’s, 7:30 PM - 9:00 PM
DNR, Rebel Bar & Grill, 7:30 PM
Mike Peter’s, Grazie! Italian Eatery, 7:30 - 9:30 PM
The Ultimate 90’s Experience, The Mulehouse, 8:00 PM
Tough Enough, The Boondox, 8:00 PM 
Box of Rox, Fozzy’s Bar & Grill, 8:00 - 11:00 PM

Sunday, August 17th 

TBA, Amber Falls Winery, 1:00 - 4:00 PM
Vince & Brett, Fozzy’s Bar & Grill, 4:00 - 7:00 PM
Jay Hoppus, Puckett’s, 6:00 - 7:30 PM

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