Ikea Red Hook: Getting There on the Cheap

Full map here.

As the world waits in hushed anticipation for tomorrow morning’s grand opening of the Red Hook Ikea, many eager shoppers are agonizing over the best route in and out of the relatively inaccessible neighborhood. So Ikea has been making a big effort to lure customers and appease locals fretting about the traffic with some complimentary transportation alternatives:

New York Water Taxi is operating free ferry service from Pier 11 in Manhattan directly to Ikea five times an hour through June 23rd, after which a somewhat less frequent schedule will be in effect.
Ikea will be running free shuttle buses every 15 minutes from three subway stations: 4th Avenue/9th Street, Court Street/Borough Hall, and the Smith and 9th Street Station, which will unfortunately be closed for an extensive renovation at a time TBD.
Two MTA buses, the B77 and B61, will stop directly in front of IKEA on Beard Street.

One little-discussed option is the almighty kayak; with a launch site just a stone’s throw away at Coffey Street pier, you’ll just need some waterproof wrapping for that Ikea bookcase and you’re good to go! (The store is also offering same day or next day delivery options.)

Of course, you could also make Red Hook residents’ worst fears a reality by driving to Ikea and enjoying one of their 1,400 parking spots – with overflow parking at the Revere Sugar refinery! And according to the Brooklyn Paper, the store has also hired 17 uniformed police officers to help keep traffic moving through the summer. 17,000 customers are expected each weekend day, with some 35 early birds are already on line.

Contact the author of this article or email tips@gothamist.com with further questions, comments or tips.

By John Del Signore in News on June 17, 2008 11:15 AM

Comments [rss]

tsol

It won't be long before it's as trashed as the Brooklyn Target. The Swedes will run home crying after they see what Brooklyn does to their restrooms...

sonyactivision

"That is going to be one hipster-loaded bus ride!"

Paging Hamas...

bklyngrrl

The B61 is a straight shot through Long Island City, Greenpoint, and Williamsburg. That is going to be one hipster-loaded bus ride!

Atomische

Why the people camping out? I heard they were giving away free FLÄRKE and EKTORP.

rtd2101

This is gonna be madness

gossipgirl

I'm guessing that the only people who have time to campout in front of IKEA for 3 days are the people who don't have a job, thus needing the free couch?

Spirit of 76

Looks like the first day is really going to be total zoo. You couldn't pay me enough to shop in that madness. I imagine it'd be similar to the Filene's Basement bridal events.

g0thamg1rl

Did anyone else see the people camped out for IKEA on the news? For what? A stupid cheaply made couch. It's just absurd. The place is cool if your on a budget & like the modern styles but camping out 3 days before its opening... c'mon people, get a life!?!?

sonyactivision

Arrive in style: drive a Saab through a large plate glass window at the front entrance.

JRod5417

The transportation problem in Red Hook would be less so if they just extended the G line into Red Hook. Of course, that will never happen.

Rocknrope

It's not that far from Fairway to Ikea, about 3 blocks actually, so you can stick it to the Swede as much as you like.

http://maps.google.com/maps?ie=UTF-8&dq=fairway+loc:+Brooklyn,+NY&daddr=480+Van+Brunt+St,+Brooklyn,+NY+11231&geocode=11743594234042428191,40.674543,-74.016212&ll=40.674543,-74.016212&iwstate1=dir:to&iwloc=A&f=d&mid=1213719357

dev

it's just a few blocks. definitely walkable.

from Ikea, walk northwest.

JRod5417

It's not so bad to get there by car. Just drive off the BQE exit at Atlantic Ave and drive all the way down Columbia to Beard St. However, the volume of traffic on those small streets will make it difficult to get there.

babyhitler

does anyone know how far Fairway is from Ikea? I'm thinking of cheating and using the Ikea Fairy for Fairway. Yes, I'm sticking it to the swedish man! wait, that didn't sound right.

dev

ah red hook...the land that public transportation forgot.

and getting there by car isn't so easy...unless you're coming out of the battery tunnel...otherwise, it's a pain the ass.

mocanlagunas

If I had a car (and a license) I'd drive around Red Hook just to piss them... What's all this thing about not wanting people to come to "your" neighborhood? Don't they go to other people's neighborhoods also?!? Morons!

AND I'd take one of their parking spaces ALL DAY! Ha!