I've been to the IKEA in Renton a few times so I’m having a hard time getting all Harry Potter-y over the opening of a new location near the Portland airport.

That said, I did pull over the other night when I spotted the following parked in front of Pioneer Square:

What is the subject of this blurry camera phone shot? Could it be Nessy? Sasquatch? A Smurf? The new hip-hop version of Alvin?

No, it's actually a flatbed truck with three futuristic window displays in the back. It pulled away as I pulled over, allowing me only seconds to snatch a photo. My fingers were covering a good portion of the lens when I snapped it.

Yet another reason why I'm not a member of the paparazzi. Still, the situation afforded a colleague the opportunity to shout, "FOLLOW THAT BEDROOM SET!" And we did but, after getting delayed at a red light, it was too late. The truck was gone. We invested another five minutes in the pursuit before heading off elsewhere.

Then last night I volunteered to drive a friend to the airport. On the way back towards the I-84 onramp, I passed the new IKEA. I caught a glimpse of a parking lot full of RVs and a line of people lined up out front, all hoping to snag one of the many free chairs due to be handed out this morning.

The hype will probably keep anyone sensible away from the store for a few weeks but then, as these things typical go, IKEA will become just another big franchise in a city full of them. Anyone remember all the people that spent hours waiting for doughnuts when Krispy Kreme arrived in town four years ago? I made a trip out there when it first opened but, to be honest, I haven't been back since.

Labels: hype, Portland