Ikea opened a new pickup store Nov. 5 in the Georgetown neighborhood on M Street near 33rd Street.

The store, a “plan and order point” that does not stock items, allows customers to meet with design specialists and order products directly to their homes. Ikea announced Oct. 17 that a location in Georgetown would replace their existing location in Arlington, Va., which closes Nov. 30, moving the home furnisher closer to Georgetown University students.

Carmen Spínola, Ikea’s area manager for the Washington, D.C.-Maryland-Virginia (DMV) area, said the Georgetown location aims to increase IKEA’s accessibility in the area.

“We’ve heard our customers’ feedback, so we are headed to Georgetown!” Spínola wrote in IKEA’s announcement. “We are thrilled to continue our accessibility journey and meeting our customers in the DMV.”

Yasmin Diallo (CAS, McCourt ’28) said she expects the new location to garner business from Georgetown students.

“With Georgetown being so close, and with upperclassmen having that option of nicer housing where they can decorate their space, I definitely feel like Ikea will see an influx of students,” Diallo told The Hoya. “I think because of proximity, students will at least try to go to this nearby location before going anywhere else.”

Victoria Hickerson (CAS ’29) said she is enthusiastic about having access to an Ikea in Georgetown, which she didn’t have near her home in South Carolina.

“I’m pretty excited about it because where I’m from we don’t have Ikea,” Hickerson told The Hoya. “I’ve never been to an Ikea, and now I feel like it’s more accessible, even if you don’t get the full experience at this location.”

Diallo said she feels Ikea eases the burden of interior design.

“It definitely makes things easier for me,” Diallo told The Hoya. “It’s always nice to just walk inside and get a sense of what I want. I feel like I can gain a sense of style when it comes to furniture and designing my future housing.”

Hickerson said if the location stays long-term, she plans to use it to order Ikea’s storage products.

“If they stay, I probably will utilize them for storage, because I always need more storage for my clothes,” Hickerson said. “If they don’t, I will probably just use Amazon or something. It doesn’t change my opinion that much, but I like Ikea as a whole.”

In addition to the new Ikea, Georgetown students often furnish their dorms at local branches of home goods and furniture stores such as Random Harvest, T.J. Maxx, Design Within Reach and Manse.

Diallo said that for many Georgetown students, Ikea’s new plan and order format may be inconvenient and potentially undesirable.

“I guess it’s accessible in terms of the physical location, but in terms of shipping, that’s when I feel like it gets a little iffy,” Diallo said. “I don’t see how easily it can be accomplished when it comes to bringing the actual furniture to your dorm. I think students prefer to see these things in person and get a feel for the actual dimensions.”

“Even though it’s nice to have nearby, I don’t think this is necessarily the most accessible option for students,” Diallo added.

Diallo said she would prefer to shop at the Ikea in College Park, Md., which is a fully in-person and stocked location.

“I would definitely rather go to the location that’s a little farther in Maryland,” Diallo said. “If I have accessibility to a car, and to people like friends or family who would help me, then I would rather just go to the warehouse.”

Hickerson said she is disappointed the store doesn’t offer the full Ikea experience, including the store’s Swedish restaurant which serves meatballs and lingonberry jam.

“Someone did point out to me the other day that you can’t get the Swedish meatballs there, so I feel like it’s a win-lose situation,” Hickerson said. “You really don’t get the full experience, since you can’t look at everything.”

Diallo said she enjoys shopping at Ikea because the store helps her generate ideas, which she hopes will help her with dorm decor.

“Even if I don’t buy things from Ikea, I just love the vibe,” Diallo said. “It’s so inspiring walking into an Ikea and planning my future furniture, so I am really excited. Even if you have no plans to buy furniture, just go check it out — you’d be surprised at how inspiring a place like Ikea can be.”