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  • The store will be located off Germantown Pkwy. behind Costco
MEMPHIS, Tenn. — IKEA will build its first Tennessee store off Germantown Parkway behind Costco in late 2016. This will be the first IKEA in the MidSouth and the 41st store in the country. More than 225 jobs are expected to be created, salaries are not known at this time. The company has said it will raise its minimum wage to $10.76 per hour. An additional 500  jobs are expected to be created during the construction phase of the 269,000 square foot facility. The store will also include a restaurant. During a news conference Tuesday, IKEA representatives repeatedly used the word ‘potential’ when referring to the store. A representative said the opening date depends on permit approval. The representative also said entitlements, which many believe to be tax incentives, also need to be approved. Mid-South shoppers are excited about the possibility, including Sean Cash and his wife. They admit there’s probably something from IKEA in every room of their house “It’s like an experience. It’s like an adult amusement park, you know,” Cash said. But with the closest store being in Atlanta, their IKEA showplace hasn’t been easy to assemble. “Shipping is usually expensive on bigger items we pick up, make a weekend go somewhere and stay,” Cash said. IKEA is known for its sleek modern and inexpensive furniture.