After spending 230 million NIS, Ikea officials have announced its Netanya branch, which was shut following a major blaze about a year ago, will reopen on March 6, 2012. The opening of the store will bring employment to 400 people, 60% of whom were working in the store prior to the fire.

Ikea officials expect some 10,000 people to attend the grand reopening, and over the course of the year, the store will attract 2.9 million shoppers.

The store is on an area covering 25,000 square meters, and it contains dairy and meat restaurants with seating for 452 patrons. Prior to the blaze, those eateries were under mehadrin hechsherim. It is now known at this time if the same situation will exist following the reopening. An estimated 3,000 meals will be served in the restaurants daily.

Store officials conclude with the news that the section of the store to keep children occupied has been expanded by 25% to make the shopping experience increasingly pleasant.

(YWN – Israel Desk, Jerusalem)