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Rows upon rows of stacked dishes, sheets and other home accessories are now in place at the 380,000-square-foot store under construction on Vandeventer Avenue at Highway 40 (Interstate 64). It's the Swedish retailer's only U.S. store opening in 2015.Ìý

Store manager John Achillea gave media a look inside the store Tuesday, and said 95 percent of the store's 300 employees have been hired.

"They're all building furniture for the displays now, even our restaurant workers, so they have knowledge about how to do it," Achillea said.

Couches, desks and other furniture that will be available for sale will arrive in the coming weeks. The store also will sell appliances including refrigerators and dishwashers made for Ikea by Whirlpool.Ìý

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"We're getting trucks in every day," said Joseph Roth, Ikea director of public affairs, who added the ×îÐÂÐÓ°ÉÔ­´´ store, which began construction in June 2014, is on schedule.

"Everything in ×îÐÂÐÓ°ÉÔ­´´ has gone smoothly," Roth said.Ìý

In September, the Swedish retailer has several activities designed to introduce the brand to ×îÐÂÐÓ°ÉÔ­´´ans before the store opens:

• From Sept. 11-13 at the ×îÐÂÐÓ°ÉÔ­´´ Art Fair in Clayton, Ikea will offer prizes and showcase artwork that will be available at the ×îÐÂÐÓ°ÉÔ­´´ store. One ×îÐÂÐÓ°ÉÔ­´´ artist will have a piece featured at Ikea's booth.Ìý

• Ikea will have a hot air balloon at the Great Forest Park Balloon race and festival Sept. 18-19.

• Ikea is sponsoring a family-friendly movie night at Belleville's Skyview Drive-In Sept. 25-26, with doors opening at 5 p.m. and the movie beginning at 8 p.m.

• On Sept. 27, Ikea is taking over the infield at Ballpark Village downtown during the Cardinals' last regular season home game, and will offer children’s activities and giveaways.

More information about the activities is available at .Ìý