Customers line up outside Oak Creek IKEA store on opening day

OAK CREEK, Wis. (CBS 58) -- The much-anticipated wait for local IKEA shoppers is nearly over as the store in Oak Creek gets ready to open its doors. 

The store officially opens at 9:00 a.m., however, customers lined up as early as 5:00 a.m. for some opening day promotions. The line was wrapped around the building as people waited for the doors to open.

Once inside, thousands walked the halls of the one-story IKEA checking out what the new store has to offer. The Swedish company is expecting 20,000.

The doors opened with a traditional Swedish log sawing which is supposed to bring good luck.

300 employees work at the 300,000 square feet store which is giving out gift cards every hour. 

Local customer Ann Jones was very excited for the store to open, "It's amazing from what I've seen so far. I really like it. It's set up just kind of similar to the one in Chicago which I will travel faithfully down there to go. I took off work today to come to this IKEA, it means that much."

A lot of people didn't even come for the home goods but rather the food and especially the signature Swedish meatballs, "They're delicious. I'm going to get back in line and get some more," said Ann Doucett.

Store Manager Samantha Gravina said the buildup has been a success, "It's been such a buildup. There's been so many people involved in getting IKEA Oak Creek created, planned, organized, and it's a good way to just throw a good party for that first day out."