AS the final week of the Bunnings store on Young Street in Albury ticks over on the calendar, it is still unclear what will happen to the soon-to-be empty site.
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Rumours that IKEA were planning to open a store at the vacant site have persisted for some time now, but the Swedish furniture giant all but shut the door on that possibility when contacted by The Border Mail.
“IKEA is always exploring opportunities to expand and be more accessible to more people, however we do not currently have confirmed plans to open a store in Albury,” their statement read.
Had they opened a store on the Border, it would have been the first in Australia to open outside of a capital city.
In the meantime, Bunnings has confirmed Monday, February 5 as the date their new store on Drome Street will be open to the public.
The store will host a grand opening on Friday with celebrations occurring through to Sunday with performances from the Wodonga Brass Band, Albury-Wodonga Brazilian Jiu Jitsu and Adrenaline Aerial and Dance groups to celebrate the doors opening.
Popular children’s character Peppa Pig will also make an appearance.
The grand opening will continue on Saturday, when Channel Seven celebrity chef ‘Fast’ Ed Halmagyi drops in for a meet and greet on the following Saturday.
The new store, on the corner of Drome Street and Borella Road, is twice the size of the existing site.
Approximately 190 people will be employed at the new store, which cost $29 million.
The 19,000 square metre structure was completed late last year.
Information previously supplied to The Border Mail incorrectly indicated the store would open on Friday.
