text: Do not skip the restaurant Ikea is so much more than flat pack furniturennI came up here early one morning and made a stop for coffee and some great Swedish pancakes with lingonberry sauce a bit like cranberries just not as tart while I went through my mental list of the stuff I needed for my new Charlotte apartment Once that was done it was off for a wander through the furniture showrooms yep I will have one of those and one of those and one of those that probably will not fit in the car and then the smaller kitchen and housewares showroom areasnnWhen it was time to start picking my furniture from the warehouse I would picked up a dozen little things several of which I had no idea that I needed but dang it I really do need that Pulling a futon bed and mattress onto the flat trolley and out to the register to pay for itnnIkea offers a coupon when you use your debit card to make the purchase And they will sort of help you load stuff into your car they are just not allowed to do the tying down Fortunately the futon mattress fit once I put the seats down and I guess I can still drive with it poking me in the kidneynnA couple of tips Have a list Arrive early Be patient And do not skip the restaurant or the food shop at the end You have no idea how many different ways there are to smoke and can and bottle different fish