when i first conceived the IKEAbus many moons ago, everyone seemed really excited about it. it was positive vibes all around, and it propelled me forward to the point where i actually put my tax return money down on a bus, in hopes that i could actually fill it up with swedish furniture loving folks with $30 to spare. (ta da!)
a few weeks in and a few tickets (very few at that point) sold, i posted an article on the wsch around town blog about it, thinking that might be a good place to drum up some local enthusiasm. instead, i got this:
Hey WCSH why don’t you take more time talking about the great family run furniture stores that still exist here in Maine, as opposed to encouraging folks to take their business out of state, In a time when Maine is so desperate for every penny in business it can get, I find this irresponsible!
i didn’t know what to say. so stupidly, i said nothing (i really aught to rectify that).
well, i’ve spent the last few weeks ruminating about it, and here is what i have decided:
1. i am not a monster. if there was any store in the state of maine that sold the kind of furniture that i want (and could afford- sorry addo novo), i would buy it there. i would love an ikea in maine, but i don’t think we have the population to support it. i refuse to buy furniture that i don’t like just because it was made locally. ok, maybe i am a monster.
2. hey, at least we’re using a local charter company. look, they even have an adorable small business success story!
3. i love the shit out of this state, and i do want to make an effort to help our economy apply some bandages before it slowly bleeds to death. i have decided to bring this love onto the IKEAbus in the form of food.
we’re starting the morning off with tony’s donuts and coffee by design, and stuffing our craws with little lad’s herbal corn on the ride down. although as far as i’m concerned, the real culinary star of the afternoon is the lemon sting by green bee soda.
see that happy lookin guy in the above picture? that’s chris, and he’s a soda inventor. i first met him (though he probably doesn’t realize it) at whole foods a few months ago on free sample day. and since i chugged my first dixie cup of lemon sting, i’ve been possessed.
how could i not be? it’s honey sweetened lemon soda with a hint of rosemary. ROSEMARY!!! weird, but brilliant. i promise.
when i was concepting the IKEAbus snack packs, chris was the first person i emailed, and i am pleased to report that he is as awesome as the beverage he created. and when i really love something, i want to share it with everyone i know. thus, i’m forcing it on a busload of local shoppers, and i hope that it will give them the tingle feeling too.
so you see, i’m probably not a selfish local economy shunning sonofabitch. i’m really just a girl who needs an attractive laminate bookcase, but only has $39 to spend. now let’s go smother the shit out of IKEA with our insane state pride.
broke 207 
Allie – you are definitely NOT a monster & I’d go with y’all if I had some cash to spare. Hope you have a blast!
thanks kate! i miss you guys.
Yeah! Someone’s always got a problem on news websites anyways, you did good Munier. You guys should all totally wear Maine shirts to IKEA. I have some dashing suggestions from bybethany (rad plaid) and Flat Out Tees (giant lobster chasing a dude, anyone??)
Seriously, though, Maine t-shirts or now that bus (and those snacks) sound amazing. I’m only sorry my month is too jam packed to come along! 😦
thanks audrey! if i do it next year, i’m TOTALLY gonna have someone design t-shirts.
Five bucks says that A-hole that said that on the WCSH website shops regularly at Wal*Mart or some other big box retailer, which guess what?! Even though it’s in Maine, doesn’t support local Maine businesses! Also, I’m pretty sure WCSH highlights local businesses all the effing time. It amazes me how negative so many of the people who choose to comment on the local news websites or on their facebook pages can be. Their lives must be pretty miserable if they have to put down a fun trip down to Ikea.
oh probably. sometimes i think that people just want a reason to complain. they see something cool happening, and instead of participating or organizing something they think will be cooler… the just complain and point out things that perceive to be wrong. and make a stink. i’m sure his life is a real shitshow. also, he’s wrong.
screw those trolls on the wcsh site. you’re awesome and this project is awesome. do like a local business networking business card swap on the way down and clear your conscience.
that’s kate! i just stuffed everyone full of tony’s donuts and called it good. but the bus driver just subscribed to the blog, so it must have been a success!
We must go out when you get back to have a frosty beverage or two and discuss the love that people share online. It is the beauty of anonymity…people can be the monsters they want to be without having to feel bad about it.
I get what they are saying, but I think that you have gone above and beyond to showcase the local Maine market here. And I agree, there are things you can get there that simply are not available here in Maine.
If given the option, people should buy local. But if it isn’t here? Then they need to buy from where it is. That isn’t a problem with consumers, that is a problem with supply/availability and commerce in Maine. Course, we know that is a problem in general around here.
we need to get together and have a cocktail for a number of reasons. although i won’t be getting into any fist fights with bristol palin over my desire to take a busload of people to IKEA. i feel like that jerk isn’t looking at the whole picture. maine is vacationland. so much of our economic stability comes from out of state… how would he like it if everyone else was like “sorry maine, we’re keeping our money at home- you guys can go screw”. tourism and trade are just as important as buying local. it’s a balance. but yes, frosty beverages. you just say when.
I wouldn’t worry too much, this is the guy who launched the complaint:
ha! is this seriously the same guy?
Also, now that we’re casino’d up, maybe he’ll get mad at the people who bus to Foxwoods!
Screw those folks! The fact is lots of the lovely Maine made stuff is wayyyyy to costly for many of us. Hell. I remember when I first bought my house and wanted some of those lovely Adirondack chairs made by some local outfit…nope out of my price range.
Places like Ikea are popular because they are affordable, back in my hometown of Chicago we had a few local places like Ikea where for $500 your house would look cute. I assumed that was the norm all over so when I decided to move to Maine, I left all my furniture thinking there would be affordable places to get stuff (some items I don’t buy used) and imagine the shock I got when I arrived!
I think the bus idea is fabulous and am so bummed I had to pull out but like I emailed you, I have no self control and as much as I want shiny new goodies I need to pay my tax bill and keep my teeth. Though after hearing about all the goodies you have on board I almost want to saw screw and just show up.
thank you! i could get cheap furniture at walmart or target, but that’s really not much better. also, it would likely be unattractive… which would make me sad. very sad. you were definitely missed, but teeth and taxes are unfortunately very very important things. you made the right choice. but next time… i’ll take up a collection if i have to get you on that bus!