IKEA has officially opened at Destiny Mall, drawing thousands of shoppers over the weekend to browse its minimalist furniture sets. The new store is more than its infamous yellow-and-blue landmark; it’s a symbol of a shift in Syracuse’s retail landscape.
At Friday’s opening ceremony, Steve Congel, Destiny Mall CEO, called it one of the most significant developments in the mall's history.
“The arrival of IKEA not only elevates this property, but it further positions Syracuse and Onondaga County as a major retail tourism destination in the Northeast,” Congel said.
The store comes during a period of prolonged financial strain for the city. The last U.S. Census report shows the median household income fell 43% below the national average.
Destiny Mall has recently struggled with declines in brick-and-mortar retail, drops in property value and the loss of several major tenants. In 2025 alone, restaurants and retailers like Margaritaville, Nordstrom Rack and Steve Madden all closed. The new IKEA is located at the former At Home big-box store, which closed in March.
Despite these challenges, local leaders view the opening as evidence that national retailers are willing to reinvest in Central New York. Mayor Ben Walsh called the arrival a sign of the region's broader recovery efforts.
“I think it’s a testament to the incredibly hard work that everyone in this community has been doing for a long time, and it really bodes well for the future of this mall, this city and this region,” Walsh said.
Affordability remains a concern in Syracuse. According to Census data, the poverty rate is about 31.6%. John Spence, IKEA store manager, emphasized the store's tailored approach to meet local economic needs.
“Affordability is key for IKEA, so we want to be affordable for the many in our market, and we know that’s important in this kind of climate,” Spence said.
On opening day, customers like Jackie and Larry Dipzinski drove 70 miles to take advantage of the store's Central New York grand opening.
“We've never been to Destiny USA either,” Jackie, an IKEA customer, said. “So, this really drew us here.”
Until now, the closest IKEA stores for Central New Yorkers were in New York City, New Jersey or Canada. Jackie and Larry drove over an hour for IKEA’s opening day from the Macedon, Palmyra area.
“It seems like the price points and stuff meet with the current economic situations around Syracuse, Rochester, Buffalo-type area,” Larry said.
Unlike its bigger box stores in larger cities, the Syracuse location is a smaller-format design. Spence says the store will carry smaller items for direct purchase, along with larger items on display, so customers can see and touch items they can order for home delivery.
Congel noted that IKEA’s investment speaks volumes to the draw and the growth in the region. With the new store positioned to drive routine visitation, he sees IKEA as the starting point of the mall's rebuilding.
