+

Cookies on the Business Insider India website

Business Insider India has updated its Privacy and Cookie policy. We use cookies to ensure that we give you the better experience on our website. If you continue without changing your settings, we\'ll assume that you are happy to receive all cookies on the Business Insider India website. However, you can change your cookie setting at any time by clicking on our Cookie Policy at any time. You can also see our Privacy Policy.

Close
HomeQuizzoneWhatsappShare Flash Reads
 

Ikea manager describes 'fun' sleepover after a massive snowstorm strands 31 people in giant furniture store

Dec 6, 2021, 22:02 IST
Insider
A man lies in an IKEA showroom bed in Aalborg, Denmark (L) as store manager Peter Elmose looks on (R).Courtesy of Peter Elmose
  • A massive snowstorm in Denmark trapped about 30 people in an Ikea overnight.
  • Employees and customers spent the night sleeping in beds in the showroom.
Advertisement

A snowstorm left about 25 workers and six customers stranded overnight at an Ikea store in Aalborg, Denmark.

After 12 inches of snow rapidly fell, those trapped inside the store had an impromptu sleepover on Wednesday night.

"It was a once-in-a-lifetime experience," the Ikea store manager Peter Elmose told Insider. "I've been working in Ikea, and I've never experienced this before."

Elmose said the group spent the evening watching TV, playing card games, and eating food in the cafeteria before retiring to bed in the showroom displays.

He said they brought in sofas from the living room section and watched Christmas movies and a Liverpool-Everton soccer match using a big projector.

Advertisement

"We had some hot cinnamon buns, hot chocolate, and coffee. There was even some beer," Elmose said.

Trapped by a snowstorm, customers and IKEA staff hang out in the staff cafeteria.Courtesy of Peter Elmose
Trapped by a snowstorm, customers and IKEA staff hang out in the staff cafeteria.Courtesy of Peter Elmose

Elmose said that during the evening, three women who worked at a store in the neighborhood came and asked to shelter with them.

"They heard on the news that we were in this Ikea, and so they walked 700 meters in the snowstorm and knocked on our door," he said.

"Everybody was actually calm, and we were able to make it nice and cozy," Elmose said. "Our values are to take care of each other and so we had a nice time and enjoyed the evening."

Around 11 p.m., members of the group chose where they wanted to sleep, having their pick of Ikea's vast showroom of beds and sofas.

Advertisement

"Everybody found a nice and comfortable bed and could test and try out our range," he said.

Peter Elmose (L) looks on as customers and employees choose beds to sleep in the IKEA showroom.Courtesy of Peter Elmose

Elmose woke them up for coffee and more cinnamon buns in the morning and gifted each customer with a free pillow as a memento for the "memorable experience."

"In the morning, of course, we changed the bed linen and bedspreads, and it was ready for customers at 10 o'clock," he said.

Next Article