Surprise Economic Development Director Jeanine Jerkovic, left and Joacim Mattisson, president of the Swedish-American Chamber of Commerce of Arizona, celebrate Cinnamon Roll Day or “Kanelbullens dag” at OUAZ on Oct. 3, 2023. The city’s residents have again named IKEA as the top retailer they’d like to see in Surprise in the city’s annual survey. | Via City of Surprise
By Independent Newsmedia
The city of Surprise is once again putting out its list of the most desired dining and retail options not in the city with the 2024 version of its Retail Survey.
At the top of the list are two businesses — Cheesecake Factory and IKEA — city residents have been pining for.
The survey, which had more than 5,000 responses, is aimed to provide insights into residents wants for the growing community, city officials said, and as a way to attract new businesses to the community.
City officials said the survey has helped land business including Hobby Lobby, Portillo’s and American Furniture Warehouse, which all have operations under construction in Surprise.
The list also was influential in landing the city’s first Costco a few years ago. It also has been behind the city’s push to publicly court IKEA with it’s “Surprise loves IKEA” campaign that included last year celebrating Swedish Meatball Day and Swedish Cinnamon Roll Day.
