For almost a decade, the store has proved a popular meeting place for the city’s retirees. Dozens of seniors gathered to talk and drink the ‘bottomless coffee’ in its cafeteria every Tuesday and Thursday, taking up seats, but usually not buying anything to eat.
But last month, the Swedish furniture giant put its foot down, announcing the restaurant would only be open to people who bought food there, adding there had been complaints from the public about spitting and fighting. It appears the elderly can be feisty as well!
The new policy is also reportedly aimed at the casual “date nights” that happen a couple of nights a week in the store, as people aged around 45 to 65 look to hook up with potential partners.
Nowhere to go?
So why IKEA?
72-year-old widow Zhou Qinli said she preferred the warmth of the furniture store. “I think there is only one place in Shanghai – the IKEA restaurant – that provides a convenient location and cosy indoor environment for us old people to get together and chat,” she told the South China Morning Post.
30 per cent of Shanghai’s population are over 60, double the national average, and while the government has built a number of sporting and cultural venues aimed at the elderly, there are few places where they can relax and socialise indoors.
While other fast food restaurants such as McDonald’s and KFC allow people to stay without buying food, their outlets are much smaller than IKEA’s canteen.
IKEA is still sticking by its policy of letting its Chinese customers take naps in the store – so at least the seniors will be able to get some shut-eye.
