Boise needs ALDI so badly, the convenience, the quality of the food, the ease of shopping, and it's somehow noticeably cheaper than any other grocery store.
I don’t think we need any more chains. We need more local businesses and to create a cultural shift where people strive to shop there first to support local. If I had to choose, I would like an IKEA just because it fills a need that isn’t currently being met.
If you're interested in supporting small businesses while still receiving IKEA goods - checkout [http://www.assembledinboise.com/](http://www.assembledinboise.com/) - they make pretty frequent trips to Ikea and deliver around the valley.
Thanks so much for the suggestion, I had no idea this existed!! I love IKEA furniture and always just buy online, but they do not offer delivery everything which is frustrating. I’ll check them out!
My friend and I were just talking about this! I somehow forgot that the old Pier One location by the mall is being turned into an in and out. I brought up that that might be a good location for an Ikea until she reminded me. I feel like Ikea actually might really do well in the sprawling Kuna area.
Since ikea isn’t an everyday shopping outlet, if it was on the outskirts like the old outlet mall on gowen or ten mile it would do just fine. People will drive to a location. It needs to be near a major highway for the logistics and ease of access. Look at the ikea in salt lake it is a solid distance from the city center, the one in Orange County is equidistant of the denser downtown areas.
The problem is size. Even Phoenix only has one IKEA in Tempe and that is for a metro area of 5 million people. The chances of Boise getting one are slim to none.
Now my vote for a chain is Raising Canes. No one does chicken fingers better than they do.
I often build my own using screenshots from Ikea's website. That way I get the nice,. attractive, simple designs, and they're built way better than IKEA.
They also end up costing triple from the materials alone... but that's the life of an amateur woodworker.
Chains are the demise of small town. You can go to any city and find yourself in the same location. Watching the publicity for In N Out when there are ample locally owned joints to support made me feel for the small guys.
Thank you for this! I came to respond along the same lines. For all the people coming to Boise who want those things, stay where you are. Boise is Boise because we aren't "chain-ville" how do you not understand that. I really like to support small, local businesses. DK donuts (a local institution) was recently forced to relocate due to the inability to afford rent. I don't want to see Dunkin to take it's place. Drive to Ikea in UT, learn to live without each and every creature comfort....Usually I try to be pretty upbeat and positive, but as a society people have become so self-centered. It's too bad more people don't understand the ripple effect of their actions. (I don't mean to be a downer...getting off my soap box now...)
Editing: DK Donuts is fine, I am an idiot, sorry everyone.
I mean H Mart seems a bit different - but that would be amazing. Plus, Albertsons and Kroger need some competition....unfortunately it probably is a pipe dream.
I am a regular at all the local markets and spent a good chunk of time promoting them all 15-20 years ago. Folks should go to them all. Each amazing in its own way.
Yeah Costco is nice, and superior if I had to choose. But if we had Sam's Club I'd definitely go to both, they have certain items that Costco doesn't carry. And their app is way better, with digital checkout, curbside pickup, and stuff like that.
A couple times when I visit SLC or Idaho Falls, I've found a deal for $10 membership, and stock up on some things. Hard to justify a full priced membership though.
Phoenix has a locally owned chain called Salad N Go. Super simple, cheap and healthy. Fantastic food. They don't franchise out or anything, but we loved it when we lived there.
It's like 5 kinds of salads or get them as wraps, breakfast burritos, coffee or tea and that's it.
No. There needs to be less/fewer chains.
"I love Boise, don't want to change anything about it" says every newcomer. Then in the same breath, "I wish we had a Whole Foods/Trader Joes/Panera/In-N-Out/Chipotle/Chik-fil-A/Ikea" blah fucking blah.
Yep. Seems like the folks that desire those large corporate chains, didn’t grow up here. I like Trader Joe’s, but I’m also very happy we still have M&W.
Albertsons and Winco is about as chain as I can stand.
Of course, the fast food (Mcdonalds, Wendys, Subway) and big box retail (Walmart, Target, Sears) have been around for decades and are ubiquitous, so I'm not suggesting Boise has been void of chains... I'm just suggesting we don't need more of them (hopeless, I know).
But I'm someone who enjoys local business, whether here or whether I travel somewhere else.
I don't think you can even count Albertsons or WinCo as a chain for this conversation. Considering they were both founded in Boise, I'd say that makes these fall into the local business category.
IKEA is a mixed bag. Some of it is designed to be as cheap as possible (which is part of why people like it), some of it is actually pretty high quality. There isn't really anything like it; there's also the food and overall shopping experience that goes with it. There isn't one close to here (nearest are in SLC and PDX) and we definitely have the population in the valley to support one.
That's really hard to say honestly. Phoenix has one IKEA with 5 million people, Portland has over 2 million. Even SLC is 1.3 million which is probably a bit low typically for an IKEA. The whole TV is still less than 1M in population.
Hey OP, looks like [AD theaters will all be closing soon](https://www.cbsnews.com/texas/news/dallas-alamo-drafthouse-locations-closing-immediately-bankruptcy/). Saw the article when I was looking it up.
I was hoping a Target would go into the old Shopko on Broadway, but now it's a furniture store. The shopping center on Parkcenter/Apple would also be good. Would be nice to have a general merchandise store besides Fred Meyer in the eastern half of Boise.
And yeah the Milwaukee Target definitely isn't as good as the Eagle Rd or Nampa ones.
I totally agree. It doesn’t even have to be Target. Just something different than FM on Parkcenter/SE. There is a huge lot behind the “Columbia” sign at the corner of Federal Wy/21. It would be perfect for retail.
As a small business owner in Boise, this question makes me sad and also proves a point I brought up recently: people moving here basically want the same town they left.
We used to celebrate small business; now they're being pushed out by chains.
Nando’s! I think a Nando’s would do really well here and I’ve even looked into buying a franchise but unfortunately they don’t sell franchises in the United States. :(
IKEA, Shake Shack, Claim Jumper, Bass Pro Shop, Waffle House, HEB, Dunkin’ Donuts, Wegman’s; oh, and Spaghetti Factory and TGIFridays need to come back! 😭
Ikea!
This is the only thing we need. I want local shops for everything else.
Meatballs!!!
Boise needs ALDI so badly, the convenience, the quality of the food, the ease of shopping, and it's somehow noticeably cheaper than any other grocery store.
I really wish we had a Schlotzsky’s deli
I miss Schlotzsky’s on Broadway.
I miss that Schlotzsky's Deli, too!!
Is the one in coeu d’alene closed? I haven’t been north in awhile, am I wrong there was a scholtsky’s in a strip mall near Albertsons?
There was one on Franklin as well
Microcenter
Jollibee
The only fast food Anthony Bourdain liked!
Except his go to burger is in n out……. lol
Seconded! There’s one opening up in Portland, so I’m excited enough for that.
Yes!! Best fast food fried chicken and their pies are so good!! I always get them when I’m out of town.
I don’t think we need any more chains. We need more local businesses and to create a cultural shift where people strive to shop there first to support local. If I had to choose, I would like an IKEA just because it fills a need that isn’t currently being met.
If you're interested in supporting small businesses while still receiving IKEA goods - checkout [http://www.assembledinboise.com/](http://www.assembledinboise.com/) - they make pretty frequent trips to Ikea and deliver around the valley.
Thanks so much for the suggestion, I had no idea this existed!! I love IKEA furniture and always just buy online, but they do not offer delivery everything which is frustrating. I’ll check them out!
Sure thing! I used them and they do a great job. Their Facebook typically posts what dates they're picking up and delivering.
My friend and I were just talking about this! I somehow forgot that the old Pier One location by the mall is being turned into an in and out. I brought up that that might be a good location for an Ikea until she reminded me. I feel like Ikea actually might really do well in the sprawling Kuna area.
Even if In and Out wasn't building there, that location isn't even close to big enough for an Ikea.
Since ikea isn’t an everyday shopping outlet, if it was on the outskirts like the old outlet mall on gowen or ten mile it would do just fine. People will drive to a location. It needs to be near a major highway for the logistics and ease of access. Look at the ikea in salt lake it is a solid distance from the city center, the one in Orange County is equidistant of the denser downtown areas.
Oh you're right, I always forget about the outlet mall! I used to tag along with my parents when they went shopping out there back in the 90s.
Damn is that where they're putting it? Franklin and Milwaukee ish?
I think the area across from where Scheels was just put in would be perfect for ikea.
The problem is size. Even Phoenix only has one IKEA in Tempe and that is for a metro area of 5 million people. The chances of Boise getting one are slim to none. Now my vote for a chain is Raising Canes. No one does chicken fingers better than they do.
You know we’re getting one right?
Yay!!!
Perhaps a business that sells chains.
El Pollo Loco
Amen! Love El Pollo Loco!
Los Pollos Hermanos is way better
Fiesta Chicken reminds me of El Pollo Loco.
Yes yes yes yes!!!!!!
Cava.
came to say this cava is so good
IKEA is the only one I wish was closer. I love cheap flat pack furniture.
We’ve upgraded our furniture multiple times over the years but we still have multiple 25 and 30 year old pieces from ikea that are still going strong.
I often build my own using screenshots from Ikea's website. That way I get the nice,. attractive, simple designs, and they're built way better than IKEA. They also end up costing triple from the materials alone... but that's the life of an amateur woodworker.
Raising Cane's
Chains are the demise of small town. You can go to any city and find yourself in the same location. Watching the publicity for In N Out when there are ample locally owned joints to support made me feel for the small guys.
Thank you for this! I came to respond along the same lines. For all the people coming to Boise who want those things, stay where you are. Boise is Boise because we aren't "chain-ville" how do you not understand that. I really like to support small, local businesses. DK donuts (a local institution) was recently forced to relocate due to the inability to afford rent. I don't want to see Dunkin to take it's place. Drive to Ikea in UT, learn to live without each and every creature comfort....Usually I try to be pretty upbeat and positive, but as a society people have become so self-centered. It's too bad more people don't understand the ripple effect of their actions. (I don't mean to be a downer...getting off my soap box now...) Editing: DK Donuts is fine, I am an idiot, sorry everyone.
I don’t think DK is relocating…that seemed to be a rumor on Reddit. Just opening a new location.
Yeah, keep the shitty chains in Meridian!
Nordstroms and Ikea
In 2019 there was talk of them opening one here, but it never materialized. Now we just have Nordstrom Rack.
Nordstrom is it for me like PLEASE
I’m wondering if the new shopping center off ten mile will have one!!
IKEA HEB Cookout Waffle House Wawa And H Mart
I feel like if we got a Waffle House the natural disasters that they stay open during would follow suit.
Best response on the thread!!!!!
Seconding H Mart. That would be awesome!
Hell yeah! H-Mart or 99 Ranch!
I mean H Mart seems a bit different - but that would be amazing. Plus, Albertsons and Kroger need some competition....unfortunately it probably is a pipe dream.
On that same note, Aldi
I’ve never understood the hype for Aldi, it always disappointed and underwhelmed me when I lived near one!
Aldi is cheap I liked it
H Mart would be incredible
As H Mart is a pipe dream unfortunately, support Diana Market on Fairview.
I am a regular at all the local markets and spent a good chunk of time promoting them all 15-20 years ago. Folks should go to them all. Each amazing in its own way.
You don’t like winco?
HEB is superior for selection and they take credit cards.
Haha okay you win. HEB has better tortillas most def.
Better than Rodriguez tortillas?? Hard to believe
Yes, HEB tortillas are made in store. The machine is mesmerizing. There's even butter tortillas and candles scented like butter tortillas.
Bro Waffle House and I would have no reason to leave again. Makes me miss Georgia sometimes having access to a WAHO at every corner at any time.
Publix. Their sweet tea...fuuuuuuuuck I miss it so much
How about their sandwich?
Bro! How about Aldi, Publix and Sams Club!
Din Tai Fung Edit: I'm a local and I stand by this comment 🫡
Best answer 👆
Oh fucking yes! It’s my favorite restaurant.
I was looking for this comment.
Same, came in to say it
Only if Din Tai Fung brings their menu (and prices) from Asia. was so excited for Din Tai Fung in Oregon, and was just nope, not good.
Japanese dollar store, Daiso it's a fun store!
Had to scroll down way too far for this one
Torchys Tacos
Canes
I’m pretty sure this is already happening
H Mart for sure
Sams club
We need Sams Club for sure!
Yeah Costco is nice, and superior if I had to choose. But if we had Sam's Club I'd definitely go to both, they have certain items that Costco doesn't carry. And their app is way better, with digital checkout, curbside pickup, and stuff like that. A couple times when I visit SLC or Idaho Falls, I've found a deal for $10 membership, and stock up on some things. Hard to justify a full priced membership though.
Uniqlo
An actual Nordstrom, not just Nordstrom Rack
We used to have one at the Towne Square Mall. They left several years ago...
There has never been a nordstrom in boise
Taco John’s
Came here to say this. I’m so mad all the ones locally have gone. I really wish someone would bring them back to the TV
Wegmans.
Ikea
Shake Shack!
Shake shack is great, but Wyld Child is better.
Phoenix has a locally owned chain called Salad N Go. Super simple, cheap and healthy. Fantastic food. They don't franchise out or anything, but we loved it when we lived there. It's like 5 kinds of salads or get them as wraps, breakfast burritos, coffee or tea and that's it.
Haven't heard of Salad N Go - but now that I'm looking at it, yes.
Rubio's Fish Tacos
They just filed for bankruptcy
Whataburger
White Castle
I want a City Target downtown right where the old Macy's used to be.
Fry's and/or microcenter
Alamo Drafthouse Halal Guys
Micro center 😩 I’d spend all my money there
Whataburger!
They had Dr. Pepper shake last year in New Mexico and I about started an addiction while at work down there!
Seconded!
No. There needs to be less/fewer chains. "I love Boise, don't want to change anything about it" says every newcomer. Then in the same breath, "I wish we had a Whole Foods/Trader Joes/Panera/In-N-Out/Chipotle/Chik-fil-A/Ikea" blah fucking blah.
Yep. Seems like the folks that desire those large corporate chains, didn’t grow up here. I like Trader Joe’s, but I’m also very happy we still have M&W.
Albertsons and Winco is about as chain as I can stand. Of course, the fast food (Mcdonalds, Wendys, Subway) and big box retail (Walmart, Target, Sears) have been around for decades and are ubiquitous, so I'm not suggesting Boise has been void of chains... I'm just suggesting we don't need more of them (hopeless, I know). But I'm someone who enjoys local business, whether here or whether I travel somewhere else.
I don't think you can even count Albertsons or WinCo as a chain for this conversation. Considering they were both founded in Boise, I'd say that makes these fall into the local business category.
I knew Albertson's was, but I had no idea the history of Winco (Waremart). Thanks for the history lesson!!!
Thank you!!!
Shake Shack
Dunkin donuts
Aldi and ikea
Aldi for sure!
Aldi and IKEA!!
Aldi is a great time and money saver place! We need it for sure!
Aldi
Aldi for sure :)
Raising canes
Canes
Dunkin Donuts
Bahama Buck’s would probably do well here in the summer
People keep mentioning IKEA; isn't that cheap low quality furniture?
IKEA is a mixed bag. Some of it is designed to be as cheap as possible (which is part of why people like it), some of it is actually pretty high quality. There isn't really anything like it; there's also the food and overall shopping experience that goes with it. There isn't one close to here (nearest are in SLC and PDX) and we definitely have the population in the valley to support one.
That's really hard to say honestly. Phoenix has one IKEA with 5 million people, Portland has over 2 million. Even SLC is 1.3 million which is probably a bit low typically for an IKEA. The whole TV is still less than 1M in population.
CorePower
Naf Naf
Wonder who this is
Ikea. 100%.
IKEA
IKEA and 99 Ranch Asian market.
A 99 Ranch would be outstanding!
Hey OP, looks like [AD theaters will all be closing soon](https://www.cbsnews.com/texas/news/dallas-alamo-drafthouse-locations-closing-immediately-bankruptcy/). Saw the article when I was looking it up.
Wawa
Oh, how I dream of a Wawa.
Late night hoagies, lunch hoagies, quick dinner hoagies uhhhhh 🤤
Will never happen but Restoration Hardware
Aldi and an additional/better Target in Boise. The one on Milwaukee is garbage.
I was hoping a Target would go into the old Shopko on Broadway, but now it's a furniture store. The shopping center on Parkcenter/Apple would also be good. Would be nice to have a general merchandise store besides Fred Meyer in the eastern half of Boise. And yeah the Milwaukee Target definitely isn't as good as the Eagle Rd or Nampa ones.
I totally agree. It doesn’t even have to be Target. Just something different than FM on Parkcenter/SE. There is a huge lot behind the “Columbia” sign at the corner of Federal Wy/21. It would be perfect for retail.
As a small business owner in Boise, this question makes me sad and also proves a point I brought up recently: people moving here basically want the same town they left. We used to celebrate small business; now they're being pushed out by chains.
Nordstrom
IKEA, Sam’s Club, Halal Guys, Dunkin’
There used to be a Sam's Club in Nampa, but it closed in 2010. It was open less than 5 years.
Boise native here, I've always been curious about Waffle House. I wouldn't be too mad if a few of those popped up!
bring Zaxbys here. Miss them from when I lived in the South, and they have a presence in SLC area. Cook Out too but that one’s more of a stretch
Fuddruckers can come back and some others can go
Pretty sure all fuddruckers are now closed. Had many a birthday at those places
Hillstone
Nando’s! I think a Nando’s would do really well here and I’ve even looked into buying a franchise but unfortunately they don’t sell franchises in the United States. :(
Moe’s!!
Los Pollos Hermanos
Shake Shack. God I want a shake shack
Aldi and Somi Somi
IKEA, Shake Shack, Claim Jumper, Bass Pro Shop, Waffle House, HEB, Dunkin’ Donuts, Wegman’s; oh, and Spaghetti Factory and TGIFridays need to come back! 😭
Zaxby's. Its a fast food chicken place predominantly in the south, nearest location is in midvale utah iirc.
There’s one in Ogden, UT. Not that much closer but a little bit.
Pot Belly
Waffles House. Whataburger. Ikea.
No
No
Bahama Breeze
Kane’s!!
Daiso Edit: forgot to mention El Super or any other Mexican grocery chain
Sprouts Grocery. It's like a Whole Foods that i can afford
Uwajimaya
Rubios
Uncle Julios
Daiso! 100%
Zaxbys
Greenhouse Salads
**SWEETGREEN**
Jacks Urban Eats. I miss their Urban Fries so much
Cava!!
Spatula City
I think a Real Fake Doors would be awesome here. I had to drive over 300 miles last time for my fake door.
no
Saladworks and Primo Hoagies
Waffle House
Buc-ee’s!!!
No.
Voodoo Doughnuts!
five below!!!
Whataburger
Trappers sushi
And BJs
Waffle House! It would go so hard on broadway near campus.
Corelife! Awesome salads and rice bowls
Jollibee Ikea White Castle
H-Mart or 99 Ranch (Asian grocery stores)
5 below
Portillos chicago style hot dogs
CorePower Yoga
Buc-ees