Man Moves into IKEA for a Week
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Comedian and filmmaker Mark Malkoff had a dilemma — his New York City apartment was being fumigated for cockroaches and needed a temporary hideaway. His friend’s digs were too small and hotels were too costly, so what else would one do in his situation, but move into IKEA for a week?
Mark Malkoff sits on a display bed in a showroom at the IKEA store
in Paramus, N.J. Photo AP
Mark unpacked his 2 suitcases into a spacious bedroom at the IKEA store in suburban New Jersey on Monday.
Once the store is closed at night, he said he’ll play laser tag with security guards and even plans to host a housewarming party.
”The fact that IKEA is letting me do this is mind-boggling.” said Mark, lounging on a bed in his new room. “There’s no way I’m going back. I love this way too much.”
IKEA will be allowing him to stay until the store closes at about midnight on Saturday.
Known for his 2007 video 171 Starbucks which documents his visits to all of the coffee chain’s Manhattan stores in a single day, Mark Malkoff works for Comedy Central’s The Colbert Report as the audience coordinator.
Mark contacted Julie Mott, the IKEA store manager about 3 weeks ago with his a proposal to move in. ”We thought it would be a lot of fun and interesting.” Mott said. “We’re not really sure what this week holds.”
But there are a few complications with the move-in — the sinks and toilets don’t work, nor the refrigerator, flat-screen TV or the washer and dryer. “Is anything real in this place?” he asked.
Mark Malkoff steps out of a non-functional bathtub that he uses for privacy
in a showroom at the IKEA store. Photo AP
“He must shower in the staff locker room and will have access to the staff cafeteria to cook his own meals, if he chooses.” Mott said.
Fortunately for Mark, the IKEA display affords a more spacious living than his 2 bedroom Queens apartment.
“I feel like I’m on the set of ‘Friends.”‘ Mark said, adding that he has met a few new faux friends — customers who wandered into his new apartment.
His wife Christine is less than thrilled with his scheme and chose to stay with relatives in upstate New York instead. “For some reason, she doesn’t want to live in a store.” Mark said.
You can watch a video recap of his daily activities on his website Mark Lives in IKEA while he lives in the store 24/7 and will be eating all his meals in the restaurant — but he may order Domino’s take out once or twice.
Mark Malkoff Moves into IKEA – Day 1
You can learn more about Mark at his official website Mark Malkoff.
Sources: Miami Herald and News Star
Tags:bizarre IKEA Mark Malkoff odd unusual weird
All good publicity for IKEA I suppose. It’s still crazy though…
Fantastic, mad idea – but great advertising for IKEA!
[...] out what Mark has been upto on his videos here: http://www.marklivesinikea.com/ (Thanks to Deborah for pointing this out!) Tags:ikea, [...]
I wonder why Mark didn’t bother to talk to the cockroaches, these creatures could be co-opted you know. Well, at least according to the movie “Joe’s Apartment”.
I can understand why Christine, his wife, is uncomfortable, who wants to be viewed as part of the merchandise anyway. If nothing is real yet Mark is happy with it, I am inclined to wonder how often he bathes or brushes his teeth!
By the way, is IKEA open to accepting more guests? LOL!
–Durano, done!
Hard to say who the biggest winner here is, April, Mark or IKEA
Definitely, Keiron!
Hehe, too funny, Durano
I don’t blame Christine one bit, I certainly wouldn’t do it. Bwahaha, Mark supposedly has access to staff showers and washrooms. Thinking of moving in? 
Seems like fun.
But it smacks of one huge publicity campaign by IKEA.
Why didn’t Mark just go with Christine upstate? I always thought about this as I peruse their huge stores.
Betshopboy, my guess is that IKEA was more than happy to go along with Mark’s scheme, considering the possibilities for non-paid promotion for them. But Mark likely had similar motives for himself. That’s how the game is played these days for many, do something far-fetched and you’ll receive a ton of free publicity and fame for it.
Dude, see my comment to Betshopboy as to why he didn’t go upstate with his wife
I’d move into Ikea in a heartbeat. Get away from the wife and kids!
Hehe, cute, Cuban
Wow, that’s over the top. Funny, but insane at the same time. Good for Ikea though – anything to keep the name in the news.
Funny but insane … I have to agree with you, Orillus
If I lived in IKEA, I would move from fake room to fake room everynite!