Since its opening in 2008, the IKEA megastore in Red Hook has provided the Brooklyn community with do-it-yourself furniture and its trademark Sweedish Meatballs. However, the waterfront location has been historically hard to access using public transportation.

The B61 bus route is the only mass transportation option that goes directly to the store, which for many people involves a transfer at Smith-9th Street Station from the sluggish G train. When the NYC Ferry system launched in 2017, shoppers were filled with a new hope that the service would improve access to the IKEA store. However, the Red Hook stop for the ferry system is still a mile and a half away from the store, well out of walking distance for many.

To remedy this problem, IKEA turned to the private sector.

This past week, IKEA announced that it has reached an agreement with two different ferry services that will supply direct service to the Red Hook wharf directly next to the store.

The ferries will be operated by the company NY Waterway, famous for its boat and bus tours in Manhattan. Service began on Saturday, July 3rd, and will bring shoppers directly from Manhattan to the Brooklyn store.

“We hope to make the trip to IKEA a little bit easier and a lot more pleasant with a free ferry ride from our Manhattan terminals,” Armand Pohan, CEO and chairman of NY Waterway wrote in a statement on June 30th. “We’re excited to partner with IKEA to launch this new service for the summer.”

Mike Baker, IKEA’s New York Market manager agreed: “At IKEA we believe that sustainability, accessibility and affordability should be included in every aspect of our customers’ journey,” he said

The ferries will pick up passengers at three locations throughout Manhattan. These include a Midtown Location at Pier 79, a Battery Park City location near Brookfield Place, and a Financial District Location at Pier 11. Boats will travel directly from these locations to the IKEA store’s Brooklyn pier.

IKEA’s new ferry service arrives after a rough couple of months along New York City’s waterways. Early in June, a New Jersey ferry operated by the company Seastreak experienced a crippling malfunction mid journey, sending the vessel careening into the Brooklyn shoreline near Bushwick Inlet Park. Multiple travellers sustained injuries, but none fatal. The ferry itself experienced severe damage along its hull.
Elsewhere in North Brooklyn, the NYC Ferry landing in Greenpoint closed suddenly late in May and is still yet to reopen. The service change was attributed to a “mechanical issue,” and the MTA has since set up a free shuttle bus between Greenpoint and Hunters Point South that mimics the ferry route.

The Greenpoint landing and the entire NYC Ferry system are operated by the New York City Economic Development Corporation (NYCEDC), not the MTA.

John J. Scibelli passed away on Friday, July 9, 2021 at the age of 91. Beloved Husband of the late Margaret Theresa Scibelli. Loving Father of Peter Scibelli and Anthony Scibelli. Cherished Grandfather of Olivia, Dillon, Samantha and Matisse. Dear Brother of Sophie Murray and the late Joseph “JoJo” Scibelli. Mr.Scibelli was a United States Army Veteran, longtime school teacher at H. Frank Carey High School and an avid NY Giants and Rangers fan. In Lieu of Flowers, memorial donations may be made to: St. Labre Indian School. Mass of Christian Burial offered at Our Lady of Mercy Church on Thursday, July 15, 2021 10 AM. Interment followed at St. John Cemetery, Middle Village, NY under the direction of Papavero Funeral Home, 72-27 Grand Avenue, Maspeth, NY 11378.

Boguslaw Sadowski passed away on Wednesday, July 7, 2021 at the age of 67. Beloved Husband of Hanna Kisiel Sadowski. Loving Father of Marta Oalka and Przemec Sadowski, father-in-law of Michal. Cherish Grandfather of Julia and Erick. Dearest Brother of Zdzislaw Sadowski & Family and brother-in-law of Irek Wrobel & Family. Dear Son-in-Law of Henryka Wrobel. Mass of Christian Burial offered at Holy Cross Church on Monday July 12, 2021 9:45 AM. Interment followed at Mount Olivet Cemetery, Maspeth, NY under the direction of Papavero Funeral Home, 72-27 Grand Avenue, Maspeth, NY 11378.

Luisa Natale passed away on Wednesday July 7, 2021 at the age of 82. Beloved Wife of the late Joseph Natale. Loving Mother of Ralph Natale and Mother-n-Law of Priscilla. Cherished Grandmother of Joseph, Michael and Celeste. Dear Sister of Josephine Gangone. Also survived by many loving nieces and nephews. Luisa was a longtime member of the San Cono di Teggiano Cub of Brooklyn, NY. Mass of Christian Burialoffered at Our Lady of Hope Church on Monday July 12, 2021 9:45AM. Entombment followed at St. John Cemetery AVe Maria Garden Mausoleum, Middle Village, NY under the direction of Papavero Funeral Home, 72-27 Grand Avenue, Mapseth, NY 11378.

Jose H. Gallego passed away on Thursday, July 8, 2021 at the age of 95. Beloved Husband of Edilma Gallego. Loving Father of Anderson Olmos, Yurley Corbo, Steven Alexander and Joanna Gallego. Cherish Grandfather of Brandon Corbo, Gianni Olmos and Giorgio Olmos, and other grandchildren and great-grandchildren. Mass of Christian Burial offered at St. Margaret’s Church on Tuesday July 13, 2021 9:45 AM. Entombment followed at St. John Cemetery Ave Maria Garden Mausoleum, Middle Village, NY under the direction of Papavero Funeral Home, 72-27 Grand Avenue, Maspeth, NY 11378.

Jennie Story passed away on Friday, July 9, 2021 at the age of 94. Beloved Wife of the late William Story. Loving sister of Thomas Valenti, Patsy Valenti and the late Michael Valenti, Jacqueline Pinghera and Anna Carpino. Cherish Aunt and Great-Aunt of many loving nieces, nephews, great-nieces and great-nephews. Mass of Christian Burial offered at Transfiguration Church on Wednesday July 14, 2021 10:30 AM. Interment followed at Mount Olivet Cemetery, Maspeth, NY under the direction of Papavero Funeral Home 72-27 Grand Avenue, Maspeth, NY 11378.