IKEA Houston celebrates 20th birthday

Via Colori artist Leticia Rodriguez and her son Julian stand in front of their special chalk drawing on the IKEA Houston plaza to celebrate the store's 20th birthday.

IKEA's Houston location recently held its 20th birthday celebration Saturday, Oct. 20.

According to a press release, the event featured a free breakfast, face painting, balloon art, juggling and magic shows, a mariachi group, cake balls crafted by Phoenicia Speciality Foods and savings throughout the store.

Customers also were given the opportunity to participate in a Via Colori Bambini community art project benefiting The Center for Hearing and Speech, an organization devoted to helping children with mild to profound hearing loss develop their listening, speaking and literacy skills. Participants used chalk to decorate 100 concert squares, with IKEA Houston donating $20 per square to the center, totaling $2,000.

"The goal of our 20th birthday party was to give back to our customers, co-workers and the greater Houston community as a whole," Kim Castillo, marketing manager for IKEA Houston, said in the release. "The store wouldn't be what it is today without their support, so it only makes sense to celebrate this important milestone by thanking those who made it all possible."

For more information about IKEA Houston, 7810 Katy Freeway in Houston, call 713-688-7867 or visit inspiringlifeathome.com.