There's no such thing as a free launch.
Ikea has reneged on a deal with Brooklynites that they made when they opened their furniture palace in Red Hook last year.
Residents were promised free ferry service from Manhattan to the store in the Borough of Churches by the Swedes, but starting Aug. 3 the fare will jump infinity percent to $5 each way, according to the Brooklyn Eagle.
The cost of running the water taxi from Pier 11 to Ikea Brooklyn -- which, shockingly, is being used by more than just customers -- was causing the company to drown in expenses, a spokesman said.
"The cost is such that we cannot continue subsidizing it during the week as a commuter service for those who are not Ikea customers," store manager Mike Baker told the New York Post.
Customers who still want to use the ferry, however, will be reimbursed by the store, provided they buy at least $10 worth of new-agey merch.
"The system was developed as a convenient service for use by Ikea customers so we could minimize the number of cars on the road," Baker said. "Charging for non-customers who ride the water taxi is one way to help defray slightly the significant coasts incurred by Ikea."
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The store will also start running ferries earlier, from 11 a.m. to 9 p.m., seven days a week, and shuttle bus service from nearby subway stops will remain free.
Nevertheless, the Post, of course, found at least one person who was outraged.
"You are going to have a lot of people changing their mind about shopping at Ikea," she told the paper. "This has been really good for the community."
