Interest is growing in bringing an IKEA furniture retailer to Huntsville. But is the talk real? Or just wishful thinking?

A social media post about IKEA opening in Huntsville is going viral in the Madison County community after a user posted a chat with the IKEA help bot.

The chat wrote that they haven’t “officially announced” if they will bring a location to Huntsville and indicated it could be a full-size IKEA store or a pickup location. According to the chat, “store format and opening date are still being finalized.”

However, when the same chat service was contacted by AL.com and asked if Ikea was coming to Huntsville, a representative replied, “IKEA has not officially announced a new store or pickup point in Huntsville, Alabama.”

AL.com reached out to its media contact for comment, but IKEA leaders have not responded.

If Huntsville were tapped for a full-size IKEA, it would be the first of its kind in Alabama.

IKEA among the most-wanted retailers

IKEA has landed on Huntsville’s list of most-wanted retailers before.

People across the Rocket City want to bring in the Swedish furniture giant that’s known for its large warehouses featuring showrooms with furniture and decor. The store also offers a wing where you can buy pieces to build personalized furniture. Shoppers also have the option to visit its restaurant and get its famous Swedish meatballs.

Huntsville has gained the majority of the retailers on its 2011 list of most-wanted businesses, including Trader Joe’s, Whole Foods Market and Cheesecake Factory, among many others.

What’s Plan & Order Point?

What if Huntsville doesn’t land a full-size IKEA? It could get a “Plan & Order Point.” The concept features smaller stores dedicating the planning kitchens, bedrooms and living rooms but there are no items to purchase and take home that day.

Instead, it’s a space where people can design areas with the help of in-house specialists or use self-service tools to design a piece of furniture. It’s also used as a pick-up point for ordered items. These already exist in Nashville and Birmingham.

The closest warehouse location is in Atlanta. In 2018, IKEA canceled plans to build stores in Nashville, Tennessee, and Raleigh, North Carolina.