Andrew LeBlanc tries to lure IKEA to Riverview

A Riverview councillor is encouraging Swedish furniture giant IKEA to open a store in his town.

Last week, IKEA Canada announced plans to open a string of smaller stores across the country.

Two days later, Andrew LeBlanc posted a letter online addressed to IKEA's president. LeBlanc is looking for as many signatures as he can get before he sends it off.

Even if IKEA decides not to come to Riverview it is good to get the name out there and let residents and businesses know that we are open for business and looking for commercial growth, he said.

LeBlanc says the need is there for an IKEA in the Maritimes and asks why not in Riverview.

You're not getting the same sort of things in the GMA (greater Moncton area) that you would at IKEA. We don't offer the same style things already, he said.

At least that's what I'm hearing from residents. So it would draw a lot of people into the town and there's lots of businesses that would benefit.

IKEA Canada president Stefan Sjstrand told Business in Vancouver the chain plans to open 10 smaller outlets across Canada in the next year.

Stores would be a tenth the size

The stores would be a tenth the size of a full size IKEA and would be pick up stores for customers ordering merchandise online.

IKEA fan Doug Smalley in Moncton isnt getting his hopes up just yet.

I think it'd be great, he said. Its a place Ive shopped before and would shop again. But I'd rather not have to drive to Montreal. But I'd be skeptical its ever going to happen.

In an email response to CBC News, an IKEA spokesperson wrote: "It is premature to speculate specific locations for our e-commerce pick-up points. We will announce locations once they have been confirmed."