ST. CATHARINES – Niagara residents who are fans of Ikea's unique brand of home furnishings soon won't have to travel down the highway to Burlington to get their fix.

On Monday, the Swedish-based company announced it will be opening one of its new Pick-Up and Order Point locations at Fairview Mall next spring. Occupying the 25,000-square-foot store which previously housed Future Shop, the location will allow customers to visit the store to get decorating ideas and pick up their orders.

The move is part of Ikea's strategy to reach markets not already served by its 361 worldwide stores. Ikea first opened a Pick-Up and Order Point location in Pamplona, Spain last spring, and has since opened locations in Norway and Finland. Two previously announced Canadian locations in London and Quebec City are set to open this fall.

Ikea Canada president Stefan Sjöstrand said St. Catharines and Niagara are a good fit for the company, noting their Burlington store already attracts a sizeable customer base from the region.

"We know that a lot of our customers are going back and forth to the Burlington store," he said.

He explained the Pick-Up and Order Point will allow customers to shop closer to home and save considerably on delivery costs. For example, he said, a kitchen set which would cost them $400 to be delivered from the Burlington store will be able to be picked up at Fairview for $20 or delivered to their home for $99.

The location will feature home furnishing inspiration areas and stations to assist customers' planning. Customers will be able to use their handheld devices to place an order, place an order from home or borrow one of the store's tablets.

St. Catharines Mayor Walter Sendzik, who welcomed the company to make the announcement at City Hall, said the store will be highly visible from the QEW and will help revitalize the area around the mall, which has had a noticeable since Future Shop closed in March.

"Ikea is an international brand, and having that brand in our community is significant," he said.

Further, he added, the 35 employees Ikea plans to hire to operate the store will be part of a company with a focus on providing an engaging atmosphere and an opportunity for professional development.