In a huge blow to Triangle furniture enthusiasts and meatball lovers alike, Swedish powerhouse Ikea will not be setting up shop in Cary as expected, the N&O reported today.

The store was expected to open in the Cary Towne Center in 2020 but decided not to pursue the location as part of a broader company strategy to reevaluate the store’s expansion projects. In October, the Cary Town Council unanimously voted in favor of the project, which was slated to replace a vacant Sears and Macy’s in the mall.

In a statement, Ikea told the N&O the U.S. wing of the company over the past year has “been on a journey to expand our multi-channel shopping experience with new retail locations, enhanced technology

and

greater accessibility to meet today’s customers where they are in today’s fast-changing retail environment. As part of this journey, we have challenged ourselves to re-evaluate some of our upcoming expansion projects. While this is an extremely difficult decision, we will not be moving forward with our plans to build a store in Cary, N.C. We appreciate the outpouring of support and excitement that our fans have expressed, and we are disappointed that we will not be able to physically join the vibrant Cary community.”

From the N&O:

Cary Town Manager Sean Stegall expressed disappointment on Wednesday and said in a statement emailed to The News & Observer “We are thankful that the decision came before the store was built and people were employed there.”

IKEA said pulling out of the the Cary location was not about any deficiencies in the town, but was part of a corporate strategy to curtail some of its expansion projects and focus on other initiatives.”