HUNTSVILLE, Ala. ( WHNT) — IKEA has announced plans to open the first store in the state of Alabama. The City of Huntsville has been selected as the first city in the state to welcome the global home furnishing brand.

The big picture: Small format or not, Huntsville's IKEA will still offer its beloved meatballs and hot dogs (and their veggie/vegan counterparts), as well as cinnamon buns and more, both in-store and to take home.

IKEA is bringing its first Alabama store to Huntsville, marking a major milestone for the state. The new 46,000-square-foot facility is set to open in the University Place Shopping Center