Re: Bonnie Bowsman’s Aug. 1 letter, “Time for new IKEA”:

In response to Ms. Bowsman’s letter regarding bringing IKEA to Ventura, I agree with her 100 percent, but unfortunately, that is not going to happen.

I have spoken with two different people at the city manager’s office and was told that we do not meet IKEA’s specifications for building a store. I also contacted IKEA myself and was told that IKEA builds stores based on an area’s income level and population. The city of Ventura, even with Santa Barbara, Oxnard and Thousand Oaks being in such close proximity, still does not meet the standards that IKEA bases its decisions on for opening a new store.

I would suggest that anyone seriously interested in convincing IKEA to come here to contact the city manager’s office as well as IKEA corporate offices.

— Coletta Makiling, Ventura