Knoxville is a town of dreamers.

That's what I realized poring over the long list of stores Knox News readers want most.

I've asked this question of readers twice before, in 2018 and 2019, and while some of the top requests have stayed the same, the fervor and fandom have ratcheted up.

That Swedish build-it-yourself furniture store was high on the list back then, too, but the recent news that it's adding stores and pickup points has Knoxville in a tizzy.

To quote one of many enthusiastic readers who responded to my inquiry with the retail they want most: "IKEA IKEA IKEA???? IKEA IKEA IKEA????"

I hate to report that an IKEA in Knoxville is a longshot (but maybe a pickup point isn't!). But this list isn't about dashing your dreams. Y'all know where you want to shop, and I applaud the passion.

What's different this time: Knoxville is much more enthusiastic about its grocery and convenience stores.

More: Tuesday Morning is closing all of its discount stores, including this Knoxville location

Our proximity to Nashville and Atlanta works against the Scruffy City getting some of the higher-end options you'd like most. The road trip shopping weekend will never stop being a thing here.

Other requests are more regional and probably won't ever make their way here. But you did make a few realistic requests!

These are the 12 stores Knoxville readers want most.

I also asked readers to share the restaurants and food brands they most desperately desire. That list is coming soon on knoxnews.com.

The Container Store

The home organization and custom closet store is a regular request from Knoxville shoppers. Who doesn't need to turn a little kitchen pantry chaos into order with clear plastic boxes?

Closest locations: Atlanta or Nashville

Likelihood we get it: 2/5

Crate & Barrel

Knoxville residents want timeless designer home goods, or perhaps they'd just like to order wedding registry items in person instead of online. There's also a Crate & Barrel Outlet in Asheville, North Carolina.

Closest locations: Atlanta or Nashville

Likelihood we get it: 1/5

H-E-B

This grocery store chain based in San Antonio, Texas, was a new one. The privately owned chain has a cult following in Texas and Mexico, but it's not likely to be in Knoxville anytime soon. Fun fact: H-E-B's mascot is a brown grocery bag named H-E-Buddy.

Closest location: Deep in the heart of Texas

Likelihood we get it: 0/5. It's a shame, since the house-made tortillas sound amazing.

IKEA

While the chances of Knoxville getting a flagship version of the furniture store are slim, the international retailer has announced plans to open some smaller stores and more pickup points across the U.S.

Closest location: Atlanta

Likelihood we get it: 1/5 for a big store; 5/5 for a pickup point

Macy's

Traditional department stores like Macy's aren't really in expansion mode these days, but that doesn't stop Knoxville shoppers from clamoring for this store. "There was always something I needed, but didn't realize it until I saw it," one passionate reader who travels to the nearest location wrote.

Closest locations: Nashville, Atlanta, Lexington

Likelihood we get it: 0/5

Nordstrom / Nordstrom Rack

Call it somewhat good news if you love the off-price retail version. A 24,000-square-foot Nordstrom Rack opens in Chattanooga later this week in The Terrace at Hamilton Place.

Closest locations: Nashville and Atlanta. There's a Nordstrom Rack in Greenville, South Carolina

Likelihood we get it: 0/5 for Nordstrom; 3/5 for Nordstrom Rack, especially in the Sevierville area

Sheetz

Usually I discount any brand that ends in an unnecessary "z," but Knoxville drivers love this convenience store chain stationed mostly up and down the East Coast. People love the fancy coffee and made-to-order food options; it even has Boba tea now.

Closest locations: Bristol, Virginia, and North Carolina

Likelihood we get it: 3/5 for the fast-growing, family-owned brand

Sprouts Farmers Market

The grocery store chain, one reader said, is "desperately needed. It combines the wholesome food of Whole Foods with Trader Joe's prices. The customer service rivals TJs and Costco. The bulk food selection is better than Three Rivers Market."

Closest locations: Nashville and Atlanta

Likelihood we get it: 4/5 with so many clusters of locations around the South

QuikTrip

QuikTrip, or QT to its friends, is known for its full-service kitchen and extensive beverage options. Not to be confused with Kwik Trip, a Midwestern chain that also was requested by a few of you.

Closest locations: Chattanooga, Nashville and northern Georgia

Likelihood we get it: 4/5. The brand is expanding in Mississippi right now. The only downside is Knoxville's competitive convenience store market, with Pilot, Weigel's and Casey's, might be too full for another national brand.

Wawa

Knoxville just loves its convenience stores, and the dramatic displays of affection don't end with IKEA. "I would literally lay down on Kingston Pike for a WAWA," one reader said.

Closest locations: Virginia

Likelihood we get it: 4/5. It's opening a bunch of locations in Virginia this summer. Could Tennessee be next?

Wegmans

More grocery store love from Knoxville. Fans of Wegmans, located up the East Coast, love the hot food bar and the organic products selection.

Close locations: North Carolina and Virginia

Likelihood we get it: 3/5. There's probably more room to grow in North Carolina before it would venture inland to Tennessee.

Zara

Rounding out the top requests, Knoxville fashionistas want Zara, one of the largest fast-fashion retailers in the world.

Close locations: Nashville and Atlanta

Likelihood we get it: 2/5

Other interesting stores Knoxville asked for

Most Midwestern requests: Grocery store chain Meijer; Binny's Beverage Depot

Most old-fashioned request: Stationery story Paper Source - let's revive the art of letter writing.

Most realistic request: Hy-Vee. The grocery store chain announced plans in 2022 to enter the Tennessee market with a store in Nashville. Look for it to keep expanding across the South.

Least realistic request: Saks Fifth Avenue. It ain't coming to a city called scruffy.

Most kid-friendly request: Lego Store

Most surprising request: At least most surprising that so many of you requested it: 7-11. "That sounds awful but nobody makes a better hot dog or Slurpee," a reader said.

Most love-hate request: Buc-ee's. I got just as many "no more Buc-ee's!" requests as I did nominations for it. Don't worry, naysayers. The Sevierville location opening soon is likely as close as you'll get to Beaver Nuggets.

Brenna McDermott is the growth and development editor. Email brenna.mcdermott@knoxnews.com. Twitter @_BrennaMcD.

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This article originally appeared on Knoxville News Sentinel: Knoxville stores: Why we're missing IKEA, Wawa, Macy's and Nordstrom