The TRUTH about the Pittsburgh Apple Store

[prich]

I was very excited yesterday to read about the future opening of Pittsburgh's first Apple store in Shadyside (just down the street from where I live now!). I've thought for a long time that that particular part of town is perfect for an Apple store, but I didn't actually think it would happen! Many articles online are saying that the store is moving into what is now the Gap on Walnut Street, so last night I ventured down to take a look. It was perfect: It already has a light colored wood theme, a (partly) glass staircase, and the ceiling lights are identical to those Apple uses. They would hardly have to change a thing! Three stories too! So then I asked an employee when they were closing, and she told me that in fact Apple is moving into the OLD Gap down the street, which is now an African Art Gallery. Rats! That Gap would have made the perfect Apple store!

Anyway, it turns out that the actual location isn't so bad after all. It's only one story, but it appears to be quite spacious. Have a look at the pictures below: Maybe enough room for a theatre?? I wonder if that Sunglass Hut is staying? That sort of doesn't fit in the same building with an Apple store.

I know there are probably just a few readers here in Pittsburgh, but I just thought I'd set the record straight. i just hope it doesn't open during the summer when I'm not here!!

http://www.andrew.cmu.edu/user/gprichar/photography/applestore1.jpg

http://www.andrew.cmu.edu/user/gprichar/photography/applestore2.jpg

-Prich

[stoid]

Apple could always tear it down and put a two story building in it's place. But the store looks deep enough for a theatre.

[TEG]

Actually there will probabily be a massive remodeling or reconstruction project before Apple Moves in. Including a new façade, some interior work and a nice loading dock. Other that that it looks like a great place for an Apple Store. I'll bet Sunglasses Hut will moving shorly after the Art Gallery does.

TEG

[Gherkin]

any idea on when this is opening? I'm planning on buying my Powerbook around June or July. I guess that's too early, right?

[bennetsaysargh]

stoid's idea sounds pretty good, but they'd need to do something with sunglasses hut. is it connected to it?

[Sayhey]

any idea on when this is opening? I'm planning on buying my Powerbook around June or July. I guess that's too early, right?

I should open before Sept. 30th. That's the date by which ten more stores, including Pittsburgh, will be open. Could be as early as August.

[iconrad]

I'm a Freshman here in Pittsubrgh at Duquesne University. I've been waiting for an Apple store for a long time, and when I heard about this store I nearly fell off my chair. :D I agree, the store defiantly needs remodeled, if not razed.

[Gherkin]

I'm a Freshman here in Pittsubrgh at Duquesne University. I've been waiting for an Apple store for a long time, and when I heard about this store I nearly fell off my chair. :D I agree, the store defiantly needs remodeled, if not razed.

Are you in St. Anne's dorms?

[iconrad]

Are you in St. Anne's dorms?

3rd Floor St. Martin's :rolleyes:

[prich]

I live in Oakland, quite a bit closer to Walnut street than the Duquesne campus. But there's always hope for a downtown or Southside store, right??

-Prich

[Moxiemike]

I live in Oakland, quite a bit closer to Walnut street than the Duquesne campus. But there's always hope for a downtown or Southside store, right??

-Prich

There should SO be a store in the South Side works.....in between the birmingham and hot metal bridge

[johnbro23]

The news is that the Pittsburgh store just got approved by the city. I cant wait for it to open up. Does anyone know how you can apply for a job there? I'll be 17 in August, so all I'd be interested in is a low level job. Do you think they would have any interest in hiring me?

I've never been to shady side, but I live in the Pittsburgh area. Is there a lot of parking? I heard parking and traffic are problems. If so, I might want to reconsider working there.

[Sayhey]

Does anyone know how you can apply for a job there?

Go to Apple's retail site (http://www.apple.com/retail/) and scroll down to the bottom right and click on "Apple Store Job Opportunities." Then check the list for the openings at the new Pittsburgh store. You can apply online for the job openings.

[johnbro23]

Do you think they'd have any jobs for a 17 year old to do? Maybe just a casheir? The only jobs I see are "manager" and "mac specialists". I dont know that much about Macs, so those are out of the question.

[Sayhey]

Do you think they'd have any jobs for a 17 year old to do? Maybe just a casheir? The only jobs I see are "manager" and "mac specialists". I dont know that much about Macs, so those are out of the question.

Sorry, if the Pittsburgh store is like the others then there will be a huge number of applicants. If you don't know much about macs then your odds aren't too good. Besides the Store Manager and Asst. Manager (you need a lot of retail experience for them) there are usually jobs like "inventory control specialist" and "keyholder" to go along with the "mac specialists" and "mac genius" positions. But again, if you don't know much about macs your odds are long.

[johnbro23]

Sorry, if the Pittsburgh store is like the others then there will be a huge number of applicants. If you don't know much about macs then your odds aren't too good. Besides the Store Manager and Asst. Manager (you need a lot of retail experience for them) there are usually jobs like "inventory control specialist" and "keyholder" to go along with the "mac specialists" and "mac genius" positions. But again, if you don't know much about macs your odds are long.

Damn. I would really like this job. What kind of info do you think I'd need to know? How about this: ask me a random question about Macs you think I should know to work at this store.

Odds are I don't know enough. Maybe I can read up on it? Like, study Apple?

[johnbro23]

Any news on this store?

Just wondering if theres any construction yet. :confused:

[Moxiemike]

Any news on this store?

Just wondering if theres any construction yet. :confused:

Yea. They have it blocked off, and they have the facade torn down

I'll try and grab some shots. It looks BIG

m

[sandmann41]

Sweet, looks liek I will have to make a trip back home to the Burgh for the grand opening. :)

[dieselg4]

There should SO be a store in the South Side works.....in between the birmingham and hot metal bridge

Well, at least id would bring SOME interesting architecture to the Southside works . . . its so tacky, like a charicature of an early 20th century mainstreet.

[johnbro23]

That sounds awesome. I'm glad its BIG... big=more stuff!

Anyone know when the grand opening is? I'll be there if I'm not in school :rolleyes:

[johnbro23]

Bump :)

Anyone have any grand opening date or pictures?

[prich]

My friend, who's still in pittsburgh, tells me that there's still a big black box in front of the store, no apple ID anywhere, and that Sunglass Hut is STILL THERE. I really hope it opens after August so I'm there to see it open!

[ExoticFish]

when the Pittsburgh store opens i'll be in line. it'll be my 3rd opening! :D

[johnbro23]

I hope I get to buy my new iPod there (if it's even announced in time). It'll feel better if I buy it at The Apple Store in Shadyside rather than some reseller...

[bennetsaysargh]

when the Pittsburgh store opens i'll be in line. it'll be my 3rd opening! :D

only 3? haha! i've been to 9! :D

:p

[johnbro23]

Wow, you guys are nuts. I've never even been to an official Apple store, let alone an opening. I can't wait to check it out though. I bet there will be lots of traffic down there... or maybe there are only a few of us Apple inthusiasts willing to go for opening day.

[prich]

Really depends on if school has opened yet. Carnegie Mellon (just a few blocks away) has quite a Mac following. I wonder if it will be publicized around campus before opening... if it is then I should plan to get in line the night before....

[johnbro23]

Really depends on if school has opened yet. Carnegie Mellon (just a few blocks away) has quite a Mac following. I wonder if it will be publicized around campus before opening... if it is then I should plan to get in line the night before....

Really? I was just planning on strolling in sometime that day. Will there be some kind of thing like that mystery bag thing they did at San Fransisco? At least I think it was there. Well, I don't think I'll be staying the night, I'm still in high school, so I'll probably have school. And there's curfew too.

[prich]

I doubt they'll have mystery bags and stuff; looks like it'll probably be a fairly small store. Still, they usually give out t-shirts at the openings. You shouldn't have any trouble strolling in; it'll die down by the afternoon I bet.

[armchainmstenw]

Thats awesome...now i'll go there instead of the CMU comp store when i need stuff (not quite a student yet). Its not too far from where i live, either. :D

[ExoticFish]

when i went to the open in Legacy Village my friends and i were like 3rd in line. it was pretty sweet.

bennetsaysargh,

i wish i could go to more but there's not a whole lot opening up around here and i'm not as crazy as my friend who has flown across the country to go to them before! ;) :)

[bennetsaysargh]

when i went to the open in Legacy Village my friends and i were like 3rd in line. it was pretty sweet.

bennetsaysargh,

i wish i could go to more but there's not a whole lot opening up around here and i'm not as crazy as my friend who has flown across the country to go to them before! ;) :)


wow, i just stay in the north east, i would never go anywhere that's not within a drive. flying for an opening is ridiculus! but funny too, and yes, faithful ;) :p

[johnbro23]

Hey, just checkin... any news on the opening date? Also, any pictures of the building?


I can't wait...

[dieselg4]

I didn't catch any photos, but there is some chunky steel structure added to the front of the building - its poking up beyond the black construction screen. It looks like a false front to give the building more height - it doens't look like it'll be a full second floor.

[Sayhey]

I've been watching the job listings and they still haven't filled the Pittsburgh Store Manager position. My guess is that they will do so before the opening date. It's looking like early September to me.

[johnbro23]

I've been watching the job listings and they still haven't filled the Pittsburgh Store Manager position. My guess is that they will do so before the opening date. It's looking like early September to me.

September for sure? Or just a guess? I'd love to have it open by August, so I don't have to worry about making time for it because of school.

[prich]

I'd like to have it open in time for school too. But knowing Apple, we won't find out till the very last minute.

[Sayhey]

September for sure? Or just a guess? I'd love to have it open by August, so I don't have to worry about making time for it because of school.

Only a guess based on the fact the store manager job is still listed. I'm pretty sure they would like to fill such a position in time for the opening and that includes training time. I'll keep a watch and post when it disappears. Normally they also post a notice about a week before opening. But if you're by the store you probably have a better estimate than me.

[dieselg4]

The black OSB partion has been down from the front of the apple store on walnut street. on the upper protion a hole in the densglas sheathing looks to be where they will install the backlit apple logo. THe store looks to be only one story, and they are hanging white signage on the ceiling inside. They were working on it on saturday night, with a rent-a-cop standing guard.

[Sayhey]

Early September it is - Apple has just announced the opening date. It will be Sept. 4, 2004 at 10:00 am. Enjoy everyone.

Shadyside (http://www.apple.com/retail/shadyside/)

P.S. - not a bad guess, eh?

[johnbro23]

Two days! Anyone know if they're doing anything special for the opening? (mystery bag or anything?) I'll be working that day, so I would need a really good reason to call off. Well, I'll get there sometime. Is it open sunday or labor day?

[johnbro23]

Early September it is - Apple has just announced the opening date. It will be Sept. 4, 2004 at 10:00 am. Enjoy everyone.

Shadyside (http://www.apple.com/retail/shadyside/)

P.S. - not a bad guess, eh?

That answers my question. They're giving away 1,000 T-shirts and they will be open Sunday.

[Santiago]

This makes me sad. I live in Pittsburgh but am out of town this weekend. :(

[prich]

Today I watched the last minute construction of the Shadyside store for about 2 hours. It consisted of putting the metal front on the building as well as the acrylic white Apple logo (which will be illuminated at nighttime). It was interesting to watch the construction and I took many photos, some of which I posted here on my website:

http://www.andrew.cmu.edu/user/gprichar/photography/applestore.html

There was also commotion inside, preparing all the equipment for opening day. The window displays were also up; the left one promoted Macs (and iPods) in education, and the right one promoted the iPod mini. You can see them in some of the photos. It was encouraging to see passing pedestrians stopping to look and appear enthusiastic about the new addition to Walnut St.

Opening is just 2 days away!

-Prich

[dieselg4]

The grand opening is supposed to also have a sweepstakes giveway including a "15 inch flat panel iMac". Surely that would be a 17" new iMac, not an old computer?

[dieselg4]

does anybody think they'll have new iMacs on display? I know they arn't ready to ship, but it would be nice to SEE one in person before I order.

[ExoticFish]

does anybody think they'll have new iMacs on display? I know they arn't ready to ship, but it would be nice to SEE one in person before I order.

i'm hoping they do as well but for some reason i doubt it. at the last opening i was at i slightly remember some kind of "10% off" thing... that might be might if i could get that on top of an edu discount...

i'm pyched about being there tomorrow... my girlfriend and my checkbook are both very frightened though... ;)

i'll post some pic of the opening as soon as the management turns on the airport.

[Santiago]

The grand opening is supposed to also have a sweepstakes giveway including a "15 inch flat panel iMac". Surely that would be a 17" new iMac, not an old computer?

That notice has been up since before the new iMac announcement. They probably didn't want to leak anything accidentally.

[ExoticFish]

got here a little later than i wanted but oh well...

pic #1

[ExoticFish]

front of the store

[ExoticFish]

right across the street... at least you have somewhere to send the little woman while you drool.

[ExoticFish]

standing in line

[ExoticFish]

here's a video my friend took of the line when we got here @ 7:30

movie (1.4MB) (http://www.exoticfish.net/downloads/movies/Shadyside.MP4)

[mikeyredk]

dude get a steady cam

http://www-2.cs.cmu.edu/~johnny/steadycam/

only $14

[cslewis]

It just opened two hours ago... hooray!

Apple should shoot for

(a) Allentown, the third largest city in PA
or
(b) Kutztown, a college town with soon-to-be 20000 :eek: university students, and a district with an iBook one-to-one program

when they consider another opening in eastern PA. The only store in Eastern PA is in King of Prussia. It's great if you don't get killed by the traffic... ;)

[prich]

when they consider another opening in eastern PA. The only store in Eastern PA is in King of Prussia. It's great if you don't get killed by the traffic... ;)

There are rumors of a huge Walnut St., Philadelphia store, but we'll see if that goes through.

I was in the first batch to get in the Shadyside store! Pictures will be up momentarily...

[prich]

More pictures! And a 30 second movie of the line (sort of a mini version of the now famous Tokyo video)!

http://www.andrew.cmu.edu/user/gprichar/photography/applestore.html

[ExoticFish]

More pictures! And a 30 second movie of the line (sort of a mini version of the now famous Tokyo video)!

http://www.andrew.cmu.edu/user/gprichar/photography/applestore.html

oh cool, were you the guy with the wife and kid right behind me? you caught me in one of your pictures!

[prich]

oh cool, were you the guy with the wife and kid right behind me? you caught me in one of your pictures!

Nope; I'm a student and I was alone. I had a green and black backpack.

[ExoticFish]

hhhmmm... it was way too early to remember anything other than that i was exhusted. :D

[FugiMax]

Nice pics.

I was 5th in line this morning. You can check out some of my pics I (Jonathan), and others took, at http://www.ifoapplestore.com.

It was a great opening. Very exciting. :)

[dieselg4]

right across the street... at least you have somewhere to send the little woman while you drool.
I am assuming you mean Victoria's Secret and not the passable mexican restaurant above it? LOL

[ExoticFish]

hey, whatever floats her boat! personally i think they should combine the two. I'd call it the "Burrito Bra". :D