New Apple Retail Store to Offer 'Genius Lounge' Mall Kiosk?

MacRumors · Oct 7, 2010, 10:28 PM

Schematic for Apple's new St. Louis Galleria retail store
ifoAppleStore reports that a new Apple retail store currently under construction in the St. Louis Galleria may offer a unique feature: a mall kiosk in front of the store serving as a Wi-Fi lounge and check-in area for Genius Bar appointments. Apple will reportedly take advantage of a permanent kiosk being vacated by Starbucks directly in front of the new store's location to offer the feature, a first for the company.

Quote:

According to mall observers, Starbucks is soon moving its coffee sales operation to the second floor, outside the entrance to the Nordstrom store that opens in September 2011. Apple will then reportedly occupy the 592 square-feet permanent kiosk as a Genius Bar check-in space, Wi-Fi lounge and/or training space.

The new Apple retail store, which will reportedly be the largest mall-based store in the company's chain, is replacing a much smaller mini-store currently in the mall which registers as one of Apple's best-performing locations.

The report notes that Microsoft has employed a similar "lounge" concept in front of its retail store in Mission Viejo, California.

Workers laying floor tiles at Apple's new St. Louis Galleria store

Article Link: New Apple Retail Store to Offer 'Genius Lounge' Mall Kiosk?

SanibelMan · Oct 7, 2010, 10:31 PM

Wow, looks like this will be one of Apple's best retail stores. Makes me wish I still lived in St. Louis. And this, combined with the opening of the Nordstrom, means things are looking up for the Galleria as well.

DARKJ3DI · Oct 7, 2010, 10:34 PM

*sigh*

If only there were Apple stores in New Zealand...

SandynJosh · Oct 7, 2010, 10:37 PM

So, what does one DO in a genius lounge??

SandynJosh · Oct 7, 2010, 10:40 PM

WTF!! In the article's story photo, captioned, "Workers laying floor tiles at Apple's new St. Louis Galleria store," it appears they are laying concrete-colored tiles over concrete. !!??!!

DanMacApple · Oct 7, 2010, 10:46 PM

I thought the Galleria was having financial problems, but I guess not if Apple will be spending all that money to build a new store.

thejadedmonkey · Oct 7, 2010, 10:50 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MacRumors

The report notes that Microsoft has employed a similar "lounge" concept in front of its retail store in Mission Viejo, California.

Cupertino, start your photocopiers!

Oh, wait... this is a mac site. My bad!

Tharian · Oct 7, 2010, 10:50 PM

Sigh. Makes me miss working there

Oh well.

-d

iLoveiMacs · Oct 7, 2010, 10:52 PM

I live in the Saint Louis area.. the galleria store is TINY! I always do my shopping at the West County location, but I might give this new concept a try!

....Micro$oft would....

Green™ · Oct 7, 2010, 10:56 PM

**** this. What a horrible idea this is. As if there weren't enough 14 year old girls wasting space in the store to begin with. You'll see, the Starbucks is there on the blue prints by no mistake. Watch hordes of people lounge around that have no intention of buying macs.

Wurm5150 · Oct 7, 2010, 10:59 PM

So I guess Apple copied Microsoft Store's lounge thing?

biggsjm · Oct 7, 2010, 11:02 PM

I live in St. Louis and I agree with the post above. Tiny store currently that is outclassed in every way by the West County store. Bought my 2007 Mac Book Pro there though. That place is always packed.

Excited to see this new store when it opens.

feflower · Oct 7, 2010, 11:02 PM

Starbucks replaced by Apple...
The story of recent American consumer trends....

appleguy123 · Oct 7, 2010, 11:02 PM

I live in this area. The Galleria store is so tiny and crowded. I normally do all my shopping at West County, but I would like to look at this store when it is finished.

editonmac · Oct 7, 2010, 11:10 PM

I like Apple's idea. I live right next to the Mission Viejo mall with that Microsoft store, and I don't think they figured out what to do with the space. The "outside the store kiosk" is a failed MS concept that I believe only Apple can improve upon. Instead of making use of the space, MS decided to install 2 HDTVs, a few couches, and 2 Kinect demos (which actually looks really cool). If Apple were to re-route the traffic outside the store for the checkins and loungers, they might be able to save a lot of room in the store, that could be used for more displays. At my local Apple Store, the Genius bar check in literally takes up 20% of the entire store (and it's a large store), so this is a good idea.

ziggyonice · Oct 7, 2010, 11:17 PM

I will travel to see this store.

aristobrat · Oct 7, 2010, 11:21 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by SandynJosh

WTF!! In the article's story photo, captioned, "Workers laying floor tiles at Apple's new St. Louis Galleria store," it appears they are laying concrete-colored tiles over concrete. !!??!!

Oh god, no. lol Apple goes through extreme lengths to get those Italian stone floor tiles. They're even rumored to have purchased the quarry they come from.

If you have a minute:
http://www.ifoapplestore.com/db/2009...as-a-mountain/

Quote:

Originally Posted by Green™

**** this. What a horrible idea this is. As if there weren't enough 14 year old girls wasting space in the store to begin with. You'll see, the Starbucks is there on the blue prints by no mistake. Watch hordes of people lounge around that have no intention of buying macs.

Keeping the people coming in for services like the Genius Bar separated from the chaos of the rest of the store is an excellent idea.

So instead of having to walk all of the way through a store crowded with 14-year old girls on Facebook to check in for an appointment, it doesn't sound like these people will even have to enter the store, until it's time for their appointment.

Totally speaks to the issue you're talking about...

Thex1138 · Oct 7, 2010, 11:31 PM

MS must be crying at the Apple store opening rates....

Eddyisgreat · Oct 7, 2010, 11:36 PM

1 Step closer to The "Friend Bar"!

spillproof · Oct 7, 2010, 11:40 PM

They should keep the $tarbucks there and add an Urban Outfitters next door.

Would it be geeky to travel the country or world to visit every Apple store? I think I would like to.

pvmacguy · Oct 7, 2010, 11:51 PM

Apple needs to implement the person checking people in at the door to the lounge are only permited in if they are waiting for genius services.
Permited entry
1. Have an appointment
2. Stand-by for genius bar
3. In store new purchase upgrade ie: ram

Otherwise no entry for the people who are going to loiter aka 14 year old girls.

Thex1138 · Oct 7, 2010, 11:55 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by spillproof

They should keep the $tarbucks there and add an Urban Outfitters next door.

Would it be geeky to travel the country or world to visit every Apple store? I think I would like to.

... they can buy the coffee machine... then it would truely be a Friendly Genius Bar.

SandynJosh · Oct 8, 2010, 12:03 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Thex1138

... they can buy the coffee machine... then it would truely be a Friendly Genius Bar.

Then everyone would be as twitchy as the 14 year old girls...

MorphingDragon · Oct 8, 2010, 12:06 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by DARKJ3DI

*sigh*

If only there were Apple stores in New Zealand...

Blame Renaissance for that. Apple australia are still trying to buy back all the licenses etc.

Thex1138 · Oct 8, 2010, 01:19 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by SandynJosh

Then everyone would be as twitchy as the 14 year old girls...

LOL yesss... then our iPad would have to have jitter controls based upon the number of coffee transactions held in the account...

Oct 7, 2010, 10:34 PM	#3
DARKJ3DI macrumors regular Join Date: Jul 2008 Location: Dunedin, New Zealand	sigh If only there were Apple stores in New Zealand... __________________ MacBook Pro 2010, iPod shuffle, Xbox 360.
	0

Oct 7, 2010, 10:37 PM	#4
SandynJosh macrumors 68000 Join Date: Oct 2006	So, what does one DO in a genius lounge?? __________________ "We expect the Surface pads to have a similar impact on the PC industry as the Zune did in portable music players," — Canalys Analyst Tim Coulling
	0

Oct 7, 2010, 10:40 PM	#5
SandynJosh macrumors 68000 Join Date: Oct 2006	WTF!! In the article's story photo, captioned, "Workers laying floor tiles at Apple's new St. Louis Galleria store," it appears they are laying concrete-colored tiles over concrete. !!??!! __________________ "We expect the Surface pads to have a similar impact on the PC industry as the Zune did in portable music players," — Canalys Analyst Tim Coulling
	0

Oct 7, 2010, 10:46 PM	#6
DanMacApple macrumors 6502 Join Date: Jul 2010	I thought the Galleria was having financial problems, but I guess not if Apple will be spending all that money to build a new store. __________________ 13.3" MacBook Pro (Mid 2010), 2.4Ghz, 250GB HDD, 4GB RAM, NVIDIA 320M; iPod Touch 32GB (1st Generation); TV2 (2010); Sony Vaio 22" AIO, 2.5Ghz, 1TB HDD, 4GB RAM, Blu-ray
	0

Oct 7, 2010, 10:52 PM	#9
iLoveiMacs macrumors member Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: Missouri	I live in the Saint Louis area.. the galleria store is TINY! I always do my shopping at the West County location, but I might give this new concept a try! ....Micro$oft would.... __________________ 17" MBP, MacBook, iBook G3, PMG4, PMG5, iMac G3. iPhone 4-32GB\|iPad WiFi-32GB\|Too Many iPods.
	0

Oct 7, 2010, 10:31 PM	#2
SanibelMan macrumors member Join Date: Jul 2004	Wow, looks like this will be one of Apple's best retail stores. Makes me wish I still lived in St. Louis. And this, combined with the opening of the Nordstrom, means things are looking up for the Galleria as well.
	0

Oct 7, 2010, 10:50 PM	#8
Tharian macrumors regular Join Date: Apr 2009	Sigh. Makes me miss working there Oh well. -d
	0

Oct 7, 2010, 10:56 PM	#10
Green™ Banned Join Date: Sep 2010	**** this. What a horrible idea this is. As if there weren't enough 14 year old girls wasting space in the store to begin with. You'll see, the Starbucks is there on the blue prints by no mistake. Watch hordes of people lounge around that have no intention of buying macs.
	0

Oct 7, 2010, 10:59 PM	#11
Wurm5150 macrumors regular Join Date: Apr 2010	So I guess Apple copied Microsoft Store's lounge thing?
	0

Oct 7, 2010, 11:02 PM	#12
biggsjm macrumors newbie Join Date: Oct 2007	Galleria I live in St. Louis and I agree with the post above. Tiny store currently that is outclassed in every way by the West County store. Bought my 2007 Mac Book Pro there though. That place is always packed. Excited to see this new store when it opens.
	0

Oct 7, 2010, 11:02 PM	#13
feflower macrumors regular Join Date: Jun 2009	Starbucks replaced by Apple... The story of recent American consumer trends....
	0

Oct 7, 2010, 11:02 PM	#14
appleguy123 macrumors 603 Join Date: Apr 2009 Location: 15 minutes in the future	I live in this area. The Galleria store is so tiny and crowded. I normally do all my shopping at West County, but I would like to look at this store when it is finished. __________________ [Steve Jobs was] brave enough to think differently, bold enough to believe he could change the world, and talented enough to do it. -Barack Obama
	0

Oct 7, 2010, 11:10 PM	#15
editonmac macrumors newbie Join Date: Jun 2008 Location: SoCal	The Microsoft Lounge I like Apple's idea. I live right next to the Mission Viejo mall with that Microsoft store, and I don't think they figured out what to do with the space. The "outside the store kiosk" is a failed MS concept that I believe only Apple can improve upon. Instead of making use of the space, MS decided to install 2 HDTVs, a few couches, and 2 Kinect demos (which actually looks really cool). If Apple were to re-route the traffic outside the store for the checkins and loungers, they might be able to save a lot of room in the store, that could be used for more displays. At my local Apple Store, the Genius bar check in literally takes up 20% of the entire store (and it's a large store), so this is a good idea. __________________ 2009 Mac Pro, Quad 2.66, 8GB RAM, GeForce GTX 650, 4.64TB storage 2012 13” MBP 2.5GHz i5, 4GB RAM, 180GB Corsair SSD (550 read/510 write) iPhone 4S 64GB Black Too much other  gear to list
	0

Oct 7, 2010, 11:17 PM	#16
ziggyonice macrumors 68020 Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: Rural America	I will travel to see this store. __________________ MacBook Pro [First Generation] \| 2.16GHz \| 2GB RAM \| 120GB HD \| Mac OS X (10.6.4) iPhone 4 \| 32GB \| Black (I couldn't wait for white any longer.)
	0

Oct 7, 2010, 11:31 PM	#18
Thex1138 macrumors 6502a Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: Sydney, Australia	Breaking new ground... MS must be crying at the Apple store opening rates.... __________________ · · ® · How MBP is made· Raiders
	0

Oct 7, 2010, 11:36 PM	#19
Eddyisgreat macrumors 68040 Join Date: Oct 2007 Location: Seattle, Wa	1 Step closer to The "Friend Bar"! __________________ iCloud Logo Courtesy of : JiP
	0

Oct 7, 2010, 11:40 PM	#20
spillproof macrumors 68020 Join Date: Jun 2009 Location: USA	They should keep the $tarbucks there and add an Urban Outfitters next door. Would it be geeky to travel the country or world to visit every Apple store? I think I would like to. __________________ I don't know what to put here.
	0

Oct 7, 2010, 11:51 PM	#21
pvmacguy macrumors 6502a Join Date: Sep 2009 Location: PVB	Apple needs to implement the person checking people in at the door to the lounge are only permited in if they are waiting for genius services. Permited entry 1. Have an appointment 2. Stand-by for genius bar 3. In store new purchase upgrade ie: ram Otherwise no entry for the people who are going to loiter aka 14 year old girls. __________________ \| iPad2 32 gb wifi \| iPhone 4S 16 gb \| Macbook Air 11": 1.4ghz; 4gb ram\| GadgetMac heatware feedback
	0

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