The First-Ever Apple Store, Introduced by Steve Jobs in 2001, Set to Receive Facelift [Update: No]

[MacRumors]

The very first Apple Store opened its doors on May 19, 2001, at the Tysons Corner Center shopping mall in McLean, Virginia, near Washington D.C. Now, just over 17 years later, those doors may soon close temporarily.

Apple Tysons Corner​

Planning documents filed with the Department of Planning and Zoning in Fairfax County, Virginia this month, viewed by MacRumors, reveal that Apple plans to make significant interior alterations to the store, with demolition work involved, suggesting that the location is set to receive a facelift.

The permits issued don't indicate when renovations will begin, nor is it clear whether Apple will modernize the current store, or relocate to a different area of the shopping mall, as it has done with some of its other stores. An anonymous tipster tells us the store may move to the opposite end of the mall.

Apple Tysons Corner has a lot of nostalgia attached to it, as the company's first-ever retail store. Shortly before it opened to the public, the late Steve Jobs previewed the store to a group of journalists, including Walt Mossberg, introducing iconic features like the Genius Bar that still exist today.

Just months after the dot-com collapse, some critics viewed the Apple Store as a risky move. But, some 500 people lined up at Apple Tysons Corner for its grand opening, foreshadowing the long queues on iPhone launch days.

Together with Apple's store in Glendale, California, which opened the same day, the two locations welcomed over 7,700 people and sold a combined total of $599,000 of merchandise during their first two day weekend, according to Apple's press release at the time. It was considered a resounding success.

Apple Tysons Corner has already received a facelift at least once before, in the 2000s, losing its iconic black entrance with two Apple logos, which remains in use at just three stores: Tice's Corner, Southpoint, and Cherry Creek.

Apple Tysons Corner with its original storefront​

Apple has been renovating dozens of its stores around the world since 2015, an initiative led by its design chief Jony Ive and retail chief Angela Ahrendts. The new look often includes wide, open spaces with sequoia wood tables and shelves, large 8K video screens for in-store events, and sometimes indoor trees.

Apple's website does not yet reflect any upcoming store closure at Tysons Corner.

Update: Upon review of further planning documents, it appears the renovations are limited to the store's break room.

Article Link: The First-Ever Apple Store, Introduced by Steve Jobs in 2001, Set to Receive Facelift [Update: No]

 

[Klae17]

Really miss the guy. His energy, his presentation, and his vision were bar none.

 

[Freida]

I hope they will do something special for this one. SJ memory should be there too

 

[mozumder]

How are they going to "demolish" it?

It's a big empty space.. just move the furniture around, change flooring, and repaint. =^D

 

[IPPlanMan]

Watching that video...

You lived your dream Steve.

We miss you, but you’ll live on forever in our hearts as the founder of something truly great.

 

[Harold N Maude]

The very first Apple Store opened its doors on May 19, 2001, at the Tysons Corner Center shopping mall in McLean, Virginia, near Washington D.C. Now, just over 17 years later, those doors may soon close temporarily.

Apple Tysons Corner​

Planning documents filed with the Department of Planning and Zoning in Fairfax County, Virginia this month, viewed by MacRumors, reveal that Apple plans to make significant interior alterations to the store, with demolition work involved, suggesting that the location is set to receive a facelift.

The permits issued don't indicate when renovations will begin, nor is it clear whether Apple will modernize the current store, or relocate to a different area of the shopping mall, as it has done with some of its other stores. An anonymous tipster tells us the store may move to the opposite end of the mall.

Apple Tysons Corner has a lot of nostalgia attached to it, as the company's first-ever retail store. Shortly before it opened to the public, the late Steve Jobs previewed the store to a group of journalists, including Walt Mossberg, introducing iconic features like the Genius Bar that still exist today.

Just months after the dot-com collapse, some critics viewed the Apple Store as a risky move. But, some 500 people lined up at Apple Tysons Corner for its grand opening, foreshadowing the long queues on iPhone launch days.

Together with Apple's store in Glendale, California, which opened the same day, the two locations welcomed over 7,700 people and sold a combined total of $599,000 of merchandise during their first two day weekend, according to Apple's press release at the time. It was considered a resounding success.

Apple Tysons Corner has already received a facelift once before, in the late 2000s, losing its iconic black entrance with two Apple logos which remains in use at just three stores: Tice's Corner, Southpoint, and Cherry Creek.

Apple Tysons Corner with its original storefront​

Apple has been renovating dozens of its stores around the world since 2015, an initiative led by its design chief Jony Ive and retail chief Angela Ahrendts. The new look often includes wide, open spaces with sequoia wood tables and shelves, large 8K video screens for in-store events, and sometimes indoor trees.

Apple's website does not yet reflect any upcoming store closure at Tysons Corner. We've reached out to the company for comment.

(Thanks, Stuart!)

Article Link: The First-Ever Apple Store, Introduced by Steve Jobs in 2001, Set to Receive Facelift

[doublepost=1532102152][/doublepost]Except Apple Store #1 is considered by Apple to be Glendale Galleria in Glendale California, it reflects this on your receipt when you buy something from that store

 

[IPPlanMan]

Really miss the guy. His energy, his presentation, and his vision were bar none.

So true. You could tell he loved what he did. He had impeccably high standards and wanted to bring the best technology to the people.

 

[44267547]

I’m sure they will renovate in some commemorative way with Steve Jobs being this his first store, and rightfully so, as there is heritage behind this store since 2001. Hard to believe that was 17 years ago.

 

[cjbriare]

I never post here, had to reset my password and everything because I had to say that I for some reason remembered & thought of this video just last night while going through some old hardware. Crazy coincidence.

 

[ondert]

Home user products on the right, "Pro" machines are on the left. Today we are abandoned with right side products only.

 

[diggy33]

Havent been to Fair Oaks mall in a couple of years, so might have to swing by after the remodel.

 

[machpost]

I've spent many hours in this location. It's already been renovated multiple times over the years.

 

[SOLLERBOY]

Wow. The original vision. RIP "pro section". I wish they had still had that red hotline to cupertino.
Thanks for everything Steve.

 

[Mockletoy]

I remember hearing a lot of Very Smart People back then talking about how crazy Apple was, trying to break into the retail space, and how all the established companies were going to eat their lunch, and how the notion of a store devoted only to fancy-pants too-expensive Apple crap was doomed to fail and blah blah blah.

Heck, I think I might even have been nodding my head in agreement to some extent.

And that's why I'm who I am and Steve Jobs was who he was, I suppose.

 

[eatrains]

How are they going to "demolish" it?

It's a big empty space.. just move the furniture around, change flooring, and repaint. =^D

The wall and ceiling furnishings will be removed.

 

[avanpelt]

Love the red phone from the 80's at the Genius Bar that served as the 'Hotline to Cupertino'. Was it actually used for that purpose?

 

[npmacuser5]

Steve Job’s had what very few ever do...The Power Of No!

 

[Gnutek]

Home user products on the right, "Pro" machines are on the left. Today we are abandoned with right side products only.

Yup, after they renovate the place, the Pro wall should be left empty

 

[lilrush]

I miss this guy. I worked in the apple store under both him and Tim. I remember taking a moment of silence in store when he died, and collecting post it notes of messages from apple fans afterward. There was a giant change in Apple culture after Steve was gone. I can't really describe it but the energy was gone. It became like a used car dealership in terms of sneaky sales tactics, with management breathing down your neck to sell people apple care. Anyway, miss Steve and his vision.

 

[mollyc]

Havent been to Fair Oaks mall in a couple of years, so might have to swing by after the remodel.

There is an Apple store in Fair Oaks but this article is about the Tyson’s store.

 

[JTR555]

[doublepost=1532102152][/doublepost]Except Apple Store #1 is considered by Apple to be Glendale Galleria in Glendale California, it reflects this on your receipt when you buy something from that store

Except in terms of opening its doors, Glendale was second due to the difference in time zones.

 

[m0sher]

Would be a good idea to take a huge picture of the original inside as something you see when you enter the new building to remind you of Steve with a small monument acknowledging this fact regarding the new design.

 

[trichardlin]

Home user products on the right, "Pro" machines are on the left. Today we are abandoned with right side products only.

Actually, I think everyone has become a pro these days. Have you seem what the kids are doing these days, crazy stuff. What is gone is the old fashion geek market. Old, tired, clunky, ugly stuff that you have to get your hand greasy to use it.
They maybe high performing, but not for 99% of the folks.

 

[jonnysods]

Remember when Apple stores were cool?

They had so many different software and hardware options from 3rd party vendors. Now it's a barren wasteland of iPhone and iPad displays. The store near me has two iMacs and that's it.

 

[Joe Rossignol]

[doublepost=1532102152][/doublepost]Except Apple Store #1 is considered by Apple to be Glendale Galleria in Glendale California, it reflects this on your receipt when you buy something from that store

Technically true. R001. You're right.

I still consider Tysons Corner to be the first store though, considering it was the first to have a customer walk in the door, given the time zone difference.