Apple Store in Michigan Permanently Closing Next Month

[MacRumors]

Earlier this month, MacRumors was first to report that Apple was planning to permanently close its Partridge Creek store, just outside of Detroit, Michigan, and now the company has announced a closure date for the location.

Apple Partridge Creek​

Apple Partridge Creek's final day of business will be Saturday, August 16, with the store set to close for good at 8 p.m. local time that day. All of the store's employees will have the opportunity to continue their roles with Apple, the company said.

Apple added the following notice to the store's page this week:

Thank you, Partridge Creek. Apple Partridge Creek is closing on August 16 at 8pm. We're still here for you. Please visit apple.com/retail to find your nearest store.

The store is located in Clinton Township, a northern suburb of Detroit. It opened in 2007.

The closure comes as Apple prepares to open an all-new store in Downtown Detroit on Woodward Avenue, near Grand River Avenue. In a statement shared with MacRumors earlier this month, Apple said that location will be opening at some point later this year.

Apple Somerset will become the closest store for customers north of Detroit.

Article Link: Apple Store in Michigan Permanently Closing Next Month

 

[neutrino17]

Too bad this is closing. Just next to a community college. The new downtown location will be nice. Great location.

The Somerset store is good. Quite large. That is quite a large mall with lots of visitors.

 

[goonie4life9]

Folks, this is very normal for a tiny startup on the bleeding edge, which is what Apple is. They have limited resources and are constantly evaluating everything they do. At the very last minute, they discovered that this store could not provide the game-changing, best-in-class experience that truly delighted ultra pro customers. So, they had to pull this store, to allow their limited resources to focus on other things. Forutunately, Apple still ships to this area, so customers can now receive Apple products in the comfort of their own home. Apple can't wait to see the incredible things customers are able to do. Apple thinks you're gonna love it!

 

[GrumpyOldGuy52]

It’s not really “just outside of Detroit.” I’m just outside of Detroit (literally; the city line is across the street from my house), but Partridge Creek is about a 45 minute drive from here. That mall has been losing foot traffic and stores for years. Yes, it is by a community college, but there aren’t many other “destinations” in that area (it’s mostly bedroom communities and some industrial/commercial out there). I suspect most metro Detroiters go to Somerset (or the other close one at 12 Oaks) as there are things to do near those malls. I also suspect that Apple’s probably looked at where its customers live in the area and concluded a lot of us would be more central to the downtown location. Furthermore, the strip along Woodward is becoming a Magnificent Mile-esque area where retailers want to be seen at, so it doesn’t surprise me Apple would want to get in there early.

My main issue with the store being downtown? Parking costs are atrocious in the area. Apple’s either going to need to validate parking at one or two of the garages close to them (and some of the businesses do, so it’s not unheard of), or they’re going to need that location to be truly as central as they’re hoping for. For the record, I am more likely to just walk into an Apple Store in downtown than I am in the suburban locations (I live and work quite close to downtown). Someone who is somewhat close to one of the two suburban stores and the downtown one isn’t likely to go downtown if they have to deal with parking.

I’d love to see the store last a long time down there, but I’m unsure the logistics of a downtown window shopping area are going to be able to properly support it.

 

[awshucks]

I just hope Apple Augusta isn't next on the chopping block

 

[Flight Plan]

Unless you work in downtown Detroit, you aren't going there on a regular basis.

 

[braddick]

Plus two rampant and violent robberies in the last few months is finally the last nail in the coffin.

 

[kjvmartin]

Apple wants to pay a city tax (nice pay cut for the employees too) while making its customers drive downtown and pay to park in an area with higher crime rates.

Not following the logic.

 

[watchmainspring]

What's the basis for this decision?

 

[vegetassj4]

Apple: The first company to become a 1 Trillion Dollar Company to Become a 3 Trillion Dollar Company to become a 1 Trillion Dollar Company

 

[gregmac19]

It’s not really “just outside of Detroit.” ...

The Apple Partridge Creek store is fewer than 15 miles from the Detroit city limits. For at least 99% of the people, that is just outside of Detroit. (I have deep sympathy for the MacRumors writers, when I see what people want to quibble about.)

The Partridge Creek Mall is located along Hall Road, which is one of the most heavily traveled roads in the Detroit area. The area is known as a “retail mecca” and has been dubbed “the golden corridor.” I’ve been to the Apple Partridge Creek store frequently, and it is usually busy. Thus, I don’t think there was a problem with traffic at this store. I think the mall owner raised the rent on Apple too much, and Apple told them to take a hike. I hope Apple opens another location in the area, as the Somerset location is a pain to get into and out of.

I doubt the Detroit location will be a success. Not only is parking a problem, as mentioned, but I think many people will be separated from their purchases before they get back to their car.

 

[segfaultdotorg]

Very sorry to see an iStore close. Sad!

 

[B4U]

Honestly though, customers heading to Partridge Creek is unlikely to head to downtown Detroit over to Somerset Collection due to the location.

 

[aloyouis]

The Apple Partridge Creek store is fewer than 15 miles from the Detroit city limits. For at least 99% of the people, that is just outside of Detroit. (I have deep sympathy for the MacRumors writers, when I see what people want to quibble about.)

The Partridge Creek Mall is located along Hall Road, which is one of the most heavily traveled roads in the Detroit area. The area is known as a “retail mecca” and has been dubbed “the golden corridor.” I’ve been to the Apple Partridge Creek store frequently, and it is usually busy. Thus, I don’t think there was a problem with traffic at this store. I think the mall owner raised the rent on Apple too much, and Apple told them to take a hike. I hope Apple opens another location in the area, as the Somerset location is a pain to get into and out of.

I doubt the Detroit location will be a success. Not only is parking a problem, as mentioned, but I think many people will be separated from their purchases before they get back to their car.

I live in the immediate area and greg's assessment is spot on. The Partridge Creek store is very busy at all hours and lines are huge with new product releases. From a customer perspective, this MAKES NO SENSE. It has to be financial as the PC mall grows and rents increase.

The aforementioned new "Detroit" store is of zero interest to most suburbs in Metro Detroit and the Somerset location is a PITA to park and get in and out of.

I am typically a fan boy but this is a REALLY dumb decision on the surface.

 

[svish]

Many Apple stores are being closed but at the same time new ones are opening too. Hopefully more stores won't be closing.

 

[mentaluproar]

That’s very strange to close down an Apple Store just before a product refresh. Wouldn’t it make more sense to close it down after the refresh lands and you move some product first, after things die down again?

 

[Sami13496]

When Apple releases the iPhone Flop (pun intended) and it joins the ranks of the Nokia E7 and Nokia 808 PureView, we’ll be seeing even more shutdowns like this.

 

[JapanApple]

It's normal for large companies to open new locations and close less profitable locations. The sky isn't falling. People never give up.

 

[SoldOnApple]

The store layout looks tiny compared to some other Apple Stores, perhaps paying the rent on that location did not align with Apple's retail strategic needs.

 

[IIGS User]

Don’t worry. Apple is going to give you the opportunity to purchase an Apple Cleaning Cloth for double price if you wait in line at the new location over night.

And you will love it.

 

[DELLsFan]

... The aforementioned new "Detroit" store is of zero interest to most suburbs in Metro Detroit and the Somerset location is a PITA to park and get in and out of ...

The new "Detroit" store is absolutely of great interest to many people. They just aren't driving.

 

[HaHaRich!]

That’s very strange to close down an Apple Store just before a product refresh. Wouldn’t it make more sense to close it down after the refresh lands and you move some product first, after things die down again?

The last post Mac Rumors did about that store had a quote from Appel saying that they decided not to renew the lease. Most retail leases are 36-60 month affairs, and they don’t make accommodations for just a few months. Breaking a lease early involves big penalties, so if their plan was to close a place in 2-3 months after renewing, I expect they’d be on the hook paying rent for 3 more years.

 

[chelsel]

The Apple Partridge Creek store is fewer than 15 miles from the Detroit city limits. For at least 99% of the people, that is just outside of Detroit. (I have deep sympathy for the MacRumors writers, when I see what people want to quibble about.)

The Partridge Creek Mall is located along Hall Road, which is one of the most heavily traveled roads in the Detroit area. The area is known as a “retail mecca” and has been dubbed “the golden corridor.” I’ve been to the Apple Partridge Creek store frequently, and it is usually busy. Thus, I don’t think there was a problem with traffic at this store. I think the mall owner raised the rent on Apple too much, and Apple told them to take a hike. I hope Apple opens another location in the area, as the Somerset location is a pain to get into and out of.

I doubt the Detroit location will be a success. Not only is parking a problem, as mentioned, but I think many people will be separated from their purchases before they get back to their car.

Starbucks had to close their downtown Detroit location just a few blocks from where Apple is planning to put up a store. You may be right.

 

[chelsel]

The new "Detroit" store is absolutely of great interest to many people. They just aren't driving.

How will they get there... the Q Line /s

 

[litmag01]

I love how these read like obits.