Apple's Grand Central Terminal Store Preparing for 10AM Opening on Friday

[MacRumors]

Apple today posted its official Grand Central retail store page, formally announcing the 10:00 AM grand opening scheduled for this Friday, December 9th. The store's normal hours will include an early opening time of 7:00 AM on weekdays in order to accommodate commuters passing through the terminal.

One MacRumors reader has passed along a few recent photos of the interior of the store, showing that Apple is still putting the finishing touches on the store's buildout including the typical wood tables that will allow customers to test out Apple's products. One photo in particular shows a close-up view of the store's Genius Bar, revealing the clear glass wall behind the bar that will provide customers will a relatively unobstructed view of the terminal's stone walls behind.

Apple is paying approximately $1.1 million per year in rent for the large space, well below market rates for retail space in the terminal and the broader Manhattan real estate market. The State of New York is investigating the deal's terms, but the Metropolitan Transportation Authority insists that it received the best possible terms for a difficult space.

Article Link: Apple's Grand Central Terminal Store Preparing for 10AM Opening on Friday

 

[iBreatheApple]

$92,000/month for rent, nbd.

 

[Ajones330]

Looks like it will be a site to see. Hope to visit whenever I'm in NYC...

 

[ForzaJuve]

Invisible TV Cables

They must have also come up with invisible cables for those two monitors hanging on the Genius Bar's glass wall. I wish I could get some of those for my TV.

 

[hobo.hopkins]

Looks to be another amazing store. I can't wait to see it in person!

 

[WildCowboy]

They must have also come up with invisible cables for those two monitors hanging on the Genius Bar's glass wall. I wish I could get some of those for my TV.

The cables come straight out from the wall into the back of the monitor.

 

[pwhitehead]

I bet you wont be able to come 10 feet in front of that store for at least a month; without waiting in line for a few hours..

 

[InTheUnion]

Those stools look very difficult to sit down on...

 

[Tiger8]

The haters may hate, but Apple retail business is doing so well. How many retail stores they have in NYC alone? The iconic 5th avenue store, the soho store, and now this one. Am I missing a store?

Good for them.

 

[Thunderhawks]

The haters may hate, but Apple retail business is doing so well. How many retail stores they have in NYC alone? The iconic 5th avenue store, the soho store, and now this one. Am I missing a store?

Good for them.

Clever announcement!

They are so driven, because they are competing with the Microsoft stores.

As you well know Microsoft had this revolutionary idea to open up Retail stores.

 

[eatrains]

The haters may hate, but Apple retail business is doing so well. How many retail stores they have in NYC alone? The iconic 5th avenue store, the soho store, and now this one. Am I missing a store?

Good for them.

Missing two: the Upper West Side store and the West 14th Street store.

 

[dXTC]

$92,000/month for rent, nbd.

That's exactly what I'm thinking: No Big Deal. The other retailers will be getting the increased foot traffic as compensation. Isn't that what an anchor store is for, after all?

 

[barkomatic]

I live in the area and I can hardly wait to check it out. I never expected an Apple store at Grand Central. Another place to stand in line for an iPhone/iPad!

 

[rorschach]

Missing two: the Upper West Side store and the West 14th Street store.

And Staten Island.

SoHo
Staten Island
Fifth Avenue
West 14th Street
Upper West Side
Grand Central

 

[ForzaJuve]

The cables come straight out from the wall into the back of the monitor.

I didn't think they would let them drill through those nice walls. I expected some sort of wall-colored conduit, but I guess for $1.1 million/year I would let my tenants drill big holes through my concrete walls too.

 

[rdowns]

And Staten Island.

That's part of New Jersey.

 

[slrandall]

That's a gorgeous store.

 

[tshort]

I'm sorry...

I'll be unable to attend. That happens to coincide with the start of my wedding ceremony...

(So, I guess I'll never forget when it opens?)

 

[GQB]

Those stools look very difficult to sit down on...

They're not supposed to be lounge chairs. They're a butt perch for a few minutes while you're being served.

 

[Richdmoore]

Clever announcement!

They are so driven, because they are competing with the Microsoft stores.

As you well know Microsoft had this revolutionary idea to open up Retail stores.

Lol. I was amazed when I saw the microsoft store at the mall of America. What a total ripoff of apple's look!

 

[daxomni]

I didn't think they would let them drill through those nice walls.

That was my reaction as well. Seems like they could have used stand alone shelving as well, but I guess MTA doesn't give a flip.

 

[Shrink]

I'll be unable to attend. That happens to coincide with the start of my wedding ceremony...

(So, I guess I'll never forget when it opens?)

I think you have something just a tiny bit more important to do than go to an Apple Store opening!!

BTW - Mazel Tov Best wishes for a happy marriage.

 

[kirky29]

Looks pretty amazing! I'd love to see it!

 

[ivladster]

Those stools look very difficult to sit down on...

LOL! What do you expect? Leather couches? Those are not bad to sit on, plus most of the people sit on them no more than 10-15 minutes.

 

[rcappo]

They must have also come up with invisible cables for those two monitors hanging on the Genius Bar's glass wall. I wish I could get some of those for my TV.

Wireless HDMI is a thing. Wireless power exists too with inductive charging. I wouldn't have put it past Apple to do something like that, but I see that someone was cleaver enough to take a picture of the cables.