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

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Apr 12, 2001
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232432-apple_store_st_louis_galleria_plan.jpg


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.
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.
Click to expand...
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.


232432-apple_store_st_louis_galleria_construction.jpg


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


Article Link: New Apple Retail Store to Offer 'Genius Lounge' Mall Kiosk?
 
Article Link
https://www.macrumors.com/2010/10/07/new-apple-retail-store-to-offer-genius-lounge-mall-kiosk/
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.
 
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. !!??!!
 
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.
 
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....
 
**** 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.
 
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.
 
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.
 
SandynJosh said:
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. !!??!!
Click to expand...
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/2009/10/28/impressive-stone-floors-start-as-a-mountain/

Green&#8482 said:
**** 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.
Click to expand...
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...
 
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. :eek:
 
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.
 
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