New Apple Stores?

[Sayhey]

HI there-

I live within shouting distance of South Shore Plaza, so I check in rather frequently to see if the Apple Store is any closer to opening. Here is what I noticed:

The Disney Store, which was adjacent to the space that the Apple store is going into, is gone. There is a black facade on the store front with no writing on it. Usually in a Simon-owned mall, there are signs that say "Coming Soon - an exciting new place to shop!" or something similiar. This suggests to me that Apple has taken over the old Disney Store. If this is true, then we must assume that there will be significant delays in the opening of this location due to the fact that they would have to take down the wall between the two stores, and properly remodel the space.

I spoke to the guy at the newsstand which literally faces both store fronts, figuring he might have an idea of how things were going there construction- wise, and he seemed to believe the the completion of the new store is still a long way off.

Hope this info helps.

-JML

Thanks for the update. What you're saying about the Disney store is a confirmation of what ifoAppleStore said last month.

The mystery surrounding the South Shore Plaza (Mass.) store delay has been solved: Apple was waiting for the adjacent Disney Store to close so it could incorporate that space into its future store. Apple interviewed prospective employees last summer, but construction never cranked up. The Disney Store closed last week, and now plywood covers both spaces before construction begins.

Welcome, to MacRumors and keep the updates coming. I know, wdlove and I want to hear them.

 

[bosrs1]

Thanks for the update. What you're saying about the Disney store is a confirmation of what ifoAppleStore said last month.



Welcome, to MacRumors and keep the updates coming. I know, wdlove and I want to hear them.

Wonder if the SS store was supposed to be a mini originally and was changed after the mini concept flopped.

 

[Sayhey]

Wonder if the SS store was supposed to be a mini originally and was changed after the mini concept flopped.

I don't know what the original footprint of the store was before the incorporation of the old Disney store. It's possible that they changed from a mini-store design, but I see no evidence yet of a mini-store "flop." I know some folks are very critical of Apple's mini-store design, but it looks like to me that they are going full speed ahead in building more of them. There may be tweaks in the design elements, but count on many of the new stores this year being mini-stores.

 

[bosrs1]

I don't know what the original footprint of the store was before the incorporation of the old Disney store. It's possible that they changed from a mini-store design, but I see no evidence yet of a mini-store "flop." I know some folks are very critical of Apple's mini-store design, but it looks like to me that they are going full speed ahead in building more of them. There may be tweaks in the design elements, but count on many of the new stores this year being mini-stores.

How do you figure they are building more of them? There are none in the pipeline as of yet. And as ifo reported the Apple brass aren't too happy with them either. Remember if they aren't performing financially Apple will bite the bullet and cancel the concept and from what ifo says they aren't performing at all as expected. I've talked with a few of the employees at minis and they feel the stores are being used simply as a showroom by the customers and very little purchasing ever happens.

 

[Sayhey]

ifoAppleStore is reporting a follow up on a tip concerning the building of a new high-profile store in Philadelphia. In the story there is a link to a Philly biz journal article.

...In March 2003, Borders moved out of the site to its present Center City location, at 1 South Broad St. The Walnut Street space has been vacant since.

Midwood is expected to divide the retail space into three parts, said Steinberg, who is handling leasing for Midwood Property.

Potential clients, Steinberg said, include the Pennsylvania Liquor Control Board, which is considering opening a high-end wine and spirits store; Apple Computers; Sephora, a high-end cosmetics shop with another area location at the King of Prussia Mall; and apparel retailer Ann Taylor, now at 1713 Walnut St. This would be an additional site for Ann Taylor.

If true this would be the first store in the Philly city limits.

Here is the ifoAppleStore post including some new information about the upcoming Oklahoma City store.

A Philadelphia Business Journal story confirms an earlier tip that a former Borders Books space on Walnut Street downtown could be a future Apple store--and a big one. The building was just sold to a new owner, who says several other retailers are interested in the 2-story space.

The future Penn Square (Okla.) retail store will open in November, after an existing mall tenant moves out and Apple moves in.

 

[Sayhey]

How do you figure they are building more of them? There are none in the pipeline as of yet. And as ifo reported the Apple brass aren't too happy with them either. Remember if they aren't performing financially Apple will bite the bullet and cancel the concept and from what ifo says they aren't performing at all as expected. I've talked with a few of the employees at minis and they feel the stores are being used simply as a showroom by the customers and very little purchasing ever happens.

The Pentagon City, Florida Mall, Beverly Center, Garden State Plaza, and Flatiron locations are likely to be mini-stores given their proximity to other regular sized or larger Apple stores. If very little purchasing is going on at these the existing mini-stores, I would think Apple would not be pursuing this any further. I think Gary over at ifoAppleStore has jumped the gun on calling for the demise of the mini-stores. At least, the jury is still out.

 

[bosrs1]

The Pentagon City, Florida Mall, Beverly Center, Garden State Plaza, and Flatiron locations are likely to be mini-stores given their proximity to other regular sized or larger Apple stores. If very little purchasing is going on at these the existing mini-stores, I would think Apple would not be pursuing this any further. I think Gary over at ifoAppleStore has jumped the gun on calling for the demise of the mini-stores. At least, the jury is still out.

I think it's more likely if stores do pop up in those prime locations they'll be the "small" store design, not the mini. Mini's are just not working. they take up too little room in the large mall slots they inhabit and they're not as profitable as the "small" store design, which is arguably the most profitable design. Not to mention the "small" design will fit in those locations you mentioned quite well.

 

[Sayhey]

I think it's more likely if stores do pop up in those prime locations they'll be the "small" store design, not the mini. Mini's are just not working. they take up too little room in the large mall slots they inhabit and they're not as profitable as the "small" store design, which is arguably the most profitable design. Not to mention the "small" design will fit in those locations you mentioned quite well.

Of course, we will have to wait a few months and see, but I think the pattern of these new locations look like mini-stores. While I don't have a firm opinion about the concept, I would like to see mini-stores tried in major Airport terminals. That's were it seems to me to be the best fit.

 

[bosrs1]

Of course, we will have to wait a few months and see, but I think the pattern of these new locations look like mini-stores. While I don't have a firm opinion about the concept, I would like to see mini-stores tried in major Airport terminals. That's were it seems to me to be the best fit.

Problem is I can't see Apple putting stores in Airport terminals... they're not trendy cool locations. They've become too fort like to be a good shopping venue.

As for the concept being continued, I for one wouldn't mind it, provided they went back to a more wood/stone earthy design like the larger stores. The mini stores are quite frankly a painful shopping experience, especially on the eyes. Plus they feel like an overcroweded cleanroom that isn't clean at all, but quite dirty. They were ok on opening day when they had limited product and were new, but after months the stores are a mess, and they've had to add more product to the store (after customer complaints) which have overfilled the little floorspace they have.

 

[Sayhey]

Problem is I can't see Apple putting stores in Airport terminals... they're not trendy cool locations. They've become too fort like to be a good shopping venue.

As for the concept being continued, I for one wouldn't mind it, provided they went back to a more wood/stone earthy design like the larger stores. The mini stores are quite frankly a painful shopping experience, especially on the eyes. Plus they feel like an overcroweded cleanroom that isn't clean at all, but quite dirty. They were ok on opening day when they had limited product and were new, but after months the stores are a mess, and they've had to add more product to the store (after customer complaints) which have overfilled the little floorspace they have.

I agree with the redesign, including new lighting and moving away from those god-awful metal panels, but I like the idea of small stores working in tandem with larger ones. Saturation works, and this concept helps build that feeling of Apple being everywhere.

When the first mini-stores opened it was floated that their may be one in SFO and I've been watching for any moves in that direction. I think people stuck in airports are the epitome of impulse buyers, so why not get those new iPods in front of their bored little eyes? Can't stand the idea of listening to airline music or watching their horrible movie? Why not buy an iPod shuffle, loaded with a starting package of music of your own selection, for that transcontinental or overseas flight? I think Apple could make a bundle.

 

[wdlove]

Thanks for the update. What you're saying about the Disney store is a confirmation of what ifoAppleStore said last month.

Welcome, to MacRumors and keep the updates coming. I know, wdlove and I want to hear them.

Thank you for thinking of me Sahey.

Most of the Disney stores that I've seen are a large size. If both spaces are large, just wondering if that could mean a larger than normal store. An actual theater would be nice, reality tells me that I'm probably dreaming.

 

[Freg3000]

If true this would be the first store in the Philly city limits.

Walking distance from Penn.....oh god this is awesome.

11,000 square feet over two floors, anyone have an idea of what pre-existing store that is comparable to?

 

[wdlove]

Walking distance from Penn.....oh god this is awesome.

11,000 square feet over two floors, anyone have an idea of what pre-existing store that is comparable to?

That is definitely larger than anything we have here in Boston. Sayhey is the one that will be able to give us a definitive answer.

 

[Sayhey]

Walking distance from Penn.....oh god this is awesome.

11,000 square feet over two floors, anyone have an idea of what pre-existing store that is comparable to?

That would be the same size as the San Francisco store near Union Square. My personal favorite.

 

[Sayhey]

24hr Apple stores?

The job listings on Apple's website have a new kind of job opening.

Title: Assistant Manager (Overnight Shift) SoHo
Req. ID: 2295411
Location: New York-SoHo-R032, New York
Country: United States
Req Date: 09-Mar-2005

Apple Job Description

Why a store that closes at 9 pm would need an Ass't Manager for an overnight shift is beyond me. Is the store so busy they are planning to go to an expanded schedule and sell iPods late into the early morning hours? I hope so!

 

[echeck]

...Why a store that closes at 9 pm...

Bah! When I was in NYC last May they closed at 8pm, right when I got there. I was told to leave by some guy guarding the door.

 

[Sayhey]

Bah! When I was in NYC last May they closed at 8pm, right when I got there. I was told to leave by some guy guarding the door.

I can understand not liking to be turned away - maybe that's why they're changing the store hours.

I was just quoting the latest posted hours for the store.

Apple Store SoHo
Store Address

103 Prince Street
New York, NY 10012
(212) 226-3126


Driving Directions & Map
Store Hours

Sun: 11:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m.
Mon, Tues, Sat: 9:30 a.m. to 8:00 p.m.
Wed: 9:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m.
Thurs, Fri: 9:30 a.m. to 9:00 p.m.

Apple Store SoHo

 

[wdlove]

In NYC that makes sense. After all it's the city that never sleeps. Apple is smart, why not catch those that are up late as customers.

 

[Lacero]

NY is the mecca of the modern world. And New Yorkers are notoriously picky people. For them to have embraced the iPod as they have, it makes sense to capitalize with Apple branded stores.

 

[~Shard~]

Bah! When I was in NYC last May they closed at 8pm, right when I got there. I was told to leave by some guy guarding the door.

The SoHo Store is awesome - it's where I bought my iPod a year ago!

 

[echeck]

The SoHo Store is awesome - it's where I bought my iPod a year ago!

Wanna pour a little more salt in my wound?!?

heh heh... yeah, it was a Saturday when I tried to go to the Store, so the 8pm is correct. I got to see in the store at least!

It just seemed really weird that they would close so early on a weekend, I would think they would stay open until at least 9pm on a Saturday as well as Thurs/Fri. I guess that might be changing though.

 

[Techobo]

Canadian Apple Store

I can't wait for the one in Yorkdale. I'll be first in line!

 

[~Shard~]

Wanna pour a little more salt in my wound?!?

heh heh... yeah, it was a Saturday when I tried to go to the Store, so the 8pm is correct. I got to see in the store at least!

It just seemed really weird that they would close so early on a weekend, I would think they would stay open until at least 9pm on a Saturday as well as Thurs/Fri. I guess that might be changing though.

Heh heh - sorry man, sometimes I'm a bastard without even trying...

I agree though, that is weird for a Saturday - that would have surprised me as well.

 

[Sayhey]

Just to take note that monster.com is now listing, among a swarm of new job openings, some for a Manhattan location. This could be nothing more than a different way of listing jobs for the new Flatiron store or it could be a way of advertising for jobs for other Manhattan locations (5th Ave, Upper West Side, etc.) that our very secretive friends at Apple don't want to announce just yet. I only point out the difference between how these new locations are listed and the previous locations that spelled out "Flatiron-Manhattan."

 

[Sunrunner]

I can't wait for the one in Yorkdale. I'll be first in line!

How about Omaha! Its right in the middle of the country after all, and the nearest Apple store is all the way up in Minneapolis.

I know there is no way in heck one will come here soon, but one can hope....