Things seem to be shaping up in regards to one of Apple’s planned retail stores in Chicago, IL. Signs point to ongoing work at the “Magnificent Mile” site.
The site of this Apple retail store was one of the first mentioned (even before Apple’s official announcement). It was a former Gap showplace on the famous stretch of Michigan Avenue, until the company moved into bigger quarters a couple of blocks north.
MacCentral reader and Chicago resident, Shane Walker (who has scoped out the Magnificent Mile location) told MacCentral, “my assumption is that the store will get a very, very grand opening when Steve Jobs is in town for a national educators’ conference.” For those of you not familiar with Chicago, Shane also submitted these pictures of the Magnificent Mile, including some of Apple’s new neighbors.
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“Until now, they kept GAP logos in the white-washed and paper-covered windows, with a sign on the glass front doors that read, ‘Gap has moved. Please visit our new location at blah, blah blah’,” Walker told MacCentral. “While construction has undoubtedly been going on for some time, it did so in airtight confines with no public display.”
Recently however, Apple — or an Apple fan — made a statement. Underneath two white Apple logo appliqués was somebody’s wry remark, made of the old Gap store hours stickers rearranged to read, “24/7/364, .com, store,” according to Walker.
“A makeshift attempt at justifying the presence of an Apple logo on a landmark door — to those who pass by unaware of the impending opening of the Apple retail space inside, maybe they think it’s a mini-billboard,” he added. “Whatever … I was excited, it now makes it very, very REAL.”
The Magnificent Mile” store is one of two Apple retail stores expected to open in the Windy City area. Last month Apple opened its first two retail storest Tysons Corner in McLean, VA, and the Gendale Galleria in Glendale, CA. Twenty-three more will open across the United States before the end of the year with more planned for 2002.
Though they’re a new and expensive undertaking, Apple retail stores are expected to break even by the end of the holiday shopping season and show a slight profit next year, Apple Chief Financial Officer Fred Anderson said