Apple’s first Chicago retail store, located on N. Michigan Ave., is finally slated to open on Friday, June 27, 2003. A grand opening event is scheduled from 6PM to 11PM.
Apple has opened numerous retail stores around the nation, including two other Illinois stores in Oakbrook and Schaumburg. What makes Apple’s North Michigan Ave. store different is the venue: Also known as the “Magnificent Mile,” N. Michigan Ave. is packed with boutiques, shopping galleries, restaurants and other attractions. Like The Grove location in Los Angeles and New York SoHo locations, the N. Michigan Ave. store is expected to be a premier Apple store. In fact, Apple is calling the N. Michigan Ave. store “the ultimate Apple experience.”
“We’ve taken everything that we learned from our other stores and designed the ultimate Apple Store especially for you,” said Apple. In addition to a full range of Apple products and accessories, the N. Michigan Ave. store will also sport an Internet Cafe with 16 Macs — a first for Apple Stores.
Apple has scheduled a variety of events to take place in the N. Michigan Ave. store’s theater during July, as well. Musicians and on-air DJs will take the stage to talk about making music on a Mac and using the iPod and iTunes Music store during special “Music Night” events. The “Made on a Mac” series will feature talks from creative professionals including filmmakers, photographers, designers and musicians, who will lend their insights about how the Mac figures into their creative endeavors. And there are also ongoing series of presentations and workshops to demonstrate the latest Apple technology in action.
The June 27th Grand Opening event will feature a special musical performance with a guest artist and a DJ spinning tunes on an iPod. The first 1,000 people in the door will also get a free Apple t-shirt.
There’s lots more planned, too — visit the Web site for details.