Apple retail: Latest New Jersey store opens, construction underway for new Portland shop
This weekend, Apple's new retail store at Quaker Bridge Mall in Lawrence Township, N.J., drew a crowd for its grand opening. Meanwhile, on the west coast, construction is well underway for a massive new store in Portland, Ore.
Saturday at 10 a.m. marked the debut of Apple's latest retail location in New Jersey, located in Lawrence Township's Quaker Bridge Mall. Commemorative shirts were given to the first thousand customers who visited.
AppleInsider reader Sandeep was onhand at the grand opening, and provided the included pictures of the event and the crowd that turned out.
Previously, customers who lived in New Jersey's South Brunswick area had to drive about a half-hour each way to reach the nearest Apple locations in Freehold or Bridgewater, according to Patch.
AppleInsider reader Bob sent along the included pictures that show the progress being made. So far, a pedestrian bridge that used to be connected to the building has been removed.
The project was approved by the Portland Design Commission last July, though at the time the location was only "rumored" to be an Apple Store. That's because the company discreetly filed its application, and kept its identity anonymous during the planning phases.
But the design of the new store was enough to tip off Apple's involvement: The Pioneer Place location will feature a block-long glass storefront.
Construction on the project first kicked off last October. The new location was previously home to a Saks Fifth Avenue store.
Apple already has a much smaller Pioneer Place location near the food court, a location that's likely to close once the new store opens. No scheduled opening date has been given.
Just weeks ago, Microsoft opened its own retail store in the same neighborhood. As part of the festivities, Microsoft had the band Weezer play a show.
Quaker Bridge Mall
Saturday at 10 a.m. marked the debut of Apple's latest retail location in New Jersey, located in Lawrence Township's Quaker Bridge Mall. Commemorative shirts were given to the first thousand customers who visited.
AppleInsider reader Sandeep was onhand at the grand opening, and provided the included pictures of the event and the crowd that turned out.
Previously, customers who lived in New Jersey's South Brunswick area had to drive about a half-hour each way to reach the nearest Apple locations in Freehold or Bridgewater, according to Patch.
Pioneer Place
Work is well underway for a massive new retail location in Portland, Ore., with two full floors of retail space now cleared out in preparation. The store is located in Portland's Pioneer Square, near the city's MAX Light Rail transit service.AppleInsider reader Bob sent along the included pictures that show the progress being made. So far, a pedestrian bridge that used to be connected to the building has been removed.
The project was approved by the Portland Design Commission last July, though at the time the location was only "rumored" to be an Apple Store. That's because the company discreetly filed its application, and kept its identity anonymous during the planning phases.
But the design of the new store was enough to tip off Apple's involvement: The Pioneer Place location will feature a block-long glass storefront.
Construction on the project first kicked off last October. The new location was previously home to a Saks Fifth Avenue store.
Apple already has a much smaller Pioneer Place location near the food court, a location that's likely to close once the new store opens. No scheduled opening date has been given.
Just weeks ago, Microsoft opened its own retail store in the same neighborhood. As part of the festivities, Microsoft had the band Weezer play a show.
Comments
How appropriate¡
Quote:
Originally Posted by rogern
This is also a convenience for residence of Bucks County, PA. We are only 15 minutes away from the Lawrenceville store. Prior to this we had to drive 30-45 minutes or longer to go to the King of Prussia, PA, Willow Grove, PA, Marlton, NJ or Cherry Hill, NJ stores.
Agreed. There was a long time where the only options for Mercer and Bucks counties were King of Prussia and Freehold. Willow Grove helped a bit with that last year but I think this one at Quakerbridge Mall is going to get a lot of business.
I always wondered why they chose to put their big(ger) store in Washington Square Mall though, way out in Tigard, and put in such a tiny store downtown... a bigger store downtown would've made more sense, methinks. (edit - I think I know why... may have to do with The Mac Store)
@philboogie: Yep - MSFT had hired Weezer to help them open their store out here; the place is a ghost town now. Considering that Portland is a *huge* incubator for all things non-Windows (The Linux Foundation is in nearby Beaverton, for example), I'm not really surprised.
Agreed...just wondering if the new PDX store will relieve the congestion in Washington Square or Bridgeport Mall. Both are at capacity IMHO.
Sheez! Is everyone fat of all of sudden?
Looks like a nice store.
Ml
WTF.
Did that poster drink Drano, smoke crank and have an alcohol enema all at once while experiencing a stroke?
This is why I block so many people on this website. All the shills have left is fantasies filled with gnomes riding rainbow powered robot unicorns while discussing their elaborate plans to customize their phones for hours on end.
Every single thing you say is a lie. Why are you here?
I am guessing you forgot the /s tag. So I fixed it for you.
Quote:
Originally Posted by christopher126
Is everyone fat of all of sudden?
There are old people in the picture as well, how unsightly. Only young, attractive people should be allowed to shop at Apple stores.
Quote:
Originally Posted by Penguinisto
Excellent choice of spot in PDX; Pioneer Square is usually pretty packed with people (esp. during rush hours), and is a beautiful area. There's also no ugly-assed fountains or newspaper critics with pencils stuff up their backsides to contend with, either. Kind of why I like living in PDX Metro.
I always wondered why they chose to put their big(ger) store in Washington Square Mall though, way out in Tigard, and put in such a tiny store downtown... a bigger store downtown would've made more sense, methinks. (edit - I think I know why... may have to do with The Mac Store)
@philboogie: Yep - MSFT had hired Weezer to help them open their store out here; the place is a ghost town now. Considering that Portland is a *huge* incubator for all things non-Windows (The Linux Foundation is in nearby Beaverton, for example), I'm not really surprised.
Apple tried (in 2006) to build a new store in Northwest Portland, but got shot down by a design review committee. Apple abandoned the effort rather than change it. I'm glad it didn't happen - the Pioneer Place site and design will be so much better. Here's a little history:
Portland Design Commission approves new Pioneer Place Apple Store plan
1.5 MS employees for every MS store visitor? I guess MS needs to do all the convincing they can, whereas Apple products sell themselves. Apple Store employees are simply there for you to swipe your CC so you don't need to walk over to a cash register, amongst other things.
Quote:
Originally Posted by digitalclips
We have had newspaper articles about an Apple Store coming to Sarasota, Florida for several years now. I wish they'd hurry up!
We actually have an Apple Specialist store in Sarasota called Computer Advantage that has been here for 22 years, local-family owned and everything! They are fully authorized and sell a full line of Apple products, offer personal training, and have a full service center for repairs in and out of warranty. Look 'em up, super nice people there and well knowledgeable.