Apple teases Grand Central store will open 'soon,' Dec. 9 rumored
Apple has begun advertising that its new retail store at New York's Grand Central Station will be "arriving soon," while a new rumor claims the store will open on Dec. 9.
Apple's public relations team sent a photo of a new display outside the still-under construction location on Wednesday to Gothamist which reads: "Apple Store. Grand Central. Arriving Soon." No official grand opening date has been given, however.
But an anonymous source told the New York Post that the store is on track to open on Friday, Dec. 9. A media event is apparently being planned by Apple and railroad officials for that date, though the initial opening could be a VIP-only event with a public grand opening on Saturday, Dec. 10.
"Railroad officials are busy preparing for the throngs of Apple enthusiasts that are expected to swarm into Grand Central for the opening -- in addition to the 700,000 commuters that pass through on any given day," the report said.
Earlier rumors inaccurately pegged a potential grand opening for this Friday, also known as "Black Friday" in the U.S., which is the biggest shopping day of the year. A construction worker at the site, however, reportedly indicated on Tuesday that the store will open in weeks, not days.
But Apple apparently plans to have the massive 23,000-square-foot store open in early December, giving it plenty of time to sell products before Christmas on Dec. 25.
Apple reached a 10-year deal with New York's Metropolitan Transportation Authority in July for the "marquee space," and paid $5 million to buy out the remaining eight years on Charlie Palmer's Metrazur restaurant's lease. The company is said to be paying anywhere from $800,000 to $1.1 million per year in rent for the prime location.
Apple's public relations team sent a photo of a new display outside the still-under construction location on Wednesday to Gothamist which reads: "Apple Store. Grand Central. Arriving Soon." No official grand opening date has been given, however.
But an anonymous source told the New York Post that the store is on track to open on Friday, Dec. 9. A media event is apparently being planned by Apple and railroad officials for that date, though the initial opening could be a VIP-only event with a public grand opening on Saturday, Dec. 10.
"Railroad officials are busy preparing for the throngs of Apple enthusiasts that are expected to swarm into Grand Central for the opening -- in addition to the 700,000 commuters that pass through on any given day," the report said.
Earlier rumors inaccurately pegged a potential grand opening for this Friday, also known as "Black Friday" in the U.S., which is the biggest shopping day of the year. A construction worker at the site, however, reportedly indicated on Tuesday that the store will open in weeks, not days.
But Apple apparently plans to have the massive 23,000-square-foot store open in early December, giving it plenty of time to sell products before Christmas on Dec. 25.
Apple reached a 10-year deal with New York's Metropolitan Transportation Authority in July for the "marquee space," and paid $5 million to buy out the remaining eight years on Charlie Palmer's Metrazur restaurant's lease. The company is said to be paying anywhere from $800,000 to $1.1 million per year in rent for the prime location.
Comments
One more place to buy Apple stuff. Noted. Next!
This is a very big deal. If the business people won't come to you, go to them.
Love the pun ... 'arriving soon'. Got your tickets?
Yeah, and the lettering is like on the old 'flip-flap' arrivals and departures boards.
GCT moves many people in many ways, but I think you're off on the daily ridership. Total ridership for all of Metro North was 6.96 million in Sep'11, or around 225,000 a day, if all days were equal. Not all of that ridership goes into GCT. A lot of people, but no where close to 700,000.
There's more to GCT than just Metro North, like subways, etc.
750,000 people pass through Grand Central daily and over 1,000,000 people during the holidays
http://www.grandcentralterminal.com/...mographics.cfm
Love the pun ... 'arriving soon'. Got your tickets?
Yeah, this gravy train won't be delayed or cancelled. Adv tickets will get you appointments.
There's more to GCT than just Metro North, like subways, etc.
750,000 people pass through Grand Central daily and over 1,000,000 people during the holidays
http://www.grandcentralterminal.com/...mographics.cfm
And it has become increasingly like an upscale shopping mall in recent years, now with Apple as their anchor. GCT is not just a train station.
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