“In what could be viewed as a preemptive strike, Apple has closed its store in Mission Viejo, Calif., for renovations — the same store that will be located near one of Microsoft’s first retail outlets,” Neil Hughes reports for AppleInsider.
“Microsoft intends to open its first two brick-and-mortar stores this fall, with one of them to be located inside The Shops at Mission Viejo. That same site already houses an Apple Store, but one AppleInsider reader has sent word that the company has closed its existing location for renovations. The store has been closed since Monday, Sept. 14,” Hughes reports.
“Now boarded off, the location tells visitors, ‘Coming soon. The all-new Apple Store,'” Hughes reports. “Whether the renovations are a direct response to Microsoft’s own upcoming store, or merely a coincidence is unclear.”
More in the full article here.
I really don’t think the are making “renovations” to the store. Just as the iTablet, they are just playing tricks with microsoft to make them goes nuts.. more.
I bet you Microsft is changing their plans to the store waiting to see what is apple doing with theirs….. Steve Jobs and everyone at apple mus be laughing in the floor.
That makes me smile.
The Apple store in Burlington, MA has just re-opened after being closed for the last few weeks (had to drive elsewhere for Snow Leopard — grrr). Not a lot has changed. The registers in the front are gone for more of a mobile-register format. The genius bar that had taken up a large chunk of one side is now in the back. The training center that was in the back is now split among *several* training centers and are in the center of the store. Minor other changes have been implemented (e.g. shelving) but it is definitely not a drastic change. It is a much cleaner layout with the register desk no longer “blocking” the front entry area.
It appears the centrally-located training centers — which can handle many more people — are the new focal point: genius bar is for fixing broken things (Hide the broken stuff Ma!
” width=”19″ height=”19″ alt=”grin” style=”border:0;” />) whereas training is where it is happening. On my last visit, the training centers were packed with people learning all different things.
If it was up to me they would have a couple of elevated cages in front with hot, scantily clad go-go dancers. Throw in a few disco balls, black lights and strobes and cover the walls with neat fluorescent posters. Groovy!
@Sir Bill Gates,
Add a couple of porkers and you’d have Nirvana.
Closed for the installation of Howitzers…
It’s going to be fun to watch these barren Microsoft stores fail as soon as they open. I seem to remember them trying to do this when the Metreon first opened in SF. No one cared. No one came. Store closed. That was 8± years ago. Hope they burn alot of cash trying though!
“Microsoft intends to open its first two brick-and-mortar stores this fall”
I wouldn’t use brick, not good during a California earthquake.
It’s obvious that MAC can’t handle the competition and is getting out while they can. When the Microsoft store is filled up with all those happy people buying Zunes and Windows 7, MAC doesn’t want people to see the empty store so they’re closing up shop. Of course, they don’t want to say that, so they’re just “closing for renovations.”
Sorry, MAC. Kiddie Swim Time is over. The Grown-Ups are back to take over your little pool.
Your Potential. Our Passion.™
(No, this isn’t the real Zune Tang. But it pretty much writes itself…)
I wonder how many tales we’ll hear from “Guru bar” visitors who failed to get help with their misbehaving Microsoft software. (They’ll probably try placating the more disgruntled folks by giving away old discontinued Zunes – heck, they must have millions just sitting around, waiting to be given away.)
@ Fake Zune Tang – LOL… I gotta admit, that does indeed sound very close to what the real ZT would post.
They are slowly upgrading all of the stores with old floorplans (genius bar on the side, as one person mentioned) to having all the training in the back and removing their register space. I’m sure MV had this planned for several quarters. They may have moved upthe date, but it was probably planned for months before MS announced the stores.
Troy,
I second that! LOL
The real fallacy with respect to these stores is that they’re transparently propaganda outlets to prop up the tarnished Microsoft brand, as opposed to stores intended to actually sell merchandise. I mean, what exactly is there to be excited about among the prospective offerings — Xbox 360, Zune, Windows 7 and Office? Yawn. But, hey, the proof will be in the public response. With its deep pockets, Microsoft can afford to operate them at a loss for a while, but not forever. I give them about three years before we start to see closings.
I reported this to MDN about a week ago. A friend of mine works there. They also are doubling the size of the store by taking over the space previously occupied by the Nike store next door.
The reason they are doing it is because this store is the busiest Apple store on the west coast. You can’t get it for Genius service in under two days, most of the time three. The one on one is always booked, and it’s really hard to find a apple rep to even help you purchase your gear.
They are also doubling the staff of the whole store, and doubling the genius bar space.
I’m going to Gateway Country!
No, wait, I’m going to visit that Dell Kiosk down by the food court and order up a machine.
I visit the mall in Century City often. The AMC theatre and restaurants are busy, but most every boutique store is <crickets> save one: Apple. I’ve decided to most of these stores, being in the mall is just a necessary element of ‘branding.’
Its wise of Microsoft to open locations to accept returns of the 50%+ failure rate XBOX. Red Ring of Death, anyone?
Apple has been updating all of the older stores. This has nothing to do with Microsoft.
Microsoft needs to be reminded that for them it’s not about the store itself… it about have product!
Microsoft doesn’t have product so all the stores in the world will not change that!
On the other hand, Apple is all about the presentation of good product and the ease of buying such product!
The folks are once again way over their heads and no amount of coping the leader is going to change the fact that their sell crap!
MS just wishes Apple was scrambling to react to them. It’s kind of like their recent zune launch where they sent like 6 zunes to stores so they could claim SOLD OUT to manipulate public opinion. That seems to be their main concern. I launch a zune every morning when I go to the bathroom so these new stores of theirs will probably be a similar experience. A showcase for that cheap crap that Lauren was so giddy about.
The Apple Store here in Albany, NY has been closed for the same reason- even before the last iPod event.
Is there anything more pathetic that Micro$hit?
Perhaps all the stupid asses that buy their stinkin crap…
The Microsoft store, right between Dunkin’ Donuts and Beadazzled.
@ Arnold Ziffel,
“Add a couple of porkers and you’d have Nirvana.”
I thought I implied that when I said: “… hot, scantily clad go-go dancers.” Make mine meaty!
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That’s pretty amazing given that within a radius of about six miles there are four Apple Stores: Mission Viejo, Irvine Spectrum, Fashion Island, South Coast Plaza and a fifth: Brea Mall, is only a little further.
The Apple Store Easton here in Columbus, Ohio was closed from the 13th-18th; was just there today taking a look at the new 32 GB Touch I want.
They DID remove the checkout register at the front of the store and the rows of software and accessories and replaced them with matching display tables with signs for their functions (“Training”, etc.). Much more open.
Easton was the 7th Apple Store opened in the nation back in 2001, so it’s definitely one of the veterans. STILL the only one in Columbus eight years later, which is very smart of Apple. The place stays busy. Come Christmas time it’ll be packed like it is every year.
Peace.
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Olmecmystic