Arizona Apple Store set to open

I just added a couple photos to the flickr pool Ash Ponders mentioned, one showing the inside of the new store. I didn't get there until Saturday.

This is the new style Apple store with no registers, just those PDA style credit machines. (Dirty secret: they told me they really do have a register back by the Genius Bar, in case someone wants to pay with something called "cash." I'm not sure what he meant by cash - I certainly never have any.)

One of the associates told me that they did have over a thousand people last night. I missed it, I was home installing my pre-order copy of Leopard.

Management is at least looking out for the faithful - they moved the line (queue for our European brothers) across the street so we could be in the shade for the bulk of the day instead of baking in the AZ sun.

On the giveaway side, we tried to pin down the manager who moved the line with regards to giveways (as they did scratchoffs for Tiger release) and he shrugged and said I can't tell you what is happening. When we followed with "But you're not denying it" he smiled and said, "I can't comment." so the possibility is there. :)

and now there is a flickr pool.

http://www.flickr.com/groups/510238@N25/

Im here now, there's only a handful of people.

well I am planning on going new apple store + leppord = :)

Hey Apple,
Since you're building stores in the desert, how 'bout one in the CA desert near Palm Springs, please?

Hey it's SANTAN village.

Management staff is really staying the same as Chandler. The store manager of Chandler is now the GM of both stores, so don't expect much to change.

NICE. I live in Phoenix, I like the biltmore store but its nice to visit a new store, I will send pics.

By the way, Dave... its San Tan Village, not SunTan ;)