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Rumor: Philadelphia's first Apple Store in the works

by Dave Caolo Jan 19th 2009 at 4:30PM

A few of the rumor sites are reporting that an Apple Store is finally in the works for Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. It seems strange to me that a major city like Philadelphia would be without an Apple Store, but what do I know about marketing?

MacNN credits an undisclosed source as reporting that Apple has signed a lease to the former Brasserie Perrier restaurant at 1619 Walnut Street [Google map]. This is a protected building with historical significance, so there's a limited amount of changes that can be made to its facade. Of course, the Apple Stores are known for their dramatic glass storefronts, though more subtle facades have been used in Europe.

AppleInsider reports that the retail market has grown in that area recently, specifically across fine dining restaurants, shops and banks. Apple tends to build retail stores in this kind of market.

Good luck, Philadelphia! We're hoping you get your first store soon.

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A few of the rumor sites are reporting that an Apple Store is finally in the works for Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. It seems strange to me...
 

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Michael

I work at an Apple Authorized retailer and service center in Center City: Springboard Media. All you Center City folks going to KoP and Ardmore, why don't you check us out?

I'm of course hoping the rumors are false or I might be out of a job. Who knows though.

January 21 2009 at 10:08 AM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
3 replies to Michael's comment
Ferd

Apple is simply worried about theft. It is Philly after all. They must have found a way to tag everything so it locks up when it's stolen. They also had to invest in super-strong bars on the storefront.

January 20 2009 at 10:57 PM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
Anonymous Specialist

NO WAY!

I really hope they aren't. That will lower a lot of the traffic my Apple Store in Ardmore gets, considering we're closer to Philly than KoP is, and not a mall store.

But if it creates more positions, then I'm all for it...

Dilemnas, dilemnas...

Interesting rumor

January 19 2009 at 8:53 PM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
elziardaim

thank. god.


second rumor i heard of this. brassier closed as their rent per square foot was going from $19 to $140/ft2 . now i know what lucrative retail space could fill it.

January 19 2009 at 7:59 PM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
Dave Aiello

There's a gap in Apple Store coverage in the northern part of the Philadelphia area, around Trenton and Princeton, NJ, and Newtown and Yardley, PA. The nearest Apple Stores are an hour away in each direction.

There are lots of people who own iPhones and Macs in this area.

I don't deny that the lack of an Apple Store in Center City is a glaring omission. But it's more a reflection on the business-unfriendliness of Philadelphia than on the magnitude of the opportunity that Apple is missing by not being there.

January 19 2009 at 7:43 PM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
JimBeam

How can it take you two hours to get to the Ardmore store? The R5 regional rail train gets you from Center City to walking distance from the store in about 20 minutes!

January 19 2009 at 7:22 PM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
Sean

there is one in Ardmore, PA which is literally right outside of the city.

January 19 2009 at 7:02 PM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
Zach

Springboard Media at 22nd and Walnut has been around for years.

January 19 2009 at 5:39 PM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
4 replies to Zach's comment
Jeffrey

If the rumor is true, I'd like to see how they plan on sticking a store in the space that used to be Brasserie Perrier. They had a very cut up layout with a coat closet and long hallway, wonder if its possible to demo and create the open format that apple retail loves?

January 19 2009 at 5:32 PM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
JKT

The Philly area has several Apple Stores:
* King of Prussia
* Ardmore
* Christiana Mall (Delaware--many shoppers go south for tax-free)
* Marlton (NJ)
* Cherry Hill (NJ)

So it's definitely not as if Philly area shoppers have been Apple-deprived. There simply hasn't been an Apple Store in center city.

January 19 2009 at 5:14 PM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
2 replies to JKT's comment
Mike

There is also one at the Lehigh Valley Mall too near Allentown.

January 19 2009 at 5:46 PM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
nanodalek

Dude don't do this. We need an Official Apple store in Center City. Even when I leave 2 hours early I am still late to my appointments at KOP and Ardmore. I know that I could get there quicker if I borrowed or rented a car , but it's the principal, I moves to the city because it had the best public transit:cost of living ratio.

Luca, Most Apple Resellers do offer a student discount. But calling them or asking in person would be the safer way to inquire.

I'll be there with bells on if and when it opens.

January 19 2009 at 6:50 PM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
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