14 DAY TRIAL // Although Apple is said to be merely replacing tables in three of its stores recently closed down for renovations, such changes imply other cosmetic alterations, forcing the company to pull the curtain over the stores’ entrances for a short period of time.
“Visitors to the Pacific Centre (Vancouver, BC), King Street (Charleston, SC) and Kahala (Honolulu) retail stores have been met with signs indicating the relatively-new stores will be closed later this month for ‘renovations,’” ifoAppleStore, the primary source dealing with news about Apple’s brick-and-mortar establishments, informs.
“Both closures have sparked speculation on what changes could possibly be made to the all-stainless steel interiors,” the source continues to outline. “The Pacific Centre store is on the second-level of the downtown shopping center with no room to expand on either side. However, frequent visitors note there could be space both above and below the store into which the store could expand,” ifo reveals. “[...] The Kahala store is inside a mall and definitely has no room for expansion in any direction [...] All three stores will be closed from September 28th to October 1st,” the report in question reads.
Soon after making the news public, ifo was tipped off on the actual changes undergone by the three stores in question – new tables, people familiar with the matter say.
“Tipsters say the remodel will entail removing the existing three wide tables, and replacing them with six narrower tables to create an additional aisle,” an update to the same report reads. “Personal training tables will also be added at the back of the store, just in front of the Genius Bar [...] All these changes will require some floor re-cuts to accommodate electric utility connections,” ifo informs, justifying Apple’s need to close down a store, even for small changes like swapping tables.
Last week, Apple was reportedly closing another retail store (the Mission Viejo development – California) for renovations, although the company’s reasons were reportedly much different for that particular store.
AppleInsider had learned that, “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.” Citing a reader who has confirmed that, “The company has closed its existing location for renovations,” the website speculates that Microsoft’s retail venture was the primary reason for Apple’s move. Read the rest of the story here.