Ridgeland City Board Refuses Apple Store Design

It seems that Apple's plans of building a retail store in Ridgeland, Mississippi have come to a dead end, with the city�s architectural review board noting last week that the storefront "did not transition well" with other storefronts in the surrounding area. The board, of course, rejected Apple�s design plans.

Apple has now two options: either move the new retail store to another location, meaning anywhere besides the previously-established Renaissance at Colony Park shopping mall, or present the city�s architectural counsel with a new design. You don't actually think Apple will change the way its stores look to indulge Ridgeland high-ups, do you? Then again, if the store is that important to them, who knows?

"The board�s objections no doubt refer to Apple�s traditional use of stainless steel for the front of its store," ifoAppleStore reports, while retailers in the surrounding above-mentioned location use "masonry" or "stone" for the front side of their shops. Maybe that's why they make less money than Apple.

ifoAppleStore deals with all the news and information about Apple Inc.'s Retail Stores, so, naturally, they're the first to know that the Ridgeland board meets again this week, when Apple "could present modified designs intended to meet the board�s objections," or "could decide not to locate at the mall," the source points out.

If it does you any good knowing this, the respective mall opened in March. Now, should the city�s architectural review board approve an "improved" design (honestly, how do you improve on the looks of Apple's stores?) the Apple store could open by September, the same source reveals.

But, since Apple is looking for a Full-Time Employee to fill in the Apple Retail Store Management position, the store must still be on. Care to know what you need to join the team of professionals at the Apple Retail Store?

Well, you need to have a minimum of 3-5 years of retail leadership experience, be a master of strategic planning, coach, lead, partner up, but also be the customer's friend � don't you just love how optimistic these job descriptions are? - and "drive sales home like a World Series player."

If you get the job, you will have to lead training and development in the areas of customer service, product knowledge, inventory control, and visual merchandising display and ensure that the store achieves its sales, and payroll goals... among others.