14 DAY TRIAL // ifoAppleStore, the source dealing exclusively with information about Apple’s retail establishments, has confirmed that Apple is set to open the doors to its newest Australian store this Friday, May 28th, at 8 a.m. The unusual opening time is because Apple expects high demand for the iPad, which goes on sale for the first time in Australia this Friday.
The source informs that, “A long waiting line is expected for the grand opening of the Bondi (Sydney, Australia) retail store this Friday at 8 a.m., kicking off the 2010 grand opening season that includes even more spectacular stores in Paris, London, Shanghai (China), Chicago and Washington (DC).”
Located at the Bondi Junction shopping mall southeast of the city center, the store will actually be housed inside an independent building that reportedly features a large, two-story glass storefront. The establishment is said to be similar in placement and architecture to the Scottsdale Quarter (Arizona) store, which Apple opened in June, last year.
“The store’s most significant feature has been hinted by photos of the construction, and by architectural renderings for other future stores—first-ever indoor trees under a skylight,” ifo pinpoints. “Plans submitted to building officials in Palo Alto (N. Calif.) and Washington (DC) for new stores have also shown three or four 10-foot trees in front of the back-wall Genius Bar.”
The reports end with an explanation as to why Apple went for the 8:00 a.m. grand opening, instead of the usual 10:00 a.m. opening time, claiming there’s no doubt “[Apple is] set to maximize selling time for the iPad, which becomes available in Australia for the first time on Friday.”
Those interested in attending the store’s grand opening can learn more here, on Apple’s website. From 9:00 am through 4:00 pm, Apple will be offering an iPad tour to those present in-store. From 5:00 pm to 6:00 pm, those who already own an iPad can come in-store and get some tips and tricks in a training session Apple calls “Meet your new iPad.”