After two years of blithe "no comment" from Apple, the tech company is finally acknowledging what has long been apparent to all -- it's building a new store at Stanford Shopping Center.
At 10 a.m. on Saturday, Sept.7., the 12,000-square-foot retail space will open adjacent to Neiman Marcus. Three glass walls and a cantilevered roof will enclose the front part of the store, in what Apple is calling its new "pavilion" design.
The back half, separated by an interior wall, will house the Genius Bar and other services. A source familiar with the project told the Palo Alto Weekly this summer that the opening had been scheduled for last November, but delays may have been due to the building's sensitive glass design: "The glass technique used in this building is very advanced. Unlike other materials, there is no forgiveness with glass. It has to be precise and must fit perfectly."
The 23-foot-tall store will not be the largest Apple retail outlet in the immediate area. Apple's University Avenue store in downtown Palo Alto, at 16,600 square feet, holds that title. It opened last October.
Apple has operated a small store at Stanford for nine years and currently employs 110 workers. The new location is seven times larger than the old one, an Apple spokesperson said.
Going to the store's re-opening ceremony? Tweet pics of the event to the Weekly @paloaltoweekly.
Comments
Another Palo Alto neighborhood
on Sep 5, 2013 at 10:22 am
on Sep 5, 2013 at 10:22 am
Looking forward to the opening of the Stanford store. But Apple
needs to remove the two damaged surplus freeway berms placed in
front of the University Ave store shortly after it opened last year.
They look awful, destroy the whole visual effect of the store
facade, as well as the University Ave streetscape. If a barrier of
some kind is needed there, they could construct an attractive iron rail fence for example. Surely Apple can do better than this on
University Ave in Downtown Palo Alto. Steve Jobs used to say "a fence must look good on both sides".
Midtown
on Sep 5, 2013 at 10:53 am
on Sep 5, 2013 at 10:53 am
I'm sure the happiest people (other than the flocks of customers who crowd into the current store) will be the Windows store staff who will be relieved not to have the "noisy neighbor" always attracting so many people, and suffering so badly by comparison.
Old Palo Alto
on Sep 5, 2013 at 11:27 am
on Sep 5, 2013 at 11:27 am
I know that many Palo Altans absolutely revere Apple and will treat this store as a destination, but for others, what a bore. As an Apple customer and user, I still don't see reason for the hype. As for Stanford Shopping Center, the old "Scientific Revolution" store had more interesting content than an Apple appliance store. Perhaps these themes may be combined without need for a "genius" to explain them. ;)
Crescent Park
on Sep 5, 2013 at 12:09 pm
on Sep 5, 2013 at 12:09 pm
Glad to hear a more substantial store is opening as it can be difficult parking on/ near University Ave. Please have HR re-train the manager and employees.
We stopped going in this small outlet due to the arrogant and
patronizing manner we always received . All of us over 60 are not
tech-ignorant and everyone should be received respectfully .
Crescent Park
on Sep 5, 2013 at 2:29 pm
on Sep 5, 2013 at 2:29 pm
I don't mind the concrete barriers downtown PA in front of Apple. Downtown is looking grunge now and the barriers fit the urban landscape. I like them keep them there for safety. Don't spend more $$$.
Downtown North
on Sep 5, 2013 at 3:27 pm
on Sep 5, 2013 at 3:27 pm
Why does PA need two big Apple stores in close proximity? We do not need two Bloomingdales in close proximity
Downtown North
on Sep 5, 2013 at 3:27 pm
on Sep 5, 2013 at 3:27 pm
I agree with the bad barriers. As I drove with my son on Florence toward the store, I commented on the barriers. My son's suggestion was to replace them with white apples, the size of the red balls they have at Target stores.
Stanford
on Sep 5, 2013 at 6:07 pm
on Sep 5, 2013 at 6:07 pm
member,
I love your son's imaginative suggestion! Wonderful idea.
Leland Manor/Garland Drive
on Sep 8, 2013 at 4:11 pm
on Sep 8, 2013 at 4:11 pm
I'll be glad to see what has happened to the frog fountain that used to be outside that location. A sign appeared on their fencing stating that it would be moved to "another location." Ruth Asawa's fountain was not the only one that has offended Apple's majesty and presence.
Barron Park
on Sep 9, 2013 at 9:12 am
on Sep 9, 2013 at 9:12 am
"Why does PA need two big Apple stores in close proximity?"
Of course PA doesn't NEED two Apple stores, but the market seems to bear it. If one starts to lose money, I'm sure it will be closed.
Similarly, why does PA need nine Starbucks?