by , 4:10 PM EDT, May 7th, 2001
Will wonders never cease? In an article by Pui Wing Tam, the Wall Street Journal is reporting that an Apple spokesperson has confirmed that the company is about to open their first Apple retail store. According to the article, the spokesperson confirmed the store will open on May 19th, 2001. The article is also reporting that the first location will in McLean, Va, near the Washington D.C. area. According to the Wall Street Journal:
Apple Computer Inc. plans to open its first retail store later this month.
The Cupertino, Calif., personal-computer maker has sent out invitations to mark the grand opening of an Apple retail store in McLean, Va., on May 19. The store will be located around the upscale Tysons Galleria shopping mall. An Apple spokeswoman confirmed Apple will open its first retail store on May 19, but declined to comment further. More Apple stores will likely follow the McLean, Va., opening, analysts say. Among other possible locations is one in Palo Alto, Calif., near Apple's headquarters in Cupertino.
The article also talks about some of the rumors that have been following Apple for many months about its attempts to hire retail executives from other successful retailers. You will need a subscription to the Wall Street Journal to read the full story.
[Update: Yahoo! has posted the story in its joint-content section with the Wall Street Journal, where you can see the entire text of the story.
This is a big deal for Apple. The company has made what we think is an enormous investment in the strategy, and obviously thinks it is important for Apple's future. It is VERY surprising that they would confirm this to a reporter before anything official had been announced. Then again, check out these invitations that have been posted to a Mac.com Web site (Invitation 1, Invitation 2, & Invitation 3). Will wonders never cease?
