Apple readies King St. store
Company's first South Carolina retail outlet creates buzz
Apple
A rendering of the new Apple retail store on King St.
King Street merchant Chip Ervin watched this week as Apple Inc. began fine-tuning its first South Carolina retail location to make its much-anticipated debut this Saturday morning.
He said the bustling scene outside the technology product maker's store at 301 King St. on Monday included about 30 college-aged workers carefully handling boxes of Apple merchandise from a FedEx delivery truck.
"They had a line of human beings filtering stuff into the building for a couple of hours," said Ervin, whose Grady & Ervin Co. men's clothing shop is just up the street at 313 King.
Apple said Tuesday that it expects a large crowd by the time it throws open the doors to the public at 10 a.m. Saturday. Indeed, long lines have formed hours in advance of other new store openings.
Ervin said the "street is excited."
"I think it's going to be a big show," he said.
Though Apple sells its products through retailers all over the Charleston region, its flagship shops are magnets to Mac fans and iPod aficionados. The stores offer technology support, warranty work, free workshops, children's programs and "genius bars" that offer one-on-one product advice.
They are also the first retail outlets to offer the company's most sought-after new products.
Sales have been strong: The average Apple retail outlet last year racked up $22.9 million in sales, up nearly 2 percent from the comparable figure for 2006, according to the company's 2007 annual report.
Previously, Apple buffs had to travel to Charlotte to visit the nearest store. The Charleston location will be the Cupertino, Calif.-based company's
222nd retail site worldwide.
Ervin said he and other nearby merchants welcome their new high-profile neighbor. "I think it's going to be a very big attention-getter ... and good for King Street in general," he said. "It's a big deal for us."
While Apple executives were unavailable Tuesday to comment on the decision to expand to Charleston, Ervin said the company was likely drawn by the large mix of college students and working professionals.
Apple itself has been tight-lipped about the King Street store, the front of which had been covered for months with dark plywood to keep out prying eyes. Ervin, who recently toured the building, said the renovation of the former home of Cumberland's and Grannie's Goodies was extensive.
"There's cabling and high-tech wiring and lots of glass and stainless steel," he said. "It's more contemporary than other downtown store interiors and storefronts, but visually it's going to say Apple when you look at it."
Apple said the hours for the downtown store will be from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. Monday to Wednesday; 10 a.m. to 9 p.m. Thursday to Saturday; and noon to 6 p.m. Sunday.
Reach John McDermott at 937-5572 or jmcdermott@postandcourier.com.
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Comments
Tulane75 (anonymous) says...
The new Apple store will be the most significant retail opening in Charleston's history. Real estate values in the vicinity will increase the minute it opens, not to mention the immediate benefit for nearby businesses from the increased foot traffic.
Apple stores occupy the most visible and prestigious business locations in cities around the world. In New York, one of the three stores is located at the southeast corner of Central Park at 59th and 5th and in Chicago there is an Apple store on Michigan Avenue.
The difference between Apple stores and places like Staples and Office Depot, among other things, is that in the Apple store all of the computers are wired to high speed internet for your amusement or for trying out before buying. This always seemed like a "no brainer" to me.
The Apple store will instantly become a lunch hour stop, date place, evening stroll destination, not to mention the absolute best place to buy computers. It will feel more like Space Camp than the typical retail experience. Apple even knows that people will try the products in the store and then buy from Apple online or Amazon.com. No problem!
The unique ambiance of King Street will make this Apple store one of the best! From a strictly business standpoint, this is quite an endorsement for the City of Charleston.
July 23, 2008 at 6:16 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
common_sense (anonymous) says...
Tulane is clearly one of the apple-sheeple.
I'm just sayin...
July 23, 2008 at 8:36 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
MissVAbch (anonymous) says...
The apple store is a lot of fun. I have missed being in close proximity to one. Finally Charleston is getting up to speed.
Best Buy was a sad substitute for 'apple help'. The rep was rarely there and when he was, he was of no help.
Chas consumers will enjoy better technology, locally.
And this is news, and I'm not a computer geek at all, maybe an apple geek. *shrugs shoulders*
July 23, 2008 at 8:52 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
guidedbystewart (anonymous) says...
too bad Cumberlands had to go to make way for the Apple Store. I guess downtown Charleston has officially "made" it's status as a center of all things yuppy.
July 23, 2008 at 9:11 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
Neponset (anonymous) says...
Sounds like a good business plan - the customer gets help picking right model, sees it in action and can get little local tech support.
I have MS based computers, usually Dell and have always ordered by phone/internet.
I have been under the impression that Apple computers and related soft wear was and still is more expensive - is that true?
July 23, 2008 at 9:30 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
jammanofdi (anonymous) says...
I think the Cumberlands swap to an Apple store is an excellent tradeoff. Cumberland's was a dump - all it did was blare heavy metal at vomit inducing levels. I sound like an old man complaining of that place, but I'm glad to see it go...
July 23, 2008 at 9:37 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
guidedbystewart (anonymous) says...
Cumberland's didn't just blare heavy metal, but yes it was an eclectic music club and yes it lacked pretension (your so called "dump"), something most places downtown can not claim. But really, each to there own. But to me downtown has become a yuppie hell, so really, yall can have it.
There are other places that I can go to (ole North Charleston (Park Circle), just don't try to change into a yuppie hell once it becomes successful.
July 23, 2008 at 9:50 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
nikkiP (anonymous) says...
I like guided's thinking on this one. I'm more of a fan of the college bar scene (cheap beer!) and liked that downtown at one point had that atmosphere.
I also don't see how opening an Apple store will bring South Carolina into the 21st century. Really? It's a store. They're not lobbying for women's rights or anything. They're selling computers.
But whatever. I have an ipod, and I love it. I'll probably by a new one soon, but I don't have a problem just ordering one online. As far as their computers go, i'm not sure what to think. Most art-related majors say they love the macs, but every computer science/engineering major I talk to doesn't like it. it's confusing
July 23, 2008 at 10:32 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
tallblonde (anonymous) says...
Oh well - Downtown went to hell after Charlie's, The Garden and Gun & the No Name (No Shame) closed.....LOL
July 23, 2008 at 11:12 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
mlittle212 (anonymous) says...
this is cool news - I'm thinking about buying an iPhone - so this comes at a good time
July 23, 2008 at 12:16 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
palmettotree (anonymous) says...
I will most definitely be there very early. I can't wait!
July 23, 2008 at 1:17 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
palmettotree (anonymous) says...
neponset
I have been under the impression that Apple computers and related soft wear was and still is more expensive - is that true?
Yes they are a bit more expensive but they are well worth it. I have had mine without any problems whatsoever. No viruses to speak of. NONE absolutely none. I have had mine for a year and a half and have never had to call apple for a problem. Sure there maybe duds in a shipment but apple will make it right.
Sorry it sounds like a commercial but it isn't. Just trying to inform someone.
July 23, 2008 at 1:30 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
letstakeawalk (anonymous) says...
Since we're talking about Cumberland's, I think the real shame is that the original location - you know, on Cumberland Street - is still desolate and empty after how many years?
IIRC, the owners were in a hurry to move Cumberlands, Cafe Lana, Theater 99, the hair salon and art gallery out of the spaces because they had big plans and tenants lined up... At least Lana has found a good home, and a stellar reputation on their corner of Cannon!
I'm certainly not an Apple fan, I have serious issues using the iMac my boss dotes over, but I am glad to see them open up a new shop downtown. There is a dearth of electronics shops inside the City. Read Brothers Stereo is one of the finest I've been in, great staff, products, and service. Maybe some others will come in, and give us some variety!
July 23, 2008 at 1:32 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
Neponset (anonymous) says...
Palm..
With regard to virures, I have been told that the bad boys don't focus on Apple, since there are less Apples, and they are looking to make a big splash, so they pick on the MS systems.
Maybe I will look into Apple, next time I need a computer. I have had a few problems and Dell has corrected problems promptly. One problem is that their call centers are in India and some of those folks are hard to understand.
July 23, 2008 at 2:30 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
Popeye (anonymous) says...
Basically U get what u pay for with a Mac or any other Apple product. The Mac operating system OS X Leopard is the most stable OS in existence. Compared to Vista for the PC it is a dream come true. Besides, U can also run PC software on your Mac @ the same time U are running the Mac OS and software. However, I only run Mac OS on my IMac; don't want to degrade my computer by running a cranky, unstable OS like Microsoft forces its customers to purchase. JMO.
July 23, 2008 at 4:05 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
letstakeawalk (anonymous) says...
@ Popeye
LOL! The only reason you can't run Apple OS on a non-Apple machine is because Apple won't allow it - they'll sue you for breaking the EULA. OS X is ok, but really no better or worse than any other OS. It is simply restricted to Apple hardware because that way Apple can have better control over 3rd Party software and hardware. Microsoft sells an operating system that can be used on any hardware, and difficulties sometimes arise because of the huge flexibility that must compensate for the almost infinite number of variations users might use.
Apple is the company that forces you to buy their software, which exists for the sole purpose of selling their hardware - try buying an Apple PC without an operating system installed; they won't do it. Windows will refund your money if you decline the EULA and remove the software from your system. Which company really looks out for the little guy?
(writing this from an ASUS EEE 701, running Linux)
July 23, 2008 at 4:30 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
MissVAbch (anonymous) says...
After problems with so many PC's, crashing, blue screen of death, pop-up's, viruses, slow running, etc, (this includes a Dell and HP), I bought a MacBook. I have had it almost 2 years and have *never* had one iota of a problem. Never a pop-up, no crashing...I love it. I will never go back to the other.
Initially it takes a short transition time to acclimate to the differences, but once you get going, it is very user friendly.
I also have the iphone and adore it as well. My husband has the MacBook Air and I'm jealous, but am completely satisfied with my thicker model.
I highly recommend their products.
July 23, 2008 at 4:40 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
Neponset (anonymous) says...
Lets..
Looked up ASUS (looks like they build mother boards) and have a small amount of knowledge about Linux. Sounds like you have a custom built computer. Do you have some special need that requires all of this extra effort and perhaps expense?
I am just a lightweight trying to get by on XP, but like to learn new things.
(writing this on a Dell Inspiron 6000 with a little exra horse power)
July 23, 2008 at 5:46 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
letstakeawalk (anonymous) says...
@ Neponset
Actually, nothing custom about it. Cost me $420 delivered, last November. Great for trips and using around town, because the thing is TINY! Best of all, with a free ORB account, I have access to everything on my XP box at home. The EEE comes in all sorts of flavors now...
http://eeepc.asus.com/global/
(Hey, he asked. These things were meant to be sold to school kids because they're so cheap and easy to use.)
Good catch on the manufacturer... ASUS builds much of Apple's stuff. Apple just adds their OS and jacks the price.
July 23, 2008 at 6 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
LadyTarHeel (anonymous) says...
I'm so excited about the new Apple store!!! I LOVE my MacBook!! I have had it a year and I only had one issue with the internal speakers not working right after I got it, but they helped me fix it over the phone. It has been working perfectly since. I too used to have a PC (Gateway) and it worked fine for quite sometime, but one day I got the blue screen of death and it completely crashed. Fortunately, I had my important files backed-up on my flash drive. It was a pain, so I decided to ditch PCs all together and get a Mac and I haven't looked back. I guess what they say is true, "Once you go Mac, you don't go back"!
July 23, 2008 at 7:20 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
Neponset (anonymous) says...
Let..
Couldn't find the model but get the drift of the design. Looks perfect for someone on the go. I gather it uses flash for the hard drive - makes it very durable.
I like a larger screen - mine usually sits by my easy chair - wired up (5 cables).
July 23, 2008 at 8:06 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
whome (anonymous) says...
BTW, Apple's physical presence in this state means sales tax on even Internet purchases.
July 23, 2008 at 10:44 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
Tulane75 (anonymous) says...
Apple has been charging sales tax for years, but they will ship it free.
July 23, 2008 at 11:52 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
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