DigitalSandbox

I have been meaning to write this up all week and haven’t gotten around to it. Last Saturday the unthinkable happened. An Apple Store opened in Salt Lake City. Now you might be thinking that that isn’t a very significant event, but I can assure you that it is. Kind of.

Utah is generally a pretty PC-based state. While working at CompUSA I saw first hand how many people had no knowledge that something besides Windows existed, and even less desire to learn. That has been changing in recent years thanks to the astounding success of the iPod, but I figured we were still a ways off from a bona fide Apple Store.

For those of you who, like myself until recently, do not have an Apple Store nearby, let me relate some of my impressions.

These are, bar none, the nicest stores you have ever entered. It is more like a boutique than a computer store. Everything is stylish and it is evident that just as much design went int othe fixtures as go into Apple’s products. After looking for computers and computer-related gadgetry at CompUSA/Best Buy/Circuit City/similar store chain, stepping into an Apple Store is like breath of fresh air.

The first thing you notice is that there is Apple paraphenelia scattered liberally around the store. You can’t go more than few feet without seeing an iPod, iMac, Powerbook, or Mini. And it’s all in the open. I don’t recall seeing one glass case or locked up display. That is not to say they were unsecured, just that the security measures did not overwhelm the product like so many stores do.

I don’t know if every Apple Store has this, but they had a display set up for kids, too. It was on a very low table and featured four 17” iMac G5s (the new ones with the built-in iSight). each system was running a different children’s program and the kids (including the Things, which made the trek with me) loved them. A very good way to show people that these are computers for the entire family.

The other thing that impressed me was that there were no tables or shelves above about waist height. You could look out over the whole store and find everything. A very refreshing change of pace. The overall design keeps with Apple’s clean and sparse design sense. Very modern and appealing.

Being there for the grand opening was fun. I waited in a very long line with other Apple fanatics. It was interesting to hear the comments and conversations going on around me. The Apple Store employees tried to make it exciting by cheering for each person as they entered and giving high-fives. There was a lot of energy inside the store as everyone buzzed around from one toy tot he next. All in all a very satisfying experience, I just wish I brought my camera (that picture above ain’t mine). I can’t wait to go back.

And yes, I got the free T-shirt.