Apple to Open High Profile Retail Store on North Michigan Avenue in Chicago

CHICAGO—June 26, 2003— Apple® will open its first high profile retail store in downtown Chicago, at 679 North Michigan Avenue, tomorrow night at 6:00 p.m. CDT.

“In just two years Apple has changed the face of computer retailing and we are now bringing that experience to one of the best shopping streets in the U.S.—North Michigan Avenue in Chicago,” said Steve Jobs, Apple’s CEO.

The Apple Store North Michigan Avenue will feature:

  • an Internet cafe where visitors can check email and use Apple’s new iChat™ AV and iSight™ digital video cameras to video conference with friends and family;
  • a class Studio that overlooks an eco-friendly greenroof garden;
  • a forty-foot long Genius Bar, one of the most popular sections of Apple retail stores, where anyone can ask the Mac® “Genius” questions, connect to the Mac community or receive service;
  • more than 300 customer events every month including new “Genius Bar Unplugged” technical sessions taught at the Genius Bar and a Studio Series of hands-on classes*;
  • “solution centers” for music, photography and movies, where visitors can learn about the latest Apple solutions for digital photography, music and movies including the iTunes® Music Store and ultra-portable iPods;
  • an expanded kids section with seven computer stations connected to the Internet;
  • a software section with hundreds of software titles for the Mac; and
  • a 48-seat theater, where customers can watch demonstrations of Apple’s latest innovations, take classes and attend “Made on a Mac” events.

* A complete schedule of North Michigan Avenue store events and classes is available at www.apple.com/retail/nmichiganave.

Apple opened its first retail store in May 2001 and currently has 58 stores in 26 states in the U.S. Since Apple opened its first retail store in May 2001, Apple retail stores have hosted more than 17 million visitors.

At the Apple store, knowledgeable sales people are available to help customers learn about the revolutionary iTunes Music Store and new ultra-portable iPods. The hands-on Apple store experience provides visitors access to the latest Mac computer systems including the 12-inch and 17-inch PowerBook® G4 notebooks, iMac® and eMac™ running innovative digital lifestyle applications like iPhoto™, iDVD™, iTunes and iMovie™, as well as Mac® OS X, Apple’s revolutionary new operating system.

Apple ignited the personal computer revolution in the 1970s with the Apple II and reinvented the personal computer in the 1980s with the Macintosh. Apple is committed to bringing the best personal computing experience to students, educators, creative professionals and consumers around the world through its innovative hardware, software and Internet offerings.

Press Contacts:
Jane Rauckhorst
Apple
(408) 974-9950
jrauckhorst@apple.com

Christine Weil
Apple
(408) 974-7625
cweil@apple.com

NOTE TO EDITORS: For additional information visit Apple's PR website (www.apple.com/pr/), or call Apple's Media Helpline at (408) 974-2042.

Apple, the Apple logo, Macintosh, Mac, Mac OS, iChat, iSight, iTunes, PowerBook, iMac, eMac, iPhoto, iDVD and iMovie are either registered trademarks or trademarks of Apple. Other company and product names may be trademarks of their respective owners.