Apple: Fifth Ave store will never close (photos)

The Apple Store Fifth Avenue will be Apple's most architecturally innovative store and will also operate 24 hours a day, 365 days a year, to offer an unprecedented level of service, the company officially announced on Thursday.

The store features a distinctive 32-foot glass cube that creates an attractive new destination on Fifth Avenue, one of the world’s most popular shopping areas.

“We opened our first New York store in SoHo in 2002, and it has been successful beyond our dreams. Now we’re thrilled to open our second New York store on Fifth Avenue,” said Steve Jobs, Apple’s CEO. “With outstanding service and an amazing location open 24 hours a day, we think the Apple Store Fifth Avenue is going to be a favorite destination for New Yorkers and people around the world.”

The new store offers more than 100 Macs and nearly 200 iPods for customers to try before they buy, as well as the world’s largest assortment of accessories.

The Apple Store Fifth Avenue also has the largest staff of any Apple Store, with nearly 300 highly trained Mac Specialists, Mac Geniuses and Creatives who will offer free tips and tricks on photography, movies and music.

Inside the Apple Store Fifth Avenue, customers will find a combined 45-foot Genius Bar, iPod Bar and The Studio where they can get face-to-face support, free advice and work on creative projects at any hour of the day or night.

Apple also announced that more than 147 million people on three continents have visited Apple retail stores since they opened in May 2001. Apple’s Retail division generated more than one billion dollars in revenue during the 2005 holiday shopping season, solidifying the company's position as one of the fastest-growing retailers in the world.

With the opening of the Apple Store Fifth Avenue, Apple now operates 147 stores, including six in Japan, six in the U.K. and two in Canada.

Inside the Apple Store Fifth Avenue

The Apple Store Fifth Avenue is located at 767 Fifth Avenue between 58th and 59th Streets, neighboring Central Park, FAO Schwarz and Bergdorf Goodman. It will open to the general public on Friday, May 19 at 6:00 p.m. ET.