This weekend, Apple's new retail store at Quaker Bridge Mall in Lawrence Township, N.J., drew a crowd for its grand opening. Meanwhile, on the west coast, construction is well underway for a massive new store in Portland, Ore.
Quaker Bridge Mall
Saturday at 10 a.m. marked the debut of Apple's latest retail location in New Jersey, located in Lawrence Township's Quaker Bridge Mall. Commemorative shirts were given to the first thousand customers who visited.
AppleInsider reader Sandeep was onhand at the grand opening, and provided the included pictures of the event and the crowd that turned out.
Previously, customers who lived in New Jersey's South Brunswick area had to drive about a half-hour each way to reach the nearest Apple locations in Freehold or Bridgewater, according to Patch.
Pioneer Place
Work is well underway for a massive new retail location in Portland, Ore., with two full floors of retail space now cleared out in preparation. The store is located in Portland's Pioneer Square, near the city's MAX Light Rail transit service.
reader Bob sent along the included pictures that show the progress being made. So far, a pedestrian bridge that used to be connected to the building has been removed.
The project was approved by the Portland Design Commission last July, though at the time the location was only "rumored" to be an Apple Store. That's because the company discreetly filed its application, and kept its identity anonymous during the planning phases.
But the design of the new store was enough to tip off Apple's involvement: The Pioneer Place location will feature a block-long glass storefront.
Construction on the project first kicked off last October. The new location was previously home to a Saks Fifth Avenue store.
Apple already has a much smaller Pioneer Place location near the food court, a location that's likely to close once the new store opens. No scheduled opening date has been given.
Just weeks ago, Microsoft opened its own retail store in the same neighborhood. As part of the festivities, Microsoft had the band Weezer play a show.