Cambridge Apple Store - Grand Opening
I played it smart, I thought and went in via the new John Lewis end of the mall, which seemed to have less people waiting than the Lion Yard entrance (it turned out most had waited outside the main Grand Arcade entrance). There were balloons suspended from the ceiling ready for the opening, but to my disappointment they didn’t drop at 10:00.
At 10:05 I could hear a loud count down shouted at the
other end and they were let through (even then the
balloons didn’t drop). Some made a run for the
Apple Store (others walked past), leaving the people at
my end in some confusion, still being held back, until
a few made a break for it. This lead to the normal
human need to follow the crowd and stampede. Many
rushed down to the Apple Store, but were made to form
another queue against the wall opposite the store
before being let in. I still managed to be in a line
with about the first 15 people, had I been further back
I’d would’ve gone home.
Hey you, get to the back
of the queue.
There was some confusing as we were let in - other
shoppers were either trying to squeeze past the store,
or when trying to walk in were being ushered away down
the line, not realising it was anything special. There
was the usual noisy clapping, shouting and hooting as
we entered, this was mainly from the Apple staff - not
the people coming in. We were also extensively filmed
& photographed by Apple’s staff, for no doubt
more promotional videos, (like I saw during my Apple
interview/seminar). I kept my hood up.
Once inside, I picked up my T-shirt from a guy I had
been to the seminar with. I called him Vicas for some
unknown reason. I couldn’t remember his name, it
might’ve been close? I apologise if he ever reads
this. I shook his hand, congratulating him. The (not
so) funny thing; I’m sure he admitted not knowing
that much about Macs at the seminar, but he does have a
friendly face. I also spied another guy who had talked
way too much during the seminar and is now one of their
greeters! I guess Mac knowledge isn’t high on
Apple’s wish list to work in a store (I think
I’ve a right to be have my nose put out slightly
- how could they not want MisterMac! heh).
Many shops remain
empty
The shop seemed pretty generic, not very big but nicely
laid out as you’d expect. After a look about and
quick play with an iPhone (forgetting to look at the
MacBook Air). I remembered to enter the
competition, once I found
it.
I also took some photos, which you can see
here.
After leaving, I found the queue stretched right down
to the old Lion yard. I’m actually unsure if some
of the people in the queue knew what they were queuing
for. I have a feeling some just thought it was still
for the grand opening of the mall, or maybe I’m
wrong and a lot of those old Grans really are Mac
users? You never know!
Whilst walking out via John Lewis - one of the staff asked
me "what is in those
boxes?". I explained it was a
T-shirt and he seemed slightly disappointed. They
are one of the other major stockists of Apple
products, so I cheered them up saying the Apple
Store still don’t give that free extra
two years guarantee, unlike themselves.
They thanked me heh.
Chic Apple Store, right
next door to the classy
Clinton Cards. That’s gotta make you grin.
I kinda felt sorry for the
other shops, most had more staff than customers in
comparison, the guy at the Sony store looked quite
miffed as I left with my Apple T-Shirt box.
Update: Just noticed my
story has been linked by MacDailyNews - just to add;
the Sony store isn’t in the Grand
Arcade, it’s around the corner in
Lion Yard , I just past it on the
way out - I think the guy was more bemused. My old
Sony Trinitron CRT TV has been going strong for 18
years, so not a comment on their products, but their
stores do need modernisation.
Saturday I think will be the real test as to what shops
people are actually interested in. Top Man, that’s where I
plan on going. Now I would’ve queued if
they
were handing
out free T-Shirts, well they might do sizes other
than large, or perhaps I should eat more pies!
Update: On Sunday the Apple
Store was pretty full when I went
past.
There’s still many empty shops in the Arcade,
some of the new shops have just moved in from other
parts of the town centre, leaving closed stores
elsewhere. Hopefully we’ll get some real new
stores soon, and not just expensive brand stores (not
everyone in Cambridge is rich).
Update: I saw on the
local news that they did let the
balloons down later, with dancing girls! They
don’t mention the Apple Store, odd considering
it had the most interest. Still, I can’t
believe I missed that, instead I was inside a Mac
shop. Here’s hoping I win
something.
T-Shirt; only comes in
large.