Aloha, Apple!

May 16, 2003 9:54 AM

Aloha, Apple! The Apple Store is coming to Honolulu, with a grand opening tomorrow morning, though there's no word on live jaguars. For some reason, I'm as giddy as a schoolboy, and can't wait to get down there and participate in the festivities. Are there other store openings, or openings in general, that make you giddy? (Like Matrix: Reloaded?) PS--Let's please avoid the standard Mac vs. PC spitting contest. That's already been done.
posted by TheManWhoKnowsMostThings (32 comments total)

There's a Gateway Country store here in Manhattan at Union Square! I hope they have a live cow!
posted by anildash at 10:01 AM on May 16, 2003

I don't get the excitement about Apple Stores. I have a Titanium Powerbook, so don't frame me as an apple basher. They aren't the cheapest places to buy macs, they don't sell anything you can't get at other stores. Its not even like they have sofas for mac geeks to sit around on and hang out. They just seem like stark white showrooms for people who haven't seen macs before.

What is the allure?
posted by bug138 at 10:04 AM on May 16, 2003

Reality distortion fields have been made portable.
posted by Space Coyote at 10:11 AM on May 16, 2003

Give me a break. This kind of blind devotion to a brand is nauseating.
posted by letitrain at 10:13 AM on May 16, 2003

What's the allure? As if you had to ask! Apple Stores are novel (most people haven't seen them before), they are interesting, and they might warrant discussion from others.

Who likes pancakes? Who wants chili?
posted by snarkout at 10:15 AM on May 16, 2003

Who likes pancakes? Who wants chili?

That's just wrong, man. You should have cornbread with chili.
posted by anapestic at 10:31 AM on May 16, 2003

what about the standard adfilter spitting contest?
posted by dorian at 10:38 AM on May 16, 2003

Seems to me they've been popping up like mushrooms the last couple of years. I'm a Mac entusiast, but I've really never seen the appeal.

I got a better deal at the online Apple store, but that's only because I get an educational discount. Else it would have been one of the general online retailers.
posted by ursus_comiter at 10:40 AM on May 16, 2003

The Mac-loyal are the best free PR machine in the world.

Take a bow.

But this is still an ad. And it doesn't belong here.
posted by scarabic at 10:56 AM on May 16, 2003

Yeah, I'm a mac user but this post does not make me think different.
posted by jeremias at 11:01 AM on May 16, 2003

Hoecakes and chili. Good eatin'. As for openings that make me giddy, well, let's just say that I'm too much of a gentleman to post those kinds of links on Mefi.
posted by monkeyman at 11:17 AM on May 16, 2003

Dear scarabic,

[bowing]

sigh. I tried, I really tried. I thought the post would spark a discussion on the question I asked:

Are there other store openings, or openings in general, that make you giddy?

But instead, I'll just carry on as my own, reality-distorted, mindless Mac zombie.

[wink and a nudge to monkeyman.]
posted by TheManWhoKnowsMostThings at 11:51 AM on May 16, 2003

Are there other store openings, or openings in general, that make you giddy?
Um, well, let's see: I'm more than 12 years of age, plus I have a life*, so I'm going to have to go with "No."

* MeFi notwithstanding
posted by Ayn Marx at 12:00 PM on May 16, 2003

Why is it that an Apple can inspire excitement while Microsoft has failed to do so since the release of Windows 95? People are willing to stand in line for an Apple store opening, yet nobody has stood in line for a Microsoft product since 1995.

Is it the difference in the products, or is it in the relative strength of Bill Gates's and Steve Jobs's reality distortion fields? Is it the marketing?

I don't get it, but I would like to understand.
posted by bravada at 12:04 PM on May 16, 2003

We get a lot of Apple-related posts on MetaFilter. These posts must, in my opinion, meet a certain minimum of novelty, interest and newsworthiness in order to pass muster on this site. Some of these posts do, but many don't. The new iTunes Music Store met that minimum; I don't think an Apple Store opening in Hawai'i does.
posted by mcwetboy at 12:04 PM on May 16, 2003

The first UK Apple Store is opening soon in London (New Oxford St.), and I'm pretty excited about it.

Yes, I use a mac, but I'm mainly interested in the store as by all accounts Apple's store design is amazing, and I work for a design agency. I'll be interested to see what they do with such a central location in London.
posted by influx at 12:05 PM on May 16, 2003

No need to get bent out of shape. Just realize that Apple is a corporation, not a church, and your excitement to buy and enjoy their products is of limited discursive potential.

If you wanted to stimulate a conversation on the anticipation and joy of unveilings or beginnings (a worthy idea) you should have done more than goo over an Apple store and link to the Matrix.

Really try a bit harder next time. Cheers.
posted by scarabic at 12:05 PM on May 16, 2003

I can't remember being excited about a store opening, although I remember my daughter crying when the quaint '50's-style Dolly Madison ice cream parlor closed down. (It's now a "smoking accessories" shop.)

I do remember being moved almost to tears eight years ago when the Denver Public Library opened its downtown Michael Graves-designed building with a Borges quote on the cornerstone.

I don't own a Mac or a PC. I am typing this on a machine I made out of electroplated soy bacon.
posted by kozad at 12:12 PM on May 16, 2003

We recently had poll at work to see if anyone went to grand opening events. It turns out that a surprisingly large number found them to be good places to go with their kids -- eat hot dogs, see clowns, get in the bouncy thing, etc.
posted by john m at 12:22 PM on May 16, 2003

In my line of work (I'm a whore), I get invited to a lot of store openings. I've attended more than a few, and I have to say: what could be less interesting? The Calvin Klein flagship, the Diesel extravaganza, whatever. If I have to cross a velvet rope and yet I can't even buy anything yet because the shit is never finished by the opening date, why the bloody hell am I there? Store openings are even worse than art openings where you can't see anything because of all the fucktards swilling free drinks.
posted by RJ Reynolds at 12:24 PM on May 16, 2003

They're opening a new Arby's in Colorado Springs! I wouldn't normally post to MetaFilter about a major national chain opening yet another branch, but um, hey! It's ARBY'S, dammit! And it's right next door to a freaking Starbuck's! Yummy oven roasted goodness and coffee-y ness!
posted by swell at 12:27 PM on May 16, 2003

(Oh yeah, I know you folks are all going "Colorado Springs has Arby's AND Starbuck's AND all that stuff that John Denver sang about? I'm like SO there." I'd just like to point out there isn't an In-N-Out Burger for like about a thousand miles of here.)
posted by swell at 12:32 PM on May 16, 2003

Are there other store openings, or openings in general, that make you giddy?

Krispy Kreme, and that was only once.

And I wouldn't use the word giddy.
posted by SweetJesus at 12:37 PM on May 16, 2003

I thought the post would spark a discussion on the question I asked:
Are there other store openings, or openings in general, that make you giddy?

To quote the Posting Guidelines, "If you're posting a generalized question to the audience, or posting a comment as a main thread, either find an appropriate mailing list, or use MetaTalk." Fourth paragraph under the heading What makes a bad post to MetaFilter?.
posted by me3dia at 12:40 PM on May 16, 2003

I went to the opening of the largest Ikea in the US, just outside Philly. Damn... that's a big ass ikea.
posted by ph00dz at 12:50 PM on May 16, 2003

The Mac-loyal are the best free PR machine in the world.

free for mr Jobs. the Mac-loyal actually pay through the nose for the privilege (full disclosure: I'm a very happy Mac user and OSX fan, but no jihadist)

btw, Matt, congratulations for the new iPod -- I love mine, too
posted by matteo at 1:14 PM on May 16, 2003

I don't know about giddy, but as a fan of IKEA (© Inter IKEA Systems B.V. 1999 - 2003), I was excited when the opened an IKEA in Emeryville. And IKEA Covina is now open!
posted by kirkaracha at 1:36 PM on May 16, 2003

Wow, the Metafilter Police are out en masse on this post. Geesh people, lighten up a bit.

The Apple store is a massive physical advertising project on Apple's behalf and yes, Macintosh users, fans, zealots, 'Macmujhadin'; however you call them, are the best advertising out there.

But the main idea of this posting could be turned around: WHY is it that an Apple Store opening draws such fans and rarely will you see anything else that does?

One reason, I think, is the "Cult of Personality" of Apple. Steve Jobs is the geek equivalent of a rock star. He always has been and amazingly, 25 years later, continues to be so. Nobody gets psyched about a Bill Gates or Steve Ballmer keynote (*shiver* at the thought of Ballmer gettin' all psyched up), but Steve Jobs draws people like flies to bug zappers (lousy analogy, but in some respects, accurate).

People feel *good* about using Macs and they feel like part of a clique, a group, (some would say a support club) and dammit, it's kind of cool to be 'the underdog', the scrappy fighter. After all, isn't that the American way of things? Back the underdog, David vs. Goliath? God, America, and Apple pie.

I'm being a bit dramatic, but my point is the same. People feel passionate about Apple and its products and I would love for others to chime in on this as well. So that's why the Apple stores draw pretty large crowds (and stares from other mall visitors) for their openings and are greatly popular.

Anyone else wish to chime in with a comment that is non-policing or non Mac v. PC?
posted by tgrundke at 2:48 PM on May 16, 2003

What is the allure?

I have no idea. I'm not even much of a Mac loyalist, having pretty well lost my faith when Copland got the ax. But I still drove over to Bellevue last week when the Apple store opened up, and it was a pretty cool store. One of the salesfolk spent a while showing me how the new iTunes store works, and I spent a little while playing with that new giant PowerBook. My excuse was that I wanted to see if they stocked the program I work on, and sure enough there were a couple boxes on the shelf. But I probably would have gone anyway.
posted by Mars Saxman at 2:53 PM on May 16, 2003

The Apple store doesn't strike me as a place for the already-converted to worship; instead, its purpose seems to be a holy place where the faithful can bring the unwashed and help them see the light. The store's clean design is meant to reflect the Apple virtue of simplicity (whether that virtue is real or not is an open question).

Remember, most people aren't you. Most people use an old Pentium II with 64 or even 32mb, keep their 17" monitor at 640x480, have every piece of spyware known to man as well as at least six different installations of Webshots and its ilk, have never defragmented, and have several hundred icons on the desktop.

After that, seeing the Apple store and the (well-maintained) Macs there is something of a religious experience -- "You mean... computers can be like that?"
posted by dmd at 3:10 PM on May 16, 2003

I think there was a post not that long ago about a guy who was trying to go to every Starbucks in the country. That's like taking one step forward and two steps back. I guess it would be easier to visit every Apple store in the country. I tend to stay away from stores in general, unless I really need something. I don't like waiting in lines for anything. I generally look down upon people who do wait in line for store openings, new movies, bank tellers, etc. I really don't have time to wait in line. I do have a Mac and I like it and all, but there's something weird about hanging out in an Apple store if you don't really need anything. Maybe you want to stump the genius. Who knows? I've never even been to a real Apple store. We have some stores that stock Apple products in Portland. They're not as flashy, but they have the products. I go there when I need to buy something. There usually aren't any lines early in the morning. I don't even want to go see the Matrix Reloaded. Don't even[SLAP]. Oh, thanks. I don't know what came over me.
posted by strangeleftydoublethink at 3:46 PM on May 16, 2003

Are there other store openings, or openings in general, that make you giddy?

Waal, now, I mind me of the time the gen'ral store opened up in Mud. Used to be, you'd have to go ta Leet or Fry fer yer thimbles, Big Creek fer yer thread, all the way out ta Sod or Ball Gap or even Nitro fer yer iron goods. Why, Pa once talked 'bout goin' to the state capital fer a new stove. Nothin' ever came of that, o' course, Maw jes' kept cookin' in that cave over t' th' next holler, but that were some good talk, yessirree. Anyways, once that feller from out o' state opened up that store, you could go right into Mud and get yer thimbles and yer thread and yer skillets all in the same place, all at oncet. O' course, Maw kept goin' to the next holler for the cookin, and Pa kept the still a-goin, and nothin changed all that much, but it were an excitin' day when that there gen'ral store opened, an' we been talkin' bout it pret' much ever since. Yessirree.
posted by languagehat at 5:05 PM on May 16, 2003