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Apple Store Opening
Tyson's Corner, Virginia
May 19, 2001
by Lawrence I. Charters
See pictures, below.
We also have movies which, among other things, help answer the question: were there really that many people in line?
While not, technically, a Washington Apple Pi event, it might as well have been: Washington Apple Pi members were there in force for the opening of the Apple Store in Tyson's Corner, Virginia. They came from all over the mid-Atlantic states to see what Apple's idea of a store should be, to see what goodies might be available, and to come away with a free T-shirt if they were among the first 1,000 through the door.
People started lining up at 4 a.m., though security guards made them leave and come back later. By 9:30 a.m., half an hour before the start, the line snaked throughout the upper level of the mall, with literally hundreds of people in line. Mall workers complained, in a good-natured sort of way, that so many people came for the opening that all the parking spaces were filled before most mall shops even opened. "It's like Christmas."
The two most popular questions asked in line were:
1) "Why are all you guys standing in line?"
2) "Why didn't Washington Apple Pi pass out membership brochures and magazines to everyone in line?"
Prior to the store opening, there wasn't much to do except exchange Mac tips with other people in line. When the lights came on just before 10 a.m., there was a standing ovation, followed almost immediately by a bigger standing ovation as the jet-black door to the store rolled up and open. This was soon followed by the sobering realization that, for most of those in line, actually getting in the store would take an hour or more; Fairfax County Police were on hand to prevent overcrowding.
It was a banner day for digital cameras as dozens of people took pictures of friends and strangers standing in line. Digital video cameras were also out in force, and many people brought PowerBooks or iBooks to watch movies or write notes while waiting. Once they got near the store, there were occasional shrieks of delight as AirPort users discovered they could log in to the Internet using the store's wireless network.
Once inside, virtually everyone came away impressed with the tasteful, functional layout and knowledgeable staff. There were geeks at the "Genius" bar to help with complex questions, and more "normal" types to help novices with more down-to-earth tasks.
Everyone leaving the store with a bag or a box was immediately tracked by hundreds of sets of eyes, wondering what they had purchased. Store personnel also went out and walked down the line, showing an iBook in action, surfing the Web via the store's AirPort wireless network.
Click on any photo for enlargement and caption.
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