In response to those that don't understand why Cherry Hill is getting an Apple store: That mall is getting a major revamp.

They have already added Crate&Barrel and The Container Store, and Nordstroms is on it's way.

The only Apple product I have is a first generation shuffle, but simply by walking past it, Springboard looks like a total dump compared to a true Apple store.

I said we need a good sports bar - not just another plain ol' bar - so people can watch the Phils and other games after work, where blue collar types would feel comfortable at happy hour after leaving the job site. This is a sports town, not an Apple town. It's a shame that Champs and Fox & Hound are the only decent sized sports bars in Center City, b/c they both stink.

I also never said a 4th Apple store would be enough to change this city into a town full of nerds. But lets face it, a lot of you would like to turn this town into Seattle-East b/c you don't our tough, grungy, shot-and-beer identity. But that's what makes Philadelphia, Philadelphia. And the people deserve to be able to leave the office or construction site and head over to a real sports bar w/ good TVs and edible food to catch the Phils game. It's wanted in Center City b/c its the kind of place that would see a high frequency of patronage by Center City residents and those who work w/in a few blocks away, unlike an Apple store, which would not be visited by any one customer more than a few times a year.

And considering the need to go to an Apple store can't amount to more than a couple times a year, then I have an idea - jump on one of three trains and go to one of the stores we already have. And be sure not to insult "Vinny" to his face, or yous may end up gittin smacked in da mouf. B/c this city is a lot more Vinny than it is Apple, whether you want to believe it or not.

By the way, here's the real reason you people want an Apple store:

(Yes I'm reposting it, b/c it's worth it. It's funny b/c it's true. I don't think the writer is off in his analysis one bit.)

StuffWhitePeopleLike

#40 Apple Products

January 30, 2008 by clander




It is surprising that it took all the way to #40 to call out Apple products. Initially, we were planning for an entire week on Apple products, but that would just be over kill.
Plain and simple, white people don’t just like Apple, they love and need Apple to operate.
On the surface, you would ask yourself, how is that white people love a multi-billion dollar company with manufacturing plants in China, mass production, and that contributes to global pollution through the manufacture of consumer electronic devices?
Simple answer: Apple products tell the world you are creative and unique. They are an exclusive product line only used by every white college student, designer, writer, English teacher, and hipster on the planet.
You see, a long time ago Apple’s were super popular among layout artists and graphic designers. Then Apple released Final Cut Pro and became the standard for film editors. As a result, lots of creative industries used Apple computers instead of PCs. Eventually, people started making the connection, and all of a sudden all white people need to have a Mac.
When you ask white people about Mac’s they will say “oh, it’s so much better than Windows,” “it’s just easier to use,” “they are so cutting edge,” and so forth. What’s amazing is that white people NEED to meet people who use Windows to justify themselves spending an extra $500 for a pretty looking machine.
It is also important that white people are reminded of their creativity, and remember you need a Mac to creatively check email, creatively check websites, and creatively watch DVDs on planes.
White people also need iPods, iPhones, Apple TV, AirPort Express stations, and anything else that Apple will produce. Because you need to express your uniqueness by purchasing everything that a publicly traded company produces.
Apple products also come with stickers. Some people put them on their computer, some people put them on windows, but to take it to the pinnacle of whiteness, you need to put the Apple sticker in the rear window of your Prius, Jetta, BMW, Subaru 4WD Station Wagon or Audi. You then need to drive to a local coffee shop (Starbucks will do in a pinch) and set up your apple for the world to see. Thankfully, the Apple logo on the back will light up! So even in a dark place, people can see how unique and creative you (and the five other people doing the exact same thing) truly are!
Knowledge of Apple products can be useful in a number of social situations. If you see a white person with a Mac, an easy way to approach them is to say “Is that a Powerbook? What OS do you have?” They will happily start talking to you, after the requisite five minutes, you can invite them to an 80s night.

According to the Critical Thinking class I'm suffering through now , you're guilty of the False Dilemma rhetorical device - the choice isn't EITHER a sports bar OR an Apple store. Why can't we have both?

I'm pretty sure that there's a few Ad Hominem attacks in there too, and possiby a Straw Man

Your critical thinking class isn't teaching you much - no surprise; classes like that are always worthless - b/c I never said it's either/or. I said an ESPN Zone or a Chickie's and Pete's would better serve the people of Philadelphia's interest, and I don't even see how that's a debate. And in my opinion, an Apple store is something that would be closed by 7PM and not frequented by the average customer more than a couple times a year. It's a waste.

You're kidding ? Right ?

I guess that's progress in Philadelphia another place where people can show off the spelling skills. E_A_G_L_E_S

Apparently you don't know the kind of numbers an Apple flagship does. In 2007 more than 21.5 million people visited its stores.

This is an Eagles/Phils/Sixers/Flyers town, not an Apple town, whether you want it to be or not. If you're looking to experience the deep, quiet satisfaction only a dorky white person could experience that comes w/ walking the hallowed grounds of a 4th (!!!!) Apple store, take Arlee's advise and move to a town that has that many, b/c it's far from a priority to Philadelphians.

And equating "progress" w/ the arrival of an oversized Apple store filled w/ gizmos I can get for hundreds of dollars cheaper at Dell.com and Best Buy is laughable. "Progress" is measured in population trends, crime statistics, and local economies, not 40,000 square foot buildings that sell stuff I can get at Target.

If you need to go to an Apple store more than a couple times a year, it means one of two things. Your either like those Apple commericals so much that just walking into the store fills your heart w/ a deep, quiet satisfaction that most of us find creepy, or you're going there for frequent product tune ups, which means Apple products must be pieces of shite. Either way, there's no reason to go more than 3 or 4 times a year, so I don't see what's so hard about visiting one of the three stores our area already has.

Center City has a lot of needs, and an Apple Store the size of an Air Force hanger isn't even in the Top 100. Geez, we don't even have a real movie theater.

...I don't want to get snarky, but aren't you moving soon? Why the hell does it even matter. I'm sure there are plently of sports bars to suit your needs in Lower Merion.

Its a classic argument for the Apple Store---its like Sephora: Having one, especially a flagship, is a mark of retail-sector strength.

And there are real movie theatres, if you look hard enough.

__________________
“Man who run in front of car get tired.”

If I took your attitude I could say if you feel the need to visit a bar more than three times a year you must an alcohol problem. Your TV must be a piece of shite and breaks a lot if you feel the need to watch the game away from home so much. You can't imagine the creepiness we feel when people feel the need to obsess over a sports team and dress like a player. Also why would you feel the need for more bars when you can buy a six pack and drink it at home? I don't know why you feel the need for another sports bar when there are plenty right now.

Get a clue

Who cares if I'm moving? I'll still be working in Center City 5-6 days a week, and I can think of about 100 things I'd rather visit after work before I catch the train than an Apple store the size of a hockey rink. And although I don't like speaking for others, I can say w/ confidence that a very large percentage of Philadelphians agree with me.

And if having an Apple Store is really "a mark for retail strength" like you say, maybe there's a reason we don't have one. Regardless, it seems like people want one b/c of some sort of ridiculous, snooty civic pride that supposedly comes with having one. Sorry, but I don't need something as useless and unnecessary as an Apple flagship store the size of The Vet to validate Philadelphia's status. But are Apple stores any more a barometer of a city's entertainment influence than ESPN Zone, which has locations in NYC, DC, Chicago, Baltimore, Anaheim, Atlanta, Vegas and Denver? Not to mention they're tourist draws.

I don't get what it is about these Apple stores you people find so invigorating. It's a store. That sells computers. And phones. And MP3 players. Computers, phones, and MP3 players you can buy at just about any department or electronic store. I just don't see how it's needed.

The prevailing opinion seems to be "I don't care if an ESPN Zone or any other retail-type outlet would better serve the people of this city or not. I want an Apple store, and I want it NOW!!!!"

And that's my issue with this thread. Center City is progressing, but it still has a way to go. There's a lot of room for improvement and coutless ways it can better serve the collective people in the region, but to see people losing their mind over not having a 4th Apple store when there are so many other things this city needs that nobody makes a stink about is, well... I dunno. Actually I guess it's pretty predictable coming from your average PhillyBlogger considering you guys aren't exactly the shot-and-beer, WIP, Fly-Eagles-Fly, type of crowd.

Going to an Apple store more than a few times a year makes one a geek, and we are not a town of geeks.

Going to a sports bar more than a few times a year means you want to watch the game w/ other fans. It doesn't mean you're an alcoholic. I can't believe I just read that, and this coming from someone seen as a tight ass b/c he doesn't ever have more than a couple beers a week.

This is a shot-and-beer sports town. You may not like it, but that's what it is. If you're looking for a population that would rather have an Apple store the size of Wonka's factory, and if people obsessing over the Eagles and wearing Phillies jersies creeps you out, I can say w/ confidence you are in the wrong city.

And the ESPN Zone thing was just one example on a list of things that would better serve the people of Philadelphia more than a huge Apple store when we already have 3 in the first place. It just makes no sense to be so pissed off about not getting a big Apple store when there are so many other options that would better serve the region.