Apple to take over two storefronts with expanded Lehigh Valley outlet

The current Lehigh Valley store.

Apple's Lehigh Valley Mall store in Whitehall, Pa. is relocating to a bigger space, with plans to throw open the new doors in September.

The shop will in fact combine two spaces previously held by J. Crew and Ann Taylor, according to The Morning Call, pointing to a U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission filing by the mall's co-owner, Simon Property Group. It's not immediately known when construction will start or when the old location will close its doors.

The original Lehigh Valley store dates back to 2007, when the mall launched a $40 million expansion. It's relatively cramped by modern Apple standards, without the room to display much of the 2018 product line.

The company will presumably use the relocation as an opportunity to switch to its latest design motif, which includes wooden shelves, oversized video displays, and — where room is available — things like trees and seating for Today at Apple events. Apple has been renovating and/or relocating many of its U.S. stores, some of which predate the iPhone and haven't kept up with Apple's evolving size, wealth, and aesthetics.

Whitehall is on the outskirts of Allentown, and Apple's store there serves that city as well as a number of surrounding communities.

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9 Comments

zoetmb

said about 5 years ago

I hope Apple doesn't sign long-term leases because a lot of malls aren't going to be around too much longer, especially in regions that are oversaturated with malls. E-commerce (and the decline of the middle class) is largely killing off this type of shopping. I live in an apartment building with 205 apartments, the majority elderly and in spite of the fact that there's a zillion stores within walking distance, three malls within 2 miles and a practically unlimited number of retailers a local bus or subway ride away, we get 50 packages a day delivered to the building. Add in some especially busy days around Xmas and we're talking at least (since I'm not counting Amazon deliveries on Sundays), 16,000 packages a year. I don't see how most of the physical retailers can survive except in locations where there's still incredible foot traffic.

Even before e-commerce, I've been in malls in middle America where one could throw a bowling ball down the hallway during the day and not hit anyone.

jungmark

said about 5 years ago

zoetmb said:

I hope Apple doesn't sign long-term leases because a lot of malls aren't going to be around too much longer, especially in regions that are oversaturated with malls. E-commerce (and the decline of the middle class) is largely killing off this type of shopping. I live in an apartment building with 205 apartments, the majority elderly and in spite of the fact that there's a zillion stores within walking distance, three malls within 2 miles and a practically unlimited number of retailers a local bus or subway ride away, we get 50 packages a day delivered to the building. Add in some especially busy days around Xmas and we're talking at least (since I'm not counting Amazon deliveries on Sundays), 16,000 packages a year. I don't see how most of the physical retailers can survive except in locations where there's still incredible foot traffic.

Even before e-commerce, I've been in malls in middle America where one could throw a bowling ball down the hallway during the day and not hit anyone.

Apple will be fine. They look for high traffic areas to put stores. In addition, they look for stable shopping centers as well. They aren't looking at rundown malls. Apple doesn't just sell goods. They provide a service. They will be a reason for people to go to an Apple store.

nathreed

said about 5 years ago

zoetmb said:

I hope Apple doesn't sign long-term leases because a lot of malls aren't going to be around too much longer, especially in regions that are oversaturated with malls. E-commerce (and the decline of the middle class) is largely killing off this type of shopping. I live in an apartment building with 205 apartments, the majority elderly and in spite of the fact that there's a zillion stores within walking distance, three malls within 2 miles and a practically unlimited number of retailers a local bus or subway ride away, we get 50 packages a day delivered to the building. Add in some especially busy days around Xmas and we're talking at least (since I'm not counting Amazon deliveries on Sundays), 16,000 packages a year. I don't see how most of the physical retailers can survive except in locations where there's still incredible foot traffic.

Even before e-commerce, I've been in malls in middle America where one could throw a bowling ball down the hallway during the day and not hit anyone.

I live in the Lehigh Valley, so this is my local Apple Store. It's always packed when I go (even during the week) and this expansion will give them some much-needed space. On busy Saturdays you can barely walk around in there, and the article is correct that there's barely any room for the latest products. They have 1 table of iPhone, 1 table of iPad, 1 table of Apple Watch, and 1 table of MacBook Pros. They have small shelves on the side of the store where they have like one of each laptop other than MBPs, an Apple TV, a Mac Pro, and a couple of Beats headphones. The accessory wall is really small and has super limited selection, and there are only 5-6 seats at the Genius Bar. The mall in general gets a ton of traffic and I always have to park far away when I go. So worry not, the business at this store isn't going away anytime soon. This is in an outdoor, strip-mall style area on the property of the traditional (enclosed) mall, which also gets plenty of traffic.

dysamoria

said about 5 years ago

nathreed said:

zoetmb said:

I hope Apple doesn't sign long-term leases because a lot of malls aren't going to be around too much longer, especially in regions that are oversaturated with malls. E-commerce (and the decline of the middle class) is largely killing off this type of shopping. I live in an apartment building with 205 apartments, the majority elderly and in spite of the fact that there's a zillion stores within walking distance, three malls within 2 miles and a practically unlimited number of retailers a local bus or subway ride away, we get 50 packages a day delivered to the building. Add in some especially busy days around Xmas and we're talking at least (since I'm not counting Amazon deliveries on Sundays), 16,000 packages a year. I don't see how most of the physical retailers can survive except in locations where there's still incredible foot traffic.

Even before e-commerce, I've been in malls in middle America where one could throw a bowling ball down the hallway during the day and not hit anyone.

I live in the Lehigh Valley, so this is my local Apple Store. It's always packed when I go (even during the week) and this expansion will give them some much-needed space. On busy Saturdays you can barely walk around in there, and the article is correct that there's barely any room for the latest products. They have 1 table of iPhone, 1 table of iPad, 1 table of Apple Watch, and 1 table of MacBook Pros. They have small shelves on the side of the store where they have like one of each laptop other than MBPs, an Apple TV, a Mac Pro, and a couple of Beats headphones. The accessory wall is really small and has super limited selection, and there are only 5-6 seats at the Genius Bar. The mall in general gets a ton of traffic and I always have to park far away when I go. So worry not, the business at this store isn't going away anytime soon. This is in an outdoor, strip-mall style area on the property of the traditional (enclosed) mall, which also gets plenty of traffic.

I can confirm everything said here about this mall. I live in this region and this mall is very highly trafficked (it killed the Whitehall Mall across the street, and it is the center of holiday shopping for the Lehigh Valley. It's an utter nightmare during xmas (traffic alone is abysmal throughout December). The Apple Store is always full and is too small for the number of people it services.

Folio

said about 5 years ago

Irony in taking over Ann Taylor and j crew. Just read a report on retail clothier woes. It’s not just Amazon effect. It’s mainstream America has less discretionary $$$ in budget for clothes. electronic gear much bigger slice. I can see future cartoon. Guy w family in rags holding latest mobile phones.