Most neighborhoods would kill for an Apple Store, but if you’re an elitist living in New York City’s Upper East Side, the thought of Apple fanboys camping out near your five-story townhouse is just absolutely horrid.
Residents and businesses of the posh neighborhood are banding together in opposition to the construction of an Apple Store that might attract flocks of peasants along with all their shouting, and screaming, and barbecues. Ewww!
Apple plans to add special features to the swanky store, but according to Herbert Feinberg, who is leading the cause to keep Apple out of the Upper East Side, that’s not enough.
Madison Avenue “has been a fine retail corridor that doesn’t generate the crowds that Apple does,” Feinberg told The Wall Street Journal. “The Whitney [an art museum which relocated from Madison Avenue last year] didn’t do that at all except for Friday events, but it was a dignified line. No shouting, no screaming, no tents, no sleeping bags, no barbecues.”
Apple still plans to go through with the new store despite the protest. To make the crowds more bearable, the company says it will have an earlier closing time and private shopping.
“The Upper East Side store is designed to serve an important role in the neighborhood and respect the surrounding community,” Apple told the Journal. “In this case, that means a smaller footprint, earlier closing time, and private shopping options for customers.”
Source: The Wall Street Journal
Buster Hein is a freelance writer who lives in Phoenix, Arizona. Twitter: @bst3r.
8 responses to “Upper East Siders snub their noses at Apple Store”
I’ve only seen one name associated with the opposition. I’ve never seen anything that resembles wide spread opposition. Nor have I seen Apple lines such as Feinberg describes.
Oh lord. What a loaded article.
Hey. If they allow BBQs in line for new Apple product event releases, maybe I’ll think about actually attending one. I’ll bring the smoker, brisket and Ribs boys and girls! You bring the beer.
Good grief. It’s Manhattan streets, so by definition they will be crowded. What the hell is wrong with people in this country now…
“Upper East Siders snub their noses at Apple Store”
No surprise. New York Upper East Side residents snub their noses at almost everything.
including the new 2nd ave subway, since UESiders take cabs and the 2nd Ave subway is just for peons to travel through their neighborhood
Well put! :)
“Businesses of the posh neighborhood are banding together in opposition to the construction of an Apple Store that might attract flocks of peasants along with all their shouting, and screaming, and barbecues.”
I dunno put a coffee shop there and damn you’d be busy as hell, if you don’t like the city life then leave, nobody likes ppl who complain or whine.
Sources, please. I have a hard time believing any of this article.