Apple Store In Grand Central Terminal No More, According To Reports

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Sad news for all our New York readers–word has emerged that says Apple’s plans to put a retail operation in Grand Central Terminal have been quite soundly shut down.

Earlier word suggested that Apple was planning a–get this!–16,000 square foot retail storefront in the balconies of the Grand Central Terminal. Just for reference, the typical Best Buy store ranges anywhere from 20,000 to 45,000 square feet depending on the size of the market, so Apple was basically looking to build what amounts to almost a small Best Buy in Grand Central Terminal.

What killed such a project? Well, apparently, the problem was New York government red tape, as the project was set to encounter a “long approval process”, according to reports. That and the concept of putting the rough equivalent of a small Best Buy in a fairly major New York landmark probably gave more than a few people pause.

I’m rather torn in terms of an opinion on this. On the one hand, it’s easy to see how preserving a historical landmark like Grand Central Terminal is important to the heart and soul of New Yorkers everywhere, and does anyone really need one more place to buy Apple gear? But on the other, we all know that business pretty much anywhere is slow right now, and with a company like Apple interested in putting some punch back in the bottom line, it shouldn’t have been that much of a decision. I mean, come on–it’s Apple. They’ll pay their rent on time. Still though, if Apple had decided to leave, you would have had a gravely altered Grand Central Terminal, with multiple retail possibilities now combined into one massive one (it’s not like their last 16,000 square foot tenant just left) and who would step up to fill the gap?

So for New Yorkers who can’t get enough Apple gear, it’s a sad day, though just how sad a day remains to be seen.