When Apple reports its quarterly financial figures, it holds a tele-conference with the press and industry analysts. Participants frequently ask whether are any stores are under-performing, and if Apple would consider closing them. Apple’s response is invariably that the company doesn’t break out individual store financial figures, that some locations aren’t doing as well as others, but that the company is working on specific solutions at those stores to improve their performance. All this to introduce the unthinkable–word is circulating in suburban Chicago that all three area stores–Oak Brook, Woodfield and Old Orchard–will be closed, leaving only North Michigan Avenue at the official Apple outlet. One source says the Woodfield mall space, the fifth store ever opened, is coming up for lease after only three years–Apple typically signs 10 to 15-year leases. Two independent sources have reported this situation, so I can’t ignore it–and I only hope the news is wrong! Check this map to see what would be left after the closure.