The Stoneridge (N. Calif.) store now has furniture, overhead signs covered in bubblewrap and glass partitions between sections, but it’s impossible to see other details through a crack in the front wooden covering. Either way, it’s certainly on track to open by Sept. 25th.

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The retail stores now have a new iPod promotional card, showing a photo of a life-size iPod front and back, along with its features and benefits. The kicker?–the iPod photo is die-cut, so you can easily punch it out from the card to pop it into your pocket, etc., to see exactly how small it [...]

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The MacMinute Web site has posted a report and link to photos of the Shadyside store grand opening on Saturday. You can see the store’s unique lay-out, with a new “buy” section (cash register) on the left side rear, directly across from the reduced-size Genius Bar. Interestingly, the commemorative T-shirts were handed out in boxes, [...]

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I’ve prepared a diagram of the Shadyside store’s unique layout, with the "cashwrap" and Genius Bar across from one another 3/4’s of the way back, and with the Studio bar at the rear of the store.

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A mother-daughter team arrived a midnight to be first-in-line for the Shadyside (Penn.) store, and there were 350 in line by the time Joe, the store manager, welcomed everyone inside. The Studio section includes Powerbooks on the counter for visitors to use for instruction or assistance, and a guitar on a stand for the Creatives [...]

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But even more interesting on the brochure, there are additional stores are listed on the back of the without an asterisk, and which are not yet open: Stoneridge (N. Calif.), Stonestown (N. Calif.), and Shadyside (Penn.), the latter opening tomorrow. Makes you believe the first two are opening very soon, and Apple didn’t want to [...]

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Thanks to the tipster who supplied these photos of the Nagoya (Japan) store future location, and the surrounding area, which includes McDonalds, Gap, Starbucks and Prada. As you can tell, the building is still under construction (on the left).

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The back of the Sept.-Oct. printed store calendar indeed confirms for the first time eight store locations, marked with an asterisk as opening during 2004:

Century City (S. Calif.)

Victoria Gardens (S. Calif.)

Danbury Fair Mall (Conn.)

Christiana Mall (Del.)

Jordan Creek (Iowa)

South Shore (Mass.)

Alderwood Mall (Wash.)

Regent Street (London)

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Thanks to Greg for additional photos taken today of the Shadyside store construction–the stainless steel siding and back-lit logo were just now being installed, less than 4 days before the grand opening! He also has early photos of the business that occupied the building before Apple began construction. From the photos, I can now tell [...]

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Some retail stores will have special hours over the Labor Day weekend–check the Retail page for links to each store, which lists the hours.

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The Kenwood (Cincinnati) store is an opening day venue for the annual Midpoint Music Festival on Sept. 22nd, with a live performance by Ruby Vileos. You should be in the habit of checking your nearest store’s on-line calendar for similar future events.

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Apple is sending out e-mail to promote weekly Pro Days, with information on presentations during the month and what services the stores provide to small and medium-sized businesses.

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I’m told that workers have re-erected the cloth covering over the front of the Regent Street (London) store, apparently as part of on-going work. Previously it seems that the scaffolding and coverings were being removed.

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For those who want to scout out the grand opening waiting line very early, here’s a map of where the Nagoya (Japan) Apple store will be located.

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No, I have not seen any Shinsaibashi store grand opening T-shirts available on eBay…yet.

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