Lease Dispute Resolved, Zurich Soon

A long-standing lease dispute between Benetton and the owner of Bahnhofsstrasse 77 in Zurich (Switzerland) has been resolved, clearing the way for Apple to turn the space into the next store in continental Europe. Benetton was set to move out in 2005, but has avoided leaving through several legal challenges that resulted in an undisclosed agreement between the two parties. Now Applel will lease the 3,200 square-foot space in city center for as much as $1.9 million a year, according to an on-line Tages-Anzeiger story. The store could open by July, the Web site claims.