Beverly Center /Fashion Square Grand Opening - 2005

Cedric was first in line for the grand opening of the Beverly Center (S. Calif.) store on Nov. 19, 2005. He then drove over the the Fashion Square (S. Calif.) store and was able to get a commemorative T-shirt there after the store's opening--two in one morning!. Here's his report and photos:

I did the double. I was the first in line at The Beverly Center. The store was surprisingly large, on par with Third Street Promenade (Santa Moncia. I thought this was being set up as The Grove overflow. Apple appears to be serious about this location. If you look carefully you will notice that the first two departments down the right side are both dedicated to music. As it was at the new Brea store the 'home' and 'pro' departments are adjacent to each other on the left side. As seen at some other stores (The Grove), an increasing number of iBooks are creeping into the 'pro' section.

Another thing about the Beverly Center is Apple went back to the beadblasted stainless steel department signs instead of the Lexan signs that conduct the light fixture light. The Studio at Beverly Center is the semi-circular bar at the rear of the store. Brea's was two-tiered, if I remember correctly. Beverly Center was single.

Fashion Square (Sherman Oaks, S. Calif.)

Cedric notes that this store has a combo-bar for the Geniuses and Creatives.

Here's the POS counter a the rear of the fairly-small store, with the open door to the storage and office area.