Thanks to Thomas for pointing out the black plywood covering space F-183 at the Stanford Shopping Center, less than one-half mile from the existing Palo Alto (N. Calif.) store, and adjacent to Stanford University. The open-air mall is home to a pretty select group of visitors in the area--Steve Jobs lives only a mile away. The mall is also a frequent destination for international tourists, who arrive by the busload for a quick shop-around.

Most importantly, the store will be among the first in a series of mini-stores that Apple will open around the country. The plan was inititally targeted at major universities, but it now seems that this site, along with Santa Rosa Plaza (N. Calif.) and the Bridgewater Commons (NJ) store, will also receive the downsizing treatment. The stores will be heavy on accessories, iPods, laptops and other items that are frequently needed by current owners of Apple gear, and which can be easily popped into the bag of a tourist on the run.

This space is nominally 20 feet wide, by 100 feet deep, giving the store no more than 1,700 square-feet of retail space, and 300 storage. The interior and exterior design of the stores isn't clear, but will borrow several features from existing stores.

In the photo below taken June 4, 2004, the white paper tacked to the right side of the plywood states that a city permit was obtained for the renovations, and that the future occupant will be "Apple Computer."