Apple Set to Open Retail Store in Grand Central

Apple (News - Alert) is planning on building its largest-ever retail store in Grand Central Terminal, one of New York City's most iconic destinations, an unnamed source close to the situation told Cult of Mac.

The retail outlet, to be known as Apple Store, Grand Central, is expected to open its doors this fall, and possibly as soon as September, according to the source. The new store is anticipated to be Apple's largest of its more than 300 worldwide locations, meaning it will be bigger than the company's massive Covent Garden store in London.

The source told Cult of Mac that Apple will cut the ribbon on the Grand Central location as part of the 10th anniversary celebration of its first brick-and-mortar store opening.

“The company will certainly pull out all the stops on this one,” said the source.

Cult of Mac's report comes about a week after the New York Observer and IFOAppleStore.com published articles indicating that the tech giant was "evaluating" whether Grand Central would be a smart choice for the next Apple store. If Cult of Mac's source is accurate, expect to see a construction crew at the terminal in the coming months. An internal announcement should be made in the next few weeks.

Meanwhile, the New York Post reported earlier today that Apple will take over the space that is currently being leased by Métrazur restaurant. An unnamed source told the paper that Apple may also look to lease the vacant space in the station's northeast balcony to make room for the store. Officials with Apple, Métrazur restaurant and the MTA all declined to comment on the speculation.

If the rumors are true, Apple is soon to have five separate locations in New York City alone, including one on Fifth Avenue and one in the Upper West Side.

Beecher Tuttle is a TMCnet contributor. He has extensive experience writing and editing for print publications and online news websites. He has specialized in a variety of industries, including health care technology, politics and education. To read more of his articles, please visit his columnist page.

Edited by Tammy Wolf