Sunday, November 25, 2007 -- 3:01 p.m. -- at my desk

The previous post talking about Apple stores inspired me to start a new list, which I think could be a lot of fun for all of us.

Let's list all of the Apple retail stores we've visited and see if we can't come away with someone having visited every one.

I'll keep a running tally and we'll see what we end up with.

I'll start ... I've been to (in no particular order):
1. Chicago - North Michigan Avenue
2. Northbrook (IL) - Northbrook
3. Skokie (IL) - Old Orchard
4. SoHo (NYC)
5. Columbus (Ohio) - Easton Town Center
6. Lyndhurst (Ohio) - Legacy Village
7. King of Prussia (PA) - King of Prussia
8, Pittsburgh (PA) - Shadyside
9. Tampa (FL) - International Plaza
10 Bloomington (MN) - Mall of America
11. Edison (NJ) - Menlo Park
12. McLean (VA) - Tysons Corner
13. Wauwatosa (WI) - Mayfair

And now for the other callers:
14. Bayshore, Milwaukee WI
15. West Towne, Madison. WI
16. Biltmore, Phoenix. AZ
17. 5th Ave NYC
18. Orland Park (IL) Orland Square
19. Southpoint, Durham, N.C.
20. SouthPark, Charlotte, N.C.
21. Woodfield - Schaumburg, IL
22. Des Moines, Iowa - Jordan Creek
23. Jacksonville, Fla -- St. Johns Town Center
24. White Plains, N.Y. - Westchester
25. West Nyack, N.Y. - Palisades Mall
26. Austin, TX - Barton Creek Square Mall
27. Novi, MI - Twelve Oaks

We need more!! OK, let's hear from you. Both in the U.S. and anywhere in the world -- but let's limit it to Apple Stores and not resellers.

Thanks for calling.

Sunday, November 25, 2007 -- 12:49 p.m. -- on the 151 headed to work

The Apple store is an oasis to me ... a familiar home no matter what city I'm in.

And the one here on North Michigan Avenue (pictured) -- 4 blocks from where I work -- being a flagship store is even nicer.

But the AP has a story about how the stores are even better. Cash registers replaced by employees with portable computers, etc. (Granted, these employees have been around for a while, but now they are the norm instead of the exception).

But one of the best quotes in the story comes from Apple's retail chief, Ron Johnson.

"We try to pattern the feeling to a 5-star hotel," he told the AP. "It's not about selling. It's about creating a place where you belong."

I agree. No matter how many times I walk in the store, I have the same reaction I do when I enter a nice hotel for the first time ... 'Ahhhh, this is really nice.'

Here's a link to the full story.

And here's something that never fails to make me LMAO.

So when you are making the special Apple purchase for that special someone in your life, whether it's an iPhone or anything else and whether it's a loved one or yourself, it's nice to know you can go somewhere that feels like home. No matter where you are.

What do you think? Do any other stores make you feel like you do when you walk into an Apple Store?

Thanks for calling.