![]() Michigan-based Taubman Centers, which owns and operates International Plaza in Tampa and the Mall at Millennia in Orlando - both of which count Apple as a tenant - may be better positioned to attract high-end merchants, thanks to a large, interstate-fueled draw.Īpple now operates 16 stores in Florida and more than 300 worldwide. "They've waited for years to open a store in some markets, just to find that perfect, high-traffic space."Īlthough Southgate is at one of the busiest intersections in Sarasota, the mall faces an uncertain future because of the pending University Town Center competition. "Apple has always been willing to spend a considerable amount for the right space," says Allen, who has attended Apple store openings worldwide. The deal closer? Free rent.Īs enticing as that might be, Apple fan and researcher Gary Allen says that's not enough for the maker of the iPhone. a spot in Southgate Mall, which in turn is losing its premier anchor, Saks Fifth Avenue, to University Town Center next year. Sources say Westfield Group has offered Apple Inc. ![]() Rumors of Apple's interest faded, however, only to resurface again now, a little more than a year before Benderson Development and Taubman Centers open the $315 million Mall at University Town Center, at University Parkway and Interstate 75. The others, like Costco Wholesale Corp., which opened last summer in Westfield's Sarasota Square Mall, and Trader Joe's, a California-based specialty grocer that opened its second store in Florida on Tamiami Trail in Sarasota in the summer of 2012, were among the first to commit to the region. In 2011, Westfield Group's Southgate Mall was reportedly courting Apple and developing plans to open a store there that same year.Īt the time, Apple would have been the latest in a slew of high-profile, national chains that committed to expanding into Sarasota. ![]() This isn't the first time Apple, which is known for being very selective when it comes to opening retail operations, has shown an interest in Southwest Florida. employees would not confirm if the electronics company is looking into the Sarasota-Bradenton market, local retail sources are buzzing about Apple and the possibility of a new store here in one of our regional malls. With a new 880,000-square-foot mall in the works here, Apple may have a renewed interest in opening a store in the Southwest Florida market. 41, near the Sarasota-Bradenton International Airport. ![]() Unfortunately, Tampa's malls are the closest I'll get to an Apple Store as a Sarasota resident - unless I decide to drop by Apple seller Computer Advantage's store on U.S. Life would be a lot easier if I didn't have to drive an hour to the Brandon Town Center mall or Tampa's International Plaza to see the latest Apple gadgets or have my Macbook Pro serviced. ![]()
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