Apple is on its way.

The maker of popular iPhones and iPods plans to open a retail store at Park City Center sometime in late October, a mall official said today.

The store will be in a roughly 4,900-square-foot space between Clarks and Finish Line, in the former home of Eastern Mountain Sports, which moved elsewhere in the mall.

"We think it is a great addition to the mall," said Rachel Gallagher, Park City's general manager.

Gallagher said Apple has signed a lease for the space in the Bon Ton wing and will begin renovating it next month. She added that she didn't have additional details this morning about what is planned.

"We know that customers like Apple products and want to be able to shop at a store where sales people are trained especially for the merchandise," Gallagher said.

Gallagher said this interest in Apple products was made clear last July when long lines formed at the mall just before the iPhone first went on sale at Park City's AT&T Wireless store.

Apple did not return a message left today for comment about its plans.

The company typically does not acknowledge its planning for new stores until just weeks before they open.

In addition to offering Apple's range of consumer electronics, the retail stores usually have hands-on displays where customers can try out products. And, the stores often offer workshops or hold special programs for children.

The company opened its first retail store in May 2001 and now operates 210 stores in five countries.

Apple's retail store nearest to Lancaster County is in the Christiana Mall in Newark, Del. There's also one in King of Prussia.


Staff writer Chad Umble can be reached at cumble@LNPnews.com or 481-6031.