You may think the news that an Apple Store is opening in Valencia Town Center is just another minor news story. A positive retail story, but nonetheless just a retail story.
Let me tell you why you’re wrong.
This is a major event for Santa Clarita, the cultural equivalent of an earthquake. And like an earthquake, people will delineate clearly the time before the Apple Store opened and after.
Here’s why. In 2011, despite the economy and all our problems, the redneck to cosmopolitan/hip ratio is approaching 1, or perhaps is actually at parity in the Santa Clarita Valley.
Settled as we are equally between the AV and LA, the Apple Store opening signifies a bold new world where our interests align more with Los Angeles Cosmopolitanism than Antelope Valley High Desertism. We could have swung either way, and five years ago when I started this blog I would have predicted a swing towards the AV, but now that Apple is coming, we know definitively that we are trending LA Cosmo.
The evidence has been around us for quite some time. Consider the proliferation of wine bars in recent years and the corresponding decline of 4×4 stomper truck accessory retailers. The remaking of Old Town Newhall from a boarded-up wasteland you drive through to a place you stop, stroll around on, and purchase things at. The thousands who lined up for the Bridgeport food truck festival and the corresponding complaints from big box chain restaurants. Oh sure, the old redneck, rough ‘n tumble dive bars are still around (and fun to visit now and then), but the bold new SCV meets in trendy coffee shops, socializes in the street, or tries out new restaurants and blogs about them.
An Apple store in the SCV is the recognition & fulfillment of all these changes. It says that the world’s most valuable consumer electronics company thinks there are a substantial amount of SCVers who will drop $1,500, $2,000 and even more on fancy, aluminum-framed notebooks, overpriced charging accessories, and fashionable iPad and iPhone cases. It says that the SCV cares about its image, that it appreciates form as much as (probably more than, this is Apple we’re talking about afterall) function. It says that the SCV is tech-forward and, dare I say it, progressive. It says we’re worth the substantial investment Apple is going to make in a Town Center store.
In short, it’s betting that we as a community are more like this guy:
and less like this guy:
Get 'er done!
We SCVers will always love and cherish our proud horse, cowboy, petrol, ranching and farming heritage. We’ll always love the colorful characters in our past, from Mexican banditos to old clergymen who ran on the Prohibition ticket and wanted to turn the SCV into a dry town. The Tea Party rallies will still take place even as our City is consumed by a Democratic Congressional district (which the Apple store is presaging by a few months) so those uncomfortable with the new reality will still find a lot that’s familiar in the SCV.
But as for the rest of us, the Apple store heralds a new, exciting and less-hostile future for hip Santa Clarita.
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Jeff: Do you know where the Apple Store is going? In the beginning you mention Valencia Town Center and at the end you mention Valencia Town Center Drive. Im only curious since it seems that Valencia Town Center Drive is becoming very empty with the Patios opening. Maybe it will breathe new life on Town Center Drive.
That was a mistake. I deleted “Drive.” Anyway no, I do not know where it will go. But I think Town Center drive would be a better location than in the Mall. I bet it will go to some space in the Patios however.
If you believe the MyType survey from last year, Apple probably does have an ideal market in Santa Clarita, given the growing number of self-important, self-involved Claritans.
http://www.guardian.co.uk/technology/2010/jul/30/ipad-owners-personality-facebook
Jeff, you getting an apple?
Hey Jeff, you do realize Valencia Mac is just across the street from the mall next to Target and offers all the latest from Apple? Support the home guys and buy local.
Both the local apple stores have lost my business for lack in service.
Dang, there goes the progressive movement… oh well.
I guess that would make sense if I was a progressive huh…
You mean the Dude Bros and their 4×4′s are leaving town?????
Rush Limbaugh is a rabid Mac user and evangelist. It’s not about politics. It’s about being affluent and enjoying fine things.
This article is why I hate Apple. I know you don’t want to hear it, but just because you spend too much on a computer or phone, does not make you hip/cool/better then others. As Tom pointed out, we have 2 independent Apple retailers in SCV. Wonder how long before they close up. But I guess it’s ok to drive out local business if it’s “cool” right?
If I remember right one of the local shop screwed up an expensive server deal for the company Mike works for.
In my experience the service at Valencia Mac and Mac Talk has been severely lacking at times. Valencia Mac has had their moments, but just like the wireless phones business you always get better service going straight to the horse. I am only a Valencia Mac or Mac Talk customer when I am in their store spending money otherwise they don’t know me.
In the last year Apple has…
1. Sent me a new Laptop battery after almost 1 1/2 years of use because it was throwing an error.
2. Replaced my iphone even though it was water damaged (I dropped it in a beer at Coachella) Our local AT&T store wanted nothing to do with me.
3. Replaced my 24 inch iMac with a brand new 27 inch iMac after 2 years because of a few problems
Local stores can’t do this.
Did you see them @ Coachella??? http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Bq1y8x2xRdI
Nope didn’t see them.
Saw Jay-z, Muse & Them Crooked Vultures.
Gorillaz blew chunks.
Gorillaz should never have gone this far at the expense of Blur
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ATWnH-yb6-o
Full disclosure: I typed this from my iPhone.
” … for hip Santa Clarita.”
I can’t wait to share with this with my twenty-sumthing daughter living amongst the LA Cosmopolitanismists! Think she’ll change her mind about buying a loft off Pershing Square and opt for a Bridgeport Townhouse?
I didn’t think so …
But Apple … yeah … cool. I need a stylus for my iPad.
I am glad because the thought of having to go to the Northridge Apple store for service related issues makes me sick to my stomach. I have tried to support the local Mac stores when possible.
However, recent experiences at Mac Talk have put me off. I wanted to purchase an iPad. There are many places to purchase an iPad locally, including Best Buy, Target, Wal Mart, and local Mac Stores. I figured, let me support a local shop. After pulling out my business American Express to pay (full Retail), I found that they did not want to accept it. After explaining that I use that for all business purchases, they accepted the card and I purchased the iPad. A week later, (I must have forgot that had happened), I went back to purchase a new wireless mouse and keyboard for an iMac. The same thing happened and I felt like it was such a hassle for them.
I understand that accepting an Amex vs a Visa/Mastercard might cost a bit more for the retailer. However, it this day of age of large retailers and online retailers, I would not think it is a good idea to push any customers away from a small business.
I welcome our new overlords.
I like Valencia Mac. Their capabilities and offerings are limited, so they don’t get my business as much as I’d like to. I’ll support them in the future. Mac Talk? No comment.
Unfortunately for Valencia Mac they are the Apple-flavored candy to Apple’s delicious Fuji. There is nothing like the real thing.
Mike, I have to agree. Valencia Mac is good, but an Apple Store is the ultimate. I hope to support both.
Oh boy! An Apple store! Who chalked the “X” on our gate?
I always knew Macs were for simpletons that didn’t know anything about computers, who knew they were also for people that are so shallow they believe that a possession will make them hip?
Hahahaha don’t you have a 20 daughter to walk to her car?
Cool computer, you’re so hip.
Macs are simply better machines….
Herman do you have an inferiority complex? See I had a “computer” as you call it, aka a windows machine till about 2005. I got tired of it crashing for no apparent reason and losing all my work.
Bought an IPod and was blown away by the simplicity which made me buy my first iBook. Haven’t looked back. That same iBook is still working today.
I get that you hate apple for whatever reason… But you have no room to judge an entire populations motives for using a product. I am an artist and that is what we use because we need a stable platform that doesn’t cause all our work to disappear. Windows has nothing for me. I have windows xp loaded on 2 of my machines and I never bring it up.
No, I have no inferiority complex. I’m quite comfortable with who I am; I don’t need the latest piece of Apple gak to prove to myself that I’m good enough, I’m smart enough, and doggone it, people like me.
Actually, the tone of the original post and responses from “artists” such as you are just more proof that the issue is more of a superiority complex on the part of mac users.
“The original post” was written by an unapologetic Windows user who doesn’t own a Mac. FYI FWIW
#macFTW
That doean’t change the tone, does it?
Make that “doesn”t”
The tone was meant to be humorous. Guess I should have worked at it a little harder.
It was humorous Jeff, you did a fine job.
“Screams from the haters got a nice ring to it” ~Kanye West
Oh, I thought it was funny, probably not the way you hoped I would.
Here is the thing,
I don’t hate on windows users. I don’t throw accusation at people because they aren’t like me.
I do however defend myself when haters like yourself try to make brash psychological evaluation of anyone who purchases apple products. Maybe they are hip now but it wasn’t always that way, there was a time when people laughed at apple and their users. Now every tech company out there is trying to be like apple, I am sure that really chaps your hide, but that is the way it is.
If you don’t like, don’t buy that simple. There are plenty of options on the market.
Carry on.
Right, and those of us that don’t buy macs are supposed to sit quietly while we are compared to Larry the cable guy.
Bottom line, if you’re a douche you’re a douche, regardless of your tech preference, you’re proof of that.
Oh You!
I don’t know about hip or cosmopolitan, but what I do know is that I have never had a cloning virus, rewriting virus, spyware, hence never have had to buy anti spyware software – no trojans, no worms and never have had to buy any virus protection programs. It’s pretty simple – 4 years of worry free computing because I have a Mac.
Now here it comes – viruses attack Apple stuff too – and maybe they do, but my experience has been that I have never ever had a problem. I will admit I am smart about opening my emails and their attachments. If I have the least little bit of a feeling that something shouldn’t be opened I just don’t do it.
I have used both of the local Mac stores. The items I wanted were not in stock and had to be ordered – the class that I took was very poorly presented and pretty much a waste of time – the employees in both had a bit of any attitude, and you know what, if you want my business you need to be and act professionally and give me service with a smile. If you do that I will be your biggest fan and will tell everyone I know to frequent your store for the best service in town.
I am elated that we are getting an Apple Store…………..
I don’t know about hip or cosmopolitan, but what I do know is that I have never had a cloning virus, rewriting virus, spyware, hence never have had to buy anti spyware software – no trojans, no worms and never have had to buy any virus protection programs. It’s pretty simple – 4 years of worry free computing because I have a Mac.
Never owned a Mac and never once had any of these problems.
When I think of Mac, I think of
THIS
HAHAHA
http://gigaom.com/apple/large-hadron-collider-powered-by-apple/
You do know there is a difference between personal computers and the actual computer doing the research, right?
It may help you to read the comments to get a more robust and accurate picture.
You do know those big computers are not running windows right?
Stick to religious dogmas that is what you are good at.
hey
PC’s do numbers. Mac’s do graphics. Chose your tool.
Macs (no apostrophe) do numbers just as well as PCs. It’s a matter of cost. They are both computers and they do, at a basic level, almost all of the same things. If you buy a Mac, you will spend more, but you will get a better computer.
Macs are not long for this world. Apple’s future revenue lies in app/media purchases and iOS devices.
Sad but true.
Blasphemy. Poppy Cock. Pish Posh. Carry on.
The fact that you are seeing an Apple store as a badge of “cool” just means that you are, in fact, not cool. Just saying. I know it’s tough for you squares to keep up.
Not realizing that this is just a fun discussion and that most people here are old enough to not “really” care if their computer or their computer store is “cool” means ur the square … dude. Bro.
Now iPads .. they are cool. Um, “cool.”
oh and this: HTC 4G Thunderbolt .. FTW
Iphone 3gs #FTW
“FTW”? Please… It’s “Streets Ahead” now.
Redemption .. haha, good one
Meh wake me up when we SCV gets a Frys
Funny how quickly a guy makes his true identity obvious.
Oh captain my captain.
See Jeff this is why you must switch to apple… Look at how pissed it make Fred and Herman. Imagine the rage from them when you type you socialist propaganda on a hipster MAC!
And that’s all that matters to a little guy that never gets any attention.
I would have never guess Captain Herman is so talented.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hMtZfW2z9dw
Valencia.. The land that flows with rape and honey.
The funny part is that the guy in the video has made more money in a couple of months than you will make in your lifetime.
So so clever.
Unix & Linux rule.
Do Apples have DRM issues Nate? I’m about to launch my effin’ E-Machine and this Zune!
What it is like 2 years since they had DRM, it has been a while. When they moved the file bandwidths to 256 they also ditch DRM. That was the only way they could get the major labels to sign on in the beginning.
Rumor has it, They are working on some kind of loseless – high bandwidth options which would be the first of it’s kind! It has been the lone reason I have always been lukewarm about iTunes or any online music retailer. Ripping CDs have been my first choice.
They charge you 9.99 for an album that is less then half the quality of a CD, they sound great on those crappy white headphones but if you want to rock it through a system it sounds like crap. Cuts all the high and low frequencies, big swing and miss for me.
I never knew I had a DRM issue until last night when I signed up for the Zune Pass. The deal beats ITunes since you pay $14.99 a month for almost limitless downloads on up to 3 devices, and they have the same catalogue minus a few new Indie artists.
I tried to troubleshoot everything and couldn’t get it done and even had my friend who is a consultant remote in and he was like WTF?!
I am just shocked they don’t have a better patch fix from Microsoft to resolve it. I wonder though, would an Apple be compatible with Zune service since I want to get a new laptop eventually, hmmmmmmm.
A zune on an apple? Blasphemy! I have no clue if it will work, check support and see if they have Mac OSX drivers. I thought Zune was discontinued?
Why did you have DRM problem? Did you end your subscription?
Zunes are actually making a comeback. In the 6 years I have had it there has no problems at all compared to my wife’s Apple Shuffle. I think it is a great product but not marketed all that well.
I never knew I had the DRM issue since I used to cough cough, use Limewire. Now that I am doing the right thing is when the system has issues. I don’t keep much on my system so if I can’t solve within the next week I may just go back to factory square 1. I didn’t cancel membership yet since I was on the Free 2 week Pass first.
Zune vs shuffle? Not even a fair fight. Put a zune against a classic iPod and it is no contest.