clock menu more-arrow no yes mobile

Filed under:

If Microsoft Opens a Store, It Will Probably Be Near Apple, Hopefully Near A Sexy Billboard

Racked is no longer publishing. Thank you to everyone who read our work over the years. The archives will remain available here; for new stories, head over to Vox.com, where our staff is covering consumer culture for The Goods by Vox. You can also see what we’re up to by signing up here.

The Microsoft pop-up store at the Shops at North Bridge is now open. Though the shop's footprint is not huge, the hovering Surface sign is the first thing you see when you walk through the Michigan Ave entrance. It commands enormity in its presence seeming to signal something bigger to come. The shop only sells the Surface tablet, the Vaio and one Asus computer that isn't on the floor.

The minimal offerings, clear illuminated signage, hefty waist-height tables and sleek vibe hearken the aesthetic of Apple closely. The shop will stay open through the holidays and from what we hear, most of the employees of the shop are not leaving the Microsoft family after the pop up closes.

Like in other cities, Microsoft has opened up locations in super close proximity to Apple, which makes us think next year, there might just be a full-blown Microsoft Store on Michigan Ave... which is a shame, really because the sales staff won't be able to stare at this big ad for A|X jeans opposite the shop the entire day.

Apple Store

679 N Michigan Avenue, Chicago, IL 60611 312 529 9500

Microsoft

520 N Michigan Ave, Chicago IL