The long-awaited day is finally here – Apple’s downtown Detroit store is opening today (Sept.19) at 5 p.m. on Woodward Ave. next to Shinola Hotel. The grand opening coincides with the release of the iPhone 17. The latest iPhone model will be available for purchase at the Detroit location.
Since construction began on the building more than a year ago, questions swirled about who was going to be moving in. The Apple downtown Detroit storefront previously held Madewell, New Black, and Le Labo. Until recently, the building’s façade has been blank. Barricades surrounded the sidewalk in front, leaving the public wondering who would be moving in. Just this week, the unmistakable Apple logo appeared on the storefront, along with welcome signage featuring a cursive “D” inside of the bitten apple.
Hour Detroit attended a media preview event for the store. We heard from Apple executives and members of the Detroit location’s leadership team. Inside, rows of tables displaying the iPhone 17 and its variants. There, customers can explore its functionality, along with Apple’s latest model computers and headphones. Local artists showcased their work using the Apple Pencil and iPad Pro. Detroit native SW Freddy used these items to display his graffiti style crystal skull drawing.
Apple’s Relationship with Detroit
While the store is a first for downtown Detroit, it’s not Apple’s first project in the city. As part of Apple’s commitment to invest $500 billion into the U.S., the company opened the Apple Manufacturing Academy in Detroit on Aug. 19.
The program is a continuation of Apple’s partnership with Michigan State University in downtown Detroit. This venture started with the launch of the Apple Developer Academy in 2021. Apple CEO Tim Cook visited with students the same day Apple Downtown Detroit opened to the public.
The goal of the Manufacturing Academy is to help small and medium sized companies integrate AI and advanced technologies into manufacturing. Meanwhile, the Developer Academy focuses creating the next generation of coders and software developers. Both academies are headquarted in Campus Martius just a few blocks south of the new Apple store.
This marks the fourth Apple store in southeast Michigan, with other locations in Ann Arbor, Troy, and Novi. A fifth location at Partridge Creek in Clinton Township closed this August.
In addition to having the iPhone 17 stocked and ready for sale, the first customers receive a tote bag and hat. (Tote bags and hats are available while supplies last.) Both items feature the Apple Downtown Detroit store logo. On Saturday, Sept. 20 from 11:45 a.m. – 12:45 p.m., store employees will be hosting a workshop where they show visitors how to use Apple products to create digital art.
Hours of the New Apple Store
The store will be open Friday, Sept. 19 from 5-10 p.m., with Saturday and Sunday hours from 10 a.m.- 8 p.m. and 11 a.m. – 6 p.m., respectively. Sept. 22 will begin the regular weekday store hours of 10 a.m. – 7 p.m. Complete store details can be found at apple.com.
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