Apple to Close San Diego-Area Store

Apple will permanently close its North County store in Escondido in June, cutting one of five Apple retail locations in San Diego County. (nbcsandiego.com) Apple said it is also closing stores in Trumbull, Connecticut, and Towson, Maryland, for a total of three U.S. closures announced this month. The Escondido store is inside Mershops North County Mall at 272 East Via Rancho Parkway. (cbs8.com) (apple.com) In statements to San Diego outlets, Apple said the closures followed “declining conditions” at the malls and the departure of several retailers. Apple said Escondido employees will be transferred to nearby stores to continue their roles. (nbcsandiego.com) (cbs8.com) The move leaves Apple with four stores in the county: UTC in San Diego, Fashion Valley in San Diego, Carlsbad, and Otay Ranch in Chula Vista. Those stores remain listed on Apple’s retail site. (cbs8.com) (apple.com 1) (apple.com 2) (apple.com 3) (apple.com 4) The closure lands as Apple continues to open and upgrade stores elsewhere, rather than retreat from retail altogether. Alan Gin, an economics professor at the University of San Diego, told CBS 8 the company is shutting locations that are underperforming while expanding in other markets. (cbs8.com) (apple.com) North County Mall’s current owner, Mershops, says on its website that the Escondido property is still operating and hosting events, even as Apple cited worsening mall conditions. The mall’s online store map still lists Apple among its tenants. (northcountymall.com 1) (northcountymall.com 2) (mershops.com) For North County shoppers, the June shutdown means the nearest Apple counter will no longer be in Escondido. After this summer, help with repairs, pickups, and in-store demos will shift south to San Diego, west to Carlsbad, or south to Chula Vista. (nbcsandiego.com) (apple.com) (apple.com) (apple.com)