Apple’s retail store bags have been used at Apple Stores beginning in 2001 when the first Apple Store opened. Please refer to my blog post, 20 Years of Apple Store Bags (2001–2021), for more details.
In November 2023, Apple began an email, web, and Apple Store campaign using the tagline “All kinds of wonderful” online and “Wonder awaits” on Apple Store windows. The visuals included a stylized white Apple logo with a gift bow and winter scene.
A simplified version of the logo was printed on Apple’s retail store bags to replace the typical solid gray Apple logo. This paper bag is one example of the 2023 holiday Apple Store bags.
The blog post includes a photo I captured of the winter logo on the window of the Apple Store Michigan Avenue in Chicago on November 5, 2023.
This long-sleeve t-shirt is a burgundy-heather color and features the Apple Education Community logotype across the front. The words are printed in white in the San Francisco font, Apple’s official corporate font since 2017.
On the right sleeve of the shirt is printed education.apple.com. The back of the shirt has no printing.
The shirt was made by BELLA+CANVAS and its tag reads “HEATHER CVC.” Its size is 3XL.
Several Apple Distinguished Educators (ADEs) wore these shirts when presenting at the Apple Michigan Avenue flagship store on November 4, 2023. We presented several Showcase presentations about innovative educational programs and uses of Apple technology in schools in Illinois and Wisconsin using the Apple Store’s iconic Video Wall. I have included a group photo from the event below. Notice that a few different colors of this shirt were worn by the ADEs.
This black leather portfolio was made by the company Hazel CID (America’s Case Maker). The corners of the portfolio are made from gold-colored metal, and the lower-right corner of the cover is embossed with an Apple logo and then words “Central Operations Executive Briefing Center.”
Apple’s “Central Operations Executive Briefing Center” was located in Chicago. It is now located in a different building in Chicago and is known as the Chicago Executive Briefing Center.
The interior of the portfolio includes a vinyl pocket on the left side and a slot on the right side to hold a pad of paper. The center of the portfolio includes a cutout tab to hold a pen.
In the early 2000s, Apple Stores provided printed brochures to customers to announce their upcoming in-store events. Flagship Apple Stores, such as North Michigan Avenue (Chicago, IL) and Ginza (Tokyo, Japan), used full-color, fold-open designs that featured stunning photography and many events. Smaller stores, such as Woodfield (Schaumburg, IL), used a more basic design.
This collection of Apple Store Event Guides includes three stores from 2003 and 2004.
Apple Store North Michigan Avenue Events June 27–July 31, 2003
The flagship store Apple Store, North Michigan Avenue, then located at 679 North Michigan Avenue, promised “The ultimate Apple experience.” The cover of this brochure invited Apple Store visitors to “Celebrate the grand opening of the Apple Store, North Michigan Avenue, the most amazing Apple Store yet. Grand opening events include appearances by a guest musical artist, DJs, and performers, as well as presentations about digital photography, music, and so much more.”
Indeed, a series of “Made on a Mac” talks listed thirteen different speakers, including rock legends Cheap Trick. Each night also included “music demonstrations featuring a different musical guest.” The Music Nights included a performance and demo of the iPod and iTunes Music Store.
Folded, this brochure measures 4.25 x 8.5 inches.
Apple Store North Michigan Avenue Calendar of Events September 2003
The Apple Store North Michigan Avenue Calendar of Events for September 2003 included features in the Apple Studio Series offering in-depth, personalized instruction; offers on HP printers; a synopsis of Final Cut apps; descriptions of store services; and an extensive schedule of events in the Theater, Studio, and Genius Bar. The brochure includes a “More than a store” description:
“We’ve taken everything we learned from our other stores and designed the ultimate Apple Store especially for you. It’s filled with the full range of Apple products and accessories, including the entire iPod family, and a selection of digital cameras, camcorders, and other products. We offer more than 300 unique educational events every month, covering every aspect of the Mac. We even put in our first-ever Internet Café with 16 computers where you can check your email and experience the Mac at your own pace.”
Folded, this brochure measures 4.25 x 8.5 inches.
Apple Store Woodfield Calendar of Events: May/June 2003
This more subdued brochure folded sideways into four panels. The cover stated: “Join us for a variety of unique and educational presentations, demonstrations, and workshops throughout the year—all free of charge—and discover how to take full advantage of Mac products and solutions.” It also included a daily calendar of events and described Apple Presentations and Apple Workshops that were offered in the store. This brochure also described the now defunct “Mac Pac” service: “Mac Pac is a complete service solution that helps you get started on your Mac and keeps you going.”
Folded, this brochure measures 4.25 x 8.75 inches.
Apple Store Ginza Calendar of Events June 2004
The Apple Store Ginza in Tokyo is another flagship Apple Store. This brochure was similar to the North Michigan Avenue brochure and offered its own unique “More than a store” statement:
“The Apple Store, Ginza, brings one of America’s most exciting new shopping experiences to Tokyo. Here you will find four full floors dedicated to Apple’s legendary products, including our full line of computers, the entire iPod family, and the iSight web camera, as well as digital cameras and camcorders that work perfectly with a Mac. You’re invited to check your email and try out iChat AV at the Internet Cafe. Attend a free Mac workshop in our state-of-the art theater. Or get advice at our Genius Bar. As your neighbor, Apple is honored to have you as our guest.”
The back of the brochure highlighted each of the store’s 5 floors: 1F: Home, Pro 2F: Genius Bar, Movies, Music, Photo 3F: Theater 4F: Accessories, Software, Kids, Internet Café 5F: Studio Training Center
This high-quality conference bag was distributed at the National Educational Computing Conference (NECC) in Chicago that was held in June 2001. This organization and conference are still held annually, but the conference changed its name around 2010 to the International Society for Technology in Education (ISTE) Conference.
The bag is made from a thick, smooth, rubber-like material. One side features an embroidery “2001 CHICAGO NECC” logo, and the other side is emblazoned with a large white embroidery Apple logo. The inside includes a flap with a zippered pocket.
This NECC was significant because Steve Jobs was the keynote speaker, and Apple had a major presence on the conference floor. An Apple press release states:
“Apple today demonstrated its ongoing commitment to providing innovative technology solutions for education at the National Educational Computing Conference in Chicago. During the opening keynote, Steve Jobs, Apple’s CEO, announced that three more school districts…will be implementing the PowerSchool from Apple student information system.”
Apple highlighted several industry-leading educational technology products at NECC, including: the iBook and AirPort (“Wirelessly-networked notebook computers which give educators the flexibility to have computer-assisted learning anywhere”); “Tools from Apple, including iMovie and iDVD, enhance learning and make school more engaging and motivating for students;” and PowerSchool.
I attended NECC and received this bag during the conference.
On March 27, 2018, Apple held an education event at Lane Tech College Preparatory High School in Chicago, Illinois, USA.
The event was invitation-only and when attendees checked in, they were given a color-coded badge. The color on the badge assisted with auditorium seating during the event.
The event began with a keynote by Tim Cook and others that focused on Apple’s commitment to education, as well as apps and services used by schools. Specific topics included Apple’s part in the ConnectED initiative, the release of a new Generation 5 9.7-inch iPad with support for Apple Pencil (and Logitech Crayon), major updates to Apple’s Schoolwork and Classroom apps, and examples from teachers using Swift Playgrounds in the classroom.
After the keynote, attendees were invited into Lane Tech classrooms to test out and see products and services.
I attended this event live and after the keynote, I found myself in the room with Apple CEO Tim Cook. He was interviewed by Chicago news outlets and later spoke with Chicago’s governor at the time, Bruce Rauner.
This event badge measures 9.5 x 6.5 cm and is clipped to a black nylon lanyard. It is printed on thick paper (similar to a photo matte) and embossed with a “recycle” symbol. The Apple logo printed on both sides and the edges of the badge are teal.
This set of Apple latters was used in the Chicago Apple Corporate Office in the early 1990s. At the time, Apple maintained a downtown Chicago office at 10 South Wacker Drive. My best guess is that the letters were displayed at some time between 1990–2003.
I purchased these on eBay in about 2003. The seller, presumably a former employee at this office, sent an envelope with the letters (pictured) indicating that Apple Enterprise Software was located at this office. At one time, 10 South Wacker Drive also housed Apple’s Chicago Executive Briefing Center. I personally visited the Chicago Executive Briefing Center on several occasions for education-related events, but I do not specifically remember seeing these letters mounted on a wall.
The five letters are made of textured aluminum and are about 4 mm thick. The front of the letters uses a vertically textured “grain” while the backs are flat aluminum. For reference, the “A” is approximately 4 inches tall and 3 inches wide. The back of each letter includes two or three threaded holes. The letters arrived with aluminum threaded posts that had been snipped off (although a few were missing). Each letter is hand-numbered on the back with a marker.
The letters are in Apple Garamond, the Apple corporate font from 1984–2003.
The Apple Store at 679 North Michigan Avenue (at East Huron Street) was the original Apple Store in Chicago’s loop on the “Magnificent Mile.” The store opened on June 26, 2003. This store originally included an Internet cafe, a class Studio that overlooked an eco-friendly greenroof garden, a forty-foot long Genius Bar, “solution centers” for music, photography and movies, an expanded kids section with seven computer stations connected to the Internet, a software section with hundreds of software titles for the Mac, and a 48-seat theater. This was considered Apple’s first “flagship store.”
I attended this store opening where Apple gave t-shirts to the first visitors. The shirt is white with a blue Apple logo and the words North Michigan Avenue in the Myriad Apple font in light gray. The shirt is in its original packaging.
Apple closed this location on October 20, 2017, and replaced it with Apple Michigan Avenue on Chicago’s riverfront.
