Apple, Apple Burning Bright. To Get to You I Have to Drive All Night.
If you need service for your Apple device, there’s an Apple store for that in Greenville; there’s an Apple store for that in Charleston; and there’s an Apple store for that in Augusta. But, if you live in Columbia or the midlands of South Carolina, there is no Apple store; at least not yet. Rumors are swirling that there could be an Apple store in Columbia in the near future. What could be taking Apple so long?
According to the 2012 Census Bureau information, Columbia has a population of over 131,000 people, Charleston has a population of over 125,000 people (not counting tourists), Greenville has a population of over 60,000 people (not counting the surrounding areas of Anderson and Spartanburg) and Augusta has a population of over 197,000 people. These figures may not include the outlying areas but you get the idea. Apple is missing out on a lot of business in Columbia and Apple customers are driving a lot of miles when they need service for their Apple products. Columbia with its growing population and the University of South Carolina student population has a lot of Apple users and certainly should have rated having an Apple store long before now. If you are like me, you have had to drive to an Apple store to get service for your Apple iPhone, iPad, etc. The closest location for an Apple store would be Augusta. Been there twice. Hope I don’t need to go to the Apple store again but if you or I do, hope the next visit to an Apple store is in Columbia.