VOL. 130 | NO. 169 | Monday, August 31, 2015

Apple is preparing to move its Germantown store, with a “next generation” design planned for the new location.

The retailer has applied for a $1.5 million building permit through the city-county Office of Construction Code Enforcement for a new storefront and interior renovation at 2031 West St., within the Shops of Saddle Creek South. Apple’s current store is at 7615 W. Farmington Blvd., in the Shops of Saddle Creek North.

The Germantown Design Review Commission unanimously approved the plans, which include modifying the current brick façade to a three-panel glass front, at its Aug. 25 meeting.

Rick Millitello, who presented the plan to the design commission on behalf of Apple, said the store will be one of the first to feature Apple’s new store design.

“Our project is the next generation of retail store that we’re rolling out, and that’s the design concept that we have – and we’re really excited because this is going to be one of the first, if it’s approved, that we build,” Millitello told the commission. “So we’re really excited to expand in Germantown and we’re excited to see the result of all the work that we’ve put in to develop this design.”

Other aspects of the design, according to Millitello, include a matte granite reinforced panel on the exterior as well as natural oak tables inside. The store will also feature a changeable display that will include living plants at times, TV displays that change and artwork, among other things.

Millitello told the commission the new retail design is rolling out in some overseas stores this fall, and the Memphis store will be part of the first rollout in the U.S.