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An End of an Era

It’s the end of an era. On June 20, 2026, Apple Trumbull will close it’s doors for the last time.

Apple Trumbull’s grand opening was on Oct. 11, 2014, at 10:00am. I was there with my Dad. We were customers #12 and 13. You could say that we’ve been there, done that, and we have the t-shirts.

Except for me, for the two of us, it hasn’t been a one-and-done thing. We kept going back. Year after year. For iPhones. For Macs. For iPads. For Apple TVs. And yes, for me specifically, more HomePods than I should probably admit.

It isn’t just about the products. It is the sense of community and friendships. I’ve met many people who are just as enthusiastic about the Mac and iPhone as I am. Members of the Business Team became trusted partners for equipment purchases and upgrades.

iPhone Pro launch days became an annual event, my Super Bowl if you will, that we would all look forward to. Dad and I would don our šŸŽ Trumbull t-shirts and get in line early on iPhone Friday mornings.

‘What can I help you with today?” a cheerful Trumbull employee would aways ask. “I’m here to pick up a new Samsung Galaxy S-something or other” would be my playful response.

I didn’t stop with just the Store t-shirt. In later years, I have ramped up the shenanigans and bring “special guests” with me. It started off small. I would bring my working (without service) 2007 iPhone. Then a Newton MessagePad 2000. Then a restored original Newton MessagePad 100. Who wouldn’t want to take a family reunion phone with the OG iPhone, Issac, and Newton? Even 50 years later, there are still sparks of playful whimsey inside the massive corporation that Apple has become. Buying a new white iPhone 11 Pro? While not bring all of my other white iPhones from my collection for a family photo? Then came the WWDC jackets when they lined up with iPhone models…13, 14, and 16. Buying my first titanium iPhone? Let’s charge up my PowerBook G4 Titanium and boot into Classic MacOS 9.22 for the “kids” to see while upgrading?

For my last trip to Apple Trumbull later this year, I want to plan something fun, it not a little over the top, for one more photo.

There are other Apple Stores in Connecticut, and I will still go to one to purchase a new iPhone on launch day. But it won’t be the same. Trumbull is “my” store.

Apple has already announced that when Trumbull does finally close, the staff will keep their jobs and transfer to other nearby stores. I am happy to hear that everyone will land on their feet.

And that means that come this fall, there is a chance to see familiar faces again.

The next closest store is Apple New Haven. The full list of Connecticut Apple Stores can be found on Apple.com.