“Fans” is short for “fanatics”, certainly the type of customer that Apple attracts.
The tech giant opened its 11th Ontario, 26th Canadian and 380th international store at the Bayshore Shopping Centre on Saturday morning.
“I was at the one in London, England; I’ve been to a store in New York, it’s just part of the whole experience,” said Brian Maranta, the first person in line by showing up at 6 a.m.
“I follow this company the way some people follow sports teams.”
“With the long lineup I wasn’t even sure I’d be getting in this morning,” said Bill Ellis, the first person to buy a computer from the new store.
“I’ve been a Mac person since day one.”
Dozens, most of whom already had Apple devices to occupy their time, lined up before the store’s 9 a.m. opening.
One of those waiting was Ottawa councillor Rick Chiarelli, who said the store will be good for west-end business and consumers like him.
“I met Steve Jobs a little over ten years ago and that was amazing,” said the College ward councillor.
“When I was a kid I was the first person with an Apple Lisa computer . . . I was one of the first people in Ottawa with a Mac and supposedly the first person in Ottawa with an iPad.”
Younger Apple fans said there was no better way to spend a Saturday morning.
“Being able to interact with all the stuff they have out, pretty much everything,” said one.
“It’s kind of cool being with fellow geekery, I guess you could say,” said another.
The next major event at this and many Apple stores will likely be the release of the iPhone 5, expected to be announced on Wednesday.
With a report from CTV Ottawa’s Ellen Mauro
