I can't tell you how many times I've left Apple SoHo without making a purchase because the place was packed (usually on a Saturday).

There was an article in the NY Times a year ago or so about how big brands vie for a storefront in 5th Ave/50's area because it allows Wall Street people to see where the throngs of tourists (read: wide cross-section of America) flock to during holdiays. This could be a great chance for much higher national visibility as well, just based on all of the aforementioned tourist foot traffic.

An Apple Store in the Flatiron District would've been a disaster for TekServe, which is a few blocks away from the Flatiron Building.

I believe the Historical society in that neighborhood is a big factor behind Apple ditching its plans. Both of the proposed renovations of that rather non-descript building were rejected by the society. Still I'm surprised Apple gave up so quickly and is now spinning the story to put the focus on the mid-town store. As much as it would have been bad for Tek-Serve (a big independent Apple products store nearby) lower 5th avenue would have benefited from a shiny, pretty Apple store.

How can you request an Apple Store for your area?

I live in Bucks County, Pennsylvania. There are cars here that you can't go to a dealer to buy, the manufacturers come to you, there is a large education market waiting to be tapped here as well. We also have the fiber optic internet service in most of bucks county. Apple really needs to put a store in maybe New Hope, or Yardley, maybey even Doylestown. Newtown would be ok, but it would totally not fit in with the family owned shops in town. The resellers here often compete with apple for sales due to the King of Prussia mall store, but they usually can undercut apple by a few bucks, which keeps the customers coming. It would be a good move for the area, and for apple. there should also be a store in Princeton, New Jersey. Insanely upscale area. We will see i guess!