Apple to Close First Unionized Retail Store in Towson, Maryland
Apple Inc. has announced the closure of its Towson, Maryland retail store, the company's first unionized location in the U.S., citing mall conditions as the primary reason.
Apple Inc. has announced plans to permanently close its retail store at Towson Town Center in Maryland, the first Apple store in the United States to unionize. The closure is scheduled for June 2026.
The company attributed the decision to the "departure of several retailers and declining conditions" at the mall. Apple stated that Towson employees will be eligible to apply for open roles at other Apple locations in accordance with the collective bargaining agreement.
The Towson store made headlines in June 2022 when employees voted to join the International Association of Machinists and Aerospace Workers (IAM), becoming the first Apple retail store in the U.S. to unionize. In August 2024, the union and Apple finalized a contract that included higher pay and scheduling protections.
The IAM expressed outrage over the closure, suggesting it may be an attempt to undermine the union. The union stated that Apple's claim that the collective bargaining agreement prevents relocation is false and raises concerns about potential union-busting tactics.
In addition to the Towson location, Apple is also closing stores in Trumbull, Connecticut, and Escondido, California, citing similar reasons related to mall conditions.