Apple will close three U.S. stores in June — including Towson, the first unionized Apple retail location; union says it is “outraged” and may sue

What happened

Apple announced it will permanently close three U.S. retail locations in June: Apple Trumbull in Connecticut, Apple North County in Escondido, California, and Apple Towson Town Center in Maryland. The company framed the move as a response to declining mall conditions and departing retailers, saying it is “deliberate about evaluating our existing locations” while continuing to invest in other stores and online services. Employees at Trumbull and North County are being offered roles at nearby Apple stores; Towson staff, Apple said, will be eligible to apply for open roles “in accordance with the collective bargaining agreement.”

Why Towson matters

Towson isn’t just another dot on Apple’s store map — it was the first Apple retail location in the U.S. to unionize back in 2022, joining the IAM CORE coalition. That makes this closure more than a local retail beat; it’s potentially a flashpoint in the wider retail-unionization story that’s been simmering across tech and brick-and-mortar stores since the pandemic. Apple’s statement points to mall health and shifting retail footprints, noting it has been expanding elsewhere — 11 new stores since 2025 and dozens of remodels — even as it prunes locations.

Union reaction

It has been reported that the International Association of Machinists and Aerospace Workers (IAM) called the decision “outraged” and said it will explore legal options. The IAM accused Apple of abandoning workers and the community and, it has been reported, stated that Apple’s claim the collective bargaining agreement prevents relocation “is simply false,” alleging the closure could be a cynical attempt to bust the union. The union said it will work with elected officials and allies to hold Apple accountable.

The bigger picture

So what now? On paper this looks like a simple mall-trimming exercise from a company that just posted record revenue and is opening new stores globally. But closing the very store that symbolized employee organizing raises hard questions — is this cost-cutting, bad timing, or something messier? The answer may end up in court or the court of public opinion. Either way, this story ties into larger trends: the ongoing mall decline, a renewed retail union push, and how big tech balances PR, profit, and people.

Sources: macrumors.com