Apple has permanently closed three of its U.S. retail locations as of June 20, 2026. The affected stores are Apple Trumbull in Trumbull, Connecticut; Apple North County in Escondido, California; and Apple Towson Town Center in Towson, Maryland.
In April, Apple cited deteriorating conditions in the shopping malls housing these stores as the primary reason for the closures. The company stated that the decision was made after evaluating the declining environments of Trumbull Mall, the Shops at North County, and Towson Town Center.
The Towson Town Center store holds particular significance, as its staff became the first group of Apple retail employees in the U.S. to unionize in 2022. They are members of the International Association of Machinists and Aerospace Workers’ Coalition of Organized Retail Employees (IAM CORE) and signed a collective bargaining agreement with Apple in 2024.
The union has expressed strong opposition to the closure, alleging that Apple is engaging in union-busting tactics. They argue that while non-unionized employees at the Trumbull and North County stores have been offered transfers to nearby locations, unionized employees at the Towson store have not received similar offers. Apple contends that it is adhering to the terms of the collective bargaining agreement, which stipulates that in the event of a store closure, employees would receive severance unless a new store opens within 50 miles of the current location, in which case they would have the right of first refusal for employment.
Maryland lawmakers have also weighed in, expressing concern over the closure of the Towson store and urging Apple to reconsider its decision. They emphasize the importance of maintaining jobs and a retail presence in the region, highlighting the community’s reliance on the store for services and its accessibility via public transit.
These closures underscore the challenges faced by brick-and-mortar retail locations, particularly in struggling shopping malls. While Apple continues to expand and enhance its retail presence globally, the decision to close these stores—especially the unionized Towson location—raises questions about the company’s approach to labor relations and its commitment to unionized employees. Observers will be watching closely to see how Apple navigates these complex dynamics in the future.
