Apple has permanently closed three of its U.S. retail stores as of June 20, 2026. The affected locations are:
- Apple Trumbull in Trumbull, Connecticut
- Apple North County in Escondido, California
- Apple Towson Town Center in Towson, Maryland
The company cited declining conditions and the departure of several retailers at the respective malls as the primary reasons for these closures. For instance, Trumbull Mall recently defaulted on over $150 million in loans, reflecting ongoing struggles and business closures. Similarly, Towson Town Center has seen multiple businesses exit this year, including Tommy Bahama, Banana Republic, and Madewell.
Employees at the Trumbull and Escondido stores have been offered opportunities to continue their roles at nearby Apple Retail locations. However, the situation at the Towson store is more complex. This location was notable for being the first Apple Store in the U.S. to unionize in June 2022, with employees joining the International Association of Machinists and Aerospace Workers (IAM). In accordance with the collective bargaining agreement, Towson employees can apply for open roles within Apple.
The closure of the Towson store has sparked significant controversy. The IAM Union has accused Apple of discriminating against unionized workers by not providing them with the same relocation opportunities as non-unionized employees. IAM International President Brian Bryant stated that Apple is denying union-represented workers the same opportunities it is giving to others because these workers chose to organize, which he argues is discriminatory and a violation of federal labor law.
Political figures have also weighed in. Baltimore Mayor Brandon M. Scott expressed support for the Towson employees, emphasizing the impact of the store’s closure on both the workers and the local community. He urged Apple to offer Towson workers the same opportunities as those at non-union stores and pledged to support their fight for fair treatment.
Furthermore, nine members of the U.S. Congress from Maryland sent a letter to Apple’s CEO Tim Cook and hardware engineering chief John Ternus, expressing serious concern over the decision to close the Towson store without plans to open a replacement in the Baltimore region. They urged Apple to reconsider the closure and explore viable paths to preserve jobs and maintain a retail presence in the area.
These developments highlight the ongoing tensions between Apple and its unionized workforce. The closures, particularly that of the Towson store, raise questions about the company’s commitment to its employees and the communities it serves. As Apple continues to evaluate its retail strategy, the treatment of unionized workers and the company’s approach to labor relations will likely remain under scrutiny.
