https://medium.com/@parismarx/backlash-to-apples-privatized-town-squares-is-growing-97cb4d1e9da3

In 2016, Senior Vice President of Retail Angela Ahrendts, the former CEO of high-end fashion house Burberry, announced a new concept for Apple’s wildly successful retail stores. No longer would be they simply be shopping locations; the Apple Store was to become a community gathering space, or “town square,” and would even drop the “Store” moniker in recognition of its renewed concept.

Not all aspects of this plan are problematic. As part of the reconceptualization, Ahrendts wants to expand the space for classes to teach people how to get the most out of their Apple products, improve the area for the Genius Bar, and add meeting spaces for local businesses and entrepreneurs. These are all within the scope of what we might expect from a company trying to improve its customer relationship.