It’s gone. If you’ve driven past the massive, somewhat lonely parking lot at 1515 Lake Cook Road lately, you probably noticed the glow is missing. The Apple Northbrook Northbrook IL location—a staple of the North Shore for two decades—officially shut its doors for the last time on April 26, 2025.
Honestly, it feels weird. For years, that store was the heartbeat of Northbrook Court. You’d go in for a cracked screen and walk out with a new watch you didn't know you needed. Now, the space is just another empty shell in a mall that’s basically fighting for its life.
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The Real Reason Apple Left Northbrook
People keep asking if they’re just moving to a bigger spot nearby. The short answer? No. Unlike most Apple "closures" that are actually just relocations to fancy new street-front flagship stores, this was a permanent exit.
Apple doesn't usually quit a market like this. But Northbrook Court has been struggling, and that’s putting it lightly. With anchors like Macy’s and Lord & Taylor long gone, the "foot traffic" was more of a light stroll. Apple’s official stance pointed toward the "evolving redevelopment plans" of the mall. Basically, they didn't want to stick around while Brookfield Properties spends the next few years turning the place into a construction zone of apartments and "mixed-use" spaces.
A 20-Year Run
- Opened: July 16, 2005. It was the 112th Apple Store ever built.
- The Move: In 2017, they moved from a cramped lower-level spot to a much bigger, glass-heavy space upstairs.
- The End: After exactly 19 years and 9 months, they pulled the plug.
It’s kinda sad when you think about it. That store saw the launch of the original iPhone, the transition to Intel Macs, and the rise of the iPad. It was one of the older stores in the fleet, and its departure feels like the final nail in the coffin for the mall as we knew it.
Where to Go Now for Your Apple Fix
If you’re sitting in Northbrook with a frozen MacBook, you’re probably wondering where to go. You’ve got options, but none of them are quite as convenient as the old Lake Cook Road spot.
Apple Old Orchard (Skokie)
This is the big one. It’s about 15-20 minutes south. It’s an outdoor mall, which is where Apple seems to prefer being these days. It’s almost always packed, so if you’re looking for a Genius Bar appointment, book it three days earlier than you think you need to.
Apple Deer Park
If you’re further west, this is your best bet. It’s located in the Deer Park Town Center. It’s a bit smaller than Old Orchard but generally less chaotic.
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Apple Woodfield (Schaumburg)
Only go here if you hate yourself or really love giant malls. It’s huge, it’s busy, and finding parking is its own level of purgatory. But, they have the stock. If a new iPhone just launched and everywhere else is sold out, Woodfield usually has it.
The "Dead Mall" Factor
Let’s be real: Northbrook Court has looked like a ghost town for a while. Seeing the Apple logo come down was just the confirmation. The village has approved a massive $825 million plan to fix the area, but that involves tearing a lot of it down to build "neighborhood" style housing.
Apple’s business model depends on being in high-energy locations. When Lululemon and Sephora started eyeing the exits, it was only a matter of time before the tech giant followed suit. They aren't in the business of being the only reason people visit a dying mall.
What About Your Repairs and Warranties?
If you bought something at the Northbrook store right before it closed, don't panic. Your AppleCare+ is still valid at any other location.
- Mail-in Repair: You can actually start a repair on the Apple Support app and they’ll send you a box. You don't even have to leave your house.
- Authorized Service Providers: Best Buy in Northbrook (over by Willow Rd) is an Apple Authorized Service Provider. They use genuine parts. Sometimes it’s easier to get an appointment there than driving down to Skokie.
- The App: Seriously, use the Apple Store app to check inventory before you drive anywhere.
Moving Forward Without Apple Northbrook
It’s the end of an era for North Shore tech nerds. We got used to having a Genius Bar ten minutes away. Now, the "Apple Northbrook Northbrook IL" search result is mostly going to lead you to "Permanently Closed" labels on Google Maps.
If you need immediate help, your best move is to download the Apple Support App and chat with a human there first. They can run diagnostics on your phone over Wi-Fi, which might save you a trip to Skokie entirely. If you definitely need hardware service, check the Best Buy at 1001 Willow Rd—it’s the closest spot for "official" repairs now that the glass doors at the mall are locked for good.