Microsoft Store in NYC's Times Square shuts down

On October 25, Microsoft launched its massive Microsoft Store New York City location in Times Square. The opening was the cornerstone of the company's launch of both Windows 8 and the Windows RT launch of its Surface tablet. When we attended the event, we were told that the store had hired about 80 employees. We were also told that the store, which was originally set up as a temporary "holiday store", might continue as a permanent location after the holidays.

Now ZDNet.com reports that has not happened and that the NYC Times Square location has indeed shut down. In a statement sent to the website, Microsoft said:

The location was intended to support holiday sales of Microsoft Surface and Windows 8, and continues to be an important market for us moving forward. Customers in the New York area can continue to experience the best of Microsoft products and the same excellent choice, value and service at our specialty store located in the Shops at Columbus Circle or any of our nine full line and specialty locations in the tri-state area.

The timing of this shut down is a little odd as Microsoft has two major product launches in the next two weeks; Office 2013 on Tuesday and the Windows 8 Pro version of its Surface tablet on February 9th.

Source: ZDNet | Image via Nick Wingfield