Apple's retail operation turns 25 years old today, marking a quarter century since the company opened its first stores on May 19, 2001. Steve Jobs personally guided members of the press through the Tysons Corner store four days before it opened, after Apple announced the retail initiative on May 15. Some 500 visitors lined up before dawn on opening day, with the queue growing to over 1,000 by the time the doors opened at 10 a.m.

Apple's retail operation turns 25 years old today, marking a quarter century since the company opened its first stores on May 19, 2001. Steve Jobs personally guided members of the press through the Tysons Corner store four days before it opened, after Apple announced the retail initiative on May 15. Some 500 visitors lined up before dawn on opening day, with the queue growing to over 1,000 by the time the doors opened at 10 a.m.