Apple stores to close this morning for company-wide Jobs tribute

Oct. 19, 2011 12 AM PT

Apple stores across the region will reportedly close temporarily this morning so employees can take part in a memorial celebrating the company’s late founder Steve Jobs in Cupertino.

The Jobs tribute at the company’s headquarters will reportedly be broadcast live to store employees from 10 to 11:30 a.m. The same period has been blocked off on store online calendars for customer tech support appointments.

So far, Apple has declined to comment on the store closures despite widespread media reports on the tribute, including in the Wall Street Journal.

Jobs died Oct. 5 after struggling with illness for years, including pancreatic cancer in 2003 and a liver transplant. He resigned as chief executive of Apple in August.

In the hours after Apple announced Jobs’ death, customers and fans of the charismatic chief executive erected makeshift memorials outside storefronts, including at the Americana at Brand.

Photo Gallery: Steve Jobs memorial at the Americana

-- Jason Wells, Times Community News

Photo: A customer walks past a small memorial set up for Apple founder Steve Jobs outside the Americana at Brand store in Glendale on Thursday, October 6, 2011, a day after the executive died. Credit: Raul Roa / Times Community News.