When my husband and I decided to make our first Apple purchase we didn't look any where else but Graphite. First I love that is a local store, and I love supporting small non-corporate businesses.
Second Graphite doesn't give me and anxiety attack like the Apple store in the mall. That place is crazy busy all the time. It's hot, smelly, insanely bright, loud, and usually swarming with teenagers who just come in to mess around on the IPads and show off their saggy pants. You pretty much have to wait in line just to talk to someone. And sometimes you even have to wait in line just to see, touch, and try out their products.
Graphite is nothing like that. The store is calm and inviting. It is designed in a way that makes sense. Everything is displayed really well, and trying out a product is fun instead of stressful.
Then of course there is the Graphite team. They are friendly and always available and willing to help, answer questions, and make great suggestions. Everyone there is super knowledgeable about everything that is Apple.
I am a Graphite lifer, and never will I go any where else for an Apple purchase or repair.