Microsoft will keep SouthPark store open

Microsoft said this week that it plans to keep a temporary store it opened last year in SouthPark mall for the holidays.

The kiosk-like store opened in October, one of several dozen the tech giant opened nationwide to drum up interest in its new products. The store offered an early glimpse at the Surface tablet and Windows 8, as well as video games and Windows phones.

Microsoft originally planned to keep the store open just for the holidays, but said Wednesday that it will stay open indefinitely.

"Based on the success of the Southpark Mall Microsoft Specialty Store, the store will remain open in 2013 and continue to provide consumers with the same choice, value and services they have come to expect," the company said in a news release. "The stores offer consumers the opportunity to interact with and purchase products including Microsoft Surface Pro with Windows Pro 8, Windows 8 Phones and Office 365."

Microsoft appears to be keeping about two dozen of its small-format "specialty stores" open nationwide, based on its list of locations.

Apple has two full-size stores in Charlotte, one in SouthPark and one at Northlake Mall.