For what it's worth, here's a reply I received today from Penn Square Mall management:

"The Apple store will be on the main level, replacing 1/2 of a current store that is
downsizing. You will see a new barricade in a few months.
I'm going to follow up on your suggestion for Bon Vie. That would be a
perfect choice!"

So I guess Apple will be locating somewhere on the main level. Hmmmmm.....I wonder what location that could be. That caught me completely by surprise.

I'll have to think....the only larger stores I can think of on the lower level are J. Crew, Banana Republic, and Abercrombie and Fitch. I really can't think of any other stores that could be downsized. When J. Crew came in, they took up 3 existing store spaces, so it's a pretty large space. That would put Apple in the upscale west wing! We'll just have to see.