Three Apple stores in the U.S. are reportedly closed for renovations and will reopen on or after the launching date of the new iPhone, arousing suspicions from customers.

Speculations are rife that the Chestnut St. Apple store in San Francisco; the University Village Apple store in Seattle, Wash.; and the Walnut Creek Apple store in Walnut Creek, Calif., are preparing for the iPhone 5 launch, which is slated for Tuesday. All three establishments simultaneously closed on Sept. 26. These stores' facades are blacked out, indicating that renovations are under way.

The Walnut Creek store will reopen Monday, the San Francisco store on Tuesday and the Seattle store on Friday, according Christianpost.com.

Geek Gestalt blogger Daniel Terdiman confirmed the renovation and reopening of the Chestnut St. store after calling up the outlet on Friday. He received a recorded message to that effect and a suggestion to visit other Apple outlets.

Apple Inc. was not available for comment about the closures and renovations.

Many Apple outlets in the U.S. have undergone renovations in the last three months. The Bittmore Apple store in Phoenix, Ariz., and the Sagemore Apple store in Marlton, N.J., have just reopened after closing last week.

A store in London, however, has a different story. The store, located in Covent Garden, announced it will close early on Tuesday to accommodate a live streaming of the Oct. 4 iPhone event, according to iClarified.com. Closing time is at 3:30 p.m., but members of the press are allowed to stay in the store after that time.