Apply online. April and October are the best times to apply, they will be preparing for Summer season in April and Winter in October. Contact the store, ask for the department supervisor, the store manager is not directly involved with hiring.
If applying directly to the shop technician position, stop by the store and introduce yourself to the existing shop team. BE SURE TO MAKE A POSITIVE IMPRESSION ON THE EXISTING SHOP TECHS, they will be very persuasive in endorsing or condemning you with the hiring supervisor. There will only be one interview.