Refactor without changing behaviour

I want to refactor the code below. Goal: {{goal}}

Give me a sequence of steps small enough that each one can be committed and
verified on its own. For each step: what changes, and what would prove it did not
change behaviour. Say which steps are pure moves and which actually alter logic —
those are the ones that need a test first.

If the refactor is not worth doing, say so.

{{code}}

What to fill in

{{goal}}

What you want to end up with — e.g. the wipe-and-retry logic in one testable place

{{code}}

The code — e.g. Paste the file or function

What it produces

1. Move the open-else-wipe block into PersistentStore.load(at:)
   verbatim. Pure move — same behaviour, callers unchanged.
   Verify: existing tests pass untouched.
2. Have both controllers call it. Pure move.
   Verify: launch both apps, store opens.
3. Change the wipe to a move-aside. Behaviour change — needs
   a test first: corrupt a store, assert the backup exists.