Von Maur in Grand Rapids, Mich: The Announcement

Fashion department store Von Maur signed a Letter of Intent to join the Village of Orchard Hills in Grand Rapids, Michigan. The Village, which will debut in 2011, will be Western Michigan’s first and only Main Street lifestyle center.

Below I’ve included the full press release announcing this news. You can also download the release as a pdf.

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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

CONTACT: Paul Kesman
248.258.2333
pkesman@identitypr.com


VON MAUR WILL ANCHOR THE VILLAGE OF ORCHARD HILLS DEVELOPMENT IN GRAND RAPIDS

GRAND RAPIDS, Mich., November 10, 2008 — Birmingham, Mich.-based commercial real estate development firm Robert B. Aikens & Associates, LLC today officially announced that Von Maur will join its The Village of Orchard Hills in Grand Rapids, Mich., serving as the center's primary anchor. The announcement was made by Bruce Aikens, Vice Chairman for Robert B. Aikens & Associates.

Von Maur, an upscale retailer selling brand-name clothing, accessories, cosmetics, shoes and jewelry, will occupy 120,000 square feet and use The Village of Orchard Hills to make its debut in Western Michigan. Von Maur currently operates 23 stores in nine states, including stores in Ann Arbor, Mich. and Livonia, Mich.

“We are thrilled Von Maur is joining The Village of Orchard Hills,” said Aikens. “The addition of a retailer with the experience, track record and success of Von Maur to the project sets the tone for the high-quality, family friendly retail environment we wish to develop in the community."

“The Village of Orchard Hills is an ideal location for Von Maur as we continue expanding our presence throughout the Midwest,” said Jim von Maur, president of Von Maur. “Grand Rapids is a major shopping destination for those living in Western Michigan, and we look forward to bringing our high-quality merchandise and outstanding service and benefits to this part of the state.”

The Village of Orchard Hills is a 400,000-square-foot mixed-use lifestyle center project, located at the corner of Three Mile Road and East Beltline Avenue in Grand Rapids Township, Mich. Featuring a mix of retail uses, including a department store, restaurants and a bookstore, as well as future development of 156 condominium units, the project will be patterned after the company's successful Village of Rochester Hills project located in Rochester Hills, Mich. Construction is scheduled to start in early 2010, with completion scheduled for Fall 2011.

About Von Maur
Von Maur was founded 130 years ago in downtown Davenport, Iowa, by C.J. von Maur. The company currently operates 23 stores in nine Midwestern states. Von Maur is known for its outstanding customer service experience and benefits, including an interest-free credit card, no-questions-asked return policy and free gift wrapping and shipping services. The company also offers its associates above-market wages, excellent benefits and flexible, family-friendly scheduling. At Von Maur, customers find a great selection of merchandise including first-in-the-market fashions and a wide selection of brands such as: Polo Ralph Lauren, Burberry, Kenneth Cole, Garfield & Marks, Misook, Austin Reed, Tommy Bahama, and Joseph Abboud.

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