FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Grand Opening Of Nike Factory Store At Belz Factory Outlet World - Lakeland:
New Store Anchors the Mall’s Annex

Lakeland, TN -- Belz Factory Outlet World - Lakeland will host the Grand Opening of the 13,000-square-foot Nike Factory Store at the mall’s annex on Saturday, June 26, 1999. Lakeland Mayor Jim Bomprezzi will be on hand to kick-off the festivities with a ribbon cutting ceremony at 10:00 a.m. Froggy 94 will also broadcast the event via live remote in the annex parking lot from 10 a.m. - 12 p.m. And for hungry shoppers, there will be free Papa John’s Pizza in the annex parking lot, starting at 11 a.m., while supplies last.

"The Nike Factory Store will be a excellent addition to the already impressive retail mix at the Lakeland mall annex which includes such recognizable names as Footlocker, Danskin, Big Dogs Sportswear and Samsonite," says Andrew J. Groveman, President of the Factory Outlet Division of Belz Enterprises.

The first 500 people through the door of the new store will receive a commemorative Nike gift. From 10 a.m. to 12 p.m., visitors can register at the Froggy 94 booth in the annex parking lot to win a sports collectible package from Above the Rim which features a Ken Griffey, Jr. autographed starting line-up card, an Afernee Hardaway autographed card, a Ken Griffey, Jr. 1989 Upper Deck Rookie Card and a $50.00 gift certificate for a total value of $525.00. Visitors at the Grand Opening of the Nike Factory Store can also register throughout the day to win a $150.00 gift certificate at the store.

Additional Grand Opening festivities will include free face painting for children. The first 200 kids to arrive at the Froggy booth wearing a piece of Nike clothing will receive a free Froggy 94/Belz Factory Outlet yo-yo.

The new Nike Factory Store, which will serve as the anchor tenant at the mall’s annex, will offer authentic Nike apparel, footwear and accessories at factory store prices. The Lakeland store will also represent one of the largest Nike stores nationally.

"It is only natural that we would open a store in Lakeland because the Belz Factory Outlet Mall - Lakeland has traditionally done a strong business and offers us an excellent opportunity to expand our presence in that market," says Kevin Bailey, Director of Operations for Nike Factory Stores.

In fact, Belz Factory Outlet World in Lakeland attracted 2,629,350 shoppers last year, a steady increase of 3.5% over 1997 figures. The center, generally recognized as the first of its kind in the United States, opened its door to shoppers in 1979 and has been a steady performer ever since, notes Mr. Groveman.

Belz Factory Outlet World - Lakeland is open Monday - Saturday, 10:00 a.m. - 9 p.m. and Sunday, 1 p.m. - 6 p.m.

With headquarters in Memphis, Belz Enterprises is a multi-faceted real estate company with more than 25 million square feet of developed property including over 40 shopping complexes, ranging from community shopping centers to regional malls.

In addition to Lakeland, Belz owns and/or manages Factory Outlet Worlds in Pigeon Forge, Tenn., Las Vegas and Orlando, Fla. where the company also operates the Belz Designer Outlet Centre. Belz also owns and operates the 100 Oaks Mall in Nashville, Tenn. Belz is currently developing two factory outlet malls in Puerto Rico and St. Augustine, Fla. One of Belz’s newest developments is "Festival Bay at International Drive", a 1.1 million-square-foot lifestyle retail complex in Orlando. The company has also developed and owns a group of premier hotels, including the flagship Peabody Hotels in Memphis and Orlando.

 
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