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NEW & EXPANDING AT WESTFARMS

Several top brands will make first-in-market debut in 2013; others expand offerings
at region’s premier shopping destination

FARMINGTON, Conn., Feb. 4, 2013 – From luxury and athletic wear to island style and products that pamper, several top brands will make their market debut at Westfarms this year. Athleta, Tory Burch, Tommy Bahama, LUSH Fresh Handmade Cosmetics and Kiehl’s Since 1851 all will open their first stores in the region, while several other retailers will expand, relocate and/or feature new offerings at the region’s premier shopping destination.

New-to-market stores opening in 2013:

Coming this spring is Connecticut’s first Athleta, the premium fitness and lifestyle brand designed by women athletes for women athletes. Founded in 1998 and, until recently, available only via catalog and online, Athleta features the ultimate performance apparel and gear for active women, from weekend warriors to committed yoginis to competitive athletes. The brand’s high-quality, stylish and functional apparel, footwear and accessories reflect the perfect balance of performance and design. The new store will be located on the center’s upper level, near JCPenney.

Opening its first central Connecticut store by June is Tommy Bahama, the global, island-inspired lifestyle brand that defines relaxed, sophisticated style. From the moment guests step inside the beach house-style store, their senses are treated to the delightful fragrances, rich colors and subtle textures of paradise. Featuring the complete Tommy Bahama collection of men’s and women’s sportswear, swimwear, accessories and footwear as well as home décor and travel items, there’s no better place to satisfy a taste for the island life. The store will be located on Westfarms’ upper level, near Nordstrom.

Making its market debut at Westfarms later this year is women’s luxury lifestyle brand Tory Burch. Defined by classic American sportswear with an eclectic sensibility and attainable price point, Tory Burch collections embody the personal style and spirit of their CEO and designer. Recognizing a void in the market for an accessibly-priced lifestyle collection with a designer aesthetic, Tory Burch wanted to create stylish yet wearable clothing, shoes, handbags and accessories for women of all ages. The store is expected to open in the fourth quarter on the upper level, near Macy’s Men’s/Furniture.

Debuting its first store in central Connecticut is LUSH Fresh Handmade Cosmetics. Fast-growing LUSH is an upbeat British brand specializing in ethical bath and body products that are minimally packaged and loaded with fresh ingredients. LUSH hand-makes fragrances and skin care, hair care, bath and body treats using fresh, organic fruits and vegetables, the finest essential oils and sustainably sourced ingredients, without testing on animals. LUSH opens by March on the lower level, Nordstrom wing.

And opening its first freestanding skin care store in Connecticut is a brand with a long heritage of quality and service – Kiehl’s Since 1851. Kiehl’s was founded as an old-world apothecary in New York’s East Village neighborhood. Its unique, extensive background represents a blend of cosmetic, pharmaceutical, herbal and medicinal knowledge developed and advanced through the generations. The store opens later this spring on the upper level, Nordstrom wing.

“We’re excited to be the first area location for so many great brands,” says General Manager Kevin Keenan, “and happy that our existing retailers are growing and relocating here at Westfarms.”

Existing Westfarms retailers expanding, relocating and/or featuring new offerings:

Fans of the fashionable Forever 21 will revel in the new, 22,000-square-foot store, almost double the size of its previous location, opening in August on the lower level, near Macy’s. The popular fast-fashion destination showcases an unprecedented selection of trend-savvy clothing and accessories at budget-friendly prices. New merchandise is brought in daily, creating an exciting mix of dresses, denim, shoes, intimates, outerwear and more – always changing, and always in style.

Premium sports lifestyle retailer Champs Sports has relocated to the lower level, near Nordstrom. The new store showcases an expanded selection of footwear, top-brand sports apparel, fan gear and accessories.

Also relocating to the lower level, near Nordstrom is Munson’s Chocolates. In this first location for the brand’s entirely new design platform, Connecticut’s premier chocolatier since 1946 will offer an expanded selection of premium chocolates as well as a dipping bar for its famous, fresh, chocolate-dipped frozen bananas. The new store opens in April.

Express/Express Men will renovate its store at Westfarms this year, and 77kids by American Eagle has rebranded and is now RUUM American Kid’s Wear.

Westfarms, the premier shopping center of central Connecticut, features anchor stores Nordstrom, Macy’s, Lord & Taylor and JCPenney. The shopping center offers 160 stylish retailers and restaurants, many unique to the trade area, including Anthropologie, Apple, The Art of Shaving, bebe, Brio Tuscan Grille, California Pizza Kitchen, Coach, Free People, Gilly Hicks, J.Crew, Louis Vuitton, Michael Kors, P.F. Chang's China Bistro, Tiffany & Co., True Religion Brand Jeans, Urban Outfitters and many more. The shopping center straddles the towns of Farmington and West Hartford, and is conveniently located at the intersection of I-84 and Route 9. For more information, call 860-561-3024, visit www.ShopWestfarms.com or Like us at www.Facebook.com/WestfarmsMall.

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CONTACT:
Christa Allen
Marketing & Sponsorship Director
Westfarms Mall
860-561-3420
callen@taubman.com

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

LUSH TO OPEN FIRST STORE IN CENTRAL CONNECTICUT AT WESTFARMS

FARMINGTON, Conn., Dec. 20, 2012 – Fresh, fruity and fun describes the newest store to join the growing retail lineup at Westfarms Mall: In early 2013, LUSH Fresh Handmade Cosmetics will debut its first store in central Connecticut at the region’s premier shopping destination.

Fast-growing LUSH is an upbeat British brand specializing in ethical bath and body products that are minimally packaged and loaded with fresh ingredients. LUSH hand-makes fragrances and skin care, hair care, bath and body treats using fresh, organic fruits and vegetables, the finest essential oils and sustainably sourced ingredients, without testing on animals. The Westfarms store is expected to open in the first quarter of the new year.

Westfarms has recently added several top brands to its retail mix, including the recently opened Pinkberry frozen yogurt and The Art of Shaving, and women’s luxury retailer Tory Burch will make its market debut at the center next year.

Westfarms is the premier shopping center of central Connecticut and features more than 160 fine shops, including anchors Nordstrom, Macy’s, Lord & Taylor and JCPenney. The shopping center offers a stellar mix of stores and restaurants, many unique to the trade area, including Apple, Bare Escentuals, bebe, Brio Tuscan Grille, California Pizza Kitchen, Coach, Cole Haan, J.Crew, Janie and Jack, Louis Vuitton, Pandora, P.F. Chang's, Rainforest Café, Restoration Hardware, Tiffany & Co. and many more. The shopping center straddles the towns of Farmington and West Hartford, and is conveniently located at the intersection of I-84 and Route 9. For more information, call 860-561-3024 or visit www.shopwestfarms.com.

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:                                                          MEDIA CONTACT:

September 18, 2012                                                                    Amanda May Sirica

Sirica Marketing & Public Relations

860.716.2148

amanda@siricapr.com

TORY BURCH JOINS LUXURY LINEUP AT WESTFARMS NEXT YEAR

PINKBERRY, ART OF SHAVING OPENING THIS THIS FALL

FARMINGTON, CT– Westfarms, the region’s premier shopping destination, announces another enhancement to its prestigious line up when Tory Burch, a women’s luxury retailer, will make its market debut at the shopping center in 2013.  Additionally opening this fall, Westfarms welcomes Pinkberry frozen yogurt and The Art of Shaving, the popular men’s boutique first location in central Connecticut.

Tory Burch will open its first store in central Connecticut next year, when it joins Westfarms’ lineup of luxury brands that also includes Tiffany & Co., Louis Vuitton and Michael Kors, among others.  Tory Burch is a luxury lifestyle brand defined by its classic American sportswear with an eclectic sensibility and attainable price point.  It embodies the personal style and spirit of its CEO and designer.  Recognizing a void in the market for an accessibly-priced lifestyle collection with a designer aesthetic, Tory Burch wanted to create stylish yet wearable clothing, shoes, handbags and accessories for women of all ages. The store is expected to open fourth quarter 2013.

"We’re thrilled to debut the area’s first Tory Burch,” says Christa Allen, Westfarms Marketing and Sponsorship Director.  “It’s the perfect complement to our existing, upscale merchandising mix at Westfarms.”

Pinkberry, the world’s leading frozen yogurt retailer, is slated to open in October. Shoppers can soon indulge in “the perfect swirl” when Pinkberry’s light and refreshing flavors, such as original, coconut, chocolate hazelnut, pomegranate, peanut butter and mango, along with fresh-cut-daily fruit and premium toppings, provide a distinctive, culinary-inspired experience in every cup.  The store is located on the lower level in Center Court, next to Macy’s Men’s and Home Store.

Created in 1996, The Art of Shaving shops are the first of their kind – masculine establishments providing men with the finest shaving products and barber services. Operated by a team of shaving specialists and expertly trained master barbers, the shop’s Barber Spa offers traditional barber services, including the brand’s signature Royal Shave, along with advice on proper grooming techniques.  A full range of natural shaving products formulated from high-quality botanical ingredients and pure essential oils enable customers to experience “the perfect shave” and the best in men’s skin care. The store opens in October on the lower level, in the Nordstrom wing.

Westfarms is the premier shopping center of central Connecticut and features more than 160 fine shops, including anchors Nordstrom, Macy’s, Lord & Taylor and JCPenney. The shopping center offers a stellar mix of stores and restaurants, many unique to the trade area, including Apple, Bare Escentuals, bebe, Brio Tuscan Grille, California Pizza Kitchen, Coach, Free People, J.Crew, Janie and Jack, Louis Vuitton, Pandora, P.F. Chang's, Rainforest Café, Restoration Hardware, Tiffany & Co., True Religion Brand Jeans, Urban Outfitters  and many more. The shopping center straddles the towns of Farmington and West Hartford, and is conveniently located at the intersection of I-84 and Route 9. For more information, call 860-561-3024 or visit  www.shopwestfarms.com.

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