Von Maur Department Stores Signs Lease To Anchor The Meadows at Lake Saint Louis In Lake Saint Louis, Mo.

One of Nation’s Oldest Department Store Chains to Open First Missouri Store, Join 30+ Retailers at The Meadows, Which Celebrates its Grand Opening Aug. 23, 2008

LAKE SAINT LOUIS, MO. – On the eve of celebrating its August 23, 2008 grand opening, the developer of The Meadows at Lake Saint Louis in Lake Saint Louis, Mo. has announced it has finalized a signed lease with Davenport, Iowa-based Von Maur Department Stores to anchor the lifestyle center. Von Maur’s store at Davis Street Land Company’s pedestrian-oriented upscale retail center will be its first store in Missouri.

The Midwestern retailer, founded in 1872, is one of the oldest and most successful department store chains in the country. The Meadows is located on a 64-acre site at Lake Saint Louis Boulevard and Interstate 64 (I-64) in Lake Saint Louis, a burgeoning city in St. Charles County.  The first phase of The Meadows lifestyle center will feature many of the country’s leading retailers including Bed, Bath and Beyond, BC’s Kitchen, Coldwater Creek, Victoria’s Secret, Talbots, Aeropostale, Cache, Eddie Bauer, Jos. A Bank, NY & Co., Gymboree, and Yankee Candle. The addition of Von Maur will increase the size of The Meadows to approximately 400,000 square feet of retail.

Privately-owned, Von Maur has long been known for its wide selection of brand-name merchandise, appealing shopping store environments and superior customer service, which includes free gift wrapping, free shipping and interest-free store credit cards. Von Maur’s first store in Missouri will be a two-level, 130,000-square-foot building anchoring the north portion of The Meadows at Lake Saint Louis property.  Von Maur is scheduled to open in fall 2010 and will employ 225 Von Maur associates.

“Located in one of St. Louis’s fastest growing areas, The Meadows at Lake Saint Louis represents significant opportunity for us, and we are excited to make our partnership with the center official,” said Jim von Maur, president of Von Maur.  “The Meadows at Lake Saint Louis is poised to become a prime shopping destination in St. Louis, and we look forward to bringing our long-standing commitment to quality, style, selection and service to the residents of St. Louis and its surrounding communities.”

“The execution of the Von Maur lease illustrates the confidence of the retail community in this market and specifically in The Meadows even during a difficult retail environment,” said Robert Perlmutter, managing partner with Davis Street Land Company, which is developing the center along with local partner, Bruce Johnston.  “At The Meadows we are creating a unique, high quality shopping destination within easy reach for the St. Charles County customer.”

Von Maur has disciplined plans to continue its expansion strategy, targeting select markets throughout the Midwest as well as reaching customers outside of its main markets through its recently-launched e-commerce platform on www.vonmaur.com.

The Von Maur family has operated its privately held department store chain since its 1872 founding in Davenport, Iowa, by C.J. von Maur.  The family currently operates stores in 22 carefully selected locations in nine states, including Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Kentucky, Michigan, Minnesota, Nebraska and Ohio.

The Meadows at Lake Saint Louis lifestyle center will ultimately host 500,000 square feet of shops woven in a pedestrian-friendly “downtown” grid marked by water features, landscaped boulevards and outdoor gathering spaces.

Among the retailers and restaurant choosing The Meadows as the site of their ONLY stores in St. Charles County are BC’s Kitchen, Banana Republic, Caché, Chico’s, Clarkson Jewelers, Coldwater Creek, Eddie Bauer, Jos. A. Bank, New Balance St. Louis, Aveda Salon Kashmir, Talbots, Bachrach, The Walking Company and Backwoods, the innovative, fast-growing outdoor apparel chain opening its first Missouri store in early 2009.

Other retailers opening at The Meadows include Bath & Body Works, Christopher & Banks, C.J. Banks, Claire’s, Gymboree, Kay Jewelers, New York & Company, Lenscrafters Optique, Puddle Ducks, Select Comfort, Sunglass Hut, Ann Taylor Loft and Yankee Candle.

Privately held Davis Street Land Company focuses on developing and owning upscale specialty and lifestyle centers. The principals of the company are responsible for unique retail properties such as Plaza Frontenac and The Shops at Clarkson Corner in St. Louis, Renaissance Place and Orland Park Crossing in Chicago, The Mall at Green Hills in Nashville, and The Gardens on El Paseo just outside Palm Springs.  To learn more, key www.dslandco.com

A lifetime resident of St. Louis, Bruce Johnston brings more than 25 years of retail real estate experience to The Meadows team.

About Von Maur

Von Maur was founded 130 years ago in downtown Davenport, Iowa, by C.J. von Maur.  The company currently operates 22 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.  For more information, please visitwww.vonmaur.com.