SOUTHFIELD, Mich., Sept. 20 /PRNewswire/ -- Ramco-Gershenson Properties
Trust (NYSE: RPT) announced today that Michaels Crafts, the nations largest
arts and crafts specialty retailer, will celebrate its grand opening on
September 26, 1999 at RPT's Jackson West shopping center.  The 21,000 square
foot Michaels store joins Circuit City, Lowe's and OfficeMax as anchors of the
200,000 square foot center located in Jackson, Michigan, immediately adjacent
to the intersection of I-94 and M-27 expressways.
    "It was our desire to round out the Jackson West shopping center with a
retailer that would complement the existing uses and would also provide a
diverse selection for our consumers in the area.  We feel we have accomplished
this with the addition of Michaels Crafts," said Dennis Gershenson, president
and Chief Executive Officer.  "In addition, we are very pleased to expand on
the positive working relationship we have established with Michaels Stores,
Inc. and are delighted they chose our Jackson West shopping center as a site
for one of the 70 new stores they will open throughout the country this year."
    Based in Irving, Texas, Michaels Stores, Inc. (Nasdaq: MIKE) operates 531
Michaels stores in 47 states.  In addition to offering a broad assortment of
basic and seasonal crafts, Michaels offers custom floral designing services
and is the world's largest custom framer.  Started in 1983 by Sam and Charles
Wyly, Michaels became a publicly held company in 1984.
    Ramco-Gershenson Properties Trust has a portfolio of 55 shopping centers,
with approximately 10.6 million square feet of gross leasable area, located in
Michigan, Ohio, Wisconsin, New York, New Jersey, Maryland, Virginia, North
Carolina, South Carolina, Tennessee, Georgia, Alabama and Florida.
Headquartered in Southfield, Mich., the Company is a fully integrated,
self-administered, publicly-traded real estate investment trust (REIT).  The
Trust owns, develops, acquires and manages community shopping centers,
regional malls and single tenant retail properties, nationally.
    This press release contains forward-looking statements with respect to the
operation of certain of the Trust's properties.  Management of
Ramco-Gershenson believes the expectations reflected in the forward-looking
statements made in this document are based on reasonable assumptions.  Certain
factors could occur that might cause actual results to vary.  These include
general economic conditions, the strength of key industries in the cities
in which the Trust's properties are located, the performance of the Trust's
tenants at the Trust's properties and elsewhere, and other factors discussed
in the Trust's reports filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission.

    For further information on Ramco-Gershenson Properties Trust via facsimile
at no cost, simply dial 1-800-PRO-INFO and enter the company symbol RPT.

Link to this page: