HUNTINGTON STATION, NY, MARCH 19, 2014 — Simon Property Group, Inc. (NYSE:SPG), a global leader in retail real estate, is hosting its annual Easter celebration festivities at Walt Whitman Shops, offering families the chance to participate in both traditional and unique seasonal events.
The Bunny Photo Experience begins Saturday, March 29 and runs through Saturday, April 19 at Walt Whitman Shops’ Saks Fifth Avenue wing. Kids will have the chance to visit with the Bunny and take home a treasured snapshot of the fun occasion.
Gymboree is the presenting sponsor for the 2014 Bunny Photo Experience. It is also presented locally by AT&T.
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“We love to hold family-friendly events at Walt Whitman Shops and we always look forward to watching children interact with the Bunny during the Easter season,” said Kathleen Herrmann, director of marketing and business development for Walt Whitman Shops.
Local children can engage in an egg-citing hunt for charity during Walt Whitman Shops’ 15th Annual SYF Easter Egg Hunt. Taking place on Saturday, April 12, all proceeds from this ticketed event benefit Simon Youth Foundation, Simon Property Group’s own not-for-profit organization. Families of children ages nine and under are welcome to purchase tickets for $5 (each child must have their own ticket) starting on Wednesday, March 19 at Simon Guest Services. Participation is limited to the first 100 tickets sold.
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Walt Whitman Shops’s Caring Bunny™ event will offer families which have children with special needs
a subdued environment to participate in the Bunny Photo Experience. Caring Bunny has been developed by SPG and is guided by AbilityPath.org, a national online resource hub and special needs community. Over 80 Simon® properties will host the Caring Bunny this season. Families can RSVP through EventBrite: http://waltwhitmanshopscaringbunny.eventbrite.com/
On Sunday, April 13 from 9:00 to 10:30 a.m., many steps will be taken to reduce sensory triggers, creating a more comforting environment for children’s cherished visit with the Bunny. The subdued environment is likely to include:
· Turning off in-mall music located near the photo set and dimming the lights for the duration of the event.
· Eliminating queue lines through the use of a numbering system whereby guests approach the set when their number is called.
· Special activities geared toward the needs of the child during the ‘wait’ period to help the child understand what activities will occur during the visit.
For more information about Walt Whitman Shops’ Easter events, visit www.facebook.com/WaltWhitmanShops , or follow the mall on Twitter @WaltWhitmanShop.
Walt Whitman Shops
Providing shoppers with everything they could ask for, Walt Whitman Shops, formerly Walt Whitman Mall, is located on Route 110 in Huntington Station and managed by Simon Property Group, Inc., headquartered in Indianapolis, Indiana. A major transformation was unveiled on November 21, 2013 when the property introduced a number of new stores and dining destinations to its stellar line-up of more than 80 specialty stores and anchors Lord & Taylor, Saks Fifth Avenue, Bloomingdale’s and Macy’s. Shoppers will experience unsurpassed customer service with amenities including complimentary wheelchairs; Ticketmaster retail outlet at Simon Guest Services and American Express® Simon Giftcards®, which can be used everywhere American Express® cards are welcomed, and VISA® Simon Giftcards®, good everywhere VISA® debit cards are accepted. Gift cards are available in denominations from $20 to $500. For more information, please go to www.simon.com. For the latest mall events and updates, visit www.waltwhitmanmall.com, check out www.facebook.com/WaltWhitmanShops and follow the center on Twitter: @WaltWhitmanShop.
Simon Property Group
Simon Property Group, Inc. (NYSE: SPG) is an S&P 100 company and a global leader in the retail real estate industry. The Company currently owns or has an interest in more than 325 retail real estate properties in North America, Asia and Europe comprising approximately 243 million square feet. We are headquartered in Indianapolis, Indiana and employ approximately 5,500 people in the U.S. For more information, visit the Simon Property Group website at www.simon.com.
About Simon Brand Ventures
Simon Brand Ventures (SBV), Simon's business-to-consumer arm, is pioneering the transformation of shopping centers into a medium where consumer brands can build relationships with Simon shoppers who make over 2.8 billion visits each year. Simon's vast franchise of market-leading shopping centers nationwide provides SBV the foundation to monetize the distribution system through numerous consumer ventures. SBV and its affiliates have engaged in a number of consumer business initiatives, including the Simon Visa Giftcard® and the American Express®/Simon Giftcard; launch of Simon platform programs such as Simon dTour Live® and Simon Kidgits Club®; a national media delivery channel including static, digital and experiential marketing and advertising vehicles; and multiple national and local marketing alliances with Coca-Cola and Visa U.S.A. among others.
About AbilityPath.org
AbilityPath.org is an online hub and special needs community for parents and professionals to learn, connect and live a more balanced life. The website combines social networking features with expert content from AbilityPath.org’s team of educators, parents, therapists and medical professionals.AbilityPath.org was created by Community Gatepath, a nonprofit with over 90 years of experience serving families and children with special needs by fostering hope, dignity and independence. AbilityPath.org may also be found on Facebook and Twitter.
About The Gymboree Corporation
The Gymboree Corporation is a specialty retailer operating stores selling high-quality apparel and accessories for children under the Gymboree, Gymboree Outlet, Janie and Jack, and Crazy 8 brands, as well as play programs for children under the Gymboree Play and Music brand.
About Gymboree Retail Stores
Gymboree has been dressing children since 1986. The brand's fashionable clothing and accessories are created to celebrate kids being kids in unique head-to-toe looks. Available in sizes newborn to 12 years, Gymboree clothing is designed with colorful, high-quality fabrics and detailed touches throughout. Gymboree currently operates 631 stores in the U.S. and Canada and we continue to expand internationally. You can also visit us anytime from everywhere at www.gymboree.com.
