FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

THE MERCHANDISE MART DESIGN CENTER INVITES DESIGN TRADE PROFESSIONALS AND THE PUBLIC FOR THE FALL SAMPLE SALE, NOV. 5–7, 2004

Designer furniture, fabric, lighting, flooring, kitchen, bath and accessories available for purchase

CHICAGO [July 29, 2004] — To make room for arriving products, The Merchandise Mart Design Center hosts its Fall Sample Sale Nov. 5–7, 2004. Showrooms will open their doors to trade professionals for a trade-only preview on Friday, November 5. The Sample Sale will be open to both designers and the public Saturday, Nov. 6 and Sunday, Nov. 7.

“The Sample Sale is a great opportunity to shop some of the best items from top designers,” said Jeanne Fisher, managing director of marketing, design center division, MMPI. “Members of the trade have an even greater advantage at the trade preview. They may shop before the public and get the best deals before anyone else arrives. Samples from both the contract and residential industries will be available for purchase from a selection of more than 40 showrooms throughout The Mart.”

PRODUCTS OFFERED

Fall Sample Sale attendees will have a wide selection available from showrooms selling items from the previous season, overflows in stock and extras. Samples will include merchandise ranging from plush, unique rugs, traditional tables, gorgeous chairs and elegant ottomans to fabulous fabrics, beautifully detailed accessories and lavish sofas from high-end manufacturers. The individual showrooms control all product offerings, prices, and sales transactions.

Examples of the incredible savings to be found at the Sample Sale include: a Harden solid cherry entertainment center from J. Marshall: was $8,600, on sale for $2,495; a chenille country sofa with antique brassnail-head trim from Betty M: was $13,847, on sale for $4,500; original oil paintings by European artists from Thanhardt-Burger: were $525-24,500, on sale for $230-9,800; and finally, 8x10’ handwoven, 100% woolen oriental rugs, woven in India, from Oriental Carpet Gallery: were $4,200, on sale for $950.

Showrooms already committed to participating in the Fall Sample Sale include: Beacon Hill, Henredon, de Aurora, Betty M, TCD/Ello, Thanhardt-Burger, Melvin Wolf, Oriental Carpet Gallery, LaneVenture, Maya Romanoff, J. Marshall and many more.

SHOW INFORMATION

DATES: Private Trade-only Preview Nov. 5, 2004

Open to the public and trade Nov. 6–7, 2004

The Merchandise Mart, Chicago

ADMISSION: Private trade preview day (Friday) is free for interior designers and architects. Entry fee on Saturday and Sunday for the public is $5 per day. The Sample Sale entrance is located in the 8th-Floor Market Suites.

HOURS: Friday 9 a.m.–5 p.m.

Sunday Noon–5 p.m.

WEB SITE: www.merchandisemart.com/designcenter

Click on: Trade Events/Sample Sale

PHONE: 800.677.6278 [MART]

PRESS INQUIRIES ONLY:

Elizabeth D. Cooley

Public Relations Manager

Merchandise Mart Properties, Inc.

Phone: 312.527.7555

E-Mail: ecooley@mmart.com

Merchandise Mart Properties, Inc. (MMPI) is a trade show and property management firm, specializing in managing buildings devoted to wholesale showrooms and commercial office space. MMPI produces more than 300 trade shows, market events and conferences each year.

MMPI manages The Merchandise Mart, Chicago Apparel Center, and 33 North Dearborn in Chicago; Market Square, the Suites at Market Square, Hamilton Market, Plaza Suites, Furniture Plaza and the National Furniture Mart in High Point, N.C.; the Architects & Designers Building in New York; the L.A. Mart in Los Angeles; and the Washington Design Center and Washington Office Center in Washington, D.C.

Vornado Realty Trust, owner of MMPI, based in New York City, is a fully integrated equity real estate investment trust. Vornado’s common shares are listed on the New York Stock Exchange and are traded under the symbol VNO.

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