NATIVE ST. JOSEPHIAN TO TAKE OVER MANAGEMENT OF EAST HILLS SHOPPING CENTER

A leader in the development, management and operation of outlet centers in the US carries the torch forward for East Hills Shopping Center

June 3, 2014 – (Mission, Kansas) – After almost five decades of overseeing the operations and management of the East Hills Shopping Center, MD Management announced today that it is turning over the management reigns to Craig Realty Group.

“We are excited to bring in Craig Realty Group to enhance the East Hills experience for all patrons,” said Garry Hayes, Director of Leasing at MD Management. “We spent a great deal of time inspecting Craig Realty Group’s impressive properties and practices around the country and we look forward to seeing their approach at East Hills. “East Hills is a very important property to our Company.  We also recognize the importance of the shopping center within the St. Joseph community as well the surrounding communities of Northwest Missouri and Northeast Kansas. We felt if we were going to take the property to the next level, Craig Realty Group was the firm that could accomplish that.”

The management change was announced to the on-site management team earlier today.

“We are delighted to have been selected by the Morgan and Dreiseszun families to oversee this iconic shopping center,” said Steven Craig. “It’s especially gratifying to me personally since I grew up in St. Joseph and spent a great deal of my childhood and young adult years at the mall.”  “East Hills will continue to thrive in its current format and will not become an outlet center.”

In addition to using Craig Realty Group’s extensive industry relationship to attract new tenants, the Company will incorporate a number of their signature marketing programs to better promote the shopping center. Craig Realty Group is known in the industry for creating special events that draw crowds and increase sales at their various shopping venues.  These events include the nationally-famous Shopping Extravaganza, Moonlight Madness, and Strike a Pose, in addition to bringing some of the world’s largest live Christmas trees to their malls for the holiday season.  “Our number one goal is to improve the overall shopping experience for East Hills’ customers and to make East Hills the safest and friendliest place to shop.”

Craig said that a second goal is to return East Hills to its former status of “the number one gathering place in the community.”  “We have a beautiful facility to work with and are confident that, with a lot of hard work, we can accomplish our goals.”

Craig Realty Group owns and operates 11 shopping centers, primarily outlet centers, in 7 states, with 7 additional centers in development including Outlets at San Clemente, California; Sussex Commons Lifestyle Outlet, New Jersey; Chicagoland Outlets at Country Club Hills, Illinois; Outlets at Kapolei Commons, Oahu, Hawaii; Outlets at Richmond, Virginia; Outlets at Cleveland, Garfield Heights, Ohio; and Outlets at Lacey, Washington.  

Since its opening in 1965, East Hills has undergone many changes, including a major renovation and expansion in 1988, which included the additions of Dillard's and Sears as well as 34 specialty stores.  In 2008, East Hills underwent another major revitalization and redevelopment in order to continue to be the area's premier shopping destination.

Garry Hayes will continue to be a part of the day-to-day Leasing efforts at East Hills, in tandem with strong support from Steve Craig and the Craig Realty Group Leasing team.

Mr. Craig has other interests in the St. Joseph community, including the recently completed restoration of the Geiger Mansion.  An historic property, built in 1911, the Geiger Mansion had fallen into disrepair after United Missouri Bank had closed their branch there. Mr. Craig took a personal interest in the Geiger Mansion because of its historic significance in the community. Very soon, a coffee house, Pronto Café, will open at the Geiger Mansion.

“St. Joseph is a part of me, and I’m very excited to be a part of St. Joseph, and East Hills in particular,” said Craig.  “Part of my heart will always be in this community – it helped to mold who I am. I’m thrilled to carry the torch forward at East Hills and take it to that next level.”

The management change will become effective June 3, 2014.

Additional Information on Steve Craig

Mr. Craig is actively involved in various charities, most notably his annual Shopping Extravaganza events held at each of his shopping centers, proceeds from which go directly to select charitable organizations.  Mr. Craig also supports a number of Orange County, CA, charities, assists various departments within the University of Southern California, and extends his support to local charities in the many communities served by his shopping centers.

In 2008, Missouri Western State University, St. Joseph, Missouri, named its business school the Craig School of Business in honor of Mr. Craig’s contributions to the university.  In 2009, Missouri Western State University further honored Mr. Craig by presenting him with an honorary Doctorate in Humanities.

Mr. Craig serves on the Board at Mount Mora Cemetery Association and is a member of the Investment Advisory Committee for LUBA (the Noyes Home).  He also assists the YWCA each year with his “Steve’s Challenge” which is part of the Women of Excellence Luncheon.

In 2012, Mr. Craig was nominated to the Board of Directors of KidWorks, a non-profit organization that provides assistance to low-income, at-risk children in Orange County, California, and co-chaired the 2012 and 2013 fundraising event with legendary football coach and broadcaster Terry Donahue.

In late 2012, Mr. Craig was honored by the outlet center industry by inducting him as the only developer into the Outlet Industry Hall of Fame, 2012 Class. And, in 2012, Mr. Craig was named one of 20 “People Who Count” in St. Joseph, MO, and made an Honorary Citizen in the City of Commerce, CA. 

Finally, Mr. Craig serves on the Executive Committee of the Lott Impact Foundation, which annually recognizes the outstanding defensive player in college football. The award also takes into account character and community service.

ABOUT MD MANAGEMENT:MD Management is a privately held company that specializes in all aspects of real estate development and management. The company and its affiliates own, lease and manage approximately 4.6 million square feet of retail, office and residential properties in the Midwest and they control approximately 2,000 additional acres of undeveloped land in the Kansas City metropolitan area that is available for residential, retail and mixed-use development.  For more information, visit www.mdmgt.com. All media inquiries should be directed to Steve Glorioso a