As director of marketing, Shelleen will oversee all marketing, communication and public relations efforts for the Village, including web site management, advertising, media relations, special events, promotions and community relations.

Prior to joining Aikens, Shelleen served as director of the Children’s Choice Learning Center that was sponsored by Crittenton Hospital. She also spearheaded the change management team for a second Children’s Choice Learning Center location upon its opening.

Shelleen earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in Youth and Family Theater from Ithaca College in Ithaca, NY. She resides in Macomb Township, Michigan and is currently a member of the Rochester Regional Chamber of Commerce and the Rainbow Connection.

About the Village of Rochester Hills
Opened in 2002, the Village of Rochester Hills is a 375,000-square-foot outdoor shopping district located in the heart of Rochester Hills, Mich. The Village was the first project in Michigan to utilize the lifestyle streetscape concept and is home to respected national and local retailers in various segments, including apparel, dining, home furnishings and beauty.

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Paul Kesman
248.258.2333
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As director of marketing, Leysen will oversee all marketing efforts for the Village, including web site management, advertising, media relations, special events, promotions and community relations.

Prior to joining Aikens, Leysen provided marketing and consulting services for several small businesses and start-ups in metropolitan Detroit. Her career also includes time spent as Marketing Manager for Kelly Services, Inc. and as Marketing Director of Westfield Eastridge, a shopping center based in Gastonia, North Carolina and owned by The Westfield Group.

Leysen earned a Bachelor of Science degree from Michigan State University and a Masters of Business Administration degree from Eastern Michigan University. She resides in Lake Orion, Michigan.

About the Village of Rochester Hills

Opened in 2002, the Village of Rochester Hills is a 375,000-square-foot outdoor shopping district located in the heart of Rochester Hills, Mich. The Village was the first project in Michigan to utilize the lifestyle streetscape concept and is home to respected national and local retailers in various segments, including apparel, dining, home furnishings and beauty.

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Paul Kesman
248.258.2333
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As marketing director, Fraeyman will oversee all marketing efforts for the Village, including web site management, advertising, media relations, special events, promotions and community relations.

Prior to joining Aikens, Fraeyman founded and served as director for The Great Michigan Race, a fundraising event designed to benefit Special Olympics Michigan. Fraeyman also founded and managed her own company, Write Solutions, providing professional writing, editing and design services for a variety of clients.

Fraeyman earned a Bachelor of Business Administration degree from Western Michigan University. She is an active member of several business and professional organizations including the Automotive Women’s Alliance Foundation, SAE International, the Michigan Business and Professional Association and the Rochester Regional Chamber of Commerce.

About Village of Rochester Hills

Opened in 2002, the Village of Rochester Hills is a 375,000-square-foot outdoor shopping district located in the heart of Rochester Hills, Mich. The Village was the first project in Michigan to utilize the lifestyle streetscape concept and is home to respected national and local retailers in various segments, including apparel, dining, home furnishings and beauty.

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Paul Kesman
248.258.2333
pkesman@identitypr.com

Since opening their first ten stores in 2004, Soma Intimates has built an impressive product line featuring supremely comfortable, high-quality bras, panties, sleepwear and relaxation wear and has quickly become a favorite.  Today, there are 100 Soma Intimate stores nationwide.  Their Village of Rochester Hills store, which is scheduled to open in November and will occupy 4,200 square feet, will be their third in Michigan.

Soma Intimates will complement the Village of Rochester Hills’ strong lineup of retailers that includes a Parisian department store and other specialty apparel retailers including Ann Taylor Loft, Talbot’s, Banana Republic, Chico’s, White House | Black Market, Eddie Bauer, J. Crew and Jos. A. Bank.

“Soma intimates is part of the Chico’s family of companies,” said Aikens.  “The success that Chico’s and another of its related companies, White House | Black Market, have enjoyed at the Village of Rochester Hills resulted in the company deciding to add Soma Intimates to the lineup here. We are pleased they have found the Village of Rochester Hills to be a successful location for them and look forward to helping make it equally as successful for Soma Intimates.”

About Robert B. Aikens & Associates LLC

Founded more than 30 years ago, Robert B. Aikens & Associates LLC has built its reputation and success on the anticipation of shopping trends. From regional malls and lifestyle centers in Louisiana, Florida and Michigan to strip centers and office buildings, Aikens has a history of developing projects that answer a particular community’s shopping habits and preferences. Today, Robert B. Aikens & Associates continues to be at the forefront, having developed over 20 million square feet of retail, commercial and residential space.

MEDIA CONTACT

Paul Kesman
248.258.2333
pkesman@identitypr.com

As Senior Retail Leasing Specialist, Shafir will be responsible for small shop leasing for the company’s strip center projects. She will also manage the company’s newly formed third-party management division.

Shafir joined Robert B. Aikens & Associates in 1990 and had been serving as Marketing Director for the company as well as its Village of Rochester Hills project. In this position, her responsibilities included the creation and implementation of all special events, the placement of all advertising, tenant relations, monthly merchant meetings, drafting and distributing press releases. She was also overseeing specialty leasing, a role she will continue to play.

Shafir earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Retail Clothing and Textiles from Michigan State University. She is an active member of the International Council of Shopping Centers (ICSC) and has served as a roundtable moderator for several of ICSC’s Michigan Idea Exchange sessions.

She is a resident of West Bloomfield, Michigan.

Click to view and download a photo of Michelle Shafir

About Robert B. Aikens & Associates LLC
Founded more than 35 years ago, Robert B. Aikens & Associates LLC has built its reputation and success on the anticipation of shopping trends. Employing extensive consumer research, the company has developed shopping centers across the Midwest and southern United States that answered the needs of shoppers and foresaw how these needs would change. From regional malls and lifestyle centers in Louisiana, Florida and Michigan to strip centers and office buildings, Aikens has a history of developing projects that answer a particular community’s shopping habits and preferences. Today, Robert B. Aikens & Associates continues to be at the forefront, having developed over 20 million square feet of retail, commercial and residential space.

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Paul Kesman
248.258.2333
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As Marketing Manager, Presner will assume full responsibility of all marketing efforts for the Village, including special events, advertising, promotions and community relations. Presner joined Robert B. Aikens & Associates in 2007 and had been serving as Assistant Marketing Director for the center.

Prior to joining Robert B. Aikens & Associates, Presner served as Marketing Coordinator at Bayou Design Studios, a full-service advertising firm.

Presner earned a Bachelor of Commerce degree with a major in Marketing from the John Molson School of Business at Concordia University in Montreal, Quebec. She is an active member of the International Council of Shopping Centers (ICSC).

Jessica currently resides in Birmingham, Michigan.

About Robert B. Aikens & Associates LLC
Founded more than 35 years ago, Robert B. Aikens & Associates LLC has built its reputation and success on the anticipation of shopping trends. Employing extensive consumer research, the company has developed shopping centers across the Midwest and southern United States that answered the needs of shoppers and foresaw how these needs would change. From regional malls and lifestyle centers in Louisiana, Florida and Michigan to strip centers and office buildings, Aikens has a history of developing projects that answer a particular community’s shopping habits and preferences. Today, Robert B. Aikens & Associates continues to be at the forefront, having developed over 20 million square feet of retail, commercial and residential space.

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Paul Kesman
248.258.2333
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Sponsored in part by Cornerstone Community Financial, The Back 2 School Bash is a daylong event featuring prizes and free activities designed for the whole family.  Attendees are encouraged to bring new and unopened school supplies or non-perishable food items in exchange for a chance to win more than $4,000 worth of Village Gift Cards and other prizes. One lucky winner will receive a $1,000 Village gift card. To view a complete list of requested school supplies, please visit www.villageofrochesterhills.com.

All donations will benefit The Holiday Helpers of Rochester Hills, a 501(c) 3 non-profit organization created to assist low-income residents, seniors and families based in Rochester Hills.

“The Back 2 School Bash will help ensure that needy families throughout the community have access to proper school supplies and other necessities as the new school year approaches,” said Bruce Aikens, Vice Chairman of Robert B. Aikens & Associates, the property manager of the Village.  “We are honored to act as the host for such a wonderful event.”

The Village of Rochester Hills is a 375,000-square-foot outdoor shopping center located on the NE corner of Walton and Adams Roads in Rochester Hills, Mich.

About The Village of Rochester Hills
The Village of Rochester Hills is a 375,000-square-foot outdoor shopping district in the heart of Rochester Hills, Mich. Set up much like a bustling downtown, the Village is the first in Michigan to utilize the lifestyle streetscape concept. The Village includes respected national and local retailers in various segments, including apparel, dining, home furnishings and beauty. These popular retailers are nestled into picturesque tree-lined boulevards with convenient, on-street parking.

About Robert B. Aikens & Associates
Founded more than 30 years ago, Robert B. Aikens & Associates LLC has built its reputation and success on the anticipation of shopping trends. From regional malls and lifestyle centers in Louisiana, Florida and Michigan to strip centers and office buildings, Aikens has a history of developing projects that answer a particular community’s shopping habits and preferences. Today, Robert B. Aikens & Associates continues to be at the forefront, having developed over 20 million square feet of retail, commercial and residential space.

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Paul Kesman
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“We believe the local community should embrace new digital tools as a way to stay informed and share resources with one another,” said Aikens.  “The Building the Civic ‘Net initiative will recognize community leaders, entrepreneurs and civic programs that are currently integrating social media into their businesses and organizations and help support their growth.”

In mid-April, Building the Civic ‘Net identified four local organizations using social media to enhance the quality of life in Northern Oakland County and presented each with a grant to help them further their community-building efforts.  The organizations recognized were:

·              DetroitStartups.com

·              The City of Rochester Hills Entrepreneurs Network

·              The Meadow Brook Writing Project – Summer Camps for Kids

·              MySamson.Net

Building the Civic ‘Net plans to award grants to additional local organizations bi-annually and also regularly host events to connect members of the community.

“The initial response has been extremely gratifying,” added Aikens.  “We have already secured the support of many local officials and organizations willing to help support the program’s growth and we look forward to building on this initial momentum in the months to come.”

Watch video from the Building the Civic ‘Net meet and greet event held on June 9, 2009 at The Village of Rochester Hills.

About Building the Civic ‘Net
“Building the Civic ‘Net” is a philanthropic initiative sponsored by the Village of Rochester Hills and various private and institutional organizations based in Oakland County.  The goal of the program is to encourage community adoption of social media and recognize businesses, entrepreneurs, non-profits and institutional programs currently using social media as a means to improve the quality of life in Oakland County. For more information, visit the Building the ‘Civic Net blog at http://www.villagesquare-mi.com.

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Brandon Chesnutt
Identity Marketing & Public Relations
248.258.2333
bchesnutt@identitypr.com
Twitter – @bchesnutt

Aéropostale, Inc. is a mall-based retailer of casual apparel and accessories, primarily targeting 14 to 17 year-old young men and women. The company currently operates over 800 stores in 47 states and Canada. The 3,600-square-foot location is expected to open in Summer 2009.

Aéropostale will complement the center’s strong lineup of retailers that includes a Parisian department store and other specialty apparel retailers including Ann Taylor, Abercrombie & Fitch, American Eagle, Banana Republic, Brilliant Sky Toys and Books, Eddie Bauer, J. Crew and Jos. A. Bank.

“Aéropostale will be a terrific addition to the Village,” said Aikens. “It is a privilege to welcome such a well-established, fashionable retailer to the project, especially at a time when many companies are putting growth plans on hold. The center is a true community destination, as well as a valuable location for retailers that are looking to expand.”

Click to download photos of the Village of Rochester Hills

About The Village of Rochester Hills

Located in Rochester Hills, Mich., the Village of Rochester Hills is a 357-,000-square-foot outdoor shopping district. The first lifestyle center in Michigan, the Village of Rochester Hills includes local and national retailers, restaurants and personal service providers. For the latest news on the project, visit The Village Square.

About Robert B. Aikens & Associates LLC

Founded more than 30 years ago, Robert B. Aikens & Associates LLC has built its reputation and success on the anticipation of shopping trends. From regional malls and lifestyle centers in Louisiana, Florida and Michigan to strip centers and office buildings, Aikens has a history of developing projects that answer a particular community’s shopping habits and preferences. Today, Robert B. Aikens & Associates continues to be at the forefront, having developed over 20 million square feet of retail, commercial and residential space.

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Paul Kesman
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Established in 1905, Jos. A. Bank Clothiers, Inc., is one of the nation’s leading retailers of men’s classically styled tailored and casual clothing, sportswear, footwear and accessories. The store will occupy 4,026 square-feet and is scheduled to open in February 2009.

Founded in 2002, Brilliant Sky Toys and Books offers more than 10,000 specialty items, striving to be the choice for interactive, educational, entertaining and non-violent products.  The store opened in November and occupies 3,045 square-feet.

These two new tenants will complement the center’s strong lineup of retailers that includes a Parisian department store and other specialty apparel retailers including Eddie Bauer, Banana Republic, Abercrombie & Fitch, J. Crew and American Eagle.

“We are pleased to welcome these two prestigious tenants to the Village of Rochester Hills,” said Aikens.  “The fact that successful retailers continue to chose to call the Village of Rochester Hills their newest Michigan home reinforces the fact that the center serves as both a true destination for the community as well as a prime location for retailers seeking to capitalize on what this market has to offer.”

Click to download photos of the Village of Rochester Hills

About The Village of Rochester Hills

Located in Rochester Hills, Mich., the Village of Rochester Hills is a 357-,000-square-foot outdoor shopping district. The first lifestyle center in Michigan, the Village of Rochester Hills includes local and national retailers, restaurants and personal service providers. For the latest news on the project, visit The Village Square.

About Robert B. Aikens & Associates LLC

Founded more than 30 years ago, Robert B. Aikens & Associates LLC has built its reputation and success on the anticipation of shopping trends. From regional malls and lifestyle centers in Louisiana, Florida and Michigan to strip centers and office buildings, Aikens has a history of developing projects that answer a particular community’s shopping habits and preferences. Today, Robert B. Aikens & Associates continues to be at the forefront, having developed over 20 million square feet of retail, commercial and residential space.

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Subscribe to the Aiken’s News Feed

MEDIA CONTACT

Paul Kesman
248.258.2333
pkesman@identitypr.com