Macerich Announces Eataly Flagship To Open At The Shops at North Bridge

CHICAGO, Oct. 24, 2012 /PRNewswire/ -- Macerich (NYSE:MAC) announced today, Eataly, the largest artisanal Italian food and wine emporium in the world, will open its second U.S. location at The Shops at North Bridge with a 2013 targeted opening. This new location will be the concept's largest, at 60,000 square feet.

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Eataly at The Shops at North Bridge will offer customers the opportunity to shop, taste and enjoy the offerings of seven full-service eateries, as well as a cafe, wine shop, bakery and patisserie, and a culinary educational center. Eataly will feature a variety of cured meats, cheeses, fruits and vegetables, fresh meats and fish, handmade pastas, desserts, baked goods, coffees, teas, as well as a selection of housewares and books, Italian dried pastas, canned goods, sauces, olive oils and so much more. The emporium will be located at the corner of Wabash Avenue and Ohio Street.

"Eataly will bring its energy, food and local flair that is ideally suited for The Shops at North Bridge and downtown Chicago," said Guy Mercurio, Vice President, Macerich's National Restaurant Group. "This location will be a signature attraction for food-focused Chicago residents, as well as the city's national and international visitors. Eataly exemplifies our commitment to bringing the best food experiences to Macerich properties across the country."

The Eataly concept is a collaboration among Joe Bastianich, Mario Batali, Lidia Bastianich and Oscar Farinetti, who founded Eataly in Turin, Italy, in 2007. Eataly at The Shops at North Bridge will soon become the ultimate culinary destination in Chicago. The New York City location of Eataly draws up to 10,000 people on weekdays and up to 15,000 people each weekend day. The destination is sure to be favored by visitors, tourists and foodies.

"For us, it was about finding the right balance between location and square footage," said Adam Saper, Managing Partner and CFO for Eataly. "We treat each Eataly as a unique destination and our plans for Chicago are big. 60,000 square feet in an important commercial center like The Shops at North Bridge gives us an unmatched opportunity to create an incredible food experience."

The Shops at North Bridge is already home to more than 50 specialty stores and 20 restaurants including: Joe's Seafood, Prime Steak and Stone Crab, Big Bowl, The Purple Pig and downtown Chicago's only Nordstrom.

Visit the property's website at www.theshopsatnorthbridge.com and follow the shopping center on Facebook and Twitter. Guests can also download the center's mobile app and sign up to be a part of Shopper Rewards to start earning free gifts, free parking and more.

Macerich is a fully integrated self-managed and self-administered real estate investment trust, which focuses on the acquisition, leasing, management, development and redevelopment of regional malls throughout the United States. Additional information about Macerich can be obtained from the Company's website at www.macerich.com

SOURCE Macerich