The Woodlands Mall extends shopping hours
for tax-free weekend, august 17, 18 and 19
School start date change moves Tax-Free Weekend to later in August

Beginning this year, Texas HB 1 requires the first instructional day for all schools to be no earlier than the fourth Monday of August beginning with the 2007-08 school year. Accordingly, the date for the annual sales tax holiday has been moved from the first weekend in August to the third to coincide with the Monday, August 27 school start. Tax-Free Weekend 2007 will be observed Friday, Saturday and Sunday, August 17, 18 and 19.

To accommodate parents and children, The Woodlands Mall has extended mall hours for the weekend. The new hours are:

• Friday, August 17 and Saturday, August 18: 9:00 a.m. to 10:00 p.m.
• Sunday, August 19: 11:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m.

“Tax-Free Weekend is an important shopping day for families with children. The savings can be significant, and The Woodlands Mall is generally busy, busy with shoppers taking advantage of the three-day opportunity,” says Jill Liccioni, general manager of the shopping center. “In the past, the dates were earlier, so we hope that the word gets around that Tax-Free Weekend is now the third weekend of the month.”

Lay-away plans can be used again this year to take advantage of the sales tax holiday. The law exempts most clothing and footwear priced under $100 from sales and use taxes, which could save shoppers about $8 on every $100 spent. For the first time ever, backpacks have been added to the list of items exempted. Many other back-to-school items are also included, for details, call 1.800.252.5555 or visit www.window.state.tx.us.

The Woodlands Mall is located at I-45 north at Lake Woodlands Drive. For directions, visit www.thewoodlandsmall.com or call 281.363.3409.
   
The Woodlands Mall is owned and managed by General Growth Properties, Inc., the second largest U.S.-based publicly traded real estate investment trust (REIT) based upon market capitalization.  General Growth has ownership interest or management responsibility for a portfolio of more than 200 regional shopping malls in 45 states, as well as ownership interest in master-planned community developments and commercial office centers.  General Growth’s international portfolio includes ownership and management interest in shopping centers in Brazil and Turkey.   The Company’s portfolio totals approximately 200 million square feet and includes more than 24,000 retail stores nationwide.  General Growth Properties, Inc. is listed on the New York Stock Exchange under the symbol GGP.  For more information, please visit http://www.ggp.com.