News Release FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE   5-TIME OLYMPIC MEDALIST NASTIA LIUKIN TO VISIT BEALLS STORE IN BRADENTON SPONSORED BY VANILLA STAR   BRADENTON, Fla., November 17, 2008 - Bealls Department Stores, Inc. is excited to welcome Olympic gymnast Nastia Liukin to their West Bradenton store for a special appearance. On Saturday, December 6th from Noon to 2pm, Nastia will be meeting fans and promoting the Vanilla Star clothing line at the Bealls Department Store located in the Fountain Court shopping center at 6355 Manatee Ave West in Bradenton. Nastia Liukin has taken Vanilla Star's "Smart Girls Rock" message to the global stage as a member of the 2008 U.S. Olympic Women's Gymnastics Team. Nastia left Beijing with five medals including one gold, three silvers and one bronze, becoming the third American woman to tie the U.S. record. Her Olympic medal haul bests that of her father, Valeri, who "only" has four. Nastia is a four-time World Champion. Nastia's other accolades include: nine-time World medalist, four-time U.S. National Champion and she has won multiple Pacific Rim and American Cup titles. In 2005 she was named Gymnast of the Year by the International Gymnastics Hall of Fame and was a nominee for both the World Top 10 Athletes Award and the U.S. Sport's Academy Athlete of the Year Award. Vanilla Star Jeans is an international clothing company founded in 2002 and based in New York City. This year they have launched the second take on their Smart Girls Rock! ad campaign by featuring 5- time Olympic Medalist Nastia Liukin, a great role model and example of poise, class and the values that Vanilla Star stands for. Vanilla Star merchandise can be found in junior departments of Bealls Department Stores throughout the state of Florida and on BeallsFlorida.com. Bealls will be donating a portion of the proceeds from this event to Manatee county's YMCA program. Bealls Department Stores is a division of Bealls, Inc. The Bradenton, Florida-based company, privately held since its opening in 1915, now operates more than 500 stores in 13 states under the names Bealls, Bealls Outlet, Burke's Outlet, Bealls Clearance Stores & Bealls Home Accents. To learn more about Bealls, or to shop online, visit BeallsFlorida.com.. Contacts: Gwen Bennett VP-Advertising & eCommerce Bealls Department Stores, Inc. 941-744-4265 Karen Filips Director Promotions & Production Bealls Department Stores, Inc. 941-744-4262   1806 38th Avenue East · Bradenton, FL 34208 · www.BeallsFlorida.com Bealls stores are operated by Beall's Department Stores, Inc. and by Beall's West Gate Corporation