USA: Christopher & Banks To Open of Seven C.J. Banks Stores

Christopher & Banks Corporation (Nasdaq: CHBS), formerly Braun's Fashion Corporation, today announced it will open seven 'C.J. Banks' stores on Friday, August 18, 2000, in several Midwest locations including the Burnsville Center and Northtown Mall in suburban Minneapolis, Minnesota. Tammy L. Boyd, president of C.J. Banks, a division of Christopher & Banks, said: "We are very excited to be opening our first C.J. Banks stores, which cater to the casual wardrobing needs of 35 to 55-year-old large-sized women. Designed to comfortably fit sizes 14w to 24w, the stores will feature a mix of casual sportswear under the 'C.J. Banks by Christopher & Banks' label. Further, the new stores will operate as separate units in the same geographic markets as the company's current stores." Bill Prange, chairman and CEO of Christopher & Banks concluded: "The large size concept is a natural extension of our current business strategy into an area often overlooked by other retailers. C.J. Banks will offer distinctive styling, quality and affordable fashions similar to Christopher & Banks, but in sizes 14w to 24w." Christopher & Banks Corporation is a Minneapolis-based specialty retailer of women's clothing providing exclusive fashions under the Christopher & Banks and C.J. Banks labels. Including the 7 C.J. Banks stores opening on August 18, 2000, the company will operate 250 stores in 27 states, located primarily in the northern half of the United States. For more information on Christopher & Banks and C.J. Banks, visit our websites at