Burlington, NJ – Burlington Coat Factory celebrates the Grand Opening of its first Center City, Philadelphia location this week. The opening of the Gallery II store launches a weekend of special guests, prize drawings, and fun. The three - level, 147,000 square foot space has been completely transformed since the departure of the former occupant, JC Penney. The store employs approximately 150 area residents, both full and part time.

Mayor John Street will cut the ribbon Wednesday, August 20 at 5:45 p.m. in front of the store, at the corner of 11th & Market streets. Invited guests will celebrate at a private reception following the ribbon cutting.

The store officially opens to the public Thursday, August 21 at 8:00 a.m. Grand Opening festivities include: appearances by Mummers musicians, Philadelphia Eagles Cheerleaders, Power Puff Girl "Blossom", visits and giveaways from area stations WJJZ-FM Smooth Jazz 106.1, and WDAS-FM 105.3, and drawings for gift cards and other prizes.

Men will have the chance to win a new designer suit for fall. Other lucky winners can win complete high-quality bedding looks from the Luxury Linens Department at Burlington Coat Factory. The Radio Disney Fun Squad will be visiting the store on August 30 with games, prizes, and giveaways for the entire family.

The Gallery II location marks Burlington Coat Factory's downtown Philadelphia debut, although the company owns and operates other stores in the city, including locations at Franklin Mills Mall, Cheltenham Square Mall, and Roosevelt Boulevard. A long-term lease for the Gallery II space was signed with Metro Commercial Real Estate, Inc. in October 2002.

“Philadelphia’s strengthening retail market, coupled with the strong foot traffic from regional mass transit, makes this an ideal location for extending our retail footprint here in our core market,” says Mark Nesci, Chief Operating Officer at Burlington Coat Factory. “This deal was a complex one. It required all interested parties—including owners and City officials—to work together to find common solutions that ultimately will support the economic development of Center City Philadelphia.”

Burlington Coat Factory stores offer the latest in ladies' designer dresses, suits, sportswear, top name men’s suits and sportswear, famous label clothes for children, and outerwear, accessories and footwear for the entire family.

The Gallery II store features Burlington Coat Factory's specialty departments. In the Baby Depot Department, shoppers can select products from the world’s leading manufacturers of infant and toddler apparel, furniture, strollers, carseats, and accessories. The Luxury Linens Department offers the latest bedding, linens, kitchen and bath accessories, home fashions, housewares, and gifts, as well as the Christopher Lowell Collection.

The store's tri-level design includes warm colors, wood fixtures, bright lighting, wide aisles, and a streamlined floor plan to help consumers navigate the store comfortably and conveniently.

Burlington Coat Factory, founded and incorporated in 1972, owns and operates over 330 stores, including subsidiaries, nationwide. The company has been publicly traded since 1983, and is presently traded on the New York Stock Exchange under the symbol "BCF." Burlington Coat Factory can be found online at www.coat.com.