Village of Merrick Park Celebrates Man's Best Friend With The Doggy Days of Summer Events [June 2009]

Village of Merrick Park knows it's a dog's world out there. What better way to lift the spirits than to kick off The Doggy Days of Summer event series. Throughout the summer, Village of Merrick Park invites travelers with dogs to bring their leashed pooches to the pet friendly shopping destination for an afternoon dedicated to man's best friend.

The center kicks off the summer series on Sunday, July 12 with a Pooch-A-Palooza of doggy-centric action including a dog parade in The Garden which will begin promptly at 3:00 PM. Proud dog owners will be able to show off their beloved furry friends and three winners will be selected to receive prizes including a $100 gift card to the center. The contest will be judged by local luminaries including Maria Anderson and Rafael Cabrera, Jr., Coral Gables City Commissioners and Mark Trowbridge, Coral Gables Chamber of Commerce President. Every dog that signs up to participate in the parade will also receive a custom gift to wear. Just before the parade begins, fetch the spotlight for your pooch with a unique photo opportunity.

Village of Merrick Park Doggy Days of Summer will take place every Sunday from 2:00 to 6:00 PM through August. In celebration of Fido, every Sunday dog owners are invited to have their pooches preen and pose for a framed photo to take home with any $25 purchase from the center. (Receipts must be dated same day and photos are limited to one per dog, while supplies last). Additionally, guests will enjoy special treats and in-store promotions from participating restaurants and shops.

Bring along Fido and dine al fresco at one of Village of Merrick Park's many dog friendly restaurants with outdoor seating, including the newly opened Yard House as well as Villagio, Via Quadronno, C'est Bon Café, and Nordstrom ebar. Looking to primp up a pooch's wardrobe? Shop for pet clothing and accessories created especially for the four-legged at stores such as Neiman Marcus, BORDERS, Adolfo Dominguez, Gucci, Coach Juicy Couture and Applemint.

Throughout the summer, out of town guests who pick up the Village of Merrick Park Premier Passport, featuring exclusive savings and offers, will also receive a special gift just for their pooch. The Premier Passport is available at the Nordstrom Customer Service desk on the 3rd floor. In participation with Doggy Days of Summer, the newly opened, pet friendly EPIC Hotel in downtown Miami is offering a special Summer Playground package starting at $199/night. Guests who check in now through September 7 enjoy complimentary amenities and playful summer splurges, including hula-hooping their way to a room upgrade, complimentary sangria, in-room movie and popcorn, a $25 hotel dining credit, and afternoon ice cream pops. Guests and their pets also receive EPIC's standard pet-friendly amenities, also complimentary – a doggy bed, toy and gift. For more information or reservations, go to epichotel.com and use code PLGD to book.

ABOUT VILLAGE OF MERRICK PARK
Village of Merrick Park is recognized as one of America's Premier Shopping Places, a unique collection of tourism-oriented shopping centers located throughout the USA owned by General Growth Properties, Inc. For a complete listing of America's Premier Shopping Places and special offers for travelers, please visit americasshoppingplaces.com.
Village of Merrick Park is owned and/or managed by General Growth Properties, Inc. The Company currently has ownership interest in, or management responsibility for, over 200 regional shopping malls in 44 states, as well as ownership in master planned community developments and commercial office buildings. The Company's portfolio totals approximately 200 million square feet of retail space and includes over 24,000 retail stores nationwide. GGP's common stock is trading in the pink sheets under the symbol GGWPQ. For more information, visit ggp.com.

Contact Info.:
Kathy Anderson, shoppingplaces@aol.com

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