Aaron Rents, Inc., a leader in the sales and lease ownership, specialty retailing and rental of residential and office furniture, consumer electronics and home appliances and accessories, today announced it will be opening its 1500th store and has planned a two-day celebration in Mansfield, Texas, near Fort Worth.

The Company's fast-growing Aaron's Sales & Lease Ownership division has added nearly 500 stores in the past three years, and continues to build resources in anticipation of adding new stores in the future.

"We are proud to mark this momentous occasion for Aaron's," said R. Charles Loudermilk, Sr., Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of Aaron Rents. "We specifically chose Mansfield, Texas as the location for this benchmark because of the growth opportunity that emergent, young communities present for our unique lease-ownership concept. MONEY Magazine recently named Mansfield to its prestigious annual Best Places to Live list, and we certainly can extend that honor by saying we've learned it's also a great place to conduct business."

Several Company officials and local dignitaries will be on hand for the two-day event today and tomorrow in Mansfield. There will be featured appearances from Dallas Cowboy Cheerleaders, Pro Angler Janet Parker, and many others plus performances from local entertainers including the Mansfield Legacy Marching Band and the Dallas Desperado Dancers. Additionally, Aaron's will make three separate $1,500 donations to local organizations during tomorrow's official ribbon cutting at 1:00pm. The three organizations receiving $1,500 donations are the Mansfield Legacy Band Boosters, the Mansfield Fire Department, and the Mansfield Citizens Police Academy Alumni Association.

Mansfield Mayor Bart Scott said, "We are extremely excited to have Aaron's celebrate in Mansfield and are grateful for their charitable contributions to some of our community organizations in celebration of this milestone."

As part of the preparation for the Grand Opening event, Aaron's distributed 1,500 specially-numbered stuffed Lucky Dog mascots throughout the Mansfield community. Residents who received one of the Lucky Dogs can come to the store tomorrow to see which of the 50 prizes their Lucky Dog can win. Prizes range from a 73" Mitsubishi DLP television to signed sports memorabilia. Every Lucky Dog recipient will get a $50 Gift Card, good toward any new agreement opened at the Mansfield Aaron's.

Aaron's President Ken Butler stated, "Aaron's is excited to bring our unique method of acquiring quality home merchandise through a flexible lease- ownership arrangement, including our 'Dream Products', to the residents of Mansfield. 'Dream Products' represent the best of the best from our manufacturers and won't be found at any competing store for such a flexible arrangement. We are thrilled to be able to offer products to our customers in Mansfield, and elsewhere, at a guaranteed low price."

The ribbon cutting ceremony will take place on Saturday, October 13 at 1:00 P.M. at the site of the newest Aaron's, located at 1351 Highway 287 North in Mansfield. Numerous executives from Aaron's Atlanta home office will be on hand to mark the occasion including R. Charles Loudermilk, Sr., Chairman and CEO; Mark Rudnick, Vice President, Marketing; and Bert Hanson, Vice President, Mid-American Division.

Many Mansfield dignitaries will also be present for the groundbreaking including Mayor Bart Scott and several members of the Mansfield City Council, Mansfield City Manager's Office, Mansfield Economic Development Corporation and the Mansfield Chamber of Commerce.