CBL CBL and Associates Properties Inc

CBL & Associates Properties Inc. (NYSE:CBL), today announced the three winners of The Piedmont Retail Business Challenge that took place at three of its North Carolina malls -- Hanes Mall in Winston-Salem, Randolph Mall in Asheboro and Oak Hollow Mall in High Point. The winners are (additional information on each winner is attached): -0- *T Dana Suggs Butter Up Hanes Mall Deborah Bain Kitchens & Candles Randolph Mall Keith Gallimore FlounderN Oak Hollow Mall *T More than 220 entrepreneurs submitted business plans which were judged on creativity, marketability, operational approach and financial viability. The winners will receive retail space, advertising packages and other business services -- free of charge -- needed to start their own business. Prize packages totaled approximately $200,000 for all three malls. CBL's management teams are currently working with the winners in their transition from contestant to retail business owner. "The Piedmont Retail Business Challenge was a success and we want to congratulate each winner on their accomplishment. We look forward to assisting them as they launch their new business in one of our market dominant malls," said Stephen Lebovitz, president of CBL & Associates Properties, Inc. "CBL will continue our commitment to cultivating economic growth and development for new and innovative retail concepts at each of our mall locations, including the three malls in the Piedmont Triad region in North Carolina." Dana Suggs, the winner of the Hanes Mall business challenge package and owner of Butter Up, said, "This is a dream come true for me. I have been interested in expanding my business for years and knew that the mall would be an ideal location. We have an excellent product line and have always wanted to be in Hanes Mall with its great traffic and stores. This win has so much potential and shows how communities and businesses working together can really make dreams come true for smaller entrepreneurs." Commenting on The Piedmont Retail Business Challenge, presenting sponsor Southern Community Bank and Trust President Scott Bauer said, "The first ever Piedmont Retail Business Challenge Contest was an exciting and unique way to provide opportunity for entrepreneurs to fulfill their dream of owning their own retail business. Retail businesses and the services they provide consumers remain a critical part of our economy. CBL is to be commended for developing an original contest focused specifically on retail. We at Southern Community Bank and Trust are honored to have sponsored the Challenge. Since our inception we have been built around supporting the needs of small businesses and their owners. The Challenge is reflective of this commitment and our growing reputation as the best bank for businesses in North Carolina." About Hanes Mall Hanes Mall features more than 200 great specialty shops and is anchored by Belk, Dillard's, Sears, JCPenney, and Hecht's. Hanes Mall is conveniently located between business and bypass I-40, off Silas Creek Parkway in Winston-Salem, NC. For more information, visit on-line at www.shophanesmall.com. About Oak Hollow Mall Oak Hollow Mall features more than 115 great specialty shops and is anchored by Belk, Dillard's, Sears, JCPenney and Steve & Barry's. Oak Hollow Mall is conveniently located off Eastchester Drive in High Point, NC. For more information, visit on-line at www.oakhollowmall.com. About Randolph Mall Randolph Mall features more than 70 great specialty shops. The mall is anchored by Belk, Dillard's, Sears and JCPenney and is conveniently located at the intersection of three major highways (US 64, NC 42 and NC 49) in Asheboro, NC. For more information, visit on-line at www.shoprandolphmall.com. About CBL CBL is one of the largest and most experienced owners and developers of malls and shopping centers in the country. CBL owns, holds interest in or manages 127 properties, including 79 regional malls/open-air centers. The properties are located in 26 states and total 72.7 million square feet including 2 million square feet of non-owned shopping centers managed for third parties. CBL currently has eleven projects under construction totaling 2.7 million square feet including Phase II of Gulf Coast Town Center in Ft. Myers, FL; two open-air shopping centers; two community centers, four associated/lifestyle centers and two expansions. Headquartered in Chattanooga, TN, CBL has regional offices in Boston (Waltham), MA, and Dallas, TX. Additional information can be found at http://cblproperties.com.