SHOPKO RECEIVES NATIONAL COMMUNITY SERVICE AWARD

ShopKo Stores Inc. has a "Bath, Body Etc." section.

This will be a new sign in Cape Girardeau during the first or second quarter of 1999. ShopKo Inc. will open in the former Venture Store space at West Park Mall.

Ten new ShopKo stores planned next year include former Venture store sites to be leased from Kimco Realty. This includes West Park Mall in Cape Girardeau and Kentucky Oaks Mall in Paducah, Ky.

ShopKo has received a national community service award.

Discount Store News, a trade publication in the discount store industry, has named ShopKo Stores Inc. as the "Discounter in Service to the Communicty (DISC)" award.

ShopKo was singled out from among the nation's discount retailers for this annual award.

ShopKo, headquartered in Green Bay, Wis., has announced plans for 13 new stores next year, fulfilling previously announced expansion plans more than 18 months ahead of schedule and adding three new states, which are contiguous to the company's operating region.

The new sites will increase ShopKo's presence in small to medium-sized Midwestern communities where the specialty discount retailer has a proven record of success.

Ten of the new ShopKo stores will be housed in former Venture store sites leased from Kimco Realty.

Although a timetable has not been established, spring openings are planned.

ShopKo representatives are in Cape Girardeau this week looking at the more than 92,000 square feet of space left by Venture.

ShopKo features a number of community service programs.

The ShopKo Charity Golf Classic raised more than $1.1 million for the Special Olympics last year.

The more than 19,000 ShopKo associates in a 15-state region where the company operates more than 130 stores, have contributed funds and volunteered their time to countless community projects. More than 200 non-profit organizations have received contributions through ShopKo's corporate charitable giving programs.

In 1997, ShopKo contributed more than $2.1 million to charitable organizations and community events, including the American Red Cross, Association for Retarded Citizens, Big Brothers/Big Sisters, Children's Hospital Foundation, Special Olympics, and United Way and others.

"Being able to assist those in our communities is not only a responsibility, it's a privilege," said Dale P. Kramer, ShopKo chairman, president and chief executive officer.

"We've been fortunate to touch thousands of lives this year," said Kramer.

ShopKo will occupy 81,000 square feet at Paducah.

Overall, the 13 new stores scheduled to open next year will result in more than 1.2 million square feet, representing a 9 percent increase in total square footage.

"We are confident of our ability to respond to the needs and lifestyle trends of the customers in these new markets," said Kramer.

"We believe customers will be pleased with the value, quality, convenience and assortments we offer," he added. "They will also benefit from the addition of in-store pharmacies and optical centers.

ShopKo is a leading specialty discount retailer operating 147 stores in 16 states primarily in the Upper Midwest, Western Mountain and Pacific Northwest regions. The company also serves the rapidly growing managed health care industry through its wholly-owned subsidiary, ProVantage Inc.

ProVantage offers information technology support services, custom prescription benefit management and vision benefit management services.

ShopKo reported sales of more than $731 million during the third quarter that ended Oct. 31, up 19.1 percent from sales for the same period a year ago. Comparable store sales were up 7.3 percent for the quarter.

Sales topped the $2 million mark during the first three quarters, up from $1.7 million during the same period in 1997. Same store sales increased 6.2 percent during the first 39 weeks of 1998.

Following are the 10 former Venture stores to open as ShopKo Stores next year:

Missouri (2) Cape Girardeau, 300 West Park Mall, 92,500 square feet Joplin, 101 N. Range Line Road, 81,400 square feet.

Illinois (2) Moline, 2000 36th St., 97,300 square feet Rockford, 5885 E. State St., 103,000 square feet.

Indiana (2) Evansville, 101 N. Green River Road, 95,000 square feet; Evansville, 2500 N. First Ave., 95,000 square feet.

Iowa (1) Dubuque, 255 John F. Kennedy Road, 83,500 square feet.

Kansas (2), Wichita, 2057 N. Rock Road, 97,100 square feet Wichita, 350 S. Tracy Street, 96,100 square feet.

Kentucky (1) Paducah, 5101 Hinklevelle Road, 81,300 square feet

Other stores for 1999 opening will be:

Idaho, Meridian, 105,000 square feet.

Iowa, Coralville, 81,000 square feet.

Wisconsin, Rhinelander: 90,000 square feet.