Aaron Brothers - A Michaels Relative

OK, I might be the last one to know this but Aaron Brothers is wholy owned and operated by Michaels.  I wish their Tim Holtz stamp deals were available at Michaels since East Coast, and much of the Mid-West for that matter, does not have a single store.  Has anyone heard of any expansion of this chain?

I noticed this in my Michaels coupon email today:

Michaels Stores, Inc. engages in the ownership and operation of a chain of specialty retail stores in the United States and Canada. The stores feature arts, crafts, framing, floral, decorative wall decor, and seasonal merchandise for the hobbyist and do-it-yourself home decorator. Its wholly owned subsidiary, Aaron Brothers, Inc., operates a chain of framing and art supply stores, which offers surfaces and pads; adhesives and finishes; and pastels and watercolors, oil paints, acrylics, brushes, paper, canvas, and stenciling materials. Recollections, the company’s scrap booking/paper crafting retail concept operates in Arizona, Maryland, Texas, and Virginia. The company’s stores offer beads, wood, foam supplies, rubber stamps, apparel crafts, books and magazines, and plaster; needlecraft items, including stitchery supplies, needles, canvas, and related supplies; ribbon and wedding accessories; hobby items, including plastic model kits and related supplies, kids craft materials, plush toys, and paint-by-number kits; party needs, including gift wrap, candy making supplies, and cake decorating supplies; and soap and candle making supplies. Michaels also operates Star Decorators Wholesale stores in Arizona, California, Georgia, and Texas offering merchandise to interior decorators/designers, wedding/event planners, florists, hotels, restaurants, and commercial display companies. The company also offers candles, baskets, and containers; mat boards, glass, art prints, and photo albums; dried flowers and artificial plants; and other products. In addition, the company owns and operates Artistree, a frame and molding manufacturing operation, which supplies molding and framing to its Michaels and Aaron Brothers stores. As of March 30, 2007, the company owned and operated 926 Michaels stores in 48 states and Canada, 167 Aaron Brothers stores, 11 Recollections stores, and 4 Star Decorators Wholesale stores. Michaels was founded in 1962 and is headquartered in Irving, Texas.