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Filed by Zany Brainy, Inc.
Pursuant to Rule 425 under
the Securities Act of 1933 and
deemed filed pursuant to
Rule 14a-12 of the Securities
Exchange Act of 1934
Commission File No.: 000-26185
Subject company: Noodle Kidoodle, Inc.
THE FOLLOWING IS A PRESS RELEASE DISSEMINATED
BY ZANY BRAINY, INC. ON JUNE 8, 2000:
ZANY BRAINY, INC.
Contact: Robert A. Helpert
Chief Financial Officer
(610) 278-7800
THE MWW GROUP
Investor Relations - Tel. (212) 704-9727
Contact: Laura L. Kieley
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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
ZANY BRAINY, INC. ANNOUNCES HART-SCOTT-RODINO CLEARANCE OF
NOODLE KIDOODLE ACQUISITION
KING OF PRUSSIA, PA - June 8, 2000 - Zany Brainy, Inc. (NASDAQ: ZANY), a
leading specialty retailer of high quality toys, games, books and multimedia
products, today announced that the Federal Trade Commission granted early
termination of the waiting period under the Hart-Scott-Rodino Antitrust
Improvements Act of 1976 for its proposed acquisition of Noodle Kidoodle, Inc.
(NASDAQ: NKID).
Keith C. Spurgeon, Zany Brainy's Chairman and CEO, remarked, "We are
pleased to report that our acquisition of Noodle Kidoodle is proceeding as
planned, with closing anticipated for late July. This FTC clearance brings Zany
Brainy one step closer to our goal of increasing both revenue and our store base
by over 50 percent. This transaction demonstrates our commitment to enhancing
the Company's brand and competitive position."
The acquisition of Noodle Kidoodle remains subject to a number of
conditions, including Zany Brainy and Noodle Kidoodle shareholder approval.
The Company also announced today that it recently opened two new stores.
Zany Brainy's La Mesa, California store is its third in the San Diego area, and
the newly opened store in Tulsa, Oklahoma marks the Company's entrance into that
state.
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The chain now has 109 stores. Its 110th store is scheduled to open June
16th in Burnsville, Minnesota.
Zany Brainy also recently signed leases for two additional stores in
Pennsylvania: Camp Hill (Harrisburg), and Penn Center East in Monroeville
(Pittsburgh); and one in Boulevard Consumer Square in Amherst (Buffalo), New
York. All three stores are scheduled to open in October. Zany Brainy currently
has signed leases for 23 new stores in 2000.
About Zany Brainy, Inc.
Zany Brainy, Inc. is a leading and rapidly growing specialty retailer of high
quality toys, games, books and multimedia products for kids. The Company is a
different kind of toy store with a unique product mission and a passionate
commitment to its customers. Zany Brainy believes learning should be fun. Its
products entertain, educate and spark the imaginations of children up to 12
years of age. The Company combines this distinctive merchandise offering with
superior customer service and daily in-store events to create an interactive,
kid-friendly and exciting shopping experience for children and adults. The
Company presently operates 109 stores in 28 states.
ZANY BRAINY, INC.
Certain statements in this report, including statements regarding the timing of
the acquisition and its impact on revenue growth, our brand and competitive
position, and planned new store openings are forward-looking statements within
the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act. Actual results may
differ materially from those indicated in such statements due to a number of
factors, including the ability to obtain all necessary consents and approvals
for the acquisition; unanticipated operational challenges in connection with
combining operations; delays in opening new stores; the ability to retain key
personnel; the availability of capital to fund continuing operations of both
companies and their affiliates; changes in consumer spending patterns and demand
for popular products; the ability to open and operate new stores on a profitable
basis; and prevailing economic conditions. Additional information on factors
that may affect the business and financial results of Zany Brainy can be found
in its filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission.
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