MICHAELS STORES INC
S-3, 1997-08-27
HOBBY, TOY & GAME SHOPS
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<PAGE>

       As filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on August 27, 1997.
                                             Registration No. 333-______       
===============================================================================

                          SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
                                Washington, D.C. 20549
                                    ______________

                                       FORM S-3
               REGISTRATION STATEMENT UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT OF 1933
                                    ______________

                                MICHAELS STORES, INC.
                (Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)

           DELAWARE                                         75-1943604
  (State or other jurisdiction                          (I.R.S. Employer
of incorporation or organization)                      Identification No.)

                                8000 Bent Branch Drive
                                 Irving, Texas 75063
                                   P.O. Box 619566
                                DFW, Texas 75261-9566
                                    (972) 409-1300
       (Address, including zip code, and telephone number, including area code,
                     of registrant's principal executive offices)
                                    ______________

                                  R. Michael Rouleau
                               Chief Executive Officer
                                Michaels Stores, Inc.
                                8000 Bent Branch Drive
                                 Irving, Texas  75063
                                    (972) 409-1300
                  (Name, address, including zip code, and telephone 
                  number, including area code, of agent for service)
                                    ______________

                                   With copies to:
        Mark V. Beasley, Esq.                           Robert L. Estep, Esq.
        Michaels Stores, Inc.                         Jones, Day, Reavis & Pogue
       8000 Bent Branch Drive                         2300 Trammell Crow Center
        Irving, Texas 75063                               2001 Ross Avenue
           (972) 409-1300                                Dallas, Texas 75201
                                                           (214) 220-3939

Approximate date of commencement of proposed sale to the public:  From time 
to time after the effective date of this Registration Statement.

If the only securities being registered on this Form are being offered 
pursuant to dividend or interest reinvestment plans, please check the 
following box.  / /

If any of the securities being registered on this Form are to be offered on a 
delayed or continuous basis pursuant to Rule 415 under the Securities Act of 
1933, other than securities offered only in connection with dividend or 
interest reinvestment plans, check the following box.  /X/ 

If this Form is filed to register additional securities for an offering 
pursuant to Rule 462(b) under the Securities Act, please check the following 
box and list the Securities Act registration statement number of the earlier 
effective registration statement for the same offering.     / / __________.

If this Form is a post-effective amendment filed pursuant to Rule 462(c) 
under the Securities Act, check the following box and list the Securities Act 
registration statement number of the earlier effective registration statement 
for the same offering.  / / __________.

If delivery of the prospectus is expected to be made pursuant to Rule 434, 
please check the following box.  / /

                       CALCULATION OF REGISTRATION FEE
================================================================================
                                         Proposed 
                                         Maximum     Proposed  
                                         Offering     Maximum  
Title of                   Amount         Price      Aggregate       Amount of  
Securities to              to be           per       Offering      Registration 
be Registered          Registered (1)    Share(2)    Price (2)        Fee (2)   
================================================================================
Common Stock, par 
  value $0.10
  per share..........    2,450,000       $24.375    $59,718,750      $18,097   
================================================================================
1.   Represents shares issuable pursuant to the Company's Dividend Reinvestment
     and Stock Purchase Plan (the "Plan").  Pursuant to Rule 416, there are also
     registered hereunder such indeterminate number of additional shares as may 
     become subject to awards under the Plan as a result of the antidilution 
     provisions contained therein.
2.   The registration fee with respect to these shares has been computed in
     accordance with paragraph (c) of Rule 457, based upon the average of the 
     reported high and low sale prices of shares of the Common Stock on the   
     Nasdaq National Market System on August 25, 1997.

     THE REGISTRANT HEREBY AMENDS THIS REGISTRATION STATEMENT ON SUCH DATE OR
DATES AS MAY BE NECESSARY TO DELAY ITS EFFECTIVE DATE UNTIL THE REGISTRANT SHALL
FILE A FURTHER AMENDMENT WHICH SPECIFICALLY STATES THAT THIS REGISTRATION
STATEMENT SHALL THEREAFTER BECOME EFFECTIVE IN ACCORDANCE WITH SECTION 8(a) OF
THE SECURITIES ACT OF 1933 OR UNTIL THE REGISTRATION STATEMENT SHALL BECOME
EFFECTIVE ON SUCH DATE AS THE SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION, ACTING
PURSUANT TO SECTION 8(a), MAY DETERMINE.


<PAGE>

Information contained herein is subject to completion or amendment.  A
registration statement relating to these securities has been filed with the
Securities and Exchange Commission.  These securities may not be sold nor may
offers to buy be accepted prior to the time the registration statement becomes
effective.  This prospectus shall not constitute an offer to sell or the
solicitation of an offer to buy nor shall there be any sale of these securities
in any State in which such offer, solicitation or sale would be unlawful prior
to registration or qualification under the securities laws of any such State.

<PAGE>
                     Subject to Completion, Dated August 27, 1997


PROSPECTUS

                                   2,450,000 SHARES

                                MICHAELS STORES, INC.

                    Dividend Reinvestment and Stock Purchase Plan

    Michaels Stores, Inc. ("Michaels" or the "Company") hereby offers
participation in its Dividend Reinvestment and Stock Purchase Plan (the "Plan").
The Plan provides owners of shares of common stock, par value $.10 per share, of
Michaels ("Common Stock") and other interested investors with a convenient and
economical method to purchase Common Stock and to reinvest all or a portion of
their cash dividends, if any, in Common Stock.  The Plan is also intended to
provide the Company with a cost-efficient and flexible mechanism to raise equity
capital because shares issuable under the Plan will be newly issued Common
Stock.  A glossary of the defined terms used herein appears on pages 18-19. 
Some of the significant features of the Plan are as follows:

    -    Participants may purchase Common Stock by making optional cash
         investments of $100 to $2,500 in a given month.

    -    Persons who are not presently stockholders of the Company may purchase
         Common Stock by making an initial optional cash investment of $500 to
         $2,500.  Optional cash investments of greater than $2,500 may be made
         only with permission of the Company.

    -    Participants may purchase Common Stock by reinvesting on all or a
         portion of cash dividends, if any.

    THE COMPANY DOES NOT EXPECT TO PAY DIVIDENDS ON ITS COMMON STOCK. 
THEREFORE, UNTIL THE COMPANY MODIFIES ITS POLICY OF NOT PAYING DIVIDENDS, THE
PROVISIONS OF THE PLAN WILL APPLY ONLY TO THE OPTIONAL CASH INVESTMENT FEATURE.
HOLDERS OF COMMON STOCK AND OTHER PROSPECTIVE PLAN PARTICIPANTS ARE CAUTIONED
THAT THE EXISTENCE OF THE PLAN IN NO WAY IMPLIES THAT THE COMPANY WILL MODIFY
ITS CURRENT POLICY OF NOT PAYING DIVIDENDS.

    The price to be paid for shares of Common Stock purchased under the Plan
will be the average of the Daily Prices of shares of Common Stock for the ten
Trading Days ending immediately preceding the applicable Investment Date,
excluding from the average, in the case of purchases with optional cash
investments pursuant to a Request for Waiver in a given month, any Daily Price
which does not equal or exceed any applicable Threshold Price.  The Company may
establish a Discount of 0% to 5% applicable to shares purchased under the Plan
pursuant to a Request for Waiver.  

    Optional cash investments in excess of $2,500 per month may be made only
pursuant to an accepted written Request for Waiver.  At least three days prior
to the applicable Pricing Period, the Company (i) will determine whether to
establish a Threshold Price and, if a Threshold Price is established, its amount
and (ii) may establish a Discount from the market price applicable to shares
purchased under the Plan in connection with optional cash investments pursuant
to a Request for Waiver, which Discount may vary from month to month and may be
increased or decreased by the Company.  These determinations will be made by the
Company in its sole discretion after a review of current market condition, the
level of participation in the Plan, and current and projected capital needs. 
For each Trading Day of a Pricing Period in which the Threshold Price is not
satisfied or for each day on which no trades of shares of Common stock are
reported on the Nasdaq National Market System, one-tenth of the total amount of
any optional cash investment pursuant to a Request for Waiver will be returned
without interest.

<PAGE>

    A broker, bank or other nominee may reinvest dividends and make optional 
cash investments on behalf of Beneficial Owners.  Optional cash investments 
submitted by brokerage firms or other nominees on behalf of Participants will 
be aggregated for purposes of determining whether the $2,500 limit would be 
exceeded.  Purchasers of shares (including brokers or dealers) under the Plan 
who resell such shares, may be deemed to be underwriters.

    The Common Stock is quoted on the Nasdaq National Market System under the
symbol "MIKE."  On August 25, 1997, the closing price of the Common Stock on the
Nasdaq National Market System was $24 1/4.  The Company will pay the costs of
administration of the Plan, except that Participants will bear the cost of
brokerage commissions for resale, certain service charges and fees and
applicable taxes.

    This Prospectus contains a summary of the material provisions of the Plan
and should be retained by Participants in the Plan for future reference.


                                    ______________


    THESE SECURITIES HAVE NOT BEEN APPROVED OR DISAPPROVED BY THE SECURITIES AND
          EXCHANGE COMMISSION OR ANY STATE SECURITIES COMMISSION NOR HAS THE
              SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION OR ANY STATE SECURITIES
                   COMMISSION PASSED UPON THE ACCURACY OR ADEQUACY
                      OF THIS PROSPECTUS.  ANY REPRESENTATION TO
                         THE CONTRARY IS A CRIMINAL OFFENSE.

                                    ______________







                    The date of this Prospectus is September  , 1997.





















                                       2 
<PAGE>

                            AVAILABLE INFORMATION

    The Company is subject to the informational requirements of the Securities
Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the "Exchange Act"), and in accordance
therewith, files reports, proxy statements and other information with the
Securities and Exchange Commission (the "Commission").  Such reports, proxy
statements and other information can be inspected and copied at the public
reference facilities maintained by the Commission at Judiciary Plaza, 450 Fifth
Street, N.W., Washington, D.C. 20549, and at the public reference facilities
maintained by the Commission at Citicorp Center, 500 West Madison Street, Suite
1400, Chicago, Illinois 60661-2511, and at 7 World Trade Center, Suite 1300, New
York, New York 10048.  Copies of such materials can also be obtained at
prescribed rates from the Public Reference Section of the Commission at 450
Fifth Street, N.W., Washington, D.C. 20549.  The Commission maintains a Web site
that contains reports, proxy and information statements and other information
regarding registrants that file electronically with the Commission and that is
located at http://www.sec.gov.  The Company's Common Stock is quoted on the
Nasdaq National Market.  Copies of such reports and other information can also
be inspected at the offices of the Nasdaq National Market, 1735 K Street, N.W.,
Washington, D.C. 20006.

    This Prospectus constitutes a part of a Registration Statement filed by the
Company with the Commission under the Securities Act relating to the securities
issuable pursuant to the Plan offered hereby.  This Prospectus omits certain of
the information contained in the Registration Statement, and reference is hereby
made to the Registration Statement and to the exhibits relating thereto for
further information with respect to the Company and the securities offered
hereby.  Any statements contained herein concerning the provisions of any
document are not necessarily complete, and in each instance reference is made to
the copy of such document filed as an exhibit to the Registration Statement or
otherwise filed with the Commission.  Each such statement is qualified by such
reference.

               INCORPORATION OF CERTAIN DOCUMENTS BY REFERENCE

    The following documents filed with the Commission by the Company are 
incorporated by reference into this Prospectus as of their respective filing 
dates:

    (i) the Company's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended 
February 1, 1997, 

    (ii) the Company's Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the period ended May 
3, 1997, and 

    (iii) the description of the Company's Common Stock contained in the 
Company's Registration Statement on Form 8-A (Commission File No. 0-11822), 
filed August 30, 1991.

    All documents subsequently filed by the Company pursuant to Sections 
13(a), 13(c), 14 or 15(d) of the Exchange Act, prior to the termination of 
the offering made hereby, shall be deemed incorporated by reference in this 
Prospectus and to be a part of this Prospectus from the date of the filing of 
such reports.

    Any statement contained in this Prospectus or in a document incorporated 
or deemed to be incorporated by reference in this Prospectus shall be deemed 
to be modified or superseded for purposes of this Prospectus to the extent 
that any subsequently filed document which also is incorporated by reference 
in this Prospectus modifies or supersedes such statement.  

    Any person receiving a copy of this Prospectus may obtain, without 
charge, upon written or oral request, a copy of any of the documents 
incorporated by reference in this Prospectus, except for the exhibits to such 
documents (other than the exhibits expressly incorporated in such documents 
by reference). Requests should be directed to the Investor Relations 
Department of the Company at 8000 Bent Branch Drive, Irving, Texas 75063 
(telephone: (972) 409-1300).

                                      3 
<PAGE>

                                 THE COMPANY

    The Company is the nation's largest retailer dedicated to serving the arts,
crafts and decorative items marketplace.  The Company's Michaels stores offer a
wide selection of competitively priced items, including general crafts, home
decor items, picture framing materials and services, art and hobby supplies,
party supplies, silk and dried flowers, wearable art and seasonal and holiday
merchandise.  Since March 1995, when the Company acquired Aaron Brothers
Holdings, Inc., the Company has also operated the Aaron Brothers specialty
framing and art supply stores located primarily in California.  The Company's
principal executive offices are located at 8000 Bent Branch Drive, Irving, Texas
75063, and the Company's telephone number at such address is (972) 409-1300.

                           DESCRIPTION OF THE PLAN

    The Michaels Stores Dividend Reinvestment and Stock Purchase Plan (the
"Plan") was approved by the Company's Board of Directors effective as of August
26, 1997.  The following questions and answers explain and constitute the Plan.

PURPOSE

    1.   WHAT IS THE PURPOSE OF THE PLAN?

              The purpose of the Plan is to provide holders of Common Stock and
         other interested investors with a convenient and economical method to
         purchase Common Stock and to reinvest all or a portion of their cash
         dividends in Common Stock, although the Company does not expect to pay
         dividends on its Common Stock.  In addition, the Plan will provide
         Michaels Stores with a cost-efficient and flexible mechanism to raise
         equity capital through sales of Common Stock under the Plan.  Whether
         significant additional capital is raised may be affected, in part, by
         the Company's decision to waive the limitations applicable to optional
         cash investments.  See Question 13 regarding the Company's criteria
         for granting a Request for Waiver.

    HOLDERS OF COMMON STOCK AND OTHER PROSPECTIVE PLAN PARTICIPANTS ARE
CAUTIONED THAT THE EXISTENCE OF THE PLAN IN NO WAY IMPLIES THAT THE COMPANY WILL
MODIFY ITS CURRENT POLICY OF NOT PAYING DIVIDENDS.

PARTICIPATION OPTIONS

    2.   WHAT OPTIONS ARE AVAILABLE UNDER THE PLAN?

         Registered holders or beneficial owners of Common Stock (each a
         "Participant") and other interested investors may elect to participate
         in the Plan.  Participants may make optional cash investments to
         purchase shares, subject to a minimum investment of $100 and a maximum
         investment of $2,500 per month.  Optional cash investments submitted
         by brokerage firms or other nominees on behalf of Participants will be
         aggregated for purposes of determining whether the $2,500 limit will
         be exceeded.  Interested investors that are not stockholders of the
         Company may make an initial optional cash investment in Common Stock
         of not less than $500 and not more than $2,500.  In certain instances,
         however, Michaels Stores may permit greater optional cash investments. 
         See Question 12 regarding optional cash investments and Question 13
         regarding a Request for Waiver.  Participants may also have cash
         dividends, if any, on all or a portion of their shares which are
         registered and are held by the Plan automatically reinvested in Common
         Stock.

                                      4 
<PAGE>

    3.   WHAT ARE THE BENEFITS AND RESTRICTIONS OF THE PLAN?

              BENEFITS

         -    Eligible stockholders may purchase Common Stock pursuant to
              optional cash investments of not less than $100 and not more than
              $2,500 (except with the consent of the Company) in any month. 
              Optional cash investments may be made occasionally or at regular
              intervals, as each Participant desires.  The Plan provides
              Participants the opportunity to automatically reinvest cash
              dividends, if any, on all or a portion of their Common Stock. 
              Participants may make optional cash investments even if
              dividends, if any, on their shares of Common Stock are not being
              reinvested under the Plan.

         -    Persons not presently stockholders of the Company may become
              Participants by making an initial cash investment of not less
              than $500 and not more than $2,500 (except with the consent of
              the Company) to purchase Common Stock under the Plan.

         -    Shares of Common Stock purchased with optional cash investments
              pursuant to a Request for Waiver, which, like all Plan shares,
              will be purchased directly from the Company under the Plan, may
              be issued at a Discount to the market price; such Discount may
              vary each month between 0% and 5% and may be changed at the sole
              discretion of the Company at any time.

         -    Participants will avoid the need for safekeeping of Common Stock
              certificates credited to their Plan accounts and may submit for
              safekeeping certificates held by them and registered in their
              name.  See Questions 15 and 16.

         -    Participants that are registered holders may direct the
              Administrator to sell or transfer all or a portion of their
              shares held in the Plan and therefore may find the Plan an
              economical way to liquidate their holdings.  See Question 17.

         -    Periodic statements reflecting all current activity in Plan
              accounts, including purchases, sales and latest balances, will
              simplify recordkeeping for registered holders.  See Question 18.

              RESTRICTIONS

         -    Participants may not be able to depend on the availability of a
              market discount regarding shares acquired under the Plan in
              connection with optional cash investments pursuant to a Request
              for Waiver, and such optional cash investments may be subject to
              the trading price for Common Stock satisfying a minimum price
              condition.  Any Discount established for the purchase of shares
              pursuant to a Request for Waiver will not insure the availability
              of a Discount or the same Discount in future months.  Each month
              the Company may establish a Discount, may not establish a
              Discount and may change or eliminate the Discount or set any
              minimum price condition without prior notice to Participants. 
              Discounts, if any, will not apply to the purchase of shares
              pursuant to reinvestment of dividends nor to optional cash
              investments of $2,500 or less (unless part of a larger optional
              cash investment made pursuant to a Request for Waiver).  See
              Question 13.

         -    The purchase price per share will be an average price and,
              therefore, may exceed the price at which shares are trading on
              the Investment Date when the shares are issued.  See Questions 11
              and 12 regarding the purchase price of the shares and Question 13
              regarding the establishment of a minimum price condition.

                                      5 
<PAGE>

         -    Execution of sales of shares held in the Plan may be subject to
              delay.  See Questions 12 and 17.

         -    No interest will be paid on funds held by the Company pending
              reinvestment or investment.  See Questions 12 and 13.

         -    Shares deposited in a Plan account may not be pledged until the
              shares are withdrawn from the Plan.  See Question 27.

    4.   WHO WILL ADMINISTER THE PLAN?

              The Plan will be administered by Harris Trust and Savings Bank or
         such successor administrator as the Company may designate (the
         "Administrator").  The Administrator acts as agent for Participants,
         keeps records of the accounts of Participants, sends regular account
         statements to Participants, and performs other duties relating to the
         Plan.  Shares purchased for each Participant under the Plan will be
         held by the Administrator and will be registered in the name of such
         Participant unless and until a Participant requests that a stock
         certificate for all or part of such shares be issued, as more fully
         described in Question 15.  Correspondence with the Administrator
         should be sent to:

              MICHAELS STORES DIVIDEND REINVESTMENT AND STOCK PURCHASE PLAN
              HARRIS TRUST AND SAVINGS BANK, ADMINISTRATOR
              1601 ELM STREET
              SUITE 2320
              DALLAS, TEXAS 75201

              TELEPHONE:  214-665-6033
              FAX NUMBER: 214-969-1859

PARTICIPATION ELIGIBILITY

    5.   WHO IS ELIGIBLE TO PARTICIPATE?

              A "registered holder" (which means a stockholder whose shares of
         Common Stock are registered in the stock transfer books of Michaels
         Stores in his or her name) or a "beneficial owner" (which means a
         stockholder whose shares are registered in the stock transfer books of
         Michaels Stores in a name other than his or her name, for example, in
         the name of a broker, bank, or other nominee), may participate in the
         Plan.  A registered holder may participate in the Plan directly; a
         beneficial owner must either become a registered holder by having such
         shares transferred into his or her name or by making arrangements with
         his or her broker, bank or other nominee to participate in the Plan on
         the Participant's behalf.  In addition, an interested investor that is
         not a stockholder may participate in the Plan by making an initial
         optional cash investment in shares of not less than $500 or more than
         $2,500.  In certain circumstances, however, the Company may permit
         greater optional cash investments.  See Question 6 regarding
         enrollment and Question 13 regarding a Request for Waiver.

              The right to participate in the Plan is not transferable to
         another person apart from a transfer of the underlying shares.  The
         Company reserves the right to exclude from participation in the Plan
         persons who use the Plan to engage in short-term trading activities
         that cause aberrations in the trading volume of Common Stock.  In
         addition, the Company reserves the right to treat optional cash
         investments submitted on forms reflecting Participants with the same
         name, address or social security or taxpayer identification number as
         a single investment for purposes of determining whether the $2,500
         limit would be exceeded.

                                      6 
<PAGE>

              Participants residing in jurisdictions in which their
         participation in the Plan would be unlawful will not be eligible to
         participate in the Plan.

ENROLLMENT

    6.   HOW DOES AN ELIGIBLE HOLDER OF COMMON STOCK OR ANY OTHER INTERESTED
         INVESTOR ENROLL IN THE PLAN AND BECOME A PARTICIPANT?

              Each eligible registered holder may enroll in the Plan and become
         a Participant by completing and signing an Authorization and
         Enrollment Form (enclosed herein) and returning it to the
         Administrator at the address set forth in Question 4.  An
         Authorization and Enrollment Form may also be obtained at any time
         upon request from the Administrator at the same address.  If shares
         are registered in more than one name (e.g., joint tenants, trustees),
         all registered holders of such shares must sign the Authorization and
         Enrollment Form exactly as their names appear on the account
         registration.

              Eligible beneficial owners must instruct their brokers, banks or
         other nominees in whose name their shares are held to participate in
         the Plan on their behalf.  If a broker, bank or other nominee holds
         shares of beneficial owners through a securities depository, such
         broker, bank or other nominee may also be required to provide a Broker
         and Nominee Form (a "B/N Form") to the Administrator in order to
         participate in the optional cash investment portion of the Plan. 
         Optional cash investments submitted by brokerage firms or other
         nominees on behalf of Participants, whether on the same B/N Form or
         different B/N Forms, will be aggregated for purposes of determining
         whether the $2,500 limit will be exceeded.  See Questions 12 and 13.

              An interested investor who is not presently a stockholder of the
         Company, but desires to become a Participant by making an initial
         investment in Common Stock, may join the Plan by signing an
         Authorization and Enrollment Form and forwarding it, together with
         such initial investment, to the Administrator at the address set forth
         in Question 4.  See Question 12 regarding initial optional cash
         investments.

    7.   WHAT DOES THE AUTHORIZATION AND ENROLLMENT FORM PROVIDE?

              The Authorization and Enrollment Form will appoint the
         Administrator as agent for the Participant and direct the
         Administrator to apply optional cash investments (transmitted with the
         Authorization and Enrollment Form as well as optional cash investments
         subsequently submitted) to the purchase on such Participant's behalf
         of full and fractional shares of Common Stock in accordance with the
         Plan.

              With respect to dividends, the Authorization and Enrollment Form
         will appoint the Administrator as agent for the Participant and direct
         the Company to pay to the Administrator the Participant's cash
         dividends, if any, on all or a specified number of shares of Common
         Stock owned by the Participant on the applicable record date and
         designated by the Participant to be included in the Plan and to
         reinvest, at the Participant's discretion, cash dividends, if any, on
         whole and fractional shares that have been credited to the
         Participant's account pursuant to dividend reinvestment or optional
         cash investment ("Plan Shares").  Cash dividends, if any, will
         continue to be reinvested with respect to the number of shares of
         Common Stock (including Plan Shares) designated on the Authorization
         and Enrollment Form until the Participant specifies otherwise in
         writing or terminates participation in the Plan or until the Plan is
         terminated.

              The Authorization and Enrollment Form provides for the purchase
         of shares of Common Stock through the following investment options:

                                      7 
<PAGE>

         (1)  "FULL DIVIDEND REINVESTMENT"

              This option directs the Administrator to invest in accordance
              with the Plan all cash dividends, if any, on all shares of Common
              Stock then or subsequently registered in the Participant's name. 
              This option also permits the Participant to make optional cash
              investments and directs the Administrator to apply such
              investments towards the purchase of Common Stock in accordance
              with the Plan.

         (2)  "PARTIAL DIVIDEND REINVESTMENT"

              This option directs the Administrator to invest in accordance
              with the Plan all cash dividends, if any, on the specified number
              of shares of Common Stock then registered in the Participant's
              name and so designated in the appropriate space on the
              Authorization and Enrollment Form.  If this option is selected,
              the Participant will continue to receive cash dividends, if any,
              in the usual manner on all shares of Common Stock that have not
              been designated for participation in the Plan.  This option also
              permits the Participant to make optional cash investments and
              directs the Administrator to apply such investments towards the
              purchase of Common Stock in accordance with the Plan.

         (3)  "OPTIONAL CASH INVESTMENTS ONLY"

              This option permits a Participant to make optional cash
              investments and directs the Administrator to apply such
              investments towards the purchase of Common Stock in accordance
              with the Plan.  If this option is selected, unless the
              Participant designates such additional shares for participation
              in the Plan, the Participant will continue to receive cash
              dividends, if any, on all shares registered in his or her name in
              the usual manner, and the Administrator will apply only optional
              cash investments received from the Participant towards the
              purchase of Common Stock.

         Any one of the above three options may be selected.  In each case,
         cash dividends, if any, will be reinvested on all shares designated
         for participation in the Plan until the Participant specifies
         otherwise or withdraws from the Plan altogether, or until the Plan is
         terminated.

         Any Participant who returns a properly executed Authorization and
         Enrollment Form to the Administrator without electing an investment
         option will be enrolled as having selected Full Dividend Reinvestment.

    8.   WHEN WILL PARTICIPATION IN THE PLAN BEGIN?

              A Participant who has properly completed and submitted an
         Authorization and Enrollment Form may submit an optional cash
         investment to purchase shares under the Plan with such Authorization
         and Enrollment Form.  Thereafter, optional cash investments may be
         made at any time, but not more frequently than once each month,
         through the use of the appropriate forms sent to Participants with
         each periodic statement.  Payments received by the Administrator by
         12:00 (Noon) Central Time on the last business day prior to the first
         day of a Pricing Period (as defined in Question 11) will be used to
         purchase shares on the Investment Date (as defined below) immediately
         following such Pricing Period.

              If a properly completed Authorization and Enrollment Form
         requesting reinvestment of dividends is received by the Administrator
         on or before the record date, if any, established by the Company's
         Board of Directors for a particular cash dividend, that dividend will
         be used to purchase shares of Common Stock for the Participant on the
         next Investment Date applicable to optional cash investments following
         the dividend payment date.  If an 

                                      8 
<PAGE>

         Authorization and Enrollment Form is received from a Participant 
         after the record date established for a particular dividend, the 
         reinvestment of dividends will begin with respect to dividends paid 
         following the next dividend record date.  For a discussion of the 
         price to Participants of the shares of Common Stock purchased under 
         the Plan and the limitations on optional cash investments, see 
         Questions 11 and 13, respectively.

              The dates on which optional cash investments are to be invested
         and any dividends are to be reinvested are herein collectively
         referred to as the "Investment Dates."  For optional cash investments,
         the Investment Date will be the first Trading Day (as defined below)
         subsequent to the Pricing Period.  A "Trading Day" means a day on
         which trades in Common Stock are reported on the Nasdaq National
         Market System ("NASDAQ").  Please see Schedule A for information with
         respect to Pricing Periods, Investment Dates and other information.

              No interest will be paid on optional cash investments or cash
         dividends pending investment in Common Stock.

              Eligible stockholders and other interested investors may enroll
         in the Plan at any time.  Once enrolled, a Participant will remain
         enrolled until the Participant discontinues participation or until the
         Company terminates the Plan.  See Question 19 regarding withdrawal
         from the Plan and Question 26 regarding termination of the Plan.

PURCHASES

    9.   WHEN WILL SHARES BE ACQUIRED UNDER THE PLAN?

              Dividends, if any, and optional cash investments will be
         reinvested or invested, as the case may be, on the Investment Date.

    10.  WHAT IS THE SOURCE OF SHARES TO BE PURCHASED UNDER THE PLAN?

              Optional cash investments and dividends reinvested through the
         Plan will be used to purchase shares directly from Michaels Stores
         either from treasury or authorized but unissued shares.

    11.  WHAT WILL BE THE PRICE TO THE PARTICIPANT OF SHARES PURCHASED UNDER
         THE PLAN?

              The price to Participants of shares purchased with optional cash
         investments or with cash dividends will be the average of the Daily
         Prices (defined below) of shares of Common Stock for the ten Trading
         Days ending immediately preceding the applicable Investment Date,
         excluding from the average, in the case of purchases with optional
         cash investments pursuant to a Request for Waiver in a given month,
         any Daily Price which does not equal or exceed any applicable
         Threshold Price (defined below).  The Company may establish a Discount
         of 0% to 5% applicable to shares purchased under the Plan pursuant to
         a Request for Waiver.  The Discount will not apply to shares purchased
         pursuant to the dividend reinvestment feature of the Plan or to
         optional cash investments of $2,500 or less.  See Question 13.  The
         period encompassing the first ten Trading Days of each calendar month
         constitutes the relevant "Pricing Period" for that particular month. 
         The Daily Price for a Trading Day will be the average of the high and
         low trading prices of the Common Stock on that day on NASDAQ, rounded
         to three decimal places.

              The Company may, in its sole discretion, establish for any given
         Pricing Period a minimum price (the "Threshold Price") for optional
         cash investments pursuant to a Request for Waiver.  Any such Threshold
         Price will be a stated dollar amount established by the Company at
         least three Trading Days prior to the commencement of each Pricing
         Period.

                                      9 
<PAGE>

    12.  HOW ARE OPTIONAL CASH INVESTMENTS MADE?

              All registered holders, including brokers, banks and nominees
         with respect to shares registered in their name on behalf of
         beneficial owners, that have submitted signed Authorization and
         Enrollment Forms are eligible to make optional cash investments at any
         time.

              A broker, bank or nominee, as holder on behalf of a beneficial
         owner, may utilize an Authorization and Enrollment Form for optional
         cash investments unless it holds the shares in the name of a
         securities depository.  In that event, the optional cash investment
         must be accompanied by a Broker and Nominee Form ("B/N Form").

              The B/N Form provides the sole means by which a broker, bank or
         other nominee holding shares on behalf of beneficial owners in the
         name of a securities depository may make optional cash investments on
         behalf of such beneficial owners.  In such case, the broker, bank or
         other nominee must use a B/N Form for transmitting optional cash
         investments on behalf of the beneficial owners.  A B/N Form must be
         delivered to the Administrator at the address specified in Question 4
         each time that such broker, bank or other nominee transmits optional
         cash investments on behalf of the beneficial owners.  B/N Forms will
         be furnished by the Administrator upon request.

              Other interested investors that are not stockholders of the
         Company are also eligible to make such an initial investment in Common
         Stock through an optional cash investment by submitting Authorization
         and Enrollment Forms and funds representing their desired initial
         investment.

              The Administrator will apply all optional cash investments, for
         which good funds are received on or before 12:00 (Noon) Central Time 
         on the business day immediately preceding the first day of the 
         Pricing Period, to the purchase of shares of Common Stock on the next 
         following Investment Date.  All optional cash investments are subject 
         to collection by the Administrator for full face value in U.S. dollars.

              There is no obligation to make an optional cash investment at any
         time, and the amount of such investments may vary from time to time.

              Optional cash investments and initial cash investments must be
         received by the Administrator no earlier than the 23rd day of the
         calendar month immediately preceding the Investment Date and no later
         than 12:00 (Noon) Central Time on the business day immediately
         preceding the relevant Pricing Period in order to be invested on the
         Investment Date.  Optional cash investments exceeding $2,500 must be
         received (together with the written approval of the Company waiving
         the $2,500 limitation) by the Administrator not later than 12:00 (Noon)
         Central Time on the business day immediately preceding the related
         Pricing Period in order for such funds to be invested on the related
         Investment Date.  Otherwise, the optional cash investment or initial
         cash investment amount will be returned automatically by the
         Administrator to the participant as soon as is practicable. 
         Furthermore, upon a participant's written request received by the
         Administrator no later than two business days prior to the Pricing
         Period, a timely optional cash investment or initial cash investment
         not already invested under the Plan will be cancelled or returned to
         the participant, as appropriate.  However, in the latter event, no
         refund of a check or money order will be made until the funds have
         been actually received by the Administrator.  Accordingly, such
         refunds may be delayed by up to three weeks.

              No interest will be earned on optional cash investments or
         dividends held pending investment nor on amounts to be refunded.  The
         Company suggests therefore that any optional 

                                      10 
<PAGE>

         cash investment a Participant wishes to make be sent so as to reach the
         Administrator as close as possible to the first business day preceding 
         the first day of the Pricing Period for the next following Investment 
         Date.  Any questions regarding these dates should be directed to the
         Administrator at the address or telephone number set forth in
         Question 4.

              Participants should be aware that since investments under the
         Plan are made as of specified dates, a Participant may lose any
         advantage that otherwise might be available from being able to select
         the timing of an investment.  Neither the Company nor the
         Administrator can assure a profit or protect against a loss on shares
         purchased under the Plan.

              All optional cash investments made by check should be made
         payable to HARRIS BANK -- MICHAELS STORES DRSPP and mailed to the
         Administrator at the address listed in Question 4.  Any checks not
         drawn on a United States bank or not payable in United States dollars
         will be returned to Participant, as will any third party checks. 
         Other forms of payment, such as wire transfers, may be made, but only
         if approved in advance by the Administrator.  Inquiries regarding
         other forms of payments and all other written inquiries should be
         directed to the Administrator at the address listed in Question 4.

    13.  WHAT LIMITATIONS APPLY TO OPTIONAL CASH INVESTMENTS?

              MINIMUM/MAXIMUM LIMITS.  For any Investment Date, optional cash
         investments made by stockholders of the Company are subject to a
         minimum of $100 and a maximum of $2,500 (except as noted below), and
         optional cash investments made by interested investors who are not
         then stockholders of the Company are subject to a minimum initial
         investment of $500 and a maximum of $2,500 (except as noted below). 
         See Question 8 regarding the determination of Investment Dates for
         optional cash investments.  Optional cash investments of less than the
         allowable monthly minimum amount and that portion of any optional cash
         investment that exceeds the allowable monthly maximum amount will be
         returned, except as noted below, promptly to Participants, without
         interest.  Optional cash investments submitted by brokerage firms or
         other nominees on behalf of Participants, whether on the same B/N Form
         or different B/N Forms, will be aggregated for purposes of determining
         whether the $2,500 limit will be exceeded.  In addition, the Company
         reserves the right to treat optional cash investments submitted on
         forms reflecting Participants with the same name, address or social
         security or taxpayer identification number as a single investor for
         purposes of determining whether the $2,500 limit would be exceeded.

              REQUEST FOR WAIVER.  Optional cash investments in excess of
         $2,500 per month may be made only pursuant to a request for waiver (a
         "Request for Waiver") accepted by the Company.  Participants who wish
         to submit an optional cash investment in excess of $2,500 for any
         Investment Date, including those whose proposed investments have been
         aggregated so as to exceed $2,500 as described above, must obtain the
         prior written approval of the Company and a copy of such written
         approval must accompany any such optional cash investment.  See
         Question 12.  A Request for Waiver should be directed to the Chief
         Financial Officer of the Company at (972) 409-1581, or at such other
         number as may be established by the Company from time to time.  The
         Company has sole discretion to grant any approval for optional cash
         investments in excess of the allowable maximum amount.  In deciding
         whether to approve a Request for Waiver, the Company will consider
         relevant factors including, but not limited to, the Company's need for
         additional funds, the attractiveness of obtaining such additional
         funds through the sale of Common Stock as compared to other sources of
         funds, the purchase price likely to apply to any sale of Common Stock,
         the Participant submitting the request, the extent and nature of such
         Participant's prior participation in the Plan, the number of shares
         held of record by such Participant and the aggregate amount of
         optional cash investments in excess of $2,500 for which Requests for
         Waiver have been submitted by all Participants.  If Requests for
         Waiver are submitted for any Investment Date for an aggregate amount
         in excess of the 

                                      11 
<PAGE>

         amount the Company is then willing to accept, the Company may honor 
         such requests in order of receipt, pro rata or by any other method 
         that the Company determines, at its sole discretion, to be 
         appropriate.  Upon granting any Request for Waiver, the Company may,
         at its sole discretion, increase or reduce the Discount with respect
         to the full amount of such optional cash investment, and the Company
         may agree to different Discounts among persons to whom it has granted
         a Request for Waiver.

              Michaels Stores reserves the right to modify, suspend or
         terminate participation in the Plan by otherwise eligible registered
         holders or beneficial owners of Common Stock for any reason whatsoever
         including elimination of practices that are not consistent with the
         purposes of the Plan.

              THRESHOLD PRICE WITH RESPECT TO OPTIONAL CASH INVESTMENTS MADE
         PURSUANT TO REQUESTS FOR WAIVER.  The Company may establish for any
         Pricing Period a Threshold Price applicable to optional cash
         investments made pursuant to Requests for Waiver.  At least three
         Trading Days prior to the first day of the applicable Pricing Period,
         the Company will determine whether to establish a Threshold Price and
         if a Threshold Price is established, its amount, and will so notify
         the Administrator.  This determination will be made by the Company in
         its sole discretion after a review of current market conditions, the
         level of participation in the Plan, and current and projected capital
         needs.  Participants may ascertain whether a Threshold Price has been
         set or waived for any given pricing period by telephoning the Company
         at 1-888-515-MIKE or at such other number as may be established by the
         Company from time to time.

              If established for any Pricing Period, the Threshold Price will
         be stated as a dollar amount that the average of the high and low sale
         prices of shares of the Common Stock on NASDAQ for each Trading Day of
         the relevant Pricing Period must equal or exceed.  In the event that
         the Threshold Price is not satisfied for a Trading Day in the Pricing
         Period, then that Trading Day will be excluded from the Pricing Period
         with respect to optional cash investments made pursuant to Requests
         for Waiver, and all trading prices for that day will be excluded from
         the determination of the purchase price.  A day will also be excluded
         if no trades of Common Stock are made on NASDAQ for that day.  For
         example, if the Threshold Price is not satisfied for three of the ten
         Trading Days in a Pricing Period, then the purchase price will be
         based upon the remaining seven Trading Days in which the Threshold
         Price was satisfied.

              In addition, a portion of each optional cash investment made
         pursuant to a Request for Waiver will be returned for each Trading Day
         of a Pricing Period in which the Threshold Price is not satisfied or
         for each day in which no trades of shares or Common Stock are reported
         on NASDAQ.  The returned amount will equal one-tenth of the total
         amount of such optional cash investment (not just the amount exceeding
         $2,500) for each Trading Day that the Threshold Price is not
         satisfied.  Thus, for example, if the Threshold Price is not satisfied
         or no such sales are reported for three of the ten Trading Days in a
         Pricing Period, 3/10ths (i.e., 30%) of such optional cash investment
         will be returned to the Participant without interest.

              The establishment of the Threshold Price and the possible return
         of a portion of the investment applies only to optional cash
         investments made pursuant to a Request for Waiver but applies to the
         entire amount thereof, including the first $2,500.  Setting a
         Threshold Price for a Pricing Period shall not affect the setting of a
         Threshold Price for any subsequent Pricing Period.  For any particular
         month, the Company may waive its right to set a Threshold Price. 
         Neither the Company nor the Administrator shall be required to provide
         any written notice to Participants as to the Threshold Price for any
         Pricing Period.  Participants may, however, ascertain whether a
         Threshold Price has been set or waived for any given Pricing Period by
         telephoning the Company at 1-888-515-MIKE or at such other number as
         may be established by the Company from time to time.

                                      12 
<PAGE>

              DISCOUNT.  Each month, at least three Trading Days prior to the
         first day of the applicable Pricing Period, the Company may establish
         a discount from the market price applicable to shares purchased under
         the Plan in connection with optional cash investments made pursuant to
         a Request for Waiver.  Such discount (the "Discount") may be between
         0% and 5% of the purchase price and may vary each month.  The Discount
         may be increased or decreased by the Company and the Company may agree
         to different Discounts among persons to whom it has granted a Request
         for Waiver.  Any change in the Discount will be made in the Company's
         sole discretion after a review of current market conditions, the level
         of participation in the Plan, and current and projected capital needs. 
         Participants may obtain the Discount applicable to the next Pricing
         Period by telephoning the Company at 1-888-515-MIKE or at such other
         number as may be established by the Company from time to time. 
         Setting a Discount for a particular month shall not affect the setting
         of a Discount for any subsequent month.  Discounts apply only to
         shares purchased in connection with optional cash investments made
         pursuant to a Request for Waiver, but apply to the entire amount
         thereof, including the first $2,500.

    14.  WHAT IF A PARTICIPANT HAS MORE THAN ONE ACCOUNT?

              For the purpose of the limitations discussed in Question 13, the
         Company reserves the right to aggregate all optional cash investments
         for Participants with more than one account using the same name,
         address or social security or taxpayer identification number.  For
         Participants unable to supply a social security or taxpayer
         identification number, participation may be limited by the Company to
         only one Plan account.  Also for the purpose of such limitations, all
         Plan accounts that the Company believes to be under common control or
         management or to have common ultimate beneficial ownership may be
         aggregated.  In the event the Company exercises its right to aggregate
         investments and the result would be an investment in excess of $2,500
         without an approved Request for Waiver, the Company will return,
         without interest, as promptly as practicable, any amounts in excess of
         the investment limitations.

CERTIFICATES

    15.  WILL CERTIFICATES BE ISSUED FOR SHARE PURCHASES?

              All shares purchased pursuant to the Plan will be held in "book
         entry" form through accounts maintained by the Administrator.  This
         service protects against the loss, theft, or destruction of
         certificates evidencing shares.  Upon written request of a Participant
         or upon withdrawal of a Participant from the Plan or upon the
         termination of the Plan, the administrator will have certificates
         issued and delivered for all full shares credited to that
         Participant's account.  Certificates will be issued only in the same
         names as those enrolled in the Plan.  In no event will certificates
         for fractional shares be issued.  See Questions 16 and 17.

    16.  MAY A PARTICIPANT ADD SHARES TO HIS OR HER ACCOUNT BY TRANSFERRING
         SHARE CERTIFICATES THAT THE PARTICIPANT POSSESSES?

              Any Participant may send to the Plan for safekeeping all Common
         Stock certificates which such Participant holds.  Certificates
         forwarded to the Administrator by registered mail will be
         automatically covered by an Administrator blanket bond up to the first
         $250,000 of value.  The safekeeping of shares offers the advantage of
         protection against loss, theft or destruction of certificates as well
         as convenience, if and when shares are sold through the Plan.  All
         shares represented by such certificates will be kept for safekeeping
         in "book entry" form and combined with any full and fractional shares
         then held by the Plan for the Participant.

                                      13 
<PAGE>

              To deposit certificates for safekeeping under the Plan, a
         Participant must be enrolled in the Plan.  Stock certificates as well
         as all written inquiries about the safekeeping service should be
         directed to the Administrator at the address listed in Question 4.

              Shares deposited for safekeeping may be withdrawn by the
         Participant by submitting a written request to the Administrator.

SALE OF SHARES

    17.  CAN PARTICIPANTS SELL SHARES HELD UNDER THE PLAN?

              Participants may request that all or a portion of the shares held
         in their accounts by the Plan (including shares held for safekeeping)
         be sold.  Following receipt of written instructions from a
         Participant, the Administrator will sell, through an independent
         broker or institution, those shares as soon as practicable and will
         remit a check for the proceeds of such sale, less applicable brokerage
         charges, trading fees, service charges and any taxes.  Shares to be
         sold will be aggregated by the Administrator and generally sold once
         per week at then current market prices in transactions carried out
         through one or more brokerage firms.  This procedure for selling
         shares may be particularly attractive to holders of small amounts of
         shares because the Plan can combine odd lots and small numbers of
         shares into larger blocks to be sold, and thereby take advantage of
         lower trading fees that otherwise might not be available to individual
         Participants in the sale of their shares.  The initial trading fee for
         sales of shares will be $10.00 per transaction plus $.12 per share. 
         See Question 23.

REPORTS

    18.  WHAT REPORTS WILL BE SENT TO PARTICIPANTS IN THE PLAN?

              Unless a Participant participates in the Plan through a broker,
         bank or nominee, each Participant will receive from the Administrator
         a detailed statement of the Participant's account following each
         dividend payment and account transaction.  These detailed statements
         will show total cash dividends received, if any, total optional cash
         investments received, total shares purchased (including fractional
         shares), price paid per share, and total shares held in the Plan. 
         These statements should be retained by the Participant to determine
         the tax cost basis for shares purchased pursuant to the Plan.  Any
         Participant that participates in the Plan through a broker, bank or
         nominee, should contact such party for such a statement.

WITHDRAWAL

    19.  HOW MAY PARTICIPANTS WITHDRAW FROM THE PLAN?

              Except as set forth below, a Participant may terminate enrollment
         in the Plan by giving written notice to the Administrator no later
         than two days prior to the first day of the next Pricing Period, and
         thereafter all cash dividends, if any, on shares owned by such
         participant will be sent to the Participant.  See Question 17.  In the
         event that a purchase of shares on behalf of a Participant pursuant to
         the Plan is pending, such Participant may not terminate enrollment
         until after the Investment Date relating to such Pricing Period.  Any
         fractional shares held in the Plan at the time of termination will be
         converted to cash on the basis of the then current market price of the
         Common Stock.  If a Participant's Plan account balance falls below one
         full share, the Administrator reserves the right to liquidate the
         fraction and remit the proceeds, less any applicable fees, to the
         Participant at its address of record.

                                      14 
<PAGE>

TAXES

    20.  WHAT ARE THE FEDERAL INCOME TAX CONSEQUENCES OF PARTICIPATING IN THE
         PLAN?

              The tax consequences resulting from optional cash investments are
         unclear.  Participants may be treated as having received a
         distribution from the Company upon the purchase of shares pursuant to
         the Plan with an optional cash investment in an amount equal to the
         excess, if any, of the fair market value of the shares acquired on the
         Investment Date over the optional cash investment.  Any such deemed
         distribution will be treated as a taxable dividend to the extent
         attributable to current or accumulated earnings and profits of the
         Company.  The purchased shares will have a tax basis equal to the
         amount of the optional cash investment plus the amount of the deemed
         distribution, if any, which is treated as a dividend.  The fair market
         value of shares acquired on an Investment Date is likely to differ
         from the amount of optional cash investment.

              Participants will be treated as having received a distribution
         from the Company equal to the fair market value on the Investment Date
         of the shares, if any, acquired with reinvested dividends pursuant to
         the Plan.  Such distribution will be treated as a dividend to the
         extent attributable to current or accumulated earnings and profits of
         the Company.  Any excess will first be treated as a tax-free return of
         capital, causing a reduction in the basis of existing shares, and the
         balance will be treated as capital gain recognized on a sale or
         exchange.  A Participant's tax basis in the dividend shares will equal
         the fair market value of such shares on the Investment Date.

              A Participant's holding period for shares acquired pursuant to
         the Plan will begin on the day following the Investment Date.  When a
         Participant receives certificates for whole shares credited to the
         Participant's account under the Plan, the Participant will not realize
         any taxable income.  However, a Participant that receives a cash
         adjustment for a fraction of a share will realize a gain or loss with
         respect to such fraction.  A gain or loss also will be realized by the
         Participant whenever whole shares are sold, either pursuant to the
         Participant's request, upon withdrawal from the Plan or after
         withdrawal from the Plan.  The amount of such gain or loss will be the
         difference between the amount that the Participant receives for the
         shares or fraction of a share and the tax basis of the Participant in
         the shares.

              THE FOREGOING IS ONLY A SUMMARY OF THE FEDERAL INCOME TAX
         CONSEQUENCES OF PARTICIPATION IN THE PLAN AND DOES NOT CONSTITUTE TAX
         ADVICE.  THIS SUMMARY DOES NOT REFLECT EVERY POSSIBLE OUTCOME THAT
         COULD RESULT FROM PARTICIPATION IN THE PLAN AND, THEREFORE,
         PARTICIPANTS ARE ADVISED TO CONSULT THEIR OWN TAX ADVISORS WITH
         RESPECT TO THE TAX CONSEQUENCES APPLICABLE TO THEIR PARTICULAR
         SITUATIONS.

OTHER PROVISIONS

    21.  WHAT HAPPENS IF A PARTICIPANT SELLS OR TRANSFERS SHARES OR ACQUIRES
         ADDITIONAL SHARES?

              If a Participant has elected to have dividends automatically
         reinvested in the Plan and subsequently sells or transfers all or any
         part of the shares registered in the Participant's name, automatic
         reinvestment will continue as long as shares are registered in the
         name of the Participant or held for the Participant by the
         Administrator or until termination of enrollment.  Similarly, if a
         Participant has elected the "Full Dividend Reinvestment" option under
         the Plan and subsequently acquires additional shares registered in the
         Participant's name, dividends paid on such shares will automatically
         be reinvested until termination of enrollment.  If, however, a
         Participant has elected the "Partial Dividend Reinvestment" option and
         subsequently acquires additional shares that are registered in the
         Participant's name, dividends paid on such shares will not be
         automatically reinvested under the Plan.  See Question 7. 
         Participants may, 

                                      15 
<PAGE>

         however, change their dividend reinvestment elections by submitting
         new Authorization and Enrollment Forms.

    22.  HOW WILL A PARTICIPANT'S SHARES BE VOTED?

              For any meeting of stockholders, each Participant will receive
         proxy materials in order to vote all shares held by the Plan for the
         Participant's account.  All shares will be voted as designated by the
         Participant or may be voted in person at the meeting of stockholders.

    23.  WHO PAYS THE EXPENSES OF THE PLAN?

              There is no fee for enrolling in the program.  Participation is
         voluntary and a Participant may discontinue its participation at any
         time.  However, there are fees associated with the Plan and the
         Administrator's services.  Shares for the Plan will be purchased
         directly from the Company, and therefore there will be no trading fees
         or service charges in connection with purchases of shares. 
         Participants that request the sale of any of their shares held in the
         Plan must pay a fee initially equal to $10.00 per transaction plus
         $.12 per share plus any applicable taxes and brokerage charges.  The
         Administrator may effect any sales of shares for the Plan through a
         broker-dealer, in which case such broker-dealer will receive a
         commission for effecting such transactions.  The Administrator may
         also charge Participants for additional services not provided under
         the Plan or where specified charges are indicated.  Any fees may be
         changed by the Administrator at any time, without notice to
         Participants.  Participants may obtain a current listing of all
         applicable administrative fees by contacting the Administrator at the
         address or telephone number listed in Question 4 above.  Brokers or
         nominees that participate on behalf of beneficial owners for whom they
         are holding shares may also charge such beneficial owners fees in
         connection with such participation, for which neither the
         Administrator nor the Company will be responsible.

    24.  WHAT ARE THE RESPONSIBILITIES OF MICHAELS STORES OR THE ADMINISTRATOR
         UNDER THE PLAN?

              Neither Michaels Stores nor the Administrator will be liable for
         any act done in good faith or for any good faith omission to act,
         including, without limitation, any claims of liability arising out of
         a failure to terminate a Participant's account upon such Participant's
         death or adjudication of incompetence prior to the receipt of notice
         in writing of such death or adjudication of incompetence, the prices
         at which shares are purchased for the Participant's account, the times
         when purchases are made or fluctuations in the market value of the
         Common Stock.  Neither Michaels Stores nor the Administrator has any
         duties, responsibilities or liabilities except those expressly set
         forth in the Plan.

              The Participant should recognize that the Company cannot assure a
         profit or protect against a loss on the shares purchased by a
         Participant under the Plan.

    25.  WHAT HAPPENS IF THE COMPANY ISSUES A STOCK DIVIDEND OR DECLARES A
         STOCK SPLIT?

              Any shares distributed by the Company as a result of a stock
         dividend or a stock split on shares held under the plan for a
         Participant will be credited to the Participant's account.

    26.  IF THE COMPANY HAS A RIGHTS OFFERING RELATED TO THE COMMON STOCK, HOW
         WILL A PARTICIPANT'S ENTITLEMENT BE COMPUTED?

              A Participant's entitlement in a rights offering related to the
         Common Stock will be based upon the number of whole shares credited to
         the Participant's account.  Rights based on a fraction of a share
         credited to a Participant's Plan account will be sold for that account
         and the net proceeds will be invested as an optional cash payment on
         the next Investment 

                                      16 
<PAGE>

         Date.  In the event of a rights offering, transaction processing may 
         be curtailed or suspended by the Administrator for a short period of 
         time following the record date for such action to permit the 
         Administrator to calculate the rights allocable to each account.

    27.  MAY SHARES IN A PARTICIPANT'S ACCOUNT BE PLEDGED?

              No shares credited to a Participant's account may be pledged and
         any such purported pledge will be void.  If a Participant wishes to
         pledge shares, those shares must be withdrawn from the Plan.

    28.  MAY A PARTICIPANT TRANSFER ALL OR A PART OF THE PARTICIPANT'S SHARES
         HELD IN THE PLAN TO ANOTHER PERSON?

              A Participant who is not an affiliate of Michaels stores may
         transfer or give gifts of shares to anyone by contacting the
         Administrator and requesting a Gift/Transfer Form.  A notice
         indicating the deposit of shares will be forwarded to the recipient.

              A Participant who is not an affiliate of Michaels Stores may also
         transfer all or a portion of his or her shares into an account
         established for another person within the Plan.  In order to effect
         such a "book-to-book" transfer, the transferee must complete an
         Authorization and Enrollment Form to open a new account within the
         Plan.  (See Question 7).  The Authorization and Enrollment Form should
         be sent to the Administrator along with a written request to effect
         the "book-to-book" transfer indicating the number of shares to be
         transferred to the new account.
         
              Participants who are affiliates of Michaels Stores and who wish
         to transfer shares in his or her account should call the General
         Counsel of the Company at (972) 409-1300.

    29.  MAY THE PLAN BE CHANGED OR TERMINATED?

              While the Plan is intended to continue indefinitely, the Company
         reserves the right to amend, modify, suspend or terminate the Plan at
         any time.  Participants will be notified in writing of any
         modifications made to the Plan.

                               USE OF PROCEEDS

    The proceeds from the sale of the Common Stock offered pursuant to the Plan
will be added to the Company's funds and used for general corporate purposes.  

                             PLAN OF DISTRIBUTION

    The Common Stock acquired under the Plan is being sold directly by 
Michaels.  The Company may sell Common Stock to owners of shares (including 
brokers or dealers) who, in connection with any resales of such shares, may 
be deemed to be underwriters.  Such shares, including shares acquired 
pursuant to waivers granted with respect to the optional cash investment 
feature of the Plan, may be resold in market transactions (including coverage 
of short positions) on any national securities exchange on which shares of 
Common Stock trade or in privately negotiated transactions.  These exchanges 
include the Nasdaq National Market System, the national exchange on which the 
Common Stock is currently listed.  The difference between the price such 
owners pay to the Company for shares of Common Stock acquired under the Plan 
after deduction of the applicable Discount, if any, and the price at which 
such shares are resold, may be deemed to constitute underwriting commissions 
received by such owners in connection with such transactions.  The Company 
does not have any formal or informal understanding with any such owners.  The 
Company reserves 

                                      17 
<PAGE>

the right to exclude from participation in the Plan persons who use the Plan 
to engage in short-term trading activities that cause alterations in the 
trading volume of the Common Stock.

    The Company will pay any expenses incurred in connection with purchases of
Common Stock under the Plan.  Participants that request the sale of any of their
shares of Common Stock held in the Plan must pay a fee initially equal to $10.00
per transaction plus $.12 per share plus any applicable taxes and, if the sale
is effected through a broker-dealer, a commission. 

    Common Stock may not be available under the Plan in all states.  This
Prospectus does not constitute an offer to sell, or a solicitation of an offer
to buy, any Common Stock or other securities in any state or any other
jurisdiction to any person to whom it is unlawful to make such offer in such
jurisdiction.

                                LEGAL MATTERS

    Certain legal matters in connection with the validity of the Common Stock
offered hereby have been passed upon for the Company by Jones, Day, Reavis &
Pogue, Dallas, Texas.  Michael C. French, a consultant to Jones, Day, Reavis &
Pogue, is a director of the Company.

                                   EXPERTS

    The consolidated financial statements of Michaels Stores, Inc. incorporated
by reference in the Company's Annual Report (Form 10-K) for the year ended
February 1, 1997, have been audited by Ernst & Young LLP, independent auditors,
as set forth in their report thereon incorporated by reference therein and
incorporated by reference herein.  Such consolidated financial statements are
incorporated herein by reference in reliance upon such report given upon the
authority of such firm as experts in accounting and auditing.

                         FORWARD-LOOKING INFORMATION

    Certain statements contained in this Prospectus (including the documents
incorporated by reference herein) which are not historical facts are forward-
looking statements that involve risks and uncertainties, including, but not
limited to, customer demand and trends in the arts, crafts and decorative items
industry, related inventory risks due to shifts in customer demand, the effect
of economic conditions, the impact of competitors' locations and pricing, the
availability of acceptable real estate locations for new stores, difficulties
with respect to new technologies such as point-of-sale systems, supply
constraints or difficulties, the results of financing efforts, the effect of the
Company's accounting policies and other risks detailed in this Prospectus
(including the documents incorporated by reference herein).

                                   GLOSSARY

"Administrator"        Harris Trust and Savings Bank or such successor
                       administrator as the Company may designate.

"Beneficial owner"     Stockholder whose shares of Common Stock are registered
                       in the stock transfer books of the Company in a name 
                       other than his or her name.

"Business day"         Any day other than Saturday, Sunday or a legal holiday on
                       which the NASDAQ is closed or on which the Administrator 
                       is authorized or obligated by law to close.

"B/N Form"             Broker and Nominee Form.

"Common Stock"         Common stock, par value $.10 per share, of the Company.

                                      18 
<PAGE>

"Daily Prices"         The average of the high and low trading prices of the 
                       Common Stock on that day on NASDAQ, rounded to three 
                       decimal places.

"Discount"             Discount between 0% and 5% of the purchase price as 
                       established, at the sole discretion of the Company, each
                       month at least three Trading Days prior to the first day
                       of the applicable Pricing Period.

"Investment Date"      Dates on which optional cash investments are to be 
                       invested and any dividends are to be reinvested.

"Participant"          Registered holder or beneficial owner of Common Stock
                       under the Plan.

"Plan Shares"          Shares of Common Stock that have been credited to the
                       Participant's account pursuant to dividend reinvestment
                       or optional cash investment.

"Pricing Period"       Period encompassing the first ten Trading Days of each
                       calendar month.

"Registered holder"    Stockholder whose shares of Common Stock are registered 
                       in the stock transfer books of the Company in his or her
                       name.

"Request for Waiver"   Request that the Company waive the maximum requirement
                       for optional cash investments of $2,500 per month.

"Threshold Price"      Minimum price for optional cash investments pursuant to a
                       Request for Waiver.

"Trading Day"          Day on which trades in Common Stock are reported on 
                       NASDAQ.





















                                      19 
<PAGE>

                                       
                                  SCHEDULE A

                IMPORTANT DATES FOR OPTIONAL CASH INVESTMENTS
                                 (1997-1999)

<TABLE>

  THRESHOLD PRICE     
AND WAIVER DISCOUNT   OPTIONAL CASH PAYMENT     PRICING PERIOD    
     SET DATE               DUE DATE          COMMENCEMENT DATE      INVESTMENT DATE 
- -------------------   ---------------------   -----------------   ---------------------
<S>                   <C>                     <C>                 <C>                  
September 25, 1997    September 30, 1997      October 1, 1997     October 15, 1997 
October 28, 1997      October 31, 1997        November 3, 1997    November 17, 1997 
November 24, 1997     November 28, 1997       December 1, 1997    December 15, 1997 
December 26, 1997     December 31, 1997       January 2, 1998     January 16, 1998 
January 27, 1998      January 30, 1998        February 2, 1998    February 16, 1998
February 24, 1998     February 27, 1998       March 2, 1998       March 16, 1998
March 26, 1998        March 31, 1998          April 1, 1998       April 16, 1998
April 27, 1998        April 30, 1998          May 1, 1998         May 15, 1998
May 26, 1998          May 29, 1998            June 1, 1998        June 15, 1998
June 25, 1998         June 30, 1998           July 1, 1998        July 16, 1998
July 28, 1998         July 31, 1998           August 3, 1998      August 17, 1998
August 26, 1998       August 31, 1998         September 1, 1998   September 16, 1998
September 25, 1998    September 30, 1998      October 1, 1998     October 15, 1998
October 27, 1998      October 30, 1998        November 2, 1998    November 16, 1998
November 24, 1998     November 30, 1998       December 1, 1998    December 15, 1998
December 28, 1998     December 31, 1998       January 4, 1999     January 19, 1999
January 26, 1999      January 29, 1999        February 1, 1999    February 16, 1999
February 23, 1999     February 26, 1999       March 1, 1999       March 15, 1999
March 26, 1999        March 31, 1999          April 1, 1999       April 16, 1999
April 27, 1999        April 30, 1999          May 3, 1999         May 17, 1999
May 25, 1999          May 28, 1999            June 1, 1999        June 15, 1999
June 25, 1999         June 30, 1999           July 1, 1999        July 16, 1999
July 27, 1999         July 30, 1999           August 2, 1999      August 16, 1999
August 26, 1999       August 31, 1999         September 1, 1999   September 16, 1999
September 27, 1999    September 30, 1999      October 1, 1999     October 15, 1999
October 26, 1999      October 29, 1999        November 1, 1999    November 15, 1999
November 24, 1999     November 30, 1999       December 1, 1999    December 15, 1999
</TABLE>

                          U.S. EQUITY MARKETS CLOSED



                                                  1997       1998      1999  
                                                 ------     ------    ------ 
New Year's Day                                       --        1/1       1/1 
Martin Luther King, Jr. Day                          --       1/19      1/18 
President's Day                                      --       2/16      2/15 
Good Friday                                          --       4/10       4/2 
Memorial Day                                         --       5/25      5/31 
Independence Day                                     --        7/3         * 
Labor Day                                            --        9/7       9/6 
Thanksgiving Day                                  11/27      11/26     11/25 
Christmas Day                                     12/25      12/25         * 


*  Unknown at the date of this Prospectus.  In 1999, Independence Day and 
   Christmas fall on a weekend.



                                      A-1 
<PAGE>

                         IMPORTANT TELEPHONE NUMBERS



             TO OBTAIN                                          CALL 
             ---------                                          ---- 

Information Concerning Your Plan Account                    (214) 665-6033 

Authorization and Enrollment Forms, B/N Forms and
Gift/Transfer Forms                                         (214) 665-6033 

Price and Discount Information                              1-888-515-MIKE 

Requests for Waiver                                         (214) 409-1581 


























                                      A-2 
<PAGE>

NO PERSON HAS BEEN AUTHORIZED IN CONNECTION WITH THE OFFERING HEREBY TO GIVE ANY
INFORMATION OR TO MAKE ANY REPRESENTATION NOT CONTAINED IN THIS PROSPECTUS AND, 
IF GIVEN OR MADE, SUCH INFORMATION OR REPRESENTATION MUST NOT BE RELIED UPON AS 
HAVING BEEN AUTHORIZED BY THE COMPANY.  THIS PROSPECTUS DOES NOT CONSTITUTE AN 
OFFER TO SELL OR A SOLICITATION OF AN OFFER TO BUY ANY SECURITIES TO ANY PERSON 
OR BY ANYONE IN ANY JURISDICTION WHERE SUCH OFFER OR SOLICITATION WOULD BE 
UNLAWFUL.  NEITHER THE DELIVERY OF THIS PROSPECTUS NOR ANY SALE MADE HEREUNDER 
SHALL, UNDER ANY CIRCUMSTANCES, CREATE ANY IMPLICATION THAT THE INFORMATION 
CONTAINED HEREIN IS CORRECT AS OF ANY DATE SUBSEQUENT TO THE DATE HEREOF.
                                       
                                _______________


                               TABLE OF CONTENTS
<TABLE>
                                                             PAGE                  2,450,000 SHARES         
                                                             ----                                           
<S>                                                         <C>
Available Information.......................................   3                MICHAELS STORES, INC.       
                                                                                                            
Incorporation of Certain Documents by Reference.............   3                                            
                                                                                                            
The Company.................................................   4              DIVIDEND REINVESTMENT AND     
                                                                                 STOCK PURCHASE PLAN        
Description of the Plan.....................................   4                                            
  Purpose...................................................   4                                            
  Participation Options.....................................   4                                            
  Participation Eligibility.................................   6                    _______________         
  Enrollment................................................   7                                            
  Purchases.................................................   9                      PROSPECTUS            
  Certificates..............................................  13                    _______________         
  Sale of Shares............................................  14                                            
  Reports...................................................  14                                            
  Withdrawal................................................  14                                            
  Taxes.....................................................  15                                            
  Other Provisions..........................................  15                  SEPTEMBER __, 1997        
                                                                        
Use of Proceeds.............................................  17        
                                                                        
Plan of Distribution........................................  17        
                                                                        
Legal Matters...............................................  18        
                                                                        
Experts.....................................................  18        
                                                                        
Forward-Looking Information.................................  18 

Glossary....................................................  18 
</TABLE>

<PAGE>
                                       
                                   PART II

                    INFORMATION NOT REQUIRED IN PROSPECTUS



    ITEM 14.  OTHER EXPENSES OF ISSUANCE AND DISTRIBUTION.

    The estimated expenses to be incurred in connection with the issuance and
distribution of the Common Stock covered by this Registration Statement, all of
which will be paid by the Registrant, are as follows:


         Registration Fee........................................... $18,097 
         Printing, Engraving and Filing Expenses.................... $ 4,000 
         Accounting Fees and Expenses............................... $ 5,000 
         Legal Fees and Expenses.................................... $25,000 
         Miscellaneous.............................................. $ 7,903 
                                                                     ------- 
         Total...................................................... $60,000 
                                                                     ------- 
                                                                     ------- 

    ITEM 15.  INDEMNIFICATION OF DIRECTORS AND OFFICERS.

    Section 145 of the Delaware General Corporation Law empowers a corporation
to indemnify its directors and officers or former directors or officers and to
purchase insurance with respect to liability arising out of their capacity or
status as directors and officers.  Such law provides further that the
indemnification permitted thereunder shall not be deemed exclusive of any other
rights to which the directors and officers may be entitled under a corporation's
certificate of incorporation, bylaws, any agreement or otherwise.

    Reference is made to Article Nine of the Company's Restated Certificate of
Incorporation, as amended, which appears as Exhibit 4.1 to this Registration
Statement, which provides for indemnification of directors and officers.

    Reference is made to Article IX of the Company's amended Bylaws which
appear as Exhibit 4.2 to this Registration Statement, which provides for
indemnification of directors and officers.

    In addition, the Company has entered into Indemnity Agreements with certain
of its executive officers and directors.

    The Company has procured insurance that purports (i) to insure it against
certain costs of indemnification that may be incurred by it pursuant to the
provisions referred to above or otherwise and (ii) to insure the directors and
officers of the Company against certain liabilities incurred by them in the
discharge of their functions as directors and officers except for liabilities
arising from their own malfeasance.

    Insofar as indemnification for liabilities arising under the Securities Act
may be permitted to directors, officers or persons controlling the Company
pursuant to the foregoing provisions, the Company has been advised that in the
opinion of the Commission such indemnification is against public policy as
expressed in the Securities Act and is therefore unenforceable.

    ITEM 16.  EXHIBITS.

    The following is a list of all exhibits filed as a part of this
Registration Statement on Form S-3, including those incorporated herein by
reference.

 Exhibit
  Number       Description of Exhibit 
 --------      ---------------------- 
   4.1         Restated Certificate of Incorporation of the Registrant. (1)



                                      II-1 
<PAGE>

 Exhibit
  Number       Description of Exhibit 
 --------      ---------------------- 
   4.2         Bylaws of the Registrant, as amended and restated. (2)
   4.3         Form of Common Stock Certificate. (3)
   5.1         Opinion of Jones, Day, Reavis & Pogue. (4)
  23.1         Consent of Ernst & Young LLP. (4)
  23.2         Consent of Jones, Day, Reavis & Pogue is contained in the opinion
               filed as Exhibit 5.1 hereto.
  24.1         Power of attorney. (Included on Signature Page hereof.)
  99.1         Michaels Stores, Inc. Dividend Reinvestment and Stock Purchase 
               Plan. (5)

- -------------------
(1)  Previously filed as an Exhibit to the Registrant's Registration Statement 
     on Form S-8 (No. 33-54726) and incorporated herein by reference.
(2)  Previously filed as an Exhibit to the Registrant's Annual Report on Form 
     10-K for the year ended January 30, 1994 and incorporated herein by 
     reference.
(3)  Previously filed as an Exhibit to the Registrant's Registration Statement 
     on Form S-3 (No. 333-29419) and incorporated herein by reference.
(4)  Filed herewith.
(5)  Included in Prospectus.

ITEM 17.  UNDERTAKINGS

    The undersigned Registrant hereby undertakes:

         (1)  to file, during any period in which offers or sales are being 
    made, a post-effective amendment to this Registration Statement: 

              (i)  to include any prospectus required by Section
         10(a)(3) of the Securities Act; 

              (ii) to reflect in the prospectus any facts or
         events arising after the effective date of the Registration
         Statement (or the most recent post-effective amendment
         thereof) which, individually or in the aggregate, represent
         a fundamental change in the information set forth in the
         Registration Statement.  Notwithstanding the foregoing, any
         increase or decrease in volume of securities offered (if the
         total dollar value of securities offered would not exceed
         that which was registered) and any deviation from the low or
         high end of the estimated maximum offering range may be
         reflected in the form of a prospectus filed with the
         Commission pursuant to Rule 424(b) if, in the aggregate, the
         changes in volume and price represent no more than a 20%
         change in the maximum aggregate offering price set forth in
         the "Calculation of Registration Fee" table in the effective
         registration statement; and 

              (iii) to include any material information with
         respect to the plan of distribution not previously disclosed
         in this Registration Statement or any material change to
         such information in this Registration Statement;

    provided, however, that paragraphs (1)(i) and (1)(ii) of this
    Section do not apply if the information required to be included
    in a post-effective amendment by those paragraphs is contained in
    periodic reports filed by the Registrant pursuant to Section 13
    or Section 15(d) of the Exchange Act that are incorporated by
    reference in this Registration Statement.


                                      II-2 
<PAGE>

         (2)  that, for the purpose of determining any liability
    under the Securities Act, each such post-effective amendment
    shall be deemed to be a new registration statement relating to
    the securities offered therein, and the offering of such
    securities at that time shall be deemed to be the initial BONA
    FIDE offering thereof; and

         (3)  to remove from registration by means of a
    post-effective amendment any of the securities being registered
    which remain unsold at the termination of the offering.

    The undersigned Registrant hereby undertakes that, for purposes of 
determining any liability under the Securities Act, each filing of the 
undersigned Company's annual report pursuant to Section 13(a) or Section 
15(d) of the Exchange Act that is incorporated by reference in this 
Registration Statement shall be deemed to be a new registration statement 
relating to the securities offered therein, and the offering of such 
securities at that time shall be deemed to be the initial BONA FIDE offering 
thereof.

    Insofar as indemnification for liabilities arising under the Securities 
Act may be permitted to directors, officers, and controlling persons of the 
Company pursuant to the foregoing provisions, or otherwise, the Company has 
been advised that in the opinion of the Commission such indemnification is 
against public policy as expressed in the Securities Act and is, therefore, 
unenforceable.  In the event that a claim for indemnification against such 
liabilities (other than the payment by the Company of expenses incurred or 
paid by a director, officer, or controlling person of the Company in the 
successful defense of any action, suit or proceeding) is asserted by such 
director, officer, or controlling person in connection with the securities 
being registered, the Company will, unless in the opinion of its counsel the 
matter has been settled by controlling precedent, submit to a court of 
appropriate jurisdiction the question whether such indemnification by it is 
against public policy as expressed in the Securities Act and will be governed 
by the final adjudication of such issue.























                                      II-3 
<PAGE>

                                    SIGNATURES

     Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, the Company 
certifies that it has reasonable grounds to believe that it meets all of the 
requirements for filing on Form S-3 and has duly caused this Registration 
Statement to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly 
authorized, in the City of Irving, State of Texas on August 27, 1997.

                                            MICHAELS STORES, INC.


                                            By:   /s/ BRYAN M. DECORDOVA      
                                               -------------------------------
                                               Bryan M. DeCordova
                                               Executive Vice President -- 
                                               Chief Financial Officer


    Each person whose signature appears below authorizes R. Michael Rouleau, 
Bryan M. DeCordova and Mark V. Beasley to execute in the name of each such 
person who is then an officer or director of the Registrant and to file any 
amendments to this Registration Statement necessary or advisable to enable 
the Registrant to comply with the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and any 
rules, regulations and requirements of the Securities and Exchange 
Commission, in respect thereof, in connection with the registration of the 
securities which are the subject of this Registration Statement, which 
amendments may make such changes in the Registration Statement as such 
attorney may deem appropriate.

    Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, this 
Registration Statement has been signed below by the following persons in the 
capacities indicated.

        Signatures                      Title 
        ----------                      ----- 


                                           
                                   Chairman of the                      
- --------------------------        Board of Directors                    
Sam Wyly                                                                


/s/ Charles J. Wyly, Jr.         Vice Chairman of the         August 27, 1997 
- --------------------------        Board of Directors                          
Charles J. Wyly, Jr.         


/s/ R. Michael Rouleau            President and Chief         August 27, 1997 
- --------------------------         Executive Officer       
R. Michael Rouleau           (Principal Executive Officer) 


/s/ Bryan M. DeCordova        Executive Vice President --     August 27, 1997 
- --------------------------      Chief Financial Officer   
Bryan M. DeCordova             (Principal Financial and   
                                 Accounting Officer)      


/s/ Evan A. Wyly                 Managing Director            August 27, 1997 
- -------------------------                
Evan A. Wyly


/s/ Donald R. Miller, Jr.     Managing Director and          August 27, 1997 
- --------------------------   Vice President -- Market 
Donald R. Miller, Jr.              Development        


/s/ Michael C. French            Managing Director           August 27, 1997 
- -------------------------    
Michael C. French


/s/ Dr. F. Jay Taylor                Director                August 27, 1997 
- -------------------------    
Dr. F. Jay Taylor



- -------------------------           Director 
Richard E. Hanlon

<PAGE>
                                      
                              INDEX TO EXHIBITS

Exhibit    
Number     Description of Exhibit 
- -------    ---------------------- 

 4.1        Restated Certificate of Incorporation of the Registrant. (1)

 4.2        Bylaws of the Registrant, as amended and restated. (2)

 4.3        Form of Common Stock Certificate. (3)

 5.1        Opinion of Jones, Day, Reavis & Pogue. (4)

23.1        Consent of Ernst & Young LLP. (4)

23.2        Consent of Jones, Day, Reavis & Pogue is contained in the opinion 
            filed as Exhibit 5.1 hereto.

24.1        Power of attorney.  (Included on Signature Page hereof.)

99.1        Michaels Stores, Inc. Dividend Reinvestment and Stock Purchase 
            Plan. (5)

- -------------------
(1)  Previously filed as an Exhibit to the Registrant's Registration Statement 
     on Form S-8 (No. 33-54726) and incorporated herein by reference.

(2)  Previously filed as an Exhibit to the Registrant's Annual Report on Form 
     10-K for the year ended January 30, 1994 and incorporated herein by 
     reference.

(3)  Previously filed as an Exhibit to the Registrant's Registration Statement 
     on Form S-3 (No. 333-29419) and incorporated herein by reference.

(4)  Filed herewith.

(5)  Included in Prospectus.


<PAGE>

                                                                     EXHIBIT 5.1


                          JONES, DAY, REAVIS & POGUE
                          2300 TRAMMELL CROW CENTER
                               2001 ROSS AVENUE
                             DALLAS, TEXAS  75201
                                       


                               August 27, 1997

Michaels Stores, Inc.
8000 Bent Branch Drive
Irving, Texas  75063

    Re:  REGISTRATION ON FORM S-3 OF 2,450,000 SHARES OF COMMON STOCK,
         PAR VALUE $0.10 PER SHARE, OF MICHAELS STORES, INC.                   

Ladies and Gentlemen:

         We are acting as counsel to Michaels Stores, Inc., a Delaware
corporation (the "Company"), in connection with the registration pursuant to the
Company's Registration Statement on Form S-3 (the "Registration Statement") of
the offer and sale of 2,450,000 shares of common stock of the Company, par value
$.10 per share pursuant to the Company's Dividend Reinvestment and Stock
Purchase Plan.

         We have examined such documents, records, and matters of law as we
have deemed necessary for purposes of this opinion.  Based on such examination
and on the assumptions set forth below, we are of the opinion that the Shares
are duly authorized and, when issued and delivered in accordance with the
provisions of the Company's Dividend Reinvestment and Stock Purchase Plan (the
"Plan") against payment of the consideration therefor as provided in the Plan
and having a value not less than the par value thereof, will be validly issued,
fully paid, and nonassessable.

         In rendering the foregoing opinion, we have relied as to certain
factual matters upon certificates of officers of the Company and public
officials, and we have not independently checked or verified the accuracy of the
statements contained therein.  In addition, our examination of matters of law
has been limited to the General Corporation Law of the State of Delaware and the
federal laws of the United States of America, in each case as in effect on the
date hereof.

         We hereby consent to the filing of this opinion as Exhibit 5.1 to the
Registration Statement and to the reference to us in the Prospectus under the
caption "Legal Matters."

                                            Very truly yours,


                                            /s/ Jones, Day, Reavis & Pogue

<PAGE>

                                                                    EXHIBIT 23.1


                           CONSENT OF INDEPENDENT AUDITORS


    We consent to the reference to our firm under the caption "Experts" in the
Registration Statement (Form S-3) and related Prospectus of Michaels Stores,
Inc. for the registration of 2,450,000 shares of its common stock and to the
incorporation by reference therein of our report dated March 12, 1997, with
respect to the consolidated financial statements of Michaels Stores, Inc.
incorporated by reference in its Annual Report (Form 10-K) for the year ended
February 1, 1997, filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission.



                                       /s/ Ernst & Young LLP
                                       ------------------------------------ 
                                       Ernst & Young LLP

Dallas, Texas
August 25, 1997



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