Irving, TX — Michaels, North America's largest arts and crafts specialty retailer, plans to expand into Quebec with seven stores to open in the greater Montreal area in fall 2012. The move will put Michaels stores in all 10 of Canada's provinces.

Michaels currently operates 88 stores in Canada, and sees entering the Quebec market as a natural progression in the company's Canadian growth.

"Opening seven stores in a single year makes a strong statement that we are committed to Quebec," says Michaels CEO John Menzer. 

Michaels opened its first Canadian store in 1993 in Oakville, Ontario. In 2010, the company opened its Canadian headquarters, located in Toronto, and opened eight stores throughout Canada. 

Irving, Texas-based Michaels Stores, Inc. currently owns and operates more than 1,060 Michaels stores in 49 states and Canada, as well as 136 Aaron Brothers stores.