U.S. SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

                             WASHINGTON, D.C.  20549


                                   FORM 12b-25

                           NOTIFICATION OF LATE FILING

                                   (Check One)


[ ] Form 10-KSB [ ] Form 20-F [X] Form 11-K [ ] Form 10-Q [ ] Form N-SAR
For Period Ended:  January 31, 1995
                   ------------------------------------------------------
[ ]  Transition Report on Form 10-K
[ ]  Transition Report on Form 20-F
[ ]  Transition Report on Form 11-K
[ ]  Transition Report on Form 10-Q
[ ]  Transition Report on Form N-SAR
For the Transition Period Ended:   . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Nothing in this form shall be construed to imply that the Commission has
verified any information contained herein.

- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------

     If the notification relates to a portion of the filing checked above,
identify the Item(s) to which the notification relates:  THE NOTIFICATION
RELATES TO THE ENTIRE ANNUAL REPORT ON FORM 11-K.

- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------

PART I - REGISTRANT INFORMATION

- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------

     Full Name of Registrant:      Michaels Stores, Inc. Employees 401(k) Plan
                                   ---------------------------------------------
     Former Name if Applicable:    N/A
                                   ---
     5931 Campus Circle Drive
     --------------------------------------------------------
     Address of Principal Executive Office (Street and Number)

     Irving, Texas 75063
     ------------------------
     City, State and Zip Code



- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------

PART II - RULES 12b-25 (b) AND (c)

- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------

If the subject report could not be filed without unreasonable effort or expense
and the registrant seeks relief pursuant to Rule 12b-25(b), the following should
be completed.  (Check box if appropriate.)

     [X]  The reasons described in reasonable detail in Part III of this form
could not be eliminated without unreasonable effort or expense;

     [X]  The subject annual report, semi-annual report, transition report on
Form 10-KSB, Form 10-K, Form 20-F, 11-K or Form N-SAR, or portion thereof will
be filed on or before the fifteenth calendar day following the prescribed due
date; or the subject quarterly report or transition report on Form 10-Q, or
portion thereof will be filed on or before the fifth calendar day following the
prescribed due date; and

     [ ]  The accountant's statement or other exhibit required by Rule 12b-25(c)
has been attached if applicable.

- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------

PART III - NARRATIVE

- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------

     Due to the occurrence of unforeseeable circumstances, the Michaels Stores,
Inc. Employees 401(k) Plan (the "Plan") was unable to obtain accurate and
reliable participant records from the Plan's recordkeeper in sufficient time to
permit, without unreasonable effort and expense, the preparation and the filing
of the Plan's Form 11-K prior to the due date.

- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------

PART IV - OTHER INFORMATION

- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------

     (1)  Name and telephone number of person to contact in regard to this
notification.

Mark V. Beasley                       (214)                 714-7000
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
(Name)                             (Area Code)         (Telephone Number)


                                        2


     (2)  Have all other periodic reports required under Section 13 or 15(d) of
the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 or Section 30 of the Investment Company Act
of 1940 during the preceding 12 months or for such shorter period that the
registrant was required to file such report(s) been filed?  If the answer is no,
identify report(s).

                                                             [X]  Yes    [ ]  No

     (3)  Is it anticipated that any significant change in results of operations
from the corresponding period for the last fiscal year will be reflected by the
earnings statement to be included in the subject report or portion thereof?

                                                             [ ]  Yes    [X]  No

If so:   attach an explanation of the anticipated change, both narratively and
quantitatively, and, if appropriate, state the reasons why a reasonable estimate
of the results cannot be made.

Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, Michaels
Stores, Inc. Employees 401(k) Plan duly caused this notification to be signed on
its behalf by the undersigned thereunto duly authorized.

                                   MICHAELS STORES, INC. EMPLOYEES
                                   401(K) PLAN



Date: July 28, 1995                By:       /s/ DONALD C. TOBY
                                        ----------------------------------------
                                             Donald C. Toby
                                             Trustee


                                        3