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Proc-Type: 2001,MIC-CLEAR
Originator-Name: webmaster@www.sec.gov
Originator-Key-Asymmetric:
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 TWSM7vrzLADbmYQaionwg5sDW3P6oaM5D3tdezXMm7z1T+B+twIDAQAB
MIC-Info: RSA-MD5,RSA,
 CtFXX/pG0A1650HGsl3UY/TE++ftAEh9SB1Dt4uJO9zr7kcLPDHQhcMtsFy/Mo0K
 r/WGj2Eost34+0vk0s/HWQ==

<SEC-DOCUMENT>0001209191-03-016364.txt : 20030811
<SEC-HEADER>0001209191-03-016364.hdr.sgml : 20030811
<ACCEPTANCE-DATETIME>20030811115559
ACCESSION NUMBER:		0001209191-03-016364
CONFORMED SUBMISSION TYPE:	4
PUBLIC DOCUMENT COUNT:		1
CONFORMED PERIOD OF REPORT:	20030807
FILED AS OF DATE:		20030811

ISSUER:		

	COMPANY DATA:	
		COMPANY CONFORMED NAME:			MICHAELS STORES INC
		CENTRAL INDEX KEY:			0000740670
		STANDARD INDUSTRIAL CLASSIFICATION:	RETAIL-HOBBY, TOY & GAME SHOPS [5945]
		IRS NUMBER:				751943604
		STATE OF INCORPORATION:			DE
		FISCAL YEAR END:			0201

	BUSINESS ADDRESS:	
		STREET 1:		8000 BENT BRANCH DR
		STREET 2:		PO BOX 619566
		CITY:			IRVING
		STATE:			TX
		ZIP:			75063
		BUSINESS PHONE:		2147147000

	MAIL ADDRESS:	
		STREET 1:		PO BOX 619566
		CITY:			DFW
		STATE:			TX
		ZIP:			75261

REPORTING-OWNER:	

	OWNER DATA:	
		COMPANY CONFORMED NAME:			DECARO THOMAS C
		CENTRAL INDEX KEY:			0001185891

	FILING VALUES:
		FORM TYPE:		4
		SEC ACT:		1934 Act
		SEC FILE NUMBER:	001-09338
		FILM NUMBER:		03833665

	BUSINESS ADDRESS:	
		STREET 1:		8000 BENT BRANCH DRIVE
		CITY:			IRVING
		STATE:			TX
		ZIP:			75063
		BUSINESS PHONE:		9724091300

	MAIL ADDRESS:	
		STREET 1:		8000 BENT BRANCH DRIVE
		CITY:			IRVING
		STATE:			TX
		ZIP:			75063
</SEC-HEADER>
<DOCUMENT>
<TYPE>4
<SEQUENCE>1
<FILENAME>doc4.xml
<DESCRIPTION>FORM 4 SUBMISSION
<TEXT>
<XML>
<?xml version="1.0"?><ownershipDocument><schemaVersion>X0201</schemaVersion>    <documentType>4</documentType><periodOfReport>2003-08-07</periodOfReport><notSubjectToSection16>0</notSubjectToSection16><issuer><issuerCik>0000740670</issuerCik><issuerName>MICHAELS STORES INC</issuerName>        <issuerTradingSymbol>MIK</issuerTradingSymbol></issuer><reportingOwner><reportingOwnerId><rptOwnerCik>0001185891</rptOwnerCik><rptOwnerName>DECARO THOMAS C</rptOwnerName></reportingOwnerId><reportingOwnerAddress><rptOwnerStreet1>8000 BENT BRANCH DRIVE</rptOwnerStreet1><rptOwnerStreet2></rptOwnerStreet2><rptOwnerCity>IRVING</rptOwnerCity><rptOwnerState>TX</rptOwnerState><rptOwnerZipCode>75063</rptOwnerZipCode><rptOwnerStateDescription></rptOwnerStateDescription></reportingOwnerAddress><reportingOwnerRelationship><isDirector>0</isDirector><isOfficer>1</isOfficer><isTenPercentOwner>0</isTenPercentOwner><isOther>0</isOther><officerTitle>SVP - Inventory Management</officerTitle></reportingOwnerRelationship></reportingOwner><
derivativeTable><derivativeTransaction><securityTitle><value>Stock Option (Right to Buy)</value></securityTitle><conversionOrExercisePrice><value>35.31</value></conversionOrExercisePrice><transactionDate><value>2003-08-07</value></transactionDate><transactionCoding><transactionFormType>4</transactionFormType><transactionCode>A</transactionCode><equitySwapInvolved>0</equitySwapInvolved></transactionCoding><transactionTimeliness><value></value></transactionTimeliness><transactionAmounts><transactionShares><value>17500</value></transactionShares><transactionPricePerShare><value>0</value></transactionPricePerShare><transactionAcquiredDisposedCode><value>A</value></transactionAcquiredDisposedCode></transactionAmounts><exerciseDate><footnoteId id="F1" /></exerciseDate><expirationDate><value>2008-08-06</value></expirationDate><underlyingSecurity><underlyingSecurityTitle><value>Common Stock</value></underlyingSecurityTitle><underlyingSecurityShares><value>17500</value></underlyingSecurityShares></underlyingSecurity>
<postTransactionAmounts><sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction><value>17500</value></sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction></postTransactionAmounts><ownershipNature><directOrIndirectOwnership><value>D</value></directOrIndirectOwnership></ownershipNature></derivativeTransaction></derivativeTable><footnotes><footnote id="F1">Grant to the reporting person on August 7, 2003 of options under the Michaels Stores, Inc. Amended and Restated 1997 Stock Option Plan (exempt) to purchase 17,500 shares of Michaels Stores, Inc. common stock; 5,833 of which will vest on each of August 7, 2004 and August 7, 2005, and 5,834 of which will vest on August 7, 2006. </footnote></footnotes><remarks></remarks><ownerSignature><signatureName>Elizabeth K. Giddens, Attorney-in-Fact for Thomas C. DeCaro, Senior Vice President - Inventory Management</signatureName><signatureDate>2003-08-11</signatureDate></ownerSignature></ownershipDocument>

</XML>
</TEXT>
</DOCUMENT>
</SEC-DOCUMENT>
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