Exhibit 10.3
(JOANN STORES INC(R) LOGO) [l22164al2216401.gif]
July 10, 2006
Travis Smith
Dear Travis:
I am delighted to offer you the position of Executive Vice President,
Merchandising & Marketing of Jo-Ann Stores, Inc. We have tremendous challenges
ahead of us as we continue to repair the business and solidify our position as
the premier fabric and craft retailer. Your leadership and merchandising
expertise are critical to us as we continue to serve and inspire creativity.
The following provides the terms and conditions of your employment offer:

1)   Your employment will commence on July 31, 2006.   2)   Your annual base
salary will be $475,000 paid in bi-weekly installments of $18,269.23 with an
annual review in February or March of each year.   3)   For FY08, you will
participate in our Management Incentive Plan (MIP) which has a cash bonus of 50%
of your base salary upon achieving the budgeted (target) financial performance
for the fiscal year, as approved by the board of directors annually. You will be
guaranteed a FY08 bonus of not less than 25% of earned salary for the year. For
the current fiscal year ending January 31, 2007 your MIP bonus will be
guaranteed at $200,000 and will be payable in March 2007.   4)   Beginning in
fiscal year 2008, you will participate in the Jo-Ann Stores, Inc. long-term
incentive plan at a level commensurate with your position relative to other
executive officers. Annual grants under this plan are determined by the board of
directors based on peer incentive compensation levels and the specific needs and
circumstances of the Company. In addition, on the first Friday following your
start date you will receive:

  a)   A grant of 40,000 shares of Jo-Ann Stores, Inc. common stock These shares
will vest 25% annually on the first four anniversaries of your start date.    
b)   A grant of 50,000 non-qualified options to purchase shares of Jo-Ann
Stores, Inc. common stock. These options will vest 25% annually on the first
four anniversaries of your start date and be exercisable for seven years from
date of issuance. These options will be priced at the closing price of Jo-Ann
Stores common stock on the day of the grant.

 

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5)   We will provide a car allowance in the amount of $1,300 per month. This
allowance is intended to cover all costs, which include, but is not limited to
the purchase or lease price of a vehicle, insurance, registration, maintenance,
gasoline, taxes, etc. The allowance will be included in your paycheck on the
first pay period of the month. The car allowance, for tax purposes, is treated
as ordinary income and will be taxed accordingly.   6)   You will be immediately
eligible for twenty-seven days of Paid Time Off (PTO) annually.   7)   You will
be eligible to participate in the Company’s Group Benefit Plan. Your benefits
will become effective ninety (90) days from your start date. Please note that
our medical plan carries a $25,000 per person limit for the first year of
coverage.   8)   You will participate in our Salary Continuation plan. This plan
pays you one hundred percent (100%) of your salary for up to ninety (90) days
for any illness or disability.   9)   As a member of our Leadership Group, you
will be required to participate in the Company’s Long-Term Disability plan. The
plan pays you a benefit equal to sixty percent (60%) of your salary up to a
maximum of $18,000 per month should you become disabled. Additionally, Jo-Ann
will provide you with a supplemental long-term disability plan that will provide
an additional maximum monthly benefit of up to $7,000 for a total monthly
benefit of $25,000. This supplemental coverage is subject to all underwriting
provisions of the insurance carrier.   10)   You will be eligible to participate
in our Deferred Compensation Plan, provided you enroll within 30 days from your
start date.   11)   You will be eligible to participate in the Company’s SERP
after one (1) year of employment with a maximum benefit of $600,000 subject to
the terms of the plan.   12)   You are also eligible to participate in all other
benefits provided to senior officers including: an annual executive physical,
tax and financial planning assistance, etc.   13)   In order to facilitate your
relocation to the Cleveland, Ohio area, the Company will assume the full cost of
moving your household goods. Our relocation representative will contact you to
initiate this process upon your acceptance of this offer. In addition, should it
be required, the Company will provide you with temporary accommodation for up to
90 days. Should it become necessary, the Company will also reimburse you for
duplicate mortgage payments, including your tax liability, at a rate equal to
the lower of the two mortgages, for a period of up to six months.

    The Company will reimburse you for up to six (6) round trips between
Portland and Cleveland during the period until your relocation is completed and
for expenses associated with up to three (3) house-hunting trips for you and
your wife. In addition, on your start date the Company will make a lump-sum
payment to you of $150,000, less applicable taxes, to cover any incidental
relocation costs not otherwise reimbursed.

14)   The Company will enter into a separate agreement with you covering
severance in the event that your employment is terminated by the Company without
cause or by you or the Company as a result of a Change in Control.

 

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Travis, I am excited to have you come on board as the new leader of the
Merchandise and Marketing team. I am very confident that you will make an
immediate impact.
Please confirm your agreement to accept this position by signing and returning
one copy of this letter. Thank you.
Sincerely,

         
/s/
  Darrell Webb           Darrell Webb     Chairman, President, & CEO    

Agreed to this on the 10th day of July, 2006.

         
/s/
  Travis Smith           Travis Smith