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                                                               Exhibit 10.27
                                                               -------------


                            ANGELICA CORPORATION
                            EMPLOYMENT AGREEMENT
                            --------------------


               This agreement ("Agreement") has been entered into as of the
6th day of November 2001, by and between Angelica Corporation, a Missouri
corporation ("Angelica"), and Edward P. Ryan, an individual ("Employee").

            WHEREAS, Angelica currently employs Employee as Vice President -
Sales and Marketing of Angelica and Executive Vice President of Angelica's
Textile Services Business Segment, and Angelica and Employee wish to more
specifically define the terms and conditions of Employee's employment with
Angelica in this Agreement.

            NOW THEREFORE, in consideration of the mutual promises herein
contained, the parties hereto agree as follows:

SECTION 1: DEFINITIONS. For purposes of this Agreement, the following words
and phrases, whether or not capitalized, shall have the meanings specified
below, unless the context plainly requires a different meaning.

                    (a)   "ANNUAL BASE SALARY" means the base salary set
                    forth in Section 3.3 of this Agreement, as it shall be
                    increased from time to time in the discretion of the
                    Board or the Compensation and Organization Committee of
                    the Board.

                    (b)   "BOARD" means the Board of Directors of Angelica.

                    (c)   "CHANGE IN CONTROL" means:

                          (i)      The acquisition by any individual, entity
                                   or group, or a Person (within the meaning
                                   of Section 13(d)(3) or 14(d)(2) of the
                                   Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as
                                   amended (the "Exchange Act") of ownership
                                   of 20% or more of either (a) the then
                                   outstanding shares of common stock of
                                   Angelica (the "Outstanding Angelica
                                   Common Stock") or (b) the combined voting
                                   power of the then outstanding voting
                                   securities of Angelica entitled to vote
                                   generally in the election of directors
                                   (the "Outstanding Angelica Voting
                                   Securities"); or

                          (ii)     Individuals who, as of the date hereof,
                                   constitute the Board (the "Incumbent
                                   Board") cease for any reason to
                                   constitute at least a majority of the
                                   Board; provided, however, that any
                                   individual becoming a director subsequent
                                   to the date hereof whose election, or
                                   nomination for election by Angelica's
                                   stockholders, was approved by a vote of
                                   at least a majority of the directors then
                                   comprising the Incumbent Board shall be
                                   considered as though such individual were
                                   a member of the Incumbent Board, but
                                   excluding, as a member of the Incumbent
                                   Board, any such individual whose initial
                                   assumption of office occurs as a result
                                   of either an actual or threatened
                                   election contest (as such terms are used
                                   in Rule l4a-11 of Regulation l4A
                                   promulgated under the Exchange Act) or
                                   other actual or threatened solicitation
                                   of proxies or consents by or on behalf of
                                   a Person other than the Board; or


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                          (iii)    Approval by the stockholders of Angelica
                                   of a reorganization, merger or
                                   consolidation, in each case, unless,
                                   following such reorganization, merger or
                                   consolidation, (a) more than 50% of,
                                   respectively, the then outstanding shares
                                   of common stock of the corporation
                                   resulting from such reorganization,
                                   merger or consolidation and the combined
                                   voting power of the then outstanding
                                   voting securities of such corporation
                                   entitled to vote generally in the
                                   election of directors is then
                                   beneficially owned, directly or
                                   indirectly, by all or substantially all
                                   of the individuals and entities who were
                                   the beneficial owners, respectively, of
                                   the Outstanding Angelica Common Stock and
                                   Outstanding Angelica Voting Securities
                                   immediately prior to such reorganization,
                                   merger or consolidation in substantially
                                   the same proportions as their ownership,
                                   immediately prior to such reorganization,
                                   merger or consolidation, of the
                                   Outstanding Angelica Common Stock and
                                   Outstanding Angelica Voting Securities,
                                   as the case may be, (b) no Person
                                   beneficially owns, directly or
                                   indirectly, 20% or more of, respectively,
                                   the then outstanding shares of common
                                   stock of the corporation resulting from
                                   such reorganization, merger or
                                   consolidation or the combined voting
                                   power of the then outstanding voting
                                   securities of such corporation, entitled
                                   to vote generally in the election of
                                   directors and (c) at least a majority of
                                   the members of the board of directors of
                                   the corporation resulting from such
                                   reorganization, merger or consolidation
                                   were members of the Incumbent Board at
                                   the time of the execution of the initial
                                   agreement providing for such
                                   reorganization, merger or consolidation;
                                   or

                          (iv)     Approval by the stockholders of Angelica
                                   of (a) a complete liquidation or
                                   dissolution of Angelica or (b) the sale
                                   or other disposition of all or
                                   substantially all of the assets of
                                   Angelica, other than to a corporation,
                                   with respect to which following such sale
                                   or other disposition, (1) more than 50%
                                   of, respectively, the then outstanding
                                   shares of common stock of such
                                   corporation and the combined voting power
                                   of the then outstanding voting securities
                                   of such corporation entitled to vote
                                   generally in the election of directors is
                                   then beneficially owned, directly or
                                   indirectly, by all or substantially all
                                   of the individuals and entities who were
                                   the beneficial owners, respectively, of
                                   the Outstanding Angelica Common Stock and
                                   Outstanding Angelica Voting Securities
                                   immediately prior to such sale or other
                                   disposition in substantially the same
                                   proportion as their ownership,
                                   immediately prior to such sale or other
                                   disposition, of the Outstanding Angelica
                                   Common Stock and Outstanding Angelica
                                   Voting Securities, as the case may be,
                                   (2) no Person beneficially owns, directly
                                   or indirectly, 20% or more of,
                                   respectively, the then outstanding shares
                                   of common stock of such corporation and
                                   the combined voting power of the then
                                   outstanding voting securities of such
                                   corporation entitled to vote generally in
                                   the election of directors and (3) at
                                   least a majority of the members of the
                                   board of directors of such corporation
                                   were members of the Incumbent Board at
                                   the time of the execution of the initial
                                   agreement or action of the Board
                                   providing for such sale or other
                                   disposition of assets of Angelica.

                                     -2-

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                    (d)   "DATE OF TERMINATION" means a date that a Notice of
                    Termination is received by the party to whom such notice
                    is being given, unless the party giving the Notice of
                    Termination specifies another date in the Notice of
                    Termination (which date shall not be more than 30 days
                    after giving of such Notice of Termination) or,
                    alternatively, the last day of any Term in the event
                    that a Notice of Non-Renewal is delivered by either
                    party in accordance with Section 2.1 of this Agreement.

                    (e)   "DISPOSITION OF AN OPERATING LINE OF BUSINESS" means:

                          (i)      when used with reference to the stock or
                                   other equity interests of the Operating
                                   Line of Business that is or becomes a
                                   separate corporation, limited liability
                                   company, partnership or other business
                                   entity, the sale, exchange, transfer,
                                   distribution or other disposition of the
                                   ownership, either beneficially or of
                                   record or both, by Angelica of more than
                                   50% of either (a) the then outstanding
                                   shares of common stock (or the equivalent
                                   equity interests) of such Operating Line
                                   of Business, or (b) the combined voting
                                   power of the then outstanding voting
                                   securities of such Operating Line of
                                   Business entitled to vote generally in
                                   the election of the Board or the
                                   equivalent governing body of the
                                   Operating Line of Business;

                          (ii)     when used with reference to the merger or
                                   consolidation of the Operating Line of
                                   Business that is or becomes a separate
                                   corporation, limited liability company,
                                   partnership or other business entity, any
                                   such transaction that results in Angelica
                                   owning, either beneficially or of record
                                   or both, less than 50% of either (a) the
                                   then outstanding shares of common stock
                                   (or the equivalent equity interests) of
                                   such Operating Line of Business, or (b)
                                   the combined voting power of the then
                                   outstanding voting securities of such
                                   Operating Line of Business entitled to
                                   vote generally in the election of the
                                   Board or the equivalent governing body of
                                   the Operating Line of Business; or

                          (iii)    when used with reference to the assets of
                                   the Operating Line of Business, the sale,
                                   exchange, transfer, liquidation,
                                   distribution or other disposition of
                                   assets of such Operating Line of Business
                                   (a) having a fair market value (as
                                   determined by the Incumbent Board)
                                   aggregating more than 50% of the
                                   aggregate fair market value of all of the
                                   assets of such Operating Line of Business
                                   as of the Triggering Transaction Date,
                                   (b) accounting for more than 50% of the
                                   aggregate book value (net of depreciation
                                   and amortization) of all of the assets of
                                   such Operating Line of Business, as would
                                   be shown on a balance sheet for such
                                   Operating Line of Business, prepared in
                                   accordance with generally accepted
                                   accounting principles then in effect, as
                                   of the Triggering Transaction Date; or
                                   (c) accounting for more than 50% of the
                                   net income of such Operating Line of
                                   Business, as would be shown on an income
                                   statement, prepared in accordance with
                                   generally accepted accounting principles
                                   then in effect, for the 12 months ending
                                   on the last day of the month immediately
                                   preceding the month in which the
                                   Triggering Transaction Date occurs.

                                    -3-

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                    (f)   "EFFECTIVE DATE" means the date of this Agreement.

                    (g)   "EMPLOYMENT PERIOD" means the period beginning on
                    the Effective Date and ending on the Date of
                    Termination.

                    (h)   "GOOD CAUSE" means, when used in connection with the
                    termination of Employee's employment with Angelica by
                    Angelica, a termination based upon (i) Employee's
                    willful and continued failure to substantially perform
                    his duties with Angelica (other than as a result of
                    incapacity due to physical or mental condition), after a
                    written demand for substantial performance is delivered
                    to Employee by Angelica, which specifically identifies
                    the manner in which Employee has not substantially
                    performed his duties; (ii) Employee's commission of an
                    act constituting a criminal offense involving moral
                    turpitude, dishonesty or breach of trust; or (iii)
                    Employee's material breach of any provision of this
                    Agreement.

                    (i)  "GOOD REASON" means, when used in connection with
                    the termination of Employee's employment with Angelica
                    by Employee, a termination based upon the following
                    reasons:

                          (i)      the assignment to Employee of any duties
                                   inconsistent in any respect with
                                   Employee's position (including status,
                                   offices, titles and reporting
                                   requirements), authority, duties and
                                   responsibilities as contemplated by this
                                   Agreement or any other action by Angelica
                                   which results in a material diminution in
                                   such position, authority, duties or
                                   responsibilities, excluding for this
                                   purpose any action not taken in bad faith
                                   which is remedied by Angelica promptly
                                   after receipt of notice by Angelica
                                   thereof given by Employee;

                          (ii)     (A) the failure by Angelica to continue
                                   in effect any benefit or compensation
                                   plan, stock ownership plan, life
                                   insurance plan, health and accident plan
                                   or disability plan to which Employee is
                                   entitled, provided that Angelica may
                                   amend, modify or replace such plans as
                                   long as the Employee is entitled to
                                   benefits under the amended, modified or
                                   replaced plan or plans that are
                                   substantially similar to those of the
                                   plan or plans so amended, modified or
                                   replaced; (B) the taking of any action by
                                   Angelica which would adversely affect
                                   Employee's participation in, or
                                   materially reduce Employee's benefits
                                   under, any plans in which Employee is
                                   then currently participating; or (C) the
                                   failure of Angelica to provide Employee
                                   with paid vacation to which Employee is
                                   entitled;

                          (iii)    a material breach by Angelica of any
                                   provision of this Agreement;

                          (iv)     a purported termination by Angelica of
                                   Employee's employment otherwise than
                                   specifically permitted by this Agreement;
                                   or

                          (v)      in connection with a Triggering
                                   Transaction (as set forth in Section 4.2
                                   of this Agreement), the failure of a
                                   successor of Angelica expressly to assume
                                   and

                                    -4-

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                                   agree to perform this Agreement pursuant
                                   to the provisions of Section 6.4 of this
                                   Agreement prior to a Triggering
                                   Transaction; provided, however, that a
                                   termination of employment by Employee:
                                   (A) subsequent to an express assumption
                                   and agreement to perform this Agreement
                                   by such successor on or after a
                                   Triggering Transaction Date or (B)
                                   subsequent to a date that is two years
                                   after a Triggering Transaction Date,
                                   shall not be deemed to be for "Good
                                   Reason" under this subsection.

                    (j)   "NOTICE OF TERMINATION" means a written notice by
                    either party of such party's desire to terminate
                    Employee's employment with Angelica, which notice (i)
                    indicates the specific termination provision in this
                    Agreement relied upon, (ii) to the extent applicable,
                    sets forth in reasonable detail the facts and
                    circumstances claimed to provide a basis for termination
                    of Employee's employment under the provision so
                    indicated, and (iii) if the Date of Termination is other
                    than the date of receipt of such Notice, specifies the
                    Date of Termination (which date shall not be more than
                    30 days after the giving of such Notice). The failure by
                    Employee or Angelica to set forth in the Notice of
                    Termination any fact or circumstance which contributes
                    to a showing of Good Cause or Good Reason shall not
                    waive any right of Employee or Angelica hereunder or
                    preclude Employee or Angelica from asserting such fact
                    or circumstance in enforcing Employee's or Angelica's
                    rights hereunder.

                    (k)   "NOTICE OF NON-RENEWAL" means a written notice by
                    either party to this Agreement of such party's desire
                    not to allow the Term of the Agreement to automatically
                    renew at the end of the then-current Term for another
                    Term, thus having the effect of terminating the
                    Agreement at the end of the then-current Term.

                    (l)   "OPERATING LINE OF BUSINESS" means Angelica's
                    Textile Services Business Segment which operates laundry
                    plants, either as a division or as a separate subsidiary
                    or subsidiaries, providing textile rental and laundry
                    services for health care institutions and general linen
                    services in selected geographic areas, principally to
                    hotels, motels and restaurants.

                    (m)   "TERM" means, initially a one-year period commencing
                    on the Effective Date and ending on the date of the
                    first anniversary of the Effective Date, and, if renewed
                    in accordance with Section 2.1 of this Agreement, shall
                    mean a one-year period commencing on the particular
                    anniversary date of the Effective Date and ending on the
                    date one year after such commencing anniversary date.

                    (n)   "TRIGGERING TRANSACTION" means (i) a Change in
                    Control of Angelica, or (ii) a Disposition of the
                    Operating Line of Business.

                    (o)   "TRIGGERING TRANSACTION DATE" shall mean the date
                    that the Triggering Transaction occurs.

SECTION 2:     TERM OF AGREEMENT.

               2.1 INITIAL TERM OF AGREEMENT; RENEWAL TERMS. The initial
Term of this Agreement shall

                                    -5-

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be for one year commencing on the Effective Date, subject to automatic
renewal for one or more additional Terms of one year each commencing
immediately upon the end of the initial Term or the then-current renewal
Term, as the case may be, unless either party to this Agreement gives a
Notice of Non-Renewal to the other party not later than 30 days prior to the
end of the initial Term or the then-current renewal Term, as the case may
be. In the event that such a Notice of Non-Renewal is given as set forth in
this Section 2.1, the Date of Termination will be the last day of the
initial Term or the then-current Term, as the case may be.

               2.2 TERMINATION OF THE EMPLOYMENT PERIOD PRIOR TO END OF
TERM. Notwithstanding Section 2.1 of this Agreement, either party to this
Agreement may terminate Employee's Employment Period (and Employee's
employment with Angelica) at any time during the Term by giving the other
party a Notice of Termination to the other party, without any liability
except as specified in Section 4 of this Agreement.

SECTION 3:     TERMS AND CONDITIONS OF EMPLOYMENT.

               3.1 PERIOD OF EMPLOYMENT. Employee shall remain in the employ
of Angelica throughout the Employment Period in accordance with the terms
and provisions of this Agreement. This Agreement shall remain in full force
and effect notwithstanding subsequent changes in Employee's compensation,
location of employment, duties or authority or any changes in the identity
of the corporation to which Employee's compensation is charged, provided
that said corporation is a subsidiary or affiliate of Angelica and provided
further that certain of such changes may constitute Good Reason for purposes
of this Agreement.

               3.2 POSITIONS AND DUTIES. Angelica hereby employs Employee
and Employee hereby accepts such employment as Vice President - Sales and
Marketing of Angelica and Executive Vice President of Angelica's Textile
Services Business Segment, subject to the reasonable directions of the
President of said Business Segment or of the Chief Executive Officer of
Angelica and the Board. Employee shall have such authority and shall perform
such duties as are specified in the Bylaws of Angelica for the office and
position to which he has been appointed hereunder and shall so serve,
subject to the control exercised by the President of Angelica's Textile
Services Business Segment, the Chief Executive Officer of Angelica and the
Board from time to time. Employee agrees to devote such of his time,
attention and energy to the business of Angelica as may be required to
perform the duties and responsibilities assigned to him to the best of his
ability and with reasonable diligence.

               3.3 COMPENSATION. Employee's initial base salary under this
Agreement will be $217,500 per annum, payable in accordance with Angelica's
current payroll practices. In addition to the Annual Base Salary, Employee
shall be awarded the opportunity to earn an incentive compensation on an
annual basis ("Incentive Compensation") under the Incentive Compensation
Plan or any incentive compensation plan which is generally available to
other similarly situated executives of Angelica. The Incentive Compensation
during the first year of the Employment Period shall range from 0 to 80% of
Employee's Annual Base Salary. The Incentive Compensation which Employee
will have an opportunity to earn shall be reviewed at least annually and may
be adjusted at the discretion of the Chief Executive Officer of Angelica and
the Board, dependent upon Employee's performance and in accordance with
Angelica's policies.

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               3.4 PARTICIPATION IN PERFORMANCE PLANS. Employee is eligible
to receive stock-based awards or grants under Angelica's 1994 Performance
Plan or 1999 Performance Plan, including stock options, restricted stock and
performance awards, from time to time, in the discretion of the Compensation
and Organization Committee or the Board of Angelica.

               3.5 PARTICIPATION IN STOCK BONUS AND INCENTIVE PLAN. Employee
is eligible to participate in Angelica's Stock Bonus and Incentive Plan,
based on current eligibility requirements and subject to the terms and
conditions of such plan.

               3.6 PARTICIPATION IN RETIREMENT SAVINGS PLAN. Employee is
eligible to participate in Angelica's Retirement Savings Plan (the "401(k)
Plan"), based upon current eligibility requirements and subject to the terms
and conditions of such plan.

               3.7 PARTICIPATION IN PENSION PLAN. Employee is eligible to
participate in Angelica's "defined benefit" Pension Plan, based on current
eligibility requirements and subject to the terms and conditions of such
plan.

SECTION 4:     BENEFITS UPON TERMINATION.

               4.1 NOT IN CONNECTION WITH A TRIGGERING TRANSACTION. If
Employee's employment with Angelica is terminated prior to the end of the
initial Term or prior to the end of any subsequent renewal Term, as the case
may be, (a) by Angelica without Good Cause or (b) by Employee for Good
Reason, then upon the negotiation and execution of a mutually acceptable
settlement and release agreement by Angelica and Employee, in addition to
any accrued salary and other payments owed to Employee under Angelica's
other benefit plans and policies, Angelica shall pay Employee an amount
equal to Employee's then-current Annual Base Salary. Said amount shall be
paid in equal, semi-monthly payments, less applicable taxes, withholdings
and standard deductions. In the case of a termination of Employee's
employment with Angelica not in connection with a Triggering Transaction for
any reason other than as stated in this Section 4.1 above, Employee shall be
entitled only to accrued salary and other payments owed to Employee under
Angelica's other benefit plans and policies.

               4.2 IN CONNECTION WITH A TRIGGERING TRANSACTION. If (a) a
Triggering Transaction occurs during the Employment Period and within two
years after the Triggering Transaction Date (i) Angelica shall terminate
Employee's employment with Angelica without Good Cause, or (ii) Employee
shall terminate employment with Angelica for Good Reason, or, alternatively,
(b) if one of the above-described terminations of employment occurs within
the six-month period prior to the earlier of (i) a Triggering Transaction or
(ii) the execution of a definitive agreement or contract that eventually
results in a Triggering Transaction, then, in addition to any accrued salary
and other payments owed to Employee under Angelica's other benefit plans and
policies, Angelica shall pay to Employee an amount equal to 2.99 times
Employee's then-current Annual Base Salary, in a lump-sum payment, after
either (y) the Date of Termination, in the case where the sequence of the
requisite events is as set forth in subsection (a) above or (z) the
Triggering Transaction Date, in the case where the sequence of the requisite
events occurred as set forth in subsection (b) above (the relevant date for
purposes of entitlement to the benefits set forth in this Section 4.2 is
hereinafter referred to as the "Entitlement Date"). In addition, at the
Entitlement Date, to the extent not otherwise provided for under the terms
of Angelica's stock option plans or Employee's stock option agreements, all
stock options held by Employee that have not expired in

                                    -7-

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accordance with their respective terms shall vest and become fully
exercisable. In the case of any termination of Employee's employment with
Angelica in connection with a Triggering Transaction for any reason other
than as stated in this Section 4.2 above, Employee shall be entitled only to
accrued salary and other payments owed to Employee under Angelica's other
benefit plans and policies.

SECTION 5:     NON-COMPETITION, CONFIDENTIALITY, NON-DIVERSION.

               5.1 NON-COMPETE AGREEMENT. It is agreed that during the
period beginning on the Effective Date and ending one year after the Date of
Termination, regardless of whether such termination is by the action of
Employee or Angelica or by mutual agreement, Employee shall not, either for
himself or on behalf of any person, firm or corporation (whether for profit
or otherwise) engage in any form of competition with Angelica, directly or
indirectly, through any commercial venture, as a partner, officer, director,
stockholder, advisor, employee, consultant, agent, salesman, venturer or
otherwise, in the business conducted by the Operating Line of Business in
the United States, Canada or any other country in which Angelica does
business. This requirement, however, will not limit Employee's right to
invest in the capital stock or other equity securities of any corporation,
the stock or securities of which are publicly owned or are regularly traded
on any public securities exchange. In addition, notwithstanding this Section
5.1, if Employee is terminated by Angelica without Good Cause or if Employee
terminates his employment with Angelica for Good Reason, then Employee will
not be subject to the restrictions of this Section 5.1.

               5.2 CONFIDENTIAL INFORMATION. Employee acknowledges that
during his employment with Angelica, he may develop or be exposed to
confidential information concerning Angelica's inventions, processes,
methods and confidential affairs, property of a proprietary nature and trade
secrets of Angelica or its licensors or customers. Employee agrees that the
maintenance of the proprietary character of such information and property to
the full extent feasible is important and that for so long as any such
confidential information and trade secrets may remain confidential, secret
or otherwise wholly or partially protectable, either during or after
Employee's Employment Period, shall not use or divulge such confidential
information or property except as permitted or required by the duties of
Employee's employment with Angelica. Employee shall not remove any property
of a proprietary nature from Angelica's premises except as required by the
duties of Employee's employment. Employee shall return to Angelica upon
termination of his employment with Angelica, all models, drawings,
photographs, writings, records, papers or other properties produced by
Employee or coming into his possession by or through his employment with
Angelica.

               5.3 NON-DIVERSION. During the Employment Period and for one
year after the Date of Termination, Employee shall not directly or
indirectly or by aid to others, do anything which could be expected to
divert from Angelica any trade or business with any customer of Angelica
with whom Employee had any contact or association during the one year
immediately preceding the Date of Termination.

               5.4 REASONABLENESS OF RESTRICTIONS. Employee agrees that the
period and areas of restriction following the Date of Termination, as set
forth in this Section 5, are reasonably required for the protection of
Angelica and its business, as well as the continued protection of Angelica's
employees. If any one or more of the covenants, agreements or provisions
contained herein shall be held to be contrary to the policy of a specific
law, though not expressly prohibited, or against public policy, or shall for
any other reason whatsoever be held invalid, then such particular covenant,
agreement or provision shall be

                                    -8-

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null and void and shall be deemed separable from the remaining covenants,
agreements and provisions, and shall in no way affect the validity of any of
the other covenants, agreements and provisions hereof. The parties hereto
agree that in the event that either the length of time or the geographic
area set forth herein is deemed too restrictive in any court proceeding, the
court may reduce such restrictions to those which it deems reasonable under
the circumstances.

               5.5 EQUITABLE RELIEF. Any action by Employee contrary to the
restrictive covenants contained in this Section 5 may as a matter of course
be restrained by equitable or injunctive process issued out of any court of
competent jurisdiction, in addition to any other remedies provided in law.
In the event of the breach of Employee's covenants as set forth in this
Section 5 and Angelica's obtaining of injunctive relief, the period of
restrictions set forth herein shall commence from the date of the issuance
of the order which enjoins such activity.

SECTION 6:     MISCELLANEOUS.

               6.1 NOTICE. For purposes of this Agreement, notices and all
other communications provided for in the Agreement shall be in writing and
shall be deemed to have been duly given when delivered or mailed by
certified or registered mail, return receipt requested, postage prepaid,
addressed to the respective addresses as set forth below; provided that all
notices to Angelica shall be directed to the attention of the Chief
Executive Officer of Angelica, or to such other address as one party may
have furnished to the other in writing in accordance herewith, except that
notice of change of address shall be effective only upon receipt.

                    Notice to Employee
                    ------------------

                    Edward P. Ryan
                    5249 Brookelake Dr.
                    Dinwoody, Georgia 30338

                    Notice to Angelica
                    ------------------

                    Angelica Corporation
                    424 South Woods Mill Road
                    Chesterfield, Missouri 63017-3406
                    Attention:  Chief Executive Officer

               6.2 WAIVER. Employee's or Angelica's failure to insist upon
strict compliance with any provision of this Agreement or the failure to
assert any right Employee or Angelica may have hereunder shall not be deemed
to be a waiver of such provision or right or any other provision or right of
this Agreement and shall not operate or be construed as a waiver of any
subsequent breach of the same provision.

               6.3 APPLICABLE LAW. This Agreement shall be governed by and
construed in accordance with the laws of the State of Missouri, without
reference to its conflict of law principles.

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               6.4 SUCCESSORS. This Agreement shall be binding upon and
inure to the benefit of any successor of Angelica and any such successor
shall be deemed to be substituted for Angelica under the terms of this
Agreement. Angelica shall require any successor (whether direct or indirect,
by purchase, merger, consolidation or otherwise) to all or substantially all
of the business and/or assets of Angelica to assume expressly and agree to
perform the provisions of this Agreement as if no such succession had taken
place. As used in this Agreement, "Angelica" shall mean Angelica as
hereinbefore defined or any successor to Angelica's business and/or assets
which assumes and agrees to perform this Agreement.

               6.5 ENTIRE AGREEMENT. This Agreement contains the entire
agreement of the parties with respect to the subject matter hereof and
supersedes any prior written or oral agreements, understandings, discussions
or negotiations with respect thereto, including, but not limited to, that
certain employment agreement between Angelica and Employee dated the 5th day
of November, 1999.

               IN WITNESS WHEREOF, Employee and Angelica, pursuant to the
authorization from its Board, have caused this Agreement to be executed in
its name on its behalf, all as of the day and year first above written.


                                       /s/ Edward P. Ryan
                                       ----------------------------------------
                                       Edward P. Ryan



                                       ANGELICA CORPORATION

                                       By /s/ Don W. Hubble
                                         --------------------------------------
                                       Name:
                                            -----------------------------------
                                       Title:
                                             ----------------------------------







                                    -10-