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


     This agreement ("Agreement") has been entered into as of the 5th
day of November, 1999, by and between Angelica Corporation, a Missouri
corporation ("Angelica"), and Edward P. Ryan, an individual
("Employee").

     WHEREAS, Angelica currently employs Employee as Vice President of
Marketing 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 Angelica.

          (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

               (iii) Approval by the stockholders of Angelica of a
                     reorganization, merger or consolidation, in each
                     case, unless, following such reorganization,
                     merger or


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                     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.

          (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

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          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 an 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 an 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 an
                     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.

          (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.



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          (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 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.


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          (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 be for one year commencing on the Effective
Date, subject to automatic renewal for a Term of an additional one year
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.


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          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
of Marketing 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
by Angelica for the 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 $156,700 per annum, payable in accordance with
Angelica's current payroll practices.

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 1/12th of the Employee's then-current Annual Base
Salary multiplied by the number of years of service of Employee with
Angelica; provided, however, that said amount shall not, under any
circumstances, exceed Employee's then-current Annual Base Salary nor be
less than one-half of 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
one year after the Triggering Transaction Date (i) Angelica shall



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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 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
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: CONFIDENTIALITY.

          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
Angelica 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.


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          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 the 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 null and void and shall be deemed separable from the
remaining 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 Financial 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
               2297 Littlebrooke Way
               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



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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.

          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.

          IN WITNESS WHEREOF, Employee and Angelica 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:  Don W. Hubble
                              ---------------------------------------


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