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                                                                   EXHIBIT 10.28

January 4, 2001


Mr. Gregory B. Sweeney
814 Forest Glen Lane
Wellington, FL 33414


Dear Greg,

The Brookstone Company and I are extremely pleased to offer you the position of
Vice President, General Manager Direct Marketing. There are many exciting
challenges ahead and we look forward to both a mutually productive and an
enjoyable relationship. As reviewed, here are the details of the offer we are
extending to you:

       .  You are joining Brookstone as Vice President, General Manager Direct
          Marketing, reporting directly to Michael Anthony, Chairman, President
          & CEO.

       .  Your start date will be on or about February 5, 2001.

       .  Your base salary will be $4,807.69 per week ($250,000.00 annualized).

       .  The first annual performance review will be administered on or about
          April 15, 2002, and retroactive to February 1, 2002.

       .  You will receive a one-time sign on Bonus of $50,000, which will be
          paid 90 days after your first day of employment. During your new
          Associate orientation, you will be asked to sign a "Sign on Bonus
          Payment

       .  You will participate in our Management Incentive Bonus (MIB) program.
          Based on the Company's performance in the year 2001 you will be
          eligible for a bonus payment up to a threshold of 35% of your base
          salary. If the Company Seventy percent exceeds its goals the maximum
          payout under the plan is 75%. of your bonus payment is guaranteed
          based on the Company reaching its year 2001 Operating Income goals,
          thirty percent is based on your individual performance rating as
          reviewed by the CEO and Board of Directors.
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Gregory B. Sweeney
Page 2.

        . Upon Board approval you will be granted an option to purchase 50,000
          shares of Brookstone stock options. 25,000 of these stock options will
          vest at 25% per year over a four year period. 25,000 will cliff vest
          after four years of service on February 5, 2005. The option price will
          be fixed on your start date of February 5, 2001.

        . You are eligible to receive a car allowance of $500.00 per month
          towards a leased or purchased automobile. Brookstone will pay for
          insurance, registration, maintenance, repairs, and all gas expenses
          related to company business

        . Brookstone will bear the reasonable cost of temporary housing
          accommodations for you and your family for a period of 120 days.

        . Brookstone will pay for two house-hunting trips to New Hampshire or
          Massachusetts for you and your spouse.

        . When you relocate, Brookstone will bear the reasonable cost of packing
          and moving your household. You will submit three (3) bids to Carol
          Lambert, Vice President, Human Resources for approval.

        . Brookstone will reimburse you for usual closing costs and legal
          expenses involved in purchasing your new home in New Hampshire or
          Massachusetts, including up to two mortgage points.

        . Brookstone does not pay real estate fees for either your New Hampshire
          or Massachusetts homes.

        . Once you purchase a new home the Company will:
            a) During the 1st six months after the purchase of your new home,
               pay 100% of property taxes, homeowners insurance, and interest
               payments on your home in Florida.

            b) During the next six months (months 7-12) pay 75% of property
               taxes, homeowners insurance, and interest payments on your home
               in Florida.

            c) There will be no further reimbursement if your home in Florida is
               not sold within 12 months after the purchase of your new home.

        . You will receive incidental pay for one week when you move into your
          new home. Please advise this office when this takes place.
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Gregory B. Sweeney
Page 3.

        . Brookstone will gross up all relocation items that are required to be
          included in your gross income and are not tax deductible to you, up to
          a maximum of $7,500.00 (net).

        . During your new Associate orientation, you will be asked to sign a
          "Relocation Expense Payment.

You, like all Company executives, will be required to sign a Confidentiality
Agreement and a release authorizing Brookstone to conduct a background check.

        . You will become eligible for coverage under the medical plan following
          30 days of employment. Single coverage costs $11.28 per week, two-
          person coverage $20.02 per week, and family coverage is $33.89 per
          week. Brookstone pays 75% of the weekly premium and you will be
          responsible for 25%.

        . You will become eligible for coverage under the dental plan, following
          30 days of employment. Single coverage costs $4.97 per month, two
          person coverage $8.86 per month, and family coverage is $13.89 per
          month.

        . As a Salaried Associate, you will receive two times your annual salary
          in group life insurance (up to $500k), double indemnity, upon
          employment. Brookstone pays the premium for this policy.

        . You will become eligible for Short Term Disability plan benefits upon
          employment. You will become eligible for Long Term Disability
          insurance coverage the first of the month after 90 days of employment.
          Brookstone pays the premium for this policy.

        . You will become eligible for enrollment in the Company's 401(k) when
          you meet the following conditions (eligibility is determined on a
          quarterly basis):

        . are 21 years of age or older;

        . have one continuous year of service;

        . have worked at least 1,000 hours in the previous year.

          On an annual basis, Brookstone matches 100% of the first 4% of a
          participant's compensation contributed to the 401(k) plan. You are
          immediately vested in any matching contribution.

        . You are eligible to participate in our Flexible Spending Dependent
          Care and Unreimbursed Medical Accounts following 30 days of
          employment.

        . Based on your date of hire, you are eligible for 3 weeks of vacation
          in 2001.
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Gregory B. Sweeney
Page 4.

The policies and benefits that are summarized here have been voluntarily adopted
by Brookstone and may be changed from time to time, with or without notice, and
do not create any contractual rights or obligations, nor do they create a
contract of employment for any specific term.

     In the unlikely event your employment is terminated by the Company other
     than for cause, you will receive a severance package consisting of your
     base salary for a maximum period of up to twelve (12) months. Any
     self-employment or other income employment earned during the 12 month
     period following termination shall reduce the severance package payable.

What is presented in this letter is only a summary; the actual provisions of
each benefit plan or insurance policy will govern if there is any discrepancy.
If anything here is inconsistent with any federal, state, or local laws,
Brookstone will comply with its obligations under such laws.
Brookstone values its employees and looks forward to a mutually satisfactory
employment relationship. It is of course understood, however, that you are an
employee-at-will and that neither you nor Brookstone is obligated to continue in
our employment relationship if either of us does not wish to do so.

Kindly indicate your acknowledgment and acceptance of the terms of this letter
by signing the enclosed copy on the space provided. Please keep one copy for
your records and return the signed copy to this office.

Sincerely,



Michael Anthony
Chairman, President & CEO


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Gregory B. Sweeney                     Date