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                                                                   Exhibit 10.20

                                 PROMISSORY NOTE

$992,244.11                                                  Oakland, California
                                                             April 2, 2002


         For value received, Murray Dashe, an individual currently residing at
[address] ("Dashe"), hereby absolutely and unconditionally promises to pay to
Cost Plus, Inc. (the "Lender") the principal amount of Nine Hundred Ninety-two
Thousand Two Hundred Forty-four Dollars and Eleven Cents ($992,244.11), together
with interest at the applicable federal rate under Internal Revenue Code Section
1274 for short-term debts compounded annually in effect at the date of this
agreement. Accrued interest on the unpaid principal amount shall be due and
payable in cash on each anniversary of the issue date set forth above.

1.   Repayments and Prepayments.
     --------------------------

(a)  This Note shall be due and payable on the earlier to occur of: (i) March
     25, 2005, or (ii) the third business day after the sale by Dashe of his
     current residence located at [address]. Interest shall continue to accrue
     on this Note until such time as all principal and interest due is paid in
     full.

(b)  Dashe may prepay this Note at any time, either in whole or in part, without
     premium or penalty and without the prior consent of Lender.

(c)  Dashe shall also apply the net proceeds of the sale of his condominium
     located at [address] to any balance due under the terms of this Promissory
     Note on or before the third business day after the closing of the sale by
     Dashe of such condominium.

2.   Events of Default; Acceleration.
     -------------------------------

(a)  Upon the occurrence of any Event of Default (as defined below), the entire
     unpaid principal and interest due on this Note shall be immediately due and
     payable. The occurrence of any of the following events shall constitute an
     "Event of Default"; (i) failure to pay any amount owing by Dashe hereunder
     when due and payable, if such amount is still outstanding five days after
     Dashe receives written notice or default by Lender; (ii) the voluntary
     termination of Dashe's employment with Lender; or (iii) the initiation of
     any bankruptcy or insolvency proceeding by or against Dashe, or a general
     assignment of assets by Dashe for the benefit of creditors.

(b)  No remedy herein conferred upon Lender is intended to be exclusive of any
     other remedy, and each and every remedy shall be cumulative and in addition
     to every other remedy hereunder, now or hereafter existing at law or in
     equity or otherwise.

3.   Notices.
     --------

(a)  All notices, reports and other communications required or permitted
     hereunder shall be in writing and may be delivered in person, by telecopy
     with written confirmation, via overnight delivery service or U.S. mail, in
     which event such notice must be mailed first-class, certified or
     registered, postage fully prepaid, addressed (i) if to Lender, at Cost
     Plus, Inc., 200 4th Street, Oakland, California 94607 (or such other
     address as such Lender shall have furnished Dashe in writing), attention of
     Joan S. Fujii, Senior Vice President Human Resources and (ii) if to Dashe,
     c/o Cost Plus, Inc. 200 4th Street, Oakland, California 94607 (or such
     other address as Dashe shall have furnished Lender in writing).

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(b)  Each such notice, report or other communication shall for all purposes
     under this Note be treated as effective or having been given when delivered
     if delivered personally or, if sent by mail, at the earlier of its receipt
     or 72 hours after the same has been deposited in a regularly maintained
     receptacle for the deposit of the United States mail, addressed and mailed
     as aforesaid, or, if sent by telecopier with written confirmation, at the
     earlier of (i) 24 hours after confirmation of transmission by the sending
     telecopier machine or (ii) delivery of written confirmation.

4.   Miscellaneous.
     --------------

(a)  Upon the approval of the Board of Directors of Lender, the obligations of
     Dashe and the rights of Lender may be waived (either generally or in a
     particular instance, either retroactively or prospectively, and either for
     a specified period of time or indefinitely), and with the same consent
     Dashe may enter into a supplementary agreement for the purpose of adding
     any provisions to or changing in any manner or eliminating any of the
     provisions of this Note. Neither this Note nor any provisions hereof may be
     changed, waived, discharged or terminated orally, but only by a written
     statement executed by both Dashe and the Lender.

(b)  No failure or delay by Lender to exercise any right hereunder shall operate
     as a waiver thereof, nor shall any single or partial exercise of any right,
     power or privilege preclude any other right, power or privilege. The
     provisions of this Note are severable, and if any one provision hereof
     shall be held invalid or unenforceable in whole or in part in any
     jurisdiction, such invalidity or unenforceability shall affect only such
     provision in such jurisdiction. This Note expresses the entire
     understanding of the parties with respect to the transactions contemplated
     hereby. Dashe and every endorser and guarantor of this Note regardless of
     the time, order or place of signing hereby waives presentment, demand,
     protest and notice of every kind, and assents to any extension or
     postponement of the time for payment or any other indulgence, to any
     substitution, exchange or release of collateral, and to the addition or
     release of any other party or person primarily or secondarily liable.

(c)  If Lender retains an attorney for collection of this Note, or if any suit
     or proceeding is brought for the recovery of all, or any part of, or for
     protection of the indebtedness respected by this Note, then Dashe agrees to
     pay on written, itemized demand all reasonable and customary costs and
     expenses of the suit or proceeding, or any appeal thereof, incurred by
     Lender, including without limitation, reasonable attorneys' fees.

(d)  This Note shall for all purposes be governed by, and construed in
     accordance with the laws of the State of California (without reference to
     conflict of laws).

(e)  This Note shall be binding upon Lender's and Dashe's successors and
     assigns.


IN WITNESS WHEREOF, Dashe has executed this Note as of the date first
hereinabove written.

  /s/ Murray H. Dashe
---------------------------
Murray H. Dashe

 DATE       Repayment Amount      Check #        Acknowledge By
 ----       ----------------      -------        --------------
4/26/02        $250,000            6467       Jane Baughman/Secretary