Exhibit 10.9
 
 AMENDED AND RESTATED GUARANTY
Bank of America, N.A.
Lender
November 13, 2007
FOR GOOD AND VALUABLE CONSIDERATION, THE RECEIPT AND SUFFICIENCY OF WHICH ARE ACKNOWLEDGED,
each of the undersigned Aeropostale West, Inc., a Delaware corporation (the Existing Guarantor),
JimmyZ Surf Co., Inc., a Delaware corporation, and Aero GC Management LLC, a Virginia limited
liability company, each with offices at 112 West 34th Street, New York, New York 10120 (the
foregoing, together with the Existing Guarantor, individually a Guarantor and collectively, the
Guarantors) unconditionally guarantees, in accordance with the terms hereof and without any prior
written notice, the payment and performance of the Liabilities (defined below) of Aeropostale, Inc.
(the Borrower), a Delaware corporation with its principal executive offices at 112 West 34th
Street, New York, New York 10120 to Bank of America, N.A., a national banking association with
offices at 100 Federal Street, 9th Floor, Boston, Massachusetts (the Lender).
WITNESSETH:
WHEREAS, the Borrower, the Guarantors and the Lender (as assignee of Fleet Retail Finance Inc.
{Fleet) pursuant to that certain Assignment and Acceptance dated as of even date herewith by and
between Fleet, as Assignor, and Bank of America, N.A., as Assignee), are party to that certain
Second Amended and Restated Loan and Security Agreement dated as of even date herewith (as amended,
restated, supplemented or otherwise modified from time to time, the Loan Agreement); and
WHEREAS, the Existing Guarantor is party to that certain Guaranty dated as of February 1, 2002
(the Existing Guaranty) in favor of Fleet, pursuant to which the Existing Guarantor agreed to
guarantee certain obligations of the Borrower to Fleet; and
WHEREAS, it is a condition precedent to the Lenders continuing to make any loans or otherwise
extend credit to the Borrower under the Loan Agreement that the Existing Guaranty be
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amended and restated in its entirety and that the Guarantors execute and deliver to the Lender this
guaranty (this Guaranty).
Accordingly, the parties hereto agree as follows:
Definitions: Unless otherwise defined herein, all capitalized terms used herein shall have the
meaning given that term in the Loan Agreement.
Liabilities: (in the singular, Liability): Includes, without limitation, all and each of
the following, whether now existing or hereafter arising:
(a) Any and all direct and indirect liabilities, debts, and obligations of the Borrower to the
Lender, each of every kind, nature, and description under the Loan Documents.
(b) Each obligation to repay any loan, advance, indebtedness, note, obligation, overdraft, or
amount now or hereafter owing by the Borrower to the Lender under the Loan Documents (including all
future advances whether or not made pursuant to a commitment by the Lender), whether or not any of
such are liquidated, unliquidated, primary, secondary, secured, unsecured, direct, indirect,
absolute, contingent, or of any other type, nature, or description, or by reason of any cause of
action which the Lender may hold against the Borrower under the Loan Documents.
(c) All notes and other obligations of the Borrower now or hereafter assigned to or held by
the Lender with respect to the Loan Documents, each of every kind, nature, and description.
(d) All interest, fees, and charges and other amounts which may be charged by the Lender to
the Borrower under the Loan Documents and/or which may be due from the Borrower to the Lender under
the Loan Documents from time to time.
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(e) All costs and expenses incurred or paid by the Lender in respect of any of the Loan
Documents (including, without limitation, Costs of Collection, reasonable attorneys fees, and all
court and litigation costs and expenses).
(f) Any and all covenants of the Borrower to or with the Lender and any and all obligations of
the Borrower to act or to refrain from acting in accordance with under Loan Documents.
(g) Each of the foregoing as if each reference to the Lender therein were to each Affiliate
of the Lender.
(h) Any and all direct or indirect liabilities, debts, and obligations of the Borrower
to the Lender or any Affiliate of the Lender, each of every kind, nature, and description owing on
account of any service or accommodation provided to, or for the account of the Borrower pursuant to
this or any other Loan Document, including cash management services and the issuances of L/Cs.
Indemnification: FOR GOOD AND VALUABLE CONSIDERATION, each Guarantor shall indemnify,
defend, and hold the Lender and any employee, officer, or agent of any of the foregoing (each, an
Indemnified Person) harmless of and from any claim brought or threatened against any Indemnified
Person by the Borrower, each Guarantor or any other guarantor or endorser of the Liabilities, or
any other Person (as well as from attorneys reasonable fees and expenses in connection therewith)
on account of the relationship of the Borrower, any Guarantor or any other guarantor or endorser of
the Liabilities with the Lender (each, an Indemnified Claim) other than any claim resulting from
the gross negligence or willful misconduct of such Indemnified Person. Each Indemnified Claim may
be defended, compromised, settled, or pursued by the Indemnified Person with counsel of the
Lenders selection (and if such Indemnified Claim is brought by a Person other than the Borrower,
any Guarantor, or any guarantor or endorser of the Liabilities or any Affiliate of the Borrower,
after consultation with (but not approval of) the Guarantors regarding the selection of such
counsel), but at the expense of the Guarantors, provided that any Indemnified Claim may not be
settled without the consent of the Guarantors (which shall not be unreasonably withheld or delayed)
if as the result of any such settlement the Guarantors will be obligated to make any payment (other
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than reimbursement of the reasonable costs and expenses of the Indemnified Person). This
indemnification shall survive payment of the Liabilities and/or any termination, release, or
discharge executed by the Lender in favor of any Guarantor, other than a termination, release, or
discharge which makes specific reference to this provision of this Guaranty.
INTEREST: Each Guarantor will pay on demand, after the occurrence and during the
continuation of an Event of Default, interest on all amounts due under this Guaranty, or arising
under any documents, instruments, or agreements relating to any collateral securing this Guaranty,
from the time the Lender first demands payment of this Guaranty at a rate (determined based upon a
360 day year and actual days elapsed) equal to the lesser from time to time of (a) the aggregate of
the Prime Rate from time to time announced by Bank of America, N.A. (or, if said bank ceases to
announce such a rate, the functional equivalent rate or index selected in good faith by the Lender)
plus two percent (2.0% ) per annum or (b) the highest rate of interest which under the
circumstances may be charged under applicable law.
OBLIGATIONS Not Affected: The obligations of each Guarantor hereunder shall not be
affected by: any fraudulent, illegal, or improper act by the Borrower, any Guarantor, or any other
Person liable or obligated to the Lender for or on the Liabilities; any release, discharge, or
invalidation, by operation of law or otherwise, of the Liabilities; or the legal incapacity of the
Borrower, any Guarantor, or any other Person liable or obligated to the Lender for or on the
Liabilities. Interest and Costs of Collection shall continue to accrue and shall continue to be
deemed Liabilities guarantied hereby notwithstanding any stay to the enforcement thereof against
the Borrower or any Guarantor or the disallowance of any claim therefor against the Borrower or any
Guarantor.
Incorporation Of All Discussions: This instrument incorporates all discussions and
negotiations between the Guarantors and the Lender concerning the guaranty and indemnification
provided by the Guarantors hereby. No such discussions or negotiations shall limit, modify, or
otherwise affect the provisions hereof. No provision hereof may be altered, amended, waived,
canceled or modified, except by a written instrument executed, sealed, and acknowledged by a duly
authorized officer of the Lender.
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GENERAL WAIVERS: Each Guarantor WAIVES: presentment, demand, notice, and protest with respect
to the Liabilities and this Guaranty; any delay on the part of the Lender; any right to require the
Lender to pursue or to proceed against the Borrower or any collateral which might have been granted
to secure the Liabilities or to secure the obligations of the Guarantors hereunder; any benefit of,
and any right to participate in, any collateral which may secure the Liabilities; any claim which
any Guarantor may have or to which any Guarantor may become entitled to the extent that such claim
might otherwise cause any transfer to the Lender by or on behalf of the Borrower to be avoided as
having been, or in the nature of, a preference; and notice of acceptance of this Guaranty.
Each Guarantor WAIVES any claim, defense, or benefit which is based on any of the following
(to the extent applicable notwithstanding the choice of Massachusetts law as governing this
Guaranty):
Section 580a, 580b, 580c, 580d, and 726, and Chapter 2 of Title 14 of the California Code of
Civil Procedure or any similar law of California or of any other jurisdiction.
Sections 2787 to 2856 inclusive, and 2899 and 3433 of the California Civil Code or any similar
law of California or of any other jurisdiction.
California Commercial Code Sections 3116, 3118, 3119, 3419, 3605, 9504 and 9507 or any similar
law of California or of any other jurisdiction.
Union Bank v. Gradsky and subsequent judicial decisions arising out of or related to Sections
580a, 580b, 580c, 580d, and 726, and Chapter 2 of Title 14 of California Code of Civil Procedure or
any similar law of California or of any other jurisdiction.
WAIVERS CONCERNING ELECTION OF REMEDIES. Each Guarantor WAIVES any claim or defense which is
based upon an election of remedies.
In the event that the Liabilities or this Guaranty are secured by real estate, and in the
event that the Lender elects to enforce the Lenders rights against such real property by way of
nonjudicial foreclosure through the exercise of the rights of power of sale, each Guarantor
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WAIVES any defense which, but for this waiver, might be available to any Guarantor due to such
election of remedies by the Lender (including, without limitation, any claim that the Lender, by
reason of such election of remedies, has extinguished rights of the Guarantors to proceed against
the Borrower).
Waiver of Subrogation: No Guarantor shall undertake any of the following:
(a) Exercise of any right against the Borrower, by way of subrogation, reimbursement,
indemnity, contribution, or the like unless and until all Liabilities have been irrevocably paid
and satisfied in full.
(b) The filing of any proof of any claim in competition with the Lender in respect of any
payment hereunder in any bankruptcy or insolvency proceedings of any nature.
(c) The claiming of any set-off or counterclaim against the Borrower in respect of any
liability of such Guarantor to the Borrower.
Subordination: The payment of any amounts due with respect to any indebtedness of the
Borrower now or hereafter held by any Guarantor for borrowed money is hereby subordinated to the
prior payment in full of the Liabilities. No Guarantor shall demand, sue for, or otherwise attempt
to collect any such indebtedness. Any amounts which are collected, enforced and received by any
Guarantor shall be held by such Guarantor as trustee for the Lender and shall be paid over to the
Lender on account of the Liabilities without affecting in any manner the liability of any Guarantor
under this Guaranty.
Lenders Books and Records: The books and records of the Lender showing the account between
the Lender and the Guarantor shall be admissible in any action or proceeding and constitute prima
facie evidence and proof of the items contained therein.
Guarantors Obligations Primary: The obligations of each Guarantor hereunder are primary,
with no recourse necessary by the Lender against the Borrower or any collateral given to secure the
Liabilities or to secure the obligations of such Guarantor or any other
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Guarantor hereunder or against any other Person liable for or on the Liabilities prior to
proceeding against such Guarantor or any other Guarantor hereunder.
CHANGES In Liabilities: Each Guarantor assents to any indulgence or waiver which the
Lender might grant or give the Borrower and/or any other Person liable or obligated for or on the
Liabilities. Each Guarantor authorizes the Lender to alter, amend, cancel, waive, or modify any
term or condition of the Liabilities and of the obligations of any other Person liable or obligated
for or on the Liabilities, without notice to, or consent from, such Guarantor or any other
Guarantor. Each Guarantor authorizes the Lender to complete this Guaranty and any instrument or
other document which evidences or relates to the Liabilities, to the extent that this Guaranty or
such instrument or other document, upon delivery to the Lender, is incomplete in any respect. No
compromise, settlement, or release by the Lender of the Liabilities or of the obligations of any
such other Person (whether or not jointly liable with any Guarantor) and no release of any
collateral securing the Liabilities or securing the obligations of any such other Person shall
affect the obligations of any Guarantor hereunder. No action by the Lender which has been assented
to herein shall affect the obligations of any Guarantor hereunder.
Financial Information: Each Guarantor, from time to time at the request of the Lender, will
provide the Lender with such information concerning the financial condition of such Guarantor as
the Lender reasonably may request (including but not limited to financial statements in such form
as reasonably may be requested by the Lender and copies of the federal and state income tax
returns).
Costs OF ENFORCEMENT: Each Guarantor will pay on demand, without limitation, all reasonable
attorneys fees, out-of-pocket expenses incurred by the Lenders attorneys and all costs incurred
by the Lender (including, without limitation, costs and expenses associated with travel on behalf
of the Lender), which fees, expenses and costs are directly or indirectly related to or in respect
of the Lenders administration, negotiation, documentation, and amendment of this Guaranty and in
the Lenders efforts to collect and/or to enforce any of the obligations of any Guarantor hereunder
and/or to enforce any of the Lenders rights, remedies, or powers against or in respect of any
Guarantor (whether or not suit is instituted by or against the Lender).
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BINDING EFFECT: This instrument shall inure to the benefit of the Lender and its
successors and assigns; shall be binding upon the respective heirs, successors, representatives,
and assigns of each Guarantor; and shall apply to all Liabilities and any successor to the
Borrower, including any successor by operation of law.
Lenders Rights and Remedies: The rights, remedies, powers, privileges, and discretions of the
Lender hereunder (herein, the Lenders Rights and Remedies) shall be cumulative and not exclusive
of any rights or remedies which it would otherwise have. No delay or omission by the Lender in
exercising or enforcing any of the Lenders Rights and Remedies shall operate as, or constitute a
waiver thereof. No waiver by the Lender of any of the Lenders Rights and Remedies or of any
default or remedies under any other agreement with any Guarantor, or of any default under any
agreement with the Borrower or any other Person liable or obligated for or on the Liabilities,
shall operate as a waiver of any other of the Lenders Rights and Remedies or of any default or
remedy hereunder or thereunder. No exercise of any of the Lenders Rights and Remedies and no other
agreement or transaction of whatever nature entered into between the Lender and: any Guarantor; and
the Borrower; and/or any such other Person at any time shall preclude any other exercise of the
Lenders Rights and Remedies. No waiver by the Lender of any of the Lenders Rights and Remedies on
any one occasion shall be deemed a waiver on any subsequent occasion, nor shall it be deemed a
continuing waiver. All of the Lenders Rights and Remedies, and all of the Lenders rights,
remedies, powers, privileges, and discretions under any other agreement or transaction with any
Guarantor, the Borrower, or any such other Person, shall be cumulative and not alternative or
exclusive, and may be exercised by the Lender at such time or times and in such order of preference
as the Lender in its sole discretion may determine. The Lenders Rights and Remedies may be
exercised without resort or regard to any other source of satisfaction of the Liabilities.
COPIES AND Facsimiles: This Guaranty and all documents which have been or may be
hereinafter furnished by any Guarantor to the Lender may be reproduced by any photographic,
microfilm, xerographic, digital imaging, or other process. Any such reproduction shall be
admissible in evidence as the original itself in any judicial or administrative proceeding (whether
or not the original is in existence and whether or not such reproduction was made in the regular
course of business). Any facsimile which bears proof of transmission shall be binding on
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the party which or on whose behalf such transmission was initiated and likewise so admissible in
evidence as if the original of such facsimile had been delivered to the party which or on whose
behalf such transmission was received.
CHOICE of Laws: This Guaranty and all rights and obligations hereunder shall be governed,
construed, and interpreted in accordance with the laws of The Commonwealth of Massachusetts.
CONSENT To JURISDICTION: (a) Each Guarantor agrees that any legal action, proceeding, case, or
controversy against such Guarantor with respect to this Guaranty or otherwise, may be brought in
the Superior Court of Suffolk County Massachusetts or in the United States District Court, District
of Massachusetts, sitting in Boston, Massachusetts, as the Lender may elect in the Lenders sole
discretion. By execution and delivery of this Guaranty, each Guarantor accepts, submits, and
consents generally and unconditionally, to the jurisdiction of the aforesaid courts.
(b) Each Guarantor WAIVES personal service of any and all process and irrevocably consents to
the service of process out of any of the aforementioned courts in any such action or proceeding by
the mailing of copies thereof by certified mail, postage prepaid, to such Guarantor at the last
address of such Guarantor of which the Lender then has written notice, such service to become
effective ten (10) Business Days after such mailing.
(c) Each Guarantor WAIVES, at the option of the Lender, any objection based on forum non
conveniens and any objection to venue of any action or proceeding instituted hereunder or any other
Loan Document to which such Guarantor is a party.
(d) Nothing herein shall affect the right of the Lender to bring legal actions or proceedings
in any other competent jurisdiction.
(e) Each Guarantor agrees that any action commenced by such Guarantor asserting any claim or
counterclaim arising under or in connection with this Guaranty or the Lenders relationship with
the Guarantor shall be brought in the Superior Court of Suffolk County Massachusetts or in the
United States District Court, District of Massachusetts, sitting in Boston, Massachusetts, and that
such Courts shall have exclusive jurisdiction with respect to any such action.
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Broad Scope of Guaranty: It is the intention of each Guarantor that the provisions of
the within Guaranty and indemnification be liberally construed to the end that the Lender may be
put in as good a position as if the Borrower had promptly, punctually, and faithfully performed all
Liabilities and that such Guarantor had promptly, punctually, and faithfully performed hereunder.
SEVERABILITY: Any determination that any provision herein is invalid, illegal, or
unenforceable in any respect in any instance shall not affect the validity, legality, or
enforceability of such provision in any other instance and shall not affect the validity, legality,
or enforceability of any other provision contained herein.
RIGHT OF Set-Off: Any and all deposits or other sums at any time credited by or due from the
Lender to any Guarantor or to any participant in the Liabilities (a Participant) or from any
Affiliate of Lender or any Participant and any cash, securities, instruments or other property of
any Guarantor in the possession of the Lender or any Participant or any such Affiliate, whether for
safekeeping or otherwise (regardless of the reason the Lender or any Participant or any such
Affiliate had received the same) shall at all times constitute security for all Liabilities and for
any and all obligations of the Guarantors to the Lender and any Participant, and may be applied or
set off against the Liabilities and against the obligations of the Guarantors to the Lender and any
Participant including, without limitation, those arising hereunder, at any time, whether or not
such are then due and whether or not other collateral is then available to the Lender or any
Participant or any such Affiliate.
JOINT AND Several Obligations: Each of the obligations of each and every
Guarantor under this Guaranty are joint and several. This Guaranty may be enforced against any
Guarantor without any duty or responsibility to pursue any other Guarantor and such enforcement
shall not be a defense to any action brought against any Guarantor hereunder. The Lender hereby
reserves all rights against each Guarantor.
TERMINATION: The obligations of each Guarantor hereunder shall remain in full
force and effect as to all Liabilities, without regard to any reduction of the Liabilities (other
than on account of payments made pursuant to the within Guaranty) until the earlier of (a) ten (10)
days following the actual receipt by the Lender, at the address set forth on the first page hereof
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(or such other address that the Lender indicates in writing to the Guarantors), of written notice
signed by each Guarantor of the termination thereof or (b) the delivery of written notice of
termination dated and signed by a duly authorized officer of the Lender, which notice of
termination includes specific reference to this provision. No termination hereof shall affect any
Liability in existence or outstanding ten (10) days following the date of such actual receipt or
delivery (including, without limitation, those which are contingent or not then due and those which
arise out of any check, draft, item, or paper which was made, executed, or drawn prior to the
expiration of such ten (10) days, even if received by the Lender thereafter) nor any which arises
out of any continuing commitment or obligation of the Lender to provide loans, advances, and
financial accommodations to or for the account of the Borrower, nor any obligation of any Guarantor
hereunder, including, without limitation, any which by its terms includes any of the Liabilities of
a contingent nature (including, without limitation, the indemnification provided for herein). This
Guaranty shall continue to be effective or, if previously terminated, shall be automatically
reinstated, without any further action, if at any time any payment made or value received with
respect to a Liability is rescinded or must otherwise be returned by the Lender upon the
insolvency, bankruptcy or reorganization of any Guarantor, or otherwise, all as though such payment
had not been made or value received.
MISCELLANEOUS: Each Guarantor represents and certifies that, prior to the execution of
this Guaranty, such Guarantor had carefully read and reviewed all of the provisions of this
Guaranty and had been afforded an opportunity to consult with counsel independently selected by
such Guarantor. Each Guarantor further represents and certifies that such Guarantor has freely and
willingly executed this Guaranty with full appreciation of the legal effect of this Guaranty. Each
Guarantor recognizes that the titles to the paragraphs of the within Guaranty are for ease of
reference; are not part of this Guaranty; and do not alter or affect the substantive provisions
hereof.
Waiver OF Jury Trial: Each Guarantor makes the following waiver knowingly, voluntarily,
and intentionally, and understands that the Lender in the establishment and maintenance of its
relationship with the Borrower and such Guarantor, is relying thereon. EACH GUARANTOR HEREBY
IRREVOCABLY WAIVES ANY PRESENT OR FUTURE RIGHT OF SUCH GUARANTOR, THE BORROWER OR ANY ENDORSER OR
ANY OTHER
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GUARANTOR OF THE BORROWER, OR ANY OTHER SIMILAR PERSON, TO A TRIAL BY JURY OF ANY CASE OR
CONTROVERSY IN WHICH THE LENDER IS OR BECOMES A PARTY (WHETHER SUCH CASE OR CONTROVERSY IS
INITIATED BY OR AGAINST THE LENDER OR THE LENDER IS JOINED AS A PARTY LITIGANT), WHICH CASE OR
CONTROVERSY ARISES OUT OF, OR IS IN RESPECT OF, ANY RELATIONSHIP AMONGST OR BETWEEN SUCH GUARANTOR,
THE BORROWER, ANY SUCH PERSON, AND THE LENDER.
[signature page follows]
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IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the Guarantors have duly executed this Guaranty as of the day and year
first above written. It is intended that this Guaranty take effect as a sealed instrument.
AEROPOSTALE WEST, INC., as a Guarantor
By: Name: Michael J. Cunningham Title: Executive Vice President and Chief Financial
Officer
JIMMYZ SURF CO., INC., as a Guarantor
By:
Name: Michael J. Cunningham Title: Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer
AERO GC MANAGEMENT LLC, as/ Guarantor
By:
Name: Michael J. Cunningham Title: Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer
1043974.2
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