Exhibit 10.1
                    
                    SEPARATION AGREEMENT
                    --------------------


          THIS SEPARATION AGREEMENT is made this 19th day of October, 1998, (the

"Agreement") by and between Wickes Inc., a Delaware corporation (the "Company"),

and Kenneth M. Kirschner ("Kirschner").



                    W I T N E S S E T H:
                    -------------------
          WHEREAS, Kirschner currently is serving the Company as its Vice

Chairman, Chief Administrative Officer, General Counsel and Secretary and as a

member of its Board of Directors; and

          WHEREAS, the parties wish to set forth their agreements regarding the

termination of Kirschner's positions with the Company, on the terms hereinafter

set forth.

          NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the foregoing and the mutual

agreements hereinafter set forth, the parties, intending to be legally bound

hereby, agree as follows:

          1.   Termination.
               -----------
               (a)  From and after October 19, 1998 (the "Termination Date"),

Kirschner shall no longer serve the Company as its Vice Chairman, Chief

Administrative Officer, General Counsel and Secretary and any other employment

relationship that he had with the Company or any of its subsidiaries shall

terminate.

               (b)  Kirschner hereby resigns as a director of the Company and

from the Board of Directors of any subsidiary of the Company on which he serves,

effective as of the Termination Date.

          2.   Salary and Vacation.  Kirschner shall receive his regular salary
               -------------------
payments through the Termination Date, in addition to the sum of $29,322.28 for

accrued, but unused vacation (less any payroll deductions required by law),

payable no later than ten (10) business days after execution and delivery of

this Agreement.

          3.   Severance.  Kirschner shall receive the sum of Six Hundred Thirty
               ---------
Thousand Dollars ($630,000) (less any payroll deductions required by law)

payable immediately upon execution and delivery of this Agreement, via wire

transfer by the Company to an account designated by Kirschner, in writing, in

lieu of any severance pay or bonus which Kirschner may be entitled to under the

Company's Special Severance and Stay Incentive Bonus Plan, dated November 25,

1997 (the "Stay Incentive Bonus Plan") or otherwise pursuant to any other

severance pay or bonus plan, practice or arrangement.

          4.   Options.  Pursuant to the terms of the grant of options to
               -------
purchase common stock of the Company set forth in the Option Agreements made

between the Company and Kirschner, dated January 27, 1995, November 18, 1996,

and February 16, 1998, respectively, under the Company's 1993 Long Term

Incentive Plan, amended and restated as of November 30, 1994, (the "Long Term

Incentive Plan"), and pursuant to the determination of the Company's Board of

Directors Compensation and Benefits Committee, with respect to the January 27,

1995 and November 18, 1996 Option Agreements, Kirschner shall have an option to

purchase the number of shares of common stock of the Company during the exercise

periods and for the exercise prices listed below:

           Exercise Period                          
               From and                             
              After the                        Per Share
  Option     Termination                        Exercise
Agreement        Date      Number of Shares       Price
---------   ------------   ----------------   ----------
 01/27/95      3 months          48,000          $15.00
 11/18/96      3 months          12,000          $ 4.52
 02/16/98      2 years           20,000          $ 3.41


          5.   Termination of Benefits.  Kirschner's coverage under the
               -----------------------
Company's employee benefit plans, policies and programs, shall terminate as of

the Termination Date.  Promptly following execution of this Agreement, the

Company shall provide Kirschner with information regarding his option to

continue his and his dependents' coverage under the Company's group medical

insurance plan in accordance with the Consolidated Omnibus Budget Reconciliation

Act of 1985 ("COBRA").  In addition to the foregoing option pursuant to COBRA,

Kirschner shall have whatever conversion rights are provided to him under the

terms of the applicable benefit plans as a terminated employee.

          6.   Release by Kirschner.  Kirschner, for himself, his heirs,
               --------------------
executors, administrators, and assigns, does hereby fully, finally and forever

release and discharge the Company its subsidiaries and their respective

predecessors, successors and assigns, and their current or former shareholders,

directors, officers, employees, agents, and attorneys (in their respective

capacities as current or former shareholders, directors, officers, employees,

agents and attorneys of and for the Company) (hereinafter the "Wickes

Releasees") of and from any and all claims, demands, actions, causes of action,

suits, damages, losses, expenses and attorneys' fees of any kind and every

nature whatsoever, whether known or unknown, which he has or may have against

the Wickes Releasees, and each of them, growing out of or arising from or

pertaining to any transaction, dealing, employment relationship, conduct, act or

omission, or any other matters or things occurring or existing at any time prior

to the date of execution hereof, including but not limited to wrongful

discharge, breach of contract, any claims arising out of or related to the Stay

Incentive Bonus Plan, the Long Term Incentive Plan, and the Option Agreements

made pursuant thereto, dated January 27, 1995, November 18, 1996 and February

16, 1998, respectively, tort, defamation, the Civil Rights laws, Employee

Retirement Income Security Act, or any other federal, state or local law

relating to employment, termination of employment, discrimination in employment,

wages, benefits or otherwise, provided, however, that this release excludes any

class-action (other than a class-action initiated by Kirschner or a class-action

that Kirschner has caused to be initiated) brought on behalf of the shareholders

of the Company, in which Kirschner would otherwise be included as a member of

the class.  This release also excludes Kirschner's right to enforce the terms of

this Agreement.

          7.   Confidential Information.
               ------------------------
          (a)  Kirschner agrees that he shall not hereafter, at any time,

disclose in any manner or for any reason, without the Company's prior written

consent, any confidential business information (not already or hereafter

otherwise made public) about the affairs and business of the Company and its

subsidiaries or make the same available, to any competitor of the Company

(including its subsidiaries), or a subsidiary or affiliate of such competitor,

or any person or organization (except to other employees of the Company or its

subsidiaries in the course of their employment) unless Kirschner is required to

make such disclosure pursuant to a valid subpoena or court order or otherwise

required under the law.

               (b)  Kirschner understands and agrees that the covenants,

restrictions and prohibitions against disclosure of confidential information in

paragraph 7(a), above, are in addition to, and not in lieu of, any rights or

remedies which the Company or its subsidiaries may have available pursuant to

the laws of any jurisdiction or at common law to prevent disclosure of trade

secrets or proprietary information, and the enforcement by the Company or its

subsidiaries of their respective rights and remedies pursuant to this Agreement

shall not be construed as a waiver of any other rights or available remedies

which they may possess in law or equity absent this Agreement.

          8.   Release by the Company.  The Company and its subsidiaries do
               ----------------------
hereby fully, finally and forever release and discharge Kirschner, his heirs,

executors, administrators, and assigns, (hereinafter the "Kirschner Releasees")

of and from any and all claims, demands, actions, causes of action, suits,

damages, losses, expenses and attorneys' fees of any kind and every nature

whatsoever, whether known or unknown, which the Company or its subsidiaries, or

any of them, have or may have against the Kirschner Releasees, and each of them,

growing out of or arising from or pertaining to any transaction, dealing,

employment relationship, conduct, act or omission, or any other matters or

things occurring or existing at any time prior to the date of execution hereof,

provided, however, that this release excludes any claims, involving or relating

to any fraud or criminal conduct by Kirschner and any direct or derivative

claims brought against Kirschner by shareholders arising out of or relating to

Kirschner's service as a director of the Company or its subsidiaries, subject to

Kirschner's rights to indemnification, as provided in paragraph 9, below.  This

release also excludes the Company's and its subsidiaries' respective rights to

enforce the terms of this Agreement.

          9.   Indemnity.  The Company and each of its subsidiaries for whom the
               ---------
Kirschner has served as an employee, officer or director shall indemnify, defend

and hold harmless Kirschner in such capacity as an employee, officer or director

to the extent permissible under the corporate law of the state of incorporation

of such entity, but, as applicable, not less than the extent provided in the

certificate of incorporation and by-laws of such entity on the date of this

Agreement.

          10.  Return of Property; Access to Former Office.  (a) Within twenty
               -------------------------------------------
(20) business days after the date hereof, Kirschner will return to the Company

all property of the Company in his possession or control (whether maintained at

his former office, home or elsewhere), including, without limitation, all lists,

books and records of the Company (and all copies thereof), all data or other

information concerning the Company recorded, stored, maintained or operated by

electronic, mechanical or photographic process, whether computerized or not, all

copies of all management studies, business or strategic plans, budgets,

notebooks and all other printed, typed or written materials, documents and data

of or relating to the Company or any of its subsidiaries, except Kirschner shall

be permitted to purchase the Company's laptop computer currently in his

possession for the sum of $1,000.00 (provided that all information concerning

the Company stored therein is deleted therefrom) and the Company's cellular

telephone designated for Kirschner's use for $200.00.

          (b)  The Company shall for a period of five business days after the

date hereof allow Kirschner to have access to his former office for the purpose

of retrieving his personal property and documents.  At the Company's option,

Kirschner shall have such access after business hours.

          11.  Non-Disparagement.  Kirschner agrees he will not make any false,
               -----------------
disparaging or derogatory statements  regarding the Company or its subsidiaries

or any of their respective current or former shareholders, directors, officers,

employees, agents or representatives (in their respective capacities as current

or former shareholders, directors, officers, employees, agents or

representatives of the Company or its subsidiaries).  The Company shall cause

the senior officers and directors of the Company (in their respective capacities

as senior officers and directors of the Company) not to make any false,

disparaging or derogatory statements regarding Kirschner.  The foregoing shall

not preclude the filing and prosecution of any legal claims in respect of the

matters excluded from the releases set forth in this Agreement.

          12.  Non-Admissions.  Neither by offering to make nor by making this
               --------------
Agreement does any party admit any failure of performance, wrongdoing, or

violation of law.

          13.  Representations and Warranties.
               ------------------------------
               (a)  Kirschner represents and warrants to the Company as follows:

(i) he has full legal right, power and authority to enter into and perform all

of his obligations under this Agreement; (ii) this Agreement and all terms

hereof are fair, reasonable and are not the result of any fraud, duress,

coercion, pressure or undue influence exercised by the Company or its

representatives; (iii) the execution and delivery of this Agreement by him will

not violate any other agreement to which he is a party; (iv) no consent of any

third party is required for the execution and performance of this Agreement by

him; and (v) this Agreement has been duly executed and delivered by him and

constitutes a legal, valid and binding agreement of him, enforceable in

accordance with its terms, subject to bankruptcy, insolvency, fraudulent

conveyance, reorganization, moratorium and similar laws, now or hereafter in

effect, affecting creditors' rights and remedies generally and to general

principles of equity.

               (b)  The Company represents and warrants to Kirschner as follows:

(i) the Company has all requisite corporate power and authority to enter into

this Agreement and to consummate the transactions contemplated hereby; (ii) the

execution, delivery and performance of this Agreement has been duly authorized

and approved by all required corporate action on the part of the Company,

including approval by its Board of Directors; (iii) this Agreement has been duly

executed and delivered by the Company and is a legal, valid and binding

obligation of the Company, enforceable against it in accordance with its terms,

subject to bankruptcy, insolvency, fraudulent conveyance, reorganization, mora

torium and similar laws, now or hereafter in effect, affecting creditors' rights

and remedies generally and to general principles of equity; (iv) the execution

and delivery of this Agreement by the Company will not constitute a breach under

(with or without notice or the passage of time or both) or violate the Company's

certificate of incorporation or by-laws, any agreement to which the Company is a

party or any law, regulation, rule or ordinance to which the Company is subject

and (v) no consent of any third party is required for the execution and per

formance of this Agreement by the Company.

          14.  Notice.  All notices, requests and other communications to any
               -------
party hereunder shall be given or made in writing and mailed (by registered or

certified mail or by overnight courier) or delivered by hand as follows:

               (a)  if to the Company, to it at its principal executive office,

Attention:  Timothy A. White, Director of Human Resources

               (b)  if to Kirschner, to him at:

                    Holland & Knight LLP
                    50 North Laura Street, Suite 3900
                    Jacksonville, FL  32202

or such address as such party may hereafter specify for the purpose of notice to

the other party hereto.  Each such notice, request or other communication shall

be effective when, if delivered by hand, received by the party to which it is

addressed or, if mailed in the manner described above, on the third business day

after the date of mailing.

          15.  Successors and Assigns.  The rights and obligations of the
               ----------------------
Company and its subsidiaries under this Agreement shall inure to the benefit and

be binding upon their successors and assigns and any entity to which their

assets and business may be transferred by operation of law or otherwise.  This

Agreement is personal to Kirschner, and Kirschner shall not, without the written

consent of the Company, assign his rights or obligations hereunder other than by

will or the laws of descent and distribution, but the provisions hereof shall

inure to the benefit of and be enforceable by Kirschner's heirs and legal

representatives.

          16.  Governing Law.  This Agreement shall be construed in accordance
               --------------
with and governed by the substantive laws of the State of Illinois, without

regard to the choice of law rules thereof.

          17.  Press Release.  Kirschner and the Company agree on the text of a
               -------------
press release announcing his departure from the Company and resignation from the

Company's Board of Directors in the form attached hereto as Exhibit A.

          18.  Complete Understanding.  This Agreement supersedes any prior
               ----------------------
contracts, understandings, discussions and agreements between Kirschner and the

Company and constitutes the complete understanding between the parties with

respect to the subject matter hereof.  No statement, representation, warranty or

covenant has been made by either party with respect hereto except as expressly

set forth therein.

          19.  Modification; Waiver.
               --------------------
               (a)  This Agreement may be amended or waived if, and only if,

such amendment or waiver is in writing and signed, in the case of an amendment,

by the Company and Kirschner or in the case of a waiver, by the party against

whom the waiver is to be effective.

               (b)  No failure or delay by any party in exercising any right,

power or privilege hereunder shall operate as a waiver thereof nor shall any

single or partial exercise thereof preclude any other or further exercise

thereof or the exercise of any other right, power or privilege.  The rights and

remedies herein provided shall be cumulative and shall not be exclusive of any

rights or remedies provided by law or at equity.

          20.  Headings.  The section headings in this Agreement are for
               --------
convenience of reference only and shall not control or affect the meaning or

construction of this Agreement.

          21.  Counterparts.  This Agreement may be signed in any number of
               ------------
counterparts, each of which shall be an original, with the same effect as if the

signatures thereto and hereto were upon the same instrument.  This Agreement

shall become effective when each party hereto shall have received counterparts

hereof signed by the other party hereto.



          IN WITNESS WHEREOF, Kirschner and the Company have executed this

Agreement to be effective as of the 19th day of October, 1998.

                        WICKES INC.



                        By: 
                           --------------------
                            Claudia B. Slacik
                                   Director


                           --------------------
                           Kenneth M. Kirschner


STATE OF __________  )
                     :  ss.:
COUNTY OF ___________)


          On the _____ day of October, 1998, before me personally came Kenneth
M. Kirschner, to me known and known to me to be the individual described in and
who executed the foregoing instrument, and he duly acknowledged to me that he
executed the same.



----------------------------------
Notary Public