<PAGE>
                                                                   EXHIBIT 10.20

                              EMPLOYMENT AGREEMENT

         This EMPLOYMENT AGREEMENT ("Agreement") is made and entered into as of
September 16, 2002, by and between BAKERS FOOTWEAR GROUP, INC., a Missouri
corporation (the "Company"), and Stanley K. Tusman ("Employee").

                                   WITNESSETH:

         WHEREAS, the Company desires to retain the services of Employee as
Executive Vice-President of the Company; and

         WHEREAS, the Company and Employee desire to enter into this Agreement
to set forth the terms and conditions of the employment relationship between the
Company and Employee.

         NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the mutual promises contained in
this Agreement, and other good and valuable consideration, the receipt and
sufficiency of which are hereby acknowledged, the parties agree as follows:

         1. Term. Employee's term of employment (the "Employment Term") under
this Agreement shall be two (2) years, commencing on September 16, 2002
("Effective Date"), and shall continue for a period through and including
September 16, 2004, and shall automatically renew for successive two (2) year
terms, unless (a) either party notifies the other in writing of its or his
intention not to extend Employee's Employment Term at least ninety (90) calendar
days prior to the end of the then Employment Term, or (b) the Employment Term is
earlier terminated pursuant to the terms and conditions set forth in this
Agreement.

         2. Duties. Employee shall have the title of Executive
Vice-President ("EVP") of Merchandise Planning and Control; Allocation and
Inventory Management; Information Services and Technology. Employee shall
perform all duties incident to the position of EVP as well as any other duties
as may from time to time be assigned by the Chairman and Chief Executive

<PAGE>
Officer ("CEO") of the Company or his designee or the Board of Directors of the
Company (the "Board") not inconsistent with the title and duties of EVP, and
agrees to abide by all By-laws, policies, practices, procedures or rules of the
Company.

         3. Exclusive Services and Best Efforts. Employee agrees to devote his
best efforts, energies and skill to the discharge of the duties and
responsibilities attributable to his position, and to this end, he will devote
his full time and attention exclusively to the business and affairs of the
Company. Employee also agrees that he shall not take personal advantage of any
business opportunities that arise during his employment and that may benefit the
Company. All material facts regarding such opportunities must be promptly
reported to the Chairman and CEO or the Board for consideration by the Company.

         4. Base Salary. During the Employment Term, the Company shall pay
Employee a salary ("Base Salary"), at a rate per annum to be determined from
time to time by the Chairman and CEO of the Company or the Board, but in no
event less than the rate per annum payable by the Company to the Employee on the
Effective Date, payable in equal installments at such payment intervals as are
the usual custom of the Company, but not less often than monthly.

         5. Bonus. Employee shall be eligible to participate in such Company
executive bonus plan or plans as the Company may from time to time establish, on
the same basis as other participants at his level and pursuant to the terms of
the Plan in effect on the date eligibility for a bonus is determined.

         6. Benefit Plans. During the Employment Term and as otherwise provided
herein, Employee shall be entitled to participate in any and all employee
welfare and health benefit plans (including, but not limited to, medical
insurance, dental insurance, and disability insurance plans) and other employee
benefit plans, including, but not limited to, the Bakers Footwear Group, Inc.
d/b/a Weiss and Neuman Shoe Co. 401(k) Plan, established by the Company from
time to time for the benefit of all executives of the Company. Company will pay
the annual


                                       2
<PAGE>

premium on the $500,000 Life Insurance policy for the Employee. Employee shall
be entitled to 3 weeks paid vacation from work in accordance with the terms of
the Company's vacation policy. Employee shall be required to comply with the
conditions attendant to coverage by such plans and policies and shall comply
with and be entitled to benefits only in accordance with the terms and
conditions of such plans and policies as they may be amended from time to time.

         7. Deduction from Salary and Benefits. The Company may withhold from
any salary or benefits payable to Employee all federal, state, local and other
taxes and other amounts as permitted or required pursuant to law or legal
compulsion.

         8. Reimbursement of Business Expenses. Employee shall be paid or
reimbursed for all reasonable, ordinary and necessary business expenses incurred
by Employee in the performance of his responsibilities and the promotion of the
Company's businesses, including, but not limited to, any air travel, lodging,
and automobile and related travel expenses. Employee shall submit to the Company
periodic statements of all expenses so incurred. Subject to such audits as the
Company may deem necessary, the Company shall reimburse Employee the full amount
of any such expenses advanced by him in the ordinary course of business.

         9. Certain Additional Payments.

         (a)      For purposes of this Paragraph 9, the following terms shall be
                  defined as indicated:

                  (i)      "Trigger Event" shall mean any of the following which
                           occur during the Employment Term: (x) Peter Edison
                           ceases to be Chairman and CEO of the Company and
                           within two years either (A) there is a material
                           diminution in the nature or status of Employee's
                           duties and responsibilities, (B) Employee's
                           employment is terminated without cause, or (C) there
                           is a reduction in Employee's overall compensation, or
                           (x) Employee is terminated without cause and


                                       3
<PAGE>
                           subsequently within six months Peter Edison is no
                           longer the Chairman and CEO of the Company, or (y)
                           there is a transfer of the Company's home office out
                           of the St. Louis metropolitan area.

                  (ii)     "Paragraph 9 Payment" shall mean an aggregate payment
                           in one (1) lump sum within thirty (30) days following
                           any Trigger Event totaling an amount equal to the sum
                           of (x) two times Employee's Base Salary in effect at
                           the time of the Trigger Event, and (y) the average of
                           Bonus payments made by the Company to the Employee in
                           respect of the two (2) calendar years immediately
                           preceding such Trigger Event.

                  (iii)    "Paragraph 9 Payment" shall also include the
                           prepayment for a period of two (2) years the $500,000
                           Life Insurance Policy Number 41681917 issued by
                           Transamerica Occidental Life Insurance Company and
                           owned by Stanley K. Tusman, insured.

         (b)      If, during the Employment Term, a Trigger Event occurs with
                  respect to Employee, Company shall make the Paragraph 9
                  Payment to the Employee.

         (c)      In no event shall Employee be entitled to receive more than a
                  single Paragraph 9 Payment under this Agreement, even if there
                  is more than one (1) reason or set of circumstances that gives
                  rise to the Company's obligation to make such payment.

                                       4
<PAGE>

         (d)      For purposes of this Paragraph 9, all references to "Company"
                  shall include Company and all of Company's successors in
                  interest.

         (e)      In the event that Employee's employment is terminated under
                  Section 11 of this Agreement (Disability) or Section 12(b) of
                  the Agreement (Termination Without Cause by the Company),
                  Employee, shall, in addition to all other amounts due Employee
                  under this Agreement, be entitled to severance pay in an
                  amount equal to the product obtained by multiplying (x)
                  Employee's base monthly salary at the time of such
                  termination, times (y) the lesser of the number of months
                  remaining in the Employment Term or 18. Such sum shall be paid
                  within thirty (30) days following such termination.

         10. Death. The Employment Term shall terminate on the date of
Employee's death, in which event Employee's salary, any unpaid Paragraph 9
Payment that had earlier accrued, Employee's benefits, and reimbursable expenses
owing to Employee through the date of Employee's death shall be paid to his
estate. Employee's estate will not be entitled to any other compensation under
this Agreement.

         11. Disability. If, during the Employment Term, in the opinion of the
Company, Employee, because of physical or mental illness or incapacity, shall
become unable to perform substantially all of the duties and services required
of his under this Agreement for a period of sixty (60) days in the aggregate
during any twelve-month period, the Company may, upon at least ten (10) days'
prior written notice given at any time after the expiration of such sixty (60)
day period, notify Employee of its intention to terminate the Employment Term
under this Agreement as of the date set forth in the notice. In case of such
termination, Employee shall be entitled to receive severance pay under Section
9(e) salary, benefits and reimbursable expenses owing to Employee through the
date of termination. The Company shall have no further obligation or liability
to Employee.

                                       5
<PAGE>
         12. Termination. (a) Termination for Cause by the Company. The Company
may immediately terminate the Employment Term under this Agreement for cause.
Upon such termination, the Company shall be released from any and all further
obligations under this Agreement, except for accrued salary, benefits and
reimbursable expenses owing to Employee through the effective date of the
termination of the Employment Term.

         (1)      For the purposes of this Agreement, "cause" shall mean the
                  following:

                  (A)      failure or neglect by Employee to perform the duties
                           of the Employee's position;

                  (B)      failure of Employee to obey lawful orders given by
                           the Chairman and CEO or the Board;

                  (C)      misconduct in connection with the performance of any
                           of Employee's duties, including, without limitation,
                           misappropriation of funds or property of the Company,
                           securing or attempting to secure personally any
                           profit in connection with any transaction entered
                           into on behalf of the Company, misrepresentation to
                           the Company, or any violation of law or regulations
                           on Company premises or while in the Company's employ
                           or to which the Company is subject;

                  (D)      commission by Employee of an act involving moral
                           turpitude, dishonesty, theft or unethical business
                           conduct, or conduct that impairs or injures the
                           reputation of, or harms, the Company;

                  (E)      disloyalty by Employee, including, without
                           limitation, aiding a competitor;

                  (F)      failure to fully cooperate in any investigation by
                           the Company; or

                  (G)      any breach of this Agreement or Company rules;

                  provided, however, in the event of an event under subparagraph
                  (A) or (G) of Paragraph (1), cause shall not exist unless
                  Employee was first given written notice of the event and fails
                  to cure such event within ten (10) days following such notice.

         (b) Termination Without Cause by the Company. The Company may
immediately terminate the Employment Term under this Agreement, at any time,
without any cause or reason, upon ninety (90) days' prior written notice to
Employee. The Company may terminate the Employment Term under this provision
notwithstanding the existence of cause.


                                       6
<PAGE>


         (c) Termination Without Cause by Employee. Employee may terminate the
Employment Term under this Agreement, at any time, with or without cause or
reason, upon ninety (90) days' prior written notice to the Company.

                                       7
<PAGE>
         13. Non-Competition and Confidential Information.

         (a) Non-Competition. The Company does business throughout the United
States. The entities listed on Exhibit A, attached hereto and incorporated
herein by reference, are competitors of the Company that also do business
throughout the United States. During the Employment Term and for a period of
twelve (12) months after the termination for any reason of Employee's employment
with the Company, except for reason of termination without cause, Employee will
not, without the prior written consent of the Chairman and CEO of the Company or
Board, if Employee is then the Chairman and CEO, in any manner, directly or
indirectly, either as an employee, owner, partner, consultant, shareholder,
director or officer, for himself or in behalf of any person, firm, partnership,
entity or corporation, work for, become employed by or interested directly or
indirectly in, or in any other way become employed by or interested directly or
indirectly in, or in any other way become associated with, any of the entities
listed on Exhibit A or any of their subsidiaries or affiliated or related
entities, or any of their successors. The Board shall have the right to modify,
add to, or delete from the list set forth in Exhibit A, and may do so from time
to time until thirty (30) days after the end of the initial or any succeeding
Employment Term, by written notice pursuant to Paragraph 22 of this Agreement.
The aforementioned twelve (12) month time period shall be extended for a time
period equal to the time period during which a violation of Paragraph 13(a)
exists.

         (b) Confidentiality. Employee acknowledges that he will have access to
certain proprietary and confidential information and trade secrets
("Confidential Information") of the Company, including, but not limited to,
Company store volume data, sales projections, merchandise sales information,
profit data, lease terms, marketing and advertising strategies and plans,
product information, cost information, and financial information of the Company.
Employee will not use or disclose any Confidential Information during the
Employment Term or

                                       8
<PAGE>

thereafter other than in connection with performing Employee's services for the
Company in accordance with this Agreement.

         (c) Enforcement. (1) Employee agrees that the restrictions set forth in
this Paragraph are reasonable and necessary to protect the Company's goodwill
and other legitimate business interests. If any of the covenants set forth
herein are deemed to be overbroad or unenforceably the parties contemplate that
such provisions shall be modified to make them enforceable to the fullest extent
permitted by law.

                  (2) In the event of a breach or threatened breach by Employee
of any of the provisions of this Paragraph, (i) Employee acknowledges that the
Company will be irreparably harmed and that money damages may be an insufficient
remedy to the Company; and (ii) Employee shall pay all of the Company's
attorneys fees, costs and expenses incurred in enforcing this Agreement, if
litigation is commenced and the Company prevails in such litigation to any
extent. Employee acknowledges that enforcement of the provisions of this
Paragraph by way of injunctive relief would not prevent Employee from earning a
livelihood.

         (d) The provisions of this Paragraph shall be deemed independent of the
other provisions of this Agreement and shall be enforceable in all events,
notwithstanding the termination, for any reason, of Employee's employment or
even a breach by the Company of any provision of this Agreement; provided,
however, in the event that the Company is in breach of any material term or
provision of this Agreement and fails to cure such breach within sixty (60) days
following written notice by Employee to the Company detailing the facts which
constitute such breach, Employee shall be relieved of his obligations under
Paragraph (a) of Section 13 but not of his obligations under Paragraph (b) of
Section 13.

         14. Representations and Warranties of Employee. Employee hereby
represents and warrants to the Company as follows: (a) Employee's execution and
delivery of this Agreement and the performance of his obligations hereunder will
not violate or be in conflict with any fiduciary or other duty, instrument,
agreement, document, arrangement or other understanding


                                       9
<PAGE>

to which Employee is a party or by which he is or may be bound or subject; and
(b) Employee is not a party to any instrument, agreement, document, arrangement
or other understanding with any person (other than the Company) requiring or
restricting the use or disclosure of any confidential information or the
provision of any employment, consulting or other services.


         15. Other Employee Obligations.

         (a) Company Property. All records, files, lists, including computer
generated lists, documents, computers, computer software programs, equipment,
telephones, telephone numbers, and similar items relating to the Company's
business that Employee shall prepare or receive from the Company shall remain
the Company's sole and exclusive property. Upon termination of this Agreement,
Employee shall promptly return to the Company all property of the Company in his
possession. Employee further represents that he will not copy or cause to be
copied, print out or cause to be printed out any software, documents or other
materials originating with or belonging to the Company. Employee additionally
represents that, upon termination of his employment with the Company, he will
not retain in his possession any such software, documents or other materials.

         (b) Cooperation. Employee agrees that both during and after his
employment he shall, at the request of the Company, render all assistance and
perform all lawful acts that the Company considers necessary or advisable in
connection with any litigation involving the Company or any director, officer,
employee, shareholder, agent, representative, consultant, customer or vendor of
the Company.

         (c) The provisions of this Paragraph shall be deemed independent of the
other provisions of this Agreement and shall be enforceable in all events,
notwithstanding the termination, for any reason, of Employee's employment or
even a breach by the Company of any provision of this Agreement; provided,
however, in the event that the Company breaches any material term or provision
of this Agreement and fails to cure such breach within sixty (60) days following
written notice by Employee detailing the facts which constitute the breach,


                                       10
<PAGE>

Employee shall then be relieved of his obligations under Paragraph (b) of this
Section 15, but not of his obligations under Paragraph (a) of this Section 15.

         16. Arbitration. Except to the extent Company seeks injunctive or other
equitable relief, any and all disputes arising under or relating to the
interpretation or application of this Agreement or concerning Employee's
employment with the Company or termination thereof, including, but not limited
to, claims under Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, 42 U.S.C. Section
1981, the Age Discrimination in Employment Act, the Employee Retirement Income
Security Act, the Family and Medical Leave Act, the Missouri Human Rights Act,
the Missouri Service Letter Law, and any other federal, state, or local law, and
the common law of contract or tort, shall be subject to arbitration in St. Louis
County, Missouri, under the then existing rules of the American Arbitration
Association. Judgment upon the award rendered may be entered in any court of
competent jurisdiction. Nothing contained in this Paragraph shall limit the
right of the Company to enforce by court injunction or other equitable relief
the Employee's obligations under this Agreement, including but not limited to
those under Paragraphs 13 and 15 of this Agreement.

         17. Continuation of Employee's Obligations. Upon the ending of
Employee's Employment Term, Employee's other obligations under this Agreement,
including but not limited to those under Paragraphs 13 through 24, shall
continue pursuant to the terms and conditions of this Agreement.

         18. Governing Law. This Agreement shall be governed by, construed and
enforced in accordance with the laws of the State of Missouri, without regard to
the conflicts of law rules thereof.

         19. Jurisdiction. In the event that the Company seeks injunctive or
other equitable relief, to which the arbitration provisions of Section 16 of
this Agreement are inapplicable, each


                                       11
<PAGE>

of the parties hereto hereby irrevocably consents and submits to the
jurisdiction of the Circuit Court of St. Louis County, Missouri, and of the
United States District Court for the Eastern District of Missouri in connection
with any such suit, action or other proceeding. Employee waives and agrees not
to assert any defense that the court lacks jurisdiction, that venue is improper,
that the forum is inconvenient, or otherwise.

         20. Successors and Assiqns. Neither this Agreement, nor any of
Employee's rights, powers, duties or obligations hereunder, may be assigned by
Employee. This Agreement shall be binding upon and inure to the benefit of
Employee and her heirs and legal representatives and the Company and its
successor and assigns.

         21. Waiver. Any waiver or consent from a party with respect to any term
or provision of this Agreement or any other aspect of Employee's conduct or
employment shall be effective only in the specific instance and for the specific
purpose for which given and shall not be deemed, regardless of frequency given,
to be a further or continuing waiver or consent. The failure or delay of a party
at any time or times to require performance of, or to exercise any of its
powers, rights or remedies with respect to, any term or provision of this
Agreement or any other aspect of Employee's conduct or employment shall not in
any manner (except as otherwise expressly provided herein) affect a party's
right at a later time to enforce any such term or provision.

         22. Notices. All notices under this Agreement must be in writing and
shall be deemed to have been duly given if delivered by hand or mailed by first
class mail, registered mail, return receipt requested, postage and registry fees
prepaid, to the applicable party and addressed as follows:

         (a)      The Company:

                  Bakers Footwear Group, Inc.
                  2815 Scott Avenue
                  St. Louis, Missouri 63103

                                       12
<PAGE>

                  Attention: Chairman and Chief Executive Officer
                  (or to the Board in the event that Employee is
                  then Chairman and CEO)

         (b)      Employee:

                  Stanley K. Tusman
                  17737 Drummer Lane
                  Chesterfield, MO 63005

Addresses may be changed by notice in writing signed by the addressee.

         23. Amendment. No amendment or modification of this Agreement shall be
valid or effective, unless in writing and signed by the parties to this
Agreement.

         24. Entire Agreement. (a) This Agreement embodies the entire agreement
of the parties hereto with respect to its subject matter and merges with and
supersedes all prior discussions, agreements, commitments or understandings or
every kind and nature relating thereto, whether oral or written, between
Employee and the Company; provided, however, that nothing in this Agreement
supersedes the Company's Class C Stock Option Agreement. Neither party shall be
bound by any term or condition other than as is expressly set forth herein.

         (b) Employee represents and agrees that he fully understands his right
to discuss all aspects of this Agreement with his private attorney, that to the
extent he desired, he availed himself of this right, that he has carefully read
and fully understands all of the provisions of the Agreement, that his decision
to execute this Agreement has not been obtained by any duress and that he has
read this document in its entirety and fully understands the meaning, intent and
consequences of this Agreement.

                                       13
<PAGE>



         IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties have executed this Agreement on the
date first hereinabove set forth.

         THIS CONTRACT CONTAINS A BINDING ARBITRATION PROVISION WHICH MAY BE
ENFORCED BY THE PARTIES.

COMPANY:                                                EMPLOYEE:

BAKERS FOOTWEAR GROUP, INC.

By: /s/ PETER EDISON                                    /s/ STANLEY K. TUSMAN
    -----------------------                             -----------------------
    Peter Edison                                        Stanley K. Tusman

Title:  Chairman and CEO

                                       14


[Exhibit A, Competitors of the Company, omitted. The Registrant undertakes to
furnish supplementally a copy of such exhibit upon request.]