Document:

<PAGE>   1
                                                                    Exhibit 10.2

                                 AMENDMENT NO. 1
                                 ---------------

         AMENDMENT NO. 1, dated as of April 7, 2000 (this "AMENDMENT"), to and
under the Credit Agreement (the "CREDIT AGREEMENT"), dated as of July 3, 1997,
by and among OFFICEMAX, INC., an Ohio corporation (the "BORROWER"), the lenders
party thereto, the Co-Agents party thereto, KEYBANK NATIONAL ASSOCIATION, as
Documentation Agent, and THE BANK OF NEW YORK, as Administrative Agent and as
Swing Line Lender.

                                    RECITALS
                                    --------

         I. Capitalized terms used herein and not defined herein shall have the
meanings assigned to such terms in the Credit Agreement.

         II. The Borrower has requested that the Administrative Agent agree to
amend the Credit Agreement upon the terms and conditions contained in this
Amendment, and the Administrative Agent is willing so to agree.

         Accordingly, in consideration of the Recitals and the terms and
conditions hereinafter set forth, and for other good and valuable consideration,
the receipt and adequacy of which are hereby acknowledged, the Borrower and the
Administrative Agent hereby agree as follows:

         1. Notwithstanding the notice provisions contained in Section 2.7(a) of
the Credit Agreement, effective upon the Amendment Effective Date (as
hereinafter defined) the Aggregate Revolving Credit Commitment Amount is
permanently reduced from $500,000,000 to $400,000,000.

         2. The definition of "Applicable Fee Percentage" contained in Section
1.1 of the Credit Agreement is amended in its entirety to read as follows:

                           "APPLICABLE FEE PERCENTAGE": at all times during the
                  applicable period set forth below, with respect to (i) the
                  Facility Fee, the percentage set forth in the following table
                  under the heading "Facility Fee" and opposite such period, and
                  (ii) Letter of Credit Commissions, the percentage set forth in
                  the following table under the heading "Letter of Credit
                  Commissions" and opposite such period:

<PAGE>   2

      ======================================================================
      WHEN THE FIXED CHARGE
       COVERAGE RATIO IS
      ----------------------------------------------------------------------
      LESS THAN OR        AND GREATER                       LETTER OF CREDIT
      EQUAL TO               THAN           FACILITY FEE      COMMISSIONS
      ----------------------------------------------------------------------
           1.35:1.00                           0.500%           1.250%
      ----------------------------------------------------------------------
           1.50:1.00        1.35:1.00          0.375%           1.125%
      ----------------------------------------------------------------------
           1.65:1.00        1.50:1.00          0.375%           1.000%
      ----------------------------------------------------------------------
           1.85:1.00        1.65:1.00          0.300%           0.825%
      ----------------------------------------------------------------------
                            1.85:1.00          0.300%           0.700%
      ======================================================================

                           Changes in the Applicable Fee Percentage resulting
                  from a change in the Fixed Charge Coverage Ratio shall be
                  based upon the Compliance Certificate most recently delivered
                  under Section 7.1(c) and shall become effective on the date
                  such Compliance Certificate is delivered to the Administrative
                  Agent and the Lenders. Notwithstanding anything to the
                  contrary contained in this definition, (i) if the Borrower
                  shall fail to deliver to the Administrative Agent and the
                  Lenders a Compliance Certificate on or prior to any date
                  required hereby, the Fixed Charge Coverage Ratio for purposes
                  of this definition only shall be deemed to be less than
                  1.35:1.00 from and including such date to the date of delivery
                  to the Administrative Agent and the Lenders of such Compliance
                  Certificate, and (ii) during the period commencing on the
                  Amendment Effective Date and ending on the date of delivery of
                  the Compliance Certificate for the fiscal quarter ended July
                  22, 2000, the Fixed Charge Coverage Ratio for purposes of this
                  definition only shall be deemed to be less than or equal to
                  1.50:1.00 and greater than 1.35:1.00 if the Fixed Charge
                  Coverage Ratio as reported in such Compliance Certificate is
                  greater than 1.35:100, but if such Ratio reported in such
                  Certificate is less than 1.35:100, the Ratio as so reported
                  shall prevail.

         3. The definition of "Applicable Margin" contained in Section 1.1 of
the Credit Agreement is amended in its entirety to read as follows:

                           "APPLICABLE MARGIN": at all times during the
                  applicable period set forth below, with respect to the unpaid
                  principal balance of Eurodollar Advances, the percentage set
                  forth in the following table under the heading "Applicable
                  Margin" and opposite such period:

                                       2
<PAGE>   3

           ==============================================================
               WHEN THE FIXED CHARGE
                 COVERAGE RATIO IS

           --------------------------------------------------------------
           LESS THAN OR                AND GREATER       APPLICABLE
           EQUAL TO                       THAN             MARGIN
           --------------------------------------------------------------
                  1.35:1.00                                1.250%
           --------------------------------------------------------------
                  1.50:1.00             1.35:1.00          1.125%
           --------------------------------------------------------------
                  1.65:1.00             1.50:1.00          1.000%
           --------------------------------------------------------------
                  1.85:1.00             1.65:1.00          0.825%
           --------------------------------------------------------------
                                        1.85:1.00          0.700%
           ==============================================================

                           Changes in the Applicable Margin resulting from a
                  change in the Fixed Charge Coverage Ratio shall be based upon
                  the Compliance Certificate most recently delivered under
                  Section 7.1(c) and shall become effective on the date such
                  Compliance certificate is delivered to the Administrative
                  Agent and the Lenders. Notwithstanding anything to the
                  contrary contained in this definition, (i) if the Borrower
                  shall fail to deliver to the Administrative Agent and the
                  Lenders a Compliance Certificate on or prior to any date
                  required hereby, the Fixed Charge Coverage Ratio for purposes
                  of this definition only shall be deemed to be less than
                  1.35:1.00 from and including such date to the date of delivery
                  to the Administrative Agent and the Lenders of such Compliance
                  Certificate, and (ii) during the period commencing on the
                  Amendment Effective Date and ending on the date of delivery of
                  the Compliance Certificate for the fiscal quarter ended July
                  22, 2000, the Fixed Charge Coverage Ratio for purposes of this
                  definition only shall be deemed to be less than or equal to
                  1.50:1.00 and greater than 1.35:1.00 if the Fixed Charge
                  Coverage Ratio as reported in such Compliance Certificate is
                  greater than 1.35:100, but if such Ratio reported in such
                  Certificate is less than 1.35:100, the Ratio as so reported
                  shall prevail.

         4. The definition of "Indebtedness for Borrowed Money" contained in
Section 1.1 of the Credit Agreement is amended in its entirety to read as
follows:

                           "INDEBTEDNESS FOR BORROWED MONEY": as to any Person,
                  at a particular time, all items which constitute, without
                  duplication, (i) indebtedness for borrowed money, (ii)
                  indebtedness in respect of the deferred purchase price of
                  Property (other than trade payables incurred in the ordinary
                  course of business), (iii) indebtedness evidenced by notes,
                  bonds, debentures or similar instruments, (iv)

                                       3
<PAGE>   4

                  Capital Lease Obligations, (v) all obligations of such Person
                  in respect of Capital Stock subject to mandatory redemption or
                  redemption at the option of the holder thereof, in whole or in
                  part, (vi) all Contingent Obligations of such Person in
                  respect of any of the foregoing, and (vii) the principal and
                  interest portions of all rental obligations of such Person
                  under any Synthetic Lease, tax retention operating lease,
                  off-balance sheet loan or similar off-balance sheet financing
                  product where such transaction is considered borrowed money
                  indebtedness for tax purposes but is classified as an
                  operating lease in accordance with GAAP.

         5. The definition of "Leverage Ratio" contained in Section 1.1 of the
Credit Agreement is amended in its entirety to read as follows:

                           "LEVERAGE RATIO": as of the last day of any fiscal
                  quarter, the ratio of (i) Indebtedness for Borrowed Money of
                  the Borrower and its Subsidiaries determined on a Consolidated
                  basis in accordance with GAAP to (ii) the sum of (x)
                  Consolidated EBITDA for the period of four consecutive fiscal
                  quarters ending on such day PLUS (y) the principal and
                  interest portions of all rental obligations of such Person for
                  such period under any Synthetic Lease, tax retention operating
                  lease, off-balance sheet loan or similar off-balance sheet
                  financing product where such transaction is considered
                  borrowed money indebtedness for tax purposes but is classified
                  as an operating lease in accordance with GAAP.

         6. The definition of "Material Subsidiary Group" contained in Section
1.1 of the Credit Agreement is hereby deleted.

         7. The definitions of "Pricing Level", "Pricing Level I", "Pricing
Level II", "Pricing Level III", "Pricing Level IV" and "Pricing Level V"
contained in Section 1.1 of the Credit Agreement are hereby deleted.

         8. The definition of "Loan Documents" contained in Section 1.1 of the
Credit Agreement is amended by adding the term "Guaranty" immediately after the
term "Reimbursement Agreements" therein.

         9. The definition of "Special Counsel" contained in Section 1.1 of the
Credit Agreement is amended by substituting "Bryan Cave LLP" for "Emmet, Marvin
& Martin, LLP" therein.

         10. The definition of "Swing Line Commitment Amount" contained in
Section 1.1 of the Credit Agreement is amended by substituting "$35,000,000" for
"$15,000,000" therein.

                                       4
<PAGE>   5

         11. The following definitions are added to Section 1.1 of the Credit
Agreement in their appropriate alphabetical order:

                           "AMENDMENT EFFECTIVE DATE": the date on which
                  Amendment No. 1 to this Agreement becomes effective.

                           "CONSOLIDATED TANGIBLE NET WORTH": as of any date,
                  Consolidated Net Worth as of such date MINUS all intangible
                  assets of the Borrower and its Subsidiaries on a Consolidated
                  basis as of such date.

                           "GATEWAY CAPITAL STOCK": the Capital Stock of the
                  Borrower purchased by Gateway Companies, Inc. or any Affiliate
                  thereof, including any Capital Stock into which the Capital
                  Stock originally purchased may be converted.

                           "GUARANTOR": any Person (other than the Borrower)
                  that executes and delivers the Guaranty, in each case in
                  accordance with Section 7.12.

                           "GUARANTY": the Guaranty, substantially in the form
                  of Exhibit N.

                           "INTERNET BUSINESS": the internet business currently
                  conducted by the Borrower as a division under the name
                  "officemax.com" or any successors or assigns thereof.

                           "LOAN PARTIES": the Borrower and the Guarantors.

                           "MATERIAL ENTITY": any Person described in clause (a)
                  or (b) below:

                                    (a) any Subsidiary of the Borrower as to
                  which any of the following tests is met: (i) the Borrower and
                  its other Subsidiaries' investments in and advances to such
                  Subsidiary exceed 10% of the total assets of the Borrower and
                  its Subsidiaries on a Consolidated basis as of the last day of
                  the most recently completed fiscal quarter, (ii) such
                  Subsidiary's proportionate share of the total assets (after
                  intercompany eliminations) of the Borrower and its
                  Subsidiaries on a Consolidated basis exceeds 10% of the total
                  assets of the Borrower and its Subsidiaries on a Consolidated
                  basis as of the last day of the most recently completed fiscal
                  quarter, or (iii) the equity in the income from continuing
                  operations before income taxes, extraordinary items and the
                  cumulative effect of a

                                       5
<PAGE>   6

                  change in accounting principles of such Subsidiary exceeds 10%
                  of such income of the Borrower and its Subsidiaries on a
                  Consolidated basis as of the last day of the most recently
                  completed fiscal quarter; or

                                    (b) any Person in which the Borrower or any
                  of its Subsidiaries has an ownership interest (including,
                  without limitation, any Subsidiary of the Borrower or any
                  joint venture) and to whom the Borrower or any of its
                  Subsidiaries, directly or indirectly, transfers all or a
                  portion of the Internet Business.

                           "SYNTHETIC LEASE": any lease or other agreement for
                  the use or possession of Property creating obligations which
                  do not appear as Indebtedness on the balance sheet of the
                  lessee thereunder but which, upon the insolvency or bankruptcy
                  of such person, may be characterized as the Indebtedness of
                  such lessee without regard to the accounting treatment.

         12. Section 1.2(b) of the Credit Agreement is amended by substituting
the phrase "(including for purposes of determining the Applicable Fee Percentage
and the Applicable Margin)" for the phrase "(including for purposes of
determining the applicable Pricing Level)" in the second sentence thereof.

         13. Section 7.1(a) of the Credit Agreement is amended and restated in
its entirety to read as follows:

                           (a) FORM 10K. As soon as available, but in any event
                  within 95 days after the end of each fiscal year of the
                  Borrower, a copy of the annual audited financial statements of
                  the Borrower and its Subsidiaries, prepared on a Consolidated
                  basis in accordance with GAAP, and on a combined basis with
                  the Internet Business, as filed with the SEC. Such financial
                  statements shall be certified without qualification as to
                  going concern by the Accountants, which certification shall
                  (i) state that the examination by such Accountants in
                  connection with such financial statements has been made in
                  accordance with generally accepted auditing standards and,
                  accordingly, included such tests of the accounting records and
                  such other auditing procedures as were considered necessary in
                  the circumstances, and (ii) include the opinion of such
                  Accountants that such financial statements have been prepared
                  in accordance with GAAP in a manner consistent with prior
                  fiscal periods, except as otherwise specified in such opinion.

                                       6
<PAGE>   7

         14. Section 7.1 of the Credit Agreement is amended by adding a new
subsection (e) to the end thereof to read as follows:

                           (e) Within 50 days after the end of each fiscal
                  quarter (except the last fiscal quarter) of each fiscal year
                  of the Borrower, copies of unaudited financial statements with
                  respect to the Internet Business, prepared in accordance with
                  GAAP.

         15. Section 7.11(a) of the Credit Agreement is amended in its entirety
to read as follows:

                           (a) FIXED CHARGE COVERAGE RATIO. Maintain a Fixed
                  Charge Coverage Ratio as of the end of each fiscal quarter
                  during the applicable period set forth below equal to or
                  greater than the ratio set forth below with respect to such
                  period:

      =========================================================================
                                 PERIOD                           RATIO
      -------------------------------------------------------------------------
      Amendment Effective Date through April 28, 2001           1.25:1.00
      -------------------------------------------------------------------------
       April 29, 2001 through January 26, 2002                  1.35:1.00
      -------------------------------------------------------------------------
                     January 27, 2002 and thereafter            1.45:1.00
      =========================================================================

         16. Section 7.11 of the Credit Agreement is further amended by adding a
new subsection (c) at the end thereof to read as follows:

                           (c) MINIMUM CONSOLIDATED TANGIBLE NET WORTH. Maintain
                  as of the last day of each fiscal quarter, Consolidated
                  Tangible Net Worth in an amount not less than the sum of (i)
                  $682,559,000, PLUS (ii) 50% of the Borrower's Consolidated net
                  income (if positive) for each full fiscal quarter ending after
                  January 22, 2000 to such date of determination PLUS (iii) any
                  increase to Consolidated Tangible Net Worth resulting from any
                  equity issuance by the Borrower after the Amendment Effective
                  Date MINUS (iv) any decrease to Consolidated Tangible Net
                  Worth resulting from repurchase or redemption of shares of
                  Capital Stock pursuant to the terms of the repurchased or
                  redeemed shares of Capital Stock.

         17. The Credit Agreement is amended by adding a new Section 7.12 to
read as follows:

                           7.12     GUARANTY.

                                       7
<PAGE>   8

                                    Within 15 Business Days thereof, notify the
                  Administrative Agent in writing if any Person shall have
                  become a Material Entity and within 15 days thereof cause each
                  such Material Entity to execute and deliver to the
                  Administrative Agent a completed Guaranty (or, if the Guaranty
                  is then in effect, a Guaranty Supplement (as defined in the
                  Guaranty)) and to deliver or cause each such Material Entity
                  to deliver to the Administrative Agent such other agreements
                  certificates, instruments and opinions of counsel with respect
                  thereto as the Administrative Agent may request.

         18. Section 8.1 of the Credit Agreement is amended in its entirety to
read as follows:

                           Permit any Subsidiary to create, incur, assume or
                  suffer to exist any liability for Indebtedness, except (i)
                  Intercompany Indebtedness to the extent permitted by Section
                  8.6(c), (ii) in the case of Domestic Subsidiaries, (A)
                  Indebtedness existing on the Effective Date as set forth on
                  Schedule 8.1, including refinancings but not increases
                  thereof, (B) any Indebtedness of a Person or business acquired
                  by a Domestic Subsidiary in a Permitted Acquisition, provided
                  that such Indebtedness existed at the time of such Permitted
                  Acquisition and was not incurred in contemplation thereof, and
                  (C) other Indebtedness in an aggregate outstanding principal
                  amount not exceeding $5,000,000, (iii) in the case of Foreign
                  Subsidiaries, Indebtedness (on a combined basis) at any one
                  time outstanding not in excess of 15% of Consolidated Net
                  Worth, (iv) Contingent Obligations not exceeding $5,000,000 in
                  the aggregate in respect of real Property leases that have
                  been assigned (which term shall also include new leases
                  entered into between a landlord and a third party in respect
                  of real Property being vacated by a Subsidiary) by a
                  Subsidiary, the terms of which assignment, or the landlord's
                  consent therefor or any such Contingent Obligation, require
                  the Subsidiary to remain liable for rent and other performance
                  in respect of the assigned lease and (v) obligations under
                  Synthetic Leases, if after giving effect thereto no Default
                  would exist.

         19. Section 8.7 of the Credit Agreement is amended in its entirety to
read as follows:

                           Declare or pay any Restricted Payments payable in
                  cash or otherwise or apply any of its Property thereto or set
                  apart any sum

                                       8
<PAGE>   9

                  therefor, or permit any of its Subsidiaries so to do, except
                  that: (i) a wholly owned Subsidiary may declare and pay
                  Restricted Payments to the Borrower, (ii) provided that no
                  Default would exist before or after giving effect thereto, the
                  Borrower may (A) declare and pay cash dividends on its common
                  Capital Stock, (B) repurchase shares of its common Capital
                  Stock solely from officers and employees in connection with
                  the ordinary operation of its compensation plans and (C)
                  repurchase or redeem shares of Gateway Capital Stock pursuant
                  to the terms thereof.

         20. Section 9.1(c) the Credit Agreement is amended in its entirety to
read as follows:

                           (c) The failure of the Borrower to observe or perform
                  any covenant or agreement contained in Sections 2.9, 7.3,
                  7.11, 7.12 or Section 8 or the failure of any Guarantor to
                  perform any covenant or agreement contained in the Guaranty;
                  or

         21. Section 9.1(d) of the Credit Agreement is amended by adding the
phrase "or any Guarantor" immediately following the word "Borrower" on the first
line thereof.

         22. Sections 9.1(h) and (i) of the Credit Agreement are amended by
replacing the term "Material Subsidiary Group" in each place it appears in such
Sections with the term "Material Entity".

         23. Section 9.1 the Credit Agreement is further amended by substituting
"; or" for the period at the end of subsection (k) and by adding a new
subsection (l) to read as follows:

                           (l) Any Loan Document shall cease, for any reason, to
                  be in full force and effect, or any Loan Party shall so assert
                  in writing or shall disavow any of its obligations thereunder.

         24. Section 11.1(a) the Credit Agreement is amended by adding the
following clause immediately before the semicolon at the end thereof to read as
follows:

                           or (xiii) release any Material Entity from its
                  obligations under the Guaranty (except as expressly provided
                  in the Guaranty or as a result of the sale or other
                  disposition of the interest of the Borrower or any of its
                  Subsidiaries in such Material Entity in a transaction
                  permitted by this Agreement), or limit its liability in
                  respect of such Guaranty, provided that release of the
                  Internet Business shall require only the consent of the
                  Required Lenders

                                       9
<PAGE>   10

         25. Exhibit E in the form annexed hereto is substituted for Exhibit E
to the Credit Agreement.

         26. Exhibit N in the form annexed hereto is added to the Credit
Agreement.

         27. Paragraphs 1 - 26 of this Amendment shall not be effective until
the prior or simultaneous fulfillment of the following conditions:

                  (a) The Administrative Agent (or Special Counsel) shall have
received from the Borrower and Required Lenders either (i) a counterpart of this
Amendment signed on behalf of such party or (ii) written evidence satisfactory
to the Administrative Agent (which may include telecopy transmission of a signed
signature page of this Amendment) that such party has signed a counterpart of
this Amendment.

                  (b) The Administrative Agent shall have received a replacement
Swing Line Note in the principal amount of the Swing Line Commitment Amount as
amended by paragraph 9 of this Amendment.

                  (c) The Administrative Agent shall have received a certificate
of the Secretary or Assistant Secretary of the Borrower: (i) attaching a true
and complete copy of the resolutions of its Board of Directors authorizing this
Amendment in form and substance satisfactory to the Administrative Agent, (ii)
certifying that its certificate of incorporation and by-laws have not been
amended since July 3, 1997, or, if so, setting forth the same and (iii) setting
forth the incumbency of its officer or officers who may sign this Amendment,
including therein a signature specimen of such officer or officers.

                  (d) The Administrative Agent shall have received a favorable
written opinion (addressed to the Administrative Agent, the Issuing Bank, the
Swing Line Lender and the Lenders and dated the Amendment Effective Date) from
Baker & Hostetler, LLP on behalf of the Loan Parties, in form and substance
reasonably satisfactory to the Administrative Agent.

                  (e) The representations and warranties contained in the Loan
Documents shall be true and correct in all material respects (except to the
extent such representations and warranties specifically relate to an earlier
date) and no Default or Event of Default shall exist, and the Administrative
Agent shall have received a certificate of an officer of the Borrower, dated the
Amendment Effective Date, certifying to such effect.

                  (f) The Administrative Agent shall have received, for the
account of each Lender which approves this Amendment on or before the Amendment
Effective Date, an amendment fee equal to 0.125% of such Lender's Revolving
Credit Commitment Amount as reduced pursuant to Paragraph 1 of this Amendment.

                                       10
<PAGE>   11

                  (g) All fees and expenses payable on the Amendment Effective
Date, including the reasonable fees and disbursements of Special Counsel
incurred to date, shall have been paid.

                  (h) The Administrative Agent shall have received such other
documents as it shall reasonably request.

         28. The Borrower hereby (a) represents and warrants that all of the
representations and warranties contained in the Loan Documents true and correct
in all material respects with the same effect as though such representations and
warranties had been made on the date hereof, except to the extent such
representations and warranties specifically relate to an earlier date, in which
case such representations and warranties are true and correct on and as of such
earlier date, and (b) reaffirms and admits the validity and enforceability of
each Loan Document and all of the obligations of each Loan Party under such Loan
Document.

         29. The Borrower hereby further represents and warrants that as of the
Amendment Effective Date, all of the Material Entities are listed on Schedule I
hereto.

         30. In all other respects, the Loan Documents shall remain in full
force and effect, and no amendment in respect of any term or condition of any
Loan Document shall be deemed to be an amendment in respect of any other term or
condition contained in any Loan Document.

         31. This Amendment may be executed in any number of counterparts all of
which, when taken together, shall constitute one agreement. In making proof of
this Amendment, it shall only be necessary to produce the counterpart executed
and delivered by the party to be charged.

         32. THIS AMENDMENT IS BEING EXECUTED AND DELIVERED IN, AND IS INTENDED
TO BE PERFORMED IN, THE STATE OF NEW YORK AND SHALL BE CONSTRUED AND ENFORCEABLE
IN ACCORDANCE WITH, AND BE GOVERNED BY, THE INTERNAL LAWS OF THE STATE OF NEW
YORK, WITHOUT REGARD TO PRINCIPLES OF CONFLICT OF LAWS, BUT INCLUDING SECTION
5-1401 OF THE GENERAL OBLIGATIONS LAW.

                                       11
<PAGE>   12

                  AS EVIDENCE of the agreement by the parties hereto to the
terms and conditions herein contained, each such party has caused this Amendment
No. 1 to be executed on its behalf.

                                            OFFICEMAX, INC.

                                            By:/s/Jeffrey L. Rutherford
                                               ------------------------------
                                            Name: Jeffrey L. Rutherford
                                                 ----------------------------
                                            Title: Executive Vice President,
                                                   Chief Financial Officer
                                                  ---------------------------

<PAGE>   13

                                 OFFICEMAX, INC.
                                 AMENDMENT NO. 1
                                 ---------------

                                         THE BANK OF NEW YORK, as Administrative
                                         Agent

                                         By: /s/William M. Barnum
                                            ------------------------------
                                         Name: William M. Barnum
                                              ----------------------------
                                         Title: Vice President
                                               ---------------------------

         CONSENTED TO AND AGREED:

         THE BANK OF NEW YORK,
         individually

         By: /s/William M. Barnum
            ------------------------------
         Name: William M. Barnum
              ----------------------------
         Title: Vice President
               ---------------------------

<PAGE>   14

                                 OFFICEMAX, INC.
                                 AMENDMENT NO. 1
                                 ---------------

         CONSENTED TO AND AGREED:

         KEYBANK, N.A.

         By: /s/Frank J. Jancar
            ------------------------------
         Name: Frank J. Jancar
              ----------------------------
         Title: Vice President
               ---------------------------

<PAGE>   15

                                 OFFICEMAX, INC.
                                 AMENDMENT NO. 1
                                 ---------------

         CONSENTED TO AND AGREED:

         FIRST UNION NATIONAL BANK

         By: /s/Joan L. Anderson
            ------------------------------
         Name: Joan L. Anderson
              ----------------------------
         Title: Vice President
               ---------------------------

<PAGE>   16

                                 OFFICEMAX, INC.
                                 AMENDMENT NO. 1
                                 ---------------

         CONSENTED TO AND AGREED:

         BANK OF AMERICA, N.A.

         By: /s/Bridget Garavalia
            ------------------------------
         Name: Bridget Garavalia
              ----------------------------
         Title: Managing Director
               ---------------------------

<PAGE>   17

                                 OFFICEMAX, INC.
                                 AMENDMENT NO. 1
                                 ---------------

         CONSENTED TO AND AGREED:

         BANK ONE, N.A.

         By: /s/Debora K. Oberling
            ------------------------------
         Name: Debora K. Oberling
              ----------------------------
         Title: Vice President
               ---------------------------

<PAGE>   18

                                 OFFICEMAX, INC.
                                 AMENDMENT NO. 1
                                 ---------------

         CONSENTED TO AND AGREED:

         FIRST AMERICAN NATIONAL BANK

         By: /s/ Jerry J. Watterworth
            ------------------------------
         Name: Jerry J. Watterworth
              ----------------------------
         Title: Senior Vice President
               ---------------------------

<PAGE>   19

                                 OFFICEMAX, INC.
                                 AMENDMENT NO. 1
                                 ---------------

         CONSENTED TO AND AGREED:

         MERCANTILE BANK, N.A.

         By: /s/Stephen M. Reese
            ------------------------------
         Name: Stephen M. Reese
              ----------------------------
         Title: Vice Presient
               ---------------------------

<PAGE>   20

                                 OFFICEMAX, INC.
                                 AMENDMENT NO. 1
                                 ---------------

         CONSENTED TO AND AGREED:

         FLEET NATIONAL BANK

         By: /s/Kathleen A. Dimock
            ------------------------------
         Name: Kathleen A. Dimock
              ----------------------------
         Title: Vice President
               ---------------------------

<PAGE>   21

                                 OFFICEMAX, INC.
                                 AMENDMENT NO. 1
                                 ---------------

         CONSENTED TO AND AGREED:

         PNC BANK, NATIONAL ASSOCIATION

         By:
            ------------------------------
         Name:
              ----------------------------
         Title:
               ---------------------------

<PAGE>   22

                                 OFFICEMAX, INC.
                                 AMENDMENT NO. 1
                                 ---------------

         CONSENTED TO AND AGREED:

         THE BANK OF TOKYO-MITSUBISHI, CHICAGO BRANCH

         By: /s/Hisashi Miyashiro
            ------------------------------
         Name: Hisashi Miyashiro
              ----------------------------
         Title: Deputy General Manager
               ---------------------------

<PAGE>   23

                                 OFFICEMAX, INC.
                                 AMENDMENT NO. 1
                                 ---------------

         CONSENTED TO AND AGREED:

         WELLS FARGO BANK, NA

         By: /s/Razia Damji
            ------------------------------
         Name: Razia Damji
              ----------------------------
         Title: Vice President
               ---------------------------

<PAGE>   24

                                 OFFICEMAX, INC.
                                 AMENDMENT NO. 1
                                 ---------------

         CONSENTED TO AND AGREED:

         NATIONAL CITY BANK

         By: /s/Janice E. Focke
            ------------------------------
         Name: Janice E. Focke
              ----------------------------
         Title: Vice President & Senior Lending Officer
               ---------------------------

<PAGE>   25

                                 OFFICEMAX, INC.
                                 AMENDMENT NO. 1
                                 ---------------

         CONSENTED TO AND AGREED:

         BANK OF HAWAII

         By: /s/Donna R. Parker
            ------------------------------
         Name: Donna R. Parker
              ----------------------------
         Title: Vice President
               ---------------------------

<PAGE>   26

                                 OFFICEMAX, INC.
                                 AMENDMENT NO. 1
                                 ---------------

         CONSENTED TO AND AGREED:

         COMERICA BANK

         By: /s/Jeffrey J. Judge
            ------------------------------
         Name: Jeffrey J. Judge
              ----------------------------
         Title: Vice President
               ---------------------------

<PAGE>   27

                                 OFFICEMAX, INC.
                                 AMENDMENT NO. 1
                                 ---------------

         CONSENTED TO AND AGREED:

         HUNTINGTON NATIONAL BANK

         By: /s/Laura Conway
            ------------------------------
         Name: Laura Conway
              ----------------------------
         Title: Vice President
               ---------------------------

<PAGE>   28

                                 OFFICEMAX, INC.
                                 AMENDMENT NO. 1
                                 ---------------

         CONSENTED TO AND AGREED:

         SUNTRUST BANK, CENTRAL FLORIDA, N.A.

         By: /s/Stephen L. Leister
            ------------------------------
         Name: Stephen L. Leister
              ----------------------------
         Title: Vice President
               ---------------------------

<PAGE>   29

                                 OFFICEMAX, INC.
                                 AMENDMENT NO. 1
                                 ---------------

         CONSENTED TO AND AGREED:

         THE DAI-ICHI KANGYO BANK, CHICAGO BRANCH

         By: /s/John S. Sneed
            ------------------------------
         Name: John S. Sneed
              ----------------------------
         Title: Senior Vice President
               ---------------------------

<PAGE>   30

                                 OFFICEMAX, INC.
                                 AMENDMENT NO. 1
                                 ---------------

         CONSENTED TO AND AGREED:

         THE NORTHERN TRUST COMPANY

         By: /s/Tracy J. Toulouse
            ------------------------------
         Name: Tracy J. Toulouse
              ----------------------------
         Title: Vice President
               ---------------------------

<PAGE>   31

                                 OFFICEMAX, INC.
                                 AMENDMENT NO. 1
                                 ---------------

         CONSENTED TO AND AGREED:

         FIFTH THIRD BANK

         By: /s/Roy C. Lanctot
            ------------------------------
         Name: Roy C. Lanctot
              ----------------------------
         Title: Vice President
               ---------------------------

<PAGE>   32

                                   SCHEDULE I

                            LIST OF MATERIAL ENTITIES
                            -------------------------

                                      None<PAGE>   1
                                                                    Exhibit 10.4

                              AMENDED AND RESTATED

                              EMPLOYMENT AGREEMENT

                                     BETWEEN

                                 OFFICEMAX, INC.

                                       AND

                                  MICHAEL FEUER

<PAGE>   2

                    AMENDED AND RESTATED EMPLOYMENT AGREEMENT
                    -----------------------------------------

                  THIS AMENDED AND RESTATED EMPLOYMENT AGREEMENT (this
"Agreement") is entered into as of the 3rd day of January, 2000, between
OFFICEMAX, INC., an Ohio corporation (the "Company"), and MICHAEL FEUER
("Executive").

                              W I T N E S S E T H :
                              ---------------------

                  WHEREAS, the Company and Executive are parties to an Amended
and Restated Employment Agreement entered into as of October 13, 1998 (the
"Prior Employment Agreement"); and

                  WHEREAS, the Compensation Committee (the "Compensation
Committee") of the Board of Directors (the "Board") of the Company has approved
and recommended the amendment of the Prior Employment Agreement so as, INTER
ALIA, to provide that the term of this Agreement shall be a rolling five (5)
year "ever green" period and for severance payments and continuation of certain
benefits for no less than five (5) years in the event of the termination of
Executive's employment with the Company for any reason other than death or
"Cause" (as hereinafter defined) on the terms and conditions set forth in this
Agreement; and

                  WHEREAS, in furtherance of the foregoing, it is deemed
advisable to amend and restate in full the Prior Employment Agreement as
provided herein; and

                  WHEREAS, the Compensation Committee approved the execution and
delivery of this Agreement by the Company by written action dated January 3,
2000,
                  NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the mutual promises herein
contained, the parties hereby agree as follows:

<PAGE>   3

         1.       EMPLOYMENT.

                  (a) The Company hereby employs Executive as its Chairman of
the Board and Chief Executive Officer, and Executive hereby accepts such
employment, on the terms and conditions set forth herein.

                  (b) During the term of this Agreement and any renewal hereof
(all references herein to the term of this Agreement shall include references to
the period of renewal hereof, if any), Executive shall be and have the titles,
duties and authority of the Chairman of the Board and Chief Executive Officer of
the Company and shall devote his entire business time and all reasonable efforts
to his employment and perform diligently such duties as are customarily
performed by the chairman of the board, president and chief executive officer of
a company the size and structure of the Company, together with such other duties
as may be reasonably requested from time to time by the Board, which duties
shall be consistent with his position as set forth above and as provided in
Paragraph 2.

                  (c) Executive shall not, without the prior written consent of
the Company, directly or indirectly, during the term of this Agreement, other
than in the performance of duties naturally inherent to the businesses of the
Company and in furtherance thereof, render services of a business, professional
or commercial nature to any other person or firm, whether for compensation or
otherwise; provided, however, that so long as it does not materially interfere
with his full-time employment hereunder, Executive may attend to outside
investments, serve as a director of a corporation which does not compete with
the Company (as provided in Paragraph 10), and serve as a director, trustee or
officer of, or otherwise participate in, educational, welfare, social, religious
and civic organizations. The Company hereby acknowledges that Executive is
currently serving a three (3) year term as a member of the Advisory Committee of
the New York Stock Exchange Board of Directors and a four (4) year

                                                                          Page 3

<PAGE>   4

term as a member of the Case Western Reserve University Weatherhead School of
Management Visiting Committee.

         2.       TERM AND POSITIONS.

                  (a) Subject to the provisions for renewal and termination
hereinafter provided, the term of this Agreement shall begin on the date hereof
and shall continue for five (5) years thereafter. Such term shall automatically
be extended for one additional day as of the end of the first day of the term
hereof and as of the end of each succeeding day thereafter, unless the Agreement
is terminated as provided in Paragraph 8.

                  (b) Executive, without any compensation in addition to that
which is specifically provided in this Agreement, shall serve, and shall be
entitled and have the right to serve, as a member of the Board, Chairman of the
Board, President and Chief Executive Officer of the Company. Without limiting
the generality of any of the foregoing, except as hereafter expressly agreed in
writing by Executive (i) Executive shall not be required to report to any single
individual and shall report only to the Board as an entire body, (ii) no
individual shall be elected or appointed as Chairman of the Board, President or
Chief Executive Officer of the Company, (iii) the highest levels of
Vice-Presidents and other executive officers of the Company shall report to no
individual other than Executive, and (iv) no individual or group of individuals
(including a committee established or other designee appointed by the Board)
shall have any authority over or equal to the authority of Executive in his role
as Chairman of the Board, President and Chief Executive Officer (except that the
Compensation Committee shall continue to have such powers as may be required to
maintain the compliance of the Company's benefit plans under Section 16 of the
Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, and the rules and regulations
promulgated thereunder), and neither the Company, the Board, nor any member of
the Board shall take any action which will or could have the effect of, or
appear to have the

                                                                          Page 4

<PAGE>   5

effect of, giving such authority to any such individual or group. For service as
a director, officer and employee of the Company, Executive shall be entitled to
the full protection of the applicable indemnification provisions of the
corporate charter, code of regulations, by-laws and other policies and
procedures of the Company.

                  (c) If:

                           (i) the Company materially changes Executive's duties
         and responsibilities as set forth in Paragraphs 1(b) and 2(b) without
         his consent (including, without limitation, by violating any of the
         provisions of clauses (i), (ii), (iii) and (iv) of Paragraph 2(b)); or

                           (ii) Executive's place of employment or the principal
         executive offices of the Company are located more than fifty (50) miles
         from the geographical center of Cleveland, Ohio; or

                           (iii) there occurs a material breach by the Company
         of any of its obligations under this Agreement, which breach has not
         been cured in all material respects within ten (10) days after
         Executive gives notice thereof to the Company; or

                           (iv) there occurs a "Change in Control" (as
         hereinafter defined) of the Company, then in any such event Executive
         shall have the right to terminate his employment with the Company, but
         such termination shall not be considered a voluntary resignation or
         termination by Executive of such employment or of this Agreement but
         rather a discharge of Executive by the Company without "Cause" (as
         hereinafter defined). Executive may exercise that right at any time
         within ninety (90) days after the date on which the applicable event
         has occurred (the event, for purposes of clause (iii), above,
         consisting of the lapsing of the last day of the cure period referred
         to therein).
                                                                          Page 5

<PAGE>   6

                  (d) Executive shall be deemed not to have consented to any
material change in his duties and responsibilities unless he shall give written
notice of his consent thereto to the Board within ninety (90) days after receipt
of a written proposal setting forth such change. If Executive shall not have
given such consent, the Company shall have the opportunity to withdraw such
proposed material change by written notice to Executive given within ten (10)
days after the end of said ninety (90) day period.

                  (e) The term "Change in Control" means the first to occur of
the following events:

                           (i) any person or group of commonly controlled
         persons owns or controls, directly or indirectly, thirty percent (30%)
         or more of the voting control or value of the capital stock of the
         Company; or

                           (ii) the shareholders of the Company approve an
         agreement to merge or consolidate with another corporation or other
         entity resulting (whether separately or in connection with a series of
         transactions) in a change in ownership of thirty percent (30%) or more
         of the voting control or value of the capital stock of the Company, or
         an agreement to sell or otherwise dispose of all or substantially all
         of the Company's assets (including, without limitation, a plan of
         liquidation or dissolution), or otherwise approve of a fundamental
         alteration in the nature of the Company's business.

         3. COMPENSATION.

                  (a) For all services he may render to the Company during the
term of this Agreement, the Company shall pay to Executive the following:

                           (i) for the period beginning on the date hereof and
         ending January 23, 1999, salary equal to an annual salary of Nine
         Hundred Fifty Thousand Dollars ($950,000) MULTIPLIED BY the ratio of
         the number of days in the period beginning
                                                                          Page 6

<PAGE>   7

         on the date hereof and ending on January 23, 1999 to the total number
         of days in the current Fiscal Year (as hereinafter defined);

                           (ii) for the Fiscal Year beginning on January 24,
         1999, and for each Fiscal Year thereafter during the term of this
         Agreement, salary as determined by the Compensation Committee, which in
         no event shall be less than the annual salary that was payable by the
         Company to Executive under this Paragraph 3(a) for the immediately
         preceding Fiscal Year; and

                           (iii) notwithstanding the foregoing, at any time and
         from time to time during the term of this Agreement, the Compensation
         Committee may increase (but not decrease) Executive's annual salary.

Salary payable by the Company to Executive under this Paragraph 3(a) shall be
payable in those installments customarily used in payment of salaries to the
Company's executives (but in no event less frequently than monthly). The term
"Fiscal Year" means the period beginning on the day after the Saturday
immediately preceding the last Wednesday in January of one year and ending on
the Saturday immediately preceding the last Wednesday in January of the
immediately following year.

                  (b) In addition to the salary provided in Paragraph 3(a), the
Company shall pay to Executive bonus compensation (i) under the OfficeMax, Inc.
Annual Incentive Bonus Plan, or (ii) if such plan ceases to be in effect in
substantially the same form as in effect on the date of this Agreement, at least
annually in respect of each Fiscal Year not later than ninety (90) days after
the close of each Fiscal Year as determined by the Compensation Committee and
based on the performance of the Company (which shall be based on criteria no
less favorable to Executive than criteria used by the Compensation Committee to
determine bonus compensation for other senior executives of the Company).

                                                                          Page 7

<PAGE>   8

         4. SALARY AND BONUS; PAYMENT IN THE EVENT OF DEATH. In the event of
Executive's death during the term of this Agreement:

                  (a) The Company shall pay to Executive a pro rata portion of
the bonus applicable to the Fiscal Year in which such death occurs, as such
bonus is determined under Paragraph 3(b). Such pro rata portion shall be
determined by MULTIPLYING the amount, if any, of bonus that would have been
payable pursuant to such Paragraph 3(b) if Executive had remained employed under
this Agreement for the entire applicable Fiscal Year and achieved 100% of
Executive's personal goals for the fiscal year BY a fraction (the "Partial Year
Fraction"), the numerator of which is the number of days in the applicable
Fiscal Year elapsed prior to the date of death and the denominator of which is
three hundred sixty-five (365).

                  (b) The pro rata portion of the bonus described in Paragraph
4(a) shall be paid when and as provided in Paragraph 3(b).

                  (c) Except as otherwise provided in Paragraphs 4(a), 5, 6 and
7, Executive's employment hereunder shall terminate and Executive shall be
entitled to no further compensation or other benefits under this Agreement,
except as to that portion of any unpaid salary and other benefits accrued and
earned by him hereunder up to and including the date of such death.

         5. OPTIONS TO ACQUIRE COMMON SHARES; CERTAIN OTHER PAYMENTS.

                  (a) The Company has granted to Executive under the Prior
Employment Agreement and pursuant to Stock Option Agreements executed prior to
the date hereof options (all of which, together with any additional options
hereafter granted under the Plan (defined below) are referred to as the
"Options") to purchase common shares of the Company, without par value, under
the OfficeMax, Inc. Equity-Based Award Plan as in effect on

                                                                          Page 8

<PAGE>   9

the date of this Agreement (the "Plan", the terms in this Paragraph 5 having the
same meaning as under the Plan, unless otherwise defined in this Agreement).

                  (b) The Compensation Committee has determined that the
following provisions shall apply to the grant of the Options, in addition to or
in substitution for the provisions of the Plan:

                           (i) Except as otherwise provided in this Agreement,
         (A) the Options granted to Executive as of March 9, 1995 (the "1995
         Options") shall expire on March 9, 2005, and shall not be exercisable
         thereafter, and (B) Executive may exercise, and shall have the
         irrevocable and nonforfeitable right to exercise, the 1995 Options to
         the extent not previously exercised and thereby purchase any number of
         Shares up to but not in excess of the cumulative number of Shares set
         forth below on or after the corresponding dates:

               - 337,500 Shares on or after January 27, 1996;

               - 675,000 Shares on or after January 25, 1997; and

               - 1,012,500 Shares on or after January 24, 1998.

                           (ii) In the event of the cessation of Executive's
         employment with the Company for Cause prior to the end of the term of
         this Agreement (subject to the provisions of Paragraph 2(c)), any
         unexercised Options shall terminate and be of no further force or
         effect simultaneously with such cessation; otherwise, the Options and
         Executive's right to exercise the Options shall not be affected by the
         cessation of his employment with the Company for any reason except as
         expressly provided in this Agreement or in the Plan.

                           (iii) In the event of the cessation of Executive's
         employment with the Company for any reason other than (A) Cause or (B)
         Executive's death, in

                                                                          Page 9

<PAGE>   10

         addition to any other Options which Executive is then entitled to
         exercise hereunder, prior to any of the dates referred to in Paragraph
         5(b)(i) Executive shall be entitled to exercise all of the Options. In
         the event of the cessation of Executive's employment with the Company
         as a result of his death, in addition to any other Options which
         Executive is then entitled to exercise hereunder, prior to any of the
         dates referred to in Paragraph 5(b)(i), Executive shall be entitled to
         exercise a number of Options equal to the additional number he would
         have been eligible to exercise on the next date described in Paragraph
         5(b)(i) after Executive's death MULTIPLIED BY the Partial Year Fraction
         in respect of the Fiscal Year in which such death occurred.

                           (iv) In the event of and in connection with any
         Change in Control, all of the Options shall be fully and immediately
         exercisable by Executive, notwithstanding the terms of Paragraph
         5(b)(i).

                           (v) Notwithstanding the provisions of Paragraph
         5(b)(i) or of any Stock Option Agreement between the Company and
         Executive relating to the period during which Options may be exercised,
         if one of the events described in Paragraphs 5(b)(iii) or 5(b) (iv)
         occurs, thereby accelerating any dates under Paragraph 5(b) (i) on
         which Options first may be exercised, all of the Options shall expire
         on the date which is three (3) years after the date of such event, and
         shall not be exercisable thereafter.

                  (c) If the Plan is altered, amended, suspended or discontinued
as provided in Section 11 thereof in a manner that could have the effect of
denying Executive the benefits of the Options as granted under the Plan as in
effect on the date hereof, subject to the provisions of this Agreement, the
terms of the Plan as in effect on the date hereof shall be deemed to be
incorporated into and thereby become obligations of the Company under this
Agreement, notwithstanding such alteration, suspension or discontinuation of the
Plan.

                                                                         Page 10

<PAGE>   11

                  (d) If all or any portion of the amounts payable to Executive
under this Agreement, including without limitation the amounts payable under
this Paragraph 5(d), the issuance of Shares and the amounts payable under
Paragraph 8(d), constitute "excess parachute payments" within the meaning of
Section 280G of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended (the "Code"), that
are subject to the excise tax imposed by Section 4999 of the Code (or any
similar tax or assessment), the amounts payable hereunder shall be increased to
the extent necessary to place Executive in the same after-tax position as he
would have been in had no such tax assessment been imposed on any such payment
paid or payable to Executive under this Agreement or any other payment that
Executive may receive in connection therewith. Such incremental payment shall be
made promptly after the amount has been determined and in any event no later
than five (5) business days before such excise or other similar tax or
assessment is due. If it subsequently is determined (pursuant to final
regulations or published rulings of the Internal Revenue Service, final judgment
of a court of competent jurisdiction, Internal Revenue Service audit assessment,
or otherwise) that the amount of such excise or other similar taxes or
assessments payable by Executive is greater than the amount initially so
determined, then the Company shall pay Executive an amount equal to the sum of:
(i) such additional excise or other taxes, PLUS (ii) any interest, fines and
penalties resulting from such underpayment, PLUS (iii) an amount necessary to
reimburse Executive for any income, excise or other tax assessment payable by
Executive with respect to the amounts specified in (i) and (ii) above, and the
reimbursement provided by this clause (iii), in the manner described above in
this Paragraph 5(d). Payment thereof shall be made within five (5) business days
after the date upon which such subsequent determination is made.

         6. RETIREMENT BENEFITS. Executive shall participate in all retirement
and other benefit plans of the Company (both qualified and nonqualified)
generally available to

                                                                         Page 11
<PAGE>   12

classifications of employees of the Company of which Executive is a member and
for which Executive qualifies under the terms thereof (and nothing in this
Agreement shall or shall be deemed to in any way adversely affect Executive's
right and benefits thereunder).

         7. LIFE INSURANCE AND OTHER BENEFITS.

                  (a) The Company shall provide to Executive and his spouse and
dependents the life, health and dental insurance coverage described on Annex A
to this Agreement.

                  (b) The Company shall provide Executive with a monthly
automobile allowance which shall not be less than the monthly automobile
allowance for Executive in effect on the date hereof, adjusted annually to
reflect inflation as measured by changes in the Consumer Price Index or other
comparable index.

                  (c) Executive shall be entitled to such periods of vacation
and sick leave allowance each year determined by Executive in his reasonable and
good faith discretion, which in any event shall be not less than as provided
under the Company's vacation and sick leave policy for executive officers.

                  (d) Executive shall be entitled to participate in any equity
or other employee benefit plan that is generally available to senior executive
officers, as distinguished from general management, of the Company. Executive's
participation in and benefits under any such plan shall be on the terms and
subject to the conditions specified in the governing document of the particular
plan.

                  (e) The Company shall provide Executive with tax and financial
advisory and tax return preparation services at an annual cost to the Company
not to exceed five thousand dollars ($5,000), adjusted annually to reflect
inflation as measured by changes in the Consumer Price Index or other comparable
index.

                                                                         Page 12

<PAGE>   13

         8. TERMINATION.

                  (a) The employment of Executive under this Agreement, and the
term hereof, may be terminated by the Company:

                           (i) on death or Permanent Disability (as hereinafter
         defined) of Executive, or

                           (ii) for Cause at any time by action of the Board.
         For purposes hereof, the term "Cause" shall mean:

                                    (A) Executive's fraud, commission of a
                  felony or of an act or series of acts which result in material
                  injury to the business reputation of the Company, commission
                  of an act or series of repeated acts of dishonesty, which act
                  is or acts are materially inimical to the best interests of
                  the Company, or Executive's willful and repeated failure to
                  perform his duties under this Agreement, which failure has not
                  been cured within fifteen (15) days after the Company gives
                  notice thereof to Executive;

                                    (B) Executive's material breach of any
                  material provision of this Agreement, which breach has not
                  been cured in all substantial respects within ten (10) days
                  after the Company gives notice thereof to Executive;

                                    (C) Executive's engagement as an officer,
                  director, employee or consultant of an entity in competition
                  with the Company (as defined in Paragraph 10(b)); or

                                    (D) Executive's direct or indirect
                  involvement as a shareholder, proprietor or partner of an
                  entity in competition with the Company (as defined in
                  Paragraph 10(b)); provided, however, that ownership of less
                  than
                                                                         Page 13
<PAGE>   14

                  one percent (1%) of a class of publicly traded securities of
                  an entity shall not be deemed to be a violation of the
                  foregoing clause.

Any termination by reason of the foregoing shall not be in limitation of any
other right or remedy the Company may have under this Agreement or otherwise. On
any termination of this Agreement, Executive shall be deemed to have resigned
from all offices and directorships held by Executive in the Company and in each
of its subsidiaries and affiliates, as the case may be.

                  (b) In the event of a termination claimed by the Company to be
for "Cause" pursuant to Paragraph 8(a)(ii), Executive shall have the right to
have the justification for said termination determined by arbitration in
Cleveland, Ohio. In such event, Executive shall serve on the Company within
thirty (30) days after termination a written request for arbitration. The
Company immediately shall request the appointment of an arbitrator by the
American Arbitration Association and thereafter the question of "Cause" shall be
determined under the rules of the American Arbitration Association, and the
decision of the arbitrator shall be final and binding on both parties. The
parties shall use all reasonable efforts to facilitate and expedite the
arbitration, and shall act to cause the arbitration to be completed as promptly
as possible. During the pendency of the arbitration, Executive shall continue to
receive all compensation and benefits to which he is entitled hereunder, and if
at any time during the pendency of such arbitration the Company fails to pay and
provide all compensation and benefits to Executive in a timely manner the
Company shall be deemed to have automatically waived whatever rights it then may
have had to terminate Executive's employment for Cause. Expenses of the
arbitration shall be borne by the Company.

                  (c) In the event of termination for death or Cause, except as
otherwise provided in Paragraphs 4, 5, 6 and 7, Executive shall be entitled to
no further compensation or other benefits under this Agreement, except as to
that portion of any unpaid salary and other

                                                                         Page 14

<PAGE>   15

benefits accrued and earned by him hereunder up to and including the effective
date of such termination.

                  (d) In the event of the termination by the Company of
Executive's employment with the Company for any reason other than on death or
for Cause, in addition to any other rights or remedies Executive may have
against the Company as a result of such termination, (i) the Company shall
continue for the remainder of the term of this Agreement then in effect to pay
and provide to Executive all of the salary and bonus compensation and other
rights and benefits provided for herein; provided, however, that such bonus
compensation in respect of each Fiscal Year included within the payment period
shall be equal to the highest bonus compensation paid or payable to Executive in
respect of any of the three (3) Fiscal Years immediately preceding the Fiscal
Year during which such termination occurs; and (ii) the Company shall until the
fifth anniversary of that termination provide to Executive office space,
secretarial support and continuing use of private telephone numbers, facsimile
numbers and e-mail addresses. The Company shall provide the items called for in
clause (ii) of the immediately preceding sentence at a place and on terms and
conditions that Executive, in his sole and reasonable discretion, determines are
commensurate with those available to Executive immediately prior to that
termination.

                  (e) For purposes of this Agreement, Executive's "Permanent
Disability" shall be deemed to have occurred after one hundred twenty (120) days
in the aggregate during any consecutive twelve (12) month period, or after
ninety (90) consecutive days, during which one hundred twenty (120) or ninety
(90) days, as the case may be, Executive, by reason of his physical or mental
disability or illness, shall have been unable to discharge his duties under this
Agreement. The date of Permanent Disability shall be such one hundred twentieth
(120th) or ninetieth (90th) day, as the case may be. In the event either the
Company or

                                                                         Page 15

<PAGE>   16

Executive, after receipt of notice of Executive's Permanent Disability from the
other, disputes Executive's Permanent Disability, Executive promptly shall
submit to a physical examination by the chief of medicine of any major
accredited hospital in the Cleveland, Ohio, area and, unless such physician
shall issue his written statement to the effect that in his opinion, based on
his diagnosis, Executive is capable of resuming his employment and devoting his
full time and energy to discharging his duties within thirty (30) days after the
date of such statement, such Permanent Disability shall be deemed to have
occurred.

         9. REIMBURSEMENT. The Company shall reimburse Executive or provide him
with an expense allowance during the term of this Agreement for travel,
entertainment and other expenses reasonably and necessarily incurred by
Executive in connection with the Company's business. Executive shall furnish
such documentation with respect to reimbursement to be paid under this Paragraph
9 as the Company shall reasonably request.

         10. COVENANTS AND CONFIDENTIAL INFORMATION.

                  (a) During the term of this Agreement, including any periods
during which Executive is not providing services to the Company but is receiving
payments of compensation hereunder (but not including payments under Paragraphs
5, 6 or 7), Executive shall not, directly or indirectly, do or suffer any of the
following:

                           (i) Own, manage, control or participate in the
         ownership, management, or control of, or be employed or engaged by or
         otherwise affiliated or associated as a consultant, independent
         contractor or otherwise with, any other corporation, partnership,
         proprietorship, firm, association or other business entity, or
         otherwise engage in any business, which is in competition with the
         Company (as described in Paragraph 10(b)); provided, however, that the
         ownership of not more than

                                                                         Page 16

<PAGE>   17

         one percent (1%) of any class of publicly traded securities of any
         entity shall not be deemed a violation of this covenant;

                           (ii) Employ, assist in employing, or otherwise
         associate in business with any senior executive of the Company who was
         so employed or retained at any time during the one (1) year period
         preceding the date on which Executive's employment with the Company
         ceases;

                           (iii) Induce any person who is a senior executive or
         officer of the Company to terminate said relationship; and

                           (iv) Disclose, divulge, discuss, copy or otherwise
         use or suffer to be used in any manner, in competition with, or
         contrary to the interests of, the Company any confidential information
         or trade secrets of the Company, it being acknowledged by Executive
         that all such information regarding the business of the Company
         compiled or obtained by, or furnished to, Executive while Executive
         shall have been employed by or associated with the Company is
         confidential information and the Company's exclusive property.

                  (b) For purposes of this Agreement, an entity shall be deemed
to be in competition with the Company if and only if more than twenty-five per
cent (25%) of the gross revenues of such entity are derived from the business of
selling office supplies, office furniture, computers, and such other products of
the type as are sold at or from a majority of OfficeMax stores on the date of
the termination of Executive's employment hereunder.

                  (c) Executive expressly agrees and understands that the remedy
at law for any breach by him of this Paragraph 10 will be inadequate and that
the damages flowing from such breach are not readily susceptible to being
measured in monetary terms. Accordingly, it is acknowledged that, upon adequate
proof of Executive's violation of any legally enforceable
                                                                         Page 17

<PAGE>   18

provision of this Paragraph 10, the Company shall be entitled to immediate
injunctive relief and may obtain a temporary order restraining any threatened or
further breach. Nothing in this Paragraph 10 shall be deemed to limit the
Company's remedies at law or in equity for any breach by Executive of any of the
provisions of this Paragraph 10 which may be pursued or availed of by the
Company.

                  (d) Executive has carefully considered the nature and extent
of the restrictions upon him and the rights and remedies conferred upon the
Company under this Paragraph 10, and hereby acknowledges and agrees that the
same are reasonable in time and territory, are designed to eliminate competition
which otherwise would be unfair to the Company, do not stifle the inherent skill
and experience of Executive, would not operate as a bar to Executive's sole
means of support, are fully required to protect the legitimate interests of the
Company and do not confer a benefit upon the Company disproportionate to the
detriment to Executive.

         11. WITHHOLDING TAXES. Certain payments to Executive under this
Agreement may be subject to withholding on account of federal, state and local
taxes as required by law. Except with respect to income realized by Executive as
described in Paragraph 5(d), if any particular payment required hereunder is
insufficient to provide the amount of such taxes required to be withheld, the
Company may withhold such taxes from any other payment due Executive. Except
with respect to income realized by Executive as described in Paragraph 5(d), in
the event all cash payments due Executive are insufficient to provide the
required amount of such withholding taxes, Executive, within five (5) days of
written notice from the Company, shall pay to the Company the amount of such
withholding taxes in excess of all cash payments due Executive at the time such
withholding is required to be made by the Company.

                                                                         Page 18

<PAGE>   19

         12. SEVERABLE PROVISIONS. The provisions of this Agreement are
severable and if any one or more provisions may be determined to be illegal or
otherwise unenforceable, in whole or in part, the remaining provisions and any
partially unenforceable provision to the extent enforceable in any jurisdiction
nevertheless shall be binding and enforceable.

         13. BINDING AGREEMENT. The rights and obligations of the Company under
this Agreement shall inure to the benefit of, and shall be binding on, the
Company and its successors and assigns, and the rights and obligations (other
than obligations to perform services) of Executive under this Agreement shall
inure to the benefit of, and shall be binding upon, Executive and his heirs,
personal representatives and successors and assigns.

         14. ENFORCEMENT OF RIGHTS; ARBITRATION.

                  (a) If the Company terminates Executive's employment with the
Company other than for Cause or as a result of his death or Permanent Disability
or Executive alleges that the Company otherwise has breached or the Company
otherwise breaches this Agreement or any of its obligations hereunder, in order
for Executive to enforce and continue to enjoy his rights hereunder, including
without limitation the right to continue to receive compensation and other
payments and benefits hereunder for the remainder of the term of this Agreement,
Executive shall be under no duty to seek other employment or otherwise mitigate
his damages as a result of such termination of employment or alleged breach or
breach by the Company.

                  (b) The Company shall indemnify and reimburse Executive for
his costs and expenses, including reasonable attorneys' fees, incurred in
connection with enforcing his rights hereunder.

                  (c) Any controversy or claim arising out of or relating to
this Agreement, or the breach thereof, shall be settled by arbitration in
accordance with the Rules of

                                                                         Page 19

<PAGE>   20

the American Arbitration Association then pertaining in the City of Cleveland,
Ohio, and judgment upon the award rendered by the arbitrator or arbitrators may
be entered in any court having jurisdiction thereof. The arbitrator or
arbitrators shall be deemed to possess the powers to issue mandatory orders and
restraining orders in connection with such arbitration; provided, however, that
nothing in this Paragraph 14 shall be construed so as to deny the Company the
right and power to seek and obtain injunctive relief in a court of equity for
any breach or threatened breach by Executive of any of his covenants contained
in Paragraph 10 hereof.

         15. NOTICES. Any notice to be given under this Agreement shall be
personally delivered in writing or shall have been deemed duly given when
received after it is posted in the United States mail, postage prepaid,
registered or certified, return receipt requested, and if mailed to the Company,
shall be addressed to its principal place of business, attention: General
Counsel, and if mailed to Executive, shall be addressed to him at his home
address last known on the records of the Company, or at such other address or
addresses as either the Company or Executive may hereafter designate in writing
to the other.

         16. WAIVER. The failure of either party to enforce any provision or
provisions of this Agreement shall not in any way be construed as a waiver of
any such provision or provisions as to any future violations thereof, nor
prevent that party thereafter from enforcing each and every other provision of
this Agreement. The rights granted the parties herein are cumulative and the
waiver of any single remedy shall not constitute a waiver of such party's right
to assert all other legal remedies available to it under the circumstances.

         17. MISCELLANEOUS. This Agreement supersedes all prior agreements and
understandings between the parties and may not be modified or terminated orally.
No modification, termination or attempted waiver shall be valid unless in
writing and signed by the party against whom the same is sought to be enforced.

                                                                         Page 20
<PAGE>   21

         18. GOVERNING LAW. This Agreement shall be governed by and construed
according to the laws of the State of Ohio.

         19. CAPTIONS AND PARAGRAPH HEADINGS. Captions and paragraph headings
used herein are for convenience and are not a part of this Agreement and shall
not be used in construing it.

         20. MISCELLANEOUS. Where necessary or appropriate to the meaning
hereof, the singular and plural shall be deemed to include each other, and the
masculine, feminine and neuter shall be deemed to include each other.

                  IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties have executed this Agreement
effective on the day and year first set forth above.

                                          OFFICEMAX, INC.

                                          By  /s/ ROSS H. POLLOCK
                                              ----------------------------------
                                              Ross H. Pollock
                                              Secretary

                                              /s/ MICHAEL FEUER
                                              ----------------------------------
                                              Michael Feuer

                                                                         Page 21

<PAGE>   22

                                     ANNEX A

                         Benefits Summary for Mr. Feuer

MEDICAL INSURANCE

OfficeMax offers a Section 125, self-insured medical plan to all full-time
Associates after three months of service. The Plan maximum lifetime benefit is
$1,000,000. The Plan is designed to pay in-network charges at 80%. Expenses for
prescription drugs and preventive services are not subject to a deductible.

DENTAL INSURANCE

OfficeMax offers a Section 125, self-insured dental plan to all full-time
Associates after six months of service. The annual maximum Plan benefit is
$1,000. There is a schedule that is followed for preventive and restorative
care.

LIFE INSURANCE

Through an insurance company, OfficeMax provides each full-time Associate with 1
1/2 times his or her salary in group, term-life insurance. Mr. Feuer holds the
plan maximum limit of $500,000. The group life insurance policy has an
Accidental Death and Dismemberment (AD&D) clause. An additional benefit (not to
exceed $500,000) would be payable in the event of accidental loss of life/limb
based on the policy's defined schedule. This policy remains in effect until age
70, then follows a benefit reduction schedule. In addition, OfficeMax carries a
$500,000 term life insurance policy with Prudential Insurance on Mr. Feuer's
life, the benefits of which are payable to his estate in the event of his death.

SHORT-TERM DISABILITY

OfficeMax offers a Section 125, Short-Term Disability Plan to all full-time
Associates after six months of service. The benefit (up to $1,000 per week) is
payable for short-term disability leaves lasting up to 13 weeks. There is a
seven-day waiting period before benefits are payable.

LONG-TERM DISABILITY

Through an insurance company, OfficeMax provides each full-time Associate with
Long-Term disability benefits after three months of service. The benefits are
payable after 90 days of disability at 60% of salary up to a monthly maximum of
$10,000. Any such Long-Term disability benefits received by Mr. Feuer following
the termination of his employment as a result of his Permanent Disability (as
such term is defined in the Employment Agreement to which this Annex A is
attached) will be credited against the Company's obligations to continue Mr.
Feuer's salary and bonus compensation as a result of his Permanent Disability.

401(k) PLAN

OfficeMax offers a Section 401(k) Plan to all Associates after one year of
service. Mr. Feuer is fully vested in his payroll deferrals to the Plan. The
Plan offers a company match of 50% of the first 3% of compensation contributed
by the Associate. The Plan is subject to non-discrimination rules which
currently limit Mr. Feuer's maximum annual contribution below the annual maximum
allowed under the IRC. The Company does not offer any other retirement plans.

                                                                         Page 22

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