Document:

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                                                                    EXHIBIT 10.2

                                                                  EXECUTION COPY

                             NOTE PURCHASE AGREEMENT

                                  BY AND AMONG

                            ROCKY SHOES & BOOTS, INC.
                    AND THE OTHER LOAN PARTIES IDENTIFIED ON
                           THE SIGNATURE PAGES HERETO,

                   AMERICAN CAPITAL FINANCIAL SERVICES, INC.,
                                    AS AGENT,

                                       AND

                          THE PURCHASERS IDENTIFIED ON
                                 ANNEX A HERETO

                                 January 6, 2005

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                             NOTE PURCHASE AGREEMENT

         $30,000,000 AGGREGATE PRINCIPAL AMOUNT OF SENIOR SECURED TERM B
                            NOTES DUE JANUARY 6, 2011

            THIS NOTE PURCHASE AGREEMENT (this "AGREEMENT"), dated as of January
6, 2005, is by and among ROCKY SHOES & BOOTS, Inc., an Ohio corporation,
("PARENT") and the other parties identified on the signature pages hereto as
"Loan Parties" (each a "Loan Party" and, together with Parent, the "LOAN
PARTIES"), the note purchasers that are now and hereafter at any time parties
hereto and are listed in Annex A (or any amendment or supplement thereto)
attached hereto (each a "PURCHASER" and collectively, the "PURCHASERS"), and
AMERICAN CAPITAL FINANCIAL SERVICES, INC., a Delaware corporation ("ACFS"), as
administrative and collateral agent for the Purchasers (in such capacity
"AGENT"). Capitalized terms used and not defined elsewhere in this Agreement are
defined in Article 1 hereof.

                                    RECITALS

A. The Loan Parties have proposed selling Senior Secured Term B Notes to the
Purchasers designated on Annex A in the aggregate amount of $30,000,000 for the
purpose of partially financing the acquisition of all of the equity interests of
EJ Footwear LLC, a Delaware limited liability company, Georgia Boot LLC, a
Delaware limited liability company, HM Lehigh Safety Shoe Co. LLC, a Delaware
limited liability company, and their respective subsidiaries (collectively EJ
FOOTWEAR") by Parent (the "ACQUISITION").

B. The Loan Parties also propose to enter into a revolving credit facility with
and to obtain term loans from the Lenders (as defined herein) in the aggregate
amount of $118,000,000.

            NOW, THEREFORE, the parties hereto, in consideration of the promises
and their mutual covenants and agreements herein set forth and intending to be
legally bound hereby, covenant and agree as follows:

                                    ARTICLE 1

                                   DEFINITIONS

            1.1 CERTAIN DEFINITIONS. In addition to other words and terms
defined elsewhere in this Agreement, the following words and terms shall have
the meanings set forth below:

            "ACAS" shall mean American Capital Strategies, Ltd., a Delaware
corporation.

            "ACFS" shall have the meaning assigned to such term in the preamble
hereto.

            "ACQUISITION" shall have the meaning assigned to such term in the
recitals hereto.

            "ACQUISITION-RELATED EXPENSES" shall mean the sum of the aggregate
amount of fees, expenses, financing costs and other expenses incurred in
connection with the Transactions, to the extent paid substantially
contemporaneously with, or on or about the Closing Date.

            "AFFILIATE" shall mean, with respect to any Person, any other Person
that is directly or indirectly controlling, controlled by or under common
control with such Person or entity or any

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of its Subsidiaries, and the term "control" (including the terms "CONTROLLED BY"
and "UNDER COMMON CONTROL WITH") means having, directly or indirectly, the power
to direct or cause the direction of the management and policies of a Person,
whether through ownership of voting securities, by contract or otherwise.
Without limiting the foregoing, the ownership of ten percent (10%) or more of
the voting securities of a Person shall be deemed to constitute control and
notwithstanding anything to the contrary herein, neither the Purchasers nor any
of their respective Affiliates shall be deemed to be Affiliates of the Loan
Parties by virtue of the transactions contemplated in this Agreement.

            "AGENT" shall have the meaning assigned to such term in the preamble
hereto and shall include any successor agent provided for hereunder.

            "AGREEMENT" shall mean this Note Purchase Agreement, as the same may
be amended, restated, supplemented or otherwise modified from time to time.

            "BANKRUPTCY CODE" shall mean Title 11, United States Code.

            "BUSINESS" shall mean the principal business of the Loan Parties as
set forth in Section 5.1(b) herein and as such shall continue to be conducted
following the purchase and sale of the Senior Term Notes.

            "BUSINESS DAY" shall mean any day other than a Saturday, Sunday or
other day on which banking institutions in Maryland and New York are authorized
or required by law to close.

            "BY-LAWS" shall mean, with respect to any Person, the by-laws,
partnership agreement, operating agreement, limited liability company agreement
or analogous instrument governing the operations of the Loan Parties, as
applicable, including all amendments and supplements thereto.

            "CAPITAL EXPENDITURES" shall mean, for any period of determination,
the sum of capital expenditures and payments under Capitalized Leases of the
Loan Parties for such period determined and consolidated in accordance with
GAAP.

            "CAPITALIZATION SCHEDULE" shall have the meaning assigned to such
term in Section 5.1(d)

            "CAPITALIZED LEASES" shall mean, with respect to any Person, leases
of (or other agreements conveying the right to use) any property (whether real,
personal or mixed) by such Person as lessee that, in accordance with GAAP,
either would be required to be classified and accounted for as capital leases on
a balance sheet of such Person or would otherwise be disclosed as such in a note
to such balance sheet.

            "CASH FLOW PREPAYMENT" shall have the meaning assigned to such term
in Section 3.5(b) hereof.

            "CERCLA" shall mean the Comprehensive Environmental Response,
Compensation and Liability Act (42 U.S.C. Section 9604, et seq.), as amended,
and rules, regulations, and standards promulgated thereunder.

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            "CHANGE OF CONTROL" shall mean the occurrence of any of the
following:

            (a) any transaction or series of related transactions resulting in
the sale or issuance of securities or any rights to securities of Parent by
Parent representing in the aggregate more than fifty percent (50%) of its issued
and outstanding securities entitled to vote for the election of directors of
Parent, or any transaction or series of related transactions resulting in the
sale, transfer, assignment or other conveyance or disposition of any securities
or any rights to securities of Parent by any holder or holders thereof
representing in the aggregate more than fifty percent (50%) of the issued and
outstanding securities entitled to vote for the election of directors of Parent;

            (b) a merger, consolidation, reorganization, recapitalization or
share exchange (whether or not Parent is the surviving and continuing
corporation) in which the stockholders of Parent immediately prior to such
transaction own, as a result of such transaction, less than fifty percent (50%)
of the securities entitled to vote for the election of directors of the
resulting corporation or less than fifty percent (50%) of the capital stock of
the resulting corporation;

            (c) a sale, transfer or other disposition of all or substantially
all of the assets of Parent and its Subsidiaries, on a consolidated basis; and

            (d) any sale or issuance or series of sales or issuances of the
Common Stock or any other voting security (or security convertible into,
exchangeable for, or exercisable for any other voting security) of Parent within
a twelve (12) month period that results in a transfer of more than fifty percent
(50%) of the issued and outstanding shares of voting stock of Parent or a
transfer of more than fifty percent (50%) of the voting power of Parent.

            "CHARGES" shall mean all taxes, charges, fees, imposts, levies or
other assessments, including, without limitation, all net income, gross income,
gross receipts, sales, use, ad valorem, value added, transfer, franchise,
profits, inventory, capital stock, license, withholding, payroll, employment,
social security, unemployment, excise, severance, stamp, occupation and property
taxes, custom duties, fees, assessments, liens, claims and charges of any kind
whatsoever, together with any interest and any penalties, additions to tax or
additional amounts, imposed by any taxing or other authority, domestic or
foreign (including, without limitation, the PBGC or any environmental agency or
superfund), upon the Collateral, the Loan Parties or any of their Affiliates.

            "CHARTER DOCUMENTS" shall mean, with respect to any Person, the
Articles of Incorporation, Certificate of Incorporation, certificate of limited
partnership, certificate of limited liability company, charter or analogous
organic instrument filed with the appropriate Governmental Authorities of such
Person, as applicable, including all amendments and supplements thereto.

            "CLOSING" shall have the meaning assigned in Section 2.3 hereof.

            "CLOSING PROCESSING FEE" shall mean an amount equal to $300,000 less
the amount of the Term Sheet Processing Fee paid by Parent to ACAS.

            "CLOSING DATE" shall have the meaning assigned to such term in
Section 2.3 hereof.

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            "CODE" shall mean the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended.

            "COLLATERAL" shall have the meaning assigned to such term in the
Security Agreement.

            "COLLATERAL ASSIGNMENT OF CONTRACTS" shall have the meaning assigned
to such term in Section 4.1(c) hereof.

            "COMMITMENT FEE" shall mean an amount equal to $300,000, which was
previously paid to ACAS by Parent upon the delivery of a commitment letter by
ACAS to Parent, pursuant to which ACAS committed to purchase the Senior Term
Notes from the Loan Parties subject to the terms and conditions contained
therein.

            "COMMON STOCK" shall mean the common stock, without par value, of
Parent.

            "CONDITION" shall mean any condition that results in or otherwise
relates to any Environmental Liabilities.

            "CONTROLLED GROUP" shall mean the "controlled group of corporations"
as that term is defined in Section 1563 of the Code, of which the Loan Parties
are a party from time to time.

            "COPYRIGHT LICENSES" means any agreement, whether written or oral,
providing for the grant by or to the Loan Parties or any of their Subsidiaries
of any right under any Copyright, including the grant of any right to use, copy,
publicly perform, display, create derivative works, manufacture, distribute,
exploit or sell materials derived from any Copyright.

            "COPYRIGHTS" means (a) all right, title and interest in or relating
to copyrights, whether now owned or hereafter acquired or existing, arising
under the laws of the United States or any other country or any political
subdivision thereof, whether registered or unregistered and whether published or
unpublished, all registrations and recordings thereof and all applications in
connection therewith, including all registrations, recordings and applications
in the United States Copyright Office or in any counterparts thereof, and (b)
the right to obtain all renewals, continuations, reversions and extensions
thereof.

            "COVERED TAXES" shall have the meaning assigned to such term in
Section 3.7 hereof.

            "DEBT TO EBITDA RATIO" shall mean the ratio of (i) Indebtedness of
the Loan Parties, on a consolidated basis, as of a particular date, to (ii) the
EBITDA for the twelve (12) month period ending on such date.

            "DEFAULT" shall mean any event or condition that, but for the giving
of notice or the lapse of time, or both, would constitute an Event of Default.

            "DEPOSIT ACCOUNT CONTROL AGREEMENTS" shall have the meaning assigned
to such term in Section 4.1(c).

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            "DOMESTIC SUBSIDIARY" shall mean, with respect to any Person, a
Subsidiary of such Person, which Subsidiary is incorporated or otherwise
organized under the laws of a State of the United States of America.

            "EARNINGS BEFORE INTEREST AND TAXES" shall mean, for any period, the
sum of (i) net income (or loss) of Parent on a Consolidated Basis for such
period (excluding extraordinary gains or losses), plus (ii) all interest expense
of Parent on a Consolidated Basis for such period, plus (iii) all Charges
against income of Parent on a Consolidated Basis for such period for federal,
state and local Taxes.

            "EBITDA" shall mean, for any period, the sum of (i) Earnings Before
Interest and Taxes for such period, plus (ii) depreciation expenses for such
period, plus (iii) amortization expenses for such period, plus (iv)
Acquisition-Related Expenses. For purposes of Sections 7.3(b), 7.3(c) and
7.3(d), EBITDA for the fiscal quarters ended prior to the Closing Date shall be
deemed to have been (w) $5,733,545 for the fiscal quarter ended March 31, 2004,
(x) $7,898,460 for the fiscal quarter ended June 30, 2004, (y) $13,845,283 for
the fiscal quarter ended September 30, 2004 and (z) $6,287,713 for the fiscal
quarter ended December 31, 2004.

            "EJ FINANCIAL INFORMATION" shall have the meaning assigned to such
term in Section 5.1(c) hereof.

            "EJ FOOTWEAR" shall have the meaning assigned to such term in the
recitals hereto.

            "ENVIRONMENTAL LAWS" shall mean any Laws that address, are related
to or are otherwise concerned with environmental, health or safety issues,
including any Laws relating to any emissions, releases or discharges of
Pollutants into ambient air, surface water, ground water or land, or otherwise
relating to the manufacture, processing, distribution, use, treatment, storage,
disposal, transport, handling, clean-up or control of Pollutants or any exposure
or impact on worker health and safety.

            "ENVIRONMENTAL LIABILITIES" shall mean any obligations or
liabilities (including any claims, suits or other assertions of obligations or
liabilities) that are:

            (a) related to environmental, health or safety issues (including
on-site or off-site contamination by Pollutants of surface or subsurface soil or
water, and occupational safety and health); and

            (b) based upon or related to (i) any provision of past, present or
future United States or foreign Environmental Law (including CERCLA and RCRA) or
common law, or (ii) any judgment, order, writ, decree, permit or injunction
imposed by any court, administrative agency, tribunal or otherwise.

            The term "Environmental Liabilities" includes: (i) fines, penalties,
judgments, awards, settlements, losses, damages (including foreseeable and
unforeseeable consequential damages), costs, fees (including attorneys' and
consultants' fees), expenses and disbursements; (ii) defense and other responses
to any administrative or judicial action (including claims, notice letters,
complaints, and other assertions of liability); and (iii) financial
responsibility for (1) cleanup costs and injunctive relief, including any
Removal, Remedial or other Response actions, and natural resource damages, and
(2) any other compliance or remedial measures.

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            "ENVIRONMENTAL SCHEDULE" shall have the meaning assigned to such
term in Section 5.1(l) hereof.

            "EPA" shall mean the United States Environmental Protection Agency
and any governmental body or agency succeeding to the functions thereof.

            "ERISA" shall mean the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of
1974, as the same may from time to time be amended, and the rules and
regulations of any governmental agency or authority, as from time to time in
effect, promulgated thereunder.

            "ERISA AFFILIATE" shall mean any Loan Party and any Person who is a
member of a group which is under common control with any Loan Party, who
together with any Loan Party is treated as a single employer within the meaning
of Section 414 of the Internal Revenue Code.

            "EVENT OF DEFAULT" shall mean any of the events of default described
in Section 8.1 hereof.

            "EXCESS CASH FLOW" shall mean, for any period, the greater of (a)
zero (0); or (b) without duplication, the total of the following for Parent on a
Consolidated Basis, each calculated for such period: (i) EBITDA; plus (ii) tax
refunds actually received; less (iii) Capital Expenditures (to the extent
actually made in cash and/or due to be made in cash within such period,
excluding any Capital Expenditures under or with respect to Capitalized Leases
to the extent of the amount financed thereby; less (iv) income and franchise
taxes paid or accrued excluding any provision for deferred taxes included in the
determination of net income; less (v) decreases in deferred income taxes
resulting from payments of deferred taxes accrued in prior periods; less (vi)
amounts of cash interest paid during such period; less (vii) mandatory
prepayments made under the GMAC Credit Agreement (other than excess cash flow
payments pursuant to Section 2.4(B)(3) or this Agreement); less (viii) payments
of principal paid in cash with respect to all long-term Indebtedness (other than
Revolving Loans under the GMAC Credit Agreement) and Capitalized Leases.

            "FINANCIAL PROJECTIONS" shall have the meaning assigned to such term
in Section 5.1(c) hereof.

            "FINANCIAL STATEMENTS" shall have the meaning assigned to such term
in Section 5.1(c) hereof.

            "FINANCING STATEMENTS" shall have the meaning assigned to such term
in Section 4.1(c) hereof.

            "FISCAL YEAR" or "FISCAL YEAR" shall mean each twelve (12) month
period ending on December 31 of each year.

            "FIXED CHARGE COVERAGE RATIO" shall mean, for any period, the ratio
of EBITDA of Parent on a Consolidated Basis less Capital Expenditures on a
consolidated basis during such period to the Fixed Charges during such period.

            "FIXED CHARGES" shall mean, for any period, and each calculated for
such period (without duplication) of Parent on a Consolidated Basis, the sum of
(a) cash interest expense of the

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Loan Parties; (b) scheduled payments of principal with respect to all
Indebtedness; (c) any cash payment of income or franchise taxes included in the
determination of net income, excluding any provision for deferred taxes; and (d)
payment of deferred taxes, income and franchise taxes accrued in any prior
period.

            "FOREIGN SUBSIDIARY" means, with respect to any Person, a Subsidiary
of such Person, which Subsidiary is not incorporated or otherwise organized
under the laws of a Sate of the United States of America.

            "GAAP" shall have the meaning assigned to such term in Section 1.2
hereof.

            "GMAC" shall mean GMAC Commercial Finance, LLC, a Delaware limited
liability company.

            "GMAC AGENT" shall mean the administrative agent as defined in the
GMAC Credit Agreement.

            "GMAC CREDIT AGREEMENT" shall mean that certain Loan and Security
Agreement by and among the Loan Parties and GMAC, dated as of January 6, 2005,
as such may be amended or modified from time to time as permitted hereunder.

            "GMAC CREDIT DOCUMENTS" shall mean the GMAC Credit Agreement and all
ancillary documents and materials entered into in connection with the GMAC
Credit Agreement.

            "GMAC FINANCING" shall mean, collectively, the Indebtedness and
other obligations under or relating to the Term Financing and the Revolving
Financing.

            "GOVERNMENTAL AUTHORITIES" shall mean any federal, state or
municipal court or other governmental department, commission, board, bureau,
agency or instrumentality, governmental or quasi-governmental, domestic or
foreign.

            "GUARANTY" shall mean any guaranty of the payment or performance of
any Indebtedness or other obligation and any other arrangement whereby credit is
extended to one obligor on the basis of any promise of another Person, whether
that promise is expressed in terms of an obligation to pay the Indebtedness of
such obligor, or to purchase an obligation owed by such obligor, or to purchase
goods and services from such obligor pursuant to a take-or-pay contract, or to
maintain the capital, working capital, solvency or general financial condition
of such obligor, whether or not any such arrangement is reflected on the balance
sheet of such other Person, firm or corporation, or referred to in a footnote
thereto, but shall not include endorsements of items for collection in the
ordinary course of business. For the purpose of all computations made under this
Agreement, the amount of a Guaranty in respect of any obligation shall be deemed
to be equal to the maximum aggregate amount of such obligation or, if the
Guaranty is limited to less than the full amount of such obligation, the maximum
aggregate potential liability under the terms of the Guaranty.

            "INDEBTEDNESS" shall mean, for any Person at the time of any
determination, without duplication, all obligations, contingent or otherwise, of
such Person that, in accordance with GAAP, should be classified upon the balance
sheet of such Person as indebtedness, but in any event including: (i) all
obligations for borrowed money, (ii) all obligations arising from

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installment purchases of property or representing the deferred purchase price of
property or services in respect of which such Person is liable, contingently or
otherwise, as obligor or otherwise (other than trade payables and other current
liabilities incurred in the ordinary course of business on terms customary in
the trade), (iii) all obligations evidenced by notes, bonds, debentures,
acceptances or instruments, or arising out of letters of credit or bankers'
acceptances issued for such Person's account, (iv) all obligations, whether or
not assumed, secured by any Lien or payable out of the proceeds or production
from any property or assets now or hereafter owned or acquired by such Person,
(v) all obligations for which such Person is obligated pursuant to a Guaranty
which are classified under GAAP as indebtedness, (vi) the capitalized portion of
lease obligations under Capitalized Leases, (vii) all obligations for which such
Person is obligated pursuant to any Interest Rate Protection Agreements or
derivative agreements or arrangements, (viii) all factoring arrangements and
(ix) all obligations of such Person upon which interest charges are customarily
paid or accrued.

            "INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY AGREEMENTS" shall have the meaning assigned
to such term in Section 4.1(c) hereof.

            "INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY SCHEDULE" shall have the meaning assigned to
such term in Section 5.1(r) hereof.

            "INTERCREDITOR AGREEMENT" shall have the meaning assigned to such
term in Section 10.17 hereof.

            "INTEREST RATE PROTECTION AGREEMENT" shall mean any interest rate
swap, interest rate cap, interest rate collar or other interest rate hedging
agreement or arrangement.

            "INVESTMENT" as applied to any Person shall mean the amount paid or
agreed to be paid or loaned, advanced or contributed to other Persons, and in
any event shall include, without limitation, (i) any direct or indirect purchase
or other acquisition of any notes, obligations, instruments, stock, securities
or ownership interest (including partnership interests and joint venture
interests) and (ii) any capital contribution to any other Person.

            "IRS" shall mean the Internal Revenue Service and any governmental
body or agency succeeding to the functions thereof.

            "LANDLORD WAIVER" shall mean a letter in form and substance
acceptable to Agent and executed by a landlord in respect of inventory of the
Loan Parties located at any leased premises of the Loan Parties pursuant to
which such landlord, among other things, waives or subordinates any Lien such
landlord may have in respect of such inventory.

            "LAWS" shall mean all U.S. and foreign federal, state or local
statutes, laws, rules, regulations, ordinances, codes, policies, rules of common
law, and the like, now or hereafter in effect, including any judicial or
administrative interpretations thereof, and any judicial or administrative
orders, consents, decrees or judgments.

            "LENDERS" shall collectively mean the lenders party to the GMAC
Credit Agreement.

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            "LIBOR BUSINESS DAY" means a business day on which banks in the city
of London are generally open for interbank or foreign exchange transactions.

            "LIBOR PERIOD" means each month commencing on the Closing Date (or
if the Closing Date is not a LIBOR Business Day, the next succeeding LIBOR
Business Day) and ending one month thereafter; provided, that the foregoing
provision relating to LIBOR Periods is subject to the following:

            (a) if any LIBOR Period would otherwise end on a day that is not a
LIBOR Business Day, such LIBOR Period shall be extended to the next succeeding
LIBOR Business Day unless the result of such extension would be to carry such
LIBOR Period into another calendar month in which event such LIBOR Period shall
end on the immediately preceding LIBOR Business Day;

            (b) any LIBOR Period that would otherwise extend beyond the maturity
date of any Senior Term Note to which it relates shall end on such maturity
date; and

            (c) any LIBOR Period that begins on the last LIBOR Business Day of a
calendar month (or on a day for which there is no numerically corresponding day
in the calendar month at the end of such LIBOR Period) shall end on the last
LIBOR Business Day following such calendar month.

            "LIBOR RATE" shall mean, an interest rate per annum equal to the
posted rate for thirty (30) day deposits in United States dollars appearing on
Telerate page 3750 as of 11:00 a.m. (London time) on the Business Day that is
the second (2nd) Business Day immediately preceding the date as of which the
LIBOR Rate is to be determined; provided, further, that if no rate appears on
Telerate page 3750 at such time and day, then the LIBOR Rate shall be determined
by Agent using such other indication of the prevailing LIBOR Rate as may
reasonably be chosen by Agent.

            "LIEN" shall mean any security interest, lien, pledge, bailment,
mortgage, hypothecation, deed of trust, conditional sales and title retention
agreement (including any lease in the nature thereof), charge, encumbrance or
other similar arrangement or interest in real or personal property, now owned or
hereafter acquired, whether such interest is based on common law, statute or
contract.

            "LIFESTYLE" shall mean Lifestyle Footwear, Inc., a Delaware
corporation.

            "LITIGATION SCHEDULE" shall have meaning assigned to such term in
Section 5.1(j) hereof.

            "LOAN PARTY" shall have the meaning assigned to such term in the
preamble hereto.

            "MANAGE" and "MANAGEMENT" shall mean generation, production,
handling, distribution, processing, use, storage, treatment, operation,
transportation, recycling, reuse and/or disposal, as those terms are defined in
CERCLA, RCRA and other Environmental Laws (including as those terms are further
defined, construed, or otherwise used in rules, regulations, standards,
guidelines and publications issued pursuant to, or otherwise in implementation
of, such Environmental Laws).

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            "MATERIAL ADVERSE CHANGE" shall mean any change that has a Material
Adverse Effect.

            "MATERIAL ADVERSE EFFECT" shall mean a material adverse effect on
the business, properties, assets, liabilities or condition (financial or
otherwise) of the Loan Parties, taken together as a whole.

            "MATURITY DATE" shall have the meaning assigned to such term in
Section 3.2 hereof.

            "MULTIEMPLOYER PLAN" shall mean a multiemployer plan (within the
meaning of Section 3(37) of ERISA) that is maintained for the benefit of the
employees of the Loan Parties or any member of the Controlled Group.

            "ORGANIZATION SCHEDULE" shall have the meaning assigned to such term
in Section 5.1(a) hereof.

            "OTHER TAXES" shall have the meaning assigned to such term in
Section 3.7 hereof.

            "PARENT" shall have the meaning assigned to such term in the
preamble hereof.

            "PARENT ON A CONSOLIDATED BASIS" shall mean the consolidation, in
accordance with GAAP, of the financial accounts of Parent and its Subsidiaries.

            "PARENT SEC REPORTS" shall have the meaning assigned to such term in
Section 5.1(y) hereof.

            "PATENT LICENSE" means all agreements, whether written or oral,
providing for the grant by or to the Loan Parties or any of their Subsidiaries
of any right to any Patent, including the grant of any right to manufacture,
have manufactured, use, import, lease, sell or offer for sale any invention
covered in whole or in part by a Patent.

            "PATENTS" means (a) all right, title and interest in or relating to
letters patent of the United States, any other country or any political
subdivision thereof and all reissues, reexaminations, and extensions thereof,
(b) all applications for letters patent of the United States or any other
country or any political subdivisions thereof and all divisionals, continuations
and continuations-in-part thereof and (c) all rights to obtain any reissues,
reexaminations or extensions of the foregoing.

            "PATRIOT ACT" shall have the meaning assigned to such term in
Section 5.1(x) hereof.

            "PBGC" shall mean the Pension Benefit Guaranty Corporation
established pursuant to Subtitle A of Title IV of ERISA, or any other
governmental agency, department or instrumentality succeeding to the functions
thereof.

            "PERMITTED ENCUMBRANCES SCHEDULE" shall have the meaning assigned to
such term in Section 7.2(b) hereof.

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            "PERMITTED INDEBTEDNESS SCHEDULE" shall have the meaning assigned to
such term in Section 7.2(a) hereof.

            "PERMITTED INVESTMENT" shall have the meaning assigned to such term
in Section 7.2(h) hereof.

            "PERMITTED LIENS" shall have the meaning assigned to such term in
Section 7.2(b) hereof.

            "PERSON" shall mean any individual, partnership, limited
partnership, corporation, limited liability company, association, joint stock
company, trust, joint venture, unincorporated organization or governmental
entity or department, agency or political subdivision thereof.

            "PLAN" shall mean any employee benefit plan (within the meaning of
Section 3(3) of ERISA), other than a Multiemployer Plan, established or
maintained by the Loan Parties or any member of the Controlled Group.

            "PLEDGE AGREEMENT" shall have the meaning assigned to such term in
Section 4.1(c) hereof.

            "POLLUTANT" shall include any "hazardous substance" and any
"pollutant or contaminant" as those terms are defined in CERCLA; any "hazardous
waste" as that term is defined in RCRA; and any "hazardous material" as that
term is defined in the Hazardous Materials Transportation Act (49 U.S.C. Section
1801 et seq.), as amended (including as those terms are further defined,
construed, or otherwise used in rules, regulations, or standards promulgated
pursuant to, or otherwise in implementation of, said Environmental Laws); and
including without limitation any petroleum product or byproduct, solvent,
flammable or explosive material, radioactive material, asbestos, polychlorinated
biphenyls (PCBs), dioxins, dibenzofurans, heavy metals, and radon gas; and
including any other substance or material that is reasonably determined to
present a threat, hazard or risk to human health or the environment.

            "PRO FORMA BALANCE SHEET" shall have the meaning assigned to such
term in Section 5.1(c)(iii).

            "PROPERTIES AND FACILITIES" shall have the meaning assigned to such
term in Section 5.1(q) hereof.

            "PROPERTIES SCHEDULE" shall have the meaning assigned to such term
in Section 5.1(q) hereof.

            "PROPRIETARY RIGHTS" shall mean, collectively, whether now owned or
hereafter acquired or existing, (a) all right, title and interest of the Loan
Parties or any of their Subsidiaries in or relating to intellectual property or
industrial property, whether arising under United States, multinational or
foreign laws or otherwise, including Copyrights, Copyright Licenses, Patents,
Patent Licenses, Trademarks, Trademark Licenses, trade secrets, Internet domain
names and domain name registrations, software and contract rights relating to
software, Websites, advertising rights, rights in designs, including
registrations thereof, and rights in data, and (b) all right to income,
royalties, proceeds and damages now or hereafter due and/or payable under and
with

                                       11
<PAGE>

respect thereto, including all rights to sue and recover at law or in equity for
any past, present and future infringement, misappropriation, dilution, violation
or other impairment thereof.

            "PURCHASER" shall have the meaning assigned to such term in the
preamble hereto and in Section 6.2 hereof.

            "RCRA" shall mean the Resource Conservation and Recovery Act (42
U.S.C. Section 6901 et seq.), as amended, and all rules, regulations, standards,
guidelines, and publications issued thereunder.

            "REMOVAL," "REMEDIAL" and "RESPONSE" actions shall include the types
of activities "covered" by CERCLA, RCRA, and other comparable Environmental
Laws, and whether the activities are those that might be taken by a government
entity or those that a government entity or any other person might seek to
require of waste generators, handlers, distributors, processors, users, storers,
treaters, owners, operators, transporters, recyclers, reusers, disposers, or
other persons under "removal," "remedial," or other "response" actions.

            "REPORTABLE EVENT" shall mean any of the events that are reportable
under Section 4043 of ERISA and the regulations promulgated thereunder, other
than an occurrence for which the thirty (30) day notice contained in 29 C.F.R.
Section 2615.3(a) is waived.

            "REQUIRED PURCHASERS" shall mean, at any time, the Purchasers
holding a pro rata percentage of the outstanding principal amount of the Senior
Term Notes aggregating at least 66-2/3% at such time.

            "REVOLVING FINANCING" shall mean a secured revolving line of credit
facility pursuant to the GMAC Credit Agreement in an aggregate principal amount
not to exceed $100,000,000, provided, however, that the outstanding amount of
Revolving Financing may exceed $ 100,000,000, so long as the advance rates and
standards for determining the eligible receivables and eligible inventory for
inclusion in the borrowing base under the GMAC Credit Agreement in effect on the
Closing Date support such increase and are satisfied.

            "SARBANES OXLEY" shall mean the United States Sarbanes-Oxley Act of
2002.

            "SEC" shall mean the Securities and Exchange Commission and any
governmental body or agency succeeding to the functions thereof.

            "SECURITIES ACT" shall mean the Securities Act of 1933, as amended.

            "SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT" shall mean the Securities Exchange Act of
1934, as amended.

            "SECURITY AGREEMENT" shall have the meaning assigned to such term in
Section 4.1(c) hereof.

            "SECURITY DOCUMENTS" shall mean the Security Agreement, the Pledge
Agreement, the Collateral Assignment of Contracts, the Financing Statements, and
all other documents, instruments and other materials necessary to create or
perfect the security interests created pursuant to the Security Agreement.

                                       12
<PAGE>

            "SENIOR DEBT" shall mean all Indebtedness of Parent on a
Consolidated Basis other than (a) senior Indebtedness under the Senior Term
Notes and (b) any unsecured Indebtedness.

            "SENIOR LEVERAGE RATIO" shall mean, for any period, the ratio of (x)
Senior Debt as of the end of such period to (y) EBITDA for such period.

            "SENIOR TERM NOTES" shall have the meaning assigned to such term in
Section 2.1 hereof.

            "SUBSIDIARY" of any corporation shall mean any other corporation or
limited liability company of which the outstanding capital stock possessing a
majority of voting power in the election of directors (otherwise than as the
result of a default) is owned or controlled by such corporation directly or
indirectly through Subsidiaries.

            "SUBSIDIARY SCHEDULE" shall have the meaning assigned to such term
in Section 5.1(e) hereof.

            "TAXES" shall have the meaning assigned to such term in Section 3.7
hereof.

            "TERM FINANCING" shall mean secured term credit facilities under the
GMAC Credit Agreement with aggregate principal amount not to exceed $18,000,000,
minus scheduled principal payments made thereon after the date hereof.

            "TERM SHEET PROCESSING FEE" shall mean $60,000, which was paid by
Parent to ACAS in consideration of the execution of the term sheet, dated
November 3, 2004, by and between Parent and ACAS.

            "THIRD PARTY PROPRIETARY RIGHTS" means any right, title or interest
of any Person other than the Loan Parties or any of their Subsidiaries under
patent, copyright, trademark or trade secret law or any other statutory
provision or common law doctrine relating to intellectual property or
proprietary rights.

            "TOTAL LEVERAGE RATIO" shall mean, for any period, the ratio of (x)
total Indebtedness of Parent on a Consolidated Basis as of the end of such
period to (y) EBITDA for such period.

            "TRADEMARK LICENSE" means any agreement, whether written or oral,
providing for the grant by or to the Loan Parties or any of their Subsidiaries
of any right under any Trademark.

            "TRADEMARKS" means (a) all trademarks, trade names, corporate names,
company names, business names, fictitious business names, trade styles, trade
dress, service marks, logos and other source or business identifiers, and, in
each case, all goodwill associated therewith, whether now owned or hereafter
acquired or existing, all registrations and recordings thereof and all
applications in connection therewith, in each case whether in the United States
Patent and Trademark Office or in any similar office or agency of any State
thereof or any other country or any political subdivision thereof, or otherwise,
and all common-law rights related thereto, and (b) the right to obtain all
renewals and extensions thereof.

                                       13
<PAGE>

            "TRANSACTION DOCUMENTS" shall mean this Agreement, the Senior Term
Notes and the Security Documents and all other agreements, instruments and
documents delivered in connection therewith as any or all of the foregoing may
be supplemented or amended from time to time.

            "TRANSACTIONS" shall mean the incurrence of debt and the issuance of
securities in connection therewith, as contemplated by this Agreement, the
Senior Term Notes, the consummation of the Acquisition, and all other agreements
contemplated hereby and thereby.

            "UCC" shall mean the Maryland Uniform Commercial Code.

            "UST" shall mean an underground storage tank, including as that term
is defined, construed and otherwise used in RCRA and in rules, regulations,
standards, guidelines and publications issued pursuant to RCRA and comparable
state and local laws.

            "WORKING CAPITAL" shall mean, on a consolidated basis, current
assets minus current liabilities excluding short-term debt determined in
accordance with GAAP.

            1.2 ACCOUNTING PRINCIPLES. The character or amount of any asset,
liability, capital account or reserve and of any item of income or expense to be
determined, and any consolidation or other accounting computation to be made,
and the construction of any definition containing a financial term, pursuant to
this Agreement shall be determined or made in accordance with generally accepted
accounting principles in the United States of America consistently applied
("GAAP"), unless such principles are inconsistent with the express requirements
of this Agreement.

            1.3 OTHER DEFINITIONAL PROVISIONS; CONSTRUCTION. Whenever the
context so requires, neuter gender includes the masculine and feminine, the
singular number includes the plural and vice versa. The word "including" when
used herein shall mean "including without limitation" unless the context states
otherwise. The words "hereof," "herein" and "hereunder" and words of similar
import when used in this Agreement shall refer to this Agreement as a whole and
not to any particular provision of this Agreement, and references to any
section, article, annex, schedule, exhibit or like references are references to
this Agreement unless otherwise specified. A Default or Event of Default shall
"continue" or be "continuing" until such Default or Event of Default has been
cured or waived by Agent and the Purchasers. References in this Agreement to any
Persons shall include such Persons, successors and permitted assigns. Other
terms contained in this Agreement (which are not otherwise specifically defined
herein) shall have the meanings provided to such terms in Article 9 of the UCC
on the date hereof to the extent the same are used or defined therein.

                                    ARTICLE 2
                     ISSUE AND SALE OF THE SENIOR TERM NOTES

            2.1 SENIOR TERM NOTES. The Loan Parties have duly authorized the
issuance to the Purchasers designated on Annex A of $30,000,000 aggregate
principal amount of the Loan Parties' Senior Secured Term B Notes due January 6,
2011 (together with any promissory notes issued in substitution therefor
pursuant to Sections 6.3 and 6.4, the "SENIOR TERM NOTES") to be substantially
in the form of the promissory notes made by the Loan Parties in favor of the

                                       14
<PAGE>

Purchasers thereof in the form attached hereto as Exhibit A to be delivered by
the Loan Parties at the Closing.

            2.2 SALE AND PURCHASE. Subject to the terms and conditions and in
reliance upon the representations, warranties and agreements set forth herein,
the Loan Parties shall sell to the Purchasers, and the Purchasers shall purchase
from the Loan Parties, in amounts designated in Annex B, the Senior Term Notes
in the aggregate principal amount set forth in Section 2.1 hereof.

            2.3 THE CLOSING. Delivery of and payment for the Senior Term Notes
(the "CLOSING") shall be made at the offices of Weil, Gotshal & Manges LLP, 767
Fifth Avenue, New York, NY 10153, commencing at 10:00 a.m., local time, on or
about January 6, 2005 or at such place or on such other date on or before
January 6, 2005 as may be mutually agreeable to the Loan Parties and the
Purchasers. The date and time of the Closing as finally determined pursuant to
this Section 2.3 are referred to herein as the "CLOSING DATE." Delivery of the
Senior Term Notes shall be made to the Purchasers against payment of the
purchase price therefor, less any unpaid Closing Processing Fee, Commitment Fee
or Term Sheet Processing Fee and other amounts payable pursuant to Section
4.1(l) hereof, by wire transfer of immediately available funds in the manner
agreed to by the Loan Parties and the Purchasers. The Senior Term Notes shall be
issued in such name or names and in such permitted denomination or
denominations, numbers and amounts as set forth in Annex A or as the Purchasers
may request in writing not less than two (2) Business Days before the Closing
Date.

                                    ARTICLE 3
                         REPAYMENT OF SENIOR TERM NOTES

            3.1 INTEREST RATES AND INTEREST PAYMENTS.

            (a) SENIOR TERM NOTES. The Loan Parties, jointly and severally,
covenant and agree to make payments to Agent, for the ratable benefit of the
Purchasers holding Senior Term Notes, of accrued interest on the Senior Term
Notes monthly in arrears on the first LIBOR Business Day of each LIBOR Period,
commencing on February 1, 2005 through the date of repayment in full of the
Senior Term Notes. The Senior Term Notes shall bear interest on the outstanding
principal thereof at a rate equal to the LIBOR Rate, as such rate may adjust
from time to time, plus eight percent (8%).

            (b) COMPUTATION OF INTEREST. Interest on the Senior Term Notes shall
be computed on the basis of a year with three hundred sixty (360) days and the
actual number of days elapsed.

                                       15
<PAGE>

            3.2 REPAYMENT OF SENIOR TERM NOTES. Beginning on the first day of
the first month following the third anniversary of the Closing, the Loan
Parties, jointly and severally, covenant and agree to repay to Agent, for the
ratable benefit of the Purchasers holding Senior Term Notes, by making equal
monthly payments of the then outstanding principal of the Senior Term Notes
(unless and until the then outstanding balance of the Senior Term Notes are
fully repaid). Notwithstanding the foregoing, the Loan Parties, jointly and
severally, covenant and agree to repay any and all unpaid principal on the
Senior Term Notes, together with all accrued and unpaid interest, fees and other
amounts due in connection with the Senior Term Notes upon maturity of the Senior
Term Notes on January 6, 2011 (the "MATURITY DATE").

            3.3 OPTIONAL PREPAYMENT OF SENIOR TERM NOTES. Subject to the terms
of this Section 3.3, the Loan Parties may prepay to Agent, for the ratable
benefit of the Purchasers, the outstanding principal amount of the Senior Term
Notes in whole or in part in multiples of $100,000, or such lesser amount as is
then outstanding, at any time plus accrued interest, if any, to the date set for
prepayment on the principal amount to be repaid. All prepayments shall be
applied by Agent ratably to the outstanding principal amount of the Senior Term
Notes in inverse of order of maturity. All such prepayments shall be so applied
after application of such prepayment to any accrued interest payable, if any, in
connection therewith. For the avoidance of doubt, no prepayment fee shall be
payable with respect to the optional repayment of the Senior Term Notes at any
time.

            3.4 NOTICE OF OPTIONAL PREPAYMENT. If the Loan Parties shall elect
to prepay any Senior Term Notes pursuant to Section 3.3 hereof, the Loan Parties
shall give notice of such prepayment to Agent and each holder of the Senior Term
Notes to be prepaid not less than thirty (30) days or more than ninety (90) days
prior to the date fixed for prepayment, specifying (i) the date on which such
prepayment is to be made, (ii) the principal amount of such Senior Term Notes to
be prepaid on such date, and (iii) the premium, if any, and accrued interest
applicable to the prepayment. Such notice shall be accompanied by a certificate
of the Chief Executive Officer, the Chief Financial Officer, or the Chief
Operating Officer of Parent that such prepayment is being made in compliance
with Section 3.3. Notice of prepayment having been so given, the aggregate
principal amount of the Senior Term Notes specified in such notice, together
with accrued interest thereon and the premium, if any, shall become due and
payable on the prepayment date set forth in such notice.

            3.5 MANDATORY PREPAYMENT.

            (a) CHANGE OF CONTROL; EVENT OF DEFAULT. The Senior Term Notes shall
be prepaid in full, together with all accrued and unpaid interest, fees and
expenses in the event of a Change of Control or upon such Senior Term Notes
becoming due as a consequence of an Event of Default pursuant to Section 8.2.

            (b) EXCESS CASH FLOW. In addition to the amounts payable by the Loan
Parties in respect of the Senior Term Notes pursuant to Sections 3.1, 3.2, 3.3
and 3.5(a) hereof, the Loan Parties, jointly and severally, covenant and agree
to make annual principal prepayments on the Senior Term Notes (each a "CASH FLOW
PREPAYMENT") on or before the one hundred twentieth (120th) day following the
end of each Fiscal Year in an amount equal to twenty-five percent (25%) of the
Excess Cash Flow, or such lesser amount as is then outstanding under the Senior
Term Notes, for so long as any amounts remain outstanding under the Senior Term
Notes. All

                                       16
<PAGE>

Cash Flow Prepayments in respect of any Fiscal Year shall be applied by Agent to
the outstanding principal of the Senior Term Notes in inverse order of maturity.

            3.6 HOME OFFICE PAYMENT. The Loan Parties will pay all sums becoming
due on any Senior Term Note for principal, prepayment penalty, if any, and
interest to Agent by the method and at the address specified for such purpose in
Annex A, or by such other method or at such other address as the Purchasers
shall have from time to time specified to the Loan Parties in writing for such
purpose, without the presentation or surrender of such Senior Term Note or the
making of any notation thereon, except that upon written request of the Loan
Parties made concurrently with or reasonably promptly after payment or
prepayment in full of any Senior Term Note, each holder of a Senior Term Note
shall surrender such Senior Term Note for cancellation, reasonably promptly
after such request, to the Loan Parties at their principal executive office.

            3.7 TAXES. Any and all payments by the Loan Parties hereunder or
under the Senior Term Notes or other Transaction Documents that are made to or
for the benefit of the Purchasers shall be made free and clear of and without
deduction for any and all present or future taxes, levies, imposts, deductions,
charges or withholdings and penalties, interests and all other liabilities with
respect thereto (collectively, "TAXES"), excluding taxes imposed on Agent's or
the Purchasers' net income or capital and franchise taxes imposed on any of them
by the jurisdiction under the laws of which any of them is organized or any
political subdivision thereof (all such non-excluded Taxes being hereinafter
referred to as "COVERED TAXES"). If any of the Loan Parties shall be required by
Law to deduct any Covered Taxes from or in respect of any sum payable hereunder
or under any Senior Term Notes or other Transaction Documents to Agent for the
benefit of the Purchasers, or to the Purchasers, the sum payable shall be
increased as may be necessary so that after making all required deductions of
Covered Taxes (including deductions of Covered Taxes applicable to additional
sums payable under this paragraph), each Purchaser receives an amount equal to
the sum it would have received had no such deductions been made. The Loan
Parties shall make such deductions and the Loan Parties shall pay the full
amount so deducted to the relevant taxation authority or other authority in
accordance with applicable law. In addition, the Loan Parties agree to pay any
present or future stamp, documentary, excise, privilege, intangible or similar
levies that arise at any time or from time to time from any payment made under
any and all Transaction Documents or from the execution or delivery by the Loan
Parties or from the filing or recording or maintenance of, or otherwise with
respect to the exercise by Agent or the Purchasers of their respective rights
under any and all Transaction Documents (collectively, "OTHER TAXES"). The Loan
Parties will indemnify Agent and the Purchasers for the full amount of Covered
Taxes imposed on or with respect to amounts payable hereunder and Other Taxes,
and any liability (including penalties, interest and expenses) arising therefrom
or with respect thereto. Payment of this indemnification shall be made within
thirty (30) days from the date Agent or the Purchasers provide the Loan Parties
with a certificate certifying and setting forth in reasonable detail the
calculation thereof as to the amount and type of such Taxes. Any such
certificates submitted by Agent or the Purchasers in good faith to the Loan
Parties shall, absent manifest error, be final, conclusive and binding on all
parties. The obligations of the Loan Parties under this Section 3.7 shall
survive the payment of the Senior Term Notes and the termination of this
Agreement. Within thirty (30) days after the Loan Parties having received a
receipt for payment of Covered Taxes and/or Other Taxes, the Loan Parties shall
furnish to Agent the original or certified copy of a receipt evidencing payment
thereof.

                                       17
<PAGE>

            3.8 MAXIMUM LAWFUL RATE. This Agreement, the Senior Term Notes and
the other Transaction Documents are hereby limited by this Section 3.8. In no
event, whether by reason of acceleration of the maturity of the amounts due
hereunder or otherwise, shall interest and fees contracted for, charged,
received, paid or agreed to be paid to the Purchasers exceed the maximum amount
permissible under applicable Law. If, from any circumstance whatsoever, interest
and fees would otherwise be payable to Agent or the Purchasers in excess of the
maximum amount permissible under applicable Law, the interest and fees shall be
reduced to the maximum amount permitted under such Law. If from any
circumstance, Agent or the Purchasers shall have received anything of value
deemed interest by applicable Law in excess of the maximum lawful amount, an
amount equal to any excess of interest shall be applied to the reduction of the
principal amount of the Senior Term Notes, in such manner as may be determined
by Agent, and not to the payment of fees or interest, or if such excess interest
exceeds the unpaid balance of the principal amount of the Senior Term Notes,
such excess shall be refunded to the Loan Parties.

            3.9 BREAK FUNDING PAYMENTS. In the event of the payment of any
principal of any Senior Term Notes other than on the date such payment was
scheduled or the due date for mandatory prepayments pursuant to Section 3.5
hereof (including payments as a result of an Event of Default), the Loan Parties
shall compensate each Purchaser, upon demand, for the loss, cost and expense
attributable to such event with respect to the period from such payment date to
the day immediately preceding the next scheduled payment date.

            3.10 CAPITAL ADEQUACY. If, after the date hereof, either the
introduction of or any change of the interpretation of any Law or the compliance
by the Purchasers with any guideline or request from any Governmental Authority
(whether or not having the force of Law) has or would have the effect of
reducing the rate of return on the capital or assets of the Purchasers as a
consequence of, as determined by Agent or the Purchasers in their reasonable
discretion, the existence of any Purchaser's obligations under this Agreement or
any other Transaction Documents, then, upon demand by the Purchasers, the Loan
Parties immediately shall pay to the Purchasers, from the time as specified by
Purchasers, additional amounts sufficient to compensate the Purchaser in light
of such circumstances. The obligations of the Loan Parties under this Section
3.10 shall survive the payments of the Senior Term Notes and the termination of
this Agreement.

            3.11 CERTAIN WAIVERS. The Loan Parties unconditionally waive (i) any
rights to presentment, demand, protest or (except as expressly required hereby)
notice of any kind, and (ii) any rights of rescission, setoff, counterclaim or
defense to payment under the Senior Term Notes or otherwise that the Loan
Parties may have or claim against any Purchaser, Agent or any prior Purchaser or
Agent.

                                    ARTICLE 4
                                   CONDITIONS

            4.1 CONDITIONS TO THE PURCHASE OF THE SENIOR TERM NOTES. The
obligation of the Purchasers to purchase and pay for the Senior Term Notes is
subject to the satisfaction, prior to or at the Closing, of the following
conditions:

            (a) REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES TRUE. The representations and
warranties contained in Article 5 hereof shall be true and correct at and as of
the Closing Date as

                                       18
<PAGE>

though then made, except to the extent of changes caused by the transactions
expressly contemplated herein.

            (b) MATERIAL ADVERSE CHANGE. There shall have been no Material
Adverse Change in the business, financial condition, assets, Business or
prospects of Parent on a Consolidated Basis (prior to the effective date of the
Transactions), or the capital markets since December 15, 2004.

            (c) SECURITY AGREEMENT; ETC. The Loan Parties and Agent, for the
benefit of the Purchasers, shall have entered into (i) a security agreement or
security agreements with Agent, in form and substance as set forth in Exhibit B
attached hereto (as the same may be amended, modified or supplemented from time
to time in accordance with the terms thereof, the "SECURITY AGREEMENT"), (ii)
(a) short-form security agreements for all Patents, Patent Licenses, Trademarks,
Trademark Licenses and registered Copyrights of the Loan Parties in form and
substance reasonably acceptable to Agent for filing with the United States
Patent and Trademark Office and the United States Copyright Office in the form
set forth in Exhibit C attached hereto and (b) a duly executed form of
assignment of all Internet domain names of the Loan Parties (together with
appropriate supporting documentation as may be requested by Agent) in form and
substance reasonably acceptable to Agent (such assignment and such short-form
security agreements set forth under the foregoing (ii)(a), as the same may be
amended, modified or supplemented from time to time in accordance with the terms
thereof, the "INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY AGREEMENTS"), (iii) a stock pledge and
security agreement in form and substance as set forth in Exhibit D attached
hereto (as the same may be amended, modified or supplemented from time to time
in accordance with the terms thereof, the "PLEDGE AGREEMENT") (iv) if reasonably
requested by GMAC Agent and Agent, the Loan Parties and their depository banks
shall have entered into deposit account control agreements in form and substance
satisfactory to Agent ("DEPOSIT ACCOUNT CONTROL AGREEMENTS"), and (v) a
collateral assignment of rights of the Loan Parties under certain documents
executed in connection with the Acquisition in form and substance as set forth
in Exhibit E (the "COLLATERAL ASSIGNMENT OF CONTRACTS"). The Loan Parties shall
have executed and delivered to Agent, for the benefit of the Purchasers, an
authorization to file such financing statements and other instruments
(collectively, "FINANCING STATEMENTS"), and shall have delivered to Agent such
certificates, instruments and documents, as Agent shall reasonably require in
order to perfect and maintain the continued perfection of the security interests
created by the agreements described herein. Agent shall have received reports of
filings with appropriate government agencies showing that there are no Liens on
the assets of the Loan Parties other than Permitted Liens.

            (d) ENVIRONMENTAL REPORTS. Agent shall have received reports
covering the Loan Parties' properties in form and substance satisfactory to
Agent regarding the Loan Parties' compliance with Environmental Laws.

            (e) INTERCREDITOR AGREEMENT. Agent and GMAC Agent shall have
executed the Intercreditor Agreement on terms reasonably satisfactory to Agent
and the Purchasers.

            (f) CHARTER AND BYLAWS. Each Loan Party shall have made such
amendments to its Articles of Incorporation, Certificate of Incorporation,
By-laws, membership agreement and such other documents as the Purchasers shall
reasonably request.

                                       19
<PAGE>

            (g) CLOSING DOCUMENTS. The Loan Parties will have delivered or
caused to be delivered to Agent all of the following documents in form and
substance satisfactory to Agent:

                  (i) two (2) or more Senior Term Notes (as designated by Agent
            and the Purchasers pursuant to Section 2.1 and Annex A hereof) in
            aggregate original principal amounts as set forth herein, duly
            completed and executed by the Loan Parties;

                  (ii) certificates of good standing dated not more than ten
            (10) days prior to the Closing Date for the Loan Parties, issued by
            their respective jurisdiction of organization and each jurisdiction
            where a Loan Party is qualified to operate as a foreign corporation,
            or its equivalent, except where the failure to so qualify is not
            reasonably likely to have a Material Adverse Effect;

                  (iii) a copy of the Charter Documents of each of the Loan
            Parties, certified by the appropriate governmental official of the
            jurisdiction of its organization as of a date not more than thirty
            (30) days prior to the Closing Date;

                  (iv) a copy of the By-laws or members agreement of the Loan
            Parties, certified as of the Closing Date by the secretary,
            assistant secretary, manager or general partner, as applicable, of
            the Loan Parties;

                  (v) a certificate of the secretary or assistant secretary,
            manager or general partner of the Loan Parties, certifying as to the
            names and true signatures of the officers or other authorized person
            of the Loan Parties authorized to sign this Agreement and the other
            documents to be delivered by the Loan Parties hereunder;

                  (vi) copies of the resolutions duly adopted by the board of
            directors, general partners, board of managers or other governing
            body of the Loan Parties, authorizing the execution, delivery and
            performance by the Loan Parties of this Agreement and each of the
            other agreements, instruments and documents contemplated hereby to
            which each of the Loan Parties is a party to, and the consummation
            of all of the other Transactions, certified as of the Closing Date
            by the secretary, assistant secretary, manager or general partner of
            the Loan Parties;

                  (vii) a certificate dated as of the Closing Date from an
            officer, general partner or manager of each of the Loan Parties
            stating that the conditions specified in this Section 4.1 have been
            fully satisfied or waived by Agent;

                  (viii) certificates of insurance evidencing the existence of
            all insurance required to be maintained by the Loan Parties pursuant
            to Section 7.1(c), and Agent shall be satisfied with the type and
            extent of such coverage;

                  (ix) an opinion of Porter, Wright, Morris & Arthur LLP,
            counsel to Parent, in form and substance satisfactory to Agent;

                  (x) copies of all material leases and contracts to which each
            of the Loan Parties is a party; and

                                       20
<PAGE>

                  (xi) such other documents relating to the Transactions
            contemplated by this Agreement as Agent or its special counsel may
            reasonably request.

            (h) PURCHASER'S FEES AND EXPENSES.

                  (i) CLOSING PROCESSING FEE. On the Closing Date, the Loan
            Parties shall pay the Closing Processing Fee to ACFS (and the Loan
            Parties hereby authorize Agent to deduct from the aggregate proceeds
            from the sales of the Senior Term Notes by the Loan Parties, the
            unpaid amount of such Closing Processing Fee).

                  (ii) OTHER FEES AND EXPENSES. On the Closing Date, the Loan
            Parties shall have paid the fees and expenses of Agent and the
            Purchasers, payable by the Loan Parties pursuant to Section 10.4
            hereof (and the Loan Parties hereby authorize Agent to deduct all
            such amounts from the aggregate proceeds of the sale of the Senior
            Term Notes by the Loan Parties).

            (i) LEGAL INVESTMENT. On the Closing Date, the Purchasers' purchases
of the Senior Term Notes shall not be prohibited by any applicable law, rule or
regulation of any Governmental Authority (including, without limitation,
Regulations T, U or X of the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System)
as a result of the promulgation or enactment thereof or any changes therein, or
change in the interpretation thereof by any Governmental Authority, subsequent
to the date of this Agreement.

            (j) PROCEEDINGS. All proceedings taken or required to be taken in
connection with the transactions contemplated hereby to be consummated at or
prior to the Closing and all documents incident thereto will be satisfactory in
form and substance to Agent and its special counsel and to the Purchasers and
their special counsel.

            (k) BACKGROUND INVESTIGATIONS. Agent shall be satisfied with the
results of background investigations of Mike Brooks, John Grzybowski, John Hull,
James E. McDonald, and David Sharp.

            (l) EMPLOYMENT/CONFIDENTIALITY AND NONCOMPETE AGREEMENTS. Parent
shall have entered into employment/confidentiality and noncompete arrangements
or agreements with officers and employees of EJ Footwear designated by Parent on
terms reasonably satisfactory to the Purchasers, and such confidentiality and
noncompete agreements shall be in full force and effect as of the Closing Date
and shall not have been amended or modified. The Loan Parties shall have
provided Agent with copies of all employment/confidentiality and noncompete
agreements and all other agreements providing compensation in any form
whatsoever (including, without limitation, any benefit plans between the Loan
Parties and any of their directors, officers or employees).

            (m) CONSUMMATION OF ACQUISITION/CHARTER AND BYLAW AMENDMENTS. The
Acquisition shall have been consummated in form and substance satisfactory to
the Purchasers, in the Purchasers' sole discretion, and the Purchasers shall
have been provided copies of all material agreements, instruments and documents
delivered in connection therewith. The Loan Parties shall have entered into such
amendments to their respective Articles of Incorporation or Certificates of
Incorporation and Bylaws as the Purchasers shall request.

                                       21
<PAGE>

            (n) CONSUMMATION OF GMAC FINANCING. The GMAC Financing shall have
been consummated in form and substance satisfactory to the Purchasers in the
Purchasers' sole discretion and the Purchasers shall have been provided copies
of all agreements, instruments and documents in connection therewith.

            (q) WORKING CAPITAL. Parent on a Consolidated Basis shall have in
the aggregate at least $100,000,000 of Working Capital on the Closing Date.

            (o) MINIMUM EQUITY. Parent on a Consolidated Basis shall have at
least $70,000,000 in stockholders' equity on the Closing Date.

            (p) MINIMUM AVAILABILITY. The Loan Parties shall have a minimum
availability under the Revolving Financing on the Closing Date of at least
$20,000,000.

            (q) LANDLORD WAIVERS. The Loan Parties shall have used reasonable
efforts to deliver to Agent a Landlord Waiver for each leased property, in form
and substance satisfactory to Agent.

            4.2 WAIVER. Any condition specified in this Article 4 may be waived
by Agent on behalf of the Purchasers; provided that no such waiver will be
effective against Agent unless it is set forth in a writing executed by Agent.

                                    ARTICLE 5
               REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES OF THE LOAN PARTIES

            5.1 REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES OF THE LOAN PARTIES. As a
material inducement to Agent and the Purchasers to enter into this Agreement and
for the Purchasers to purchase the Senior Term Notes, Parent for itself and each
Loan Party and each Loan Party as to itself, hereby represent and warrant to
Agent and the Purchasers as follows:

            (a) ORGANIZATION AND POWER. Each of the Loan Parties is a legal
entity of the type designated on Schedule 5.1(a). Each of the Loan Parties is
duly organized, validly existing and in good standing under the laws of its
state of formation. Each of the Loan Parties has all requisite corporate or
other organizational power and authority and all material licenses, permits,
approvals and authorizations necessary to own and operate its properties, to
carry on its businesses as now conducted and presently proposed to be conducted
and to carry out the Transactions, and is qualified to do business in the
jurisdictions listed on the "ORGANIZATIONAL SCHEDULE" attached hereto as
Schedule 5.1(a), which includes every jurisdiction where the failure to so
qualify is reasonably likely to have a Material Adverse Effect (other than
Lifestyle, which is not in good standing in Puerto Rico as of the Closing Date
but will be restored to good standing in such jurisdiction as soon as reasonably
practicable thereafter and in no event later than July 1, 2005). Each of the
Loan Parties has its principal place of business as set forth on the
Organizational Schedule. The copies of the Charter Documents and By-laws of each
of the Loan Parties that have been furnished to Agent reflect all amendments
made thereto at any time prior to the date of this Agreement and are correct and
complete.

            (b) PRINCIPAL BUSINESS. The Loan Parties are primarily engaged in
the business of assembling and selling specialty footwear and related apparel
and accessories (the "BUSINESS").

                                       22
<PAGE>

            (c) FINANCIAL STATEMENTS AND FINANCIAL PROJECTIONS.

                  (i) FINANCIAL STATEMENTS; HISTORICAL STATEMENTS. Parent has
            delivered to Agent copies of its audited consolidated year-end
            financial statements for and as of the end of the three (3) fiscal
            years ended December 31, 2003 together, and unaudited balance sheet,
            income statements and cash flow statements for the nine (9) month
            period ended September 30, 2004 (together, the "FINANCIAL
            STATEMENTS"). The Financial Statements were compiled from the books
            and records maintained by Parent's management are correct and
            complete and fairly represent the consolidated financial condition
            of Parent as of their dates and the results of operations for the
            fiscal periods then ended and have been prepared in accordance with
            GAAP consistently applied.

                  (ii) EJ FINANCIAL STATEMENTS. Parent has delivered to Agent
            the unaudited, combined balance sheet, income statement, statements
            of cash flows and owner's equity of EJ Footwear and their
            Subsidiaries for the fiscal year ended September 30, 2004 (the "EJ
            FINANCIAL INFORMATION"). To the knowledge of Parent, the EJ
            Financial Information was derived from the internal books and
            records of EJ Footwear and has been prepared in a manner consistent
            with GAAP, and fairly presents, in all material respects, the
            financial position of EJ Footwear and their Subsidiaries as of such
            dates and the results of operations of EJ Footwear and their
            Subsidiaries for the periods covered thereby, in each case on a
            combined basis, and subject to the absence of footnotes and other
            presentation items. The EJ Financial Information was prepared for
            the purpose of the agreement evidencing the Acquisition and for the
            internal management purposes of EJ Footwear. None of the companies
            that EJ Footwear is comprised of was conducted on a stand-alone
            basis as a separate entity during the periods indicated in the EJ
            Financial Information and the allocations and estimates included in
            the EJ Financial Information are not necessarily indicative of the
            costs that would have resulted if each of the companies of EJ
            Footwear had been operated and conducted on a stand-alone basis as a
            separate entity during such periods.

                  (iii) PRO FORMA BALANCE SHEET. The unaudited pro forma balance
            sheet of Parent on a Consolidated Basis as of December 31, 2004, a
            copy of which has heretofore been delivered to Agent, gives pro
            forma effect to the consummation of the Acquisition, the initial
            extensions of credit made under this Agreement, and the payment of
            transaction fees and expenses related to the foregoing, all as if
            such events had occurred on such date (the "PRO FORMA BALANCE
            SHEET"). The Pro Forma Balance Sheet has been prepared in a manner
            consistent with customary accounting practices and the financial
            statements described in Section 5.1(c)(i) (subject to the absence of
            footnotes required by GAAP and subject to normal year-end
            adjustments) and, subject to stated assumptions made in good faith
            and having a reasonable basis set forth therein, presents fairly the
            financial condition of the Loan Parties on an unaudited pro forma
            basis as of the date set forth therein after giving effect to the
            consummation of the transactions described above.

                  (iv) FINANCIAL PROJECTIONS. The Loan Parties have delivered to
            Agent financial projections of Parent on a Consolidated Basis for
            the period January 1,

                                       23
<PAGE>

            2005 through December 31, 2008 derived from various assumptions of
            the Loan Parties' management (the "FINANCIAL PROJECTIONS"). The
            Financial Projections were prepared in accordance with GAAP and
            customary accounting procedures and reflect all information
            available to the management of the Loan Parties at the time the
            Financial Projections were produced. The Financial Projections in
            good faith project the liabilities of the Loan Parties upon
            consummation of the transactions contemplated hereby as of the
            Closing Date.

                  (v) ACCURACY OF FINANCIAL STATEMENTS. As of the dates of such
            Financial Statements, Parent on a Consolidated Basis did not have
            any liabilities, contingent or otherwise, or forward or long-term
            commitments that are not disclosed in the Financial Statements or in
            the notes thereto, and except as disclosed therein, as of such
            dates, and as disclosed on the Pro Forma Balance Sheets as of the
            date hereof, there are no unrealized or anticipated losses from any
            commitments of the Loan Parties that are reasonably likely to have a
            Material Adverse Effect.

            (d) CAPITALIZATION AND RELATED MATTERS. As of the Closing Date and
immediately thereafter, the authorized capital stock of Parent is as set forth
on the "CAPITALIZATION SCHEDULE" attached hereto as Schedule 5.1(d). As of the
Closing Date, the authorized capital stock or other equity interests of each of
the Subsidiaries of Parent and the number and ownership of all outstanding
capital stock or equity interests of each of the Loan Parties (other than
Parent) is set forth on Schedule 5.1(d). Except as set forth on the Schedule
5.1(d), as of the Closing Date, none of the Loan Parties will have outstanding
any stock or securities convertible into or exchangeable for any shares of its
capital stock and none will have outstanding any rights or options to subscribe
for or to purchase its capital stock or other equity interests or any stock or
securities convertible into or exchangeable for its capital stock or other
equity interests. As of the Closing Date, none of the Loan Parties will be
subject to any obligation (contingent or otherwise) to repurchase or otherwise
acquire or retire any shares of its capital stock or other equity interests. As
of the Closing Date, all of the outstanding shares and capital stock or other
equity interests of the Loan Parties will be validly issued, fully paid and
nonassessable. None of the Loan Parties have violated any applicable federal or
state securities laws in any material respect in connection with the offer, sale
or issuance of any of its capital stock or other equity interests, and the
offer, sale and issuance of the Senior Term Notes hereunder do not require
registration under the Securities Act or any applicable state securities laws.

            (e) SUBSIDIARIES. Except as set forth on the "SUBSIDIARY SCHEDULE",
attached hereto as Schedule 5.1(e), the Loan Parties do not own, or hold any
rights to acquire, any shares of stock or any other security or interest in any
other Person.

            (f) AUTHORIZATION; NO BREACH. The execution, delivery and
performance of this Agreement, the other Transaction Documents to which each of
the Loan Parties is a party, and the consummation of the Transactions and the
Acquisition have been duly authorized by the Loan Parties. The execution and
delivery by the Loan Parties of the Transaction Documents and the consummation
of the Transactions and the Acquisition does not and will not (i) conflict with
or result in a breach of the terms, conditions or provisions of, (ii) constitute
a default under, (iii) except as created pursuant to the Security Documents and
the GMAC Credit Documents, result in the creation of any Lien upon the Loan
Parties' capital stock or assets pursuant to, (iv) give any

                                       24
<PAGE>

third party the right to accelerate any material obligation under, (v) result in
a violation of, or (vi) require any authorization, consent, approval, exemption
or other action by or notice to any Governmental Authority pursuant to, the
Charter Documents of the Loan Parties, or any law, statute, rule or regulation
to which the Loan Parties are subject, or any material agreement or instrument,
order, judgment or decree to which any of the Loan Parties is a party or to
which it or each of its respective assets are subject.

            (g) GOVERNMENTAL APPROVALS. Except as specifically provided by the
Transaction Documents, no registration with or consent or approval of, or other
action by, any Governmental Authority is or will be required in connection with
the consummation of the Transactions by the Loan Parties. Except as specifically
provided by the Acquisition Agreement, no registration with or consent or
approval of, or other action by, any Governmental Authority was required in
connection with the consummation of the Acquisition.

            (h) ENFORCEABILITY. This Agreement constitutes, and each of the
other Transaction Documents when duly executed and delivered by each of the Loan
Parties who is a party thereto will constitute, legal, valid and binding
obligations of the Loan Parties enforceable in accordance with their respective
terms, except as enforceability may be limited by applicable bankruptcy,
insolvency, moratorium or other laws affecting the enforcement of creditors'
rights generally and by general principles of equity.

            (i) NO MATERIAL ADVERSE CHANGE. Since November 3, 2004, there has
been no Material Adverse Change, with respect to either (a) Parent and its
Subsidiaries taken as a whole, prior to giving effect to the Transactions, or
(b) EJ Footwear, taken as a whole, prior to giving effect to the Transactions;
provided, that the consummation of the Transactions shall not, in and of itself,
be deemed to be a Material Adverse Change.

            (j) LITIGATION. Except as described in the "LITIGATION SCHEDULE"
attached hereto as Schedule 5.1(j), as of the Closing Date, there are no
actions, suits or proceedings at law or in equity or by or before any arbitrator
or any Governmental Authority now pending or, to the knowledge of the Loan
Parties' management after reasonable inquiry, threatened against or filed by or
affecting the Loan Parties or their respective directors or officers or the
businesses, assets or rights of any of the Loan Parties, which are reasonably
likely to have a Material Adverse Effect.

            (k) COMPLIANCE WITH LAWS. The Loan Parties are not in violation of
any applicable Law which violation or violations are reasonably likely to have a
Material Adverse Effect. The Loan Parties are not in, and the consummation of
the Transactions will not cause any, default concerning any judgment, order,
writ, injunction or decree of any Governmental Authority. As of and after the
Closing Date, there is no investigation, enforcement action or regulatory action
pending or, to the knowledge of the Loan Parties, threatened against or
affecting any of the Loan Parties by any Governmental Authority, except as set
forth on the Litigation Schedule, which is reasonably likely to have a Material
Adverse Effect. Except as set forth in the Litigation Schedule, as of and after
the Closing Date, there is no remedial or other corrective action that any of
the Loan Parties is required to take to remain in compliance with any judgment,
order, writ, injunction or decree of any Governmental Authority or to maintain
any material permits, approvals or licenses granted by any Governmental
Authority in full force and effect which is reasonably likely to have a Material
Adverse Effect. To the knowledge of Parent, during the past ten (10) years, none
of the executive officers, directors or management of Parent or any of its
Subsidiaries

                                       25
<PAGE>

(before giving effect to the Acquisition) have been arrested or convicted of any
material crime nor have any of them been bankrupt or an officer or director of a
bankrupt corporation or other entity.

            (l) ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION. Except as specified in "ENVIRONMENTAL
SCHEDULE" attached hereto as Schedule 5.1(l) and after giving effect to the
Transactions, except for materials, conditions, operations and noncompliance
which are not reasonably likely to have a Material Adverse Effect: (i) the
business of the Loan Parties and each of their Subsidiaries, the methods and
means employed by the Loan Parties (and their Subsidiaries) in the operation
thereof (including all operations and conditions at or in the properties of the
Loan Parties or any of their Subsidiaries), the assets owned, leased, managed,
used, controlled, held or operated by the Loan Parties and/or their Subsidiaries
comply in all material respects with all applicable Environmental Laws; (ii)
with respect to the Properties and Facilities, and except as disclosed in the
Environmental Schedule, the Loan Parties have obtained, possess, and are in
compliance in all material respects with all permits, licenses, reviews,
certifications, approvals, registrations, consents, and any other authorizations
under any Environmental Laws; (iii) the Loan Parties have not received (x) any
claim or notice of violation, lien, complaint, suit, order or other claim or
notice to the effect that the Loan Parties are or may be liable to any Person as
a result of (A) the environmental condition of any of their Properties and
Facilities or any other property, or (B) the release or threatened release of
any Pollutant, or (y) any letter or request for information under Section 104 of
the CERCLA, or comparable state laws, and to Loan Parties' knowledge, none of
the operations of the Loan Parties is the subject of any investigation by a
Governmental Authority evaluating whether any remedial action is needed to
respond to a release or threatened release of any Pollutant at the Properties
and Facilities or at any other location, including any location to which the
Loan Parties have transported, or arranged for the transportation of, any
Pollutants with respect to the Properties and Facilities; (iv) except as
disclosed in the Environmental Schedule, neither the Loan Parties, nor, to the
knowledge of the Loan Parties, any prior owner or operator has incurred in the
past, or is now subject to, any Environmental Liabilities; (v) except as
disclosed in the Environmental Schedule, to the knowledge of the Loan Parties,
there are no Liens, covenants, deed restrictions, notice or registration
requirements, or other limitations applicable to the Properties and Facilities,
based upon any Environmental Laws or other legal obligations; (vi) to the
knowledge of the Loan Parties, there are no USTs located in, at, on, or under
the Properties and Facilities or other than the USTs identified in the
Environmental Schedule as USTs; and, to the knowledge of the Loan Parties, each
of those USTs is in compliance with all Environmental Laws and other legal
obligations; and (vii) except as disclosed in the Environmental Schedule, to the
knowledge of the Loan Parties, there are no PCBs, lead paint, asbestos (of any
type or form), or materials, articles or products containing PCBs, lead paint or
asbestos, located in, at, on, under, a part of, or otherwise related to the
Properties and Facilities, and, to the knowledge of the Loan Parties, all of the
PCBs, lead paint, asbestos, and materials, articles and products containing
PCBs, lead paint or asbestos identified in the Environmental Schedule are in
compliance with all Environmental Laws and other legal obligations.

            (m) LEGAL INVESTMENTS; USE OF PROCEEDS. The Loan Parties will use
the proceeds from the sale of the Senior Term Notes to partially finance the
Acquisition. The Loan Parties are not engaged in the business of extending
credit for the purpose of purchasing or carrying any "margin stock" or "margin
security" (within the meaning of Regulations T, U or X issued by the Board of
Governors of the Federal Reserve System), and no proceeds of the sale of the
Senior Term Notes will be used to purchase or carry any margin stock or margin
security or to

                                       26
<PAGE>

extend credit to others for the purpose of purchasing or carrying any margin
stock or margin security.

            (n) TAXES. The Loan Parties have filed or caused to be filed all
federal, state and local tax returns that are required to be filed by it and
their Subsidiaries, and have paid or caused to be paid all taxes shown to be due
and payable on such returns or on any assessments received by it, including
payroll taxes, other than such Charges (i) which are being contested in good
faith by such Person, as the case may be, by appropriate proceedings diligently
instituted and conducted and without the risk of the imposition of a Lien with
respect to a material portion of the Collateral and (ii) with respect to which a
reserve or other appropriate provision, if any, as is required in conformity
with GAAP shall have been made. Parent has no knowledge of any proposed tax
assessment against Parent or any of its Subsidiaries that is reasonably likely
to have a Material Adverse Effect.

            (o) LABOR AND EMPLOYMENT. Except where noncompliance is not
reasonably likely to have a Material Adverse Effect, each Loan Party, ERISA
Affiliate and each Plan is in compliance in all material respects with those
provisions of ERISA, the Code, the Age Discrimination in Employment Act, and the
regulations and published interpretations thereunder that are applicable to the
Loan Party, ERISA Affiliate or any such Plan. As of the date hereof, no
Reportable Event has occurred with respect to any Plan maintained by any Loan
Party or ERISA Affiliate as to which said Loan Party or ERISA Affiliate is or
was required to file a report with the PBGC. No Plan has any amount of unfunded
benefit liabilities (within the meaning of Section 4001(a)(18) of ERISA) or any
accumulated funding deficiency (within the meaning of Section 302(a)(2) of
ERISA), whether or not waived, and none of the Loan Parties, nor any ERISA
Affiliate or member of the Controlled Group has incurred or expects to incur any
withdrawal liability under Subtitle E of Title IV of ERISA to a Multiemployer
Plan. Except where noncompliance is not reasonably likely to have a Material
Adverse Effect, the Loan Parties and ERISA Affiliates are in compliance in all
material respects with all labor and employment laws, rules, regulations and
requirements of all applicable domestic and foreign jurisdictions. There are no
pending or threatened labor disputes, work stoppages or strikes as of the
Closing Date that are reasonably likely to have a Material Adverse Effect.

            (p) INVESTMENT COMPANY ACT; PUBLIC UTILITY HOLDING COMPANY ACT. None
of the Loan Parties are (i) an "INVESTMENT COMPANY" or "CONTROLLED" by an
investment company within the meaning of the Investment Company Act of 1940, as
amended, or (ii) a "HOLDING COMPANY" or a "SUBSIDIARY COMPANY" of a "HOLDING
COMPANY" or an "AFFILIATE" of a "holding company" or of a "SUBSIDIARY COMPANY"
of a "HOLDING COMPANY," within the meaning of the Public Utility Holding Company
Act of 1935, as amended.

            (q) PROPERTIES; SECURITY INTERESTS. The Loan Parties have good and,
solely as to real estate, marketable title to, or valid leasehold interests in,
or valid licenses to use, all of the material assets and properties used or
useful by the Loan Parties in the Business (collectively, the "PROPERTIES AND
FACILITIES"), subject to no Liens except for Permitted Liens. All of the
Properties and Facilities are in good repair, working order and condition and
all such assets and properties are owned by the Loan Parties free and clear of
all Liens except for Permitted Liens. The Properties and Facilities constitute
all of the material assets, properties and rights of the Loan Parties of any
type used in or necessary for the conduct of the Business. The Security
Agreement creates and grants to Agent a valid and perfected security interest in
all the collateral thereunder,

                                       27
<PAGE>

subject only to Permitted Liens. All real estate owned or leased by the Loan
Parties listed on the "PROPERTIES SCHEDULE," attached hereto as Schedule 5.1(q).

            (r) INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY; LICENSES. The Loan Parties and each of
their Subsidiaries owns or licenses, pursuant to a valid and enforceable written
license agreement, all Proprietary Rights necessary and sufficient to conduct
the Business and all other businesses conducted by the Loan Parties and their
Subsidiaries as heretofore conducted and as proposed to be conducted. The
"INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY SCHEDULE" attached hereto as Schedule 5.1(r) sets forth a
true and complete list of all registered Proprietary Rights and material
unregistered Trademarks owned by the Loan Parties and their Subsidiaries and
applications therefor filed by the Loan Parties and their Subsidiaries, which
list includes the owner, the title and description, the registration or
application number, and the registration or application date of each such
Proprietary Right and the jurisdiction in which each such Proprietary Right is
registered, subject to an application for registration or otherwise arises. No
event has occurred that permits, or after notice or lapse of time or both would
permit, the revocation or termination of any of the foregoing, which taken in
isolation or when considered with all other such revocations or terminations is
reasonably likely to have a Material Adverse Effect. The entity identified as of
the owner of each such Proprietary Right required to be set forth on the
Intellectual Property Schedule is the sole and exclusive owner (unless otherwise
indicated) of such Proprietary Right. All Proprietary Rights required to be
identified on the Intellectual Property Schedule are valid, subsisting and
enforceable, except where the lack of validity or enforceability is not
reasonably likely to have a Material Adverse Effect. None of the Proprietary
Rights owned, licensed or otherwise used by the Loan Parties infringes,
misappropriates, dilutes, violates or otherwise impairs any Third Party
Proprietary Rights or other rights of any other Person. The conduct of the
Business and all other businesses conducted by the Loan Parties and their
Subsidiaries as heretofore conducted and as proposed to be conducted, and the
products and services sold by the Loan Parties and their Subsidiaries in
connection therewith, does not infringe, misappropriate, dilute, violate or
otherwise impair any Third Party Proprietary Rights or other rights of any other
Person, except where any such infringement, misappropriation or use is not
reasonably likely to have a Material Adverse Effect. No other Person is
infringing, misappropriating, diluting, violating or making any other unlawful
or unauthorized use of any Proprietary Right, except where any such
infringement, misappropriation or use is not reasonably likely to have a
Material Adverse Effect. The Loan Parties do not have notice or knowledge of any
facts or any past, present or threatened occurrence that could preclude or
impair the Loan Parties' or any of their Subsidiaries' ability to retain or
obtain any authorization necessary for the operation of the Business and all
other businesses conducted by the Loan Parties and their Subsidiaries as
heretofore conducted and as proposed to be conducted.

            (s) SOLVENCY. After giving effect to the Transactions, (i) the fair
value of the assets of the Loan Parties, at a fair valuation, will exceed their
debts and liabilities, subordinated, contingent or otherwise, (ii) the present
fair saleable value of the property of the Loan Parties will be greater than the
amount that will be required to pay the probable liability of their debts and
other liabilities, subordinated, contingent or otherwise, as such debts and
other liabilities become absolute and matured, (iii) the Loan Parties will be
able to pay their debts and liabilities, subordinated, contingent or otherwise,
as such debts and liabilities become absolute and matured, and (iv) the Loan
Parties will not have unreasonably small capital with which to conduct the
business in which they are engaged as such business is now conducted and is
proposed to be conducted following the Closing Date. The determination of
whether a Person is Solvent shall

                                       28
<PAGE>

take into account all such Person's properties and liabilities regardless of
whether, or the amount at which, any such property or liability is included on a
balance sheet of such Person prepared in accordance with GAAP, including
properties such as contingent contribution or subrogation rights, business
prospects, distribution channels and goodwill. The determination of the sum of a
Person's properties at a fair valuation or the present fair saleable value of a
Person's properties shall be made on a going concern basis, unless at the time
of such determination the liquidation of the business in which such properties
are used or useful is in process or is reasonably anticipated. In computing the
amount of contingent or unrealized properties or contingent or unliquidated
liabilities at any time, such properties and liabilities will be computed at the
amounts which, in light of all the facts and circumstances existing at such
time, represent the amount that reasonably can be expected to become realized
properties or matured liabilities, as the case may be. In computing the amount
that would be required to pay a Person's probable liability on its existing
debts as they become absolute and matured, reasonable valuation techniques,
including a present value analysis, shall be applied using such rates over such
periods as are appropriate under the circumstances, and it is understood that,
in appropriate circumstances, the present value of contingent liabilities or
obligations under Guaranties may be zero.

            (t) COMPLETE DISCLOSURE. All factual information furnished by or on
behalf of the Loan Parties to Agent for purposes of or in connection with this
Transaction Document and the transactions contemplated hereby and in the
Acquisition is, and all other such factual information hereafter furnished by or
on behalf of the Loan Parties will be, true and accurate in all material
respects on the date as of which such information is furnished and not
incomplete by omitting to state any fact necessary to make such information not
misleading at such time in light of the circumstances under which such
information was provided.

            (u) SIDE AGREEMENTS. Except as set forth in Schedule 5.1(u), none of
the Loan Parties nor any Affiliate of the Loan Parties nor any director, officer
or employee of the Loan Parties or any of their Affiliates, respectively, has
entered into, as of the date hereof, any side agreement, either oral or written,
with any individual or business, pursuant to which the director, officer,
employee, Loan Party or Affiliate agreed to do anything beyond the requirements
of the formal, written contracts executed by the Loan Parties and disclosed to
the Purchasers and Agent herein.

            (v) BROKER'S OR FINDER'S COMMISSIONS. No broker's or finder's or
placement fee or commission will be payable to any broker or agent engaged by
the Loan Parties or any of their officers, directors or agents with respect to
the issuance and sale of the Senior Term Notes or the transactions contemplated
by this Agreement, including without limitation the Transactions, except for
fees payable to ACFS, the Purchasers and Agent. The Loan Parties agree to
indemnify Agent and the Purchasers and to hold them harmless from and against
any claim, demand or liability for broker's or finder's or placement fees or
similar commissions, whether or not payable by the Loan Parties, alleged to have
been incurred in connection with such transactions, other than any broker's or
finder's fees payable to Persons engaged by Agent or the Purchasers without the
knowledge of the Loan Parties.

            (w) MATERIAL CONTRACTS. Schedule 5.1(w) lists, as of the Closing
Date, each material contract to which the Loan Parties are a party, by which any
of them or their respective properties is bound or to which any of them is
subject (collectively, "MATERIAL CONTRACTS"), and also indicates the parties,
subject matter and term thereof. As of the Closing Date, (i) each

                                       29
<PAGE>

Material Contract is in full force and effect and is enforceable by the Loan
Party that is a party thereto in accordance with its terms, and (ii) none of the
Loan Parties (nor, to the knowledge of the Loan Parties , any other party
thereto) is in breach of or default under any Material Contract in any material
respect or has given notice of termination or cancellation of any Material
Contract.

            (x) FOREIGN ASSETS CONTROL REGULATIONS, ETC. None of the Loan
Parties are an "enemy" or an "ally of the enemy" within the meaning of Section 2
of the Trading with the Enemy Act of the United States of America (50 U.S.C.
App. Sections  1 et seq.), as amended. None of the Loan Parties are in violation
of (a) the Trading with the Enemy Act, as amended, (b) any of the foreign assets
control regulations of the United States Treasury Department (31 CFR, Subtitle
B, Chapter V, as amended) or any enabling legislation or executive order
relating thereto or (c) the USA Patriot Act, Title III of Pub. L. 107-56, signed
into law October 26, 2001 (the "PATRIOT ACT"). No Loan Party (i) is a blocked
person described in section 1 of the Anti-Terrorism Order or (ii) to the best of
its knowledge, engages in any dealings or transactions, or is otherwise
associated, with any such blocked person.

            (y) PARENT SEC REPORTS.

                  (i) Parent has filed all required material forms, reports,
            schedules, statements and other documents (including exhibits and
            other information incorporated therein) with the SEC since December
            31, 2001 (collectively, the "PARENT SEC REPORTS"). As of their
            respective dates, or, if amended, as of the date of the last such
            amendment, each Parent SEC Report, (a) complied in all material
            respects with the applicable requirements of the Securities Act, the
            Securities Exchange Act, and the rules and regulations thereunder
            applicable to such Parent SEC Reports and (b) did not, and in the
            case of such forms, reports, schedules, statements and other
            documents filed after the date hereof will not as of the time they
            are filed, contain any untrue statement of a material fact or omit
            to state a material fact required to be stated therein or necessary
            to make the statements made therein, in the light of the
            circumstances under which they were made, not misleading. Each of
            the consolidated financial statements included in or incorporated by
            reference into the Parent SEC Reports (including the related notes
            and schedules) were, and in the case of such consolidated financial
            statements filed after the date hereof will be, prepared materially
            in accordance with the published rules and regulations of the SEC,
            and fairly presents (as to such previously filed items) in all
            material respects the consolidated financial position of Parent and
            its Subsidiaries as of its date, and each of the consolidated
            statements of operations, stockholders' equity and cash flows
            included in or incorporated by reference into the Parent SEC Reports
            (including any related notes and schedules) fairly presents (as to
            such previously filed items) in all material respects the financial
            position, results of operations and cash flows, as the case may be,
            of Parent and its Subsidiaries for the periods set forth therein, in
            each case in accordance with GAAP consistently applied during the
            periods involved, except as may be noted therein (and subject, in
            the case of unaudited statements, to normal year-end audit
            adjustments and the absence of footnotes).

                  (ii) As of the Closing Date, (x) there is no investigation by
            the SEC pending or threatened with respect to any Parent SEC Report,
            (y) none of the

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<PAGE>

            Parent SEC Reports are the subject of open, unresolved comments from
            the SEC, and (z) to the knowledge of Parent, there is no material
            unresolved violation of the Securities Exchange Act or the published
            rules and regulations of the SEC asserted by the SEC with respect to
            the Parent SEC Reports.

            (z) CURRENT BUSINESS PRACTICES. None of the Loan Parties, nor, to
the knowledge of the Loan Parties, any of their respective directors, officers,
agents, employees or representatives in their capacities as such has knowingly
(or unknowingly, in the case where such conduct is reasonably likely to have had
a Material Adverse Effect): (i) used any funds for unlawful contributions,
unlawful gifts, unlawful entertainment or other unlawful expenses relating to
political activity; (ii) directly or indirectly paid or delivered any fee,
commission or other sum of money or item of property, however characterized, to
any finder, agent or other party acting on behalf of or under the auspices of a
governmental official or Governmental Authority, in the United States of America
or any other country, which is in any manner related to the Business that was
illegal under federal, state or local laws of the United States of America or
any other country having jurisdiction; (iii) made any payment to any customer or
subcontractor of the Business or to any officer, director, partner, employee or
agent of any such customer or subcontractor, for the unlawful influence of any
such customer or subcontractor or any such officer, director, partner, employee
or agent; (iv) engaged in any other unlawful reciprocal practice, or made any
other unlawful payment or given any other unlawful consideration to any such
customer or subcontractor or any such officer, director, partner, employee or
agent, in respect of the Business; or (v) except as set forth on Schedule
5.1(z), violated any federal, state or local campaign finance, election or
similar Laws.

            5.2 ABSOLUTE RELIANCE ON THE REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES. All
representations and warranties contained in this Agreement and any financial
statements, instruments, certificates, schedules or other documents delivered in
connection herewith, shall survive the execution and delivery of this Agreement,
regardless of any investigation made by Agent or the Purchasers or on Agent's or
the Purchasers' behalf.

                                    ARTICLE 6
                          TRANSFER OF SENIOR TERM NOTES

            6.1 RESTRICTED SECURITIES. The Purchasers acknowledge that the
Senior Term Notes have not been registered under the Securities Act and may be
resold only if registered pursuant to the provisions of the Securities Act or if
an exemption from registration is available, and that the Loan Parties are not
required to register any of the Senior Term Notes under the Securities Act.

            6.2 LEGENDS; PURCHASERS' REPRESENTATIONS. Each of the Purchasers
hereby represents and warrants to the Loan Parties that it is an "accredited
investor" within the meaning of Rule 501(a) under the Securities Act and is
acquiring the Senior Term Notes for investment for its own account, with no
present intention of dividing its participation with others (except for a
potential transfer or transfers of the Senior Term Notes to an Affiliate or
Affiliates of the Purchasers) or reselling or otherwise distributing the same.
Purchaser understands that the acquisition of the Senior Term Notes has not been
registered under the Securities Act or registered or qualified under any state
securities law in reliance on specific exemptions therefrom, which exemptions
may depend upon, among other things, the bona fide nature of Purchaser's

                                       31
<PAGE>

representations as expressed herein. Purchaser will not, directly or indirectly,
offer, sell, pledge, transfer or otherwise dispose of (or solicit any offers to
buy, purchase or otherwise acquire or take a pledge of) the Senior Term Notes,
except in compliance with the Securities Act and any applicable state securities
laws, and the rules and regulations promulgated thereunder. The Loan Parties may
place an appropriate legend on the Senior Term Notes owned by the Purchasers
concerning the restrictions set forth in this Article 6. Upon the assignment or
transfer by the Purchasers or any of its successors or assignees of all or any
part of the Senior Term Notes, the term "PURCHASER" as used herein shall
thereafter mean, to the extent thereof, the then holder or holders of such
Senior Term Notes, or portion thereof

            6.3 TRANSFER OF SENIOR TERM NOTES. Subject to Section 6.2, a holder
of a Senior Term Note may transfer such Senior Term Note to a new holder, or may
exchange such Senior Term Note for Senior Term Notes of different denominations
(but in no event of denominations of less than $100,000 in original principal
amount), by surrendering such Senior Term Note to the Loan Parties duly endorsed
for transfer or accompanied by a duly executed instrument of transfer naming the
new holder (or the current holder if submitted for exchange only), together with
written instructions for the issuance of one or more new Senior Term Notes
specifying the respective principal amounts of each new Senior Term Note and the
name of each new holder and each address therefor. The Loan Parties shall
simultaneously deliver to such holder or its designee such new Senior Term
Notes, shall mark the surrendered Senior Term Notes as canceled and shall
provide notice of such transfer to Agent. In lieu of the foregoing procedures, a
holder may assign a Senior Term Note (in whole but not in part) to a new holder
by sending written notice to the Loan Parties and Agent of such assignment
specifying the new holder's name and address; in such case, the Loan Parties
shall promptly acknowledge such assignment in writing to both the old and new
holder.

            6.4 REPLACEMENT OF LOST SENIOR TERM NOTES. Upon receipt of evidence
reasonably satisfactory to the Loan Parties of the mutilation, destruction, loss
or theft of any Senior Term Notes and the ownership thereof, the Loan Parties
shall, upon the written request of the holder of such Senior Term Notes, execute
and deliver in replacement thereof new Senior Term Notes in the same form, in
the same original tenor and dated the same date as the Senior Term Notes so
mutilated, destroyed, lost or stolen; and such Senior Term Notes so mutilated,
destroyed, lost or stolen shall then be deemed no longer outstanding hereunder.
If the Senior Term Notes being replaced have been mutilated, they shall be
surrendered to the Loan Parties; and if such replaced Senior Term Notes have
been destroyed, lost or stolen, such holder shall furnish the Loan Parties with
an indemnity in writing to save it harmless in respect of such replaced Senior
Term Notes.

            6.5 NO OTHER REPRESENTATIONS AFFECTED. Nothing contained in this
Article 6 shall limit the full force or effect of any representation, agreement
or warranty made herein or in connection herewith to the Purchasers.

                                    ARTICLE 7
                                    COVENANTS

            7.1 AFFIRMATIVE COVENANTS. The Loan Parties, jointly and severally,
covenant that, so long as all or any of the Senior Term Notes shall remain
outstanding, the Loan Parties shall and shall cause each of their Subsidiaries
to:

                                       32
<PAGE>

            (a) EXISTENCE. Do or cause to be done all things necessary to
preserve, renew and keep in full force and effect their legal existence and the
legal existence of their Subsidiaries.

            (b) BUSINESSES AND PROPERTIES; COMPLIANCE WITH LAWS. At all times
(i) do or cause to be done all things necessary to preserve, renew and keep in
full force and effect the rights, licenses, registrations, permits,
certifications, approvals, consents, franchises, and Proprietary Rights that are
material to the conduct of their businesses; (ii) comply in all material
respects with all Laws and regulations applicable to the operation of such
business, including but not limited to, all Environmental Laws, whether now in
effect or hereafter enacted and with all other applicable Laws and regulations;
(iii) comply in all material respects with Sarbanes Oxley and all regulations
promulgated thereunder no later than December 31, 2005; (iv) take all action
that may be required to obtain, preserve, renew and extend all rights,
Proprietary Rights, franchises, registrations, certifications, approvals,
consents, licenses, permits and any other authorizations that may be material to
the operation of such business; (v) maintain, preserve and protect all property
material to the conduct of such business; and (vi) except for obsolete or worn
out equipment, keep their property in good repair, working order and condition
and from time to time make, or cause to be made, all needful and proper repairs,
renewals, additions, improvements and replacements thereto necessary in order
that the business carried on in connection therewith may be properly conducted
at all times.

            (c) INSURANCE. Maintain insurance required by the Transaction
Documents and any and all contracts entered into by the Loan Parties, including
but not limited to: (i) coverage on their insurable properties (including all
inventory, equipment and real property) against the perils of fire, theft,
hazard and burglary; (ii) public liability; (iii) workers' compensation; (iv)
business interruption; (v) product liability; and (vi) such other risks as are
customary with companies similarly situated and in the same or similar business
as that of the Loan Parties under policies issued by financially sound and
reputable insurers in such amounts as are customary with companies similarly
situated and in the same or similar business. Each of the Loan Parties shall pay
or shall cause to be paid all insurance premiums payable by it or its
Subsidiaries and, upon Agent's request, shall deliver copies of the policy or
policies of such insurance (or certificates of insurance with copies of such
policies) to Agent. All insurance policies of the Loan Parties shall contain
endorsements, in form and substance reasonably satisfactory to Agent, providing
that the insurance shall not be cancelable except upon thirty (30) days' prior
written notice to Agent. Agent, on behalf of the Purchasers, shall be shown as a
loss payee and an additional named insured party under all such insurance
policies, in each case pursuant to appropriate endorsements reasonably
satisfactory to Agent.

            (d) OBLIGATIONS AND TAXES. Pay and discharge promptly when due all
taxes, assessments and governmental charges or levies imposed upon them or upon
their income or profits or in respect of their properties before the same shall
become delinquent or in default, as well as all lawful claims for labor,
materials and supplies or otherwise, which, if unpaid, might give rise to Liens
or charges upon such properties or any part thereof; provided, however, that the
Loan Parties shall not be required to pay and discharge or to cause to be paid
and discharged any such tax, assessment, charge, levy or claim so long as (i)
the validity or amount thereof shall be contested in good faith by appropriate
proceedings and (ii) the Loan Parties shall have set aside on their books
adequate reserves with respect thereto.

            (e) FINANCIAL STATEMENTS; REPORTS. FURNISH TO AGENT:

                                       33
<PAGE>

                  (i) ANNUAL STATEMENTS. Within ninety (90) days after the end
            of each fiscal year, a balance sheet and statements of operations,
            stockholders' equity and cash flows of Parent on a Consolidated
            Basis showing the financial condition as of the close of such year
            and the results of operations during such year, all of the foregoing
            financial statements to be audited by a firm of independent
            certified public accountants of recognized national standing
            acceptable to Agent and accompanied by an opinion of such
            accountants without material exceptions or qualifications.
            Additionally, such financial statements shall be accompanied by a
            certificate of such accountants (which shall not contain any
            qualification exception or scope limitation not acceptable to Agent)
            stating that in the course of its regular audit of the Business,
            which audit was conducted in accordance with GAAP, no Default or
            Event of Default relating to financial and accounting matters has
            come to their attention, or if any Default or Event of Default
            exists, a statement as to the nature thereof.

                  (ii) MONTHLY STATEMENTS. Within twenty (20) calendar days
            after the end of each calendar month, financial statements
            (including a balance sheet and income statements) showing the
            financial condition and results of operations of Parent on a
            Consolidated Basis as of the end of each such month and for the then
            elapsed portion of the current fiscal year, together with
            comparisons to the corresponding periods in the preceding year and
            the budget for such periods, accompanied by a certificate of an
            officer that such financial statements have been prepared in
            accordance with GAAP, consistently applied, subject to year end
            audit adjustments and setting forth in comparative form the
            respective financial statements for the corresponding date and
            period in the previous fiscal year.

                  (iii) FORMAT; MANAGEMENT REPORT; CERTIFICATE OF COMPLIANCE.
            Each balance sheet, operations statement and cash flow statement
            furnished to Agent or the Purchasers pursuant to subsections (i) and
            (ii) of this 7.1(e) shall be furnished by an electronic means in
            Excel spreadsheet format containing such line items and other
            formatting requirements as may be specified by Agent. Each financial
            statement furnished to Agent pursuant to subsections (i) and (ii) of
            this Section 7.1(e) shall be accompanied by (A) a written narrative
            report by the management of Parent explaining material developments
            and trends in the Business and such financial statements and (B) a
            written certificate signed by the chief financial officer of Parent
            to the effect that no Default or Event of Default has occurred
            during the period covered by such statements or, if any such Default
            or Event of Default has occurred during such period, setting forth a
            description of such Default or Event of Default and specifying the
            action, if any, taken by the Loan Parties to remedy the same, and a
            compliance certificate in the form of Exhibit F showing the Loan
            Parties' compliance with the covenants set forth in Section 7.3.

                  (iv) ACCOUNTANT REPORTS. Promptly upon the receipt thereof,
            copies of all reports, if any, submitted to Parent by independent
            certified public accountants in connection with each annual, interim
            or special audit or review of the financial statements of Parent
            made by such accountants, including but not limited to, any

                                       34
<PAGE>

            comment letter submitted by such accountants to management in
            connection with any annual review.

                  (v) PROJECTIONS. As soon as available, but in no event later
            than December 31 of each year, a projection of the balance sheet,
            and income, retained earnings and cash flow statements of Parent on
            a Consolidated Basis, respectively, for the following fiscal year
            and comparable actual and budgeted figures for the current year; and
            within ten (10) days after any material update or amendment of any
            such plan or forecast, a copy of such update or amendment, including
            a description of and reasons for such update or amendment. Each such
            projection, update or amendment shall be accompanied by a written
            certificate signed by the chief financial officer of Parent to the
            effect that it has been prepared on the basis of historical
            financial statements and records, together with the assumptions set
            forth in such projection and that it reflects expectations, after
            reasonable analysis, of Parent's management as to the matters set
            forth therein.

                  (vi) ADDITIONAL INFORMATION. Promptly, from time to time, such
            other information regarding the compliance by the Loan Parties with
            the terms of this Agreement and the other Transaction Documents or
            the affairs, operations or condition (financial or otherwise) of the
            Loan Parties as Agent or Required Purchasers may reasonably request
            and that is capable of being obtained, produced or generated by the
            Loan Parties or of which the Loan Parties have knowledge.

            (f) LITIGATION AND OTHER NOTICES. Give Agent prompt written notice
of the following:

                  (i) ORDERS; INJUNCTIONS. The issuance by any court or
            governmental agency or authority of any injunction, order, decision
            or other restraint prohibiting, or having the effect of prohibiting,
            the making of any loan or the initiation of any litigation or
            similar proceeding seeking any such injunction, order or other
            restraint.

                  (ii) LITIGATION. The notice, filing or commencement of any
            action, suit or proceeding against any of the Loan Parties whether
            at law or in equity or by or before any court or any Federal, state,
            municipal or other governmental agency or authority and that, if
            adversely determined against any of the Loan Parties (or their
            Subsidiaries), could result in uninsured liability in excess of
            $750,000 in the aggregate.

                  (iii) ENVIRONMENTAL MATTERS. (A) Any release or threatened
            release of any Pollutant required to be reported to any Federal,
            state or local governmental or regulatory agency under any
            applicable Environmental Laws, (B) any Removal, Remedial or Response
            action taken by any of the Loan Parties or any other person in
            response to any Pollutant in, at, on or under, a part of or about
            the Loan Parties' properties or any other property, (C) any
            violation by the Loan Parties of any Environmental Law, in each
            case, that could result in a Material Adverse Effect, or (D) any
            notice, claim or other information that the Loan Parties might be
            subject to an Environmental Liability.

                                       35
<PAGE>

                  (iv) DEFAULT. Any Default or Event of Default, specifying the
            nature and extent thereof and the action (if any) that is proposed
            to be taken with respect thereto.

                  (v) MATERIAL ADVERSE EFFECT. Any development in the business
            or affairs of the Loan Parties that is reasonably likely to have a
            Material Adverse Effect.

                  (vi) BOARD MEETINGS. Written notice of each regular meeting of
            the board of directors of each of the Loan Parties at least ten (10)
            days in advance of such meeting and prior written notice of each
            special meeting of the Loan Parties' board of directors at least
            three (3) days in advance of such meeting, but in any case such
            notice shall be delivered no later than the date on which the
            members of the Loan Parties' board of directors are notified of such
            meeting. In addition, the Loan Parties shall send Agent copies of
            all reports and materials provided to members of the board of
            directors at meetings or otherwise, provided, however that the Loan
            Parties shall not be required to send materials specifically
            referencing the GMAC Credit Documents, this Agreement, Agent, ACAS
            or the Senior Term Notes.

            (g) ERISA. Comply in all material respects with the applicable
provisions of ERISA and the provisions of the Code relating thereto and furnish
to Agent, and if requested by them in writing, furnish to the Purchasers, (i) as
soon as possible, and in any event within thirty (30) days after the Loan
Parties knew or had reason to know thereof, notice of (A) the establishment by
the Loan Parties or ERISA Affiliate of any Plan, (B) the commencement by a Loan
Party or ERISA Affiliate of contributions to a Multiemployer Plan, (C) any
failure by any of the Loan Parties or any of their ERISA Affiliates to make
contributions required by Section 302 of ERISA (whether or not such requirement
is waived pursuant to Section 303 of ERISA), or (D) the occurrence of any
Reportable Event with respect to any Plan or Multiemployer Plan for which the
reporting requirement is not waived, together with a statement of an officer
setting forth details as to such Reportable Event and the action that the Loan
Parties propose to take with respect thereto, together with a copy of the notice
of such Reportable Event given to the PBGC if any such notice was provided by
the Loan Parties, and (ii) promptly after receipt thereof, a copy of any notice
a Loan Party or ERISA Affiliate may receive from the PBGC relating to the
intention of the PBGC to terminate any Plan or Multiemployer Plan, or to appoint
a trustee to administer any Plan or Multiemployer Plan, and (iii) promptly after
receipt thereof, a copy of any notice of withdrawal liability from any
Multiemployer Plan.

            (h) MAINTAINING RECORDS; ACCESS TO PREMISES AND INSPECTIONS.
Maintain financial records in accordance with generally accepted practices and,
upon reasonable notice, at all reasonable times and as often as Agent or any
Purchasers may reasonably request (and at any time after the occurrence and
during the continuation of a Default or Event of Default), subject to the same
confidentiality provisions for Agent and Purchasers contained in this Agreement,
permit any authorized representative designated by Agent to visit and inspect
the properties and financial records of the Loan Parties and to make extracts
from such financial records, all at the Loan Parties' reasonable expense, and
permit any authorized representative designated by Agent or any Purchasers to
discuss the affairs, finances and condition of the Loan Parties with the chief
financial officer of each of the Loan Parties and such other officers as the
Loan Parties shall deem appropriate, and the Loan Parties' independent public
accountants.

                                       36
<PAGE>

                  (i) BOARD OF DIRECTORS.

                  (i) Parent shall deliver to Agent official minutes of the
            meetings of the board of directors of Parent promptly after such
            meetings are held. Parent shall be permitted to redact any
            information related to the GMAC Credit Documents, Agent or ACAS from
            the minutes of the meetings of the board of directors of Parent
            delivered to Agent.

                  (ii) The board of directors of Parent shall meet at least once
            each calendar quarter.

            (j) PATRIOT ACT COMPLIANCE. The Loan Parties shall provide such
information and take such actions as are reasonably registered by Agent or any
Purchaser in order to assist Agent and the Purchasers with compliance with the
Patriot Act.

            (k) SEC FILINGS. Promptly after the sending or filing thereof,
Parent shall (x) send Agent (either in writing or by e-mail) copies of all press
releases; and all statements concerning material changes or developments in the
business of the Loan Parties made available by the Loan Parties to the public or
any other creditor and (y) use reasonable efforts to send to Agent (either in
writing or by e-mail) copies of all reports sent to the holders of the Common
Stock of Parent generally and all reports and registration statements filed with
the SEC or any national or foreign securities exchange or the National
Association of Securities Dealers, Inc.

            (l) RESEARCH REPORTS. Promptly after the sending, delivery or
dissemination thereof, the Loan Parties, if permitted by the preparer thereof,
shall send Agent copies of research reports, investment memorandum or other
similar materials that shall have been prepared for or on behalf of Parent by an
investment banking firm, financial institution or other financial advisory firm.

            (m) NON-LOAN PARTY GUARANTY. Any Foreign Subsidiary of Parent, that,
after the Closing Date, becomes a Loan Party or Guarantor under the GMAC Credit
Agreement, shall enter into a Guaranty, in a form reasonably satisfactory to
Agent, in favor of Agent and the Purchasers securing the payment of and
guaranteeing all Indebtedness and other obligations incurred by the Loan Parties
pursuant to this Agreement or any other Transaction Document.

            (n) FOREIGN BUSINESS INTERRUPTION INSURANCE. Within thirty (30) days
following the Closing Date, Parent shall have delivered evidence of the
availability of at least $1,000,000 of business interruption insurance with
respect to Five Star Enterprises, Ltd., a Cayman Islands corporation, that is
reasonably satisfactory to Agent.

            (o) DEPOSIT ACCOUNT CONTROL AGREEMENTS. If all of the indebtedness
under the GMAC Credit Agreement is satisfied and any obligations to lend
thereunder are terminated, Parent shall promptly enter into and deliver to Agent
Deposit Account Control Agreements that are reasonably satisfactory to Agent
with respect to any deposit accounts that were subject to deposit account
control agreements as part of the GMAC Financing.

            7.2 NEGATIVE COVENANTS. The Loan Parties, jointly and severally,
covenant that, so long as all or any part of the Senior Term Notes shall remain
outstanding:

                                       37
<PAGE>

            (a) INDEBTEDNESS. The Loan Parties shall not create, incur, assume
guarantee or be or remain liable for, contingently or otherwise, or suffer to
exist any Indebtedness, except:

                  (i) Indebtedness under this Agreement;

                  (ii) Indebtedness incurred in the ordinary course of business
            with respect to customer deposits, trade payables and other
            unsecured current liabilities not the result of borrowing and not
            evidenced by any note or other evidence of indebtedness;

                  (iii) Indebtedness under the GMAC Financing;

                  (iv) Purchase money Indebtedness of any Loan Party and
            Indebtedness consisting of Capitalized Leases, in the aggregate, not
            to exceed $2,500,000 at any time outstanding;

                  (v) Intercompany Indebtedness between the Loan Parties,
            including between Parent and its Subsidiaries (which, for the sake
            of clarification, does not include trade payables incurred in the
            ordinary course of business); provided, that the aggregate
            outstanding amount of the intercompany indebtedness owing at any
            time by Subsidiaries that are not Loan Parties to Loan Parties shall
            not exceed $7,500,000;

                  (vi) Indebtedness to shareholders of Parent from share
            repurchases and redemptions under the Stockholders Agreement not to
            exceed $250,000 in the aggregate in any Fiscal Year;

                  (vii) Other Indebtedness of Loan Parties in the aggregate at
            any time outstanding of $1,000,000; provided that such Indebtedness
            is unsecured and/or subordinated to the Indebtedness under this
            Agreement on terms reasonably satisfactory to Agent;

                  (viii) Indebtedness of any Loan Party listed on the "PERMITTED
            INDEBTEDNESS SCHEDULE" attached hereto as Schedule 7.2(a);

                  (ix) Indebtedness incurred in connection with the financing of
            Loan Parties' insurance premiums;

                  (x) Indebtedness incurred in connection with Interest Rate
            Protection Agreements, in all cases not for speculative purposes,
            not to exceed in the aggregate a maximum potential liability for the
            termination of such any and all such agreements, of $7,500,000 at
            any time outstanding;

                  (xi) Indebtedness incurred in connection with the purchase,
            financing or refinancing of real property, not to exceed the sum of
            $5,000,000 in the aggregate at any time outstanding;

                                       38
<PAGE>

                  (xii) obligations under any lease which is accounted for by
            the lessee as an operating lease and under which the lessee is
            intended to be the "owner" of the leased property for Federal income
            tax purposes.

            (b) NEGATIVE PLEDGE; LIENS. The Loan Parties shall not create,
incur, assume or suffer to exist any Lien of any kind on any of their properties
or assets of any kind, except the following (collectively, "PERMITTED LIENS"):

                  (i) Liens created in connection with the Security Documents;

                  (ii) Liens created in connection with the GMAC Financing which
            are subject to the terms of the Intercreditor Agreement;

                  (iii) Liens for or priority claims imposed by law that are
            incidental to the conduct of business or the ownership of properties
            and assets (including mechanic's, warehousemen's, attorneys' and
            statutory landlords' Liens) and deposits and pledges incurred in the
            ordinary course of business and not in connection with the borrowing
            of money; provided, however, that in each case, the obligation
            secured is not overdue, or, if overdue, is being contested in good
            faith and adequate reserves have been set up by the Loan Parties as
            the case may be; and provided, further, that the Lien and security
            interest provided in the Security Documents or any portion thereof
            created or intended to be created thereby is not, in the opinion of
            Agent, unreasonably jeopardized thereby;

                  (iv) Liens securing the payments of Charges incurred in the
            ordinary course of business that either (A) are not delinquent, or
            (B) are being contested in good faith by appropriate legal or
            administrative proceedings and as to which adequate reserves have
            been set aside on their books, and so long as during the period of
            any such contest, the Loan Parties shall suffer no loss of any
            privilege of doing business or any other right, power or privilege
            necessary or material to the operation of the Business; provided,
            however, that a stay of enforcement of any such Lien is in effect
            and the priority status of the Lien of Agent under the Security
            Documents shall not be affected thereby;

                  (v) Liens securing Capitalized Leases and purchase money
            Indebtedness permitted under Section 7.2(a) (which attach solely to
            the assets being leased or purchased);

                  (vi) Liens securing Indebtedness permitted under Section 7.2
            (a) which attach solely to applicable insurance policies and
            proceeds thereof;

                  (vii) Liens securing Indebtedness permitted under Section 7.2
            (a) which attach solely to the relevant real property and
            improvements;

                  (viii) Liens listed on the "PERMITTED ENCUMBRANCES SCHEDULE"
            attached hereto as Schedule 7.2(b); and

                  (ix) Extensions, renewals and replacements of Liens referred
            to in clauses (i), (ii), (v), (vi), (vii), (viii) of this Section
            7.2(b); provided, however, that

                                       39
<PAGE>

            any such extension, renewal or replacement Lien shall be limited to
            the property or assets covered by the Lien extended, renewed or
            replaced and that the obligations secured by any such extension,
            renewal or replacement Lien shall be in an amount not greater than
            the amount of the obligations secured by the Lien extended, renewed
            or replaced at the time of such extension, renewal or replacement;

                  (x) Liens of any licensor or licensee in connection with
            license agreements entered into in the ordinary course of business,
            which such Liens do not constitute security interests in any assets
            of any Loan Party;

                  (xi) any Lien or encumbrance, UCC financing statement,
            interest or title of a lessor under any operating lease entered into
            in the ordinary course of business, or any interest or title of any
            lessee under any leases or subleases of real property, with respect
            solely to the leased property and not to any other Collateral;

                  (xii) with respect solely to real property, defects and
            irregularities in title, survey exceptions, encumbrances, licenses,
            covenants, restrictions, easements or reservations of others for
            rights-of-way, roads, pipelines, railroad crossings, services,
            utilities or other similar purposes; outstanding mineral rights or
            reservations (including rights with respect to the removal of
            material resources) which do not materially diminish the value of
            the surface estate, assuming usage of such surface estate similar to
            that being carried on by any Person as of the effective date, and
            Liens arising with respect to zoning restrictions, licenses,
            covenants, building restrictions and other similar charges or
            encumbrances on the use of real property of such Person which do not
            materially interfere with the ordinary conduct of such Person's
            business;

                  (xiii) Liens on any interest in life insurance on any officer,
            director or employee;

                  (xiv) Liens incurred or pledges and deposits made in the
            ordinary course of business in connection with worker's
            compensation, unemployment insurance, pensions or other types of
            social security benefits, or to secure the performance of statutory
            obligations or to secure the performance of bids, tenders, sales and
            contracts (other than for the repayment of borrowed money) and Liens
            incurred to secure any surety bonds, appeal bonds, supersedeas bonds
            or other instruments serving a similar purpose in connection with
            the appeal of any judgment or defense of any claim relating to a
            prejudgment Lien;

                  (xv) Liens consisting of financing statements or similar
            notices filed by a Person of a type listed in Section 9-505 of the
            UCC solely in such capacity; and

                  (xvi) Liens consisting of judgments or attachments that would
            not constitute an Event of Default under Section 8.1(j).

            (c) CONTINGENT LIABILITIES. The Loan Parties shall not become liable
for any Guaranties, except for (i) the endorsement of negotiable instruments for
deposit or collection or similar transactions in the ordinary course of
business, (ii) Guaranties by a Loan Party with respect to Indebtedness of any
Loan Party permitted under Section 7.2(a), (iii) Guaranties of a Loan Party

                                       40
<PAGE>

with respect to a maximum potential liability of $1,000,000 at any time
outstanding, (iv) Guaranties, obligations, warranties and indemnities, not with
respect to senior or funded Indebtedness of any Person, which have been or are
undertaken or made in the ordinary course of business, in connection with the
Transactions or in connection with the issuance of securities of Parent, and (v)
Guaranties of any Loan Party on behalf of such Loan Party's Subsidiary which is
not a Loan Party not to exceed in the aggregate at any time outstanding,
guaranteed Indebtedness in the sum of $1,000,000.

            (d) Intentionally Omitted.

            (e) MERGERS, ETC. Except for the Acquisition and a merger or
consolidation of any Subsidiary or Loan Party into another Loan Party, Loan
Parties shall not alter the corporate, capital or legal structure of the Loan
Parties, or merge into or consolidate or combine with any other Person, or
liquidate, wind-up or dissolve itself (or suffer any liquidation or dissolution)
or purchase, lease or otherwise acquire (in one transaction or a series of
related transactions) all or any substantial part of the property or assets of
any Person in excess of the aggregate sum of $2,000,000 during the term hereof,
subject to such terms and conditions reasonably satisfactory to Agent. The Loan
Parties shall not sell, transfer or otherwise dispose of any of their assets,
including without limitation the collateral under the respective Security
Documents, other than (i) sales, leases, assignments, transfers, conveyances or
other dispositions of Inventory in the ordinary course of business; (ii) the
sale of Parent's former office and warehouse properties in Nelsonville, Ohio,
and sales, assignments, transfers, conveyances or other dispositions (other than
leases or subleases of leases) of properties outside of the ordinary course of
business not to exceed in the aggregate more than $50,000 in any Fiscal Year
(exclusive of any sales or other dispositions of Parent's former warehouse
property); (iii) in addition to dispositions permitted under clauses (i) and
(ii) above, the disposition of equipment of any Loan Party if such equipment is
obsolete or no longer useful in the ordinary course of such Loan Party's
business; (iv) assignments and licenses of intellectual property in the ordinary
course of business; (v) the sale or transfer of property of any Loan Party to
any other Loan Party; and (vi) subleases of leases or leases of property which,
at the time of such sublease or lease, is not then currently being utilized in
the Business.

            (f) AFFILIATE TRANSACTIONS. Other than by and between, or among,
Parent, the Loan Parties and their respective Subsidiaries, in each case in a
manner that is not materially economically detrimental to any Loan Party, the
Loan Parties shall not make any loan or advance to any director, officer or
employee of any of the Loan Parties or to any Affiliate or enter into or be a
party to any transaction or arrangement with any Affiliate of the Loan Parties,
including, without limitation, the purchase from, sale to or exchange of
property with, or the rendering of any service by or for, any Affiliate, except
pursuant to the reasonable requirements of the Loan Parties' business and upon
fair and reasonable terms no less favorable to the Loan Parties than would be
obtained in a comparable arm's-length transaction with a Person other than an
Affiliate.

            (g) DIVIDENDS AND STOCK PURCHASES. The Loan Parties shall not,
directly or indirectly, declare or pay any dividends or make any distribution of
any kind on their outstanding capital stock or any other payment of any kind to
any of their stockholders or its Affiliates (including any redemption, purchase
or acquisition of, whether in cash or in property, securities or a combination
thereof, any partnership interests or capital accounts or warrants, options or
any of their other securities), or set aside any sum for any such purpose other
than for such dividends,

                                       41
<PAGE>

distributions or payments paid solely to other Loan Parties and for any other
purpose up to $500,000 in the aggregate in any Fiscal Year.

            (h) ADVANCES, INVESTMENTS AND LOANS. The Loan Parties shall not
purchase, or hold beneficially any stock, other securities or evidences of
Indebtedness of, or make or permit to exist any loan, Guaranty or advance to, or
make any Investment or acquire any interest whatsoever in, any other Person
(including, but not limited to, the formation or acquisition of any
Subsidiaries), except prior to the occurrence and continuance of Default or
Event of Default, and subject to the substantially contemporaneous delivery to
GMAC Agent and/or Agent of such agreements, documents or instruments reasonably
requested by such Agent to obtain a perfected security interest in any such
Investment that constitutes Collateral, any of the following (each, a "PERMITTED
INVESTMENT"):

                  (i) securities issued or directly and fully guaranteed or
            insured by the United States of America or any agency or
            instrumentality thereof having maturities of not more than six (6)
            months from the date of acquisition;

                  (ii) United States dollar-denominated time deposits,
            certificates of deposit and bankers acceptances of any bank whose
            short-term debt rating from Standard & Poor's Ratings Group, a
            division of The McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc. ("S&P"), is at least A-1
            or the equivalent or whose short-term debt rating from Moody's
            Investors Service, Inc. ("MOODY'S") is at least P-1 or the
            equivalent with maturities of not more than six months from the date
            of acquisition;

                  (iii) commercial paper with a rating of at least A-1 or the
            equivalent by S&P or at least P-1 or the equivalent by Moody's
            maturing within six months after the date of acquisition;

                  (iv) marketable direct obligations issued by any state of the
            United States of America or any political subdivision of any such
            state or any public instrumentality thereof maturing within six
            months from the date of acquisition thereof and, at the time of
            acquisition, having one of the two highest ratings obtainable from
            either S&P or Moody's;

                  (v) Investments in money market funds substantially all the
            assets of which are comprised of securities of the types described
            in clauses (i) through (iv) above;

                  (vi) deposit accounts maintained in accordance with the GMAC
            Credit Documents;

                  (vii) Investments (including debt obligations) received in
            connection with the bankruptcy or reorganization of suppliers and
            customers and in settlement of delinquent obligations of, and other
            disputes with, customers and suppliers arising in the ordinary
            course of business;

                  (viii) receivables owing to the Loan Parties, prepaid expenses
            and accrued expenses created or acquired in the ordinary course of
            Business and payable on customary trade terms of the Loan Parties;

                                       42
<PAGE>

                  (ix) deposits made in the ordinary course of Business
            consistent with past practices to secure the performance of leases
            or in connection with bidding on government contracts;

                  (x) loans to employees in an aggregate amount not in excess of
            $100,000 at any one (1) time per such employee (not to exceed in the
            aggregate at any time outstanding the sum of $1,000,000 with respect
            to all employees of the Loan Parties), for the purpose of assisting
            such employees in the purchase of Common Stock;

                  (xi) Investments or intercompany loans and advances of (A)
            Parent or a Subsidiary in or to any other Subsidiary (subject to a
            maximum amount of such loans and advances (which, for the sake of
            clarification, does not include trade payables incurred in the
            ordinary course of business) by Parent and any other Loan Party to
            any and all such Subsidiaries of $7,500,000 in the aggregate at any
            one (1) time outstanding and provided that each such loan and
            advance is evidenced by a promissory note in form and substance
            satisfactory to Agent which is pledged by the payee as additional
            security for the obligations), (B) any Subsidiary in or to Parent or
            (C) any Foreign Subsidiary of Parent, that, after the Closing Date,
            becomes a Loan Party or Guarantor under the GMAC Credit Agreement
            and enters into a Guaranty pursuant to this Agreement, in or to any
            Loan Party;

                  (xii) advances to sales representatives of Parent or any of
            its Subsidiaries in the ordinary course of their business and
            consistent with past practices;

                  (xiii) additional Investments not otherwise permitted in this
            Section not to exceed $1,000,000 in the aggregate at any one (1)
            time outstanding;

                  (xiv) Investments in certificates of deposit and bank deposits
            with financial institutions located in Puerto Rico and the Dominican
            Republic, solely to the extent necessary to maintain preferred tax
            treatment or country of origin status in such locations, not to
            exceed $5,000,000, in the aggregate at any time outstanding;

                  (xv) Investments made pursuant to acquisitions permitted by
            this Agreement;

                  (xvi) Investments in Interest Rate Protection Agreements,
            derivative agreements, materials future contracts or other
            arrangements in connection with Indebtedness, in all cases not for
            speculative purposes, not to exceed in the aggregate a notional
            amount of $60,000,000 at any time outstanding; and

                  (xvii) Deposit Accounts with financial institutions available
            for withdrawal on demand, subject to the provisions of the GMAC
            Credit Documents.

            (i) USE OF PROCEEDS. The Loan Parties shall not use any proceeds
from the sale of the Senior Term Notes hereunder, directly or indirectly, for
the purposes of purchasing or carrying any "margin securities" within the
meaning of Regulations T, U or X promulgated by the Board of Governors of the
Federal Reserve Board or for the purpose of arranging for the extension

                                       43
<PAGE>

of credit secured, directly or indirectly, in whole or in part by collateral
that includes any "margin securities."

            (j) Intentionally omitted.

            (k) AMENDMENT OF CHARTER DOCUMENTS. The Loan Parties shall not
amend, terminate, modify or waive or agree to the amendment, modification or
waiver of any material term or provision of their Charter Documents, or By-laws,
other than any amendment, modification or other change to any Charter Document
or By-laws that does not adversely affect the rights and privileges of Parent or
any Loan Party under the Loan Documents, or the interests of Agent or the
Purchasers under the Security Documents or in the collateral thereunder.

            (l) SUBSIDIARIES. The Loan Parties shall not establish nor acquire
any new Subsidiary except (i) Foreign Subsidiaries, with the prior written
consent of Agent not to be unreasonably withheld; provided, that at least
sixty-five percent (65%) of all of the outstanding equity securities of such
Foreign Subsidiaries are pledged to the Purchasers pursuant to a pledge
agreement on terms reasonably satisfactory to Agent or (ii) Domestic
Subsidiaries, in connection with any acquisition permitted by this Agreement
and/or where such Subsidiary becomes a Loan Party or obligated pursuant to a
Guaranty and grants Agent a priority perfected security interest in
substantially all of its assets, subject only to Permitted Liens.

            (m) BUSINESS. The Loan Parties shall not engage, directly or
indirectly, in any business other than the Business and any business reasonably
incidental thereto.

            (n) FISCAL YEAR; ACCOUNTING. The Loan Parties shall not change their
Fiscal Year from ending on December 31, 2003 or method of accounting (other than
immaterial changes in methods), except as required by GAAP.

            (o) ESTABLISHMENT OF NEW OR CHANGED BUSINESS LOCATIONS. The Loan
Parties shall not relocate their principal executive offices or other facilities
or establish new business locations or store any inventory or other assets at a
location not identified to Agent on or before the date hereof, without providing
not less than thirty (30) days advance written notice to Agent.

            (p) CHANGED OR ADDITIONAL BUSINESS NAMES. The Loan Parties shall not
change their corporate names, establish new or additional trade names or change
their state of organization without providing not less than thirty (30) days
advance written notice to Agent.

            7.3 FINANCIAL COVENANTS. Parent covenants and agrees that, so long
as all or any part of the Senior Term Notes remain outstanding, it shall
maintain on a consolidated basis the following:

            (a) FIXED CHARGE COVERAGE. A minimum Fixed Charge Coverage Ratio as
of the end of each period set forth below of not less than the respective ratio
set forth below:

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
Period                                             Fixed Charge Coverage Ratio
------                                             ---------------------------
<S>                                                <C>
Closing Date through March 31, 2005                        0.81 to 1.00
Closing Date through June 30, 2005                         0.92 to 1.00
</TABLE>

                                       44
<PAGE>

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
Period                                             Fixed Charge Coverage Ratio
------                                             ---------------------------
<S>                                                <C>
Closing Date through September 30, 2005                    1.11 to 1.00
Closing Date through December 31, 2005                     1.05 to 1.00
Four Quarters ending March 31, 2006                        1.05 to 1.00
Four Quarters ending June 30, 2006                         1.05 to 1.00
Four Quarters ending September 30, 2006                    1.05 to 1.00
Four Quarters ending December 31, 2006                     1.15 to 1.00
Four Quarters ending March 31, 2007                        1.15 to 1.00
Four Quarters ending June 30, 2007                         1.15 to 1.00
Four Quarters ending September 30, 2007                    1.15 to 1.00
Four Quarters ending December 31, 2007                     1.15 to 1.00
Four Quarters ending March 31, 2008                        1.13 to 1.00
Four Quarters ending June 30, 2008                         1.13 to 1.00
Four Quarters ending September 30, 2008                    1.13 to 1.00
Four Quarters ending December 31, 2008                     1.14 to 1.00
Each four Quarter period ending thereafter                 1.14 to 1.00
</TABLE>

            (b) TOTAL LEVERAGE. A Total Leverage Ratio as of the end of each
period set forth below in a ratio not greater than the respective ratio set
forth below:

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
Period                                                 Total Leverage Ratio
------                                                 --------------------
<S>                                                    <C>
Four Quarters ending March 31, 2005                        3.92 to 1.00
Four Quarters ending June 30, 2005                         4.30 to 1.00
Four Quarters ending September 30, 2005                    4.71 to 1.00
Four Quarters ending December 31, 2005                     3.24 to 1.00
Four Quarters ending March 31, 2006                        3.15 to 1.00
Four Quarters ending June 30, 2006                         3.15 to 1.00
Four Quarters ending September 30, 2006                    3.15 to 1.00
Four Quarters ending December 31, 2006                     2.49 to 1.00
Four Quarters ending March 31, 2007                        2.49 to 1.00
Four Quarters ending June 30, 2007                         2.49 to 1.00
Four Quarters ending September 30, 2007                    2.49 to 1.00
Four Quarters ending December 31, 2007                     2.04 to 1.00
Four Quarters ending March 31, 2008                        2.04 to 1.00
Four Quarters ending June 30, 2008                         2.04 to 1.00
Four Quarters ending September 30, 2008                    2.04 to 1.00
Four Quarters ending December 31, 2008                     1.31 to 1.00
Each four Quarter period ending thereafter                 1.31 to 1.00
</TABLE>

            (c) MINIMUM EBITDA. EBITDA as of the end of each period set forth
below in an amount not less than the respective amount set forth below:

                                       45
<PAGE>

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
Period                                                    Minimum EBITDA
------                                                    --------------
<S>                                                       <C>
Four Quarters ending March 31, 2005                        $27,575,000
Four Quarters ending June 30, 2005                         $28,330,000
Four Quarters ending September 30, 2005                    $29,665,000
Four Quarters ending December 31, 2005                     $30,270,000
Four Quarters ending March 31, 2006                        $30,270,000
Four Quarters ending June 30, 2006                         $30,270,000
Four Quarters ending September 30, 2006                    $30,270,000
Four Quarters ending December 31, 2006                     $33,080,000
Four Quarters ending March 31, 2007                        $33,080,000
Four Quarters ending June 30, 2007                         $33,080,000
Four Quarters ending September 30, 2007                    $33,080,000
Four Quarters ending December 31, 2007                     $34,000,000
Four Quarters ending March 31, 2008                        $34,000,000
Four Quarters ending June 30, 2008                         $34,000,000
Four Quarters ending September 30, 2008                    $34,000,000
Four Quarters ending December 31, 2008                     $40,000,000
Each four Quarter period ending thereafter                 $40,000,000
</TABLE>

            (d) SENIOR LEVERAGE RATIO. A Senior Leverage Ratio as of the end of
each period set forth below in a ratio not greater than the respective ratio set
forth below:

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
Period                                                Senior Leverage Ratio
------                                                ---------------------
<S>                                                   <C>
Four Quarters ending March 31, 2005                        2.83 to 1.00
Four Quarters ending June 30, 2005                         3.24 to 1.00
Four Quarters ending September 30, 2005                    3.70 to 1.00
Four Quarters ending December 31, 2005                     2.25 to 1.00
Four Quarters ending March 31, 2006                        2.16 to 1.00
Four Quarters ending June 30, 2006                         2.16 to 1.00
Four Quarters ending September 30, 2006                    2.16 to 1.00
Four Quarters ending December 31, 2006                     1.58 to 1.00
Four Quarters ending March 31, 2007                        1.58 to 1.00
Four Quarters ending June 30, 2007                         1.58 to 1.00
Four Quarters ending September 30, 2007                    1.58 to 1.00
Four Quarters ending December 31, 2007                     1.16 to 1.00
Four Quarters ending March 31, 2008                        1.16 to 1.00
Four Quarters ending June 30, 2008                         1.16 to 1.00
Four Quarters ending September 30, 2008                    1.16 to 1.00
Four Quarters ending December 31, 2008                     0.81 to 1.00
Each four Quarter period ending thereafter                 0.81 to 1.00
</TABLE>

            (e) CAPITAL EXPENDITURES. Capital Expenditures made by Parent on a
Consolidated Basis during any Fiscal Year set forth below, in the aggregate
together with all expenditures in respect of Capitalized Leases, that would
exceed the amount set forth opposite each Fiscal Year below; provided, that any
unused portion of any such annual amount in each

                                       46
<PAGE>

Fiscal Year, up to twenty-five percent (25%) of such maximum amount set forth
below may be carried over solely to the immediately succeeding Fiscal Year:

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
Period                                           Maximum Capital Expenditures
------                                           ----------------------------
<S>                                              <C>
Fiscal Year ending December 31, 2005                       $6,000,000
Fiscal Year ending December 31, 2006                       $6,000,000
Fiscal Year ending December 31, 2007                       $6,000,000
Fiscal Year ending December 31, 2008                       $6,000,000
</TABLE>

                                    ARTICLE 8
                                EVENTS OF DEFAULT

            8.1 EVENTS OF DEFAULT. An "EVENT OF DEFAULT" shall mean the
occurrence of one or more of the following described events:

            (a) any Loan Party shall default in the payment of (i) interest on
any Senior Term Note when due, (ii) principal of any Senior Term Note when due,
whether at maturity, upon notice of prepayment in accordance with Sections 3.3
or 3.4, upon any scheduled payment date, a mandatory prepayment date in
accordance with Section 3.5 or by acceleration or otherwise, or (iii) any other
amount due under any Transaction Document as and when due;

            (b) any Loan Party shall default under any agreement under which any
Indebtedness having an individual principal amount of $750,000 or more or having
an aggregate principal amount of $1,500,000 or more is created in a manner
entitling the holder of such Indebtedness to accelerate the maturity of such
Indebtedness;

            (c) any representation or warranty herein made by any of the Loan
Parties, or any certificate or financial statement furnished pursuant to the
provisions hereof, shall prove to have been false or misleading in any material
respect as of the time made or furnished or deemed made or furnished;

            (d) any Loan Party shall default in the performance of any covenant,
condition or provision set forth in Section 7.1(h), 7.2 or 7.3;

            (e) a default or event of default shall occur under any other
Transaction Document, beyond any applicable notice or cure periods;

            (f) any Loan Party shall breach any other covenant, condition or
provision of this Agreement, any Senior Term Note or any other Transaction
Document not otherwise addressed in this Section 8.1, and such breach shall not
be remedied to Agent's or Required Purchasers' satisfaction for a period of
thirty (30) days of the earlier of (i) written notice from an Agent of such
default or (ii) actual knowledge by the Loan Parties of such default;

            (g) a proceeding shall have been instituted in a court having
jurisdiction in the premises seeking a decree or order for relief in respect of
any Loan Party having assets in excess of $1,000,000 in an involuntary case
under any applicable bankruptcy, insolvency or other similar Law now or
hereafter in effect, or for the appointment of a receiver, liquidator, assignee,
custodian, trustee, sequestrator (or similar official) of any such Loan Party or
for any substantial

                                       47
<PAGE>

part of its property, or for the winding-up or liquidation of their affairs, and
such proceeding shall remain undismissed or unstayed and in effect for a period
of sixty (60) days;

            (h) any Loan Party shall commence a voluntary case under any
applicable bankruptcy, insolvency or other similar Law now or hereafter in
effect, shall consent to the entry of an order for relief in an involuntary case
under any such Law, or any Loan Party having assets in excess of $1,000,000
shall consent to the appointment of or taking possession by a receiver,
liquidator, assignee, trustee, custodian, sequestrator (or other similar
official) of any Loan Party or for any substantial part of their property, or
shall make a general assignment for the benefit of creditors, or shall fail
generally to pay their debts as they become due, or shall take any action in
furtherance of any of the foregoing;

            (i) either of the following events shall occur: (i) a Reportable
Event, the occurrence of which would have a Material Adverse Effect that could
cause the imposition of a Lien under Section 4068 of ERISA, shall have occurred
with respect to any Plan or Plans; or (ii) the aggregate amount of the then
"current liability" (as defined in Section 412(l)(7) of the Code) of all accrued
benefits under such Plan or Plans exceeds the then current value of the assets
allocable to such benefits by more than $500,000 at such time;

            (j) a final judgment that, with other undischarged final judgments
against any Loan Party, exceeds an aggregate of $500,000 (excluding judgments to
the extent the applicable Loan Party is fully insured or the deductible or
retention limit does not (when aggregated with other undischarged judgments)
exceed $750,000 and with respect to which the insurer has assumed responsibility
in writing), shall have been entered against the Loan Party if, within thirty
(30) days after the entry thereof, such judgment, or any other judgment which,
together with such judgment exceeds $300,000 in the aggregate, shall not have
been discharged or execution thereof stayed pending appeal or if, within thirty
(30) days after the expiration of any such stay, any such judgment shall not
have been discharged;

            (k) any Transaction Document shall at any time after the Closing
Date cease for any reason to be in full force and effect or shall cease to
create perfected security interests in favor of Agent in the collateral subject
or purported to be subject thereto, subject to no other Liens other than
Permitted Liens, or such collateral shall have been transferred to any Person
other than as permitted under this Agreement without the prior written consent
of the holders of a majority in principal amount of the outstanding Senior Term
Notes; or

            (l) a Change of Control shall have occurred.

            8.2 CONSEQUENCES OF EVENT OF DEFAULT.

            (a) BANKRUPTCY. If an Event of Default specified in paragraphs (g)
or (h) of Section 8.1 hereof shall occur, the unpaid balance of the Senior Term
Notes, all interest accrued thereon and all other liabilities of the Loan
Parties hereunder and thereunder shall be immediately due and payable, without
presentment, demand, protest or (except as expressly required hereby) notice of
any kind, all of which are hereby expressly waived.

            (b) OTHER DEFAULTS. If any other Event of Default shall occur,
Required Purchasers may at their option, by written notice to the Loan Parties,
declare the entire unpaid balance of the Senior Term Notes, all interest accrued
thereon and all other liabilities of the Loan

                                       48
<PAGE>

Parties hereunder and thereunder to be forthwith due and payable, and the same
shall thereupon become immediately due and payable, without presentment, demand,
protest or (except as expressly required hereby) notice of any kind, all of
which are hereby expressly waived; provided, that if a Default specified in
clause (ii) of paragraph (a) of Section 8.1 hereof shall occur, any holder of a
Senior Term Note as to which such Event of Default has occurred may declare the
entire unpaid balance of such Senior Term Note (but only such Senior Term Note)
and other amounts due hereunder and thereunder with respect to such Senior Term
Note immediately due and payable and same shall thereupon become immediately due
and payable, without presentment, demand, protest or (except as expressly
provided hereby) notice of any kind, all of which are expressly waived.

            (c) PENALTY INTEREST. Following the occurrence and during the
continuance of any Event of Default, the holders of the Senior Term Notes shall
be entitled to receive, to the extent permitted by applicable Law, interest on
the outstanding principal of, and premium and overdue interest, if any, on, the
Senior Term Notes at a rate per annum equal to the interest rate thereon
(determined as provided in Section 3.1) plus two hundred (200) basis points.

            (d) SECURITY. Payments of principal of, and premium, if any, and
interest on, the Senior Term Notes and all other obligations of the Loan Parties
under this Agreement or the Senior Term Notes are secured pursuant to the terms
of the Security Documents.

                                    ARTICLE 9
                                      AGENT

            9.1 AUTHORIZATION AND ACTION. Each Purchaser and each subsequent
holder of any Senior Term Note, by its acceptance thereof, hereby designates and
appoints ACFS as Agent hereunder and authorizes ACFS to take such actions as
agent on its behalf and to exercise such powers as are delegated to Agent by the
terms of this Agreement and the other Transaction Documents, together with such
powers as are reasonably incidental thereto. Agent shall not have any duties or
responsibilities, except those expressly set forth herein, or any fiduciary
relationship with any Purchaser, and no implied covenants, functions,
responsibilities, duties, obligations or liabilities on the part of Agent shall
be read into this Agreement or otherwise exist for Agent. In performing its
functions and duties hereunder, Agent shall act solely as agent for the
Purchasers and does not assume, nor shall be deemed to have assumed, any
obligation or relationship of trust or agency with or for the Loan Parties or
any of their respective successors or assigns. Agent shall not be required to
take any action that exposes Agent to personal liability or that is contrary to
this Agreement or applicable Laws. The appointment and authority of Agent
hereunder shall terminate at the indefeasible payment in full of the Senior Term
Notes and related obligations.

            9.2 DELEGATION OF DUTIES. Agent may execute any of its duties under
this Agreement by or through agents or attorneys-in-fact and shall be entitled
to advice of counsel concerning all matters pertaining to such duties. Agent
shall not be responsible for the negligence or misconduct of any agents or
attorneys-in-fact selected by it with reasonable care.

            9.3 EXCULPATORY PROVISIONS. Neither Agent nor any of its directors,
officers, agents or employees shall be (i) liable for any action lawfully taken
or omitted to be taken by it or them under or in connection with this Agreement
(except for its, their or such Person's own gross negligence or willful
misconduct or, in the case of Agent, the breach of its obligations expressly

                                       49
<PAGE>

set forth in this Agreement, unless such action was taken or omitted to be taken
by Agent at the direction of the Required Purchasers), or (ii) responsible in
any manner to any of the Purchasers for any recitals, statements,
representations or warranties made by the Loan Parties contained in this
Agreement or in any certificate, report, statement or other document referred to
or provided for in, or received under or in connection with, this Agreement or
the value, validity, effectiveness, genuineness, enforceability or sufficiency
of this Agreement or any other document furnished in connection herewith, or for
any failure of the Loan Parties to perform their respective obligations
hereunder, or for the satisfaction of any condition specified in Article 4.
Agent shall not be under any obligation to any Purchaser to ascertain or to
inquire as to the observance or performance of any of the agreements or
covenants contained in, or conditions of, this Agreement or any other
Transaction Document, or to inspect the properties, books or records of the Loan
Parties.

            9.4 RELIANCE. Agent shall in all cases be entitled to rely, and
shall be fully protected in relying, upon any document or conversation believed
by it to be genuine and correct and to have been signed, sent or made by the
proper Person or Persons and upon advice and statements of legal counsel
(including, without limitation, counsel to Parent and to the other Loan
Parties), independent accountants and other experts selected by Agent. Agent
shall in all cases be fully justified in failing or refusing to take any action
under this Agreement or any other document furnished in connection herewith
unless it shall first receive such advice or concurrence of the Required
Purchasers or all of the Purchasers, as applicable, as it deems appropriate or
it shall first be indemnified to its satisfaction by the Purchasers; provided,
that, unless and until Agent shall have received such advice, Agent may take or
refrain from taking any action, as Agent shall deem advisable and in the best
interests of the Purchasers. Agent shall in all cases be fully protected in
acting, or in refraining from acting, in accordance with a request of the
Required Purchasers or all of the Purchasers, as applicable, and such request
and any action taken or failure to act pursuant thereto shall be binding upon
all Purchasers.

            9.5 NON-RELIANCE ON AGENT AND OTHER PURCHASERS. Each Purchaser
expressly acknowledges that neither Agent, nor any of its officers, directors,
employees, agents, attorneys-in-fact or affiliates has made any representations
or warranties to it and that no act by Agent or hereafter taken, including,
without limitation, any review of the affairs of the Loan Parties, shall be
deemed to constitute any representation or warranty by Agent. Each Purchaser
represents and warrants to Agent that it has and will, independently and without
reliance upon Agent or any other Purchaser and based on such documents and
information as it has deemed appropriate, made its own appraisal of and
investigation into the business, operations, property, prospects, financial and
other conditions and creditworthiness of the Loan Parties and made its own
decision to enter into this Agreement.

            9.6 NO LIABILITY OF PURCHASERS. The Purchasers shall have no
liability to any Loan Party or any other entity as a result of any actions or
failures to act by Agent, hereunder or otherwise.

            9.7 AGENT IN ITS INDIVIDUAL CAPACITY. Agent and each of its
Affiliates may make loans to, purchase securities from, provide services to,
accept deposits from and generally engage in any kind of business with the Loan
Parties or any Affiliate of the Loan Parties as though Agent were not Agent
hereunder.

                                       50
<PAGE>

            9.8 SUCCESSOR AGENT. Agent may, upon forty-five (45) days' notice to
the Loan Parties and the Purchasers, and Agent will, upon the direction of the
Required Purchasers (other than Agent, in its individual capacity), resign as
Agent. If Agent shall resign, then during such forty-five (45) day period the
Required Purchasers shall appoint a successor Agent and, if the Required
Purchasers direct Agent to resign, such direction shall include an appointment
of a successor Agent. If for any reason no successor Agent is appointed by the
Required Purchasers during such forty-five (45) day period, then effective upon
the expiration of such forty-five (45) day period, the Purchasers shall perform
all of the duties of Agent hereunder and the Loan Parties shall make all
payments in respect of the Senior Term Notes directly to the applicable
Purchasers and for all purposes shall deal directly with the Purchasers. After
any retiring Agent's resignation hereunder as Agent, the provisions of Article 9
shall inure to its benefit as to any actions taken or omitted to be taken by it
while it was Agent under this Agreement.

            9.9 COLLECTIONS AND DISBURSEMENTS.

            (a) Agent will have the right to collect and receive all payments of
the Senior Term Notes, and to collect and receive all reimbursements due
hereunder, together with all fees, charges or other amounts due under this
Agreement and the other Transaction Documents with regard to the Senior Term
Notes, and Agent will remit to each Purchaser, according to its rights as
designated on Annex A, all such payments actually received by Agent in
accordance with the settlement procedures established from time to time.
Settlements shall occur on such dates as Agent may elect in its sole discretion,
but which shall be no later than two (2) Business Days after request by the
Required Purchasers.

            (b) If any such payment received by Agent and remitted to any
Purchaser is rescinded or otherwise required to be returned for any reason at
any time, whether before or after termination of this Agreement or the other
Transaction Documents, such Purchaser will, upon written notice from Agent,
promptly pay over to Agent the amounts so rescinded or returned, together with
interest and other fees thereon so rescinded or returned.

            (c) All payments by Agent and the Purchasers to each other hereunder
shall be in immediately available funds. Agent will at all times maintain proper
books of accounts and records reflecting the interest of each Purchaser in the
Senior Term Notes, in a manner customary to Agent's keeping of such records,
which books and records shall be available for inspection by each Purchaser at
reasonable times during normal business hours, at such Purchaser's sole expense.
Agent may treat the payee of any Senior Term Note as the holder thereof until
written notice of the transfer thereof shall have been received by Agent in
accordance with Section 6.3. In the event that any Purchaser shall receive any
payment in reduction of the Senior Term Notes in an amount greater than it is
entitled hereunder (including, without limitation, amounts obtained by reason of
setoffs) such Purchaser shall hold such excess in trust for Agent (on behalf of
all other Purchasers) and shall promptly remit to Agent such excess amount so
that the amounts received by each Purchaser hereunder shall at all times be in
accordance with its applicable pro rata percentage. If, however, any Purchaser
that has received any such excess amount fails to remit such amount to Agent,
Agent shall reallocate the amounts paid on the next payment date to each
Purchaser so that, after giving effect to such payments, the obligations owed by
the Loan Parties to each Purchaser shall be in accordance with this Agreement.
In no event shall any Purchaser be deemed to have a participation or other right
in, to or against any other Purchaser's Senior Term Note as a result of the
payment of any such reallocation.

                                       51
<PAGE>

            9.10 REPORTING. During the term of this Agreement, Agent will
promptly furnish each Purchaser with copies of all notices and financial
statements of the Loan Parties required to be delivered or obtained hereunder
and such other financial statements and reports and other information in Agent's
possession as any Purchaser may reasonably request. Agent will immediately
notify the Purchasers when it receives actual knowledge of any Event of Default
under the Transaction Documents.

            9.11 CONSENT OF PURCHASERS.

            (a) Except as expressly provided herein, Agent shall have the sole
and exclusive right to service, administer and monitor the Senior Term Notes and
the Transaction Documents related thereto, including, without limitation, the
right to exercise all rights, remedies, privileges and options under this
Agreement and under the other Transaction Documents. Notwithstanding the
foregoing, each Purchaser shall make its own investment decision with regard to
the Senior Term Notes, including, without limitation, the credit judgment with
respect to the purchasing of the Senior Term Notes and the determination as to
the basis on which and extent to which purchases of Senior Term Notes may be
made.

            (b) Notwithstanding anything to the contrary contained in Section
9.11(a) above, Agent shall not without the prior written consent of all
Purchasers then holding Senior Term Notes: (i) extend any payment date under the
Senior Term Notes; (ii) reduce any interest rate applicable to any of the Senior
Term Notes or any fee payable to the Purchasers hereunder; (iii) waive any Event
of Default under Section 8.1(a); (iv) compromise or settle all or a portion of
the Indebtedness under the Senior Term Notes; (v) release any obligor from the
Indebtedness under the Senior Term Notes except in connection with full payment
and satisfaction of all Indebtedness under the Senior Term Notes; (vi) amend the
definition of Required Purchasers, or (vii) amend this Section 9.11(b).

            (c) Notwithstanding anything to the contrary contained in Section
9.11(a) above, and subject to any applicable limitation set forth in Section
9.11(b) above, Agent shall not, without the prior written consent of Required
Purchasers: (i) waive any Event of Default; (ii) consent to the Loan Parties'
taking any action that, if taken, would constitute an Event of Default under
this Agreement or under any of the other Transaction Documents; or (iii) amend
or modify or agree to an amendment or modification of this Agreement or other
Transaction Documents.

            (d) After an acceleration of the Indebtedness, Agent shall have the
sole and exclusive right, after consultation (to the extent reasonably
practicable under the circumstances) with all Purchasers and, upon written
instruction from the Required Purchasers, to exercise or refrain from exercising
any and all rights, remedies, privileges and options under this Agreement or the
other Transaction Documents and available at law or in equity to protect the
rights of Agent and the Purchasers and collect the Indebtedness under the Senior
Term Notes, including, without limitation, instituting and pursuing all legal
actions brought against any Loan Party or to collect the Indebtedness under the
Senior Term Notes, or defending any and all actions brought by any Loan Party or
other Person; or incurring expenses or otherwise making expenditures to protect
the collateral, the Senior Term Notes or Agent's or any Purchaser's rights or
remedies.

            9.12 THIS ARTICLE NOT APPLICABLE TO THE LOAN PARTIES. Except for
this Section 9.12, this Article 9 is included in this Agreement solely for the
purpose of determining certain

                                       52
<PAGE>

rights as between Agent and the Purchasers and does not create, nor shall it
give rise to, any rights in or obligations on the part of the Loan Parties and
all rights and obligations of the Loan Parties (other than as specifically set
forth herein) under this Agreement shall be determined by reference to the
provisions of this Agreement other than this Article 9.

                                   ARTICLE 10
                                  MISCELLANEOUS

            10.1 SUCCESSORS AND ASSIGNS. This Agreement shall be binding upon
and inure to the benefit of the parties hereto and their respective successors
and assigns, except that (i) the Loan Parties may not assign or transfer its
rights hereunder or any interest herein or delegate their duties hereunder and
(ii) the Purchasers shall have the right to assign their rights hereunder and
under the Senior Term Notes in accordance with Article 6.

            10.2 MODIFICATIONS AND AMENDMENTS. The provisions of this Agreement
may be modified, waived or amended, but only by a written instrument signed by
each of the Loan Parties to be bound thereby, and to the extent such
modification, amendment or waiver relates to the Senior Term Notes, such
instrument must be executed by Agent on behalf of the Purchasers upon
satisfaction of the conditions set forth in Section 9.11.

            10.3 NO IMPLIED WAIVERS; CUMULATIVE REMEDIES; WRITING REQUIRED. No
delay or failure in exercising any right, power or remedy hereunder shall affect
or operate as a waiver thereof; nor shall any single or partial exercise thereof
or any abandonment or discontinuance of steps to enforce such a right, power or
remedy preclude any further exercise thereof or of any other right, power or
remedy. The rights and remedies hereunder are cumulative and not exclusive of
any rights or remedies that Agent or the Purchasers or any holder of Senior Term
Notes would otherwise have. Any waiver, permit, consent or approval of any kind
or character of any breach or default under this Agreement or any such waiver of
any provision or condition of this Agreement must be in writing, satisfy the
conditions set forth in Section 9.11 and shall be effective only to the extent
in such writing specifically set forth.

            10.4 REIMBURSEMENT OF EXPENSES. The Loan Parties agree to pay or
reimburse Agent and the Purchasers upon demand for all reasonable fees and
expenses incurred or payable by Agent or the Purchasers (including, without
limitation, reasonable fees and expenses of special counsel for Agent or any
Purchaser and charges for services performed for the Purchasers by Agents'
internal auditing staff), from time to time (i) arising in connection with the
negotiation, preparation and execution of this Agreement, the Senior Term Notes,
the other Transaction Documents and all other instruments and documents to be
delivered hereunder or thereunder or arising in connection with the transactions
contemplated hereunder or thereunder (whether such fees and expenses are
invoiced at or after the Closing), (ii) relating to the administration of this
Agreement and the Transaction Documents, including any amendments, waivers or
consents pursuant to the provisions hereof or thereof, and (iii) arising in
connection with the enforcement of this Agreement or any Security Document, or
collection of any Senior Term Note.

            10.5 HOLIDAYS. Whenever any payment or action to be made or taken
hereunder or under the Senior Term Notes shall be stated to be due on a day that
is not a Business Day, such payment or action shall be made or taken on the next
following Business Day, and such extension

                                       53
<PAGE>

of time shall be included in computing interest or fees, if any, in connection
with such payment or action.

            10.6 NOTICES. All notices and other communications given to or made
upon any party hereto in connection with this Agreement shall, except as
otherwise expressly herein provided, be in writing (including telecopy, but in
such case, a confirming copy will be sent by another permitted means) and mailed
via certified mail, telecopied or delivered by guaranteed overnight parcel
express service or courier to the respective parties, as follows:

to the Loan Parties:

      Rocky Shoes & Boots, Inc.
      39 East Canal Street
      Nelsonville, Ohio  45764
      Attn: James E. McDonald
            Chief Financial Officer

      Telecopier:  740-753-4024

with a copy to:

      Porter, Wright, Morris & Arthur LLP
      41 South High Street
      Columbus, Ohio  43215
      Telecopier: (614) 227-2100
      Attn: Timothy E. Grady, Esq.

      to Agent:

      American Capital Strategies, Ltd.
      2 Bethesda Metro Center, 14th Floor
      Bethesda, Maryland  20814
      Attn:  Compliance Officer

      Telecopier: (301) 654-6714

      American Capital Strategies, Ltd.
      Three Hundred Four Falls, Suite 380
      300 Conshohocken State Road
      West Conshohocken, Pennsylvania 19428
      Attn: Kenneth E. Jones
            Principal

      Telecopier: (610) 238-0230

with a copy to:

                                       54
<PAGE>

      Weil, Gotshal & Manges LLP
      767 Fifth Avenue
      New York, New York  10153
      Attn: Christopher K. Aidun, Esq.

      Telecopier: (212) 310-8127

to the Purchasers:

As set forth on Annex A

or in accordance with any subsequent written direction from the recipient party
to the sending party. All such notices and other communications shall, except as
otherwise expressly herein provided, be effective upon delivery if delivered by
courier or overnight parcel express service; in the case of certified mail,
three (3) Business Days after the date sent; or in the case of telecopy, when
received.

            10.7 SURVIVAL. All representations, warranties, covenants and
agreements of the Loan Parties contained herein or made in writing in connection
herewith shall survive the execution and delivery of this Agreement and the
purchase of the Senior Term Notes and shall continue in full force and effect so
long as any Senior Term Note is outstanding and until payment in full of all of
the Loan Parties' obligations hereunder or thereunder. All obligations relating
to indemnification hereunder shall survive any termination of this Agreement and
shall continue for the length of any applicable statute of limitations.

            10.8 GOVERNING LAW. THIS AGREEMENT SHALL BE GOVERNED BY, AND
CONSTRUED IN ACCORDANCE WITH, THE LAWS OF THE STATE OF MARYLAND, WITHOUT REGARD
TO CONFLICT OF LAWS PRINCIPLES.

            10.9 JURISDICTION, CONSENT TO SERVICE OF PROCESS.

            (a) EACH OF THE LOAN PARTIES HEREBY IRREVOCABLY AND UNCONDITIONALLY
SUBMITS, FOR ITSELF AND ITS PROPERTY, TO THE NONEXCLUSIVE JURISDICTION OF ANY
MARYLAND STATE COURT OR FEDERAL COURT OF THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA SITTING IN
THE STATE OF MARYLAND, AND ANY APPELLATE COURT FROM ANY THEREOF, IN ANY ACTION
OR PROCEEDING ARISING OUT OF OR RELATING TO THIS AGREEMENT, THE SENIOR TERM
NOTES OR ANY OTHER TRANSACTION DOCUMENT, OR FOR RECOGNITION OR ENFORCEMENT OF
ANY JUDGMENT, AND EACH OF THE PARTIES HERETO HEREBY IRREVOCABLY AND
UNCONDITIONALLY AGREES THAT, TO THE EXTENT PERMITTED BY APPLICABLE LAW, ALL
CLAIMS IN RESPECT OF ANY SUCH ACTION OR PROCEEDING MAY BE HEARD AND DETERMINED
IN SUCH MARYLAND STATE COURT OR, TO THE EXTENT PERMITTED BY LAW, IN SUCH FEDERAL
COURT. EACH OF THE PARTIES HERETO AGREES THAT A FINAL JUDGMENT IN ANY SUCH
ACTION OR PROCEEDING SHALL BE CONCLUSIVE AND MAY BE ENFORCED IN OTHER
JURISDICTIONS BY SUIT ON THE JUDGMENT OR IN ANY OTHER MANNER PROVIDED BY LAW.
NOTHING IN THIS AGREEMENT SHALL AFFECT ANY RIGHT THAT AGENT AND THE PURCHASERS
MAY OTHERWISE HAVE TO BRING ANY ACTION OR PROCEEDING RELATING TO THIS AGREEMENT,
THE

                                       55
<PAGE>

SENIOR TERM NOTES OR ANY OTHER TRANSACTION DOCUMENT AGAINST THE LOAN PARTIES OR
THEIR PROPERTIES IN THE COURTS OF ANY JURISDICTION.

            (b) EACH OF THE LOAN PARTIES HEREBY IRREVOCABLY AND UNCONDITIONALLY
WAIVES, TO THE FULLEST EXTENT THEY MAY LEGALLY AND EFFECTIVELY DO SO, ANY
OBJECTION THAT THEY MAY NOW OR HEREAFTER HAVE TO THE LAYING OF VENUE OF ANY
SUIT, ACTION OR PROCEEDING ARISING OUT OF OR RELATING TO THIS AGREEMENT, THE
SENIOR TERM NOTES OR ANY OTHER TRANSACTION DOCUMENT IN ANY MARYLAND STATE OR
FEDERAL COURT. EACH OF THE PARTIES HERETO HEREBY IRREVOCABLY WAIVES, TO THE
FULLEST EXTENT PERMITTED BY LAW, THE DEFENSE OF AN INCONVENIENT FORUM TO THE
MAINTENANCE OF SUCH ACTION OR PROCEEDING IN ANY SUCH COURT.

            (c) EACH PARTY TO THIS AGREEMENT IRREVOCABLY CONSENTS TO SERVICE OF
PROCESS IN THE MANNER PROVIDED FOR NOTICES IN SECTION 10.6 HEREOF. NOTHING IN
THIS AGREEMENT SHALL AFFECT THE RIGHT OF ANY PARTY TO THIS AGREEMENT TO SERVE
PROCESS IN ANY OTHER MANNER PERMITTED BY LAW.

            10.10 JURY TRIAL WAIVER. EACH OF THE LOAN PARTIES HEREBY IRREVOCABLY
WAIVES ANY RIGHT TO TRIAL BY JURY IN ANY ACTION OR PROCEEDING (I) TO ENFORCE OR
DEFEND ANY RIGHTS UNDER OR IN CONNECTION WITH THIS AGREEMENT, OR (II) ARISING
FROM ANY DISPUTE OR CONTROVERSY IN CONNECTION WITH OR RELATED TO THIS AGREEMENT
AND AGREE THAT ANY SUCH ACTION OR COUNTERCLAIM SHALL BE TRIED BEFORE A COURT AND
NOT BEFORE A JURY.

            10.11 SEVERABILITY. Whenever possible, each provision of this
Agreement shall be interpreted in such manner as to be effective and valid under
applicable Law, but if any provision of this Agreement is held to be prohibited
by or invalid under applicable Law in any jurisdiction, such provision shall be
ineffective only to the extent of such prohibition or invalidity, without
invalidating any other provision of this Agreement.

            10.12 HEADINGS. Article, section and subsection headings in this
Agreement are included for convenience of reference only and shall not
constitute a part of this Agreement for any other purpose.

            10.13 INDEMNITY. The Loan Parties, jointly and severally, hereby
agree to indemnify, defend and hold harmless Agent and the Purchasers and their
officers, directors, employees, agents and representatives, and their respective
successors and assigns in connection with any losses, claims, damages,
liabilities and expenses, including reasonable attorneys' fees, to which Agent
or any Purchaser may become subject (other than as a result of the gross
negligence or willful misconduct of any such Person), insofar as such losses,
claims, damages or liabilities (or actions in respect thereof) arise out of or
by reason of any investigation, litigation or other proceedings related to or
resulting from any act of, or omission by, the Loan Parties or their Affiliates
or any officer, director, employee, agent or representative of the Loan Parties
or their Affiliates with respect to the Transactions, the Senior Term Notes,
Charter Documents, the By-

                                       56
<PAGE>

laws or any agreements entered into in connection with any such agreements,
instruments or documents and to reimburse Agent and the Purchasers and each such
Person and Affiliate, upon demand, for any legal or other expenses incurred in
connection with investigating or defending any such loss, claim, damage,
liability, expense or action. To the extent that the foregoing undertakings may
be unenforceable for any reason, the Loan Parties agree to make the maximum
contribution to the payment and satisfaction of indemnified liabilities set
forth in this Section 10.13 that is permissible under applicable Law.

            10.14 ENVIRONMENTAL INDEMNITY. The Loan Parties, and their
successors and assigns, hereby release and discharge, and agree to defend,
indemnify and hold harmless, Agent, the Purchasers and their Affiliates
(including their partners, subsidiaries, customers, guests, and invitees, and
the successors and assigns of all of the foregoing, and their respective
officers, employees and agents) from and against any and all Environmental
Liabilities, (other than as a result of the gross negligence or willful
misconduct of any such Person), whenever and by whomever asserted, to the extent
that such Environmental Liabilities are based upon, or otherwise relate to: (i)
any Condition at any time in, at, on, under, a part of, involving or otherwise
related to the Properties and Facilities (including any of the properties,
materials, articles, products, or other things included in or otherwise a part
of the Properties and Facilities); (ii) any action or failure to act of any
Person, including any prior owner or operator of the Properties and Facilities
(including any of the properties, materials, articles, products, or other things
included in or otherwise a part of the Properties and Facilities), involving or
otherwise related to the Properties and Facilities or operations of the Loan
Parties; (iii) the Management of any Pollutant, material, article or product
(including Management of any material, article or product containing a
Pollutant) in any physical state and at any time, involving or otherwise related
to the Properties and Facilities or any property covered by clause (iv)
(including Management either from the Properties and Facilities or from any
property covered by clause (iv), and Management to, at, involving or otherwise
related to the Properties and Facilities or any property covered by clause
(iv)); (iv) Conditions, and actions or failures to act, in, at, on, under, a
part of, involving or otherwise related to any property other than the
Properties and Facilities, which property was, at or prior to the Closing Date,
(I) acquired, held, sold, owned, operated, leased, managed, or divested by, or
otherwise associated with, (A) the Loan Parties or any of their Subsidiaries,
(B) any of the Loan Parties' Affiliates, or (C) any predecessor or successor
organization of those identified in (A) or (B); or (II) engaged in any tolling,
contract manufacturing or processing, or other similar activities for, with, or
on behalf of the Loan Parties; (v) any violation of or noncompliance with or the
assertion of any Lien under the Environmental Laws, (vi) the presence of any
toxic or hazardous substances, wastes or contaminants on, at or from the past
and present properties and facilities, including, without limitation, human
exposure thereto; (vii) any spill, release, discharge or emission affecting the
past and present properties and facilities, whether or not the same originates
or emanates from such properties and facilities or any contiguous real estate,
including, without limitation, any loss of value of such properties and
facilities as a result thereof; or (viii) a misrepresentation in any
representation or warranty or breach of or failure to perform any covenant in
respect of Environmental Law made by the Loan Parties in this Agreement. This
indemnity and agreement to defend and hold harmless shall survive any
termination or satisfaction of the Senior Term Notes or the sale, assignment or
foreclosure thereof or the sale, transfer or conveyance of all or part of the
past and present Properties and Facilities or any other circumstances that might
otherwise constitute a legal or equitable release or discharge, in whole or in
part, of the Loan Parties under the Senior Term Notes.

                                       57
<PAGE>

            10.15 COUNTERPARTS. This Agreement may be executed in any number of
counterparts and by either party hereto on separate counterparts, each of which,
when so executed and delivered, shall be an original, but all such counterparts
shall together constitute one and the same instrument.

            10.16 INTEGRATION. This Agreement and the other Transaction
Documents set forth the entire understanding of the parties hereto with respect
to all matters contemplated hereby and supersede all previous agreements and
understandings among them concerning such matters. No statements or agreements,
oral or written, made prior to or at the signing hereof, shall vary, waive or
modify the written terms hereof.

            10.17 INTERCREDITOR. The obligations evidenced hereby are subject to
that certain Intercreditor Agreement (the "INTERCREDITOR AGREEMENT") dated as of
January 6, 2005, among the Loan Parties, Agent, and GMAC Agent, to the
indebtedness and, other liabilities owed by the Loan Parties under and pursuant
to the GMAC Credit Agreement and each related GMAC Credit Document, and the
Purchasers, by its acceptance hereof, acknowledge and agree to be bound by the
provisions of the Intercreditor Agreement.

            10.18 CONFIDENTIALITY. Agent and each Purchaser agree to exercise
their best efforts to keep confidential any non-public information delivered
pursuant to the Transaction Documents and identified as such by any Loan Party
and not to disclose such information to Persons other than to: (a) to any actual
or prospective transferee (who agrees to treat such information as confidential)
of a Senior Term Note, (b) to its employees, directors, agents, attorneys,
accountants and other professional advisors or those of any of its affiliates,
(c) upon the request or demand of any Governmental Authority, (d) in response to
any order of any court or other Governmental Authority or as may otherwise be
required pursuant to any applicable Law or rules of any stock exchanges, (e)
that has been publicly disclosed, (f) to the National Association of Insurance
Commissioners or any similar organization or any nationally recognized rating
agency that requires access to information about a Purchaser's investment
portfolio in connection with ratings issued with respect to such Purchaser, (g)
in connection with the exercise of any remedy hereunder or under any other
Transaction Document, (h) to an investor or prospective investor in a
Securitization that agrees that its access to information regarding the Loan
Parties and the Senior Term Notes and Transaction Documents is solely for
purposes of evaluating an investment in such Securitization and who agrees to
treat such information as confidential, (i) to a trustee, collateral manager,
servicer, backup servicer, noteholder or secured party in a Securitization in
connection with the administration, servicing and reporting on the assets
serving as collateral for a Securitization and (j) to a nationally recognized
rating agency that requires access to information regarding the Loan Parties and
the Senior Term Notes and Transaction Documents in connection with ratings
issued with respect to a Securitization. The obligations of Agent and Purchasers
under this subsection 10.18 shall supersede and replace the obligations of Agent
and Purchasers under any confidentiality agreement in respect of this financing
executed and delivered by Agent or any Purchaser prior to the date hereof. In no
event shall Agent or any Purchaser be obligated or required to return any
materials furnished by Loan Parties; provided, however, each potential assignee
or participant shall be required to agree that if it does not become an assignee
(or participant) it shall return all materials furnished to it by Loan Parties
in connection herewith.

                                       58
<PAGE>

            For purposes of this Section 10.18, "Securitization" means a public
or private offering by a Purchaser or any of its direct or indirect Affiliates
or their respective successors and assigns, of securities which represent an
interest in, or which are collateralized, in whole or in part, by the loans
evidenced by the Senior Term Notes.

                                      * * *

                                       59
<PAGE>

                                SIGNATURE PAGE TO
                             NOTE PURCHASE AGREEMENT

            IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties hereto have executed this Agreement
as of the day and year first above written.

                                          LOAN PARTIES:

                                          ROCKY SHOES & BOOTS, INC.

                                          By:  /s/ James E. McDonald
                                               ---------------------------------
                                               Name: James E. McDonald
                                               Title: Chief Financial Officer

                                          LIFESTYLE FOOTWEAR, INC.

                                          By:  /s/ James E. McDonald
                                               ---------------------------------
                                               Name: James E. McDonald
                                               Title: Chief Financial Officer

                                          EJ FOOTWEAR LLC

                                          By:  /s/ James E. McDonald
                                               ---------------------------------
                                               Name: James E. McDonald
                                               Title: Chief Financial Officer

                                          HM LEHIGH SAFETY SHOE CO. LLC

                                          By:  /s/ James E. McDonald
                                               ---------------------------------
                                               Name: James E. McDonald
                                               Title: Chief Financial Officer

                                          GEORGIA BOOT LLC

                                          By:  /s/ James E. McDonald
                                               ---------------------------------
                                               Name: James E. McDonald
                                               Title: Chief Financial Officer

                                          GEORGIA BOOT PROPERTIES LLC

                                          By:  /s/ James E. McDonald
                                               ---------------------------------
                                               Name: James E. McDonald
                                               Title: Chief Financial Officer

                                          DURANGO BOOT COMPANY LLC

                                          By:  /s/ James E. McDonald
                                               ---------------------------------
                                               Name: James E. McDonald
                                               Title: Chief Financial Officer

                                       60
<PAGE>

                                          NORTHLAKE BOOT COMPANY LLC

                                          By:  /s/ James E. McDonald
                                               ---------------------------------
                                               Name: James E. McDonald
                                               Title: Chief Financial Officer

                                          LEHIGH SAFETY SHOE CO. LLC

                                          By:  /s/ James E. McDonald
                                               ---------------------------------
                                               Name: James E. McDonald
                                               Title: Chief Financial Officer

                                          LEHIGH SAFETY SHOE PROPERTIES LLC

                                          By:  /s/ James E. McDonald
                                               ---------------------------------
                                               Name: James E. McDonald
                                               Title: Chief Financial Officer

                                          AGENT:

                                          AMERICAN CAPITAL FINANCIAL SERVICES,
                                          INC.

                                          By:  /s/ Kenneth E. Jones
                                               ---------------------------------
                                               Name: Kenneth E. Jones
                                               Title: Vice President

                                          PURCHASERS:

                                          AMERICAN CAPITAL STRATEGIES, LTD.

                                          By:  /s/ Kenneth E. Jones
                                               ---------------------------------
                                               Name:  Kenneth E. Jones
                                               Title:  Vice President

                                SIGNATURE PAGE TO
                             NOTE PURCHASE AGREEMENT

                                       61
<PAGE>

                                      ANNEX

Annex A                                   Information Relating to the Purchasers

Annex B                                   Allocation of Senior Term Notes among
                                          the Purchasers

                                    SCHEDULES

"Organizational Schedule"                 (Section 5.1(a))

"Capitalization Schedule"                 (Section 5.1(d))

"Subsidiary Schedule"                     (Section 5.1(e))

"Litigation Schedule"                     (Section 5.1(j))

"Environmental Schedule"                  (Section 5.1(l))

"Properties Schedule"                     (Section 5.1(q))

"Intellectual Property Schedule"          (Section 5.1(r))

"Side Agreements Schedule"                (Section 5.1(u))

"Material Contracts Schedule"             (Section 5.1(w))

"Current Business Practices Schedule"     (Section 5.1(z))

"Permitted Indebtedness Schedule"         (Section 7.2(a))

"Permitted Encumbrances Schedule"         (Section 7.2(b))

                                    EXHIBITS

EXHIBIT A                                 Form of Senior Term Note

EXHIBIT B                                 Form of Security Agreement

EXHIBIT C                                 Form of Intellectual Property
                                          Agreements

EXHIBIT D                                 Form of Pledge Assignment

EXHIBIT E                                 Form of Collateral Assignment of
                                          Contracts

EXHIBIT F                                 Form of Compliance Certificate

                                       62
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                                TABLE OF CONTENTS

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ARTICLE 1             DEFINITIONS......................................................................      1

         1.1      Certain Definitions..................................................................      1

         1.2      Accounting Principles................................................................     14

         1.3      Other Definitional Provisions; Construction..........................................     14

ARTICLE 2             ISSUE AND SALE OF THE SENIOR TERM NOTES .........................................     14

         2.1      Senior Term Notes....................................................................     14

         2.2      Sale and Purchase....................................................................     15

         2.3      The Closing..........................................................................     15

ARTICLE 3             REPAYMENT OF SENIOR TERM NOTES ..................................................     15

         3.1      Interest Rates and Interest Payments.................................................     15

         3.2      Repayment of Senior Term Notes.......................................................     16

         3.3      Optional Prepayment of Senior Term Notes.............................................     16

         3.4      Notice of Optional Prepayment........................................................     16

         3.5      Mandatory Prepayment.................................................................     16

         3.6      Home Office Payment..................................................................     17

         3.7      Taxes................................................................................     17

         3.8      Maximum Lawful Rate..................................................................     18

         3.9      Break Funding Payments...............................................................     18

         3.10     Capital Adequacy.....................................................................     18

         3.11     Certain Waivers......................................................................     18

ARTICLE 4             CONDITIONS.......................................................................     18

         4.1      Conditions to the Purchase of the Senior Term Notes..................................     18

         4.2      Waiver...............................................................................     22

ARTICLE 5             REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES OF THE LOAN PARTIES...............................     22

         5.1      Representations and Warranties of the Loan Parties...................................     22

         5.2      Absolute Reliance on the Representations and Warranties..............................     31

ARTICLE 6             TRANSFER OF SENIOR TERM NOTES....................................................     31

         6.1      Restricted Securities................................................................     31

         6.2      Legends; Purchasers' Representations.................................................     31
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                                TABLE OF CONTENTS
                                   (CONTINUED)

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         6.3      Transfer of Senior Term Notes........................................................     32

         6.4      Replacement of Lost Senior Term Notes................................................     32

         6.5      No Other Representations Affected....................................................     32

ARTICLE 7             COVENANTS........................................................................     32

         7.1      Affirmative Covenants................................................................     32

         7.2      Negative Covenants...................................................................     37

         7.3      Financial Covenants..................................................................     44

ARTICLE 8             EVENTS OF DEFAULT................................................................     47

         8.1      Events of Default....................................................................     47

         8.2      Consequences of Event of Default.....................................................     48

ARTICLE 9             AGENT............................................................................     49

         9.1      Authorization and Action.............................................................     49

         9.2      Delegation of Duties.................................................................     49

         9.3      Exculpatory Provisions...............................................................     49

         9.4      Reliance.............................................................................     50

         9.5      Non-Reliance on Agent and Other Purchasers...........................................     50

         9.6      No Liability of Purchasers...........................................................     50

         9.7      Agent in its Individual Capacity.....................................................     50

         9.8      Successor Agent......................................................................     51

         9.9      Collections and Disbursements........................................................     51

         9.10     Reporting............................................................................     52

         9.11     Consent of Purchasers................................................................     52

         9.12     This Article Not Applicable to the Loan Parties......................................     52

ARTICLE 10            MISCELLANEOUS....................................................................     53

         10.1     Successors and Assigns...............................................................     53

         10.2     Modifications and Amendments.........................................................     53

         10.3     No Implied Waivers; Cumulative Remedies; Writing Required............................     53

         10.4     Reimbursement of Expenses............................................................     53

         10.5     Holidays.............................................................................     53

         10.6     Notices..............................................................................     54
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                                TABLE OF CONTENTS
                                   (CONTINUED)

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         10.7     Survival.............................................................................     55

         10.8     Governing Law........................................................................     55

         10.9     Jurisdiction, Consent to Service of Process..........................................     55

         10.10    Jury Trial Waiver....................................................................     56

         10.11    Severability.........................................................................     56

         10.12    Headings.............................................................................     56

         10.13    Indemnity............................................................................     56

         10.14    Environmental Indemnity..............................................................     57

         10.15    Counterparts.........................................................................     58

         10.16    Integration..........................................................................     58

         10.17    Intercreditor........................................................................     58

         10.18    Confidentiality......................................................................     58

SIGNATURE PAGE TO NOTE PURCHASE AGREEMENT..............................................................     60

ANNEX A INFORMATION RELATING TO THE PURCHASERS.........................................................     63

ANNEX B ALLOCATION OF SENIOR TERM NOTES AMONG PURCHASERS...............................................     65

SCHEDULES         .....................................................................................     66

EXHIBITS          .....................................................................................     67
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                                       iii<PAGE>

                                                                    EXHIBIT 10.1

                              EMPLOYMENT AGREEMENT
                                  BY AND AMONG
                                 BIG LOTS, INC.,
                              BIG LOTS STORES, INC.
                                       AND
                                MICHAEL J. POTTER

This employment agreement ("Agreement") by and among Big Lots, Inc. ("BLI"), Big
Lots Stores, Inc. ("Big Lots") and their affiliates, predecessor, successor,
subsidiaries and other related companies (collectively the "Company") and
Michael J. Potter (the "Executive"), collectively, the "Parties," is effective
as of the date signed ("Effective Date") and supersedes and replaces any other
oral or written employment-related agreement between the Executive and the
Company, including, except as specifically provided, the employment agreement
dated June 26, 2000 between the Executive and the Company's predecessor ("Prior
Agreement").

The Executive has been employed by the Company since 1991 and has served as the
Company's Chairman, Chief Executive Officer and President since 2000. It is the
Executive's desire, in a modified capacity, to continue to provide services to
the Company and the Company's desire to benefit from the continuation of the
Executive's future services. It is the expectation of the Parties that the
Executive will continue to serve as the Company's Chief Executive Officer until
a successor is appointed, and serve thereafter as the Company's Chief Strategy
Officer. The Parties further intend for the Executive to continue to serve as a
board member of BLI.

                                  1.00 DURATION

This Agreement will remain in effect from the Effective Date until the earlier
of [1] the date it terminates as provided in Section 5.00 or [2] the last day of
the twenty-fourth complete calendar month beginning on or immediately after the
beginning of the CSO Period (as defined in Section 2.01[2]) and for any
subsequent period (and subject to the terms) agreed upon by Big Lots and the
Executive ("Term"). Any notice of termination required to be given under this
Agreement must be given as provided in Section 6.00 and will be effective on the
date prescribed in Section 5.00.

                      2.00 EXECUTIVE'S EMPLOYMENT FUNCTION

2.01 POSITION. The Executive agrees:

      [1] Subject to Section 2.01[2] to [a] serve as the Company's Chief
      Executive Officer with the authority and duties customarily associated
      with this position and [b] assist BLI's Board of Directors in its search
      for a successor Chief Executive Officer. The period required to discharge
      the duties described in this subsection is referred to as the "CEO
      Period."

      [2] At the conclusion of the CEO Period (which will terminate upon the
      employment of a successor Chief Executive Officer) and for the balance of
      the Term, to [a] assist the

<PAGE>

      successor Chief Executive Officer to transition into his or her new
      position and [b] serve as the Company's Chief Strategy Officer performing
      the services as may be reasonably requested by, and solely under the
      direction of, BLI's Board of Directors. The period described in this
      subsection is referred to as the "CSO Period."

The Executive agrees at all times to observe and be bound by all Company rules,
policies, practices, procedures and resolutions which apply to Company employees
and which do not conflict with the specific terms of this Agreement.

2.02 BUSINESS DECISIONS. The Executive shall have no liability to the Company
for any act or omission undertaken during the Term of this Agreement in his good
faith business judgment in furtherance of his duties as prescribed in or under
this Agreement.

2.03 PLACE OF PERFORMANCE. During the CEO Period, the Executive's duties will
principally be performed in Columbus, Ohio, except for required travel on the
Company's business. During the CSO Period, the Executive agrees to be reasonably
available to perform the duties described in Section 2.01[2]; provided, however,
that the Company recognizes that the Executive will be relocating from the
Columbus, Ohio area and will maintain an office at his new residence.

                                3.00 COMPENSATION

The Company will pay the Executive the amounts described in this Section 3.00 as
compensation for the services described in this Agreement and in exchange for
the duties and responsibilities described in Section 4.00.

3.01 BASE SALARY. The Company will pay to the Executive:

      [1] During the CEO Period, an annualized base salary of $765,000 ("CEO
      Base Salary"); and

      [2] During the CSO Period, an annualized base salary of $382,500 ("CSO
      Base Salary").

Except as otherwise provided in this Agreement, the Executive's CEO Base Salary
and CSO Base Salary (collectively, "Base Salary") will be paid in installments
that correspond with the Company's normal payroll practices. The Base Salary may
be adjusted from time to time in a manner that is consistent with the Company's
compensation policies in effect for executives in the same or similar job
classification at the discretion of the Company, but will not be adjusted to any
amount lower than, as appropriate, the CEO Base Salary during the CEO Period or
the CSO Base Salary during the CSO Period.

3.02 BONUS.

      [1] AMOUNT OF BONUS.

            [a] During the CEO Period, the Executive shall be eligible to
            receive bonus compensation equal to the CEO Base Salary at the end
            of the CEO Period multiplied by the Bonus Payout percentage as
            determined by the Bonus Program

                                                  Initials _______ Date ________

                                       2
<PAGE>

            set each fiscal year by the Compensation Committee of BLI's Board of
            Directors. Also (and subject to Section 5.00), if either [i] the CEO
            Period or [ii] the Term ends before the end of a fiscal year ("Bonus
            Termination Date"), the amount calculated under the preceding
            sentence will be multiplied by the number of whole and partial
            months between the beginning of that fiscal year and the Bonus
            Termination Date and divided by 12. The Bonus Program is based upon
            the achievement of the Company's annual financial plan. The target
            bonus for the Executive is 100% of CEO Base Salary and the Stretch
            Bonus for the Executive is 200% of CEO Base Salary, both of which
            are defined in the Bonus Program and are subject to adjustment by
            BLI's Board of Directors; provided, however, the Executive's target
            bonus during the CEO Period shall never fall below 100% of CEO Base
            Salary and, during the CEO Period, the Executive's Stretch Bonus
            shall never fall below 200% of CEO Base Salary.

            [b] During the CSO Period, the Executive will not be entitled to
            receive any bonus unless otherwise determined by the Compensation
            Committee of the BLI Board of Directors.

      [2] PAYMENT. Any bonuses described herein will be paid at a time
      consistent with payment of bonuses to other of the Company's executive
      officers.

      [3] CONTINUOUS EMPLOYMENT. Subject to Section 5.00, in order to receive
      any bonus as provided herein, Executive must remain continuously employed
      by the Company pursuant to the terms and conditions of this Agreement
      through the end of the CEO Period.

      [4] FISCAL YEAR. The term "fiscal year" shall mean the period commencing
      on the Sunday next following the Saturday closest to January 31st in a
      calendar year and ending the next following calendar year on the Saturday
      closest to January 31st.

3.03 BENEFIT PLANS. Subject to their terms, the Executive may participate in (or
continue to participate in) any Company-sponsored employee pension or benefit
plans (other than the bonus plan as described in Section 3.02) at a level
commensurate with the Executive's title and position. However (and except as
specifically provided), this Agreement will not affect any compensatory stock
option or equity grants the Executive has received.

3.04 VACATION AND SICK LEAVE. The Executive shall, during both the CEO Period
and the CSO Period, be entitled to such periods of vacation and sick leave each
year which shall not be less than as provided under the Company's vacation and
sick leave policy at a level commensurate with the Executive's title and
position.

3.05 EXPENSES. The Executive is entitled to receive reimbursement for all normal
and reasonable expenses incurred while performing services under this Agreement,
including reasonable travel expenses. Reimbursement for these expenses will be
made as soon as administratively feasible after the date the Executive submits
appropriate evidence of the expenditure and otherwise complies with the
Company's business expense reimbursement policies.

                                                  Initials _______ Date ________

                                       3
<PAGE>

3.06 TRANSPORTATION. During the Term, the Company will provide the Executive
with a current luxury model automobile purchased or leased by the Company, in
accordance with the Company's applicable policies. The Company shall pay all
maintenance and repair expenses with respect to the automobile, procure and
maintain in force at the Company's expense collision, comprehensive, and
liability insurance coverage with respect to the automobile, and pay operating
expenses with respect to the automobile to the extent such operating expenses
are incurred in the conduct of the Company's business. The Executive shall be
entitled to a similar vehicle every three years or 36,000 miles, whichever
occurs first.

3.07 TERMINATION BENEFITS. The Company will provide the Executive with only
those termination benefits described in Section 5.00.

                          4.00 EXECUTIVE'S OBLIGATIONS

The amounts described in Sections 3.00 and 5.00 of this Agreement are provided
by the Company in exchange for (and have a value to the Company equivalent to)
the Executive's performance of the obligations described in this Agreement,
including performance of the duties and the covenants made and entered into by
and between the Executive and the Company in this Agreement.

4.01 SCOPE OF DUTIES. The Executive will:

      [1] During the CEO Period, devote all available business time, best
      efforts and undivided attention to the Company's business and affairs.
      During the CSO Period, the Executive shall report to BLI's Board of
      Directors and devote the time, effort and attention necessary to complete
      the services reasonably requested by the BLI Board of Directors; and

      [2] During the CEO Period, refrain from engaging in any other business
      activity, whether for gain, profit or other pecuniary benefit. During the
      CSO Period, the Executive shall refrain from engaging in any business
      activity which would prevent him from devoting the time, effort and
      attention necessary to complete the services reasonably requested by BLI's
      Board of Directors.

      [3] However, the restriction described in Sections 4.01[1] and [2] will
      not preclude the Executive from:

            [a] Making or holding passive investments in outstanding shares in
            the securities of publicly-owned companies or other businesses; or

            [b] Serving on corporate, civic, religious, educational and/or
            charitable boards or committees but only if this activity does not
            interfere with the performance of duties under this Agreement and
            only after the Executive has provided the Company with notice of his
            intention to serve.

                                                  Initials _______ Date ________

                                       4
<PAGE>

4.02 CONFIDENTIAL INFORMATION.

      [1] OBLIGATION TO PROTECT CONFIDENTIAL INFORMATION. The Executive
      acknowledges that the Company, its parent, affiliates, predecessor,
      successor, subsidiaries and other related companies (collectively, "Group"
      and separately, "Group Member") have a legitimate and continuing
      proprietary interest in the protection of Confidential Information (as
      defined in Section 4.02[2]) and have invested, and will continue to
      invest, substantial sums of money to develop, maintain and protect
      Confidential Information. The Executive agrees [a] during and after
      employment with the Company and as to all Group Members [i] that any
      Confidential Information will be held in confidence and treated as
      proprietary to the Group, [ii] not to use or disclose any Confidential
      Information except to promote and advance the Group's business interests
      and [b] immediately upon termination for any reason from employment with
      the Company, to return to the Company any Confidential Information.

      [2] DEFINITION OF CONFIDENTIAL INFORMATION. For purposes of this
      Agreement, Confidential Information includes any confidential data,
      figures, projections, estimates, pricing data, customer lists, buying
      manuals or procedures, distribution manuals or procedures, other policy
      and procedure manuals or handbooks, supplier information, tax records,
      personnel histories and records, information regarding sales, information
      regarding properties and any other Confidential Information regarding the
      business, operations, properties or personnel of the Company or the Group
      (or any Group Member) which are disclosed to or learned by the Executive
      as a result of employment with the Company, but will not include [a] the
      Executive's personal personnel records or [b] any information that [i] the
      Executive possessed before the date of initial employment (including
      periods before the Effective Date) with the Company that was a matter of
      public knowledge, [ii] became or becomes a matter of public knowledge
      through sources independent of the Executive, [iii] has been or is
      disclosed by any Group Member without restriction on its use or [iv] has
      been or is required to be disclosed by law or governmental order or
      regulation. The Executive also agrees that, if there is any reasonable
      doubt whether an item is public knowledge, to not regard the item as
      public knowledge until and unless the Company's General Counsel confirms
      to the Executive that the information is public knowledge or an
      arbitrator, acting under Section 9.00, finally decides that the
      information is public knowledge.

      [3] INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY. The Executive expressly acknowledges that all
      right, title and interest to all inventions, designs, discoveries, works
      of authorship, and ideas conceived, produced, created, discovered,
      authored, or reduced to practice during the Executive's performance of
      services under this Agreement, whether individually or jointly with the
      Company or any Group Member (the "Intellectual Property") shall be owned
      solely by the Company or the Group, and shall be subject to the
      restrictions set forth in Section 4.02[1] above. All Intellectual Property
      which constitutes copyrightable subject matter under the copyright laws of
      the United States shall, from the inception of creation, be deemed to be a
      "work made for hire" under the United States copyright laws and all right,
      title and interest in and to such copyrightable works shall vest in the
      Company or the Group. All right, title and interest in and to all
      Intellectual Property developed or produced under this Agreement by the
      Executive, whether constituting

                                                  Initials _______ Date ________

                                       5
<PAGE>

      patentable subject matter or copyrightable subject matter (to the extent
      deemed not to be a "work made for hire") or otherwise, shall be assigned
      and is hereby irrevocably assigned to the Company or the Group by the
      Executive. The Executive shall, without any additional consideration,
      execute all documents and take all other actions needed to convey the
      Executive's complete ownership interest in any Intellectual Property to
      the Company or the Group or the Executive is directed so that the Company
      or the Group may own and protect such Intellectual Property and obtain
      patent, copyright and trademark registrations for it. The Executive agrees
      that any Group Member may alter or modify the Intellectual Property at the
      Group Member's sole discretion, and the Executive waives all right to
      claim or disclaim authorship.

4.03 SOLICITATION OF EMPLOYEES. The Executive agrees that during employment, and
for two years after terminating employment with the Company [1] not, directly or
indirectly, to solicit any employee of the Company or of any Group Member to
leave employment with the Group, [2] not, directly or indirectly, to employ or
seek to employ any employee of the Company or any Group Member and [3] not to
cause or induce any of the Company's or the Group's (or Group Member's)
competitors to solicit or employ any employee of the Company or any Group
Member.

4.04 SOLICITATION OF THIRD PARTIES. The Executive agrees that during employment,
and for two years after terminating employment with the Company not, directly or
indirectly, to recruit, solicit or otherwise induce or influence any customer,
supplier, sales representative, lender, lessor, lessee or any other person
having a business relationship with the Company or the Group (or any Group
Member) to discontinue or reduce the extent of that relationship except in the
course of discharging the duties described in this Agreement and with the good
faith objective of advancing the Company's or the Group's (or any Group
Member's) business interests.

4.05 NON-COMPETITION. The Executive acknowledges that the principal business of
the Company includes the operation of its Big Lots retail outlets, the
inventories of which are acquired primarily through special purchases such as
overstocks, close-outs, liquidations, bankruptcies, wholesale distribution of
overstock, distress, liquidation and other volume inventories, the operation of
its Big Lots Furniture stores, and its wholesale operations all of which
comprise the Company's business (the "Company Business"); that Company is one of
the limited number of entities which has developed such business; that the
Company Business is national in scope and the Executive's work for the Company
will give him access to the confidential affairs of the Company and the Group as
defined in Section 4.02[2]; and the agreements and covenants of the Executive
contained in Section 4.00 are essential to the business and the good will of the
Company. Accordingly, and in exchange for amounts paid under this Agreement
including the amount described in Section 5.00, the Executive covenants and
agrees that:

      [1] During the term of the Executive's employment with the Company and for
      a period of two years (the "Restricted Period") following the termination
      of his employment in any manner, the Executive shall not in any location
      where the Company's retail stores are located throughout the United States
      [a] engage in the Company Business for the Executive's own account, [b]
      render any services to any person engaged in the Company Business (other
      than to the Company); or [c] become employed in any manner

                                                  Initials _______ Date ________

                                       6
<PAGE>

      by, or consult with, Wal-Mart, Sam's Club, Kmart, Target, Dollar General,
      Family Dollar, Dollar Tree, Value City/Schottenstein Stores Corporation,
      Fred's, 99(cent) Stores, Canned Foods, Tuesday Morning and TJX
      Corporation, or any grocery store chain regardless of size. Further, the
      Executive agrees to not become employed in any manner or to act as
      consultant to any parent or subsidiary of the above-listed entities. In
      the event of a change of control as defined in Section 5.07[2] of this
      Agreement, the restricted period shall be for a period of six (6) months.

      [2] ACKNOWLEDGEMENT. The Executive acknowledges that the non-competition
      agreement is reasonable in light of the nature of the Company Business;
      that the Company has legitimate business reasons for requiring the
      Executive's agreement to all provisions of Section 4.00; and that he
      understands the restrictions, has had an opportunity to fully discuss
      these restrictions with the Company and accepts the restrictions.

      [3] MAXIMUM ENFORCEABLE RESTRICTION. In the event that any or all of the
      covenants set forth in this Section 4.05 are determined by a court of
      competent jurisdiction to be unenforceable by reason of the temporal
      restrictions being too great, the geographic areas covered too great, the
      range of activities too great or for any other reason, then the Court is
      authorized and shall interpret them to extend over the maximum period of
      time, the maximum geographic area and the maximum range of activities or,
      as to any provision, in such a manner that all provisions may be given
      maximum restrictive effect in accordance with applicable law; provided,
      however, that in no event shall a court determine the maximum restrictive
      effect to be greater than the original covenants set forth in this Section
      4.05.

      [4] TOLLING. The Executive agrees that if any of the obligations to the
      Company under this Section 4.05 are breached, then the restricted period
      shall be extended for the length of time that the Executive failed to
      fulfill his obligations under Section 4.05.

4.06 POST-TERMINATION COOPERATION. As is required of the Executive during
employment, the Executive agrees that during and after employment with the
Company and without additional compensation (other than reimbursement for
reasonable associated expenses), to cooperate with the Company in the following
areas:

      [1] COOPERATION WITH THE COMPANY. The Executive agrees [a] to be
      reasonably available to answer questions for the Company's officers
      regarding any matter, project, initiative or effort for which the
      Executive was responsible while employed by the Company and [b] to
      cooperate with the Company or any Group Member during the course of all
      third-party proceedings arising out of the Company Business about which
      the Executive has knowledge or information. For purposes of this
      Agreement, [c] "proceedings" includes internal investigations,
      administrative investigations or proceedings and lawsuits (including
      pre-trial discovery and trial testimony) and [d] "cooperation" includes
      [i] the Executive's being reasonably available for interviews, meetings,
      depositions, hearings and/or trials without the need for subpoena or
      assurances by the Company or any Group Member; [ii] providing any and all
      documents in the

                                                  Initials _______ Date ________

                                       7
<PAGE>

      Executive's possession that relate to the proceeding; and [iii] providing
      assistance in locating any and all relevant notes and/or documents.

      [2] COOPERATION WITH THIRD PARTIES. Unless compelled to do so by
      lawfully-served subpoena or court order, the Executive agrees not to
      communicate with, or give statements or testimony to, any opposing
      attorney, opposing attorney's representative (including private
      investigator) or current or former employee relating to any matter
      (including pending or threatened lawsuits or administrative
      investigations) about which the Executive has knowledge or information
      (other than knowledge or information that is not Confidential Information
      as defined in Section 4.02[2]) except in cooperation with the Company and
      Group Members. The Executive also agrees to notify the Company's General
      Counsel immediately after being contacted by a third party or receiving a
      subpoena or court order to appear and testify with respect to any matter
      affected by this section.

      [3] COOPERATION WITH MEDIA. The Executive agrees not to communicate with,
      or give statements to, any member of the media (including print,
      television or radio media) relating to any matter (including pending or
      threatened lawsuits or administrative investigations) about which the
      Executive has knowledge or information (other than knowledge or
      information that is not Confidential Information as defined in Section
      4.02[2]) except in cooperation with the Company or any Group Member. The
      Executive also agrees to notify the Company's General Counsel immediately
      after being contacted by any member of the media with respect to any
      matter affected by this section.

4.07 NON-DISPARAGEMENT. The Executive and the Company agree that neither will
make any disparaging remarks about the other and the Executive will not make any
disparaging remarks about the Company, the Company's executives or any Group
Member or their executives. However, this section will not preclude [1] any
remarks that may be made by the Executive under the terms of Section 4.06[2] or
that are required to discharge the duties described in this Agreement or [2] the
Company or Group Members from making (or eliciting from any person) disparaging
remarks about the Executive concerning any conduct that may lead to a
termination for Cause, as defined in Section 5.04[3] (including initiating an
inquiry or investigation that may result in a termination for Cause).

4.08 NOTICE OF SUBSEQUENT EMPLOYMENT. The Executive agrees to notify the Company
of any subsequent employment during the Restricted Period after employment
terminates.

4.09 REMEDIES. The Executive agrees that any breach of any of the terms of this
Section 4.00 would result in irreparable injury and damage to the Company for
which the Company would have no adequate remedy at law; the Executive therefore
also agrees that in the event of a breach or any threat of breach, the Company
shall be entitled to an immediate injunction and restraining order to prevent
such breach and/or threatened breach and/or continued breach by the Executive
and/or any and all persons and/or entities acting for and/or with the Executive,
without having to prove damages. The Executive agrees that no bond shall be
required of the Company and further agrees not to defend any action seeking
injunctive or other equitable relief on the basis that the Company has an
adequate remedy at law in money damages or otherwise. The terms of this Section
4.09 shall not prevent the Company from pursuing any other available remedies
for any

                                                  Initials _______ Date ________

                                       8
<PAGE>

breach or threatened breach hereof including, but not limited to, the recovery
of damages from the Executive or specific performance. In addition to any other
available remedies, the Company may require the Executive to account for and pay
over to the Company all compensation, profits, accruals, increments or other
benefits derived or received by the Executive as a result of any transaction
constituting a breach of any provision of Section 4.00. The Company may set off
any amounts finally determined by a court of competent jurisdiction to be due
under this section against any amount which may be owed to the Executive under
this Agreement. The Parties agree that any action for breach of any of the
provisions of Section 4.00 and/or injunctive relief shall be venued in the Court
of Common Pleas, Franklin County, Ohio.

4.10 RETURN OF COMPANY PROPERTY. Upon termination of employment, the Executive
agrees to promptly return to the Company all property belonging to the Group or
any Group Member.

4.11 EFFECT OF TERMINATION. The provisions of Section 4.00 shall survive any
termination of this Agreement, and the existence of any claim or cause of action
by the Executive against the Company, whether predicated on this Agreement or
otherwise, shall not constitute a defense to the enforcement by the Company of
the covenants and agreements of this Section 4.00; provided, however, that this
Section 4.11 shall not, in and of itself, preclude the Executive from defending
himself against the enforceability of the covenants and agreements of Section
4.00.

                      5.00 TERMINATION AND RELATED BENEFITS

This Agreement can only be terminated upon the occurrence of any of the events
described in this section or upon expiration of the Term.

5.01 RULES OF GENERAL APPLICATION. The following rules apply generally to the
implementation of Section 5.00:

      [1] APPLICATION OF PRO RATA. Except as provided in Section 3.02[1], any
      pro rata share required to be paid under Section 5.00 will be based on the
      number of days between the first day of the fiscal year during which the
      Executive terminates employment and the date that the Executive terminates
      employment divided by the number of days in the fiscal year during which
      the Executive terminates employment.

      [2] LIMIT ON TIME AND FORM OF PAYMENT. Subject to Section 409A of the
      Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended (the "Code"), the payments
      described in this section will be made at the time and in the form
      described in this section.

5.02 TERMINATION DUE TO EXECUTIVE'S DEATH. This Agreement will terminate
automatically on the date the Executive dies. As of that date, the Company will
make the following payments to the person the Executive designates.

      [1] BASE SALARY. The unpaid Base Salary the Executive earned to the date
      of termination paid in a lump sum as provided under Big Lots' normal
      payroll program.

      [2] BONUS. The bonus described in Section 3.02[1] determined as described
      in Section 3.02[1] after the close of the fiscal year in which the
      termination because of death

                                                  Initials _______ Date ________

                                       9
<PAGE>

      occurs and paid in the form and at the same time other eligible executives
      are paid a bonus under the same program for the same period.

      [3] OTHER. Any rights accruing to the Executive under any employee benefit
      plan, fund or program maintained by the Company will be distributed or
      made available as required by the terms of the plan, fund or program or as
      required by law.

5.03 TERMINATION DUE TO EXECUTIVE'S DISABILITY. The Company may terminate this
Agreement after ascertaining that the Executive is Disabled (as defined below -
"Disability") by delivering to the Executive a written notice of termination for
Disability that includes the date termination for Disability is to be effective.
If all requirements of this Agreement are met (including those imposed under
Section 7.00), the Company will make the following payments to the Executive:

      [1] BASE SALARY. The unpaid Base Salary the Executive earned to the date
      of termination paid in a lump sum as provided under Big Lots' normal
      payroll program.

      [2] BONUS. The bonus described in Section 3.02[1] determined as described
      in Section 3.02[1] after the close of the fiscal year in which the
      termination because of Disability occurs and paid in the form and at the
      same time other eligible executives are paid a bonus under the same
      program for the same period.

      [3] OTHER. Any rights accruing to the Executive under any employee benefit
      plan, fund or program maintained by the Company will be distributed or
      made available as required by the terms of the plan, fund or program or as
      required by law; provided, however, that upon Executive's termination for
      Disability, Executive shall be entitled to long term disability benefits
      under a plan maintained by the Company at a minimum rate of twenty five
      thousand dollars ($25,000.00) per month, tax free, until the age of
      sixty-five (65).

      [4] DEFINITION OF DISABILITY. For these purposes, "Disability" means that,
      for more than six consecutive months, the Executive is unable, with a
      reasonable accommodation, to perform the duties described in Section 4.01
      on a full-time basis due to a physical or mental disability or infirmity.

5.04 TERMINATION FOR CAUSE. The Company may terminate the Executive's employment
for Cause (as defined below - "Cause"). A termination for Cause shall only be
effective after [a] the Company has delivered a written notice to the Executive
stating that in the opinion of BLI's Board of Directors, the Executive may be
terminated for Cause, specifying the details and [b] if the failure or action is
one that can be cured, the Executive does not cure the issue giving rise to the
Cause determination within 30 days after receiving notice. If the Executive is
terminated for Cause and if all requirements of this Agreement are met, the
Company will make the following payments to the Executive:

      [1] BASE SALARY. The unpaid Base Salary the Executive earned to the date
      of termination paid in a lump sum as provided under Big Lots' normal
      payroll program.

                                                  Initials _______ Date ________

                                       10
<PAGE>

      [2] OTHER. Any rights accruing to the Executive under any employee benefit
      plan, fund or program maintained by the Company will be distributed or
      made available as required by the terms of the plan, fund or program or as
      required by law.

      [3] DEFINITION OF CAUSE. For these purposes, Cause means the Executive's
      [a] failure to comply with Company's policies and procedures which the
      Board of Directors of BLI reasonably determines has had or is likely to
      have a material adverse effect upon the Company; [b] willful or illegal
      misconduct or grossly negligent conduct that is materially injurious to
      the Company monetarily or otherwise; [c] violation of laws or regulations
      governing the Company or violation of the Company's code of ethics; [d]
      breach of any fiduciary duty owed to the Company; [e] misrepresentation or
      dishonesty which the Board of Directors of BLI reasonably determines has
      had or is likely to have a material adverse effect upon the Company; [f]
      breach of any provisions of Sections 4.02 through 4.11 of this Agreement;
      [g] involvement in any act of moral turpitude that has a materially
      injurious effect on the Company or its reputation; or [h] breach of the
      terms of any non-solicitation or confidentiality clauses contained in an
      employment agreement(s) with a former employer.

      [4] SUBSEQUENT INFORMATION. The terms of Section 5.04 will apply if,
      within 24 months after the Executive terminates under any other provision
      of Section 5.00, the Company learns of an event that, had it been known
      before the Executive terminated employment, would have justified a
      termination for Cause. In this case, the Company will be entitled to
      recover (and the Executive agrees to repay) any amounts (other than
      legally protected benefits) that the Executive received under any other
      provision of Section 5.00 reduced by the amount the Executive is entitled
      to receive under Section 5.04.

5.05 VOLUNTARY TERMINATION BY EXECUTIVE. The Executive may voluntarily terminate
employment with the Company at any time, in which case the Company will make the
following payments to the Executive:

      [1] BASE SALARY. The unpaid Base Salary the Executive earned to the date
      of termination paid in a lump sum as provided under Big Lots' normal
      payroll program.

      [2] OTHER. Any rights accruing to the Executive under any employee benefit
      plan, fund or program maintained by the Company will be distributed or
      made available as required by the terms of the plan, fund or program or as
      required by law.

5.06 INVOLUNTARY TERMINATION WITHOUT CAUSE. Beginning one year after the
Effective Date of this Agreement, the Company may terminate the Executive's
employment at any time Without Cause (as defined below) by delivering to the
Executive a written notice specifying the date termination is to be effective.
If all requirements of this Agreement are met (including those imposed under
Section 7.00), the Company will make the following payments to the Executive:

      [1] BASE SALARY. The unpaid Base Salary the Executive earned to the date
      of termination paid in a lump sum as provided under Big Lots' normal
      payroll program.

                                                  Initials _______ Date ________

                                       11
<PAGE>

      [2] BONUS. The bonus described in Section 3.02[1] determined as described
      in Section 3.02[1] after the close of the fiscal year in which the
      termination occurs and paid in the form and at the same time other
      eligible executives are paid a bonus under the same program for the same
      period.

      [3] PAYMENT FOR NONCOMPETITION COVENANT. A lump sum amount equal to 200
      percent of the CEO Base Salary reduced by any CSO Base Salary earned by
      the Executive as payment for the noncompetition covenant described in
      Section 4.05 as soon as administratively feasible after termination.

      [4] HEALTH CARE. The Company will reimburse the Executive for the cost of
      continuing health coverage under COBRA until the last day of the
      twenty-fourth complete calendar month after the beginning of the CSO
      Period, less the amount the Executive is expected to pay as a regular
      employee premium for such coverage. The amounts payable hereunder shall be
      increased to reimburse the Executive for federal, state and local income,
      employment and wage taxes associated with that reimbursement. Such
      reimbursements will cease if the Executive becomes eligible for similar
      coverage under another benefit plan.

      [5] TRANSPORTATION. The Executive shall be entitled to continue to receive
      the transportation benefits described in Section 3.06 until the last day
      of the twenty-fourth complete calendar month after the beginning of the
      CSO Period.

      [6] OTHER. Any rights accruing to the Executive under any employee benefit
      plan, fund or program maintained by the Company will be distributed or
      made available as required by the terms of the plan, fund or program or as
      required by law.

      [7] DEFINITION OF WITHOUT CAUSE. For purposes of this Agreement, a
      termination "Without Cause" means that in the opinion of BLI's Board of
      Directors, the Executive has conducted himself or otherwise acted in a
      manner that has resulted in, or continues to be, a material disruption to
      the Company. A termination Without Cause shall only be effective after [a]
      the Company has delivered a written notice to the Executive describing the
      conduct or action giving rise to the Board's determination and [b] the
      Executive has not ceased the conduct or action within 30 days after
      receiving notice.

5.07 TERMINATION AFTER CHANGE OF CONTROL.

      [1] TERMINATION OF EMPLOYMENT. If during the CEO Period or during the
      first twelve months of the CSO Period there is a Change of Control (as
      defined herein), the Executive's employment shall automatically terminate
      and the provisions of this section will apply. To the extent that the
      provisions of this Section 5.07 are applicable, the Executive shall be
      entitled to the following payments and benefits, whether the Change in
      Control occurs during the CEO Period or the CSO Period:

            [a] BASE SALARY. The unpaid Base Salary the Executive earned to the
            date of termination paid in a lump sum as provided under Big Lots'
            normal payroll program.

                                                  Initials _______ Date ________

                                       12
<PAGE>

            [b] ADDITIONAL BASE SALARY. A single lump sum payment equal to two
            times the CEO Base Salary paid as soon as administratively feasible
            after termination.

            [c] BONUS. A single lump sum payment equal to 400 percent of the CEO
            Base Salary paid as soon as administratively feasible after
            termination.

            [d] HEALTH CARE. The Company will reimburse the Executive for the
            cost of continuing health coverage under COBRA for a period of no
            more than 24 months following the date of termination, less the
            amount the Executive is expected to pay as a regular employee
            premium for such coverage. The amounts payable hereunder shall be
            increased to reimburse the Executive for federal, state and local
            income, employment and wage taxes associated with that reimbursement
            and, if appropriate, will be further adjusted as provided in
            Sections 5.07[3] and [4]. Such reimbursements (other than those
            provided under Sections 5.07[3] and [4]).will cease if the Executive
            becomes eligible for similar coverage under another benefit plan.

            [e] OTHER. Any rights accruing to the Executive under any employee
            benefit plan, fund or program maintained by the Company arising from
            either a Change of Control or termination of employment will be
            distributed or made available as required by the terms of the plan,
            fund or program or as required by law.

      [2] DEFINITION OF CHANGE OF CONTROL. For purposes of this Agreement, the
      term "Change of Control" means [a] any person or group [as defined for
      purposes of Section 13(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934] that
      becomes the beneficial owner of, or has the right to acquire (by contract,
      option, warrant, conversion of convertible securities or otherwise), 20%
      or more of the outstanding equity securities of BLI entitled to vote for
      the election of directors; [b] a majority of the Board of Directors of BLI
      is replaced within any period of two years or less by directors not
      nominated and approved by a majority of the directors of BLI in office at
      the beginning of such period (or their successors so nominated and
      approved), or a majority of the Board of Directors of BLI at any date
      consists of persons not so nominated and approved; [c] the stockholders of
      BLI approve an agreement to reorganize, merge or consolidate with another
      corporation (other than Big Lots Stores, Inc. or an affiliate); [d] the
      stockholders of BLI adopt a plan or approve an agreement to sell or
      otherwise dispose of all or substantially all of BLI's assets (including
      without limitation, a plan of liquidation or dissolution), in a single
      transaction or series of related transactions. The effective date of any
      such Change of Control shall be the date upon which the last event occurs
      or last action is taken such that the definition of such Change of Control
      (as set forth above) has been met. For purposes of this Agreement, the
      term "affiliate" shall mean: [i] any person or entity qualified as part of
      an affiliated group which includes BLI pursuant to Section 1504 of the
      Code; or [ii] any person or entity qualified as part of a
      parent-subsidiary group of trades and businesses under common control
      within the meaning of Treasury Regulation Section 1.414(c)(2)(b).
      Determination of affiliate shall be tested as of the date immediately
      prior to any event constituting a Change of Control. The other provisions
      of this Section 5.07 notwithstanding, the term "Change of Control" shall
      not mean any transaction, merger, consolidation or reorganization in which
      BLI exchanges or offers to exchange newly

                                                  Initials _______ Date ________

                                       13
<PAGE>

      issued or treasury shares in an amount less than 50% of the
      then-outstanding equity securities of BLI entitled to vote for the
      election of directors, for 51% or more of the outstanding equity
      securities entitled to vote for the election of at least the majority of
      the directors of a corporation other than BLI or an affiliate thereof (the
      "Acquired Corporation"), or for all or substantially all of the assets of
      the Acquired Corporation.

      [3] TREATMENT OF TAXES. If payments under this Agreement, when combined
      with payments and benefits under all other plans and programs maintained
      by the Company, constitute "excess" parachute payments as defined in
      Section 280G(b) of the Code, the Company will distribute an additional
      amount to the Executive sufficient to ensure that, after payment of all
      excise taxes arising under Section 4999 of the Code, the Executive will
      retain an amount equal to the amount he would have retained had no excise
      tax been imposed under Section 4999 of the Code.

      [4] EFFECT OF SUBSEQUENT TAX CLAIM. The Company will establish procedures
      that will apply to any inquiries regarding the treatment of tax payments
      under this Section 5.07. Within 30 days following the termination of the
      Executive's employment under Section 5.07, the Company will provide the
      Executive with a copy of such procedures. Also, if it subsequently is
      established under those procedures that the Executive has received an
      "excess" parachute payment as defined in Section 280G of the Code that is
      larger than the amount initially calculated under Section 5.07[3], the
      Company will distribute an additional amount to the Executive sufficient
      to ensure that, after payment of all additional excise taxes arising under
      Section 4999 of the Code, the Executive will retain an amount equal to the
      amount he would have retained had no additional excise tax been imposed
      under Section 4999 of the Code.

5.08 TERMINATION OF AGREEMENT. If the Executive continues to be employed through
the end of the Term, the Executive's employment will terminate automatically on
the last day of the Term; provided, however, that in the event the Executive is
receiving short term disability benefits on the last day of the Term, the
Executive's employment will extend until the earlier of the date the Executive
ceases to qualify for short term disability benefits or six months from the date
the Executive first received short term disability benefits. In the event the
Executive's employment is extended under this Section 5.08 and he receives a
full six months of short term disability benefits, his employment will be
terminated pursuant to the provisions of Section 5.03. If the Executive's
employment is terminated automatically under this Section 5.08 (and not pursuant
to Section 5.03), the Company will make the following payments to the Executive:

      [1] BASE SALARY. The unpaid Base Salary the Executive earned to the date
      of termination paid in a lump sum as provided under Big Lots' normal
      payroll program.

      [2] OTHER. Any rights accruing to the Executive under any employee benefit
      plan, fund or program maintained by the Company will be distributed or
      made available as required by the terms of the plan, fund or program or as
      required by law.

      [3] PAYMENT FOR NONCOMPETITION COVENANT. A lump sum amount equal to 100
      percent of the CEO Base Salary in payment for the noncompetition covenant
      described in Section 4.05 as soon as administratively feasible after
      termination.

                                                  Initials _______ Date ________

                                       14
<PAGE>

                                   6.00 NOTICE

6.01 HOW GIVEN. Any notice permitted or required to be given under this
Agreement must be given in writing and delivered in person or by registered,
U.S. mail, return receipt requested, postage prepaid; or through Federal
Express, UPS, DHL or any other reputable professional delivery service that
maintains a confirmation of delivery system. Any delivery must be addressed to
the chairman of the Big Lots' Board of Directors and its General Counsel (and,
during the CSO Period, with a copy to the Company's Chief Executive Officer) at
the Company's then-current corporate offices and to the Executive at the
Executive's address as contained in the Executive's personnel file.

6.02 EFFECTIVE DATE. Any notice permitted or required to be given under this
Agreement will be effective on the date it is delivered, in the event of
personal delivery, or on the date its receipt is acknowledged, in the event of
delivery by registered mail or through a professional delivery service described
in Section 6.01.

                            7.00 EXECUTION OF RELEASE

The Executive agrees that as a condition of receiving any post-termination
benefit as set forth in Section 5.00 except for earned but unpaid Base Salary to
the date of termination, along with any accrued rights the Executive has under
any employee benefit plan of the Company, he must execute a comprehensive
release in the form as may be determined from time to time by the Company in its
sole discretion. Generally, the release will require the Executive and the
Executive's personal or legal representatives, executors, administrators,
successors, heirs, distributees, devisees, legatees and assigns to release and
forever discharge the Company (and all Group Members) and its executives,
officers, directors, agents, attorneys, successors and assigns from any and all
claims, suits and/or causes of action that grow out of or are in any way related
to the Executive's recruitment to or employment with the Company, other than any
claim that the Company has breached this Agreement. This release will include,
but not be limited to, any claim that the Company violated the Employee
Retirement Income Security Act of 1974; the Age Discrimination in Employment
Act; the Older Worker's Benefit Protection Act; the Americans with Disabilities
Act; Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 (as amended); the Family and
Medical Leave Act; any state, federal law or local ordinance prohibiting
discrimination, harassment or retaliation in employment; any claim for wrongful
discharge in violation of public policy, claims of promissory estoppel or
detrimental reliance, defamation, intentional infliction of emotional distress;
or the public policy of any state; or any federal, state or local law. Upon
termination, the Executive will be presented with a release and if the Executive
fails to execute the release, the Executive agrees to forego any payment from
the Company other than payments as if the Executive had terminated employment
voluntarily under Section 5.05. The Executive acknowledges that the Executive is
an experienced senior executive knowledgeable about the claims that might arise
in the course of employment with the Company and knowingly agrees that the
payments upon termination (except those payable in accordance with Sections
5.02, 5.04 and 5.05) provided for in this Agreement are satisfactory additional
consideration for the release of all possible claims.

                                                  Initials _______ Date ________

                                       15
<PAGE>

                                 8.00 INSURANCE

To the extent permitted by law and its organizational documents, the Company
will include the Executive under any liability insurance policy the Company
maintains for employees of comparable status. The level of coverage will be at
least as favorable to the Executive (in amount and each other material respect)
as the coverage of other employees of comparable status. This obligation to
provide insurance for the Executive will survive termination of this Agreement
with respect to proceedings or threatened proceedings based on acts or omissions
occurring during the Executive's employment with the Company or with any Group
Member.

                                9.00 ARBITRATION

9.01 ACKNOWLEDGEMENT OF ARBITRATION. Unless stated otherwise in this Agreement,
the Parties agree that arbitration is the sole and exclusive remedy for each of
them to resolve and redress any dispute, claim or controversy involving the
interpretation of this Agreement or the terms, conditions or termination of this
Agreement or the terms, conditions or termination of the Executive's employment
with the Company, including any claims for any tort, breach of contract,
violation of public policy or discrimination, whether such claim arises under
federal or state law.

9.02 SCOPE OF ARBITRATION. The Executive expressly understands and agrees that
claims subject to arbitration under this section include asserted violations of
the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974; the Age Discrimination in
Employment Act; the Older Worker's Benefit Protection Act; the Americans with
Disabilities Act; Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 (as amended); the
Family and Medical Leave Act; any law prohibiting discrimination, harassment or
retaliation in employment; any claim of promissory estoppel or detrimental
reliance, defamation, intentional infliction of emotional distress; or the
public policy of any state, or any federal, state or local law.

9.03 EFFECT OF ARBITRATION. The Parties intend that any arbitration award
relating to any matter described in Section 9.00 will be final and binding on
them and that a judgment on the award may be entered in any court of competent
jurisdiction, and enforcement may be had according to the terms of that award.
This section will survive the termination or expiration of this Agreement.

9.04 LOCATION OF ARBITRATION. Arbitration will be held in Columbus, Ohio, and
will be conducted by a retired federal judge or other qualified arbitrator. The
arbitrator will be mutually agreed upon by the Parties and the arbitration will
be conducted in accordance with the National Rules for the Resolution of
Employment Disputes of the American Arbitration Association. The Parties will
have the right to conduct discovery pursuant to the Federal Rules of Civil
Procedure; provided, however, that the arbitrator will have the authority to
establish an expedited discovery schedule and cutoff and to resolve any
discovery disputes. The arbitrator will have no jurisdiction or authority to
change any provision of this Agreement by alterations of, additions to or
subtractions from the terms of this Agreement. The arbitrator's sole authority
will be to interpret or apply any provision(s) of this Agreement or any public
law alleged to have been violated. The arbitrator has the authority to award
damages and such other relief as expressly provided by law.

                                                  Initials _______ Date ________

                                       16
<PAGE>

9.05 TIME FOR INITIATING ARBITRATION. Any claim or controversy not sought to be
submitted to arbitration, in writing, within 60 days of the date the Party
asserting the claim knew, or through reasonable diligence should have known, of
the facts giving rise to that Party's claim, will be deemed waived and the Party
asserting the claim will have no further right to seek arbitration or recovery
with respect to that claim or controversy. Both Parties agree to strictly comply
with the time limitation specified in Section 9.00. For purposes of this
section, a claim or controversy is sought to be submitted to arbitration on the
date the complaining Party gives written notice to the other that [1] an issue
has arisen or is likely to arise that, unless resolved otherwise, may be
resolved through arbitration under Section 9.00 and [2] unless the issue is
resolved otherwise, the complaining Party intends to submit the matter to
arbitration under the terms of Section 9.00.

9.06 COSTS OF ARBITRATION AND ATTORNEY'S FEES. The Company will bear the
arbitrator's fee and other costs associated with any arbitration, unless the
arbitrator, acting under Federal Rule of Civil Procedure 54(d)(1), elects to
award these fees to the Company. Attorney's fees may be awarded to the
prevailing party if expressly authorized by statute, or otherwise each party
shall bear its own attorney's fees and costs.

9.07 ARBITRATION EXCLUSIVE REMEDY. The Parties acknowledge that, because
arbitration is the exclusive remedy for resolving issues arising under this
Agreement, neither Party may resort to any federal, state or local court or
administrative agency concerning breaches of this Agreement or any other matter
subject to arbitration under Section 9.00, except as otherwise provided in this
Agreement, and that the decision of the arbitrator will be a complete defense to
any suit, action or proceeding instituted in any federal, state or local court
before any administrative agency with respect to any arbitrable claim or
controversy.

9.08 WAIVER OF JURY. The Executive and the Company each waive the right to have
a claim or dispute with one another decided in a judicial forum or by a jury,
except as otherwise provided in this Agreement.

                            10.00 GENERAL PROVISIONS

10.01 REPRESENTATION OF EXECUTIVE. The Executive represents and warrants that
the Executive is not under any contractual or legal restraint that prevents or
prohibits the Executive from entering into this Agreement or performing the
duties and obligations described in this Agreement.

10.02 MODIFICATION OR WAIVER; ENTIRE AGREEMENT. No provision of this Agreement
may be modified or waived except in a document signed by the Executive, the
Chairman of the Compensation Committee of BLI's Board of Directors and an
officer of the Company designated by the Company's Board of Directors. This
Agreement, and any attachments referenced in the Agreement, constitute the
entire agreement between the Parties regarding the employment relationship
described in this Agreement, and any other agreements are terminated and of no
further force or legal effect. No agreements or representations, oral or
otherwise, with respect to the Executive's employment relationship with the
Company have been made or relied upon by either Party which are not set forth
expressly in this Agreement.

                                                  Initials _______ Date ________

                                       17
<PAGE>

10.03 GOVERNING LAW; SEVERABILITY. This Agreement is intended to be performed in
accordance with, and only to the extent permitted by, all applicable laws,
ordinances, rules and regulations. If any provision of this Agreement, or the
application of any provision of this Agreement to any person or circumstance,
is, for any reason and to any extent, held invalid or unenforceable, such
invalidity and unenforceability will not affect the remaining provisions of this
Agreement of its application to other persons or circumstances, all of which
will be enforced to the greatest extent permitted by law and the Executive and
the Company agree that the arbitrator (or judge) is authorized to reform the
invalid or enforceable provision [1] to the extent needed to avoid the
invalidity or unenforceability and [2] in a manner that is as similar as
possible to the intent (as described in this Agreement). The validity,
construction and interpretation of this Agreement and the rights and duties of
the Parties will be governed by the laws of the State of Ohio, without reference
to the Ohio choice of law rules.

10.04 NO WAIVER. Except as otherwise provided in Section 9.05, failure to insist
upon strict compliance with any term of this Agreement will not be considered a
waiver of any such term.

10.05 WITHHOLDING. All payments made to the Executive under this Agreement will
be reduced by any amount:

      [1] That the Company is required to withhold in advance payment of the
      Executive's federal, state and local income, wage and employment tax
      liability; and

      [2] To the extent allowed by law, that the Executive owes (or, after
      employment is deemed to owe) to the Company.

However, application of Section 10.05[2] will not extinguish the Company's right
to seek additional amounts from the Executive (or to pursue other appropriate
remedies) to the extent that the amount that may be recovered by application of
Section 10.05[2] does not fully discharge the amount the Executive owes to the
Company and does not preclude the Company from proceeding directly against the
Executive without first exhausting its right of recovery under Section 10.05[2].

10.06 SURVIVAL. The Parties agree that the covenants and promises set forth in
this Agreement will survive the termination of this Agreement and continue in
full force and effect.

10.07 MISCELLANEOUS.

      [1] The Executive may not assign any right or interest to, or in, any
      payments payable under this Agreement; provided, however, that this
      prohibition does not preclude the Executive from designating in writing
      one or more beneficiaries to receive any amount that may be payable after
      the Executive's death and does not preclude the legal representative of
      the Executive's estate from assigning any right under this Agreement to
      the person or persons entitled to it.

      [2] This Agreement will be binding upon and will inure to the benefit of
      the Executive, the Executive's heirs and legal representatives and the
      Company and its successors.

                                                  Initials _______ Date ________

                                       18
<PAGE>

      [3] The headings in this Agreement are inserted for convenience of
      reference only and will not be a part of or control or affect the meaning
      of any provision of the Agreement.

10.08 SUCCESSORS TO COMPANY. This Agreement may and will be assigned or
transferred to, and will be binding upon and will inure to the benefit of, any
successor of the Company, and any successor will be substituted for the Company
under the terms of this Agreement. As used in this Agreement, the term
"successor" means any person, firm, corporation or business entity which at any
time, whether by merger, purchase or otherwise, acquires all or essentially all
of the assets of the business of the Company. Notwithstanding any assignment,
the Company will remain, with any successor, jointly and severally liable for
all its obligations under this Agreement.

                   [Balance of Page intentionally left blank]

                                                  Initials _______ Date ________

                                       19
<PAGE>

      IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the Parties have duly executed and delivered this
Agreement, which includes an arbitration provision, and consists of 20 pages.

                                                BIG LOTS, INC.

                                                By: /s/ David T. Kollat
                                                   ----------------------------

                                                Signed: January 6, 2005

                                                BIG LOTS STORES, INC.

                                                By: /s/ Brad A. Waite
                                                   ----------------------------

                                                Signed: January 6, 2005

                                                MICHAEL J. POTTER

                                                /s/ Michael J. Potter
                                                -------------------------------
                                                Signed: January 6, 2005

                                                  Initials _______ Date ________

                                       20

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