Document:

EMPLOYMENT AGREEMENT BETWEEN COMPANY AND MICHAEL LUCE

 Exhibit 10.37 
  
 August 1, 2003 
  
 Mr. Michael Luce 
 2020 247th Place N.E. 
 Sammamish, WA 98074 
  
 Dear Mike: 
  
 The Brookstone Company and I are extremely pleased to offer you the position of President and Chief Executive Officer, Gardeners
Eden. There are many exciting challenges ahead and we look forward to both a mutually productive and an enjoyable relationship. As reviewed, here are the details of the offer we are extending to you: 
  

	•	 	You are joining Brookstone as President and CEO of Gardeners Eden, reporting directly to Michael Anthony, Chairman, President and CEO of Brookstone, Inc.

  

	•	 	Your start date will be on or about, August 18, 2003. 

  

	•	 	Your base salary will be $4,807.69 per week ($250,000 annualized). 

  

	•	 	You will receive a one-time sign on Bonus of $80,000, which will be paid 60 days after your first day of employment. During your new Associate orientation, you will be asked to sign
a “Sign on Bonus Payment Agreement.” 

  

	•	 	Your first annual performance review will be administered on or about April 15, 2004, retroactive to February 1, 2004. 

  

	•	 	You will participate in our Management Incentive Bonus (MIB) program. Based on Gardeners Eden performance in the year 2004, you will be eligible for a bonus payment up to a
threshold of 40% of your base salary . If Gardeners Eden exceeds its goals the maximum payout under the plan is 100%. Seventy percent of your bonus payment is guaranteed based on Gardeners Eden reaching its 2004 Operating Income goals, thirty
percent is based on your individual performance rating as reviewed by the CEO and Board of Directors. You will be guaranteed a $50,000 minimum bonus for 2003 payable the first week of February 2004. 

 Michael Luce 
 Page 2

  

	•	 	Upon Board approval you will be granted an option to purchase 50,000 shares of Brookstone stock. 25,000 of these stock options will vest at 25% per year over a four year period.
25,000 will cliff vest after four years of service. The option price will be fixed on your start date.  

  

	•	 	You are eligible to receive a car allowance of $500.00 per month towards a leased or purchased automobile. Brookstone will pay for insurance, registration, maintenance, repairs and
all gas expenses related to company business. 

  

	•	 	Brookstone will bear the reasonable cost of temporary housing accommodations for you and your family for a period of 180 days. 

  

	•	 	Brookstone will pay for two house-hunting trips for you and your spouse. 

  

	•	 	When you relocate, Brookstone will bear the reasonable cost of packing and moving your household. We will supply you with the names of two companies to give you estimates.

  

	•	 	Brookstone will reimburse you for usual closing costs and legal expenses involved in purchasing your new home in New Hampshire or Massachusetts, including up to two mortgage points.

  

	•	 	Brookstone does not pay real estate fees for either your New Hampshire or Sammamish homes. 

  

	•	 	You will receive incidental pay for one week when you move into your new home. Please advise Carol Lambert when this takes place. 

  

	•	 	Brookstone will gross up all relocation items that are required to be included in your gross income and are not tax deductible to you, up to a maximum of $15,000 (net).

  

	•	 	During your new Associate orientation, you will be asked to sign a “Relocation Expense Payment Agreement.” 

  

	•	 	You, like all Company executives, will be required to sign a Confidentiality Agreement and a release authorizing Brookstone to conduct a background check. 

 

	•	 	You will become eligible for coverage under the medical plan following 30 days of employment. Single coverage costs $17.03 per week, two-person coverage $30.65 per week, and family
coverage is $45.97 per week. 

 Michael Luce 
 Page 3

  

	•	 	You will become eligible for coverage under the dental plan, following 30 days of employment. Single coverage costs $5.11 per month, two person coverage $9.20 per month, and family
coverage is $13.79 per month. 

  

	•	 	You are eligible to participate in our Flexible Spending Medical Reimbursement and Dependent Care Accounts following 30 days of employment. 

  

	•	 	After 90 days of employment you become eligible to participate in our Profit Sharing plan. Profit Sharing payouts are pro-rated and subject to Company performance and Board
approval. 

  

	•	 	Immediately upon your date of hire, you are eligible to receive a 30% discount off of the retail price of Brookstone and Gardeners Eden merchandise. 

  

	•	 	As a Salaried Associate, you will receive two times your annual salary in group life insurance, double indemnity, upon employment. Brookstone pays the premium for this policy.

  

	•	 	You will become eligible for Short Term Disability plan benefits after 90 days of employment. You will become eligible for Long Term Disability insurance coverage the first of the
month after 180 days of employment. Brookstone pays the premium for these policies. 

  

	•	 	You will become eligible for participation in our Employee Assistance Program after 180 days of employment. You will receive information on this program at that time.

  

	•	 	You will become eligible for enrollment in the Company’s 401(k) the first of the month after you meet the following conditions (eligibility is determined on a monthly basis):

  
 • are 21 years of age or older;

  
 • have 90 days of service. 

 Michael Luce 
 Page 4

  

	•	 	Once you have completed one full year of service (with a minimum of 1000 hours), Brookstone will match 100% of the first 4% of your compensation contributed to the 401(k) plan. This
matching contribution is dependent upon being employed on the last date of the plan year (December 31st). You are immediately vested in any matching contribution once deposited into your account. 

  

	•	 	Based on your date of hire, you are eligible for three weeks of vacation in 2004. 

  

	•	 	In the unlikely event your employment is terminated by the Company other than for cause, you will receive a severance package consisting of your base salary for a maximum period of
up to twelve (12) months. Any self-employment or other income from employment earned during the 12 month period following termination shall reduce the severance package payable. 

  
 The policies and benefits that are summarized here have been voluntarily adopted by
Brookstone and may be changed from time to time, with or without notice, and do not create any contractual rights or obligations, nor do they create a contract of employment for any specific term. 
  
 What is presented in this letter is only a summary; the actual provisions of each benefit
plan or insurance policy will govern if there is any discrepancy. If anything here is inconsistent with any federal, state, or local laws, Brookstone will comply with its obligations under such laws. Brookstone values its employees and looks forward
to a mutually satisfactory employment relationship. It is of course understood, however, that you are an employee-at-will and that neither you nor Brookstone is obligated to continue in our employment relationship if either of us does not wish to do
so. 
  
 We are very pleased that you have decided to accept our offer. Brookstone
is the kind of place where your contributions will be utilized and recognized. You will be an excellent addition to our team. 
  
 Kindly indicate your acknowledgment and acceptance of the terms of this letter by signing the enclosed copy on the space provided. Please keep one copy for your records
and return the signed copy to this office. 
  

	 Sincerely,
	    	 
		
	 Michael Anthony
	    	 
	 Chairman, President and CEO
  

	    	

	Michael Luce	    	DateRestated Employment Severance Agreement - Mike Allen

 Exhibit 10.1 
  
 RESTATED EMPLOYMENT SEVERANCE AGREEMENT 
  
 This Restated Severance Agreement (the “Agreement”) is made and entered into effective as of June 19, 2003 (the
“Effective Date”), by and between Mike Allen (the “Executive”) and Cost Plus, Inc. (the “Company”). 
  
 R E C I T A L S 
  
 A. The Board believes the Company should provide the Executive with certain severance benefits should the Executive’s employment with the Company
terminate under certain circumstances, such benefits to provide the Executive with enhanced financial security and sufficient incentive and encouragement to remain with the Company. 
  
 B. This Agreement amends and restates that Employment Severance Agreement dated March 1, 2002, and amended on March 1, 2003
between the Company and the Executive. 
  
 C. Certain capitalized
terms used in the Agreement are defined in Section 6 below. 
  
 AGREEMENT 
  
 In consideration of the mutual
covenants herein contained, and in consideration of the continuing employment of Executive by the Company, the Original Agreement is hereby amended and restated in its entirety as set forth herein, and the parties further agree as follows:

  
 1. Duties and Scope of Employment. The Company shall
employ the Executive in the position of Senior Vice President in charge of Stores with such duties, responsibilities and compensation as in effect as of the Effective Date. The Board and the Chief Executive Officer of the Company (the
“CEO”) shall have the right to revise such responsibilities and compensation from time to time as the Board or the CEO may deem necessary or appropriate. If any such revision constitutes “Involuntary Termination” as defined in
Section 6(c) of this Agreement, the Executive shall be entitled to benefits upon such Involuntary Termination as provided under this Agreement. 
  
 2. At-Will Employment. The Company and the Executive acknowledge that the Executive’s employment is and shall continue to be at-will, as
defined under applicable law. If the Executive’s employment terminates for any reason, the Executive shall not be entitled to any payments, benefits, damages, awards or compensation other than as provided by this Agreement, or as may otherwise
be available in accordance with the Company’s established employee plans and practices or in accordance with other agreements between the Company and the Executive. This Agreement shall remain in effect until the earlier of (i) the date that
all obligations of the parties hereunder have been satisfied or (ii) the date upon which this Agreement terminates by consent of the parties hereto. 
  
 3. Severance Benefits. 
  
 (a) Benefits upon Termination. Except as provided in Section 3(b), if the Executive’s employment terminates as a result of Involuntary
Termination prior to June 15, 2004 and 

 
the Executive signs a Release of Claims, then the Company shall pay Executive’s Base Compensation to the Executive for six (6) months from the
Termination Date with each monthly installment payable on the last day of such month. Executive shall not be entitled to receive any payments if Executive voluntarily terminates employment other than as a result of an Involuntary Termination.

  
 (b) Benefits upon Termination After a Change of
Control. If after a Change of Control the Executive’s employment terminates as a result of Involuntary Termination prior to June 15, 2004 and the Executive signs a Release of Claims, then the Company shall pay Executive’s Base
Compensation to the Executive for nine (9) months from the Termination Date with each monthly installment payable on the last day of such month. Executive shall not be entitled to receive any payments if Executive voluntarily terminates employment
other than as a result of an Involuntary Termination. 
  
 (c)
Stock Options; Bonus. Except as otherwise provided in the Company’s 1995 Stock Option Plan or in Executive’s stock option agreements, Executive shall not be entitled to receive any unvested stock options or partial bonus payments
for an incomplete bonus plan year. 
  
 (d) Miscellaneous.
In addition, (i) the Company shall pay the Executive any unpaid base salary due for periods prior to the Termination Date; (ii) the Company shall pay the Executive all of the Executive’s accrued and unused vacation through the Termination Date;
and (iii) following submission of proper expense reports by the Executive, the Company shall reimburse the Executive for all expenses reasonably and necessarily incurred by the Executive in connection with the business of the Company prior to
termination. These payments shall be made promptly upon termination and within the period of time mandated by applicable law. 
  
 4. Limitation on Payments. In the event that the severance and other benefits provided for in this Agreement or otherwise payable to the Executive
(i) constitute “parachute payments” within the meaning of Section 280G of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended (the “Code”) and (ii) but for this Section 4, would be subject to the excise tax imposed by Section 4999 of
the Code, then the Employee’s severance benefits under Section 3(b) shall be either: 
  
 delivered in full, or 
  
 delivered as to such lesser extent which would result in no portion of such severance benefits being subject to excise tax under Section 4999 of the Code, 
  
 whichever of the foregoing amounts, taking into account the applicable federal, state and local income taxes and the excise tax imposed by
Section 4999, results in the receipt by the Executive on an after-tax basis, of the greatest amount of severance benefits, notwithstanding that all or some portion of such severance benefits may be taxable under Section 4999 of the Code. Unless the
Company and the Executive otherwise agree in writing, any determination required under this Section 4 shall be made in writing by the Company’s independent public accountants immediately prior to Change of Control (the “Accountants”),
whose determination shall be conclusive and binding upon the Executive and the Company for all purposes. For purposes of making the 

  

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calculations required by this Section 4, the Accountants may make reasonable assumptions and approximations concerning applicable taxes and may rely on
reasonable, good faith interpretations concerning the application of Sections 280G and 4999 of the Code. The Company and the Executive shall furnish to the Accountants such information and documents as the Accountants may reasonably request in order
to make a determination under this Section. The Company shall bear all costs the Accountants may reasonably incur in connection with any calculations contemplated by this Section 4. 
  
 5. Non-Solicitation. In consideration for the mutual agreements as set forth herein, Executive agrees that Executive
shall not, at any time, within twelve (12) months following termination of Executive’s employment with the Company for any reason, directly or indirectly solicit the employment or other services of any individual who at that time shall be or
within the prior twelve (12) months shall have been an employee of the Company. 
  
 6. Definition of Terms. The following terms referred to in this Agreement shall have the following meanings: 
  
 (a) Base Compensation. “Base Compensation” shall mean Executive’s monthly base salary for services performed based on the average
base salary for the six (6) months prior to the Termination Date. 
  
 (b) Cause. “Cause,” unless otherwise defined in the Agreement evidencing a particular Option, means an Eligible Individual’s (i) intentional failure to perform reasonably assigned duties, (ii) dishonesty or willful
misconduct in the performance of duties, (iii) engaging in a transaction in connection with the performance of duties to the Company or any of its Subsidiaries thereof which transaction is adverse to the interests of the Company or any of its
Subsidiaries and which is engaged in for personal profit or (iv) willful violation of any law, rule or regulation in connection with the performance of duties (other than traffic violations or similar offenses). 
  
 (c) “Change of Control” means the occurrence of any of the
following events: 
  
 (i) The acquisition by any
“person” (as such term is used in Sections 13(d) and 14(d) of the Exchange Act) (other than the Company or a person that directly or indirectly controls, is controlled by, or is under common control with, the Company) of the
“beneficial ownership” (as defined in Rule 13d-3 under the Exchange Act), directly or indirectly, of securities of the Company representing fifty percent (50%) or more of the total voting power represented by the Company’s then
outstanding voting securities; 
  
 (ii) A change in the
composition of the Board of Directors of the Company occurring within a two-year period, as a result of which fewer than a majority of the directors are Incumbent Directors. “Incumbent Directors” shall mean directors who either (A) are
directors of the Company as of the date hereof, or (B) are elected, or nominated for election, to the Board of Directors of the Company with the affirmative votes of at least a majority of the Incumbent Directors at the time of such election or
nomination (but shall not include an individual not 

  

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otherwise an Incumbent Director whose election or nomination is in connection with an actual or threatened proxy contest relating to the election of
directors to the Company); 
  
 (iii) A merger or consolidation of
the Company with any other corporation, other than a merger or consolidation which would result in the voting securities of the Company outstanding immediately prior thereto continuing to represent (either by remaining outstanding or by being
converted into voting securities of the surviving entity) at least fifty percent (50%) of the total voting power represented by the voting securities of the Company or such surviving entity outstanding immediately after such merger or consolidation,
or the approval by the stockholders of the Company of a plan of complete liquidation of the Company or of an agreement for the sale or disposition by the Company of all or substantially all the Company’s assets; 
  
 (iv) The sale of all or substantially all of the assets of the Company
determined on a consolidated basis; or 
  
 (v) The complete
liquidation or dissolution of the Company. 
  
 (d) Involuntary
Termination. “Involuntary Termination” shall mean: 
  
 (i) termination of Executive’s employment by the Company for any reason other than Cause; 
  
 (ii) a material reduction in Executive’s salary, other than any such reduction which is part of, and generally consistent with, a general reduction
of officer salaries; 
  
 (iii) a material reduction by the
Company in the kind or level of employee benefits (other than salary and bonus) to which Executive is entitled immediately prior to such reduction with the result that Executive’s overall benefits package (other than salary and bonus) is
substantially reduced (other than any such reduction applicable to officers of the Company generally); 
  
 (iv) any material breach by the Company of any material provision of this Agreement which continues uncured for 30 days following notice thereof;

  
 provided that none of the foregoing shall constitute
Involuntary Termination to the extent Executive has agreed thereto. 
  
 (e) Release of Claims. “Release of Claims” shall mean a waiver by Executive, in a form satisfactory to the Company, of all employment related obligations of and claims and causes of action against the Company. 

 
 (f) Termination Date. “Termination Date” shall mean the
date on which an event which would constitute Involuntary Termination occurs, or the later of (i) the date on which a notice of termination is given, or (ii) the date (which shall not be more than thirty (30) days after the giving of such notice)
specified in such notice. 
  

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 7. Confidentiality. Executive acknowledges that during the course of Executive’s employment,
Executive will have produced and/or have access to confidential information, records, notebooks, data, formula, specifications, trade secrets, customer lists and secret inventions, and processes of the Company and its affiliated companies.
Therefore, during or subsequent to Executive’s employment by the Company, Executive agrees to hold in confidence and not directly or indirectly to disclose or use or copy or make lists of any such information, except to the extent authorized by
the Company in writing. All records, files, drawings, documents, equipment, and the like, or copies thereof, relating to the Company’s business, or the business of an affiliated company, which Executive shall prepare, or use, or come into
contact with, shall be and remain the sole property of the Company, or of an affiliated company, and shall not be removed from the Company’s or the affiliated company’s premises without its written consent, and shall be promptly returned
to the Company upon termination of employment with the Company. 
  
 8. Successors. 
  
 (a) Company’s
Successors. Any successor to the Company (whether direct or indirect and whether by purchase, lease, merger, consolidation, liquidation or otherwise) to all or substantially all of the Company’s business and/or assets shall assume the
obligations under this Agreement and agree expressly to perform the obligations under this Agreement in the same manner and to the same extent as the Company would be required to perform such obligations in the absence of a succession. For all
purposes under this Agreement, the term “Company” shall include any successor to the Company’s business and/or assets which executes and delivers the assumption agreement pursuant to this subsection (a) or which becomes bound by the
terms of this Agreement by operation of law. 
  
 (b)
Executive’s Successors. The terms of this Agreement and all rights of the Executive hereunder shall inure to the benefit of, and be enforceable by, the Executive’s personal or legal representatives, executors, administrators,
successors, heirs, distributees, devisees and legatees. 
  
 9.
Notice. 
  
 (a) General. Notices and all other
communications contemplated by this Agreement shall be in writing and shall be deemed to have been duly given when personally delivered or when mailed by U.S. registered or certified mail, return receipt requested and postage prepaid. In the case of
the Executive, mailed notices shall be addressed to Executive at the home address which Executive most recently communicated to the Company in writing. In the case of the Company, mailed notices shall be addressed to its corporate headquarters, and
all notices shall be directed to the attention of its CEO. 
  
 (b) Notice of Termination. Any termination by the Company for Cause or by the Executive as a result of a voluntary resignation or an Involuntary Termination shall be communicated by a notice of termination to the other party hereto
given in accordance with Section 9(a) of this Agreement. Such notice shall indicate the specific termination provision in this Agreement relied upon, shall set forth in reasonable detail the facts and circumstances claimed to provide a basis for
termination under the provision so indicated, and shall specify the termination 

  

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date (which shall be not more than 30 days after the giving of such notice). The failure by the Executive to include in the notice any fact or circumstance
which contributes to a showing of Involuntary Termination shall not waive any right of the Executive hereunder or preclude the Executive from asserting such fact or circumstance in enforcing Executive’s rights hereunder. 
  
 10. Miscellaneous Provisions. 
  
 (a) No Duty to Mitigate. The Executive shall not be required to
mitigate the amount of any payment contemplated by this Agreement, nor shall any such payment be reduced by any earnings that the Executive may receive from any other source. 
  
 (b) Waiver. No provision of this Agreement shall be modified, waived or discharged unless the modification, waiver
or discharge is agreed to in writing and signed by the Executive and by an authorized officer of the Company (other than the Executive). No waiver by either party of any breach of, or of compliance with, any condition or provision of this Agreement
by the other party shall be considered a waiver of any other condition or provision or of the same condition or provision at another time. 
  
 (c) Whole Agreement. No agreements, representations or understandings (whether oral or written and whether express or implied) which are not
expressly set forth in this Agreement have been made or entered into by either party with respect to the subject matter hereof. 
  
 (d) Severance Provisions in Other Agreements. The Executive acknowledges and agrees that the severance provisions set forth in this Agreement
shall supersede any such provisions in any employment agreement entered into between the Executive and the Company. 
  
 (e) Choice of Law. The validity, interpretation, construction and performance of this Agreement shall be governed by the laws of the State of
California. 
  
 (f) Severability. The invalidity or
unenforceability of any provision or provisions of this Agreement shall not affect the validity or enforceability of any other provision hereof, which shall remain in full force and effect. 
  
 (g) No Assignment of Benefits. The rights of any person to payments
or benefits under this Agreement shall not be made subject to option or assignment, either by voluntary or involuntary assignment or by operation of law, including (without limitation) bankruptcy, garnishment, attachment or other creditor’s
process, and any action in violation of this subsection shall be void. 
  
 (h) Employment Taxes. All payments made pursuant to this Agreement will be subject to withholding of applicable income and employment taxes. 
  
 (i) Assignment by Company. The Company may assign its rights under this Agreement to an affiliate, and an affiliate may assign its rights under
this Agreement to another affiliate of the Company or to the Company; provided, however, that no assignment shall be made if 

  

 6 

 
the net worth of the assignee is less than the net worth of the Company at the time of assignment. In the case of any such assignment, the term
“Company” when used in a section of this Agreement shall mean the corporation that actually employs the Executive. 
  
 (j) Counterparts. This Agreement may be executed in counterparts, each of which shall be deemed an original, but all of which together will
constitute one and the same instrument. 
  
 IN WITNESS WHEREOF,
each of the parties has executed this Agreement, in the case of the Company by its duly authorized officer, as of the day and year first above written. 
  

	 COMPANY:
	 	 	 	 COST PLUS, INC.

			
	 	 	 	 	 /s/ Murray Dashe

	 	 	 	 	 By: Murray Dashe

	 	 	 	 	 
	 	 	 	 	 Chairman, CEO and President

	 	 	 	 	 Title

	 	 	 	 	 
	 Executive:
	 	 	 	 /s/ Mike Allen

	 	 	 	 	 MIKE ALLEN

  

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