Document:

ex10-1.htm

Exhibit 10.1

 

NINTH AMENDMENT TO LOAN DOCUMENTS

 

BUILD-A-BEAR WORKSHOP, INC. (“BABWI”), successor by merger to BUILD-A-BEAR WORKSHOP, LLC, BUILD-A-BEAR WORKSHOP FRANCHISE HOLDINGS, INC. (“BABWF”), BUILD-A-BEAR ENTERTAINMENT, LLC (“BABE”), BUILD-A-BEAR RETAIL MANAGEMENT, INC. (“BABRM”), jointly and severally (individually and collectively, the "Borrower"), and U.S. BANK NATIONAL ASSOCIATION ("Lender"), hereby agree as follows effective as of December 30, 2011 (the "Effective Date"):

 

	
1.

	
Recitals.

 

	
  

	
1.1

	
Lender and Build-A-Bear Workshop, LLC entered into a Loan Agreement and related loan and security documents dated as of March 1, 2000 pursuant to which the Lender extended a revolving credit facility to the Borrower (the “Loan”).

 

	
  

	
1.2

	
Lender, Build-A-Bear Workshop, LLC and BABWI entered into an assumption and amendment agreement dated as of April 3, 2000, whereby BABWI assumed all of the obligations of its predecessor in interest, Build-A-Bear Workshop, LLC.

 

	
  

	
1.3

	
Lender and Borrower amended the terms of the Loan by the First Amended and Restated Loan Agreement and related loan and security documents dated as of June 1, 2001 (the “First Amended Loan Agreement”).

 

	
  

	
1.4

	
Lender and Borrower amended and restated the First Amended Loan Agreement by the Second Amended and Restated Loan Agreement dated as of February 13, 2002 (the “Second Amended Loan Agreement”) and Borrower delivered to Lender in connection therewith the First Amended and Restated Revolving Credit Note and the First Amended and Restated Security Agreement.

 

	
  

	
1.5

	
Lender and Borrower amended the Second Amended Loan Agreement and related Loan Documents pursuant to the First Amendment to Loan Documents effective as of May 30, 2003 to add additional borrowers to the Loan Documents, to revise certain financial covenants in the Loan Documents, and to add Build-A-Bear Workshop Canada, Ltd. (“Bear Canada”) as a guarantor of the obligations under the Loan Documents.

 

	
  

	
1.6

	
Lender and Borrower amended the Second Amended Loan Agreement and related Loan Documents pursuant to the Second Amendment to Loan Documents effective as of December 31, 2003 to add an additional borrower to the Loan Documents.

 

	
  

	
1.7

	
Lender and Borrower amended the Second Amended Loan Agreement and related Loan Documents pursuant to the Third Amendment to Loan Documents effective as of May 31, 2004 to extend the Maturity Date and to change certain other terms and covenants in the Loan Documents.

 

  

 

  

 

	
  

	
1.8

	
Lender and Borrower amended the Second Amended Loan Agreement and related Loan Documents pursuant to the Fourth Amendment to Loan Documents effective as of September 28, 2004 to correct the name of Bear Canada.

 

	
  

	
1.9

	
Lender and Borrower amended and restated the Second Amended Loan Agreement by the Third Amended and Restated Loan Agreement dated as of May 31, 2005 (the “Third Amended Loan Agreement”) and Borrower delivered to Lender in connection therewith the Second Amended and Restated Revolving Credit Note.

 

	
  

	
1.10

	
Lender and Borrower amended the Third Amended Loan Agreement and related Loan Documents pursuant to the Fifth Amendment to Loan Documents effective as of June 30, 2006 to add Build-A-Bear Workshop UK Holdings, Ltd. (“Bear UK”) as a Borrower and to change certain other terms and covenants in the Loan Documents and Borrower delivered to Lender in connection therewith the Third Amended and Restated Revolving Credit Note.

 

	
  

	
1.11

	
Lender and Borrower amended the Third Amended Loan Agreement and related Loan Documents pursuant to the Sixth Amendment to Loan Documents effective as of June 19, 2007 to extend the Maturity Date.

 

	
  

	
1.12

	
Lender and Borrower amended and restated the Third Amended Loan Agreement by the Fourth Amended and Restated Loan Agreement dated as of August 11, 2008 (the “Fourth Amended Loan Agreement”) and Borrower delivered to Lender in connection therewith the Fourth Amended and Restated Revolving Credit Note (the “Fourth Amended Revolving Credit Note”).

 

	
  

	
1.13

	
Lender and Borrower amended the Fourth Amended Loan Agreement, the Forth Amended Revolving Note, and the related Loan Documents pursuant to the Seventh Amendment to Loan Documents effective as of October 28, 2009 to extend the Maturity Date, to adjust the rate of interest, and to modify certain covenants.

 

	
  

	
1.14

	
Lender and Borrower amended the Fourth Amended Loan Agreement, the Forth Amended Revolving Note, and the related Loan Documents pursuant to the Eighth Amendment to Loan Documents effective as of December 31, 2010 to extend the Maturity Date, to adjust the rate of interest, and to modify certain covenants.

 

	
  

	
1.15

	
Lender and Borrower intend to amend the Loan Documents by this Ninth Amendment to Loan Documents (the “Amendment”) to extend the Maturity Date, and to modify certain covenants.

 

	
  

	
1.16

	
Capitalized terms used herein and not otherwise defined will have the meanings given such terms in the Loan Agreement.

 

  

- 2 -

  

 

	
2.

	
Amendment.

 

	
  

	
2.1

	
Section 3.2 of the Fourth Amended Revolving Credit Note is hereby deleted and replaced with the following:

 

	
  

	
3.2

	
The entire outstanding principal balance, all accrued and unpaid interest thereon, and all other amounts due under the Loan Documents will be due and payable in full on December 31, 2013 (the "Maturity Date").

 

	
  

	
2.2

	
Section 6.4 of the Fourth Amended Loan Agreement is hereby deleted and replaced with the following:

 

	
  

	
6.4

	
Minimum Tangible Net Worth.  Permit the Tangible Net Worth of Borrower on a consolidated basis to be less than $90,000,000 at any time.  Such amount shall be increased by the amount of all equity contributions made to the Borrower on a consolidated basis from time to time and shall be reduced by the amount of dividends, share repurchases, or any other return of capital contributions permitted under this Agreement; provided however, that such reductions shall not cause the Tangible Net Worth of Borrower on a consolidated basis to be less than $90,000,000 at any time.

 

	
  

	
2.3

	
Section 6.8 of the Fourth Amended Loan Agreement is hereby deleted and replaced with the following:

 

	
  

	
6.8

	
Redemptions.   Purchase, retire, redeem or otherwise acquire for value, directly or indirectly, any shares of its capital stock now or hereafter outstanding; provided however, that Borrower may do so if no Event of Default or Default exists or will exist as a result of any such purchase, retirement, redemption or acquisition and such purchase, retirement, redemption or acquisition: (a) is not funded from the proceeds of the Revolving Credit Loan, and (b) would not violate any of the other terms of this Agreement or the Loan Documents.

 

	
3.

	
General.

 

	
  

	
3.1

	
Except as expressly modified herein, the Loan Documents, as amended, are and remain in full force and effect.  The Loan Documents are hereby ratified and confirmed as the continuing obligation of Borrower.  Nothing contained herein will be construed as waiving any Default or Event of Default under the Loan Documents or will affect or impair any right, power or remedy of Lender under or with respect to the Loan Documents, as amended, or any agreement or instrument guaranteeing, securing or otherwise relating to any of the Obligations.

 

	
  

	
3.2

	
Borrower represents and warrants to Lender that: (a) this Amendment and the documents to be executed by Borrower in connection with this Amendment have been duly authorized, executed and delivered by Borrower; (b) each has full power and authority to enter into this Amendment; (c) this Amendment and the documents executed by Borrower in connection with this Amendment constitute the legal, valid and binding obligations of Borrower enforceable in accordance with their respective terms except as such enforceability may be limited by applicable bankruptcy, reorganization, insolvency, moratorium or similar laws in effect from time to time affecting the rights of creditors generally and except as such enforceability may be subject to general principles of equity (regardless of whether such enforceability is considered in a proceeding in law or in equity); and (d) no Default or Event of Default exists. The representations and warranties of Borrower contained in the Loan Documents are deemed to have been made again on and as of the date of execution of this Amendment, except to the extent that such representations and warranties were expressly limited to an earlier date.

 

  

- 3 -

  

 

	
  

	
3.3

	
All representations and warranties made by Borrower herein will survive the execution and delivery of this Amendment.

 

	
  

	
3.4

	
This Amendment will be binding upon and inure to the benefit of Borrower and Lender and their respective successors and assigns.

 

	
  

	
3.5

	
Borrower will pay attorneys’ fees and expenses of Lender incurred in connection with this Amendment and related documentation.  Such fees, expenses may be charged to Borrower by Lender as a Revolving Advance.

 

	
  

	
3.6

	
This Amendment will in all respects be governed and construed in accordance with the laws of the State of Ohio.

 

	
  

	
3.7

	
A copy of this Amendment may be attached to the Note as an allonge. This Amendment is a “Loan Document” as defined in the Loan Agreement.

 

	
  

	
3.8

	
This Amendment and the documents and instruments to be executed hereunder constitute the entire agreement among the parties with respect to the subject matter hereof and shall not be amended, modified or terminated except by a writing signed by the party to be charged therewith.

 

	
  

	
3.9

	
Borrower agrees to execute such other instruments and documents and provide Lender with such further assurances as Lender may reasonably request to more fully carry out the intent of this Amendment.

 

	
  

	
3.10

	
This Amendment may be executed in a number of identical counterparts.  If so, each such counterpart shall collectively constitute one agreement. Any signature delivered by a party by facsimile transmission shall be deemed to be an original signature hereto.

 

	
  

	
3.11

	
No provision of this Amendment is intended or shall be construed to be for the benefit of any third party.

 

  

- 4 -

  

 

	
  

	
3.12

	
BORROWER AND LENDER HEREBY WAIVE ANY AND ALL RIGHT TO TRIAL BY JURY IN ANY ACTION RELATING TO THIS INSTRUMENT AND TO ANY OF THE LOAN DOCUMENTS, THE OBLIGATIONS THEREUNDER, ANY COLLATERAL SECURING THE OBLIGATIONS, OR ANY TRANSACTION ARISING THEREFROM OR CONNECTED THERETO. BORROWER AND LENDER EACH REPRESENTS TO THE OTHER THAT THIS WAIVER IS KNOWINGLY, WILLINGLY AND VOLUNTARILY GIVEN.

 

SIGNATURE PAGE FOLLOWS

 

  

- 5 -

  

 

SIGNATURE PAGE TO NINTH AMENDMENT TO LOAN DOCUMENTS

 

	  	  	
U.S. BANK NATIONAL ASSOCIATION

	  	  	
Lender

	  	  	  
	  	  	
By: /s/ Charles L. Thomas

	  	  	
Charles L. Thomas

	  	  	
Vice President

	  	  	
 

BUILD-A-BEAR WORKSHOP, INC.,

BUILD-A-BEAR WORKSHOP FRANCHISE HOLDINGS, INC.,

BUILD-A-BEAR RETAIL MANAGEMENT, INC.

	  	  	
Borrowers

	  	  	  
	  	  	
By: /s/ Maxine Clark

	  	  	
Maxine Clark

	  	  	
Chief Executive Officer

	  	  	  
	  	  	
BUILD-A-BEAR ENTERTAINMENT, LLC,

	  	  	
By:  Build-A-Bear Retail Management, Inc.,

Sole Member

Borrower

	  	  	  
	  	  	
By: /s/ Maxine Clark

	  	  	
Maxine Clark

	  	  	
Chief Executive Officer

 

- 6 -ex10-2.htm

Exhibit 10.2

 

UNITED STATES OF AMERICA

CONSUMER PRODUCT SAFETY COMMISSION

 

	 	)
	In the Matter of: 	)
	 	)
	 	)                                                CPSC Docket No.: 12-C0004
	BUILD-A-BEAR WORKSHOP, INC.	)
	 	)
	 	)

 

 

SETTLEMENT AGREEMENT

 

1.           In accordance with 16 C.F.R. §1118.20, Build-A-Bear Workshop, Inc. (“Build-A-Bear”) and staff of the United States Consumer Product Safety Commission (“Commission”) hereby enter into this Settlement Agreement (“Agreement”) under the Consumer Product Safety Act (“CPSA”). The Agreement and the incorporated attached Order resolve staff's allegations set forth below.

 

THE PARTIES

 

2.           Staff is the staff of the Commission, an independent federal regulatory agency established pursuant to, and responsible for, the enforcement of the CPSA, 15 U.S.C. §§2051-2089.

 

3.           Build-A-Bear is a corporation, organized and existing under the laws of the State of Delaware, with its principal corporate office located at 1954 Innerbelt Business Center Drive, St. Louis, Missouri 63114.

 

STAFF ALLEGATIONS

 

4.           Between March 2001 and October 2008, Build-A-Bear imported and sold to consumers approximately 260,000 folding wooden frame toy beach chairs (“Chairs”). The Chairs were sold through the Build-A-Bear Web site and at Build-A-Bear stores in the United States, the United Kingdom, and Canada for approximately $8.00 each.

 

5.           The Chairs are “consumer products” and, at all relevant times, Build-A-Bear was an “importer” of these consumer products, which were “distributed in commerce,” as those terms are defined or used in sections 3(a)(5), (8), and (11) of the CPSA, 15 U.S.C. §2052(a)(5), (8), and (11).

 

6.           The Chairs are defective because the sharp edges of the Chair's folding wooden frame can pinch, lacerate, or amputate a child's fingertip if the finger is caught between the frame as the Chair is folded.

 

  

  

  

 

7.           In July 2007, Build-A-Bear received its first complaint of injury involving the Chairs' folding wooden frame.

 

8.           In October 2008, Build-A-Bear stopped sale of the Chairs and issued a notice to its stores to return all Chairs in inventory to the Build-A-Bear storage warehouse.

 

9.           Between July 2007 and January 2009, Build-A-Bear became aware of 10 injury complaints caused by the Chairs.

 

10.         Despite knowledge of the information set forth in Paragraphs 6 through 9, Build-A-Bear did not report to the Commission until March 10, 2009. Build-A-Bear recalled the Chairs on May 14, 2009.

 

11.         Build-A-Bear had obtained sufficient information to reasonably support the conclusion that the Chairs contained a defect which could create a substantial product hazard, or that the Chairs created an unreasonable risk of serious injury or death, but Build-A-Bear failed to inform the Commission immediately of such defect or risk, as required by sections 15(b)(3) and (4) of the CPSA, 15 U.S.C. §2064(b)(3) and (4). In failing to inform the Commission about the Chairs immediately, Build-A-Bear knowingly violated section 19(a)(4) of the CPSA, 15 U.S.C. §2068(a)(4), as the term “knowingly” is defined in section 20(d) of the CPSA, 15 U.S.C. §2069(d).

 

12.         Pursuant to section 20 of the CPSA, 15 U.S.C. §2069, Build-A-Bear is subject to civil penalties for its knowing failure to report, as required under section 15(b) of the CPSA, 15 U.S.C. §2064(b).

 

RESPONSE OF BUILD-A-BEAR WORKSHOP, INC.

 

13.         Build-A-Bear denies the aforementioned staff allegations.

 

14.         Build-A-Bear sold approximately 200,000 Chairs over a six year period before it received any injury reports regarding the Chairs.

 

15.         On March 10, 2009 Build-A-Bear filed a Section 15 Report under the Commission's Fast Track Program initiating a voluntary recall. Up until that time, Build-A-Bear denies that it had sufficient information regarding injuries associated with the product to conclude that the Chairs contained a defect which could create a substantial product hazard or create an unreasonable risk of serious injury or death. Therefore, Build-A-Bear denies that it violated the reporting requirements of Section 15(b) of the CPSA, 15 U.S.C. §2064(b).

 

AGREEMENT OF THE PARTIES

 

16.         Under the CPSA, the Commission has jurisdiction over this matter and over Build-A-Bear.

 

  

  

  

 

17.         In settlement of staff's allegations, Build-A-Bear shall pay a civil penalty in the amount of $600,000.00 within 20 calendar days of receiving service of the Commission's final Order accepting the Agreement. The payment shall be made electronically to the CPSC via http://www.pay.gov.

 

18.          Build-A-Bear agrees that it will not seek or accept, directly or indirectly, indemnification, reimbursement, insurance, or any other form of compensation or payment, including, but not limited to, cash, account credit, or setoff, from any manufacturer, importer, or retail store, or from any other firm or person, for the civil penalty that Build-A-Bear agrees to pay pursuant to this Agreement and Order.

 

19.         The parties enter into this Agreement for settlement purposes only. The Agreement does not constitute an admission by Build-A-Bear, nor does it constitute a determination by the Commission, that Build-A-Bear violated the CPSA's reporting requirements.

 

20.         Upon provisional acceptance of the Agreement by the Commission, the Agreement shall be placed on the public record and published in the Federal Register in accordance with the procedures set forth in 16 C.F.R. §1118.20(e). If the Commission does not receive any written request not to accept the Agreement within 15 calendar days, the Agreement shall be deemed finally accepted on the 16th calendar day after the date it is published in the Federal Register, in accordance with 16 C.F.R. §1118.20(f).

 

21.         Upon the Commission's final acceptance of the Agreement and issuance of the final Order, Build-A- Bear knowingly, voluntarily, and completely waives any rights it may have in this matter to the following: (a) an administrative or judicial hearing; (b) judicial review or other challenge or contest of the Commission's actions; (c) a determination by the Commission of whether Build-A-Bear failed to comply with the CPSA and the underlying regulations; (d) a statement of findings of fact and conclusions of law; and (e) any claims under the Equal Access to Justice Act.

 

22.         The Commission may publicize the terms of the Agreement and the Order.

 

23.         The Agreement and the Order shall apply to, and be binding upon, Build-A-Bear and each of its successors and/or assigns.

 

24.         The Commission issues the Order under the provisions of the CPSA, and a violation of the Order may subject Build-A-Bear and each of its successors and/or assigns to appropriate legal action.

 

25.         The Agreement may be used in interpreting the Order. Understandings, agreements, representations, or interpretations apart from those contained in the Agreement and the Order may not be used to vary or contradict the terms or the Agreement and the Order. The Agreement shall not be waived, amended, modified, or otherwise altered without written agreement thereto, executed by the party against whom such waiver, amendment, modification, or alteration is sought to be enforced.

 

  

  

  

 

26.         If any provision of the Agreement or the Order is held to be illegal, invalid, or unenforceable under present or future laws effective during the terms of the Agreement and the Order, such provision shall be fully severable. The balance of the Agreement and the Order shall remain in full force and effect, unless the Commission and Build-A-Bear agree that severing the provision materially affects the purpose of the Agreement and Order.

 

BUILD-A-BEAR WORKSHOP, INC.

Dated: September 27, 2011

By: /s/ Eric R. Fencl

Eric R. Fencl, General Counsel

Build-A-Bear Workshop, Inc.

1954 Innerbelt Business Center Drive

St. Louis, MO 63114

Dated:  September 27, 2011.

By:  /s/ Stephen L. Hill

Stephen L. Hill, Esquire

Husch Blackwell LLP

4801 Main Street, Suite 1000

Kansas City, MO 64112

Counsel for Build-A-Bear Workshop, Inc.

U.S. CONSUMER PRODUCT SAFETY

COMMISSION STAFF

Cheryl A. Falvey

General Counsel

Mary B. Murphy

Assistant General Counsel

Dated:   December 2, 2011

By: /s/ Belinda V. Bell

Belinda V. Bell, Trial Attorney

Division of Compliance

Office of the General Counsel

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