Document:

<PAGE>
                                                                     EXHIBIT 4.1

NUMBER                    CARIBOU COFFEE COMPANY, INC.                    SHARES

              INCORPORATED UNDER THE LAWS OF THE STATE OF MINNESOTA

                                                      SEE REVERSE SIDE
                                                  FOR CERTAIN DEFINITIONS

                                                      CUSIP 142042 20 9

THIS CERTIFIES THAT

is the owner of

         FULLY PAID AND NON-ASSESSABLE COMMON SHARES, $.01 PAR VALUE, OF

                           CARIBOU COFFEE COMPANY, INC.
transferable on the books of the Corporation by the holder hereof in person or
by Attorney upon surrender of this certificate properly endorsed. This
certificate is not valid unless countersigned by the Transfer Agent and
Registrar.

         IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the said Corporation has caused this certificate to
be signed by facsimile signatures of its duly authorized officers.

Dated:

        /s/ Daniel E. Lee                             /s/ Michael J. Coles
            SECRETARY                                       PRESIDENT

             AMERICAN FINANCIAL PRINTING INCORPORATED - MINNEAPOLIS

                                               COUNTERSIGNED AND REGISTERED
                                                      WELLS FARGO BANK, N.A.

                                                      TRANSFER AGENT
                                                      AND REGISTRAR

                                                      AUTHORIZED SIGNATURE
<PAGE>

THE FOLLOWING ABBREVIATIONS, WHEN USED IN THE INSCRIPTION ON THE FACE OF THIS
CERTIFICATE, SHALL BE CONSTRUED AS THOUGH THEY WERE WRITTEN OUT IN FULL
ACCORDING TO APPLICABLE LAWS OR REGULATIONS:

TEN COM - AS TENANTS IN COMMON                 UTMA -       CUSTODIAN
                                                     ------           --------
                                                     (CUST)            (MINOR)
TEN ENT - AS TENANTS BY ENTIRETIES             UNDER UNIFORM TRANSFER TO MINORS

JT TEN  - AS JOINT TENANTS WITH
          RIGHT OF SURVIVORSHIP AND               ACT
          NOT AS TENANTS IN COMMON                   -------------------------
                                                             (STATE)

     ADDITIONAL ABBREVIATIONS MAY ALSO BE USED THOUGH NOT IN THE ABOVE LIST.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

FOR VALUE RECEIVED _____ HEREBY SELL, ASSIGN AND TRANSFER UNTO

PLEASE INSERT SOCIAL SECURITY OR OTHER
   IDENTIFYING NUMBER OF ASSIGNEE

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
PLEASE PRINT OR TYPEWRITE NAME AND ADDRESS INCLUDING POSTAL ZIP CODE OF ASSIGNEE

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

                                                                          SHARES
--------------------------------------------------------------------------
OF THE CAPITAL STOCK REPRESENTED BY THE WITHIN CERTIFICATE, AND DO HEREBY
IRREVOCABLY CONSTITUTE AND APPOINT ___________________________________ATTORNEY
TO TRANSFER THE SAID STOCK ON THE BOOKS OF THE WITHIN-NAMED CORPORATION WITH
FULL POWER OF SUBSTITUTION IN THE PREMISES.

DATED
                                    --------------------------------------------

                                    --------------------------------------------
                                    NOTE: THE SIGNATURE TO THIS ASSIGNMENT MUST
                                    CORRESPOND WITH THE NAME AS WRITTEN UPON THE
                                    FACE OF THE CERTIFICATE IN EVERY PARTICULAR
                                    WITHOUT ALTERATION OR ENLARGEMENT OR ANY
                                    CHANGE WHATEVER.

SIGNATURE GUARANTEED

ALL GUARANTEES MUST BE MADE BY A FINANCIAL
INSTITUTION (SUCH AS A BANK OR BROKER) WHICH
IS A PARTICIPANT IN THE SECURITIES TRANSFER
AGENTS MEDALLION PROGRAM ("STAMP"), THE NEW
YORK STOCK EXCHANGE, INC. MEDALLION
SIGNATURE PROGRAM ("MSP"), OR THE STOCK
EXCHANGES MEDALLION PROGRAM ("SEMP") AND MUST
NOT BE DATED GUARANTEES BY A NOTARY PUBLIC
ARE NOT ACCEPTABLE.<PAGE>
                                                                     EXHIBIT 4.2

                  THE EXECUTIVE NONQUALIFIED EXCESS PLAN (SM)
                               ADOPTION AGREEMENT

                    FOR PLANS EFFECTIVE AFTER OCTOBER 3, 2004

            THIS AGREEMENT is made the 4th day of February, 2005 by KIRKLAND'S,
INC. (the "Employer"), having its principal office at 805 N. PARKWAY, JACKSON,
TN 38305 and EXECUTIVE BENEFIT SERVICES, INC. (the "Provider"), having its
principal office at 4140 ParkLake Avenue, Suite 500, Raleigh, North Carolina
27612.

                                   WITNESSETH:

            WHEREAS, the Provider has established The Executive Nonqualified
Excess Plan (SM) (the "Plan"); and

            WHEREAS, the Employer desires to adopt the Plan as an unfunded,
nonqualified deferred compensation plan; and

            WHEREAS, the Employer has been advised by the Provider to obtain
legal and tax advice from its professional advisors before adopting the Plan,
and that the Provider disclaims all liability for the legal and tax consequences
which result from the elections made by the Employer in this Adoption Agreement;

            NOW, THEREFORE, the Employer hereby adopts the Plan in accordance
with the terms and conditions set forth in this Adoption Agreement:

                                    ARTICLE I

            Terms used in this Adoption Agreement shall have the same meaning as
in the Plan, unless some other meaning is expressly herein set forth. The
Employer hereby represents and warrants that the Plan has been adopted by the
Employer upon proper authorization and the Employer hereby elects to adopt the
Plan for the benefit of its Participants as referred to in the Plan. By the
execution of this Adoption Agreement, the Employer hereby agrees to be bound by
the terms of the Plan.

            This Adoption Agreement may only be used in connection with The
Executive Nonqualified Excess Plan (SM). The Provider will inform the Employer
of any amendments to the Plan or of the discontinuance or abandonment of the
Plan. For questions concerning the Plan, the Employer may call the Provider at
(919) 833-1042

                                    (C) 10/2004 EXECUTIVE BENEFIT SERVICES, INC.

<PAGE>

                                   ARTICLE II

The Employer hereby makes the following designations or elections for the
purpose of the Plan:

2.6   COMMITTEE: The duties of the Committee set forth in the Plan shall be
      satisfied by:

      [XX]  (a) The administrative committee of at least three individuals
                appointed by the Board to serve at the pleasure of the Board.

      [  ]  (b) Employer.

      [  ]  (c) Other (specify): _______________________________________.

2.7   COMPENSATION: The "Compensation" of a Participant shall mean all of a
      Participant's:

      [XX]  (a) Base salary.

      [XX]  (b) Service Bonus.

      [  ]  (c) Performance-Based Compensation earned in a period of 12 months
                or more.

      [  ]   (d) Commissions.

      [  ]   (e) Compensation received as an Independent Contractor reportable
                 on Form 1099.

      [  ]   (f) Other:  ______________________________________________.

2.8   CREDITING DATE: The Deferred Compensation Account of a Participant shall
      be credited with the amount of any Salary Deferral Credits to such account
      at the time designated below:

      [  ] (a) The last business day of each Plan Year.

      [  ] (b) The last business day of each calendar quarter during the Plan
               Year.

      [  ] (c) The last business day of each month during the Plan Year.

      [  ] (d) The last business day of each payroll period during the Plan
               Year.

      [  ] (e) Each pay day as reported by the Employer.

      [XX] (f) Any business day on which Salary Deferral Credits are received
               by the Provider.

      [  ]  (g) Other: ______________________________________________.

                                      -2-

<PAGE>

2.12     EFFECTIVE DATE:

         [XX] (a) This is a newly-established Plan, and the Effective Date
                  of the Plan is MARCH 1, 2005.

         [  ] (b) This is an amendment and restatement of a plan named
                  __________________ with an effective date of ________________.

                  The Effective Date of this amended and restated Plan is
                  ___________.

                  This is amendment number _____.

2.18     NORMAL RETIREMENT AGE: The Normal Retirement Age of a Participant shall
         be:

         [XX] (a) Age 65.

         [  ] (b) The later of age ____ or the ______ anniversary of the
                  participation commencement date. The participation
                  commencement date is the first day of the first Plan Year in
                  which the Participant commenced participation in the Plan.

         [XX] (c) Other: THE COMPLETION OF 10 YEARS OF SERVICE & ATTAINMENT
                  OF AGE 55.

2.20     PARTICIPATING EMPLOYER(s): As of the Effective Date, the following
         Participating Employer(s) are parties to the Plan:

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
Name of Employer                              Address                       Telephone No.             EIN
----------------                              -------                       -------------             ---
<S>                                        <C>                             <C>                     <C>
  Kirkland's, Inc.                         805 North Parkway
                                           Jackson, TN 38305               (731) 668-2444          62-1287151

Kirkland's Stores, Inc.                    805 North Parkway               (731) 668-2444          62-1804982
                                           Jackson, TN 38305
</TABLE>

2.22     PLAN: The name of the Plan as applied to the Employer is: THE EXECUTIVE
         NONQUALIFIED EXCESS PLAN OF KIRKLAND'S INC.

2.23     PLAN ADMINISTRATOR: The Plan Administrator shall be:

         [XX]  (a) Committee.

         [  ] (b) Employer.

         [  ] (c) Other:___________________________________________________.

2.24     PLAN YEAR: The Plan Year shall end each year on the last day of the
         month of DECEMBER.

                                      -3-
<PAGE>

2.33     TRUST:

         [XX] (a) The Employer DOES DESIRE to establish a "rabbi" trust for
                  the purpose of setting aside assets of the Employer
                  contributed thereto for the payment of benefits under the
                  Plan.

         [  ] (b) The Employer DOES NOT DESIRE to establish a "rabbi"
                  trust for the purpose of setting aside assets of the Employer
                  contributed thereto for the payment of benefits under the
                  Plan.

         [  ] (c) The Employer desires to establish a "rabbi" trust for
                  the purpose of setting aside assets of the Employer
                  contributed thereto for the payment of benefits under the Plan
                  UPON THE OCCURRENCE OF A CHANGE IN CONTROL.

4.1      SALARY DEFERRAL CREDITS: A Participant may elect to have his
         Compensation (as selected in Section 2.7 of this Adoption Agreement)
         deferred within the annual limits below by the following percentage or
         amount as designated in writing to the Committee:

         [XX]  (a) Base salary:

                             minimum deferral: $__________ or 0%

                             maximum deferral: $__________ or 80%

         [XX]  (b) Service Bonus:

                             minimum deferral: $__________ or 0%
                             maximum deferral: $__________ or 95%

         [  ] (c) Performance-Based Compensation:

                             minimum deferral: $__________ or __________%
                             maximum deferral: $__________ or __________%

         [  ] (d) Other: __________________________________________________.

                             minimum deferral: $__________ or __________%
                             maximum deferral: $__________ or __________%

         [  ] (e) Salary deferral credits not allowed.

                                      -4-

<PAGE>

4.2      EMPLOYER CREDITS: The Employer will make Employer Credits in the
         following manner:

         [XX] (a) EMPLOYER MATCHING CREDITS: The Employer may make matching
                  credits to the Deferred Compensation Account of each
                  Participant in an amount determined as follows:

         [  ] (i) An amount determined each Plan Year by the Employer.

         [XX] (ii) Other:  50% OF THE FIRST 6% OF THE PARTICIPANT'S
                           COMPENSATION, WHICH IS ELECTED AS A SALARY DEFERRAL
                           CREDIT AND OFFSET WITH 401(k), NOT TO EXCEED THE
                           TOTAL MATCH ALLOWABLE UNDER THE 401(k).

         [  ] (b) EMPLOYER PROFIT SHARING CREDITS: The Employer may make
                  profit sharing credits to the Deferred Compensation Account of
                  each Active Participant in an amount determined as follows:

                  [  ] (i) An amount determined each Plan Year by the
                           Employer.

                  [  ] (ii) Other:  _________________________________________.

         [  ] (c) Other:____________________________________

         [  ] (d)    Employer Credits not allowed.

5.3      DEATH OF A PARTICIPANT: If the Participant dies while in Service, the
         Employer shall pay a benefit to the Beneficiary in an amount equal to
         the vested balance in the Deferred Compensation Account of the
         Participant determined as of the date payments to the Beneficiary
         commence, plus:

         [  ] (a) An amount to be determined by the Committee.

         [  ] (b) Other: _______________________________________________.

         [XX] (c) No additional benefits.

                                      -5-
<PAGE>

5.4   IN-SERVICE WITHDRAWALS: In-service withdrawals may be made from the Plan:

      [XX] (a) Yes, with respect to:

               [  ] Salary Deferral Credits only.
               [  ] Vested Employer Credits only.
               [XX] Salary Deferral and Vested Employer Credits.

               In-service withdrawals may be made in the following manner:

               [XX] Single lump sum payment.
               [XX] Installment payments over no more than 5 years.

      [  ] (b) No in-service withdrawals.

5.5   EDUCATION WITHDRAWALS: Education withdrawals may be made from the Plan:

      [XX] (a) Yes, with respect to:

               [  ] Salary Deferral Credits only.
               [  ] Vested Employer Credits only.
               [XX] Salary Deferral and Vested Employer Credits.

               Education withdrawals may be made in the following manner:

               [XX] Single lump sum payment.
               [XX] Installment payments over no more than 6 years.

      [  ] (b) No education withdrawals.

5.6   CHANGE IN CONTROL: Distributions are permitted upon a Change in Control:

      [XX] (a) Yes.

      [  ] (b) No.

6.1   PAYMENT OPTIONS: Any benefit payable under the Plan upon a Qualifying
      Distribution Event may be made to the Participant or his Beneficiary (as
      applicable) in any of the following payment forms, as selected by the
      Participant in the Salary Deferral Agreement:

      [XX] (a) A lump sum in cash as soon as practicable following the date of
               the Qualifying Distribution Event.

      [XX] (b) Approximately equal annual installments over a term certain
                    as elected by the Participant upon his entry into the Plan
                    not to exceed 10 years.

      [  ] (c) Other: __________________________________________________.

                                      -6-
<PAGE>

7.    VESTING: An Active Participant shall be fully vested in the Employer
      Credits made to the Deferred Compensation Account upon first to occur of
      the following events:

      [  ] (a) Normal Retirement Age

      [XX] (b) Death

      [XX] (c) Disability

      [XX] (d) Change in Control

      [  ] (e) Other: __________________________________________.

      [XX] (f) Satisfaction of the vesting requirement specified below:

          [XX] EMPLOYER MATCHING CREDITS:

               [  ] (i)   Immediate 100% vesting.

               [  ] (ii)  100% vesting after [  ] Years of Service.

               [  ] (iii) 100% vesting at age [  ].
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
[XX] (iv)     Number of Years              Vested
                 of Service              Percentage
           ----------------------        ----------
<S>        <C>                           <C>
           Less than   1                      0 %
                       1                      0 %
                       2                     20 %
                       3                     40 %
                       4                     60 %
                       5                     80 %
                       6                    100 %
                       7                   _____%
                       8                   _____%
                       9                   _____%
                       10 or more          _____%
</TABLE>

                    For this purpose, Years of Service of a Participant shall be
                    calculated from the date designated below:

                    [XX] (1)   First Day of Service.

                         (2)   Effective Date of the Plan Participation.

                         (3)   Each Crediting Date. Under this option (3), each
                               Employer Credit shall vest based on the Years of
                               Service of a Participant from the Crediting Date
                               on which each Employer Matching Credit is made to
                               his or her Deferred Compensation Account.
                               Notwithstanding the vesting schedule elected
                               above, all Employer Matching Credits to the
                               Deferred Compensation Account shall be 100%
                               vested upon the following event(s): _____________
                               _____________________________________________.

                                      -7-
<PAGE>

          [  ] EMPLOYER PROFIT SHARING CREDITS:

               [  ] (i)   Immediate 100% vesting.

               [  ] (ii)  100% vesting after [  ] Years of Service.

               [  ] (iii) 100% vesting at age [  ].

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
[  ] (iv)  Number of Years            Vested
             of Service             Percentage
           ---------------          ----------
<S>        <C>                      <C>
     Less than    1                    _____%
                  1                    _____%
                  2                    _____%
                  3                    _____%
                  4                    _____%
                  5                    _____%
                  6                    _____%
                  7                    _____%
                  8                    _____%
                  9                    _____%
                  10 or more           _____%
</TABLE>

                    For this purpose, Years of Service of a Participant shall be
                    calculated from the date designated below:

                    [  ] (1)   First Day of Service.

                    [  ] (2)   Effective Date of the Plan Participation.

                    [  ] (3)   Each Crediting Date. Under this option (3), each
                               Employer Credit shall vest based on the Years of
                               Service of a Participant from the Crediting Date
                               on which each Employer Profit Sharing Credit is
                               made to his or her Deferred Compensation Account.
                               Notwithstanding the vesting schedule elected
                               above, all Employer Profit Sharing Credits to the
                               Deferred Compensation Account shall be 100%
                               vested upon the following event(s):
                               _________________________________________________
                               _________________________________________________

                                      -8-
<PAGE>

          [  ]  OTHER EMPLOYER CREDITS:

               [  ] (i)   Immediate 100% vesting.

               [  ] (ii)  100% vesting after [  ] Years of Service.

               [  ] (iii) 100% vesting at age [  ].

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
[  ] (iv)  Number of Years            Vested
             of Service             Percentage
           ---------------          ----------
<S>        <C>                      <C>
     Less than    1                    _____%
                  1                    _____%
                  2                    _____%
                  3                    _____%
                  4                    _____%
                  5                    _____%
                  6                    _____%
                  7                    _____%
                  8                    _____%
                  9                    _____%
                  10 or more           _____%
</TABLE>

                    For this purpose, Years of Service of a Participant shall be
                    calculated from the date designated below:

                    [  ] (1)   First Day of Service.

                    [  ] (2)   Effective Date of the Plan Participation.

                    [  ] (3)   Each Crediting Date. Under this option (3), each
                               Employer Credit shall vest based on the Years of
                               Service of a Participant from the Crediting Date
                               on which each Employer Profit Sharing Credit is
                               made to his or her Deferred Compensation Account.
                               Notwithstanding the vesting schedule elected
                               above, all Employer Profit Sharing Credits to the
                               Deferred Compensation Account shall be 100%
                               vested upon the following event(s): _____________
                               _____________________________________________

14.   AMENDMENT AND TERMINATION OF PLAN: Notwithstanding any provision in this
      Adoption Agreement or the Plan to the contrary, Section _____ of the Plan
      shall be amended to read as provided in attached Exhibit ____.

17.9  CONSTRUCTION: The provisions of the Plan and Trust (if any) shall be
      construed and enforced according to the laws of the State of Tennessee,
      except to the extent that such laws are superseded by ERISA.

                                      -9-
<PAGE>

            IN WITNESS WHEREOF, this Agreement has been executed as of the day
and year first above stated.

                                             KIRKLAND'S INC.
                                             Name of Employer

                                             By: /s/ Lowell Pugh
                                                 -----------------------------
                                                 Authorized Person

NOTE: EXECUTION OF THIS ADOPTION AGREEMENT CREATES A LEGAL LIABILITY OF THE
EMPLOYER WITH SIGNIFICANT TAX CONSEQUENCES TO THE EMPLOYER AND PARTICIPANTS. THE
EMPLOYER SHOULD OBTAIN LEGAL AND TAX ADVICE FROM ITS PROFESSIONAL ADVISORS
BEFORE ADOPTING THE PLAN. THE PROVIDER DISCLAIMS ALL LIABILITY FOR THE LEGAL AND
TAX CONSEQUENCES WHICH RESULT FROM THE ELECTIONS MADE BY THE EMPLOYER IN THIS
ADOPTION AGREEMENT.

                                      -10-
<PAGE>

          The Plan is adopted by the following Participating Employers:

                                             KIRKLAND'S STORES, INC.
                                             Name of Employer

                                             By: /s/ Lowell Pugh
                                                 -----------------------------
                                                 Authorized Person

                                      -11-

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