Document:

<PAGE>   1

                                                                   EXHIBIT 10(b)

                        AMENDMENT TO EMPLOYMENT AGREEMENT

         THIS AMENDMENT TO EMPLOYMENT AGREEMENT (Amendment) is entered into as
of June 25, 2001, between JACOBSON STORES INC., a Michigan corporation of
Jackson, Michigan (the "Company"), and P. GERALD MILLS, of Chelsea, Michigan
("Mills").

         THE PARTIES HEREBY AGREE that the restated Employment Agreement between
them dated as of June 11, 1998, as amended effective April 11, 1999, April 16,
2000 and April 3, 2001 (the "Agreement"), is further amended effective June 25,
2001, as follows:

         1. EMPLOYMENT AND TERM. Paragraph 1 of the Agreement is amended to read
as follows:

                  "1. EMPLOYMENT AND TERM. The Company employs Mills as Chairman
         of the Board, and Mills agrees to serve in that capacity and/or in such
         other capacity or capacities as the Board of Directors of the Company
         deems advisable, for a term commencing October 31, 1996 and continuing
         through April 15, 2002, unless terminated sooner pursuant to the
         provisions of paragraph 5, for the compensation and on the terms set
         forth in this Agreement."

         Except as expressly amended hereby, the Agreement shall continue in
full force and effect.

IN THE PRESENCE OF:                JACOBSON STORES INC.

/s/ Lynne A. Gatz                  By:      Paul W. Gilbert
-----------------------                     ------------------------------
                                            Paul W. Gilbert
                                            Its:  Vice Chairman of the Board

/s/ Margaret Crandall                       /s/ P. Gerald Mills
-----------------------                     -------------------
                                                P. Gerald Mills<PAGE>   1
                                                                   EXHIBIT 10(c)

                              AMENDED AND RESTATED

                           LOAN AND SECURITY AGREEMENT

                            FLEET RETAIL FINANCE INC.
                          ADMINISTRATIVE, DOCUMENTATION
                            AND COLLATERAL AGENT FOR
                          THE LENDERS REFERENCED HEREIN

                              JACOBSON STORES INC.
                              JACOBSON CREDIT CORP.
                         JACOBSON STORES REALTY COMPANY
                                  THE BORROWERS

                              FLEET SECURITIES INC.
                              THE SYNDICATION AGENT

                                  July 13, 2001

<PAGE>   2

                                TABLE OF CONTENTS

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

ARTICLE II.     THE REVOLVING CREDIT..........................................24
     2.1.       ESTABLISHMENT OF REVOLVING CREDIT.............................24
     2.2.       ADVANCES CAUSING AVAILABILITY TO BE LESS THAN MINIMUM
     AVAILABILITY (OVERLOANS).................................................24
     2.3.       RISKS OF VALUE OF COLLATERAL..................................25
     2.4.       COMMITMENT TO MAKE REVOLVING CREDIT LOANS AND SUPPORT
     LETTERS OF CREDIT........................................................25
     2.5.       REVOLVING CREDIT LOAN REQUESTS................................25
     2.6.       MAKING OF REVOLVING CREDIT LOANS..............................27
     2.7.       SWINGLINE LOANS...............................................28
     2.8.       THE LOAN ACCOUNT..............................................28
     2.9.       THE REVOLVING CREDIT NOTES....................................29
     2.10.      PAYMENT OF THE LOAN ACCOUNT...................................29
     2.11.      INTEREST ON REVOLVING CREDIT LOANS............................30
     2.12.      CLOSING FEE...................................................31
     2.13.      AGENT'S FEE...................................................31
     2.14.      UNUSED LINE FEE...............................................31
     2.15.      EARLY TERMINATION FEE.........................................31
     2.16.      CONCERNING FEES...............................................32
     2.17.      AGENT'S AND REVOLVING CREDIT LENDERS' DISCRETION..............33
     2.18.      PROCEDURES FOR ISSUANCE OF L/C'S..............................34
     2.19.      FEES FOR L/C'S................................................35
     2.20.      CONCERNING L/C'S..............................................36
     2.21.      CHANGED CIRCUMSTANCES.........................................37
     2.22.      LENDERS' COMMITMENTS..........................................38

ARTICLE III.    CONDITIONS PRECEDENT..........................................39
     3.1.       CORPORATE DUE DILIGENCE.......................................39
     3.2.       OPINIONS......................................................40
     3.3.       ADDITIONAL DOCUMENTS..........................................40
     3.4.       OFFICERS' CERTIFICATES........................................40
     3.5.       REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES................................41
     3.6.       MINIMUM DAY ONE AVAILABILITY..................................41
     3.7.       ALL FEES AND EXPENSES PAID....................................41
     3.8.       BORROWERS NOT INDEFAULT.......................................41
     3.9.       NO ADVERSE CHANGE.............................................41
     3.10.      PERFECTION CERTIFICATES AND UCC SEARCH RESULTS................41
     3.11.      SURVEY AND TAXES..............................................41
     3.12.      TITLE INSURANCE...............................................41

<PAGE>   3

                                      -ii-

     3.13.      CERTIFICATES OF INSURANCE.....................................42
     3.14.      BLOCKED ACCOUNT AGREEMENTS AND NOTIFICATIONS..................42
     3.15.      BORROWING BASE CERTIFICATE....................................42
     3.16.      PAYOFF LETTER.................................................42
     3.17.      APPRAISALS OF ELIGIBLE REAL ESTATE ASSETS.....................42
     3.18.      HAZARDOUS WASTE ASSESSMENTS...................................42
     3.19.      SUCCESSFUL SYNDICATION........................................42
     3.20.      BENEFIT OF CONDITIONS PRECEDENT...............................43

ARTICLE IV.     GENERAL REPRESENTATIONS, COVENANTS AND WARRANTIES.............43
     4.1.       PAYMENT AND PERFORMANCE OF LIABILITIES........................43
     4.2.       DUE ORGANIZATION. AUTHORIZATION. NO CONFLICTS.................43
     4.3.       TRADE NAMES...................................................44
     4.4.       INFRASTRUCTURE................................................44
     4.5.       LOCATIONS.....................................................45
     4.6.       TITLE TO ASSETS...............................................46
     4.7.       INDEBTEDNESS..................................................47
     4.8.       INSURANCE.....................................................48
     4.9.       LICENSES......................................................48
     4.10.      LEASES........................................................49
     4.11.      REQUIREMENTS OF LAW...........................................49
     4.12.      LABOR RELATIONS...............................................49
     4.13.      MAINTAIN PROPERTIES...........................................50
     4.14.      TAXES.........................................................51
     4.15.      NO MARGIN STOCK...............................................52
     4.16.      ERISA.........................................................52
     4.17.      HAZARDOUS MATERIALS...........................................53
     4.18.      LITIGATION....................................................53
     4.19.      DIVIDENDS. INVESTMENTS. CORPORATE ACTION......................53
     4.20.      LOANS.........................................................54
     4.21.      PROTECTION OF ASSETS..........................................55
     4.22.      LINE OF BUSINESS..............................................55
     4.23.      AFFILIATE TRANSACTIONS........................................55
     4.24.      FURTHER ASSURANCES............................................55
     4.25.      ADEQUACY OF DISCLOSURE........................................56
     4.26.      NO RESTRICTIONS ON LIABILITIES................................56
     4.27.      OTHER COVENANTS...............................................57
     4.28.      LEASE SUBORDINATION...........................................57

ARTICLE V.      FINANCIAL REPORTING AND PERFORMANCE COVENANTS.................57
     5.1.       MAINTAIN RECORDS..............................................57
     5.2.       ACCESS TO RECORDS.............................................57
     5.3.       IMMEDIATE NOTICE TO AGENT.....................................58
     5.4.       BORROWING BASE CERTIFICATE....................................59
     5.5.       WEEKLY REPORTS................................................59

<PAGE>   4

                                     -iii-

     5.6.       MONTHLY REPORTS...............................................59
     5.7.       QUARTERLY REPORTS.............................................59
     5.8.       ANNUAL REPORTS................................................60
     5.9.       OFFICERS' CERTIFICATES........................................60
     5.10.      INVENTORIES, APPRAISALS, AND AUDITS...........................61
     5.11.      ADDITIONAL FINANCIAL INFORMATION..............................61
     5.12.      CAPITAL EXPENDITURES..........................................62

ARTICLE VI.     USE OF COLLATERAL.............................................63
     6.1.       USE OF INVENTORY COLLATERAL...................................63
     6.2.       INVENTORY.....................................................63
     6.3.       MODIFICATION OF CREDIT POLICY AND PROCEDURES..................63
     6.4.       VALIDITY OF ACCOUNTS..........................................63
     6.5.       NOTIFICATION TO ACCOUNT DEBTORS...............................64
     6.6.       RELEASE OF LIEN...............................................64

ARTICLE VII.    CASH MANAGEMENT. PAYMENT OF LIABILITIES.......................64
     7.1.       DEPOSITORY ACCOUNTS...........................................64
     7.2.       CREDIT CARD RECEIPTS..........................................64
     7.3.       CASH MANAGEMENT...............................................65
     7.4.       PROCEEDS AND COLLECTIONS......................................65
     7.5.       PAYMENT OF LIABILITIES........................................66
     7.6.       THE OPERATING ACCOUNT.........................................67

ARTICLE VIII.   GRANT OF SECURITY INTEREST....................................67
     8.1.       GRANT OF SECURITY INTEREST....................................67
     8.2.       EXTENT AND DURATION OF SECURITY INTEREST......................68
     8.3.       CONCERNING REVISED ARTICLE 9 OF THE UNIFORM COMMERCIAL CODE...68
     8.4.       JOINT AND SEVERAL LIABILITY...................................69

ARTICLE IX.     AGENT AS BORROWERS' ATTORNEY-IN-FACT..........................70
     9.1.       APPOINTMENT AS ATTORNEY-IN-FACT...............................70
     9.2.       NO OBLIGATION TO ACT..........................................71

ARTICLE X.      EVENTS OF DEFAULT.............................................71
     10.1.      FAILURE TO PAY THE REVOLVING CREDIT...........................71
     10.2.      FAILURE TO MAKE OTHER PAYMENTS................................71
     10.3.      FAILURE TO PERFORM COVENANT OR LIABILITY (NO GRACE PERIOD)....71
     10.4.      FAILURE TO PERFORM COVENANT OR LIABILITY (GRACE PERIOD).......72
     10.5.      MISREPRESENTATION.............................................72
     10.6.      ACCELERATION OF OTHER DEBT. BREACH OF LEASE...................72
     10.7.      DEFAULT UNDER OTHER AGREEMENTS................................72
     10.8.      UNINSURED CASUALTY LOSS.......................................72
     10.9.      ATTACHMENT. JUDGMENT. RESTRAINT OF BUSINESS...................72

<PAGE>   5
                                      -iv-

     10.10.     BUSINESS FAILURE..............................................73
     10.11.     BANKRUPTCY....................................................73
     10.12.     DEFAULT BY GUARANTOR..........................................73
     10.13.     INDICTMENT - FORFEITURE.......................................73
     10.14.     TERMINATION OF GUARANTY.......................................74
     10.15.     CHALLENGE TO LOAN DOCUMENTS...................................74
     10.16.     CHANGE IN CONTROL.............................................74

ARTICLE XI.     RIGHTS AND REMEDIES UPON DEFAULT..............................74
     11.1.      ACCELERATION..................................................74
     11.2.      RIGHTS OF ENFORCEMENT.........................................74
     11.3.      SALE OF COLLATERAL............................................75
     11.4.      OCCUPATION OF BUSINESS LOCATION...............................76
     11.5.      GRANT OF NONEXCLUSIVE LICENSE.................................76
     11.6.      ASSEMBLY OF COLLATERAL........................................76
     11.7.      RIGHTS AND REMEDIES...........................................76

ARTICLE XII.    REVOLVING CREDIT FUNDINGS AND DISTRIBUTIONS...................77
     12.1.      REVOLVING CREDIT FUNDING PROCEDURES...........................77
     12.2.      SWINGLINE LOANS...............................................77
     12.3.      AGENT'S COVERING OF FUNDING...................................78
     12.4.      ORDINARY COURSE DISTRIBUTIONS.................................80

ARTICLE XIII.   ACCELERATION AND LIQUIDATION..................................81
     13.1.      ACCELERATION NOTICES..........................................81
     13.2.      ACCELERATION..................................................81
     13.3.      INITIATION OF LIQUIDATION.....................................81
     13.4.      ACTIONS AT AND FOLLOWING INITIATION OF LIQUIDATION............81
     13.5.      AGENT'S CONDUCT OF LIQUIDATION................................82
     13.6.      DISTRIBUTION OF LIQUIDATION PROCEEDS..........................82
     13.7.      RELATIVE PRIORITIES TO PROCEEDS OF LIQUIDATION................83

ARTICLE XIV.    THE AGENT.....................................................83
     14.1.      APPOINTMENT OF THE AGENT......................................83
     14.2.      RESPONSIBILITIES OF AGENT.....................................84
     14.3.      CONCERNING DISTRIBUTIONS BY THE AGENT.........................84
     14.4.      DISPUTE RESOLUTION............................................85
     14.5.      DISTRIBUTIONS OF NOTICES AND OF DOCUMENTS.....................85
     14.6.      CONFIDENTIAL INFORMATION......................................86
     14.7.      RELIANCE BY AGENT.............................................86
     14.8.      NON-RELIANCE ON AGENT AND OTHER REVOLVING CREDIT LENDERS......87
     14.9.      INDEMNIFICATION...............................................87
     14.10.     RESIGNATION OF AGENT..........................................88

<PAGE>   6
                                      -v-

ARTICLE XV.     ACTION BY AGENTS - CONSENTS - AMENDMENTS - WAIVERS............88
     15.1.      ADMINISTRATION OF CREDIT FACILITIES...........................88
     15.2.      ACTIONS REQUIRING OR ON DIRECTION OF MAJORITY LENDERS.........89
     15.3.      ACTIONS REQUIRING OR ON DIRECTION OF SUPERMAJORITY LENDERS....89
     15.4.      ACTION REQUIRING CERTAIN CONSENT..............................90
     15.5.      ACTIONS REQUIRING OR DIRECTED BY UNANIMOUS CONSENT............90
     15.6.      ACTIONS REQUIRING SWINGLINE LENDER CONSENT....................91
     15.7.      ACTIONS REQUIRING AGENT'S CONSENT.............................92
     15.8.      MISCELLANEOUS ACTIONS.........................................92
     15.9.      ACTIONS REQUIRING BORROWERS' CONSENT..........................92
     15.10.     NONCONSENTING REVOLVING CREDIT LENDER.........................92

ARTICLE XVI.    ASSIGNMENTS BY REVOLVING CREDIT LENDERS.......................94
     16.1.      ASSIGNMENTS AND ASSUMPTIONS...................................94
     16.2.      ASSIGNMENT PROCEDURES.........................................94
     16.3.      EFFECT OF ASSIGNMENT..........................................95

ARTICLE XVII.   NOTICES.......................................................96
     17.1.      NOTICE ADDRESSES..............................................96
     17.2.      NOTICE GIVEN..................................................96
     17.3.      WIRE INSTRUCTIONS NOTICE GIVEN................................97

ARTICLE XVIII.  TERM..........................................................97
     18.1.      TERMINATION OF REVOLVING CREDIT...............................97
     18.2.      ACTIONS ON TERMINATION........................................97

ARTICLE XIX.    GENERAL.......................................................98
     19.1.      PROTECTION OF COLLATERAL......................................98
     19.2.      PUBLICITY.....................................................98
     19.3.      SUCCESSORS AND ASSIGNS........................................98
     19.4.      SEVERABILITY..................................................99
     19.5.      AMENDMENTS. COURSE OF DEALING.................................99
     19.6.      POWER OF ATTORNEY.............................................99
     19.7.      APPLICATION OF PROCEEDS......................................100
     19.8.      INCREASED COSTS..............................................100
     19.9.      COSTS AND EXPENSES OF THE AGENT..............................101
     19.10.     COPIES AND FACSIMILES........................................101
     19.11.     MASSACHUSETTS LAW............................................101
     19.12.     CONSENT TO JURISDICTION......................................101
     19.13.     INDEMNIFICATION..............................................102
     19.14.     RULES OF CONSTRUCTION........................................103
     19.15.     INTENT.......................................................104
     19.16.     PARTICIPATIONS...............................................105
     19.17.     RIGHT OF SET-OFF.............................................105

<PAGE>   7
                                      -vi-

     19.18.  PLEDGES TO FEDERAL RESERVE BANKS................................105
     19.19.  MAXIMUM INTEREST RATE...........................................106
     19.20.  WAIVERS.........................................................106
     19.21.  PAYMENT OF FLORIDA PROPERTY TAXES...............................107

<PAGE>   8
                                     -vii-

                             EXHIBITS AND SCHEDULES

                                    Exhibits

         Exhibit A     :    SwingLine Note
         Exhibit B     :    Revolving Credit Note
         Exhibit C     :    Borrowing Base Certificate
         Exhibit D     :    Assignment and Acceptance
         Exhibit E     :    Custom Brokers Agreement
         Exhibit F     :    Form of Request for Loans and Advances

                                   Schedules

         2.22          :    Revolving Credit Lenders' Commitments
         4.2           :    Corporate Information
         4.6           :    Encumbrances
         4.7           :    Indebtedness
         4.8           :    Insurance Policies
         4.10               Leases
         4.12               Labor Relations
         4.14          :    Taxes
         4.16               ERISA
         4.17               Hazardous Materials
         4.18          :    Litigation
         5.6           :    Weekly and Monthly Reporting Requirements
         7.1           :    DDA's
         7.2           :    Credit Card Arrangements

<PAGE>   9
                              AMENDED AND RESTATED
                           LOAN AND SECURITY AGREEMENT

                        FLEET RETAIL FINANCE INC., AGENT

         dated as of May 18, 2001 and amended and restated as of July 13, 2001

         THIS AMENDED AND RESTATED AGREEMENT is made among Fleet Retail Finance
Inc. (in such capacity, herein the "AGENT"), a Delaware corporation with offices
at 40 Broad Street, Boston, Massachusetts 02109, as agent for the ratable
benefit of the "REVOLVING CREDIT LENDERS", who are, at present, those financial
institutions identified on the signature pages of this Agreement and who in the
future are those Persons (if any) who become "Revolving Credit Lenders" in
accordance with the provisions of Section 2.22, below; and The Revolving Credit
Lenders; and Jacobson Stores Inc., a Michigan corporation with its principal
executive offices at 3333 Sargent Road, Jackson, Michigan 49201 (the "COMPANY"),
Jacobson Credit Corp., a Michigan corporation and Jacobson Stores Realty
Company, a Michigan corporation (collectively with the Company, the "BORROWERS"
and each individually a "BORROWER") in consideration of the mutual covenants
contained herein and benefits to be derived here from,

         WHEREAS, pursuant to the Loan and Security Agreement dated as of May
18, 2001 (the "Prior Credit Agreement"), by and among the Agent, the Borrowers,
the SwingLine Lender and the Revolving Credit Lenders, the SwingLine Lender and
the Revolving Credit Lenders agreed to make loans to the Borrowers;

         WHEREAS, the Agent, the Borrowers, the SwingLine Lender and the
Revolving Credit Lenders have agreed to amend the Prior Credit Agreement on the
terms and conditions set forth herein;

         NOW, THEREFORE, the Agent, the Borrowers, the SwingLine Lender and the
Revolving Credit Lenders agree that on the Closing Date the Prior Credit
Agreement and all Schedules and Exhibits thereto are hereby amended and restated
in their entirety as set forth herein and the Schedules and Exhibits and shall
remain in full force and effect only as set forth herein.

                                   WITNESSETH:

ARTICLE I.  DEFINITIONS

         As used herein, the following terms have the following meanings or are
defined in the section of this Agreement so indicated:

         "ACCELERATION": The making of demand or declaration that any
indebtedness, not otherwise due and payable, is due and payable. Derivations of
the word "Acceleration" (such as "Accelerate") are used with like meaning in
this Agreement.

<PAGE>   10
                                      -2-

         "ACCELERATION NOTICE": Written notice as follows:

         (a)  From the Agent to the Revolving Credit Lenders, as provided in
13.1(a).

         (b)  From the SuperMajority Lenders to the Agent, as provided in
Section 13.1(b).

         "ACCOUNT DEBTOR": Has the meaning given that term in the UCC.

         "ACCOUNTS" and "ACCOUNTS RECEIVABLE": Include, without limitation,
"accounts" as defined in the UCC, and also all: accounts, accounts receivable,
receivables, and rights to payment (whether or not earned by performance) for:
property that has been or is to be sold, leased, licensed, assigned, or
otherwise disposed of; services rendered or to be rendered; a policy of
insurance issued or to be issued; a secondary obligation incurred or to be
incurred; energy provided or to be provided; for the use or hire of a vessel;
arising out of the use of a credit or charge card or information contained on or
used with that card; winnings in a lottery or other game of chance; and also all
Inventory which gave rise thereto, and all rights associated with such
Inventory, including the right of stoppage in transit; all reclaimed, returned,
rejected or repossessed Inventory (if any) the sale of which gave rise to any
Account.

         "ACH": Automated clearing house.

         "AFFILIATE": The following:

         (a)  With respect to any two Persons, a relationship in which (i) one
holds, directly or indirectly, not less than Twenty Five Percent (25%) of the
capital stock, beneficial interests, partnership interests, or other equity
interests of the other; or (ii) one has, directly or indirectly, the right,
under ordinary circumstances, to vote for the election of a majority of the
directors (or other body or Person who has those powers customarily vested in a
board of directors of a corporation); or (iii) not less than Twenty Five Percent
(25%) of their respective ownership is directly or indirectly held by the same
third Person.

         (b)  Any Person which: is a parent, brother-sister, subsidiary, or
affiliate, of the Borrowers; could have such enterprise's tax returns or
financial statements consolidated with the Borrowers'; could be a member of the
same controlled group of corporations (within the meaning of Section 1563(a)(1),
(2) and (3) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended from time to time)
of which a Borrower is a member; or controls or is controlled by a Borrower.

         "AGENT": Is referred to in the Preamble.

         "AGENT'S COVER": Defined in Section 12.3(c)(i).

         "AGENT'S FEE": Is defined in Section 2.13.

<PAGE>   11

         "AGENT'S RIGHTS AND REMEDIES": Is defined in Section 11.7.

         "APPLICABLE LAW": As to any Person: (i) All statutes, rules,
regulations, orders, or other requirements having the force of law and (ii) all
court orders and injunctions, arbitrator's decisions, and/or similar rulings, in
each instance ((i) and (ii)) of or by any federal, state, municipal, and other
governmental authority, or court, tribunal, panel, or other body which has or
claims jurisdiction over such Person, or any property of such Person, or of any
other Person for whose conduct such Person would be responsible.

         "APPLICABLE MARGIN": For each quarter, the Applicable Margin shall be
the applicable margin set forth below with respect to the average level of
Maximum Availability during the previous quarter, provided, however, that until
the first anniversary of the date of this Agreement, the Applicable Margin shall
be set at no less than as set forth opposite Level II below:

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>

                         -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                              Level                Availability           Eurodollar Rate     Base Rate
                                                                             Applicable       Applicable
                                                                               Margin           Margin
                         -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<S>                       <C>             <C>                            <C>                 <C>
                                I          Greater than or equal to             2.25%            0.00%
                                                  $60 million
                         -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                               II          Greater than or equal to             2.50%            0.25%
                                             $30 million and less
                                                 than $60 million
                         -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                              III           Less than $30 million               2.75%            0.50%
                         -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------
</TABLE>
                                      -3-

         "APPRAISED INVENTORY LIQUIDATION VALUE": The product of (a) the Cost of
Eligible Inventory (net of Inventory Reserves) multiplied by (b) that
percentage, determined from the then most recent appraisal of the Borrowers'
Inventory undertaken at the request of the Agent, to reflect the appraiser's
estimate of the net recovery on the Borrowers' Inventory in the event of an
in-store liquidation of that Inventory.

         "APPRAISED INVENTORY PERCENTAGE": 85%

         "APPROVED CUSTOMS BROKER": A customs broker satisfactory to the Agent
which has entered into a Customs Broker Agreement with the Agent and the
Borrowers.

         "ASSIGNING REVOLVING CREDIT LENDER": Defined in Section 16.1.

         "ASSIGNMENT AND ACCEPTANCE": Defined in Section 16.2.

         "AVAILABILITY": The lesser of (a) or (b), where:

<PAGE>   12
                                      -4-

         (a)      is the result of

                  (i)      The Revolving Credit Ceiling

                                      Minus

                  (ii)     The aggregate unpaid balance of the Loan Account

                                      Minus

                  (iii)    The aggregate undrawn Stated Amount of all then
                           outstanding  L/C's.

          (b)     is the result of

                  (i)      The Borrowing Base

                                      Minus

                  (ii)     The aggregate unpaid balance of the Loan Account

                                      Minus

                  (iii)    The aggregate undrawn Stated Amount of all then
                           outstanding L/C's.

                                      Minus

                  (iv)     The aggregate of the Availability Reserves.

         "AVAILABILITY RESERVES": Such reserves as the Agent from time to time
determines in the Agent's discretion as being appropriate to reflect the
impediments to the Agent's ability to realize upon the Collateral. Without
limiting the generality of the foregoing, Availability Reserves may include (but
are not limited to) reserves based on the following:

                  (i)      reserves for rents for stores in States with landlord
                           lien statutes provided that based on existing
                           locations and current statutes, the maximum imposed
                           shall not exceed two month's rent for such stores
                           (but only if a landlord's waiver, acceptable to the
                           Agent, has not been received by the Agent).

                  (ii)     Customer Credit Liabilities provided, however that
                           Availability Reserves with respect to gift
                           certificates shall be limited to 50% of the amount
                           attributable to such gift certificates.

<PAGE>   13
                                      -5-

                  (iii)    taxes and other governmental charges, including, ad
                           valorem, personal property, and other taxes which
                           might have priority over the Collateral Interests of
                           the Agent in the Collateral.

                  (iv)     L/C Landing Costs.

                  (v)      inventory consigned to any Borrower to the extent of
                           the liability owed by the Borrowers to the consignor.

                  (vi)     the portion of Eligible Credit Card Receivables
                           relating to sales of inventory consigned to any
                           Borrower to the extent of the liability owed by the
                           Borrowers to the consignor.

         "BANKRUPTCY CODE": Title 11, U.S.C., as amended from time to time.

         "BASE": The Base Rate announced from time to time by Fleet National
Bank (or any successor in interest to Fleet National Bank). In the event that
said bank (or any such successor) ceases to announce such a rate, "Base" shall
refer to that rate or index announced or published from time to time as the
Agent, in good faith, designates as the functional equivalent to said Base Rate.
Any change in "Base" shall be effective, for purposes of the calculation of
interest due hereunder, when such change is made effective generally by the bank
on whose rate or index "Base" is being set.

         "BASE MARGIN LOAN": Each Revolving Credit Loan while bearing interest
at the Base Margin Rate.

         "BASE MARGIN RATE": The aggregate of Base plus the Base Rate Applicable
Margin per annum.

         "BASE RATE APPLICABLE MARGIN". See definition of Applicable Margin.

         "BLOCKED ACCOUNT(S)": Any DDA, other than an Exempt DDA, including,
without limitation, the Local Accounts or the Interim Concentration Accounts.

         "BLOCKED ACCOUNT AGREEMENT": An Agreement, in form satisfactory to the
Agent, which Agreement recognizes the Agent's Collateral Interest in the
contents of the DDA which is the subject of such Agreement and agrees that such
contents shall be transferred only to the Concentration Account or Interim
Concentration Account, as applicable, as required by Section 7.4 or as otherwise
instructed by the Agent.

         "BORROWER(S)": Is defined in the Preamble.

         "BORROWING BASE": The aggregate of the following:

         (a)      The face amount of Eligible Credit Card Receivables multiplied
by the Credit Card Advance Rate.

         Plus

<PAGE>   14
                                      -6-

         (b) The lesser of (a) the Cost of Eligible Inventory (net of Inventory
Reserves) multiplied by the Inventory Advance Rate or (b) the Appraised
Inventory Percentage of the Appraised Inventory Liquidation Value.

         Plus

         (c) The Determined Value of Eligible Real Estate Assets multiplied by
the Real Estate Advance Rate; provided however, the amount included in the
Borrowing Base pursuant to this paragraph (c) shall never exceed more than 20%
of the entire Borrowing Base minus the Availability Reserves; provided, further,
no single Fixed Asset shall be included in the Borrowing Base pursuant to this
paragraph (c) to the extent that it exceeds 30% of the entire amount of this
paragraph (c) included in the Borrowing Base.

         "BORROWING BASE CERTIFICATE": Is defined in Section 5.4.

         "BUSINESS DAY": Any day other than (a) a Saturday or Sunday; (b) any
day on which banks in Boston, Massachusetts generally are not open to the
general public for the purpose of conducting commercial banking business; or (c)
a day on which the principal office of the Agent is not open to the general
public to conduct business.

         "CAPITAL EXPENDITURES": The expenditure of funds or the incurrence of
liabilities which may be capitalized as capital expenditures in accordance with
GAAP.

         "CAPITAL LEASE": Any lease which may be capitalized in accordance with
GAAP.

         "CHANGE IN CONTROL": The occurrence of any of the following:

         (a) The acquisition, by any group of persons (within the meaning of the
Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended) or by any Person, of beneficial
ownership (within the meaning of Rule 13d-3 of the Securities and Exchange
Commission) of 20% or more of the issued and outstanding capital stock of the
Company having the right, under ordinary circumstances, to vote for the election
of directors of the Company.

         (b) More than half of the persons who were directors of the Company on
the first day of any period consisting of Twelve (12) consecutive calendar
months (the first of which Twelve (12) month periods commencing with the first
day of the month during which this Agreement was executed), cease, for any
reason other than death or disability, to be directors of the Company.

         "CHATTEL PAPER": Has the meaning given that term in the UCC.

         "CLOSING DATE": The date on which the conditions set forth in Section 3
have been satisfied and any Revolving Credit Loan is made or any L/C is to be
issued hereunder.

<PAGE>   15
                                      -7-

         "CLOSING FEE": Is defined in Section 2.12.

         "COLLATERAL": Is defined in Section 8.1.

         "COLLATERAL INTEREST": Any interest in property to secure an
obligation, including, without limitation, a security interest, mortgage, and
deed of trust.

         "COMPANY": Is defined in the Preamble.

         "CONCENTRATION ACCOUNT": Is defined in Section 7.3.

         "CONSENT": Actual consent given by the Revolving Credit Lender from
whom such consent is sought; or the passage of Seven (7) Business Days from
receipt of written notice to a Revolving Credit Lender from the Agent of a
proposed course of action to be followed by the Agent without such Revolving
Credit Lender's giving the Agent written notice of that Revolving Credit
Lender's objection to such course of action, provided that the Agent may rely on
such passage of time as consent by a Revolving Credit Lender only if such
written notice states that consent will be deemed effective if no objection is
received within such time period.

         "COST": The lower of (a) or (b), where:

         (a) is the calculated cost of purchases, based upon a Borrower's
accounting practices [on a first-in, first-out (FIFO) basis], known to the
Agent, which practices are in effect on the date on which this Agreement was
executed as such calculated cost is determined from: invoices received by such
Borrower; such Borrower's purchase journal; or such Borrower's stock ledger.

         (b) is the cost equivalent of the lowest ticketed or promoted price at
which the subject Inventory is offered to the public, after all mark-downs
(whether or not such price is then reflected on such Borrower's accounting
system), which cost equivalent is determined in accordance with the retail
method of accounting, reflecting such Borrower's historic business practices.

"COST" does not include inventory capitalization costs or other non-purchase
price charges (such as freight) used in such Borrower's calculation of cost of
goods sold.

         "COSTS OF COLLECTION": Includes, without limitation, all attorneys'
reasonable fees and reasonable out-of-pocket expenses incurred by the Agent's
attorneys, and all reasonable out-of-pocket costs incurred by the Agent in the
administration of the Liabilities and/or the Loan Documents, including, without
limitation, reasonable costs and expenses associated with travel on behalf of
the Agent, where such costs and expenses are directly or indirectly related to
or in respect of the Agent's: administration and management of the Liabilities;
negotiation, documentation, and amendment of any Loan Document; or efforts to
preserve, protect, collect, or enforce the Collateral, the Liabilities, and/or
the Agent's Rights and Remedies and/or any of the rights and remedies of the
Agent against or in respect of any guarantor or other person liable in

<PAGE>   16
                                      -8-

respect of the Liabilities (whether or not suit is instituted in connection with
such efforts). "Costs of Collection" also includes the reasonable fees and
expenses of Lenders' Special Counsel and reasonable consulting, accounting,
appraisal, investment banking and similar professional fees and charges. The
Costs of Collection are Liabilities, and at the Agent's option may bear interest
at the then effective Base Margin Rate.

         "CREDIT CARD ADVANCE RATE": 85%

         "CUSTOMS BROKER AGREEMENT": A Customs Broker Agreement, substantially
in the form of EXHIBIT E hereto, entered into among the Agent, the Borrowers and
an Approved Customs Broker.

         "CUSTOMER CREDIT LIABILITY": Gift certificates, customer deposits,
offsets, merchandise credits, layaway obligations, frequent shopping programs,
and similar liabilities of any Borrower to its retail customers and prospective
customers.

         "DDA": Any checking or other demand daily depository account maintained
by any Borrower.

         "DELINQUENT REVOLVING CREDIT LENDER": Defined in Section 12.3(c).

         "DEPOSIT ACCOUNT": Has the meaning given that term in the UCC and also
includes all demand, time, savings, passbook, or similar accounts maintained
with a bank.

         "DETERMINED VALUE": At the relevant time of reference thereto, the
appraised value of such assets on a forced liquidation basis determined by the
appraisals referred to in Section 3.17 or the most recent appraisal thereof
conducted pursuant to Section 5.10(d). To the extent that any Eligible Real
Estate Asset is encumbered by a lien or encumbrance which is a Permitted
Encumbrances not securing the Liabilities, the amount of the Indebtedness
secured by such lien or encumbrance shall be deducted from the value determined
in accordance with the immediately preceding sentence of this definition of the
term "Determined Value". Notwithstanding the foregoing, Determined Value shall
not exceed the maximum amount which may be recovered by the Agent in connection
with a realization on, or enforcement of, its security interest in any Eligible
Real Estate Assets.

         "DOCUMENTS": Has the meaning given that term in the UCC.

         "DOCUMENTS OF TITLE": Has the meaning given that term in the UCC.

         "ELIGIBLE ASSIGNEE": A bank, insurance company, or company engaged in
the business of making commercial loans having a combined capital and surplus in
excess of $300 Million or any Affiliate of any Revolving Credit Lender, or any
Person to whom a Revolving Credit Lender assigns its rights and obligations
under this Agreement as part of a programmed assignment and transfer of such
Revolving Credit Lender's rights in

<PAGE>   17
                                      -9-

and to a material portion of such Revolving Credit Lender's portfolio of asset
based credit facilities.

         "ELIGIBLE CREDIT CARD RECEIVABLES": (a) Under 4 business day accounts
due on a non-recourse basis from major credit card processors and (b) Eligible
Private Label Credit Card Receivables.

         "ELIGIBLE INVENTORY": All of the following: (a) Such of any Borrower's
Inventory, (not duplicative of Eligible L/C Inventory ) at such locations, and
of such types, character, qualities and quantities, as the Agent in its
discretion from time to time determines to be acceptable for borrowing, as to
which Inventory, the Agent has a perfected security interest which is prior and
superior to all security interests, claims, and Encumbrances (other than
Permitted Encumbrances) and (b) Eligible L/C Inventory.

         "ELIGIBLE L/C INVENTORY": Inventory (without duplication as to Eligible
Inventory), which has then been shipped from a foreign location for receipt,
within 60 days, at a warehouse of any Borrower located in a jurisdiction in the
United States in which the Agent will have a first and only perfected security
interest in such Inventory and payment for the underlying Inventory is to be
made by an L/C, provided that

         (a) Such Inventory is of such types, character, qualities and
quantities (net of Inventory Reserves) as the Agent in its discretion from time
to time determines to be eligible for borrowing; and

         (b) The documents which relate to such shipment names the Agent as
consignee of the subject Inventory and the Agent has control over the documents
which evidence ownership of the subject Inventory (such as by the providing to
the Agent of a Customs Broker Agreement).

         "ELIGIBLE PRIVATE LABEL CREDIT CARD RECEIVABLES": Accounts due on
private label credit card programs, which are deemed in the discretion of the
Agent to be eligible.

         "ELIGIBLE REAL ESTATE ASSETS": Those fixed assets (excluding all
leaseholds) owned by any Borrower or any of its Affiliates at the relevant time
of reference thereto which are subject to a Mortgage and which (a) are properly
insured in accordance with the provisions of Section 4.8 and (b) as to which the
provisions of Sections 3.11 and 3.12 have been satisfied.

         "EMPLOYEE BENEFIT PLAN": As defined in ERISA.

         "ENCUMBRANCE": Each of the following:

         (a) A Collateral Interest or agreement to create or grant a Collateral
Interest; the interest of a lessor under a Capital Lease; conditional sale or
other title retention agreement; sale of accounts receivable or chattel paper;
or other arrangement pursuant

<PAGE>   18
                                      -10-

to which any Person is entitled to any preference or priority with respect to
the property or assets of another Person or the income or profits of such other
Person; each of the foregoing whether consensual or non-consensual and whether
arising by way of agreement, operation of law, legal process or otherwise.

         (b) The filing of any financing statement under the UCC or comparable
law of any jurisdiction.

         "END DATE": The date upon which both (a) all Liabilities have been paid
in full and (b) all obligations of any Revolving Credit Lender to make loans and
advances and to provide other financial accommodations to any Borrower hereunder
shall have been irrevocably terminated.

         "ENVIRONMENTAL LAWS": All of the following:

         (a) Applicable Law which regulates or relates to, or imposes any
standard of conduct or liability on account of or in respect to environmental
protection matters, including, without limitation, Hazardous Materials, as are
now or hereafter in effect.

         (b) The common law relating to damage to Persons or property from
Hazardous Materials.

         "EQUIPMENT": Includes, without limitation, "equipment" as defined in
the UCC, and also all furniture, store fixtures, motor vehicles, rolling stock,
machinery, office equipment, plant equipment, tools, dies, molds, and other
goods, property, and assets which are used and/or were purchased for use in the
operation or furtherance of the Borrowers' businesses, and any and all
accessions or additions thereto, and substitutions therefor.

         "ERISA": The Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974, as
amended.

         "ERISA AFFILIATE": Any Person which is under common control with any
Borrower within the meaning of Section 4001 of ERISA or is part of a group which
includes such Borrower and which would be treated as a single employer under
Section 414 of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended.

         "EURODOLLAR BUSINESS DAY": Any day which is both a Business Day and a
day on which the principal market in Eurodollars in which Fleet National Bank
participates is open for dealings in United States Dollar deposits.

         "EURODOLLAR LOAN": Any Revolving Credit Loan which bears interest at a
Eurodollar Rate.

         "EURODOLLAR OFFER RATE": That rate of interest (rounded upwards, if
necessary, to the next 1/100 of 1%) determined by the Agent to be the highest
prevailing rate per annum at which deposits on U.S. Dollars are offered to Fleet
National Bank, by first-class banks in the Eurodollar market in which Fleet
National Bank participates at or

<PAGE>   19
                                      -11-

about 10:00AM (Boston Time) Two (2) Eurodollar Business Days before the first
day of the Interest Period for the subject Eurodollar Loan, for a deposit
approximately in the amount of the subject loan for a period of time
approximately equal to such Interest Period.

         "EURODOLLAR RATE": That per annum rate which is the aggregate of the
Eurodollar Offer Rate plus the Eurodollar Rate Applicable Margin except that, in
the event that the Agent determines that any Revolving Credit Lender may be
subject to the Reserve Percentage, the "Eurodollar Rate" shall mean, with
respect to any Eurodollar Loans then outstanding (from the date on which that
Reserve Percentage first became applicable to such loans), and with respect to
all Eurodollar Loans thereafter made during the time such Reserve Percentage is
in effect, an interest rate per annum equal the sum of (a) plus (b), where:

         (a) is the decimal equivalent of the following fraction:

                              Eurodollar Offer Rate
                           1 minus Reserve Percentage

         (b) is the Eurodollar Rate Applicable Margin.

         "EURODOLLAR RATE APPLICABLE MARGIN": See definition of Applicable
Margin.

         "EVENTS OF DEFAULT": Is defined in Article 10. An "Event of Default"
shall be deemed to have occurred and to be continuing unless and until that
Event of Default has been duly waived by the requisite Revolving Credit Lenders
or by the Agent as applicable.

         "EXEMPT DDA": A depository account maintained by any Borrower, the only
contents of which may be transfers from the Operating Account and actually used
solely (i) for petty cash purposes; or (ii) for payroll.

         "FARM PRODUCTS": Has the meaning given that term in the UCC.

         "FEE LETTER": The Fee Letter, dated as of the date hereof, among the
Company, the Agent and the Syndication Agent.

         "FISCAL": When followed by "month" or "quarter", the relevant fiscal
period based on a Borrower's fiscal year and accounting conventions. When
followed by reference to a specific year, Fiscal means the fiscal year that ends
on the Saturday closest to the end of the following January (e.g. if such
Borrower's fiscal year ends on February 2, 2002, reference to that year would be
to such Borrower's "Fiscal 2001").

         "FIXTURES": Has the meaning given that term in the UCC.

         "FRFI": Fleet Retail Finance Inc.

<PAGE>   20
                                      -12-

         "GAAP": Principles which are consistent with those promulgated or
adopted by the Financial Accounting Standards Board and its predecessors (or
successors) in effect and applicable to that accounting period in respect of
which reference to GAAP is being made.

         "GENERAL INTANGIBLES": Includes, without limitation, "general
intangibles" as defined in the UCC; and also all: rights to payment for credit
extended; deposits; amounts due to any Borrower; credit memoranda in favor of
such Borrower; warranty claims; tax refunds and abatements; insurance refunds
and premium rebates; all means and vehicles of investment or hedging, including,
without limitation, options, warrants, and futures contracts; records; customer
lists; telephone numbers; goodwill; causes of action; judgments; payments under
any settlement or other agreement; literary rights; rights to performance;
royalties; license and/or franchise fees; rights of admission; licenses;
franchises; license agreements, including all rights of such Borrower to enforce
same; permits, certificates of convenience and necessity, and similar rights
granted by any governmental authority; patents, patent applications, patents
pending, and other intellectual property; internet addresses and domain names;
developmental ideas and concepts; proprietary processes; blueprints, drawings,
designs, diagrams, plans, reports, and charts; catalogs; manuals; technical
data; computer software programs (including the source and object codes
therefor), computer records, computer software, rights of access to computer
record service bureaus, service bureau computer contracts, and computer data;
tapes, disks, semi-conductors chips and printouts; trade secrets rights,
copyrights, copyright applications, mask work rights and interests, and
derivative works and interests; user, technical reference, and other manuals and
materials; trade names, trademarks, trademark applications, service marks, and
all goodwill relating thereto; applications for registration of the foregoing;
and all other general intangible property of such Borrower in the nature of
intellectual property; proposals; cost estimates, and reproductions on paper, or
otherwise, of any and all concepts or ideas, and any matter related to, or
connected with, the design, development, manufacture, sale, marketing, leasing,
or use of any or all property produced, sold, or leased by such Borrower, or
credit extended or services performed by such Borrower, whether intended for an
individual customer or the general business of such Borrower, or used or useful
in connection with research by such Borrower.

         "GOODS": Has the meaning given that term in the UCC, and also includes
all things movable when a security interest therein attaches and also all
computer programs embedded in goods and any supporting information provided in
connection with a transaction relating to the program if (i) the program is
associated with the goods in such manner that it customarily is considered part
of the goods or (ii) by becoming the owner of the goods, a Person acquires a
right to use the program in connection with the goods.

         "HAZARDOUS MATERIALS": Any (a) substance which is defined or regulated
as a hazardous material in or under any Environmental Law and (b) oil in any
physical state.

<PAGE>   21

         "INDEBTEDNESS": All indebtedness and obligations of or assumed by any
Person on account of or in respect to any of the following:

         (a) In respect of money borrowed (including any indebtedness which is
non-recourse to the credit of such Person but which is secured by an Encumbrance
on any asset of such Person) whether or not evidenced by a promissory note,
bond, debenture or other written obligation to pay money.

         (b) In connection with any letter of credit or acceptance transaction
(including, without limitation, the face amount of all letters of credit and
acceptances issued for the account of such Person or reimbursement on account of
which such Person would be obligated).

         (c) In connection with the sale or discount of accounts receivable or
chattel paper of such Person.

         (d) On account of deposits or advances.

         (e) As lessee under Capital Leases.

         (f) In connection with any sale and leaseback transaction.

         "Indebtedness" also includes:

         (x) Indebtedness of others secured by an Encumbrance on any asset of
such Person, whether or not such Indebtedness is assumed by such Person.

         (y) Any guaranty, endorsement, suretyship or other undertaking pursuant
to which that Person may be liable on account of any obligation of any third
party.

         (z) The Indebtedness of a partnership or joint venture for which such
Person is liable as a general partner or joint venturer.

         "INDEFAULT": Any occurrence, circumstance, or state of facts with
respect to any Borrower which (a) is an Event of Default; or (b) would become an
Event of Default if any requisite notice were given and/or any requisite period
of time were to run and such occurrence, circumstance, or state of facts were
not absolutely cured within any applicable grace period.

         "INDEMNIFIED PERSON": Is defined in Section 19.13.

         "INSTRUMENTS": Has the meaning given that term in the UCC.

         "INTEREST PAYMENT DATE": With reference to:

         Each Eurodollar Loan: The last day of the Interest Period relating
thereto (and on the last day of month three for any such loan which has a six
month Interest Period); the Termination Date; and the End Date.

<PAGE>   22
                                      -14-

         Each Base Margin Loan: The first day of each month; the Termination
Date; and the End Date.

         "INTEREST PERIOD": The following:

         (a) With respect to each Eurodollar Loan: Subject to Subsection (c),
below, the period commencing on the date of the making or continuation of, or
conversion to, the subject Eurodollar Loan and ending one, two, three, or six
months thereafter, as the Company may elect by notice (pursuant to Section 2.5)
to the Agent

         (b) With respect to each Base Margin Loan: Subject to Subsection (c),
below, the period commencing on the date of the making or continuation of or
conversion to such Base Margin Loan and ending on that date (i) as of which the
subject Base Margin Loan is converted to a Eurodollar Loan, as the Company may
elect by notice (pursuant to Section 2.5) to the Agent, or (ii) on which the
subject Base Margin Loan is paid by any Borrower.

         (c) The setting of Interest Periods is in all instances subject to the
following:

                  (i)   Any Interest Period for a Base Margin Loan which would
         otherwise end on a day which is not a Business Day shall be extended to
         the next succeeding Business Day.

                  (ii)  Any Interest Period for a Eurodollar Loan which would
         otherwise end on a day that is not a Business Day shall be extended to
         the next succeeding Business Day, unless that succeeding Business Day
         is in the next calendar month, in which event such Interest Period
         shall end on the last Business Day of the month during which the
         Interest Period ends.

                  (iii) Subject to Subsection (iv), below, any Interest Period
         applicable to a Eurodollar Loan, which Interest Period begins on a day
         for which there is no numerically corresponding day in the calendar
         month during which such Interest Period ends, shall end on the last
         Business Day of the month during which that Interest Period ends.

                  (iv)  Any Interest Period which would otherwise end after the
         Termination Date shall end on the Termination Date.

                  (v)   The number of Interest Periods in effect at any one time
         is subject to Section 2.11(d) hereof.

         "INTERIM CONCENTRATION ACCOUNT": Any DDA into which the contents of any
other DDA is transferred (other than the Concentration Account).

         "INVENTORY": Includes, without limitation, "inventory" as defined in
the UCC and also all: (a) Goods which are leased by a Person as lessor; are held
by a Person for sale or lease or to be furnished under a contract of service;
are to be furnished by a

<PAGE>   23
                                      -15-

Person under a contract of service; or consist of raw materials, work in
process, or materials used or consumed in a business; (b) Goods of said
description in transit; (c) Goods of said description which are returned,
repossessed and rejected; (d) packaging, advertising, and shipping materials
related to any of the foregoing; (e) all names, marks, and General Intangibles
affixed or to be affixed or associated thereto; and (f) Documents and Documents
of Title which represent any of the foregoing.

         "INVENTORY ADVANCE RATE": The following percentages during the periods
indicated:

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>

                       Period                                      Percentage
                       ------                                      ----------
<S>                                                              <C>
December 15 through September 14 of any year                           67%

September 15 through December 14 of any year                           70%
</TABLE>

         "INVENTORY RESERVES": Such Reserves as may be established from time to
time by the Agent in the Agent's discretion with respect to the determination of
the saleability, at retail, of the Eligible Inventory or which reflect such
other factors as affect the market value of the Eligible Inventory. Without
limiting the generality of the foregoing, Inventory Reserves may include (but
are not limited to) reserves based on the following:

         (i)      Obsolescence (based upon Inventory on hand beyond a given
                  number of days).

         (ii)     Seasonality.

         (iii)    Shrinkage.

         (iv)     Imbalance.

         (v)      Change in Inventory character.

         (vi)     Change in Inventory composition.

         (vii)    Change in Inventory mix.

         (viii)   Markdowns (both permanent and point of sale).

         (ix)     Retail markons and markups inconsistent with prior period
                  practice and performance; industry standards; current business
                  plans; or advertising calendar and planned advertising events.

         "INVESTMENT PROPERTY": Has the meaning given that term in the UCC.

<PAGE>   24
                                      -16-

         "ISSUER": The issuer of any L/C.

         "L/C": Any letter of credit, the issuance of which is procured by the
Agent for the account of any Borrower and any acceptance made on account of such
letter of credit.

         "L/C LANDING COSTS": To the extent not included in the Stated Amount of
an L/C, customs, duty, freight, and other out-of-pocket costs and expenses which
will be expended to "land" the Inventory, the purchase of which is supported by
such L/C.

         "LEASE": Any lease or other agreement, no matter how styled or
structured, pursuant to which any Borrower is entitled to the use or occupancy
of any space.

         "LEASEHOLD INTEREST": Any interest of a Borrower as lessee under any
Lease.

         "LENDERS' SPECIAL COUNSEL": A single counsel, selected by the Majority
Lenders following the occurrence of an Event of Default, to represent the
interests of the Revolving Credit Lenders in connection with the enforcement,
attempted enforcement, or preservation of any rights and remedies under this, or
any other Loan Document, as well as in connection with any "workout",
forbearance, or restructuring of the credit facility contemplated hereby.

         "LETTER-OF-CREDIT RIGHT": Has the meaning given that term in UCC 9'99
and also refers to any right to payment or performance under an L/C, whether or
not the beneficiary has demanded or is at the time entitled to demand payment or
performance.

         "LIABILITIES": Includes, without limitation, the following:

         (a)      All and each of the following, whether now existing or
hereafter arising under this Agreement or under any of the other Loan Documents:

                  (i)   Any and all direct and indirect liabilities, debts, and
         obligations of any Borrower to the Agent or any Revolving Credit
         Lender, each of every kind, nature, and description.

                  (ii)  Each obligation to repay any loan, advance,
         indebtedness, note, obligation, overdraft, or amount now or hereafter
         owing by such Borrower to the Agent or any Revolving Credit Lender
         (including all future advances whether or not made pursuant to a
         commitment by the Agent or any Revolving Credit Lender), whether or not
         any of such are liquidated, unliquidated, primary, secondary, secured,
         unsecured, direct, indirect, absolute, contingent, or of any other
         type, nature, or description, or by reason of any cause of action which
         the Agent or any Revolving Credit Lender may hold against such
         Borrower.

                  (iii) All notes and other obligations of such Borrower now or
         hereafter assigned to or held by the Agent or any Revolving Credit
         Lender, each of every kind, nature, and description.

<PAGE>   25
                                      -17-

                  (iv)  All interest, fees, and charges and other amounts which
         may be charged by the Agent or any Revolving Credit Lender to such
         Borrower and/or which may be due from such Borrower to the Agent or any
         Revolving Credit Lender from time to time.

                  (v)   All costs and expenses incurred or paid by the Agent or
         any Revolving Credit Lender in respect of any agreement between such
         Borrower and the Agent or any Revolving Credit Lender or instrument
         furnished by such Borrower to the Agent or any Revolving Credit Lender
         (including, without limitation, Costs of Collection, attorneys'
         reasonable fees, and all court and litigation costs and expenses).

                  (vi)  Any and all covenants of such Borrower to or with the
         Agent or any Revolving Credit Lender and any and all obligations of
         such Borrower to act or to refrain from acting in accordance with any
         agreement between such Borrower and the Agent or any Revolving Credit
         Lender or instrument furnished by such Borrower to the Agent or any
         Revolving Credit Lender.

                  (vii) Each of the foregoing as if each reference to the "the
         Agent or any Revolving Credit Lender" were to each Affiliate of the
         Agent.

         (b)      Any and all direct or indirect liabilities, debts, and
obligations of each Borrower to the Agent or any Affiliate of the Agent, each of
every kind, nature, and description owing on account of any service or
accommodation provided to, or for the account of each Borrower pursuant to this
or any other Loan Document, including cash management services and the issuances
of L/C's.

         "LIQUIDATION": The exercise, by the Agent, of those rights accorded to
the Agent under the Loan Documents as a creditor of each Borrower following and
on account of the occurrence of an Event of Default looking towards the
realization on the Collateral. Derivations of the word "Liquidation" (such as
"Liquidate") are used with like meaning in this Agreement.

         "LOAN ACCOUNT": Is defined in Section 2.8.

         "LOAN COMMITMENT": With respect to each Revolving Credit Lender, that
respective Revolving Credit Lender's Revolving Credit Dollar Commitment.

         "LOAN DOCUMENTS": This Agreement and each other instrument or document
from time to time executed and/or delivered in connection with the arrangements
contemplated hereby or in connection with any transaction with the Agent or any
Affiliate of the Agent, including, without limitation, any transaction which
arises out of any cash management, depository, investment, letter of credit,
interest rate protection, or equipment leasing services provided by the Agent or
any Affiliate of the Agent, as each may be amended from time to time.

<PAGE>   26
                                      -18-

         "LOCAL ACCOUNT": A local depository account subject to a Blocked
Account Agreement.

         "MAJORITY LENDERS": Revolving Credit Lenders (other than Delinquent
Revolving Credit Lenders) holding 51% or more of the Loan Commitments (other
than any Loan Commitments held by Delinquent Revolving Credit Lenders).

         "MATERIAL ACCOUNTING CHANGE": Any change in GAAP applicable to
accounting periods subsequent to any Borrower's fiscal year most recently
completed prior to the execution of this Agreement, which change has a material
effect on such Borrower's financial condition or operating results, as reflected
on financial statements and reports prepared by or for such Borrower, when
compared with such condition or results as if such change had not taken place or
where preparation of such Borrower's statements and reports in compliance with
such change results in the breach of a financial performance covenant imposed
pursuant to Section 5:5.12 where such a breach would not have occurred if such
change had not taken place or visa versa.

         "MATURITY DATE": The fourth anniversary of the Closing Date.

         "MAXIMUM AVAILABILITY": The lesser of (a) or (b), where:

         (a)      is the result of

                  (i)      The Maximum Revolving Credit Ceiling

                                      Minus

                  (ii)     The aggregate unpaid balance of the Loan Account

                                      Minus

                  (iii)    The aggregate undrawn Stated Amount of all then
                           outstanding  L/C's.

         (b)      is the result of

                  (i)      The Borrowing Base

                                      Minus

                  (ii)     The aggregate unpaid balance of the Loan Account

                                      Minus

                  (iii)    The aggregate undrawn Stated Amount of all then
                           outstanding L/C's.

                                      Minus

<PAGE>   27

                  (iv)     The aggregate of the Availability Reserves.

         "MAXIMUM REVOLVING CREDIT CEILING": $150,000,000.

         "MAXIMUM REVOLVING CREDIT DOLLAR COMMITMENT": As set forth on SCHEDULE
2.22, annexed hereto (as such amounts may change in accordance with the
provisions of this Agreement).

         "MINIMUM AVAILABILITY": An amount equal to ten percent (10%) of the
lesser of (a) the Borrowing Base minus the aggregate of the Availability Reserve
and (b) the Maximum Revolving Credit Ceiling.

         "MORTGAGED PROPERTY": Any Real Estate which is subject to any Mortgage.

         "MORTGAGES": The several mortgages and deeds of trust dated as of the
Closing Date from any Borrower to the Agent with respect to the fee interests of
such Borrower in the Real Estate and in form and substance satisfactory to the
Agent.

         "NOMINEE": A business entity (such as a corporation or limited
partnership) formed by the Agent to own or manage any Post Foreclosure Asset.

         "OPERATING ACCOUNT": Is defined in Section 7.3.

         "OVERLOAN": A loan, advance, or providing of credit support (such as
the issuance of any L/C) to the extent that, immediately after its having been
made, Availability is less than Minimum Availability.

         "PARTICIPANT": Is defined in Section 19.16, hereof.

         "PAYMENT INTANGIBLE": Has the meaning given that term in UCC 9'99 and
also refers to any general intangible under which the Account Debtor's primary
obligation is a monetary obligation.

         "PERFECTION CERTIFICATES": The Perfection Certificates dated as of the
date of this Agreement and delivered by each Borrower to the Agent.

         "PERMITTED ENCUMBRANCES": Those Encumbrances permitted as provided in
Section 4.6(a) hereof.

         "PERMITTED INVESTMENTS": Is defined in Section 4.19(c) hereof.

         "PERSON": Any natural person, and any corporation, limited liability
company, trust, partnership, joint venture, or other enterprise or entity.

         "POST FORECLOSURE ASSET": All or any part of the Collateral, ownership
of which is acquired by the Agent or a Nominee on account of the "bidding in" at
a disposition as part of a Liquidation or by reason of a "deed in lieu" type of
transaction.

<PAGE>   28
                                      -20-

         "PROCEEDS": Includes, without limitation, "Proceeds" as defined in the
UCC and each type of property described in Section 8.1 hereof.

         "PROTECTIVE OVERADVANCES": Revolving Credit Loans which are OverLoans,
but as to which each of the following conditions is satisfied: (a) the Maximum
Revolving Credit Ceiling is not exceeded; and (b) when aggregated with all other
Protective OverAdvances, such Revolving Credit Loans do not aggregate more than
10% of the aggregate of the Borrowing Base; and (c) such Revolving Credit Loans
are made or undertaken in the Agent's discretion to protect and preserve the
interests of the Revolving Credit Lenders.

         "REAL ESTATE": All real property at any time owned or leased (as lessee
or sublessee) by any Borrower.

         "REAL ESTATE ADVANCE RATE": 50%.

         "RECEIPTS": All cash, cash equivalents, money, checks, credit card
slips, receipts and other Proceeds from any sale of the Collateral.

         "RECEIVABLES COLLATERAL": That portion of the Collateral which consists
of Accounts, Accounts Receivable, General Intangibles, Chattel Paper,
Instruments, Documents of Title, Documents, Investment Property, Payment
Intangibles, Letter-of-Credit Rights, bankers' acceptances, and all other rights
to payment.

         "REGISTER": Is defined in Section 16.2(c).

         "REQUIREMENTS OF LAW": As to any Person:

         (a) Applicable Law.

         (b) That Person's organizational documents.

         (c) That Person's by-laws and/or other instruments which deal with
corporate or similar governance, as applicable.

         "RESERVE PERCENTAGE": The decimal equivalent of that rate applicable to
a Revolving Credit Lender under regulations issued from time to time by the
Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System for determining the maximum
reserve requirement of that Revolving Credit Lender with respect to
"Eurocurrency liabilities" as defined in such regulations. The Reserve
Percentage applicable to a particular Eurodollar Loan shall be based upon that
in effect during the subject Interest Period, with changes in the Reserve
Percentage which take effect during such Interest Period to take effect (and to
consequently change any interest rate determined with reference to the Reserve
Percentage) if and when such change is applicable to such loans.

         "RESERVES": The following: Availability Reserves and Inventory
Reserves.

<PAGE>   29

         "RETAIL": The lower of

         (a) The Cost of Inventory divided by the Cost Factor (except that, for
purposes of the determination of "Availability", the Cost of Inventory shall be
the Cost of Eligible Inventory); or

         (b) the lowest ticketed or promoted price at which the subject
inventory is offered to the public, after all mark-downs (whether or not such
price is then reflected on such Borrower's accounting system).

         "REVOLVING CREDIT": Revolving credit loans made or to be made by the
Revolving Credit Lenders pursuant to Section 2.1 and SwingLine Loans.

         "REVOLVING CREDIT CEILING": $120,000,000; provided, however, that the
Company, upon notice to the Agent given in accordance with Section 2.22(f),
shall have the right to increase the Revolving Credit Ceiling on amount not to
exceed the Maximum Revolving Credit Ceiling.

         "REVOLVING CREDIT DOLLAR COMMITMENT": With respect to each Revolving
Credit Lender, such Revolving Credit Lender's, Revolving Credit Percentage
Commitment, multiplied by the Revolving Credit Ceiling.

         "REVOLVING CREDIT EARLY TERMINATION FEE": Is defined in Section 2.15.

         "REVOLVING CREDIT LENDERS": Each Revolving Credit Lender to which
reference is made in the Preamble of this Agreement and any other Person who
becomes a "Revolving Credit Lender" in accordance with the provisions of to this
Agreement.

         "REVOLVING CREDIT LOANS": Loans made under the Revolving Credit, except
that where the term "Revolving Credit Loan" is used with reference to available
interest rates applicable to the loans under the Revolving Credit, it refers to
so much of the unpaid principal balance of the Loan Account as bears the same
rate of interest for the same Interest Period. (See Section 2.11).

         "REVOLVING CREDIT NOTE": Is defined in Section 2.9.

         "REVOLVING CREDIT OBLIGATIONS": The aggregate of the Borrowers'
liabilities, obligations, and indebtedness of any character on account of or in
respect to the Revolving Credit.

         "REVOLVING CREDIT PERCENTAGE COMMITMENT": As set forth on SCHEDULE
2.22, annexed hereto (as such amounts may change in accordance with the
provisions of this Agreement).

         "STATED AMOUNT": The maximum amount for which an L/C may be honored.

<PAGE>   30
                                      -22-

         "SUPERMAJORITY LENDERS": Revolving Credit Lenders (other than
Delinquent Revolving Credit Lenders) holding 66-2/3% or more the Loan
Commitments (other than Loan Commitments held by a Delinquent Revolving Credit
Lender).

         "SUPPORTING OBLIGATION": Has the meaning given that term in UCC 9'99
and also refers to a Letter-of-Credit Right or secondary obligation which
supports the payment or performance of an Account, Chattel Paper, a Document, a
General Intangible, an Instrument, or Investment Property.

         "SURVEY": In relation to each Mortgaged Property, an instrument survey
of such Mortgaged Property dated as of a date subsequent to the date hereof,
which shall show the location of all buildings, structures, easements and
utility lines on such Mortgaged Property, shall be sufficient to remove the
survey exception from the Title Policy, shall show that all buildings and
structures are within the lot lines of such Mortgaged Property, shall not show
any encroachments by others, shall show the zoning district or districts in
which such Mortgaged Property is located, shall indicate if such Mortgaged
Property is located in a flood hazard district as established by the Federal
Emergency Management Agency or any successor agency or is located in any flood
plain, flood hazard or wetland protection district established under federal,
state or local law.

         "SURVEYOR CERTIFICATE": In relation to each Mortgaged Property for
which a Survey has been conducted, a certificate executed by the surveyor who
prepared such Survey dated as of a recent date and containing such information
relating to such Mortgaged Property as the Agent or the Title Insurance Company
may require, such certificate to be satisfactory to the Agent in form and
substance.

         "SWINGLINE": The facility pursuant to which the SwingLine Lender may
advance Revolving Credit Loans aggregating up to the SwingLine Loan Ceiling.

         "SWINGLINE LENDER": FRFI.

         "SWINGLINE LOAN CEILING": $15,000,000 (subject to increase as provided
in Section 15.4).

         "SWINGLINE LOANS": Is defined in Section 2.7.

         "SWINGLINE NOTE": Is defined in Section 2.7(c).

         "SYNDICATION AGENT": Fleet Securities Inc.

         "TERMINATION DATE": The earliest of (a) the Maturity Date; or (b) the
occurrence of any event described in Section 10.11, below; or (c) the Agent's
notice to the Borrowers setting the Termination Date on account of the
occurrence of any Event of Default other than as described in Section 10.11,
below; or (d) that date, ninety (90) days following irrevocable written notice
of which is provided by the Company to the Agent.
<PAGE>   31

         "TITLE INSURANCE COMPANY": First American Title Insurance Company.

         "TITLE POLICY": In relation to each Mortgaged Property, an ALTA
standard form title insurance policy issued by the Title Insurance Company (with
such reinsurance or co-insurance as the Agent may require, any such reinsurance
to be with direct access endorsements) in such amount as may be determined by
the Agent insuring the priority of the Mortgage of such Mortgaged Property and
that a Borrowers or one of its Affiliates holds marketable fee simple title to
such Mortgaged Property, subject only to the encumbrances permitted by such
Mortgage and which shall not contain exceptions for mechanics liens, persons in
occupancy or matters which would be shown by a survey (except as may be
permitted by such Mortgage), shall not insure over any matter except to the
extent that any such affirmative insurance is acceptable to the Agent in its
sole discretion, and shall contain such endorsements and affirmative insurance
as the Agent in its discretion may require, including but not limited to (i)
comprehensive endorsement, (ii) variable rate of interest endorsement, (iii)
usury endorsement, (iv) revolving credit endorsement, (v) tie-in endorsement,
(vi) doing business endorsement and (vii) if customarily required or not
cost-prohibitive in the reasonable judgment of the Agent, an ALTA form 3.1
zoning endorsement.

         "TRANSFER": Wire transfer pursuant to the wire transfer system
maintained by the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve Board, or as
otherwise may be agreed to from time to time by the Agent making such Transfer
and the subject Revolving Credit Lender. Wire instructions may be changed in the
same manner that Notice Addresses may be changed (Section 17.1), except that no
change of the wire instructions for Transfers to any Revolving Credit Lender
shall be effective without the consent of the Agent.

         "UCC": The Uniform Commercial Code as in effect from time to time in
Massachusetts.

         "UCC9'99": The revised Article 9 of the Uniform Commercial Code in the
form or substantially in the form approved by the American Law Institute and the
National Conference of Commissioners on Uniform State Law and contained in the
1999 official text of Revised Article 9 (with such nonuniform variations as may
be adopted as part of the enactment of that revision).

         "UNANIMOUS CONSENT": Consent of Revolving Credit Lenders (other than
Delinquent Revolving Credit Lenders) holding 100% of the Loan Commitments (other
than Loan Commitments held by a Delinquent Revolving Credit Lender).

         "UNUSED LINE FEE": Is defined in Section 2.14.

         "6.75% SENIOR UNSECURED NOTES": The 6.75% Senior Unsecured Notes issued
by the Company in the original principal amount of $34.5 million, issued
pursuant the Indenture dated December 15, 1986, in the form delivered to the
Agent on the Closing Date.

<PAGE>   32
                                      -24-

ARTICLE II. THE REVOLVING CREDIT

         2.1. ESTABLISHMENT OF REVOLVING CREDIT.

         (a)      The Revolving Credit Lenders hereby establish a revolving line
of credit in the Borrowers' favor pursuant to which each Revolving Credit
Lender, subject to, and in accordance with, this Agreement, acting through the
Agent, shall make loans and advances and otherwise provide financial
accommodations to and for the account of the Borrowers as provided herein.

         (b)      Loans, advances, and financial accommodations under the
Revolving Credit shall be made with reference to the Borrowing Base and shall be
subject to Availability. The Borrowing Base and Availability shall be determined
by the Agent by reference to Borrowing Base Certificates furnished as provided
in Section 5.4, below, and shall be subject to the following:

                  (i)   Such determination shall take into account such Reserves
         as the Agent may determine as being applicable thereto.

                  (ii)  The Cost of Eligible Inventory will be determined in a
         manner consistent with current tracking practices, based on such
         Borrower's stock ledger inventory.

                  (iii) The Cost of Eligible L/C Inventory will be calculated at
         the Cost of such Inventory.

         (c)      The commitment of each Revolving Credit Lender to provide such
loans, advances, and financial accommodations is subject to Section 2.22.

         (d)      The proceeds of borrowings under the Revolving Credit shall be
used to refinance existing senior bank facilities and to fund general corporate
purposes, including, without limitation, the Company's working capital
requirements, Capital Expenditures, permitted repurchases of 6.75% Senior
Unsecured Notes, the issuance of L/Cs, permitted dividend distributions, and as
otherwise permitted by this Agreement. No proceeds of a borrowing under the
Revolving Credit may be used, nor shall any be requested, with a view towards
the accumulation of any general fund or funded reserve of the Borrowers other
than in the ordinary course of the Borrowers' businesses and consistent with the
provisions of this Agreement.

         2.2. ADVANCES CAUSING AVAILABILITY TO BE LESS THAN MINIMUM AVAILABILITY
(OVERLOANS).

         (a)      No Revolving Credit Lender has any obligation to make any loan
or advance, or otherwise to provide any credit to or for the benefit of the
Borrowers where the result of such loan, advance, or credit is an OverLoan.

<PAGE>   33
                                      -25-

         (b)      The Revolving Credit Lenders' obligations, among themselves,
are subject to Section 12.3(a) (which relates to each Revolving Credit Lender's
making amounts available to the Agent) and to Section 15.3(a) (which relates to
Protective OverAdvances).

         (c)      The Revolving Credit Lenders' providing of an OverLoan on any
one occasion does not affect the obligations of the Borrowers hereunder
(including any Borrower's obligation to immediately repay any amount which
otherwise constitutes an OverLoan) nor obligate the Revolving Credit Lenders to
do so on any other occasion.

         2.3. RISKS OF VALUE OF COLLATERAL. The Agent's reference to a given
asset in connection with the making of loans, credits, and advances and the
providing of financial accommodations under the Revolving Credit and/or the
monitoring of compliance with the provisions hereof shall not be deemed a
determination by the Agent or any Revolving Credit Lender relative to the actual
value of the asset in question. All risks concerning the value of the Collateral
are and remain upon each Borrower. All Collateral secures the prompt, punctual,
and faithful performance of the Liabilities whether or not relied upon by the
Agent in connection with the making of loans, credits, and advances and the
providing of financial accommodations under the Revolving Credit.

         2.4. COMMITMENT TO MAKE REVOLVING CREDIT LOANS AND SUPPORT LETTERS OF
CREDIT. Subject to the provisions of this Agreement, the Revolving Credit
Lenders shall make a loan or advance under the Revolving Credit and the Agent
shall endeavor to have an L/C issued for the account of the applicable Borrower,
in each instance if duly and timely requested by the Company as provided herein
provided that:

                  (i)      No OverLoan is then outstanding and none will result
                           therefrom.

                  (ii)     The Revolving Credit has not been suspended (as to
         which, see in Section 2.5(g)).

         2.5. REVOLVING CREDIT LOAN REQUESTS.

         (a)      Requests for loans and advances under the Revolving Credit or
for the continuance or conversion of an interest rate applicable to a Revolving
Credit Loan may be requested by the Company in the form attached as EXHIBIT F or
in such other manner as may from time to time be acceptable to the Agent.

         (b)      Subject to the provisions of this Agreement, the Company, on
behalf of any Borrower, may request a Revolving Credit Loan and elect an
interest rate and Interest Period to be applicable to that Revolving Credit Loan
by giving notice to the Agent by no later than the following:

                  (i)   If such Revolving Credit Loan is to be or is to be
         converted to a Base Margin Loan: By 12:00 noon on the Business Day on
         which the subject Revolving Credit Loan is to be made or is to be so
         converted. Base Margin

<PAGE>   34

                                      -26-

         Loans requested by the Company, other than those resulting from the
         conversion of a Eurodollar Loan, shall not be less than $10,000.00.

                  (ii)  If such Revolving Credit Loan is to be, or is to be
         continued as, or converted to, a Eurodollar Loan: By 1:00PM two (2)
         Eurodollar Business Days before the commencement of any new Interest
         Period or the end of the then applicable Interest Period. Eurodollar
         Loans and conversions to Eurodollar Loans shall each be not less than
         $1,000,000 and in increments of $1,000,000 in excess of such minimum.

                  (iii) Any Eurodollar Loan which matures while the Borrowers
         are InDefault shall be converted, at the option of the Agent, to a Base
         Margin Loan notwithstanding any notice from any Borrower that such Loan
         is to be continued as a Eurodollar Loan.

         (c)      Any request for a Revolving Credit Loan or for the continuance
or conversion of an interest rate applicable to a Revolving Credit Loan which is
made after the applicable deadline therefor, as set forth above, shall be deemed
to have been made at the opening of business on the then next Business Day or
Eurodollar Business Day, as applicable.

         (d)      The Company may request that the Agent cause the issuance by
the Issuer of L/C's for the account of any Borrower as provided in Section 2.18.

         (e)      The Agent may rely on any request for a loan or advance, or
other financial accommodation under the Revolving Credit which the Agent, in
good faith, believes to have been made by a Person duly authorized to act on
behalf of the Borrowers and may decline to make any such requested loan or
advance, or issuance, or to provide any such financial accommodation pending the
Agent's being furnished with such documentation concerning that Person's
authority to act as may be satisfactory to the Agent.

         (f)      A request by the Company for loan or advance, or other
financial accommodation under the Revolving Credit shall be irrevocable and
shall constitute certification by the Borrowers that as of the date of such
request, each of the following is true and correct:

                  (i)   There has been no material adverse change in any
         Borrower's financial condition from the most recent financial
         information furnished Agent or any Revolving Credit Lender pursuant to
         this Agreement.

                  (ii)  All or a portion of any loan or advance so requested
         will be set aside by such Borrower to cover such Borrower's obligations
         for any unpaid sales tax on account of sales since the then most recent
         borrowing pursuant to the Revolving Credit.
<PAGE>   35
                                      -27-

                  (iii) Each representation which is made herein or in any of
         the Loan Documents is then true and complete in all material respects
         as of and as if made on the date of such request.

                  (iv)  Unless accompanied by a written Certificate of such
         Borrower's President or its Chief Financial Officer describing (in
         reasonable detail) the facts and circumstances thereof and the steps
         (if any) being taken to remedy such condition, that such Borrower is
         not InDefault.

         (g)      If, at any time or from time to time, any Borrower is
InDefault:

                  (i)   The Agent may suspend the Revolving Credit immediately,
         in which event, neither the Agent nor any Revolving Credit Lender shall
         be obligated, during such suspension, to make any loans or advance, or
         to provide any financial accommodation hereunder or to seek the
         issuance of any L/C.

                  (ii)  The Agent may suspend the right of any Borrower to
         request any Eurodollar Loan or to convert any Base Margin Loan to a
         Eurodollar Loan.

         2.6. MAKING OF REVOLVING CREDIT LOANS.

         (a)      A loan or advance under the Revolving Credit shall be made by
the transfer of the proceeds of such loan or advance to the Operating Account or
as otherwise instructed by the Company.

         (b)      A loan or advance shall be deemed to have been made under the
Revolving Credit (and the Borrowers shall be indebted to the Agent and the
Revolving Credit Lenders for the amount thereof immediately) at the following:

                  (i)   The Agent's initiation of the transfer of the proceeds
         of such loan or advance in accordance with the Company's instructions
         (if such loan or advance is of funds requested by the Company).

                  (ii)  The charging of the amount of such loan to the Loan
         Account (in all other circumstances).

         (c)      There shall not be any recourse to or liability of the Agent
or any Revolving Credit Lender, on account of:

                  (i)   Any delay in the making of any loan or advance requested
         under the Revolving Credit.

                  (ii)  Any delay by any bank or other depository institution in
         treating the proceeds of any such loan or advance as collected funds.

                  (iii) Any delay in the receipt, and/or any loss, of funds
         which constitute a loan or advance under the Revolving Credit, the wire
         transfer of which was

<PAGE>   36

                                      -28-

         properly initiated by the Agent in accordance with wire instructions
         provided to the Agent by the Company.

         2.7. SWINGLINE LOANS.

         (a)      For ease of administration, Base Margin Loans may be made by
the SwingLine Lender (in the aggregate, the "SWINGLINE LOANS") in accordance
with the procedures set forth in this Agreement for the making of loans and
advances under the Revolving Credit. The unpaid principal balance of the
SwingLine Loans shall not at any one time be in excess of the SwingLine Loan
Ceiling.

         (b)      The aggregate unpaid principal balance of SwingLine Loans
shall bear interest at the rate applicable to Base Margin Loans and shall be
repayable as a loan under the Revolving Credit.

         (c)      The Borrowers' obligation to repay SwingLine Loans shall be
evidenced by a Note in the form of EXHIBIT A (the "SWINGLINE NOTE"), annexed
hereto, executed by each Borrower, and payable to the SwingLine Lender. Neither
the original nor a copy of that Note shall be required, however, to establish or
prove any Liability. Each Borrower shall execute a replacement of any SwingLine
Note which has been lost, mutilated, or destroyed thereof and deliver such
replacement to the SwingLine Lender.

         (d)      For all purposes of this Loan Agreement, the SwingLine Loans
and the Borrowers' obligations to the SwingLine Lender constitute Revolving
Credit Loans and are secured as "Liabilities".

         (e)      SwingLine Loans may be subject to periodic settlement with the
Revolving Credit Lenders as provided in this Agreement.

         2.8. THE LOAN ACCOUNT.

         (a)      An account ("LOAN ACCOUNT") shall be opened on the books of
the Agent in which a record shall be kept of all loans and advances made under
the Revolving Credit.

         (b)      The Agent shall also keep a record (either in the Loan Account
or elsewhere, as the Agent may from time to time elect) of all interest, fees,
service charges, costs, expenses, and other debits owed to the Agent and each
Revolving Credit Lender on account of the Liabilities and of all credits against
such amounts so owed.

         (c)      All credits against the Liabilities shall be conditional upon
final payment to the Agent for the account of each Revolving Credit Lender of
the items giving rise to such credits. The amount of any item credited against
the Liabilities which is charged back against the Agent or any Revolving Credit
Lender for any reason or is not so paid shall be a Liability and shall be added
to the Loan Account, whether or not the item so charged back or not so paid is
returned.
<PAGE>   37
                                      -29-

         (d)      Except as otherwise provided herein, all fees, service
charges, costs, and expenses for which any Borrower is obligated hereunder are
payable on demand. In the determination of Availability, the Agent may deem
accrued interest which will be due and payable between the date of such
determination and the first day of the then next succeeding month as having been
advanced under the Revolving Credit whether or not such amounts are then due and
payable.

         (e)      The Agent, without the request of any Borrower, may advance
under the Revolving Credit any interest, fee, service charge, or other payment
to which the Agent or any Revolving Credit Lender is entitled from any Borrower
pursuant hereto and may charge the same to the Loan Account notwithstanding that
an OverLoan may result thereby. Such action on the part of the Agent shall not
constitute a waiver of the Agent's rights and any Borrower's obligations under
Section 2.10(b). Any amount which is added to the principal balance of the Loan
Account as provided in this Section 2.8(e) shall bear interest at the interest
rate then and thereafter applicable to Base Margin Loans.

         (f)      Any statement rendered by the Agent or any Revolving Credit
Lender to the Company concerning the Liabilities shall be considered correct and
accepted by each Borrowers and shall be conclusively binding upon each Borrower
unless the Borrowers provides the Agent with written objection thereto within
thirty (30) days from the mailing of such statement, which written objection
shall indicate, with particularity, the reason for such objection. The Loan
Account and the Agent's books and records concerning the loan arrangement
contemplated herein and the Liabilities shall be prima facie evidence and proof
of the items described therein.

         2.9. THE REVOLVING CREDIT NOTES. Each Borrower's obligation to repay
loans and advances under the Revolving Credit, with interest as provided herein,
shall be evidenced by Notes (each, a "REVOLVING CREDIT NOTE") in the form of
EXHIBIT B, annexed hereto, executed by each Borrower, one payable to each
Revolving Credit Lender. Neither the original nor a copy of any Revolving Credit
Note shall be required, however, to establish or prove any Liability. In the
event that any Revolving Credit Note is ever lost, mutilated, or destroyed, each
Borrower shall execute a replacement thereof and deliver such replacement to the
Agent.

         2.10. PAYMENT OF THE LOAN ACCOUNT.

         (a)      The Borrowers may repay all or any portion of the principal
balance of the Loan Account from time to time until the Termination Date.

         (b)      The Borrowers, without notice or demand from the Agent or any
Revolving Credit Lender, shall pay the Agent that amount, from time to time,
which is necessary so that there is no OverLoan outstanding.

         (c)      The Borrowers shall repay the then entire unpaid balance of
the Loan Account and all other Liabilities on the Termination Date.

<PAGE>   38

                                      -30-

         (d)      The Agent shall endeavor to cause the application of payments
(if any), pursuant to Sections 2.10(a) and 2.10(b) against Eurodollar Loans then
outstanding in such manner as results in the least cost to the Borrowers, but
shall not have any affirmative obligation to do so nor liability on account of
the Agent's failure to have done so. In no event shall action or inaction taken
by the Agent excuse any Borrower from any indemnification obligation under
Section 2.10(e).

         (e)      Each Borrower shall indemnify the Agent and each Revolving
Credit Lender and hold the Agent and each Revolving Credit Lender harmless from
and against any loss, cost or expense (including loss of anticipated profits and
amounts payable by the Agent or such Revolving Credit Lender on account of
"breakage fees" (so-called)) which the Agent or such Revolving Credit Lender may
sustain or incur (including, without limitation, by virtue of acceleration after
the occurrence of any Event of Default) as a consequence of the following:

                  (i)   Default by any Borrower in payment of the principal
         amount of or any interest on any Eurodollar Loan as and when due and
         payable, including any such loss or expense arising from interest or
         fees payable by such Revolving Credit Lender in order to maintain its
         Eurodollar Loans.

                  (ii)  Default by any Borrower in making a borrowing or
         conversion after the Company has given (or is deemed to have given) a
         request for a Revolving Credit Loan or a request to convert a Revolving
         Credit Loan from one applicable interest rate to another.

                  (iii) The making of any payment on a Eurodollar Loan or the
         making of any conversion of any such Loan to a Base Margin Loan on a
         day that is not the last day of the applicable Interest Period with
         respect thereto.

         2.11. INTEREST ON REVOLVING CREDIT LOANS.

         (a)      Each Revolving Credit Loan shall bear interest at the Base
Margin Rate unless timely notice is given (as provided in Section 2.5) that the
subject Revolving Credit Loan (or a portion thereof) is, or is to be converted
to, a Eurodollar Loan.

         (b)      Each Revolving Credit Loan which consists of a Eurodollar Loan
shall bear interest at the applicable Eurodollar Rate.

         (c)      Subject to, and in accordance with, the provisions of this
Agreement, the Company may cause all or a part of the unpaid principal balance
of the Loan Account to bear interest at the Base Margin Rate or the Eurodollar
Rate as specified from time to time by the Company.

         (d)      No Borrower shall select, renew, or convert any interest rate
for a Revolving Credit Loan such that, in addition to interest at the Base
Margin Rate, there are more than five (5) Eurodollar Rates applicable to the
Revolving Credit Loans at any one time.
<PAGE>   39
                                      -31-

         (e)      Each Borrower shall pay accrued and unpaid interest on each
Revolving Credit Loan in arrears as follows:

                  (i)   On the applicable Interest Payment Date for that
         Revolving Credit Loan.

                  (ii)  On the Termination Date and on the End Date.

                  (iii) Following the occurrence of any Event of Default, with
         such frequency as may be determined by the Agent.

         (f)      Following the occurrence of any Event of Default (and whether
or not the Agent exercises the Agent's rights on account thereof), all Revolving
Credit Loans shall bear interest, at the option of the Agent or at the
instruction of the SuperMajority Lenders at rate which is the aggregate of the
rate applicable to Base Margin Loans plus Two Percent (2%) per annum.

         2.12. CLOSING FEE. In consideration of the commitment to make loans and
advances to the Borrowers under the Revolving Credit, and to maintain sufficient
funds available for such purpose, there has been earned and the Borrowers shall
pay to the Agent the "CLOSING FEE" (so referred to herein) as set forth in the
Fee Letter.

         2.13. AGENT'S FEE. In addition to any other fee or expense to be paid
by the Borrowers on account of the Revolving Credit, the Borrowers shall pay the
Agent the "AGENT'S FEE" as set forth in the fee letter.

         2.14. UNUSED LINE FEE. In addition to any other fee to be paid by the
Borrowers on account of the Revolving Credit, the Borrowers shall pay the Agent
the "UNUSED LINE FEE" (so referred to herein) of 0.50% per annum of the average
difference, during the quarter most recently ended (or relevant period with
respect to the payment being made on the Termination Date) between the Revolving
Credit Ceiling and the aggregate of the unpaid principal balance of the Loan
Account and the undrawn Stated Amount of L/C's outstanding during the relevant
period. The Unused Line Fee shall be paid in arrears, on the first day of each
quarter after the execution of this Agreement and on the Termination Date.

         2.15. EARLY TERMINATION FEE.

         (a)      In the event that the Termination Date occurs, for any reason
(other than because the End Date occurs as a result of funds borrowed from FRFI,
Fleet National Bank or any of their Affiliates), prior to the Maturity Date, the
Borrowers shall pay to the Agent, for the benefit of the Revolving Credit
Lenders, the "REVOLVING CREDIT EARLY TERMINATION FEE" (so referred to herein)
determined and payable as follows:

                  (i)   $1,500,000 if the Termination Date occurs on or before
         the first anniversary of the date of this Agreement.
<PAGE>   40
                                      -32-

                  (ii)  $750,000 if the Termination Date occurs after the first
         anniversary of the date of this Agreement but on or before the second
         anniversary of the date of this Agreement.

                  (iii) $0 at all times after the second anniversary of the date
         of this Agreement.

         (b)      The Revolving Credit Early Termination Fee shall be allocated
to the Revolving Credit Lenders pro rata based upon their Revolving Credit
Dollar Commitment.

         2.16. CONCERNING FEES.

         (a)      In addition to any other right to which the Agent is then
entitled on account thereof, the Agent may assess an additional fee payable by
any Borrower on account of the accommodation, from time to time, by the Agent of
any Borrower's request that the Agent depart or dispense with one or more of the
administrative provisions of this Agreement and/or any Borrower's failure to
comply with any of such provisions.

                  (i)      By way of non-exclusive example, the Agent may assess
         a  fee on account of any of the following:

                           (A) Any Borrower's failure to pay that amount which
                  is necessary so that no OverLoan is outstanding (as required
                  under Section 2.10(b) hereof).

                           (B) The providing of a loan or advance under the
                  Revolving Credit or charging of the Loan Account such that an
                  OverLoan is made.

                           (C) The foreshortening of any of the time frames with
                  respect to the making of Revolving Credit Loans as set forth
                  in Section 2.5.

                           (D) Any Borrower's failure to provide a financial
                  statement or report within the applicable time frame provided
                  for such report under Article 5: hereof.

                  (ii)     The inclusion of the foregoing right on the part of
         the Agent to assess a fee does not constitute an obligation, on the
         part of the Agent, to waive any provision of this Agreement under any
         circumstances. The assessment of any such fee in any particular
         circumstance shall not constitute the Agent's waiver of any breach of
         this Agreement on account of which such fee was assessed nor a course
         of action on which any Borrower may rely.

         (b)      No Borrower shall be entitled to any credit, rebate or
repayment of any fee earned by the Agent or any Revolving Credit Lender pursuant
to this Agreement or any Loan Document notwithstanding any termination of this
Agreement or suspension or
<PAGE>   41
                                      -33-

termination of the Agent's and any Revolving Credit Lender's respective
obligation to make loans and advances hereunder.

         2.17. AGENT'S AND REVOLVING CREDIT LENDERS' DISCRETION.

         (a)   Each reference in the Loan Documents to the exercise of
discretion or the like by the Agent or any Revolving Credit Lender shall be to
such Person's exercise of its judgment, in good faith (which shall be presumed),
based upon such Person's consideration of any such factors as the Agent or that
Revolving Credit Lender, taking into account information of which that Person
then has actual knowledge, believes:

                  (i)   Will or reasonably could be expected to affect the value
         of the Collateral, the enforceability of the Agent's Collateral
         Interests therein, or the amount which the Agent would likely realize
         therefrom (taking into account delays which may possibly be encountered
         in the Agent's realizing upon the Collateral and likely Costs of
         Collection).

                  (ii)  Indicates that any report or financial information
         delivered to the Agent or any Revolving Credit Lender by or on behalf
         of any Borrower is incomplete, inaccurate, or misleading in any
         material manner or was not prepared in accordance with the requirements
         of this Agreement.

                  (iii) Suggests an increase in the likelihood that any Borrower
         will become the subject of a bankruptcy or insolvency proceeding.

                  (iv)  Suggests that any Borrower is InDefault.

         (b) In the exercise of such judgement, the Agent and each Revolving
Credit Lender also may take into account any of the following factors:

                  (i)   Those included in, or tested by, the definitions of
         "Eligible Inventory" and "Cost".

                  (ii)  The current financial and business climate of the
         industry in which any Borrower competes (having regard for such
         Borrower's position in that industry).

                  (iii) General macroeconomic conditions which have a material
         effect on any Borrower's cost structure or the value of Eligible Real
         Estate Assets.

                  (iv)  Material changes in or to the mix of any Borrower's
         Inventory.

                  (v)   Seasonality with respect to any Borrower's Inventory and
         patterns of retail sales.
<PAGE>   42

                                      -34-

                  (vi)  Such other factors as the Agent and each Revolving
         Credit Lender reasonably determines as having a material bearing on
         credit risks associated with the providing of loans and financial
         accommodations to any Borrower.

         (c)      The burden of establishing the failure of the Agent or any
Revolving Credit Lender to have acted in a reasonable manner in such Person's
exercise of such discretion shall be the Borrowers' and may be made only by
clear and convincing evidence.

         2.18. PROCEDURES FOR ISSUANCE OF L/C'S.

         (a)      The Company may request that the Agent cause the issuance by
the Issuer of L/C's for the account of the Borrowers. Each such request shall be
in such manner as may from time to time be acceptable to the Agent.

         (b)      The Agent will endeavor to cause the issuance of any L/C so
requested by the Company, provided that, at the time that the request is made,
the Revolving Credit has not been suspended as provided in Section 2.5(g) and if
so issued:

                  (i)   The aggregate Stated Amount of all L/C's then
         outstanding, does not exceed Thirty-Five Million Dollars ($35,000,000).

                  (ii)  The expiry of the L/C is not later than the following:

                        (A)      Standby's: One (1) year from initial issuance.

                        (B)      Documentary's: Sixty (60) days from issuance.

                  (iii) If the expiry of an L/C is later than the Maturity Date,
         the Agent may require such L/C to be 103% cash collateralized at its
         issuance.

                  (iv)  An OverLoan will not result from the issuance of the
         subject L/C.

         (c)      Such Borrower shall execute such documentation to apply for
and support the issuance of an L/C as may be required by the Issuer.

         (d)      There shall not be any recourse to, nor liability of, the
Agent or any Revolving Credit Lender on account of

                  (i)   Any delay or refusal by an Issuer to issue an L/C;

                  (ii)  Any action or inaction of an Issuer on account of or in
         respect to, any L/C, except for such Issuer's gross negligence or
         willful misconduct.

         (e)      The Borrowers shall reimburse the Issuer for the amount of any
honoring of a drawing under an L/C on the same day on which such honoring takes
place. The Agent, without the request of any Borrower, may advance under the
Revolving Credit (and charge to the Loan Account) the amount of any honoring of
any L/C and other

<PAGE>   43
                                      -35-

amount for which such Borrower, the Issuer, or the Revolving Credit Lenders
become obligated on account of, or in respect to, any L/C. Such advance shall be
made whether or not such Borrower is InDefault or such advance would result in
an OverLoan. Such action shall not constitute a waiver of the Agent's rights
under Section 2.10(b) hereof.

         2.19. FEES FOR L/C'S.

         (a)      The Borrowers shall pay to the Agent a fee, on account of
L/C's, the issuance of which had been procured by the Agent, quarterly in
arrears, and on the Termination Date and on the End Date, equal to:

                  (i)   The Eurodollar Applicable Margin on account of standby
         letters of credit.

                  (ii)  The Eurodollar Applicable Margin minus 50 basis points
         on account of documentary letters of credit.

                  (iii) Following the occurrence of any Event of Default, such
         fee shall be increased by two percent (2%) per annum.

         (b)      In addition to the fee to be paid as provided in Subsection
2.19(a), above, the Borrowers shall pay to the Agent (or to the Issuer, if so
requested by Agent), on demand, all issuance, processing, negotiation,
amendment, and administrative fees and other amounts charged by the Issuer on
account of, or in respect to, any L/C.

         (c)      If any change in Applicable Law shall either:

                  (i)   impose, modify or deem applicable any reserve, special
         deposit or similar requirements against letters of credit heretofore or
         hereafter issued by any Issuer or with respect to which any Revolving
         Credit Lender or any Issuer has an obligation to lend to fund drawings
         under any L/C; or

                  (ii)  impose on any Issuer any other condition or requirements
         relating to any such letters of credit;

and the result of any event referred to in Section 2.19(c)(i) or 2.19(c)(ii),
above, shall be to increase the cost to any Revolving Credit Lender or to any
Issuer of issuing or maintaining any L/C (which increase in cost shall be the
result of such Issuer's reasonable allocation among that Revolving Credit
Lender's or Issuer's letter of credit customers of the aggregate of such cost
increases resulting from such events), then, upon demand by the Agent and
delivery by the Agent to the Company of a certificate of an officer of the
subject Revolving Credit Lender or the subject Issuer describing such change in
law, executive order, regulation, directive, or interpretation thereof, its
effect on such Revolving Credit Lender or such Issuer, and the basis for
determining such increased costs and their allocation, the Borrowers shall
immediately pay to the Agent, from time to time as specified by the Agent, such
amounts as shall be sufficient to

<PAGE>   44
                                      -36-

compensate the subject Revolving Credit Lender or the subject Issuer for such
increased cost. Any Revolving Credit Lender's or any Issuer's determination of
costs incurred under Section 2.19(c)(i) or 2.19(c)(ii), above, and the
allocation, if any, of such costs among the Borrowers and other letter of credit
customers of such Revolving Credit Lender or such Issuer, if done in good faith
and made on an equitable basis and in accordance with such officer's
certificate, shall be conclusive and binding on the Borrowers.

         2.20. CONCERNING L/C'S.

         (a)      None of the Issuer, the Issuer's correspondents, any Revolving
Credit Lender, the Agent, or any advising, negotiating, or paying bank with
respect to any L/C shall be responsible in any way for:

                  (i)   The performance by any beneficiary under any L/C of that
         beneficiary's obligations to any Borrower.

                  (ii)  The form, sufficiency, correctness, genuineness,
         authority of any person signing; falsification; or the legal effect of;
         any documents called for under any L/C if (with respect to the
         foregoing) such documents on their face appear to be in order.

         (b)      The Issuer may honor, as complying with the terms of any L/C
and of any drawing thereunder, any drafts or other documents otherwise in order,
but signed or issued by an administrator, executor, conservator, trustee in
bankruptcy, debtor in possession, assignee for the benefit of creditors,
liquidator, receiver, or other legal representative of the party authorized
under such L/C to draw or issue such drafts or other documents.

         (c)      Unless otherwise agreed to, in the particular instance, each
Borrower hereby authorizes any Issuer to:

                  (i)   Select an advising bank, if any.

                  (ii)  Select a paying bank, if any.

                  (iii) Select a negotiating bank.

         (d)      All directions, correspondence, and funds transfers relating
to any L/C are at the risk of such Borrower. The Issuer shall have discharged
the Issuer's obligations under any L/C which, or the drawing under which,
includes payment instructions, by the initiation of the method of payment called
for in, and in accordance with, such instructions (or by any other commercially
reasonable and comparable method). None of the Agent, any Revolving Credit
Lender, or the Issuer shall have any responsibility for any inaccuracy,
interruption, error, or delay in transmission or delivery by post, telegraph or
cable, or for any inaccuracy of translation.
<PAGE>   45

                                      -37-

         (e)      The Agent's, each Revolving Credit Lender's, and the Issuer's
rights, powers, privileges and immunities specified in or arising under this
Agreement are in addition to any heretofore or at any time hereafter otherwise
created or arising, whether by statute or rule of law or contract.

         (f)      Except to the extent otherwise expressly provided hereunder or
agreed to in writing by the Issuer and the Company, documentary L/C's will be
governed by the Uniform Customs and Practice for Documentary Credits,
International Chamber of Commerce, Publication No. 500, and standby L/C's will
be governed by International Standby Practices ISP98 (adopted by the
International Chamber of Commerce on April 6, 1998) and any respective
subsequent revisions thereof.

         (g)      The obligations of each Borrower under this Agreement with
respect to L/C's are absolute, unconditional, and irrevocable and shall be
performed strictly in accordance with the terms hereof under all circumstances,
whatsoever including, without limitation, the following:

                  (i)   Any lack of validity or enforceability or restriction,
         restraint, or stay in the enforcement of this Agreement, any L/C, or
         any other agreement or instrument relating thereto.

                  (ii)  Such Borrower's consent to any amendment or waiver of,
         or consent to the departure from, any L/C.

                  (iii) The existence of any claim, set-off, defense, or other
         right which such Borrower may have at any time against the beneficiary
         of any L/C.

                  (iv)  Any good faith honoring of a drawing under any L/C,
         which drawing possibly could have been dishonored based upon a strict
         construction of the terms of the L/C.

         2.21. CHANGED CIRCUMSTANCES.

         (a)      The Agent may advise the Company that the Agent has made the
good faith determination (which determination shall be final and conclusive) of
any of the following:

                 (i)   Adequate and fair means do not exist for ascertaining the
         rate for Eurodollar Loans.

                 (ii)  The continuation of or conversion of any Revolving Credit
         Loan to a Eurodollar Loan has been made impracticable or unlawful by
         the occurrence of a contingency that materially and adversely affects
         the applicable market or the compliance by the Agent or any Revolving
         Credit Lender in good faith with any Applicable Law.
<PAGE>   46
                                      -38-

                 (iii) The indices on which the interest rates for Eurodollar
         Loans are based shall no longer represent the effective cost to the
         Agent or any Revolving Credit Lender for U.S. dollar deposits in the
         interbank market for deposits in which it regularly participates.

         (b)      In the event that the Agent advises the Company of an
occurrence described in Section 2.21(a), then, until the Agent notifies the
Company that the circumstances giving rise to such notice no longer apply:

                  (i)   The obligation of the Agent or each Revolving Credit
         Lender to make loans of the type affected by such changed circumstances
         or to permit the Borrowers to select the affected interest rate as
         otherwise applicable to any Revolving Credit Loans shall be suspended.

                  (ii)  Any notice which the Borrowers had given the Agent with
         respect to any Eurodollar Loan, the time for action with respect to
         which has not occurred prior to the Agent's having given notice
         pursuant to Section 2.21(a), shall be deemed at the option of the Agent
         to not having been given.

         2.22. LENDERS' COMMITMENTS.

         (a)      Subject to Section 16.1 (which provides for assignments and
assumptions of commitments), each Revolving Credit Lender's "REVOLVING CREDIT
PERCENTAGE COMMITMENT", and "MAXIMUM REVOLVING CREDIT DOLLAR COMMITMENT"
(respectively so referred to herein) is set forth on SCHEDULE 2.22, annexed
hereto.

         (b)      The obligations of each Revolving Credit Lender are several
and not joint. No Revolving Credit Lender shall have any obligation to make any
loan or advance under the Revolving Credit in excess of the lesser of the
following:

                  (i)   That Revolving Credit Lender's Revolving Credit
         Percentage Commitment of the subject loan or advance or of
         Availability.

                  (ii)  that Revolving Credit Lender's Revolving Credit Dollar
         Commitment.

         (c)      No Revolving Credit Lender shall have any liability to any
Borrower on account of the failure of any other Revolving Credit Lender to
provide any loan or advance under the Revolving Credit nor any obligation to
make up any shortfall which may be created by such failure.

         (d)      The Revolving Credit Dollar Commitments, Revolving Credit
Commitment Percentages, and identities of the Revolving Credit Lenders may be
changed, from time to time by the reallocation or assignment of Revolving Credit
Dollar Commitments and Revolving Credit Commitment Percentages amongst the
Revolving Credit Lenders or with other Persons who determine to become
"Revolving Credit Lenders", provided, however unless an Event of Default has
occurred (in which event, no consent of any

<PAGE>   47
                                      -39-

Borrower is required) any assignment to a Person not then a Revolving Credit
Lender shall be subject to the prior consent of the Borrowers (not to be
unreasonably withheld), which consent will be deemed given unless the Borrowers
provides the Agent with written objection, not more than ten (10) Business Days
after the Agent shall have given the Borrowers written notice of a proposed
assignment).

         (e)      Upon written notice given the Borrowers from time to time by
the Agent, of any assignment or allocation referenced in Section 2.22(d):

                  (i)   Each Borrower shall execute one or more replacement
         Revolving Credit Notes to reflect such changed Maximum Revolving Credit
         Dollar Commitments, Revolving Credit Commitment Percentages, and
         identities and shall deliver such replacement Revolving Credit Notes to
         the Agent (which promptly thereafter shall deliver to the Borrowers the
         Revolving Credit Notes so replaced) provided however, in the event that
         a Revolving Credit Note is to be exchanged following its acceleration
         or the entry of an order for relief under the Bankruptcy Code with
         respect to any Borrower, the Agent, in lieu of causing each Borrower to
         execute one or more new Revolving Credit Notes, may issue the Agent's
         Certificate confirming the resulting Revolving Credit Dollar
         Commitments and Revolving Credit Percentage Commitments.

                  (ii)  Such change shall be effective from the effective date
         specified in such written notice and any Person added as a Revolving
         Credit Lender shall have all rights and privileges of a Revolving
         Credit Lender hereunder thereafter as if such Person had been a
         signatory to this Agreement and any other Loan Document to which a
         Revolving Credit Lender is a signatory and any Person removed as a
         Revolving Credit Lender shall be relieved of any obligations or
         responsibilities of a Revolving Credit Lender hereunder thereafter.

         (f)      From time to time on not less than three (3) Business Days
notice to the Agent, the Company may elect to increase (but not decrease) the
Revolving Credit Ceiling in $10,000,000 increments up to a maximum amount equal
to the Maximum Revolving Credit Ceiling.

ARTICLE III. CONDITIONS PRECEDENT

         As a condition to the effectiveness of this Agreement, the
establishment of the Revolving Credit, and the making of the first loan under
the Revolving Credit, each of the documents respectively described in Sections
3.1 through and including 3.4 and 3.10 through and including 3.18, (each in form
and substance satisfactory to the Agent) shall have been delivered to the Agent,
and the conditions respectively described in Sections 3.5 through and including
3.9, 3.19 and 3.20, shall have been satisfied:

         3.1. CORPORATE DUE DILIGENCE.

         (a)      A Certificate of corporate good standing issued by the
Secretary of State of the State of organization of each Borrower.
<PAGE>   48
                                      -40-

         (b)      Certificates of due qualification, in good standing, issued by
the Secretary(ies) of State of each State in which the nature each Borrower's
business conducted or assets owned could require such qualification.

         (c)      A Certificate from each Borrower's Chairman of the Board,
President and Chief Executive Officer, Vice Chairman of the Board and Chief
Financial Officer and Assistant Secretary, on behalf of such Borrower, (i) of
the due adoption, continued effectiveness, and setting forth the texts of, each
corporate resolution adopted in connection with the establishment of the loan
arrangement contemplated by the Loan Documents, and (ii) attesting to the true
signatures of each Person authorized as a signatory to any of the Loan Documents
and (iii) certifying as true and correct as of the date of this Agreement the
attached Indenture relating to the 6.75% Senior Unsecured Notes.

         3.2. OPINIONS. An opinion of counsel to the Borrowers and local real
estate opinions, each in form and substance satisfactory to the Agent.

         3.3. ADDITIONAL DOCUMENTS. Such additional instruments and documents as
the Agent or its counsel reasonably may require or request including, without
limitation, the following: (a) the Mortgages, (b) the Revolving Credit Notes,
(c) the SwingLine Note, (d) the Trademark Collateral Security and Pledge
Agreement, dated as of the Closing Date among the Company and the Agent, for the
benefit of the Revolving Credit Lenders, (e) the Stock Pledge Agreement, dated
as of the Closing Date among the Company and the Agent, for the benefit of the
Revolving Credit Lenders, (f) the Memorandum of Grant of a Security Interest in
Copyrights, dated as of the Closing Date, between the Company and the Agent, (g)
the Fee Letter and (h) any UCC financing statements.

         3.4. OFFICERS' CERTIFICATES. Certificates executed by the President and
the Chief Financial Officer of each Borrower, on behalf of such Borrower, which
state that

         (a)      Such officer, acting on behalf of such Borrower, has reviewed
each of the Loan Documents and has had the benefit of independent counsel
(Attorneys Honigman Miller Schwartz and Cohn) of such Borrower's selection in
connection with the review and negotiation of the Loan Documents. In particular,
and without limiting the generality of such review, the following provisions of
the Loan Documents have been brought to the attention of the undersigned by such
counsel:

                  (i)   The waiver of the right to a trial by jury in connection
         with controversies arising out of the loan arrangement contemplated by
         the Loan Documents.

                  (ii)  The designation of, and submission to the exclusive
         jurisdiction and venue of, certain courts.

                  (iii) Various other waivers and indemnifications included
         therein.
<PAGE>   49
                                      -41-

                  (iv)  The circumstances under which the Liabilities could be
         accelerated and the grace periods available with respect to certain
         Events of Default.

         (b)      The representations and warranties made by such Borrower to
the Agent and the Revolving Credit Lenders in the Loan Documents are true and
complete in all material respects as of the date of such Certificate, and that
no event has occurred which is or which, solely with the giving of notice or
passage of time (or both) would be an Event of Default.

         3.5.  REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES. Each of the representations made
by or on behalf of each Borrower in this Agreement or in any of the other Loan
Documents or in any other report, statement, document, or paper provided by or
on behalf of each Borrower shall be true and complete in all material respects
as of the date as of which such representation or warranty was made.

         3.6.  MINIMUM DAY ONE AVAILABILITY. After giving effect to the first
funding under the Revolving Credit; all then held checks (if any); accounts
payable which are beyond credit terms then accorded each Borrower; overdrafts;
any charges to the Loan Account made in connection with the establishment of the
credit facility contemplated hereby; and L/C's to be issued at, or immediately
subsequent to, such establishment, Availability shall not be less than
$25,000,000.

         3.7.  ALL FEES AND EXPENSES PAID. All fees due at or immediately after
the first funding under the Revolving Credit and all costs and expenses incurred
by the Agent in connection with the establishment of the credit facility
contemplated hereby (including the fees and expenses of counsel to the Agent)
shall have been paid in full.

         3.8.  BORROWERS NOT INDEFAULT. No Borrower is InDefault.

         3.9.  NO ADVERSE CHANGE. No event shall have occurred or failed to
occur, which occurrence or failure is or could have a materially adverse effect
upon any Borrower's financial condition when compared with such financial
condition at February 3, 2001.

         3.10. PERFECTION CERTIFICATES AND UCC SEARCH RESULTS. The Agent shall
have received from each Borrower a completed and fully executed Perfection
Certificate and the results of UCC searches with respect to its Collateral,
indicating no liens other than Permitted Encumbrances and otherwise in form and
substance satisfactory to the Agent.

         3.11. SURVEY AND TAXES. The Agent shall have received (i) an updated
Survey of each Mortgaged Property together with a Surveyor Certificate relating
thereto and (ii) evidence of payment of real estate taxes and municipal charges
on all Mortgaged Property not delinquent on or before the Closing Date.

         3.12. TITLE INSURANCE. The Agent shall have received a Title Policy
covering each Mortgaged Property (or commitments to issue such policies, with
all conditions to

<PAGE>   50
                                      -42-

issuance of the Title Policy deleted by an authorized agent of the Title
Insurance Company) together with proof of payment of all fees and premiums for
such policies, from the Title Insurance Company and in amounts satisfactory to
the Agent, insuring the interest of the Agent and each of the Revolving Credit
Lenders as mortgagee under the Mortgages.

         3.13. CERTIFICATES OF INSURANCE. The Agent shall have received (i) a
certificate of insurance from an independent insurance broker dated as of the
Closing Date, identifying insurers, types of insurance, insurance limits, and
policy terms, and otherwise describing the insurance obtained in accordance with
the provisions of this Agreement and (ii) certified copies of all policies
evidencing such insurance (or certificates therefore signed by the insurer or an
agent authorized to bind the insurer).

         3.14. BLOCKED ACCOUNT AGREEMENTS AND NOTIFICATIONS. The Agent shall
have received copies of the notifications and the Blocked Account Agreements
required by Section 7.1(b).

         3.15. BORROWING BASE CERTIFICATE. The Agent shall have received from
the Company the initial Borrowing Base Certificate dated as of the date of the
making of the initial loan under the Revolving Credit.

         3.16. PAYOFF LETTER. The Agent shall have received a payoff letter from
The CIT Group/Business Credit, Inc., indicating the amount of the loan
obligations of the Company to The CIT Group/Business Credit, Inc. to be
discharged on the Closing Date and an acknowledgment by The CIT Group/Business
Credit, Inc. that upon receipt of such funds it will forthwith execute and
deliver to the Agent for filing all termination statements and take such other
actions as may be necessary to discharge all security interests and mortgages
granted by the Company in favor of The CIT Group/Business Credit, Inc.

         3.17. APPRAISALS OF ELIGIBLE REAL ESTATE ASSETS. The Agent shall have
received appraisal reports in form and substance and from appraisers
satisfactory to the Agent, stating the then current fair market, forced
liquidation value of all Eligible Real Estate Assets.

         3.18. HAZARDOUS WASTE ASSESSMENTS. The Agent shall have received
hazardous waste site assessments from environmental engineers and in form and
substance satisfactory to the Agent, covering all Eligible Real Estate Assets
and all other real property in respect of which any Borrower or any of its
Affiliates may have material liability, whether contingent or otherwise, for
dumping or disposal of Hazardous Materials.

         3.19. SUCCESSFUL SYNDICATION. The Syndication Agent shall have
successfully syndicated the Revolving Credit, provided that the Borrower may
request the making of the first loan to be no later than July 23, 2001 whether
or not the conditions described in this Section 3.19 are met.
<PAGE>   51

                                      -43-

         3.20. BENEFIT OF CONDITIONS PRECEDENT. The conditions set forth in this
Article 3 are for the sole benefit of the Agent and each Revolving Credit Lender
and may be waived by the Agent in whole or in part without prejudice to the
Agent or any Revolving Credit Lender.

No document shall be deemed delivered to the Agent or any Revolving Credit
Lender until received and accepted by the Agent at its offices in Boston,
Massachusetts. The execution and delivery of this Agreement or any other Loan
Document shall not be deemed a waiver of any of the conditions set forth in this
Article. Under no circumstances shall this Agreement take effect until executed
and accepted by the Agent at said offices.

ARTICLE IV.  GENERAL REPRESENTATIONS, COVENANTS AND WARRANTIES

         To induce each Revolving Credit Lender to establish the credit facility
contemplated herein and to induce the Revolving Credit Lenders to provide loans
and advances under the Revolving Credit (each of which loans shall be deemed to
have been made in reliance thereupon) each Borrower, in addition to all other
representations, warranties, and covenants made by such Borrower in any other
Loan Document, makes those representations, warranties, and covenants included
in this Agreement.

         4.1. PAYMENT AND PERFORMANCE OF LIABILITIES. Each Borrower shall pay
each payment Liability when due (or when demanded, if payable on demand) and
shall promptly, punctually, and faithfully perform each other Liability.

         4.2. DUE ORGANIZATION. AUTHORIZATION. NO CONFLICTS.

         (a) Each Borrower presently is and shall hereafter remain in good
standing as a Michigan corporation and is and shall hereafter remain duly
qualified and in good standing in every other State in which, by reason of the
nature or location of such Borrower's assets or operation of such Borrower's
business, such qualification may be necessary, except where the failure to so
qualify would have no more than a de minimis adverse effect on the business or a
assets of such Borrower.

         (b) Each Borrower's organizational identification number assigned to it
by its applicable State of organization are listed in the Perfection
Certificate.

         (c) No Borrower shall change its State of organization; any
organizational identification number assigned to such Borrower by that State; or
such Borrower's federal taxpayer identification number.

         (d) Each Affiliate (other than directors and executive officers of the
Borrowers) is listed on SCHEDULE 4.2. Each Borrower shall provide the Agent with
prior written notice of any entity's becoming or ceasing to be an Affiliate.

<PAGE>   52

                                      -44-

         (e)      Each Borrower has all requisite power and authority to execute
and deliver all Loan Documents to which such Borrower is a party and has and
will hereafter retain all requisite power to perform all Liabilities.

         (f)      The execution and delivery by each Borrower of each Loan
Document to which it is a party; such Borrower's consummation of the
transactions contemplated by such Loan Documents (including, without limitation,
the creation of Collateral Interests by such Borrower to secure the
Liabilities); such Borrower's performance under those of the Loan Documents to
which it is a party; the borrowings hereunder; and the use of the proceeds
thereof:

                  (i)    Have been duly authorized by all necessary corporate
         action.

                  (ii)   Do not, and will not, violate in any material respect
         any provision of any Requirement of Law or obligation of such
         Borrower.

                  (iii)  Will not result in the creation or imposition of, or
         the obligation to create or impose, any Encumbrance upon any assets of
         such Borrower pursuant to any Requirement of Law or obligation, except
         pursuant to the Loan Documents.

         (g)      The Loan Documents requiring execution have been duly executed
and delivered by each Borrower and are the legal, valid and binding obligations
of such Borrower, enforceable against such Borrower in accordance with their
respective terms.

         4.3. TRADE NAMES. Each Borrower will provide the Agent with not less
than twenty-one (21) days prior written notice (with reasonable particularity)
of any change to such Borrower's name from that under which such Borrower is
conducting its business at the execution of this Agreement and will not effect
such change unless such Borrower is then in compliance with all provisions of
this Agreement

         4.4. INFRASTRUCTURE.

         (a)      Each Borrower has and will maintain a sufficient
infrastructure to conduct its business as presently conducted and as
contemplated to be conducted following its execution of this Agreement.

         (b)      Each Borrower owns and possesses, or has the right to use (and
will hereafter own, possess, or have such right to use) all patents, industrial
designs, trademarks, trade names, trade styles, brand names, service marks,
logos, copyrights, trade secrets, know-how, confidential information, and other
intellectual or proprietary property of any third Person necessary for such
Borrower's conduct of such Borrower's business.

         (c)      The conduct by the each Borrower of such Borrower's business
does not presently infringe (nor will such Borrower conduct its business in the
future so as to infringe) the patents, industrial designs, trademarks, trade
names, trade styles, brand

<PAGE>   53

                                      -45-

names, service marks, logos, copyrights, trade secrets, know-how, confidential
information, or other intellectual or proprietary property of any third Person.

         4.5.  LOCATIONS.

         (a)      The Collateral, and the books, records, and papers of each
Borrower pertaining thereto, are kept and maintained solely at (i) such
Borrower's chief executive offices, (ii) other locations set forth in the
Perfection Certificate and (iii) other locations provided however, such Borrower
provides the Agent with prior written notice at least 21 days before moving any
Collateral into such location.

         (b)      No Borrower shall remove any of the Collateral from said chief
executive office, those locations listed in the Perfection Certificate or those
other locations for which such Borrower has provided the Agent with prior
written notice at least 21 days before moving any Collateral into such location,
except for the following purposes:

                  (i)    To accomplish sales of Inventory in the ordinary
         course of business or in connection with store closings; provided
         however that in the event the Borrowers close more than 3 stores in any
         fiscal year, such sales of Inventory in connection with the store
         closings shall be conducted by a nationally recognized liquidator
         acceptable to the Agent.

                  (ii)   To move Inventory or other Collateral from one such
         location to another such location.

                  (iii)  To utilize such of the Collateral as is removed from
         such locations in the ordinary course of business (such as motor
         vehicles).

                  (iv)   To sell, lease or dispose of the Collateral as
         permitted by Section 4.13(d).

         (c)      No Borrower will:

                  (i)    Execute, alter, modify, or amend any Lease relating
         to the Mortgaged Property without the Agent's prior written consent.

                  (ii)   Commit to, or open or close any location at which such
         Borrower maintains, offers for sales, or stores any of the Collateral
         without providing the Agent with prior written notice at least 21 days
         before moving any Collateral into or out of such location.

         (d)      Except as otherwise disclosed pursuant to, or permitted by,
this Section 4.5, no tangible personal property of such Borrower is in the care
or custody of any third party or stored or entrusted with a bailee or other
third party and none shall hereafter be placed under such care, custody,
storage, or entrustment, all except for any property in transit to a Borrower.

<PAGE>   54

                                      -46-

         4.6.  TITLE TO ASSETS.

         (a)      Each Borrower is, and shall hereafter remain, the owner of the
Collateral free and clear of all Encumbrances with the exceptions of the
following (the "PERMITTED ENCUMBRANCES"):

                  (i)    Encumbrances in favor of the Agent.

                  (ii)   purchase money security interests in or purchase money
         mortgages on real or personal property other than Mortgaged Properties
         acquired after the date hereof to secure purchase money Indebtedness of
         the type and amount permitted by Section 4.7(a)(iv), incurred in
         connection with the acquisition of such property, which security
         interests or mortgages cover only the real or personal property so
         acquired.

                  (iii)  liens to secure taxes, assessments and other government
         charges in respect of obligations not delinquent or that are being
         contested in good faith by proper proceedings which stay the imposition
         of any penalty, fine or Encumbrance resulting from the non-payment
         thereof, or Encumbrances to secure claims for labor, material or
         supplies in respect of obligations not overdue or which are being
         contested in good faith by appropriate proceedings.

                  (iv)   deposits or pledges made in connection with, or to
         secure payment of, (i) workmen's compensation, unemployment insurance,
         old age pensions or other social security obligations (2) performance
         bonds in connection with the construction of any stores, or (3)
         obligations on appeal bonds, in each case incurred or otherwise arising
         in the ordinary course of business and to secure obligations that are
         not past due.

                  (v)    liens of carriers, warehousemen, mechanics and
         materialmen, and other like liens in respect of obligations not overdue
         more than 120 days or which are being contested in good faith by
         appropriate proceedings.

                  (vi)   Encumbrances (if any) listed on SCHEDULE 4.6, annexed
         hereto.

                  (vii)  Encumbrances to secure Indebtedness permitted under
         Section 4.7(a)(vi) hereof as long as such liens are subordinate to the
         Encumbrances created under this Agreement or any other Loan Document,
         and Encumbrances to secure Indebtedness permitted under Section
         4.7(a)(v).

                  (viii) Encumbrances on Real Estate consisting of easements,
         rights of way, zoning restrictions, restrictions on the use of real
         property and defects and irregularities in the title thereto,
         landlord's or lessor's liens and other minor liens, provided that none
         of such liens (1) interferes materially with the use of the property
         affected in the ordinary conduct of the business of any Borrower, and
         (2) individually or in the aggregate have a material adverse effect on
         any Borrower's business or assets;

<PAGE>   55

                                      -47-

                  (ix)   the renewal or replacement of Encumbrances permitted
         under this Section 4.6(a), provided that any such renewal or
         replacement Encumbrance shall be limited to the property or assets
         covered by the Encumbrance renewed or replaced.

         (b)      No Borrower does or shall have possession of any property on
consignment to any Borrower in excess of $10,000,000 based upon the retail value
of such property.

         4.7.  INDEBTEDNESS.

         (a)      No Borrower does and shall hereafter have any Indebtedness
with the exceptions of:

                  (i)    Any Indebtedness on account of the Revolving Credit or
         under any of the Loan Documents.

                  (ii)   The 6.75% Senior Unsecured Notes.

                  (iii)  endorsements for collection, deposit or negotiation and
         warranties of products or services, in each case incurred in the
         ordinary course of business.

                  (iv)   Indebtedness incurred in connection with the
         acquisition after the date hereof of any real or personal property by
         such Borrower or under any Capitalized Lease, provided that the
         aggregate principal amount of such Indebtedness incurred by the
         Borrowers in any fiscal year shall not exceed the aggregate amount of
         $10,000,000.

                  (v)    The Indebtedness (if any) listed on SCHEDULE 4.7,
         annexed hereto.

                  (vi)   additional Indebtedness in an amount not to exceed the
         principal sum of $20,000,000 provided that the terms of such
         Indebtedness are reasonably acceptable to the Agent and the Majority
         Lenders.

                  (vii)  obligations in connection with any sale or leaseback
         transaction not to exceed $10,000,000 a year.

                  (viii) any guaranty by a Borrower of any indebtedness of
         another Borrower permitted by this Section 4.7.

                  (ix)   any extensions of maturity, refinancing or other
         modification of the terms of any Indebtedness permitted under this
         Section 4.7(iv), (v) and (vii); provided that such extension,
         refinancing or modification (1) is pursuant to terms that are not less
         favorable to the Borrowers than the terms of the Indebtedness being
         extended, refinanced or modified, and (2) after giving effect to the
         extension, refinancing or modification of such Indebtedness, the amount
         of such Indebtedness outstanding is not greater than the amount of such

<PAGE>   56

                                      -48-

         Indebtedness outstanding immediately before such extension, refinancing
         or modification.

         (b) No Borrower will, nor will permit any of its Affiliates to, amend,
supplement or otherwise modify the terms of any of the 6.75% Senior Unsecured
Notes or prepay or repurchase any of the 6.75% Senior Unsecured Notes; provided,
however, the Borrowers may spend up to $1,725,000 per fiscal year to repurchase
6.75% Senior Unsecured Notes; provided, further, if at all times during a fiscal
year Maximum Availability is in excess of $25,000,000, the Borrowers may spend
an additional $775,000 per fiscal year to repurchase 6.75% Senior Unsecured
Notes.

         4.8. INSURANCE.

         (a) SCHEDULE 4.8, annexed hereto, is a schedule of all insurance
policies owned by each Borrower or under which each Borrower is the named
insured. Each of such policies is in full force and effect. Neither the issuer
of any such policy nor any Borrower is in default or violation of any such
policy.

         (b) Each Borrower shall have and maintain at all times insurance
covering such risks, in such amounts, containing such terms, in such form, for
such periods, and written by such companies as may be satisfactory to the Agent.

         (c) All insurance carried by each Borrower shall provide for a minimum
of thirty (30) days' prior written notice of cancellation to the Agent and all
such insurance which covers the Collateral shall include an endorsement in favor
of the Agent, which endorsement shall provide that the insurance, to the extent
of the Agent's interest therein, shall not be impaired or invalidated, in whole
or in part, by reason of any act or neglect of such Borrower or by the failure
of such Borrower to comply with any warranty or condition of the policy.

         (d) The coverage reflected on SCHEDULE 4.8 presently satisfies the
foregoing requirements, it being recognized by each Borrower, however, that such
requirements may change hereafter to reflect changing circumstances.

         (e) Each Borrower shall furnish the Agent from time to time with
certificates or other evidence satisfactory to the Agent regarding compliance by
such Borrower with the foregoing requirements.

         (f) In the event of the failure by any Borrower to maintain insurance
as required herein, the Agent, at its option, may obtain such insurance,
provided, however, the Agent's obtaining of such insurance shall not constitute
a cure or waiver of any Event of Default occasioned by such Borrower's failure
to have maintained such insurance.

         4.9. LICENSES. Each license, distributorship, franchise, and similar
agreement issued to, or to which any Borrower is a party and which is material
to its business is in full force and effect. To the Borrowers' knowledge, no
party to any such license or

<PAGE>   57

                                      -49-

agreement is in default or violation thereof in any material respect. No
Borrower has received any notice or threat of cancellation of any such license
or agreement.

         4.10. LEASES. SCHEDULE 4.10 sets forth a list of all presently
effective Capital Leases and a list of all other presently effective Leases. The
Borrower will provide the Agent with an updated SCHEDULE 4.10 from time to time
upon entering into any new Capitalized Leases or other Leases. Each of such
Leases and Capital Leases is in full force and effect. To the Borrowers'
knowledge, no party to any such Lease or Capital Lease is in default or
violation of any such Lease or Capital Lease in any material respect. Except for
leases a Borrower has terminated, intends to terminate, has allowed to expire or
intends to allow to expire, no Borrower has received any notice or threat of
cancellation of any such Lease or Capital Lease. Each Borrower hereby authorizes
the Agent at any time and from time to time to contact any Borrower's landlords
in order to confirm such Borrower's continued compliance with the terms and
conditions of the Lease(s) between such Borrower and that landlord and to
discuss such issues, concerning such Borrower's occupancy under such Lease(s),
as the Agent may determine.

         4.11. REQUIREMENTS OF LAW. Each Borrower is in compliance with, and
shall hereafter comply with and use its assets in compliance with, all
Requirements of Law except where the failure of such compliance will not have a
material adverse effect on such Borrower's business or assets. No Borrower has
received any notice of any violation of any Requirement of Law (other than of a
violation which has no material adverse effect on such Borrower's business or
assets), which violation has not been cured or otherwise remedied.

         4.12. LABOR RELATIONS.

         (a)      Except as otherwise disclosed in SCHEDULE 4.12, no Borrower
has been or is presently a party to any collective bargaining or other labor
contract.

         (b)      There is not presently pending and, to each Borrower's
knowledge, there is not threatened any of the following:

                  (i)     Any strike, slowdown, picketing, work stoppage, or
         material employee grievance.

                  (ii)    Any proceeding against or affecting such Borrower
         relating to the alleged violation of any Applicable Law pertaining to
         labor relations or before National Labor Relations Board, the Equal
         Employment Opportunity Commission, or any comparable governmental body,
         organizational activity, or other labor or employment dispute against
         or affecting such Borrower, which such Borrower expects to have a
         material adverse effect on such Borrower.

                  (iii)   Any lockout of any employees by any Borrower (and no
         such action is contemplated by any Borrower).

<PAGE>   58

                                      -50-

                  (iv)    Any application for the certification of a collective
         bargaining agent.

         (c)      No event has occurred or circumstance exists which could
provide the basis for any work stoppage or other material labor dispute.

         (d) Each Borrower:

                  (i)     Has complied in all material respects with all
         Applicable Law relating to employment, equal employment opportunity,
         nondiscrimination, immigration, wages, hours, benefits, collective
         bargaining, the payment of social security and similar taxes,
         occupational safety and health, and plant closing.

                  (ii)    Is not liable for the payment of a material amount of
         compensation, damages, taxes, fines, penalties, or other amounts,
         however designated, for such Borrower's failure to comply with any
         Applicable Law referenced in Section 4.12(d)(i).

         4.13.  MAINTAIN PROPERTIES.  Each Borrower shall:

         (a)      Keep the Collateral in good order and repair (ordinary
reasonable wear and tear and insured casualty excepted).

         (b)      Not suffer or cause the waste or destruction of any material
part of the Collateral.

         (c)      Not use any of the Collateral in violation of any policy of
insurance thereon.

         (d)      Not sell, lease, or otherwise dispose of any of the
Collateral, other than the following:

                  (i)     The sale of Inventory in compliance with this
         Agreement.

                  (ii)    The disposal of property which is obsolete, worn
         out, or damaged beyond repair in the ordinary course of business and
         consistent with past practices.

                  (iii)   Any sale, lease or other disposal if the Borrowers'
         turn over to the Agent all Receipts from such sale, lease or other
         disposal.

                  (iv)    Real Estate provided that so long as the Borrowers are
         not InDefault, the Agent shall release any Encumbrances on such Real
         Estate in its favor in connection with any such sale and after such
         sale, lease or other disposition, such Real Estate shall no longer
         constitute Eligible Real Estate Assets.

                  (v)     Any sale or discount of Accounts Receivable, in the
         ordinary course of business and consistent with past practices, without
         recourse only in

<PAGE>   59

                                      -51-

         connection with the compromise thereof or the assignment of past due
         Accounts Receivable for collection provided, however that after such
         sale, such Accounts Receivable shall no longer constitute Eligible
         Private Label Credit Card Receivables.

                  (vi)    The sale of Inventory and other assets for fair market
         value in connection with store closings; provided, however that the net
         decrease in retail stores of the Borrowers after giving effect to all
         stores opened and all stores closed by the Borrowers after the date of
         this Agreement shall not exceed five (5) retail stores and provided,
         further, however that in the event the Borrowers close more than 3
         stores in any fiscal year, such sales of Inventory and other assets
         shall be conducted by a nationally recognized liquidator acceptable to
         the Agent.

                  (vii)   The sale, lease or other disposition of Collateral
         among Borrowers.

         4.14.  TAXES.

         (a)      With respect to each Borrower's federal, state, and local tax
liability and obligations:

                  (i)     Each Borrower is in compliance with all Applicable
         Law and has properly filed all returns due to be filed up to the date
         of this Agreement, in each case except where the failure of such
         compliance will not have a material adverse effect on such Borrower's
         business or assets.

                  (ii)     Except as described on SCHEDULE 4.14:

                           (A) At no time has any Borrower received from any
                  taxing authority any request to perform any examination of or
                  with respect to such Borrower nor any other written or verbal
                  notice in any way relating to any claimed failure by any
                  Borrower to comply with all Applicable Law concerning payment
                  of any taxes or other amounts in the nature of taxes.

                           (B) No agreement is extant which waives or extends
                  any statute of limitations applicable to the right of any
                  taxing authority to assert a deficiency or make any other
                  claim for or in respect to federal income taxes.

                           (C) No issue has been raised in any tax examination
                  of any Borrower which, by application of similar principles,
                  reasonably could be expected to result in the assertion of a
                  deficiency for any fiscal year open for examination,
                  assessment, or claim by any taxing authority.

         (b)      Each Borrower has, and hereafter shall: pay, before they
become delinquent, all taxes and unemployment contributions and other charges of
any kind or nature levied, assessed or claimed against such Borrower or the
Collateral by any person or entity whose claim is reasonably expected to result
in an Encumbrance upon

<PAGE>   60

                                      -52-

any asset of such Borrower or by any governmental authority, except those that
are being contested in good faith by proper proceedings which stay the
imposition of any penalty, fine or Encumbrance resulting from the non-payment
thereof; properly exercise any trust responsibilities imposed upon such Borrower
by reason of withholding from employees' pay or by reason of such Borrower's
receipt of sales tax or other funds for the account of any third party; timely
make all contributions and other payments as may be required pursuant to any
Employee Benefit Plan now or hereafter established by such Borrower; and timely
file all tax and other returns and other reports with each governmental
authority to whom such Borrower is obligated to so file.

         4.15.  NO MARGIN STOCK. No Borrower is engaged in the business of
extending credit for the purpose of purchasing or carrying any margin stock
(within the meaning of Regulations U, T, and X of the Board of Governors of the
Federal Reserve System of the United States). No part of the proceeds of any
borrowing hereunder will be used at any time to purchase or carry any such
margin stock or to extend credit to others for the purpose of purchasing or
carrying any such margin stock.

         4.16.  ERISA.

         (a)      Except as described on SCHEDULE 4.16, no Borrower nor any
ERISA Affiliate has ever:

                  (i)     Violated in any material respect or failed to be in
         full compliance in any material respect with any Borrower's Employee
         Benefit Plan.

                  (ii)    Failed timely to file all reports and filings
         required by ERISA to be filed by any Borrower.

                  (iii)   Engaged in any nonexempt "prohibited transactions" or
         "reportable events" (respectively as described in ERISA).

                  (iv)    Engaged in, or committed, any act such that a material
         tax or penalty reasonably could be imposed upon any Borrower on account
         thereof pursuant to ERISA.

                  (v)     Accumulated any material cumulative funding deficiency
         within the meaning of ERISA.

                  (vi)    Terminated any Employee Benefit Plan such that a lien
         could be asserted against any assets of any Borrower on account thereof
         pursuant to ERISA.

         (b)      As to any such multiemployer plan set forth on Schedule 4.16,
no Borrower nor any ERISA Affiliate has (x) incurred any material liability
(including secondary liability) to such multiemployer plan as a result of a
complete or partial withdrawal from such multiemployer plan under ss.4201 of
ERISA or as a result of a sale of assets described in ss.4204 of ERISA, or (y)
been notified that such multiemployer

<PAGE>   61

                                      -53-

plan is in reorganization or insolvent under and within the meaning of ss.4241
or ss.4245 of ERISA or is at risk of entering reorganization or becoming
insolvent, or that such multiemployer plan intends to terminate or has been
terminated under ss.4041A of ERISA.

         (c)      Neither any Borrower nor any ERISA Affiliate shall ever engage
in any action of the type described in Section 4.16(a) and (b).

         4.17. HAZARDOUS MATERIALS.

         (a)      Except as described on SCHEDULE 4.17, no Borrower has ever:
(i) been legally responsible for any release or threat of release of any
Hazardous Material or (ii) received notification of the incurrence of any
expense in connection with the assessment, containment, or removal of any
Hazardous Material for which any Borrower would be responsible.

         (b)      Each Borrower shall: (i) dispose of any Hazardous Material
only in compliance with all Environmental Laws and (ii) have possession of any
Hazardous Material only in the ordinary course of such Borrower's business and
in compliance with all Environmental Laws.

         4.18. LITIGATION. Except as described in SCHEDULE 4.18, annexed hereto,
there is not presently pending or threatened by or against any Borrower any
suit, action, proceeding, or investigation which, if determined adversely to any
Borrower, would have a material adverse effect upon such Borrower's financial
condition or ability to conduct its business as such business is presently
conducted or is contemplated to be conducted in the foreseeable future.

         4.19. DIVIDENDS. INVESTMENTS. CORPORATE ACTION. No Borrower shall:

         (a)      Pay any cash dividend or make any other distribution in
respect of any class of the Company's capital stock, except that the Company may
declare and pay dividends in an aggregate amount not exceeding the lesser of (1)
50% of net income (computed in accordance with GAAP) for the immediately
preceding fiscal year, or (2) $.50 per outstanding share, as long as (A) no
InDefault event has occurred and is continuing or would occur as a result
thereof, (B) Maximum Availability shall at all times during the 12 months before
such declaration have been at least $20,000,000 and (C) the Company shall
deliver to the Agent a duly executed certificate demonstrating, in form and
substance satisfactory to the Agent that, after giving effect to such
declaration or payment, Maximum Availability on a pro forma basis and at all
times for the following 12 months, shall be at least $20,000,000.

         (b)      Own, redeem, retire, purchase, or acquire any of such
Borrower's capital stock; provided, however, the Company may make payments not
to exceed $600,000 to employees relating to options granted under its employee
stock option plan during 2001.

<PAGE>   62

                                      -54-

         (c) Invest in or purchase any stock or securities or rights to purchase
any such stock or securities, of any Person, except for (1) repurchases of 6.75%
Senior Unsecured Notes permitted by Section 4.7(b), (2) the existing investment
of the Company in the other Borrowers and transactions between them in the
ordinary course of business, (3) (A) marketable direct or guaranteed obligations
of the United States of America that mature within one (1) year from the date of
purchase by any Borrower; (B) demand deposits, certificates of deposit, bank
acceptances and time deposits of United States banks having total assets in
excess of $1,000,000,000, and (C) securities commonly known as "commercial
paper" issued by a corporation organized and existing under the laws of the
United States of America or any state thereof that at the time of purchase have
been rated and the ratings for which are not less than "P-1" if rated by Moody's
Investors Services, Inc., and not less than "A 1" if rated by Standard & Poor's
Ratings Group and (4) the Company may make payments not to exceed $600,000 to
employees relating to options granted under its employee stock option plan
during 2001 ("PERMITTED INVESTMENTS").

         (d) Merge or consolidate or be merged or consolidated with or into any
other corporation or other entity, except Borrowers other than the Company may
merge or consolidate into the Company.

         (e) Consolidate any of such Borrower's operations with those of any
other Person, except Borrowers other than the Company may merge or consolidate
into the Company.

         (f) Organize or create any Affiliate, other than a wholly-owned
subsidiary of a Borrower which becomes a Borrower under this Agreement.

         (g) Subordinate any debts or obligations owed to such Borrower by any
third party to any other debts owed by such third party to any other Person.

         (h) Acquire any assets other than in the ordinary course and conduct of
such Borrower's business as conducted at the execution of this Agreement.

         4.20. LOANS. No Borrower shall make any loans or advances to, nor
acquire the Indebtedness of, any Person (except another Borrower), provided,
however, the foregoing does not prohibit repurchases of 6.75% Senior Unsecured
Notes permitted by Section 4.7(b), Permitted Investments, Accounts Receivable
owing to any Borrower and created in the ordinary course of business, or any of
the following:

         (a) Advance payments made to such Borrower's suppliers in the ordinary
course.

         (b) Advances to such Borrower's officers, employees, and salespersons
with respect to reasonable expenses to be incurred by such officers, employees,
and salespersons for the benefit of such Borrower, which expenses are properly
substantiated by the person seeking such advance and properly reimbursable by
such Borrower.

<PAGE>   63

                                      -55-

         4.21. PROTECTION OF ASSETS. The Agent, in the Agent's discretion, and
from time to time, may discharge any tax or Encumbrance on any of the
Collateral, or take any other action which the Agent may deem necessary or
desirable to repair, insure, maintain, preserve, collect, or realize upon any of
the Collateral. The Agent shall not have any obligation to undertake any of the
foregoing and shall have no liability on account of any action so undertaken
except where there is a specific finding in a judicial proceeding (in which the
Agent has had an opportunity to be heard), from which finding no further appeal
is available, that the Agent had acted in actual bad faith or in a grossly
negligent manner. Each Borrower shall pay to the Agent, on demand, or the Agent,
in its discretion, may add to the Loan Account, all amounts paid or incurred by
the Agent pursuant to this Section 4.21.

         4.22. LINE OF BUSINESS. No Borrower shall engage in any business other
than the business in which it is currently engaged or a business reasonably
related thereto.

         4.23. AFFILIATE TRANSACTIONS. No Borrower shall make any payment, nor
give any value to any Affiliate (other than another Borrower) except for goods
and services actually purchased by such Borrower from, or sold by such Borrower
to, such Affiliate for a price and on terms which shall be no less favorable to
such Borrower than those which would have been charged and imposed in an arms
length transaction.

         4.24. FURTHER ASSURANCES.

         (a) No Borrower is the owner of, nor has it any interest in, Collateral
which, immediately upon the satisfaction of the conditions precedent to the
effectiveness of the credit facility contemplated hereby (Article 3) will not be
subject to a perfected Collateral Interest in favor of the Agent (subject only
to Permitted Encumbrances) to secure the Liabilities.

         (b) No Borrower will hereafter acquire any Collateral which is not,
immediately upon such acquisition, subject to such a perfected Collateral
Interest in favor of the Agent to secure the Liabilities (subject only to
Permitted Encumbrances).

         (c) Each Borrower shall execute and deliver to the Agent such
instruments, documents, and papers, and shall do all such things from time to
time hereafter as the Agent may reasonably request to carry into effect the
provisions and intent of this Agreement; to protect and perfect the Agent's
Collateral Interests in the Collateral; and to comply with all applicable
statutes and laws, and facilitate the collection of the Receivables Collateral.
Each Borrower shall execute all such instruments as may reasonably be required
by the Agent with respect to the recordation and/or perfection of the Collateral
Interests created or contemplated herein.

         (d) Each Borrower hereby designates the Agent as and for such
Borrower's true and lawful attorney, with full power of substitution, to sign
and file any financing statements in order to perfect or protect the Agent's
Collateral Interests in the Collateral.

<PAGE>   64

                                      -56-

         (e)      This Agreement constitutes an authenticated record which
authorizes the Agent to file such financing statements as the Agent determines
as appropriate to perfect or protect the Collateral Interests created by this
Agreement.

         (f)      A carbon, photographic, or other reproduction of this
Agreement or of any financing statement or other instrument executed pursuant to
this Section 4.24 shall be sufficient for filing to perfect the security
interests granted herein.

         4.25. ADEQUACY OF DISCLOSURE.

         (a)      All financial statements furnished to the Agent and to each
Revolving Credit Lender by each Borrower have been prepared in accordance with
GAAP consistently applied and present fairly the financial condition of each
Borrower at the date(s) thereof and the results of operations and cash flows for
the period(s) covered (provided however, that unaudited financial statements are
subject to normal year end adjustments and to the absence of footnotes). There
has been no change in the financial condition, results of operations, or cash
flows of any Borrower since the most recent date(s) of such financial
statements, other than changes in the ordinary course of business, which changes
have not been materially adverse, either singularly or in the aggregate.

         (b)      No Borrower has any contingent obligations or obligation under
any Lease or Capital Lease which is required to be noted in such Borrower's
financial statements furnished to the Agent and to each Revolving Credit Lender,
but is not so noted.

         (c)      No document, instrument, agreement, or paper now or hereafter
given to the Agent or to any Revolving Credit Lender by or on behalf of any
Borrower or any guarantor of the Liabilities in connection with the execution of
this Agreement by the Agent and to each Revolving Credit Lender contains or will
contain any untrue statement of a material fact or omits or will omit to state a
material fact necessary in order to make the statements therein not misleading.
There is no fact known to any Borrower which has, or which, in the foreseeable
future is expected to have, a material adverse effect on the financial condition
of any such Borrower or any such guarantor which has not been disclosed in
writing to the Agent.

         4.26. NO RESTRICTIONS ON LIABILITIES. No Borrower shall enter into or
directly or indirectly become subject to any agreement which prohibits or
restricts, in any manner, such Borrower's:

         (a)      Creation of, and granting of Collateral Interests in favor of
the Agent.

         (b)      Incurrence of Liabilities.

<PAGE>   65

                                      -57-

         4.27. OTHER COVENANTS. No Borrower shall indirectly do or cause to be
done any act which, if done directly by such Borrower, would breach any covenant
contained in this Agreement.

         4.28. LEASE SUBORDINATION. The Borrowers covenant and agree that, in
the event that the Indenture of Mortgage, Deed of Trust and Deed to Secure Debt
from Jacobson Stores Realty Company in favor of Manufacturers National Bank of
Detroit dated as of July 26, 1974 with respect to the real property located at
17000 Kercheval Avenue, Grosse Pointe, Michigan (as amended, assigned or
otherwise modified from time to time) shall be discharged, the Borrowers shall
execute and deliver to the Agent concurrently with such discharge an estoppel
and subordination agreement in form and substance satisfactory to the Agent.

ARTICLE V.  FINANCIAL REPORTING AND PERFORMANCE COVENANTS

         5.1.  MAINTAIN RECORDS.  Each Borrower shall:

         (a) At all times, keep proper books of account, which, in reasonable
detail, fairly reflect each Borrower's financial transactions, all in accordance
with GAAP applied consistently with prior periods (except as required by changes
in GAAP) to fairly reflect the financial condition of each Borrower at the close
of, and its results of operations for, the periods in question.

         (b) Timely provide the Agent with those financial reports, statements,
and schedules required by this Article 5: or otherwise, each of which reports,
statements and schedules shall be prepared, to the extent applicable, in
accordance with GAAP applied consistently with prior periods (except as required
by changes in GAAP) to fairly reflect the financial condition of each Borrower
at the close of, and the results of operations for, the period(s) covered
therein (provided however, that unaudited financial statements are subject to
normal year end adjustments and to the absence of footnotes).

         (c) At all times, keep accurate current records of the Collateral
including, without limitation, accurate current stock, cost, and sales records
of its Inventory, accurately and sufficiently itemizing and describing the
kinds, types, and quantities of Inventory and the cost and selling prices
thereof.

         (d) At all times, retain independent certified public accountants who
are reasonably satisfactory to the Agent.

         (e) Not change any Borrower's fiscal year without Agent's consent.

         5.2.  ACCESS TO RECORDS.

         (a) Each Borrower shall accord the Agent with access from time to time
as the Agent may reasonably require to all properties owned by or over which
such Borrower has control. The Agent shall have the right, and such Borrower
will permit the Agent from time to time as Agent may reasonably request, to
examine, inspect, copy, and

<PAGE>   66

                                      -58-

make extracts from any and all of such Borrower's books, records, electronically
stored data, papers, and files. Such Borrower shall make all of such Borrower's
copying facilities available to the Agent.

         (b)      Each Borrower hereby authorizes the Agent to:

                  (i)   Inspect, copy, duplicate, review, cause to be reduced to
         hard copy, run off, draw off, and otherwise use any and all computer or
         electronically stored information or data which relates to such
         Borrower, including any held by any service bureau, contractor,
         accountant, or other person, and directs any such service bureau,
         contractor, accountant, or other person fully to cooperate with the
         Agent with respect thereto.

                  (ii)  Verify at any time the Collateral or any portion
         thereof, including verification with Account Debtors, and/or with such
         Borrower's computer billing companies, collection agencies, and
         accountants and to sign the name of such Borrower on any notice to such
         Borrower's Account Debtors or verification of the Collateral.

         (c)      The Agent from time to time may designate one or more
representatives to exercise the Agent's rights under this Section 5.2 as fully
as if the Agent were doing so.

         5.3.  IMMEDIATE NOTICE TO AGENT.

         (a)      Each Borrower shall provide the Agent with written notice
promptly upon the occurrence of any of the following events, which written
notice shall be with reasonable particularity as to the facts and circumstances
in respect of which such notice is being given:

                  (i)   Any change in such Borrower's President, chief executive
         officer, chief operating officer, and chief financial officer (without
         regard to the title(s) actually given to the Persons discharging the
         duties customarily discharged by officers with those titles).

                  (ii)  Any ceasing of such Borrower's making of payment, in the
         ordinary course, to any of its creditors (other than its ceasing of
         making of such payments on account of an immaterial dispute).

                  (iii) Any failure by such Borrower to pay rent at any of such
         Borrower's locations, which failure continues for more than Three (3)
         days following the last day on which such rent was payable without a
         material adverse effect to such Borrower.

                  (iv)  Any material adverse change in the business,
         operations, or financial affairs of such Borrower.

<PAGE>   67

                                      -59-

                  (v)   Any Borrower's becoming InDefault.

                  (vi)  Any intention on the part of the Borrowers to discharge
         the Borrowers' present independent accountants or any withdrawal or
         resignation by such independent accountants from their acting in such
         capacity (as to which, see Subsection 5.1(d)).

                  (vii) Any litigation which, if determined adversely to such
         Borrower, might have a material adverse effect on the financial
         condition of such Borrower.

         (b)      Each Borrower shall:

                  (i)   Provide the Agent, when so distributed, with copies of
         any materials distributed to the shareholders of such Borrower (qua
         such shareholders).

                  (ii)  At the request of the Agent, from time to time, provide
         the Agent with copies of all advertising (including copies of all print
         advertising and duplicate tapes of all video and radio advertising).

                  (iii) Provide the Agent, when received by such Borrower, with
         a copy of any management letter or similar communications from any
         accountant of such Borrower.

         5.4. BORROWING BASE CERTIFICATE. Weekly, on Thursday by 5:00 p.m. (EST)
of each week (as of the then immediately preceding Saturday) the Company shall
provide the Agent with a Borrowing Base Certificate (in the form of EXHIBIT C
annexed hereto, as such form may be revised from time to time by the Agent,
provided that the Agent reserves the right to require delivery of such
certificate by Wednesday of each week based on the Agent's review of the
Borrowers' STS system implementation). Such certificate may be sent to the Agent
by facsimile transmission, provided that the original thereof is forwarded to
the Agent on the date of such transmission.

         5.5. WEEKLY REPORTS. Weekly, the Company shall provide the Agent with
those collateral reports described in SCHEDULE 5.6, annexed hereto.

         5.6. MONTHLY REPORTS. Monthly, the Company shall provide the Agent with
those financial statements and reports described in SCHEDULE 5.6, annexed
hereto.

         5.7. QUARTERLY REPORTS. Quarterly, within Forty Five (45) days
following the end of each of the Borrower's first three fiscal quarters, the
Company shall provide the Agent with the following:

         (a)      A management prepared financial statement of the Borrowers for
the period from the beginning of the Borrowers' then current fiscal year through
the end of the subject quarter, with comparative information for the same period
of the previous fiscal year, which statement shall include, at a minimum, a
balance sheet, income statement (on a store specific and on a "consolidated"
basis), statement of changes in

<PAGE>   68

                                      -60-

shareholders' equity, and cash flows and comparisons for the corresponding
quarter of the then immediately previous year, as well as to the projections
provided to the Agent.

         (b)      The officer's compliance certificate described in Section 5.9

         5.8.  ANNUAL REPORTS.

         (a)      Annually, within ninety (90) days following the end of the
Borrowers' fiscal year, the Company shall furnish the Agent with the following:

                  (i)   The Borrowers' annual financial statements, which
         statements shall have been prepared by management and bear the
         unqualified opinion of, the Borrowers' independent certified public
         accountants (i.e. said statements shall be "certified" by such
         accountants) and shall include, at a minimum (with comparative
         information for the then prior fiscal year) a balance sheet, income
         statement, statement of changes in shareholders' equity, and cash
         flows.

                  (ii)  The officer's compliance certificate described in
         Section 5.9.

         (b)      Each Borrower has been advised that the Agent and each
Revolving Credit Lender will rely thereon with respect to the administration of,
and transactions under, the credit facility contemplated by this Agreement.

         5.9. OFFICERS' CERTIFICATES. The Company shall cause either its
President or its Chief Financial Officer, its Treasurer, or its Controller in
each instance, to provide such Person's certificate on behalf of the Company,
with those monthly, quarterly, and annual statements to be furnished pursuant to
this Agreement, which certificate shall:

         (a)      Indicate that the subject statement was prepared in accordance
with GAAP consistently applied (except for any required changes in GAAP) and
presents fairly the financial condition of each Borrower at the close of, and
the results of such Borrower's operations and cash flows for, the period(s)
covered, subject, however to the following:

                  (i)   Usual year end adjustments and the absence of footnotes
         (this exception shall not be included in the Certificate which
         accompanies such annual statement).

                  (ii)  Material Accounting Changes (in which event, such
         certificate shall include a schedule (in reasonable detail) of the
         effect of each such Material Accounting Change) not previously
         specifically taken into account in the determination of the financial
         performance covenant imposed pursuant to Section 5.12.

         (b)      Indicate either that (i) no Borrower is InDefault, or (ii) if
such an event has occurred, its nature (in reasonable detail) and the steps (if
any) being taken or contemplated by such Borrower to be taken on account
thereof.

<PAGE>   69

                                      -61-

         (c)      Include calculations concerning such Borrower's compliance (or
failure to comply) at the date of the subject statement with each of the
financial performance covenants included in Section 5.12 hereof.

         (d)      Include calculations of the Applicable Margin.

         5.10.  INVENTORIES, APPRAISALS, AND AUDITS.

         (a)      The Agent, at the expense of the Borrowers, may participate in
and/or observe each physical count and/or inventory of so much of the Collateral
as consists of Inventory which is undertaken on behalf of such Borrower.

         (b)      The Borrowers, at their own expense, shall cause a physical
inventory to be undertaken in each twelve (12) month period during which this
Agreement is in effect (the spacing of the scheduling of which inventories shall
be subject to the Agent's discretion based on a material uncertainty of the
value of the Collateral) conducted by such inventory takers as are satisfactory
to the Agent and following such methodology as may be satisfactory to the Agent.

                  (i)   The Company shall provide the Agent with a copy of the
         preliminary results of each such inventory (as well as of any other
         physical inventory undertaken by the Borrowers) within ten (10) days
         following the completion of such inventory.

                  (ii)   The Company, within thirty (30) days following the
         completion of such inventory, shall provide the Agent with a
         reconciliation of the results of each such inventory (as well as of any
         other physical inventory undertaken by the Borrowers) and shall post
         such results to each Borrower's stock ledger and, as applicable to such
         Borrower's other financial books and records.

         (c)      The Agent, in its discretion, if any Borrower is InDefault,
may cause such additional inventories to be taken as the Agent determines (each,
at the expense of the Borrowers).

         (d)      The Agent may obtain appraisals of the Collateral (including
but not limited to Eligible Real Estate Assets), from time to time (in all
events, at the Borrowers' expense) conducted by such appraisers as are
satisfactory to the Agent.

         (e)      The Agent contemplates conducting up to four (4) commercial
finance field examinations (in each event, at the Borrowers' expense) of the
Borrowers' books and records during any Twelve (12) month period during which
this Agreement is in effect, but in its discretion, may undertake additional
such audits during such period.

         5.11.  ADDITIONAL FINANCIAL INFORMATION.

         (a)      In addition to all other information required to be provided
pursuant to this Article 5, each Borrower promptly shall provide the Agent (and
any guarantor of the

<PAGE>   70

                                      -62-

Liabilities), with such other and additional information concerning such
Borrower, the Collateral, the operation of such Borrower's business, and such
Borrower's financial condition, including original counterparts of financial
reports and statements, as the Agent may from time to time reasonably request
from such Borrower.

         (b) The Company may provide the Agent, from time to time hereafter,
with updated forecasts of the Borrowers' anticipated performance and operating
results.

         (c) In all events, the Company, no sooner than Ninety (90) nor later
than thirty (30) days prior to the end of each of the Borrowers' fiscal years,
shall provide the Agent with an updated and extended forecast which shall go out
at least through the end of the then next fiscal year and shall include an
income statement, balance sheet, and statement of cash flow, by month, each
prepared in conformity with GAAP (except for the absence of footnotes) and
consistent with the Borrowers' then current practices.

         (d) Each Borrower recognizes that all appraisals, inventories,
analysis, financial information, and other materials which the Agent may obtain,
develop, or receive with respect to the Borrowers are confidential to the Agent
and that, except as otherwise provided herein, no Borrower is entitled to
receipt of any of such appraisals nor copies or extracts thereof or therefrom
provided, however that so long as no Event of Default has occurred or is
continuing, the Agent may provide the Borrowers with copies of such appraisals
which the Borrowers have paid for redacted to remove any confidential
information.

         5.12. CAPITAL EXPENDITURES. No Borrower will make, nor permit any
Affiliate to make, Capital Expenditures in any fiscal year that exceed, in the
aggregate, the amounts set forth in the table below:

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
      Fiscal Year                                   Annual Capital Expenditures
      -----------                                   ---------------------------

<S>                                                         <C>
      2001                                                  $19,900,000

      2002                                                  $22,700,000

      2003 and each fiscal year thereafter                  $26,300,000
</TABLE>

provided, however, that, if during the last six months of any fiscal year the
average Maximum Availability exceeds $30,000,000, and the amount of Capital
Expenditures permitted for that fiscal year is not so utilized, such unutilized
amount may be utilized in the next succeeding fiscal year but not in any
subsequent fiscal year; and provided, further, that in connection with any
permitted sale and leaseback of an asset included in the Borrowing Base, any net
proceeds of such sale and leaseback transaction in excess of the decrease in the
Borrowing Base resulting from such transaction, shall be added to the amounts in
the above table for the year in which such transaction occurs.

<PAGE>   71

                                      -63-

ARTICLE VI.  USE OF COLLATERAL

         6.1.  USE OF INVENTORY COLLATERAL.

         (a)      Except as otherwise permitted by Sections 4.5(b) or 4.13(d),
no Borrower shall engage

                  (i)   In any sale of the Inventory other than for fair
         consideration in the conduct of such Borrower's business in the
         ordinary course.

                  (ii)  Sales or other dispositions to creditors.

                  (iii) Sales or other dispositions in bulk.

                  (iv)  Sales of any Collateral in breach of any provision of
         this Agreement.

         (b)      No sale of Inventory shall be on consignment, approval, or
under any other circumstances such that, with the exception of each Borrower's
customary return policy applicable to the return of inventory purchased by such
Borrower's retail customers in the ordinary course, such Inventory may be
returned to such Borrower without the consent of the Agent.

         6.2. INVENTORY. All Inventory now owned or hereafter acquired by each
Borrower is and will be acquired in the ordinary course of business consistent
with past practices.

         6.3. MODIFICATION OF CREDIT POLICY AND PROCEDURES. No Borrower shall
amend, supplement or otherwise modify in any material respect its policy or
procedures with respect to its private label credit card programs without the
prior written consent of the Agent.

         6.4. VALIDITY OF ACCOUNTS.

         (a)      The amount of each Account shown on the books, records, and
invoices of each Borrower represented as owing by each Account Debtor is and
will be the correct amount actually owing by such Account Debtor and shall have
been fully earned by performance by such Borrower, subject to the Account
Debtor's rights to return merchandise in the normal course of such Borrower's
business.

         (b)      No Borrower has any knowledge of any impairment of the
validity or collectibility of any of the Eligible Credit Card Receivables of
which it has not informed Agent, including by delivering financial statements
containing an allowance for doubtful accounts.

         (c)      No Borrower shall post any bond to secure such Borrower's
performance under any agreement to which such Borrower is a party nor cause any
surety,

<PAGE>   72

                                      -64-

guarantor, or other third party obligee to become liable to perform any
obligation of such Borrower (other than to the Agent) in the event of such
Borrower's failure so to perform other than (1) performance bonds in connection
with the construction of any store, (2) deposits or pledges made in connection
or to secure payment of workmen's compensation, unemployment insurance, old age
pension or other social security obligations or (3) obligations on appeal bonds,
in each case incurred or otherwise arising in the ordinary course of business
and to secure obligations that are not past due.

         6.5. NOTIFICATION TO ACCOUNT DEBTORS. The Agent shall have the right
(whether or not an Event of Default has occurred, but only if Maximum
Availability is less than $25,000,000) to notify any Borrower's Account Debtors
to make payment directly to the Agent and to collect all amounts due on account
of the Collateral.

         6.6. RELEASE OF LIEN. At the request of any Borrower, the Agent shall
release any Mortgage on Real Estate so long as after eliminating such Real
Estate from Eligible Real Estate Assets, no OverLoan has been created or exists.

ARTICLE VII. CASH MANAGEMENT. PAYMENT OF LIABILITIES

         7.1.  DEPOSITORY ACCOUNTS.

         (a) Annexed hereto as SCHEDULE 7.1 is a Schedule of all present DDA's,
which Schedule includes, with respect to each depository (i) the name and ABA
routing number of that depository; (ii) the account number(s) of the account(s)
maintained with such depository; and (iii) a description of the type of account
and (iv) whether such DDA is a Local Account, Interim Concentration Account or
Exempt DDA. The Borrowers shall provide the Agent with the name of a contact
person at such depository.

         (b) Each Borrower shall deliver the following to the Agent, as a
condition to the effectiveness of this Agreement, a Blocked Account Agreement
with any depository institution at which a DDA (other than an Exempt DDA) is
maintained:

         (c) No Borrower will establish any DDA hereafter (other than an Exempt
DDA) unless, contemporaneous with such establishment, such Borrower delivers to
the Agent a Blocked Account Agreement executed on behalf of the depository
institution at which such DDA is established.

         7.2.  CREDIT CARD RECEIPTS.

         (a) Annexed hereto as SCHEDULE 7.2, is a Schedule which describes all
arrangements to which each Borrower is a party with respect to the payment to
any Borrower of the proceeds of credit card charges for sales by such Borrower.

<PAGE>   73

                                      -65-

         (b)      Each Borrower shall deliver to the Agent, as a condition to
the effectiveness of this Agreement, notification, executed on behalf of such
Borrower, to each of such Borrower's credit card clearinghouses and processors
(in form satisfactory to the Agent), which notification provides that payment of
all credit card charges submitted by such Borrower to that clearinghouse or
other processor and any other amount payable to such Borrower by such
clearinghouse or other processor shall be directed to the Blocked Account or as
otherwise designated from time to time by the Agent. No Borrower shall change
such direction or designation except upon and with the prior written consent of
the Agent.

         7.3.  CASH MANAGEMENT.

         (a)      The following checking accounts have been or will be
established (and are so referred to herein):

                  (i)      The "CONCENTRATION ACCOUNT" (so referred to herein):
         Established by the Agent with Fleet National Bank.

                  (ii)     The "LOCAL ACCOUNTS" (so referred to herein): as set
         forth on Schedule 7.1.

                  (iii)    The "INTERIM CONCENTRATION ACCOUNTS" (so referred
         to herein): as set forth on Schedule 7.1.

                  (iv)     The "OPERATING ACCOUNT" (so referred to herein):
         as set forth in Schedule 7.1.

         (b)      The contents of each DDA (other than Exempt DDA) and of the
Blocked Account constitutes Collateral and Proceeds of Collateral. The contents
of the Concentration Account constitutes the Agent's property.

         (c)      Each Borrower shall pay all fees and charges of, and maintain
such impressed balances as may be required by the depository in which any
account is opened as required hereby (even if such account is opened by and/or
is the property of the Agent).

         7.4.  PROCEEDS AND COLLECTIONS.

         (a)      All Receipts and all cash proceeds of any sale or other
disposition of any Collateral:

                  (i)      Constitute Collateral and Proceeds of Collateral.

                  (ii)     Shall be held in trust by such Borrower for the
         Agent.

                  (iii)    Shall not be commingled with any Borrower's other
         funds, except as provided in Section 7.4(c).

<PAGE>   74

                                      -66-

                  (iv)     Shall be deposited and/or transferred only to the
         Local Accounts, the Interim Concentration Accounts, Blocked Accounts or
         the Concentration Account.

         (b)      The Borrower shall cause the then contents of each Local
Account (other than any Exempt DDA) to be transferred to an Interim
Concentration Account or the Concentration Account, by ACH or wire transfer, no
less frequently than daily on each Business Day to the extent the balance in any
such Local Account exceeds $30,000.

         (c)      At all times that any Borrower is InDefault or at any time
after the Maximum Availability has been less than $25,000,000 for more than 5
consecutive days, the Borrowers shall cause the ACH or wire transfer to the
Concentration Account, no less frequently than daily, of then entire available
ledger balance of the Interim Concentration Accounts. At all times that the
Borrowers are not InDefault and that Maximum Availability has not been less than
$25,000,000 for more than five (5) consecutive days, the Borrowers may transfer
any available balance of the Blocked Accounts into the Operating Account, Exempt
DDAs, Interim Concentration Accounts or the Concentration Account.

         (d)      In the event that, notwithstanding the provisions of this
Section 7.4, any Borrower receives or otherwise has dominion and control of any
Receipts, or any proceeds or collections of any Collateral, such Receipts,
proceeds, and collections shall be held in trust by such Borrower for the Agent
and shall not be commingled with any of such Borrower's other funds and shall be
deposited and/or transferred to the Blocked Account or the Concentration Account
directly or as provided in paragraph (b).

         7.5.  PAYMENT OF LIABILITIES.

         (a)      On each Business Day when any Borrower is InDefault or at any
time after the Maximum Availability has been less than $25,000,000 for more than
5 consecutive days, the Agent shall apply the then collected balance of the
Concentration Account (net of fees charged, and of such impressed balances as
may be required by the bank at which the Concentration Account is maintained) on
the day following the receipt of such funds: First, towards the SwingLine Loans
and Second, towards the unpaid balance of the Loan Account and all other
Liabilities.

         (b)      The following rules shall apply to deposits and payments under
and pursuant to this Section 7.5:

                  (i)     Funds shall be deemed to have been deposited to the
         Concentration Account on the Business Day on which deposited, provided
         that notice of such deposit is available to the Agent by 2:00PM on that
         Business Day.

                  (ii)    Funds paid to the Agent, other than by deposit to the
         Concentration Account, shall be deemed to have been received on the
         Business Day when they are good and collected funds, provided that
         notice of such payment is available to the Agent by 2:00PM on that
         Business Day.

<PAGE>   75

                                      -67-

                  (iii)   If notice of a deposit to the Concentration Account
         (Section 7.5(b)(i)) or payment (Section 7.5(b)(ii)) is not available to
         the Agent until after 2:00PM on a Business Day, such deposit or payment
         shall be deemed to have been made at 9:00AM on the then next Business
         Day.

                  (iv)    All deposits to the Concentration Account and other
         payments to the Agent are subject to clearance and collection.

         (c)      The Agent shall transfer to the Operating Account any surplus
in the Concentration Account remaining after any application towards the
Liabilities required by Section 7.5(a), above (less those amounts which are to
be netted out, as provided therein) provided, however, in the event that

                  (i)     any Borrower is InDefault; and

                  (ii)    one or more L/C's are then outstanding,

then the Agent may establish a funded reserve of up to 105% of the aggregate
Stated Amounts of such L/C's. Such funded reserve shall either be (i) returned
to the Borrowers provided that no Borrower is InDefault or (ii) applied towards
the Liabilities following the occurrence of any Event of Default described in
Section 10.11 or acceleration following the occurrence of any other Event of
Default.

         7.6. THE OPERATING ACCOUNT. Except as otherwise specifically provided
in, or permitted by, this Agreement, all checks shall be drawn by any Borrower
upon, and other disbursements shall be made by such Borrower solely from, the
Operating Account or an Exempt DDA.

ARTICLE VIII. GRANT OF SECURITY INTEREST

         8.1.  GRANT OF SECURITY INTEREST.

         (a)      As of the Closing Date, each Borrower hereby grants to the
Agent, for the benefit of the Revolving Credit Lenders and the Agent, to secure
the payment and performance in full of all of the Liabilities, a security
interest in and so pledges and assigns to the Agent, for the benefit of the
Banks and the Agent, the following properties, assets and rights of such
Borrower, wherever located, whether now owned or hereafter acquired or arising,
and all proceeds and products thereof (all of the same being hereinafter called
the "Collateral"):

         All Inventory, Accounts, Accounts Receivable, rights to the payment of
         money, all insurance claims and proceeds, tort claims, securities and
         other investment property, deposit accounts, Chattel Paper,
         Instruments, Documents, General Intangibles, contract rights,
         letter-of-credit rights (whether or not the letter of credit is
         evidenced by a writing), supporting obligations, any other contract
         rights or rights to the payment of money and all Proceeds.

<PAGE>   76

                                      -68-

         (b) Notwithstanding the foregoing, Collateral shall not include Real
Estate, fixtures or Equipment except to the extent such property is subject to a
Mortgage.

         8.2. EXTENT AND DURATION OF SECURITY INTEREST. The security interest
created and granted herein is in addition to, and supplemental of, any security
interest previously granted by any Borrower to the Agent and shall continue in
full force and effect applicable to all Liabilities until both (i) all
Liabilities have been paid and/or satisfied in full and (ii) the security
interest created herein is specifically terminated in writing by a duly
authorized officer of the Agent.

         8.3. CONCERNING REVISED ARTICLE 9 OF THE UNIFORM COMMERCIAL CODE. The
parties acknowledge and agree to the following provisions of this Agreement in
anticipation of the possible application, in one or more jurisdictions to the
transactions contemplated hereby, of UCC9'99.

         (a) Attachment. In applying the law of any jurisdiction in which
UCC9'99 is in effect, the Collateral is all assets covered by the description of
Collateral, whether or not within the scope of UCC9'99. The Collateral shall
include, without limitation, the following categories of assets as defined in
UCC9'99: inventory, instruments (including promissory notes), documents,
accounts (including health-care-insurance receivables), chattel paper (whether
tangible or electronic), deposit accounts, letter-of-credit rights (whether or
not the letter of credit is evidenced by a writing), commercial tort claims,
securities and all other investment property, general intangibles (including
payment intangibles and software), supporting obligations and any and all
proceeds of any thereof, wherever located, whether now owned and hereafter
acquired. If any Borrower shall at any time, whether or not UCC9'99 is in effect
in any particular jurisdiction, acquire a commercial tort claim, as defined in
UCC9'99, such Borrower shall immediately notify the Agent in a writing signed by
such Borrower of the brief details thereof and grant to the Agent in such
writing a security interest therein and in the proceeds thereof, all upon the
terms of this Agreement, with such writing to be in form and substance
satisfactory to the Agent.

         (b) Perfection by Filing. The Agent may at any time and from time to
time, pursuant to the provisions of Section 4.24(c), file financing statements,
continuation statements and amendments thereto that describe the Collateral as
set forth in Section 8.1 or Section 8.3(a) and which contain any other
information required by Part 5 of UCC9'99 for the sufficiency or filing office
acceptance of any financing statement, continuation statement or amendment,
including whether such Borrower is an organization, the type of organization and
any organization identification number issued to such Borrower. Each Borrower
agrees to furnish any such information to the Agent promptly upon request. Any
such financing statements, continuation statements or amendments may be signed
by the Agent on behalf of such Borrower, as provided in Section 4.24(d), and may
be filed at any time in any jurisdiction whether or not UCC9'99 is then in
effect in that jurisdiction.

<PAGE>   77

                                      -69-

         (c) Other Perfection, etc. Each Borrower shall at any time and from
time to time, whether or not UCC9'99 is in effect in any particular
jurisdiction, take such steps as the Agent may reasonably request for the Agent
(a) to obtain an acknowledgement, in form and substance satisfactory to the
Agent, of any bailee having possession of any of the Collateral that the bailee
holds such Collateral for the Agent, (b) to obtain "control" of any investment
property, deposit accounts, letter-of-credit rights or electronic chattel paper
(as such terms are defined in UCC9'99 with corresponding provisions in UCC
ss.ss. 9-104, 9-105, 9-106 and 9-107 relating to what constitutes "control" for
such items of Collateral), with any agreements establishing control to be in
form and substance satisfactory to the Agent, and (c) otherwise to insure the
continued perfection and priority of the Agent's security interest in any of the
Collateral and of the preservation of its rights therein, whether in
anticipation and following the effectiveness of UCC9'99 in any jurisdiction

         (d) Savings Clause. Nothing contained in this Section 8.3 shall be
construed to narrow the scope of the Agent's security interest in any of the
Collateral or the perfection or priority thereof or to impair or otherwise limit
any of the rights, powers, privileges or remedies of the Agent or any Revolving
Credit Lender hereunder except (and then only to the extent) mandated by UCC9'99
to the extent then applicable.

         8.4. JOINT AND SEVERAL LIABILITY. (a) Joint and Several Liability. Each
of the Borrowers is and shall be jointly and severally liable for each and every
Liability or any of the other instruments at any time evidencing any Liability.
Each Borrower agrees that it shall be jointly and severally liable for all fees,
as well as each of the other Liabilities of any of the Borrowers arising or
incurred under or in respect of this Agreement or any of the other Loan
Documents. The joint and several liability of the Borrowers hereunder shall
continue in full force and effect notwithstanding any absorption, merger,
amalgamation or other change whatsoever in the name, membership, constitution or
place or formation of the Borrowers.

         (b) Consideration. Each of the Borrowers is accepting joint and several
liability hereunder in consideration of the financial accommodations to be
provided by the Agent and the Revolving Credit Lenders under this Agreement, for
the mutual benefit, directly or indirectly, of each of the Borrowers and in
consideration of the undertakings of each of the Borrowers to accept joint and
several liability for the obligations of each of the Borrowers.

         (c) Payment. If and to the extent that any Borrower shall fail to make
any payment with respect to any of the Liabilities hereunder as and when due or
to perform any of such Liabilities in accordance with the terms hereof, then in
each such event, any other Borrower will make such payment with respect to, or
perform, such Liabilities.

         (d) Recourse. The obligations of each of the Borrowers under the
provisions of this Section 8.4 constitute full recourse obligations of such
Person, enforceable against it to the full extent of its properties and assets,
irrespective of the validity,

<PAGE>   78

                                      -70-

regularity or enforceability of this Agreement or the other Loan Documents
against any Borrower or any other circumstances whatsoever.

         (e) Contribution. To the extent any Borrower makes a payment hereunder
in excess of the aggregate amount of the benefit received by such Person in
respect of the extensions of credit under the Agreement (the "Benefit Amount"),
then such Person, after the payment in full in cash of all of the Liabilities,
shall be entitled to recover from each other Person such excess payment, pro
rata in accordance with the ratio of the Benefit Amount received by all such
other Persons to the total Benefit Amounts received by such Person, and the
right to such recovery shall be deemed to be an asset and property of such
Person so funding; provided that all such rights to recovery shall be
subordinate and junior in right of payment to the final and indefeasible
repayment in full in cash of all of the Liabilities.

ARTICLE IX. AGENT AS BORROWERS' ATTORNEY-IN-FACT

         9.1. APPOINTMENT AS ATTORNEY-IN-FACT. Each Borrower hereby irrevocably
constitutes and appoints the Agent (acting through any of its officers) as such
Borrower's true and lawful attorney, with full power of substitution, following
the occurrence and during the continuance of an Event of Default, to convert the
Collateral into cash at the sole risk, cost, and expense of the Borrowers, but
for the sole benefit of the Agent and the Revolving Credit Lenders. The rights
and powers granted the Agent by this appointment include but are not limited to
the right and power to:

         (a) Prosecute, defend, compromise, or release any action relating to
the Collateral.

         (b) Sign change of address forms to change the address to which such
Borrower's mail is to be sent to such address as the Agent shall designate;
receive and open such Borrower's mail; remove any Receivables Collateral and
Proceeds of Collateral therefrom and turn over the balance of such mail either
to such Borrower or to any trustee in bankruptcy or receiver of such Borrower,
or other legal representative of such Borrower whom the Agent determines to be
the appropriate person to whom to so turn over such mail.

         (c) Endorse the name of such Borrower in favor of the Agent upon any
and all checks, drafts, notes, acceptances, or other items or instruments; sign
and endorse the name of such Borrower on, and receive as secured party, any of
the Collateral, any invoices, schedules of Collateral, freight or express
receipts, or bills of lading, storage receipts, warehouse receipts, or other
documents of title respectively relating to the Collateral.

         (d) Sign the name of such Borrower on any notice to such Borrower's
Account Debtors or verification of the Receivables Collateral; sign such
Borrower's name on any Proof of Claim in Bankruptcy against Account Debtors, and
on notices of lien, claims of mechanic's liens, or assignments or releases of
mechanic's liens securing the Accounts.

<PAGE>   79

                                      -71-

         (e) Take all such action as may be necessary to obtain the payment of
any letter of credit and/or banker's acceptance of which such Borrower is a
beneficiary.

         (f) Repair, manufacture, assemble, complete, package, deliver, alter or
supply goods, if any, necessary to fulfill in whole or in part the purchase
order of any customer of such Borrower.

         (g) Use, license or transfer any or all General Intangibles of such
Borrower.

         9.2. NO OBLIGATION TO ACT. The Agent shall not be obligated to do any
of the acts or to exercise any of the powers authorized by Section 9.1 herein,
but if the Agent elects to do any such act or to exercise any of such powers, it
shall not be accountable for more than it actually receives as a result of such
exercise of power, and shall not be responsible to any Borrower for any act or
omission to act except for any act or omission to act as to which there is a
final determination made in a judicial proceeding (in which proceeding the Agent
has had an opportunity to be heard) which determination includes a specific
finding that the subject act or omission to act had been grossly negligent or in
actual bad faith.

ARTICLE X. EVENTS OF DEFAULT

         The occurrence of any event described in this Article 10: respectively
shall constitute an "EVENT OF DEFAULT" herein. Upon the occurrence of any Event
of Default described in Section 10.11, any and all Liabilities shall become due
and payable without any further act on the part of the Agent. Upon the
occurrence of any other Event of Default, the Agent may, and on the instruction
of the SuperMajority Lenders as provided in Section 13.1(b) shall, declare any
and all Liabilities shall become immediately due and payable. The occurrence of
any Event of Default shall also constitute, without notice or demand, a default
under all other agreements between the Agent or any Revolving Credit Lender and
any Borrower and instruments and papers heretofore, now, or hereafter given the
Agent or any Revolving Credit Lender by any Borrower.

         10.1. FAILURE TO PAY THE REVOLVING CREDIT. The failure by the Borrowers
to pay when due any principal of, interest on, or fees in respect of, the
Revolving Credit.

         10.2. FAILURE TO MAKE OTHER PAYMENTS. The failure by the Borrowers to
pay when due (or upon demand, if payable on demand) any payment Liability other
than any payment liability on account of the principal of, or interest on, or
fees in respect of, the Revolving Credit.

         10.3. FAILURE TO PERFORM COVENANT OR LIABILITY (NO GRACE PERIOD). The
failure by any Borrower to promptly, punctually, faithfully and timely perform,
discharge, or comply with any covenant or Liability included in any of the
following provisions hereof:

<PAGE>   80

                                      -72-

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
         Section                  Relates to
         -------                  ----------

<S>                               <C>
         4.7                      Indebtedness

         4.14                     Pay taxes

         4.19                     Dividends. Investments. Other Corporate Actions

         4.23                     Affiliate Transactions

         Article 5:               Reporting Requirements and Financial Performance
                                  Covenants

         Article 7:               Cash Management
</TABLE>

         10.4. FAILURE TO PERFORM COVENANT OR LIABILITY (GRACE PERIOD). The
failure by any Borrower, within ten (10) days following the earlier of such
Borrower's knowledge of a breach of any covenant or Liability not described in
any of Sections 10.1, 10.2, or 10.3 or of its receipt of written notice from the
Agent of the breach of any of such covenants or Liabilities to perform,
discharge or comply with any such covenants or Liabilities.

         10.5. MISREPRESENTATION. Any representation or warranty at any time
made by any Borrower to the Agent or any Revolving Credit Lender was not true or
complete in all material respects when given.

         10.6. ACCELERATION OF OTHER DEBT. BREACH OF LEASE. The occurrence of
any event such that any Indebtedness in excess of $1,000,000 of any Borrower to
any creditor other than the Agent or any Revolving Credit Lender could be
accelerated or, without the consent of such Borrower, any material Lease could
be terminated (whether or not the subject creditor or lessor takes any action on
account of such occurrence).

         10.7. DEFAULT UNDER OTHER AGREEMENTS. The occurrence of any breach of
any covenant or Liability imposed by, or of any default under, any agreement
(including any Loan Document) between the Agent or any Revolving Credit Lender
and any Borrower or instrument given by any Borrower to the Agent or any
Revolving Credit Lender and the expiry, without cure, of any applicable grace
period (notwithstanding that the subject Agent or Revolving Credit Lender may
not have exercised all or any of its rights on account of such breach or
default).

         10.8. UNINSURED CASUALTY LOSS. The occurrence of any uninsured loss,
theft, damage, or destruction of or to any material portion of the Collateral.

         10.9. ATTACHMENT. JUDGMENT. RESTRAINT OF BUSINESS.

         (a) The service of process upon the Agent or any Revolving Credit
Lender or any Participant seeking to attach, by trustee, mesne, or other
process, any funds of any

<PAGE>   81

                                      -73-

Borrower on deposit with, or assets of such Borrower in the possession of, the
Agent or that Revolving Credit or such Participant.

         (b) The entry of any judgment against any Borrower, which judgment
exceeds any applicable insurance or bond coverage by more than $500,000 and is
not satisfied (if a money judgment) or appealed from (with execution or similar
process stayed) within twenty (20 ) days of its entry.

         (c) The entry of any order or the imposition of any other process
having the force of law, the effect of which is to restrain in any material way
the conduct by any Borrower of its business in the ordinary course.

         10.10. BUSINESS FAILURE. Any act by, against, or relating to any
Borrower, or its property or assets, which act constitutes the determination, by
such Borrower, to initiate a program of total or material self-liquidation;
application for, consent to, or sufferance of the appointment of a receiver,
trustee, or other person, pursuant to court action or otherwise, over all, or a
material portion of such Borrower's property; the execution of an assignment for
the benefit of the creditors of such Borrower, or the occurrence of any other
voluntary or involuntary liquidation; or the initiation of any judicial or
non-judicial proceeding or agreement by, against, or including such Borrower
which seeks or intends to accomplish a reorganization or arrangement with
creditors; and/or the initiation by or on behalf of such Borrower of the
liquidation or winding up of all or a material portion of such Borrower's
business or operations.

         10.11. BANKRUPTCY. The failure by any Borrower to generally pay the
debts of such Borrower as they mature; adjudication of bankruptcy or insolvency
relative to such Borrower; the entry of an order for relief or similar order
with respect to such Borrower in any proceeding pursuant to the Bankruptcy Code
or any other federal bankruptcy law; the filing of any complaint, application,
or petition by such Borrower initiating any matter in which such Borrower is or
may be granted any relief from the debts of such Borrower pursuant to the
Bankruptcy Code or any other insolvency statute or procedure; the filing of any
complaint, application, or petition against such Borrower initiating any matter
in which such Borrower is or may be granted any relief from the debts of such
Borrower pursuant to the Bankruptcy Code or any other insolvency statute or
procedure, which complaint, application, or petition is not timely contested in
good faith by such Borrower by appropriate proceedings or, if so contested, is
not dismissed within thirty (30) days of when filed.

         10.12. DEFAULT BY GUARANTOR. The occurrence of any of the foregoing
Events of Default with respect to any guarantor or endorser of the Liabilities,
or the occurrence of any of the foregoing Events of Default with respect to any
parent or subsidiary of any Borrower, as if such guarantor, endorser, parent, or
subsidiary were the "Borrower" described therein.

         10.13. INDICTMENT - FORFEITURE. The indictment of, or institution of
any legal process or proceeding against, any Borrower, under any Applicable Law
where the

<PAGE>   82

                                      -74-

relief, penalties, or remedies sought or available include the forfeiture of
more than $500,000 of property of any Borrower and/or the imposition of any stay
or other order, the effect of which could be to restrain in any material way the
conduct by any Borrower of its business in the ordinary course.

         10.14. TERMINATION OF GUARANTY. The termination or attempted
termination of any guaranty by any guarantor of the Liabilities.

         10.15.  CHALLENGE TO LOAN DOCUMENTS.

         (a) Any challenge by or on behalf of any Borrower or any guarantor of
the Liabilities to the validity of any Loan Document or the applicability or
enforceability of any Loan Document strictly in accordance with the subject Loan
Document's terms or which seeks to void, avoid, limit, or otherwise adversely
affect any security interest created by or in any Loan Document or any payment
made pursuant thereto.

         (b) Any determination by any court or any other judicial or government
authority that any Loan Document is not enforceable strictly in accordance with
the subject Loan Document's terms or which voids, avoids, limits, or otherwise
adversely affects any security interest created by any Loan Document or any
payment made pursuant thereto.

         10.16. CHANGE IN CONTROL. Any Change in Control.

ARTICLE XI. RIGHTS AND REMEDIES UPON DEFAULT

         11.1. ACCELERATION. Upon the occurrence of any Event of Default as
described in Section 10.11, all Indebtedness of the Borrowers to the Revolving
Credit Lenders shall be immediately due and payable. Upon the occurrence of any
Event of Default other than as described in Section 10.11, the Agent may (and on
the issuance of Acceleration Notice(s) requisite to the causing of Acceleration,
the Agent shall) declare all Indebtedness of the Borrowers to the Revolving
Credit Lenders to be immediately due and payable and may exercise all of the
Agent's Rights and Remedies as the Agent from time to time thereafter determines
as appropriate.

         11.2. RIGHTS OF ENFORCEMENT. The Agent shall have all of the rights and
remedies of a secured party upon default under the UCC, in addition to which the
Agent shall have all and each of the following rights and remedies:

         (a) To give notice to any bank at which any DDA or Blocked Account is
maintained and in which Proceeds of Collateral are deposited, to turn over such
Proceeds directly to the Agent.

         (b) To give notice to any Borrower's customs brokers to follow the
instructions of the Agent as provided in any written agreement or undertaking of
such broker in favor of the Agent.

<PAGE>   83

                                      -75-

         (c) To collect the Receivables Collateral with or without the taking of
possession of any of the Collateral.

         (d) To take possession of all or any portion of the Collateral.

         (e) To sell, lease, or otherwise dispose of any or all of the
Collateral, in its then condition or following such preparation or processing as
the Agent deems advisable and with or without the taking of possession of any of
the Collateral.

         (f) To conduct one or more going out of business sales which include
the sale or other disposition of the Collateral.

         (g) To apply the Receivables Collateral or the Proceeds of the
Collateral towards (but not necessarily in complete satisfaction of) the
Liabilities.

         (h) To exercise all or any of the rights, remedies, powers, privileges,
and discretions under all or any of the Loan Documents.

         11.3.  SALE OF COLLATERAL.

         (a) Any sale or other disposition of the Collateral may be at public or
private sale upon such terms and in such manner as the Agent deems advisable,
having due regard to compliance with any statute or regulation which might
affect, limit, or apply to the Agent's disposition of the Collateral.

         (b) The Agent, in the exercise of the Agent's rights and remedies upon
default, may conduct one or more going out of business sales, in the Agent's own
right or by one or more agents and contractors. Such sale(s) may be conducted
upon any premises owned, leased, or occupied by any Borrower. The Agent and any
such agent or contractor, in conjunction with any such sale, may augment the
Inventory with other goods (all of which other goods shall remain the sole
property of the Agent or such agent or contractor). Any amounts realized from
the sale of such goods which constitute augmentations to the Inventory (net of
an allocable share of the costs and expenses incurred in their disposition)
shall be the sole property of the Agent or such agent or contractor and neither
any Borrower nor any Person claiming under or in right of any Borrower shall
have any interest therein.

         (c) Unless the Collateral is perishable or threatens to decline
speedily in value, or is of a type customarily sold on a recognized market (in
which event the Agent shall provide the Borrowers such notice as may be
practicable under the circumstances), the Agent shall give the Borrowers at
least ten (10) days prior written notice of the date, time, and place of any
proposed public sale, and of the date after which any private sale or other
disposition of the Collateral may be made. Each Borrower agrees that such
written notice shall satisfy all requirements for notice to the Borrowers which
are imposed under the UCC or other applicable law with respect to the exercise
of the Agent's rights and remedies upon default.

<PAGE>   84

                                      -76-

         (d) The Agent and any Revolving Credit Lender may purchase the
Collateral, or any portion of it at any sale held under this Article.

         (e) If any of the Collateral is sold, leased, or otherwise disposed of
by the Agent on credit, the Liabilities shall not be deemed to have been reduced
as a result thereof unless and until payment is finally received thereon by the
Agent.

         (f) The Agent shall apply the proceeds of the Agent's exercise of its
rights and remedies upon default pursuant to this Article 11: in accordance with
Sections 13.6 and 13.7.

         11.4. OCCUPATION OF BUSINESS LOCATION. In connection with the Agent's
exercise of the Agent's rights under this Article 11:, the Agent may enter upon,
occupy, and use any premises owned or occupied by any Borrower, and may exclude
any Borrower from such premises or portion thereof as may have been so entered
upon, occupied, or used by the Agent. The Agent shall not be required to remove
any of the Collateral from any such premises upon the Agent's taking possession
thereof, and may render any Collateral unusable to any Borrower. In no event
shall the Agent be liable to any Borrower for use or occupancy by the Agent of
any premises pursuant to this Article 11:, nor for any charge (such as wages for
any Borrower's employees and utilities) incurred in connection with the Agent's
exercise of the Agent's Rights and Remedies.

         11.5. GRANT OF NONEXCLUSIVE LICENSE. Each Borrower hereby grants to the
Agent a royalty free nonexclusive irrevocable license to use, apply, and affix
any trademark, trade name, logo, or the like in which any Borrower now or
hereafter has rights, such license being with respect to the Agent's exercise of
the rights hereunder including, without limitation, in connection with any
completion of the manufacture of Inventory or sale or other disposition of
Inventory.

         11.6. ASSEMBLY OF COLLATERAL. The Agent may require any Borrower to
assemble the Collateral and make it available to the Agent at such Borrower's
sole risk and expense at a place or places which are reasonably convenient to
both the Agent and such Borrower.

         11.7. RIGHTS AND REMEDIES. The rights, remedies, powers, privileges,
and discretions of the Agent hereunder (herein, the "AGENT'S RIGHTS AND
REMEDIES") shall be cumulative and not exclusive of any rights or remedies which
it would otherwise have. No delay or omission by the Agent in exercising or
enforcing any of the Agent's Rights and Remedies shall operate as, or
constitute, a waiver thereof. No waiver by the Agent of any Event of Default or
of any default under any other agreement shall operate as a waiver of any other
default hereunder or under any other agreement. No single or partial exercise of
any of the Agent's Rights or Remedies, and no express or implied agreement or
transaction of whatever nature entered into between the Agent and any person, at
any time, shall preclude the other or further exercise of the Agent's Rights and
Remedies. No waiver by the Agent of any of the Agent's Rights and Remedies on
any one occasion shall be deemed a waiver on any subsequent occasion, nor shall
it be

<PAGE>   85

                                      -77-

deemed a continuing waiver. The Agent's Rights and Remedies may be exercised at
such time or times and in such order of preference as the Agent may determine.
The Agent's Rights and Remedies may be exercised without resort or regard to any
other source of satisfaction of the Liabilities.

ARTICLE XII. REVOLVING CREDIT FUNDINGS AND DISTRIBUTIONS

         12.1. REVOLVING CREDIT FUNDING PROCEDURES. Subject to Section 12.2:

         (a)      The Agent shall advise each Revolving Credit Lender, no later
than 2:00PM on a date on which any Revolving Credit Loan (other than a SwingLine
Loan) is to be made on that date. Such advice, in each instance, may be by
telephone or facsimile transmission, provided that if such advice is by
telephone, it shall be confirmed in writing. Advice of a Revolving Credit Loan
shall include the amount of and interest rate applicable to the subject
Revolving Credit Loan.

         (b)      Subject to that Revolving Credit Lender's Revolving Credit
Dollar Commitment, each Revolving Credit Lender, by no later than the end of
business on the day on which the subject Revolving Credit Loan is to be made,
shall Transfer that Revolving Credit Lender's Revolving Credit Percentage
Commitment of the subject Revolving Credit Loan to the Agent.

         12.2. SWINGLINE LOANS.

         (a)      In the event that, when a Revolving Credit Loan is requested,
the aggregate unpaid balance of the SwingLine Loan is less than the SwingLine
Loan Ceiling, then the SwingLine Lender may advise the Agent that the SwingLine
Lender has determined to include up to the amount of the requested Revolving
Credit Loan as part of the SwingLine Loan. In such event, the SwingLine Lender
shall Transfer the amount of the requested Revolving Credit Loan to the Agent.

         (b)      The SwingLine Loan shall be converted to a Revolving Credit
Loan in which all Revolving Credit Lenders participate as follows:

                  (i)  At any time and from time to time, the SwingLine Lender
         may advise the Agent that all, or any part of the SwingLine Loan is to
         be converted to a Revolving Credit Loan in which all Revolving Credit
         Lenders participate.

                  (ii) At the initiation of a Liquidation, the then entire
         unpaid principal balance of the SwingLine Loan shall be converted to a
         Revolving Credit Loan in which all Revolving Credit Lenders
         participate.

In either such event, the Agent shall advise each Revolving Credit Lender of
such conversion as if, and with the same effect as if such conversion were the
making of a Revolving Credit Loan as provided in Section 2.1.

<PAGE>   86

                                      -78-

         (c)      The SwingLine Lender, in separate capacities, may also be the
Agent and a Revolving Credit Lender.

         (d)      The SwingLine Lender, in its capacity as SwingLine Lender, is
not a "Revolving Credit Lender" for any of the following purposes:

                  (i)   Except as otherwise specifically provided in the
         relevant Section, any distribution pursuant to Section 13.6.

                  (ii)  Determination of whether the requisite Loan Commitments
         have Consented to action requiring such Consent.

         12.3.  AGENT'S COVERING OF FUNDING.

         (a)      Each Revolving Credit Lender shall make available to the
Agent, as provided herein, that Revolving Credit Lender's Revolving Credit
Percentage Commitment of the following:

                  (i)   Each Revolving Credit Loan, up to the maximum amount
         of that Revolving Credit Lender's Revolving Credit Dollar Commitment of
         the Revolving Credit Loans.

                  (ii)  Up to the maximum amount of that Revolving Credit
         Lender's Revolving Credit Dollar Commitment of each L/C Drawing (to the
         extent that such L/C Drawing is not "covered" by a Revolving Credit
         Loan as provided herein).

         (b)      In all circumstances, the Agent may:

                  (i)   Assume that each Revolving Credit Lender, subject to
         Section 12.3(a), timely shall make available to the Agent that
         Revolving Credit Lender's Revolving Credit Percentage Commitment of
         each Revolving Credit Loan, notice of which is provided pursuant to
         Section 12.1 and shall make available, to the extent not "covered" by a
         Revolving Credit Loan, that Revolving Credit Lender's Revolving Credit
         Percentage Commitment of any honoring of an L/C.

                  (ii)  In reliance upon such assumption, make available the
         corresponding amount to the Borrowers.

                  (iii) Assume that each Revolving Credit Lender timely shall
         pay, and shall make available, to the Agent all other amounts which
         that Revolving Credit Lender is obligated to so pay and/or make
         available hereunder or under any of the Loan Documents.

         (c)      In the event that, in reliance upon any of such assumptions,
the Agent makes available, a Revolving Credit Lender's Revolving Credit
Percentage Commitment of one or more Revolving Credit Loans, or any other amount
to be made available hereunder or under any of the Loan Documents, which amount
a Revolving Credit

<PAGE>   87

                                      -79-

Lender (a "DELINQUENT REVOLVING CREDIT LENDER") fails to provide to the
Agent within One (1) Business Day of written notice of such failure, then:

                  (i)   The amount which had been made available by the Agent is
         an "AGENT'S COVER" (and is so referred to herein).

                  (ii)  All interest paid by the Borrowers on account of the
         Revolving Credit Loan or coverage of the subject L/C Drawing which
         consist of the Agent's Cover shall be retained by the Agent until the
         Agent's Cover, with interest, has been paid.

                  (iii) The Delinquent Revolving Credit Lender shall pay to the
         Agent, on demand, interest at a rate equal to the prevailing federal
         funds rate on any Agent's Cover in respect of that Delinquent Revolving
         Credit Lender

                  (iv)  The Agent shall have succeeded to all rights to payment
         to which the Delinquent Revolving Credit Lender otherwise would have
         been entitled hereunder in respect of those amounts paid by or in
         respect of the Borrowers on account of the Agent's Cover together with
         interest until it is repaid. Such payments shall be deemed made first
         towards the amounts in respect of which the Agent's Cover was provided
         and only then towards amounts in which the Delinquent Revolving Credit
         Lender is then participating. For purposes of distributions to be made
         pursuant to Section 12.4(a) (which relates to ordinary course
         distributions) or Section 13.6 (which relates to distributions of
         proceeds of a Liquidation) below, amounts shall be deemed distributable
         to a Delinquent Revolving Credit Lender (and consequently, to the Agent
         to the extent to which the Agent is then entitled) at the highest level
         of distribution (if applicable) at which the Delinquent Revolving
         Credit Lender would otherwise have been entitled to a distribution.

                  (v)   Subject to Subsection 12.3(c)(iv), the Delinquent
         Revolving Credit Lender shall be entitled to receive any payments from
         the Borrowers to which the Delinquent Revolving Credit Lender is then
         entitled, provided however there shall be deducted from such amount and
         retained by the Agent any interest to which the Agent is then entitled
         on account of Section 12.3(c)(ii), above.

                  (vi)  A Delinquent Revolving Credit Lender shall not be
         relieved of any obligation of such Delinquent Revolving Credit Lender
         hereunder (all and each of which shall constitute continuing
         obligations on the part of any Delinquent Revolving Credit Lender).

         (d)      A Delinquent Revolving Credit Lender may cure its status as a
Delinquent Revolving Credit Lender by paying the Agent the aggregate of the
following:

                  (i)   The Agent's Cover (to the extent not previously repaid
         by the Borrowers and retained by the Agent in accordance with
         Subsection 12.3(c)(iv), above) with respect to that Delinquent
         Revolving Credit Lender.

<PAGE>   88

                                      -80-

                  Plus

                  (ii)  The aggregate of the amount payable under Subsection
         12.3(c)(iii), above (which relates to interest to be paid by that
         Delinquent Revolving Credit Lender).

                  Plus

                  (iii) All such costs and expenses as may be incurred by the
         Agent in the enforcement of the Agent's rights against such Delinquent
         Revolving Credit Lender.

         12.4. ORDINARY COURSE DISTRIBUTIONS. This Section 12.4 applies unless
the provisions of Section 13.6 (which relates to distributions in the event of a
Liquidation) becomes operative.

         (a)      Weekly, on such day as may be set from time to time by the
Agent (or more frequently at the Agent's option) the Agent and each Revolving
Credit Lender shall settle up on amounts advanced under the Revolving Credit and
collected funds received in the Concentration Account.

         (b)      The Agent shall distribute to the SwingLine Lender and to each
Revolving Credit Lender, such Person's respective pro-rata share of interest
payments on the Revolving Credit Loans when applied by the Agent as provided in
Section 7.5(a). For purposes of calculating interest due to a Revolving Credit
Lender, that Revolving Credit Lender shall be entitled to receive interest on
the actual amount contributed by that Revolving Credit Lender towards the
principal balance of the Revolving Credit Loans outstanding during the
applicable period covered by the interest payment made by the Borrowers. Any net
principal reductions to the Revolving Credit Loans received by the Agent in
accordance with the Loan Documents during such period shall not reduce such
actual amount so contributed, for purposes of calculation of interest due to
that Revolving Credit Lender, until the Agent has distributed to that Revolving
Credit Lender its pro-rata share thereof.

         (c)      The Agent shall distribute fees paid on account of the
Revolving Credit as determined by the Agent:

         (d)      No Revolving Credit Lender shall have any interest in, or
right to receive any part of, the Agent's Fee to be paid by the Borrowers to the
Agent pursuant to this Agreement.

         (e)      Any amount received by the Agent as reimbursement for any cost
or expense (including without limitation, attorneys' reasonable fees) shall be
distributed by the Agent to that Person which is entitled to such reimbursement
as provided in this Agreement (and if such Person(s) is (are) the Revolving
Credit Lenders, pro-rata based upon their respective Revolving Credit Commitment
Percentages at the date on which the expense, in respect of which such
reimbursement is being made, was incurred).

<PAGE>   89

                                      -81-

         (f)      Each distribution pursuant to this Section 12.4 is subject to
Section 12.3(c), above.

ARTICLE XIII. ACCELERATION AND LIQUIDATION

         13.1. ACCELERATION NOTICES.

         (a)      The Agent may give the Revolving Credit Lenders an
Acceleration Notice at any time following the occurrence of an Event of Default.

         (b)      The SuperMajority Lenders may give the Agent an Acceleration
Notice at any time following the occurrence of an Event of Default. Such notice
may be by multiple counterparts, provided that counterparts executed by the
requisite Revolving Credit Lenders are received by the Agent within a period of
five (5) consecutive Business Days.

         13.2. ACCELERATION. Unless stayed by judicial or statutory process, the
Agent shall Accelerate the Revolving Credit Obligations within a commercially
reasonable time following:

         (a)      The Agent's giving of an Acceleration Notice to the Revolving
Credit Lenders as provided in Section 13.1(a).

         (b)      The Agent's receipt of an Acceleration Notice from the
SuperMajority Lenders, in compliance with Section 13.1(b) .

         13.3. INITIATION OF LIQUIDATION. Unless stayed by judicial or statutory
process, a Liquidation shall be initiated by the Agent within a commercially
reasonable time following Acceleration of the Revolving Credit Obligations.

         13.4. ACTIONS AT AND  FOLLOWING INITIATION OF LIQUIDATION.

         (a)      At the initiation of a Liquidation:

                  (i)   The unpaid principal balance of the SwingLine Loan (if
any) shall be converted, pursuant to Section 12.2(b)(ii), to a Revolving Credit
Loan in which all Revolving Credit Lenders participate.

                  (ii)  The Agent and the Revolving Credit Lenders shall "net
out" each Revolving Credit Lender's respective contributions towards the
Revolving Credit Loans, so that each Revolving Credit Lender holds that
Revolving Credit Lender's Revolving Credit Percentage Commitment of the
Revolving Credit Loans and advances.

         (b)      Following the initiation of a Liquidation, each Revolving
Credit Lender shall contribute, towards any L/C thereafter honored and not
immediately reimbursed by the Borrowers, that Revolving Credit Lender's
Revolving Credit Percentage Commitment of such honoring.

<PAGE>   90

                                      -82-

         13.5. AGENT'S CONDUCT OF LIQUIDATION.

         (a)      Any Liquidation shall be conducted by the Agent, with the
advice and assistance of the Revolving Credit Lenders.

         (b)      The Agent may establish one or more Nominees to "bid in" or
otherwise acquire ownership to any Post Foreclosure Asset.

         (c)      The Agent shall manage the Nominee and manage and dispose of
any Post Foreclosure Assets with a view towards the realization of the economic
benefits of the ownership of the Post Foreclosure Assets and in such regard, the
Agent and/or the Nominee may operate, repair, manage, maintain, develop, and
dispose of any Post Foreclosure Asset in such manner as the Agent determines as
appropriate under the circumstances.

         (d)      The Agent may decline to undertake or to continue taking a
course of action or to execute an action plan (whether proposed by the Agent or
any Revolving Credit Lender) unless indemnified to the Agent's satisfaction by
the Revolving Credit Lenders against any and all liability and expense which may
be incurred by the Agent by reason of taking or continuing to take that course
of action or action plan.

         (e)      Each Revolving Credit Lender shall execute all such
instruments and documents not inconsistent with the provisions of this Agreement
as the Agent and/or the Nominee reasonably may request with respect to the
creation and governance of any Nominee, the conduct of the Liquidation, and the
management and disposition of any Post Foreclosure Asset.

         13.6.  DISTRIBUTION OF LIQUIDATION PROCEEDS.

         (a)      The Agent may establish one or more reasonably funded reserve
accounts into which proceeds of the conduct of any Liquidation may be deposited
in anticipation of future expenses which may be incurred by the Agent in the
exercise of rights as a secured creditor of the Borrowers and prior claims which
the Agent anticipates may need to be paid.

         (b)      The Agent shall distribute the net proceeds of Liquidation in
accordance with the relative priorities set forth in Section 13.7.

         (c)      Each Revolving Credit Lender, on the written request of the
Agent and/or any Nominee, not more frequently than once each month, shall
reimburse the Agent and/or any Nominee, pro-rata in proportion to their
Revolving Credit Percentage Commitment, for any cost or expense reasonably
incurred by the Agent and/or the Nominee in the conduct of a Liquidation, which
amount is not covered out of current proceeds of the Liquidation, which
reimbursement shall be paid over to and distributed by the Agent.

<PAGE>   91

                                      -83-

         13.7. RELATIVE PRIORITIES TO PROCEEDS OF LIQUIDATION. The relative
priorities to the proceeds of a Liquidation are as follows:

         (a)      To the Agent as reimbursement for all reasonable third party
costs and expenses incurred by the Agent and to Lenders' Special Counsel and to
any funded reserve established pursuant to Section 13.6(a); and then

         (b)      To the SwingLine Lender, on account of any SwingLine loans not
converted to Revolving Credit Loans pursuant to Section 13.4(a)(i); and then

         (c)      To the Revolving Credit Lenders (other than any Delinquent
Revolving Credit Lender), pro-rata, to the unpaid principal balance of the
Revolving Credit; and then

         (d)      To the Revolving Credit Lenders (other than any Delinquent
Revolving Credit Lender), pro-rata, to accrued interest on the Revolving Credit;
and then

         (e)      To the Revolving Credit Lenders (other than any Delinquent
Revolving Credit Lender), pro-rata, to those fees distributable hereunder to the
Revolving Credit Lenders; and then

         (f)      To any Delinquent Revolving Credit Lenders, pro-rata to
amounts to which such Revolving Credit Lenders otherwise would have been
entitled pursuant to Sections 13.7(c), 13.7(d), 13.7(e); and then

         (g)      To the Revolving Credit Lenders, pro-rata, to the extent of
the Revolving Credit Early Termination Fee; and then

         (h)      To any other Liabilities.

ARTICLE XIV. THE AGENT

         14.1. APPOINTMENT OF THE AGENT.

         (a)      Each Lender appoints and designates Fleet Retail Finance Inc.
as the "Agent" hereunder and under the Loan Documents.

         (b)      Each Revolving Credit Lender authorizes the Agent:

                  (i)   To execute those of the Loan Documents and all other
instruments relating thereto to which the Agent is a party.

                  (ii)  To take such action on behalf of the Revolving Credit
Lenders and to exercise all such powers as are expressly delegated to the Agent
hereunder and in the Loan Documents and all related documents, together with
such other powers as are reasonably incident thereto.

<PAGE>   92

                                      -84-

         14.2. RESPONSIBILITIES OF AGENT.

         (a)      The Agent shall not have any duties or responsibilities to, or
any fiduciary relationship with, any Revolving Credit Lender except for those
expressly set forth in this Agreement.

         (b)      Neither the Agent nor any of its Affiliates shall be
responsible to any Revolving Credit Lender for any of the following:

                  (i)   Any recitals, statements, representations or warranties
         made by any Borrower or any other Person.

                  (ii)  Any appraisals or other assessments of the assets of any
         Borrower or of any other Person responsible for or on account of the
         Liabilities.

                  (iii) The value, validity, effectiveness, genuineness,
         enforceability, or sufficiency of the Loan Agreement, the Loan
         Documents or any other document referred to or provided for therein.

                  (iv)  Any failure by any Borrower or any other Person (other
         than the Agent) to perform its obligations under the Loan Documents.

         (c)      The Agent may employ attorneys, accountants, and other
professionals and agents and attorneys-in-fact and shall not be responsible for
the negligence or misconduct of any such attorneys, accountants, and other
professionals or agents or attorneys-in-fact selected by the Agent with
reasonable care. No such attorney, accountant, other professional, agent, or
attorney-in-fact shall be responsible for any action taken or omitted to be
taken by any other such Person.

         (d)      Neither the Agent, nor any of its directors, officers, or
employees shall be responsible for any action taken or omitted to be taken or
omitted to be taken by any other of them in connection herewith in reliance upon
advice of its counsel nor, in any other event except for any action taken or
omitted to be taken as to which a final judicial determination has been or is
made (in a proceeding in which such Person has had an opportunity to be heard)
that such Person had acted in a grossly negligent manner, in actual bad faith,
or in willful misconduct.

         (e)      The Agent shall not have any responsibility in any event for
more funds than the Agent actually receives and collects.

         (f)      The Agent, in its separate capacity as a Lender, shall have
the same rights and powers hereunder as any other Lender.

         14.3. CONCERNING DISTRIBUTIONS BY THE AGENT.

         (a)      The Agent in the Agent's reasonable discretion based upon the
Agent's determination of the likelihood that additional payments will be
received, expenses

<PAGE>   93

                                      -85-

incurred, and/or claims made by third parties to all or a portion of such
proceeds, may delay the distribution of any payment received on account of the
Liabilities.

         (b) The Agent may disburse funds prior to determining that the sums
which the Agent expects to receive have been finally and unconditionally paid to
the Agent. If and to the extent that the Agent does disburse funds and it later
becomes apparent that the Agent did not then receive a payment in an amount
equal to the sum paid out, then any Revolving Credit Lender to whom the Agent
made the funds available, on demand from the Agent, shall refund to the Agent
the sum paid to that person.

         (c) If, in the opinion of the Agent, the distribution of any amount
received by the Agent might involve the Agent in liability, or might be
prohibited hereby, or might be questioned by any Person, then the Agent may
refrain from making distribution until the Agent's right to make distribution
has been adjudicated by a court of competent jurisdiction.

         (d) The proceeds of any Revolving Credit Lender's exercise of any right
of, or in the nature of, set-off shall be deemed, First, to the extent that a
Revolving Credit Lender is entitled to any distribution hereunder, to constitute
such distribution and Second, shall be shared with the other Revolving Credit
Lenders as if distributed pursuant to (and shall be deemed as distributions
under) Section 13.7.

         (e) Each Revolving Credit Lender recognizes that the crediting of the
Borrowers with the "proceeds" of any transaction in which a Post Foreclosure
Asset is acquired is a non-cash transaction and that, in consequence, no
distribution of such "proceeds" will be made by the Agent to any Lender.

         (f) In the event that (x) a court of competent jurisdiction shall
adjudge that any amount received and distributed by the Agent is to be repaid or
disgorged or (y) the SuperMajority Lenders determine to effect such repayment or
disgorgement, then each Revolving Credit Lender to which any such distribution
shall have been made shall repay, to the Agent which had made such distribution,
that Revolving Credit Lender's pro-rata share of the amount so adjudged or
determined to be repaid or disgorged.

         14.4. DISPUTE RESOLUTION. Any dispute among the Revolving Credit
Lenders and/or the Agent concerning the interpretation, administration, or
enforcement of the financing arrangements contemplated by this or any other Loan
Document or the interpretation or administration of this or any other Loan
Document which cannot be resolved amicably shall be resolved in the United
States District Court for the District of Massachusetts, sitting in Boston or in
the Superior Court of Suffolk County, Massachusetts, to the jurisdiction of
which courts each Revolving Credit Lender hereto hereby submits.

         14.5. DISTRIBUTIONS OF NOTICES AND OF DOCUMENTS. The Agent will forward
to each Revolving Credit Lender, promptly after the Agent's receipt thereof, a
copy of each notice or other document furnished to the Agent pursuant to this
Agreement, including

<PAGE>   94

                                      -86-

monthly, quarterly, and annual financial statements received from the Company
pursuant to Article 5 of this Agreement, other than any of the following:

         (a)      Routine communications associated with requests for Revolving
Credit Loans and/or the issuance of L/C's.

         (b)      Routine or nonmaterial communications.

         (c)      Any notice or document required by any of the Loan Documents
to be furnished to the Revolving Credit Lenders by any Borrower.

         (d)      Any notice or document of which the Agent has knowledge that
such notice or document had been forwarded to the Revolving Credit Lenders other
than by the Agent.

         14.6.  CONFIDENTIAL INFORMATION.

         (a)      Each Revolving Credit Lender will maintain, as confidential,
all of the following:

                  (i)   Proprietary approaches, techniques, and methods of
         analysis which are applied by the Agent in the administration of the
         credit facility contemplated by this Agreement.

                  (ii)  Proprietary forms and formats utilized by the Agent in
         providing reports to the Revolving Credit Lenders pursuant hereto,
         which forms or formats are not of general currency.

         (b)      Nothing included herein shall prohibit the disclosure of any
such information as may be required to be provided by judicial process or which
may be required or requested by regulatory authorities having jurisdiction over
any party to this Agreement.

         14.7. RELIANCE BY AGENT. The Agent shall be entitled to rely upon any
certificate, notice or other document (including any cable, telegram, telex, or
facsimile) reasonably believed by the Agent to be genuine and correct and to
have been signed or sent by or on behalf of the proper person or persons, and
upon advice and statements of attorneys, accountants and other experts selected
by the Agent. As to any matters not expressly provided for in this Agreement,
any Loan Document, or in any other document referred to therein, the Agent shall
in all events be fully protected in acting, or in refraining from acting, in
accordance with the applicable consent required by this Agreement. Instructions
given with the requisite consent shall be binding on all Revolving Credit
Lenders.

<PAGE>   95

                                      -87-

         14.8.  NON-RELIANCE ON AGENT AND OTHER REVOLVING CREDIT LENDERS.

         (a)      Each Revolving Credit Lender represents to all other Revolving
Credit Lenders and to the Agent that such Revolving Credit Lender:

                  (i)   Independently and without reliance on any representation
         or act by Agent or by any other Revolving Credit Lender, and based on
         such documents and information as that Revolving Credit Lender has
         deemed appropriate, has made such Revolving Credit Lender's own
         appraisal of the financial condition and affairs of any Borrower and
         decision to enter into this Agreement.

                  (ii)   Has relied upon that Revolving Credit Lender's review
         of the Loan Documents by that Revolving Credit Lender and by counsel to
         that Revolving Credit Lender as that Revolving Credit Lender deemed
         appropriate under the circumstances.

         (b)      Each Revolving Credit Lender agrees that such Revolving Credit
Lender, independently and without reliance upon Agent or any other Revolving
Credit Lender, and based upon such documents and information as such Revolving
Credit Lender shall deem appropriate at the time, will continue to make such
Revolving Credit Lender's own appraisals of the financial condition and affairs
of each Borrower when determining whether to take or not to take any
discretionary action under this Agreement.

         (c)      The Agent, in the discharge of that Agent's duties hereunder,
shall not be required to make inquiry of, or to inspect the properties or books
of, any Person.

         (d)      Except for notices, reports, and other documents and
information expressly required to be furnished to the Revolving Credit Lenders
by the Agent hereunder (as to which, see Section 14.5), the Agent shall not have
any affirmative duty or responsibility to provide any Lender with any credit or
other information concerning any Person, which information may come into the
possession of Agent or any Affiliate of the Agent.

         (e)      Each Revolving Credit Lender, at such Revolving Credit
Lender's request, shall have reasonable access to all nonprivileged documents in
the possession of the Agent, which documents relate to the Agent's performance
of its duties hereunder.

         14.9. INDEMNIFICATION. Without limiting the liabilities of each
Borrower under this or any of the other Loan Documents, each Revolving Credit
Lender shall indemnify the Agent, pro-rata, for any and all liabilities,
obligations, losses, damages, penalties, actions, judgments, suits, costs,
expenses or disbursements of any kind or nature whatsoever (including attorneys'
reasonable fees and expenses and other out-of-pocket expenditures) which may at
any time be imposed on, incurred by, or asserted against the Agent and in any
way relating to or arising out of this Agreement or any other Loan Document or
any documents contemplated by or referred to therein or the transactions
contemplated thereby or the enforcement of any of terms hereof or thereof or of
any such other documents, provided, however, no Revolving Credit Lender shall be
liable

<PAGE>   96

                                      -88-

for any of the foregoing to the extent that any of the foregoing arises
from any action taken or omitted to be taken by the Agent as to which a final
judicial determination has been or is made (in a proceeding in which the Agent
has had an opportunity to be heard) that the Agent had acted in a grossly
negligent manner, in actual bad faith, or in willful misconduct.

         14.10.  RESIGNATION OF AGENT.

         (a) The Agent may resign at any time by giving 60 days prior written
notice thereof to the Revolving Credit Lenders. Upon receipt of any such notice
of resignation, the SuperMajority Lenders shall have the right to appoint a
successor to such Agent (and if no Event of Default has occurred, with the
consent of the Borrowers, not to be unreasonably withheld and, in any event,
deemed given by the Borrowers if no written objection is provided by the
Borrowers to the (resigning) Agent within seven (7) Business Days after
receiving notice of such proposed appointment). If a successor Agent shall not
have been so appointed and accepted such appointment within 30 days after the
giving of notice by the resigning Agent, then the resigning Agent may appoint a
successor Agent, which shall be a financial institution having a rating of not
less than "A" or its equivalent if rated by Standard & Poor's Ratings Group (and
if no Event of Default has occurred, with the consent of the Borrowers, not to
be unreasonably withheld and, in any event, deemed given by the Borrowers if no
written objection is provided by the Borrowers to the (resigning) Agent within
seven (7) Business Days after receiving notice of such proposed appointment).
The consent of the Borrowers otherwise required by this Section 14.10(a) shall
not be required if an Event of Default has occurred.

         (b) Upon the acceptance of any appointment as Agent hereunder by a
successor Agent, such successor shall thereupon succeed to, and become vested
with, all the rights, powers, privileges, and duties of the (resigning) Agent so
replaced, and the (resigning) Agent shall be discharged from the (resigning)
Agent's duties and obligations hereunder, other than on account of any
responsibility for any action taken or omitted to be taken by the (resigning)
Agent as to which a final judicial determination has been or is made (in a
proceeding in which the (resigning) Person has had an opportunity to be heard)
that such Person had acted in a grossly negligent manner or in bad faith.

         (c) After any retiring Agent's resignation, the provisions of this
Agreement and of all other Loan Documents shall continue in effect for the
retiring Person's benefit in respect of any actions taken or omitted to be taken
by it while it was acting as Agent.

ARTICLE XV. ACTION BY AGENTS - CONSENTS - AMENDMENTS - WAIVERS

         15.1. ADMINISTRATION OF CREDIT FACILITIES.

         (a) Except as otherwise specifically provided in this Agreement, the
Agent may take any action with respect to the credit facility contemplated by
the Loan

<PAGE>   97

                                      -89-

Documents as the Agent determines to be appropriate, provided, however,
the Agent is not under any affirmative obligation to take any action which it is
not required by this Agreement or the Loan Documents specifically to so take.

         (b)      Except as specifically provided in the following Sections of
this Agreement, whenever a Loan Document or this Agreement provides that action
may be taken or omitted to be taken in an Agent's discretion, the Agent shall
have the sole right to take, or refrain from taking, such action without, and
notwithstanding, any vote of the Revolving Credit Lender:

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
        Actions Described in Section               Type of Consent Required
        ----------------------------               ------------------------

<S>                                                <C>
        15.2                                       Majority Lenders

        15.3                                       SuperMajority Lenders

        15.4                                       Certain Consent

        15.5                                       Unanimous Consent

        15.6                                       Consent of SwingLine Lender

        15.7                                       Consent of the Agent
</TABLE>

         (c)      The rights granted to the Revolving Credit Lenders in those
sections referenced in Section 15.1(b) shall not otherwise limit or impair the
Agent's exercise of its discretion under the Loan Documents.

         15.2. ACTIONS REQUIRING OR ON DIRECTION OF MAJORITY LENDERS. Except as
otherwise provided in this Agreement, the Consent or direction of the Majority
Lenders is required for any amendment, waiver, or modification of any Loan
Document.

         15.3. ACTIONS REQUIRING OR ON DIRECTION OF SUPERMAJORITY LENDERS The
Consent or direction of the SuperMajority Lenders is required as follows:

         (a)      The Revolving Credit Lenders agree that any loan or advance
under the Revolving Credit which results in a Protective OverAdvance may be made
by the Agent in its discretion without the Consent of the Revolving Credit
Lenders and that each Revolving Credit Lender shall be bound thereby, provided,
however, the Consent or direction of the SuperMajority Lenders is required to
permit a Protective OverAdvance to be outstanding for more than 45 consecutive
Business Days or more than twice in any twelve month period.

         (b)      If any Borrower is then InDefault, the SuperMajority Lenders
may direct the Agent to suspend the Revolving Credit, whereupon, as long as any
Borrower is InDefault, the only Revolving Credit Loans which may be made are the
following:

                  (i)   Protective OverAdvances.

<PAGE>   98

                                      -90-

                  (ii)  Revolving Credit Loans made to "cover" the honoring
         of L/C's.

                  (iii) Revolving Credit Loans made with Consent of the
         SuperMajority Lenders.

         (c)      If an Event of Default has occurred and not been duly waived,
the SuperMajority Lenders may:

                  (i)   Give the Agent an Acceleration Notice in accordance
         with Section 13.1(b).

                  (ii)  Direct the Agent to increase the rate of interest to the
         default rate of interest as provided in, and to the extent permitted
         by, this Agreement.

         (d)      To amend the definition of Minimum Availability.

         15.4. ACTION REQUIRING CERTAIN CONSENT. The consent of the SwingLine
Lender and SuperMajority Lenders shall be required to increase the SwingLine
Loan Ceiling.

         15.5. ACTIONS REQUIRING OR DIRECTED BY UNANIMOUS CONSENT. None of the
following may take place except with Unanimous Consent:

         (a)      Any increase in any Revolving Credit Lender's Revolving Credit
Dollar Commitment or Revolving Credit Percentage Commitment (other than by
reason of the application of Section 15.10 (which deals with NonConsenting
Revolving Credit Lenders) or Section 16.1 (which deals with assignments and
participations)).

         (b)      Any decrease in any interest rate or fee payable to the
Revolving Credit Lenders on account of the Revolving Credit Loans.

         (c)      Any extension of the Maturity Date.

         (d)      Any forgiveness of all or any portion of any payment
Liability.

         (e)      Any decrease in any interest rate or fee payable under any of
the Loan Documents (other than any Agent's Fee (for which the consent of the
Agent shall be required)).

         (f)      Any release of a material portion of the Collateral not
otherwise required or provided for in the Loan Documents or to facilitate a
Liquidation.

         (g)      Any amendment of the definition of the terms "Borrowing Base"
or "Availability" or of any Definition of any component thereof, such that more
credit would be available to the Borrowers, based on the same assets, as would
have been available to the Borrowers immediately prior to such amendment, it
being understood, however, that:

<PAGE>   99

                                      -91-

                  (i)   The foregoing shall not limit the adjustment by the
         Agent of any Reserve in the Agent's administration of the Revolving
         Credit as otherwise permitted by this Agreement.

                  (ii)  The foregoing shall not prevent the Agent, in its
         administration of the Revolving Credit, from restoring any component of
         Borrowing Base which had been lowered by the Agent back to the value of
         such component, as stated in this Agreement or to an intermediate
         value.

         (h)     Any release of any Person obligated on account of the
Liabilities.

         (i)      The making of any Revolving Credit Loan which, when made,
exceeds Availability minus Minimum Availability and is not a Protective
OverAdvance, provided, however,

                  (i)   no Consent shall be required in connection with the
         making of any Revolving Credit Loan to "cover" any honoring of a
         drawing under any L/C; and

                  (ii)  each Lender recognizes that subsequent to the making
         of a Revolving Credit Loan which does not constitute a Protective
         OverAdvance, the unpaid principal balance of the Loan Account may
         exceed Borrowing Base on account of changed circumstances beyond the
         control of the Agent (such as a drop in collateral value).

         (j)      The waiver of the obligation of the Borrowers to reduce the
unpaid principal balance of loans under the Revolving Credit to an amount so
that no OverLoan (other than a Protective OverAdvance) is outstanding or,
subject to the time limits included in Section 15.3(a) (which places time and
frequency limits on Protective OverAdvance), to eliminate a Protective
OverAdvance.

         (k)      Any amendment of this Article 15.

         (l)      Amendment of any of the following Definitions:

                  "Appraised Inventory Liquidation Value"
                  "Appraised Inventory Percentage"
                  "Majority Lender"
                  "Protective OverAdvance"
                  "SuperMajority Lenders
                  "Unanimous Consent"

         15.6. ACTIONS REQUIRING SWINGLINE LENDER CONSENT. No action, amendment,
or waiver of compliance with, any provision of the Loan Documents or of this
Agreement which affects the SwingLine Lender may be undertaken without the
Consent of the SwingLine Lender.

<PAGE>   100

                                      -92-

         15.7. ACTIONS REQUIRING AGENT'S CONSENT.

         (a)      No action, amendment, or waiver of compliance with, any
provision of the Loan Documents or of this Agreement which affects the Agent in
its capacity as Agent may be undertaken without the written consent of the
Agent.

         (b)      No action referenced herein which affects the rights, duties,
obligations, or liabilities of the Agent shall be effective without the written
consent of the Agent.

         15.8. MISCELLANEOUS ACTIONS.

         (a)      Notwithstanding any other provision of this Agreement, no
single Revolving Credit Lender independently may exercise any right of action or
enforcement against or with respect to the Borrowers.

         (b)      The Agent shall be fully justified in failing or refusing to
take action under this Agreement or any Loan Document on behalf of any Revolving
Credit Lender unless the Agent shall first:

                  (i)   receive such clear, unambiguous, written instructions
         as the Agent deems appropriate; and

                  (ii)  be indemnified to the Agent's satisfaction by the
         Revolving Credit Lenders against any and all liability and expense
         which may be incurred by the Agent by reason of taking or continuing to
         take any such action, unless such action had been grossly negligent, in
         willful misconduct, or in bad faith.

         (c)      The Agent may establish reasonable procedures for the
providing of direction and instructions from the Revolving Credit Lenders to the
Agent, including its reliance on multiple counterparts, facsimile transmissions,
and time limits within which such direction and instructions must be received in
order to be included in a determination of whether the requisite Loan
Commitments has provided its direction, Consent, or instructions.

         15.9.  ACTIONS REQUIRING BORROWERS' CONSENT. The Borrowers' consent is
required for any amendment of this Agreement.

         15.10. NONCONSENTING REVOLVING CREDIT LENDER.

         (a)      In the event that a Revolving Credit Lender (in this Section
15.10, a "NONCONSENTING REVOLVING CREDIT LENDER") does not provide its consent
to a proposal by the Agent to take action which requires consent under this
Article 15, then one or more Revolving Credit Lenders who provided consent to
such action may require the assignment, without recourse and in accordance with
the procedures outlined in Section 16.1, below, of the NonConsenting Revolving
Credit Lender's commitment hereunder on fifteen (15) days written notice to the
Agent and to the NonConsenting Revolving Credit Lender.

<PAGE>   101

                                      -93-

         (b)      At the end of such fifteen (15) days, and provided that the
NonConsenting Revolving Credit Lender delivers the Revolving Credit Note held by
the NonConsenting Revolving Credit Lender to the Agent, the Revolving Credit
Lenders who have given such written notice shall Transfer the following to the
NonConsenting Revolving Credit Lender:

                  (i)   Such NonConsenting Revolving Credit Lender's pro-rata
         share of the principal and interest of the Revolving Credit Loans to
         the date of such assignment.

                  (ii)  All fees distributable hereunder to the NonConsenting
         Revolving Credit Lender to the date of such assignment.

                  (iii) Any out-of-pocket costs and expenses for which the
         NonConsenting Revolving Credit Lender is entitled to reimbursement from
         the Borrowers.

         (c)      In the event that the NonConsenting Revolving Credit Lender
fails to deliver to the Agent the Revolving Credit Note held by the
NonConsenting Revolving Credit Lender as provided in Section 15.10(b), then:

                  (i)   The amount otherwise to be Transferred to the
         NonConsenting Revolving Credit Lender shall be Transferred to the Agent
         and held by the Agent, without interest, to be turned over to the
         NonConsenting Revolving Credit Lender upon delivery of the Revolving
         Credit Note held by that NonConsenting Revolving Credit Lender.

                  (ii)  The Revolving Credit Note held by the NonConsenting
         Revolving Credit Lender shall have no force or effect whatsoever.

                  (iii) The NonConsenting Revolving Credit Lender shall cease to
         be a "Revolving Credit Lender".

                  (iv)  The Revolving Credit Lender(s) which have Transferred
         the amount to the Agent as described above shall have succeeded to all
         rights and become subject to all of the obligations of the
         NonConsenting Revolving Credit Lender as "Revolving Credit Lender".

         (d)      In the event that more than One (1) Revolving Credit Lender
wishes to require such assignment, the NonConsenting Revolving Credit Lender's
commitment hereunder shall be divided among such Revolving Credit Lenders,
pro-rata based upon their respective Revolving Credit Percentage Commitments,
with the Agent coordinating such transaction.

         (e)      The Agent shall coordinate the retirement of the Revolving
Credit Note held by the NonConsenting Revolving Credit Lender and the issuance
of Revolving Credit Notes to those Revolving Credit Lenders which "take-out"
such NonConsenting

<PAGE>   102

                                      -94-

Revolving Credit Lender, provided, however, no processing fee otherwise to be
paid as provided in Section 16.2(b) shall be due under such circumstances.

ARTICLE XVI. ASSIGNMENTS BY REVOLVING CREDIT LENDERS

         16.1. ASSIGNMENTS AND ASSUMPTIONS. Except as provided herein, each
Revolving Credit Lender (in this Section 16.1, an "ASSIGNING REVOLVING CREDIT
LENDER") may assign to one or more Eligible Assignees (in this Section 16.1,
each an "ASSIGNEE REVOLVING CREDIT LENDER") all or a portion of that Revolving
Credit Lender's interests, rights and obligations under this Agreement and the
Loan Documents (including all or a portion of its Loan Commitment) and the same
portion of the Revolving Credit Loans at the time owing to it, and of the
Revolving Credit Note held by the Assigning Revolving Credit Lender, provided
that

                  (i)   The Agent shall have given its prior written consent to
         such assignment, which consent shall not be unreasonably withheld, but
         need not be given if the proposed assignment would result in any
         resulting Revolving Credit Lender's having a Revolving Credit Dollar
         Commitment of less than the "minimum hold" amount specified in Section
         16.1(iii) or if there would be more than nine (9) Revolving Credit
         Lenders.

                  (ii)  Each such assignment shall be of a constant, and not a
         varying, percentage of all the Assigning Revolving Credit Lender's
         rights and obligations under this Agreement.

                  (iii) Following the effectiveness of such assignment, the
         Assigning Revolving Credit Lender's Revolving Credit Dollar Commitment
         (if not an assignment of all of the Assigning Lender's Loan Commitment)
         shall not be less than $10,000,000.

                  (iv)  The Assigning Revolving Credit Lender is assigning at
         least $10,000,000 of its Revolving Credit Dollar Commitment or all of
         its Loan Commitment.

         16.2. ASSIGNMENT PROCEDURES. (This Section 16.2 describes the
procedures to be followed in connection with an assignment effected pursuant to
this Article 16: and permitted by Section 16.1).

         (a)      The parties to such an assignment shall execute and deliver to
the Agent, for recording in the Register, an Assignment and Acceptance
substantially in the form of EXHIBIT D, annexed hereto (an "ASSIGNMENT AND
ACCEPTANCE").

         (b)      The Assigning Revolving Credit Lender shall deliver to the
Agent, with such Assignment and Acceptance, the Revolving Credit Note held by
the subject Assigning Revolving Credit Lender and the Agent's processing fee of
$3,500.

<PAGE>   103

                                      -95-

         (c)      The Agent shall maintain a copy of each Assignment and
Acceptance delivered to it and a register or similar list (the "REGISTER") for
the recordation of the names and addresses of the Revolving Credit Lenders and
of the Revolving Credit Percentage Commitment and Maximum Revolving Credit
Dollar Commitment of each Revolving Credit Lender. The Register shall be
available for inspection by the Revolving Credit Lenders at any reasonable time
and from time to time upon reasonable prior notice. In the absence of manifest
error, the entries in the Register shall be conclusive and binding on all
Revolving Credit Lenders. The Agent and the Revolving Credit Lenders may treat
each Person whose name is recorded in the Register as a "Revolving Credit
Lender" hereunder for all purposes of this Agreement.

         (d)      The Assigning Revolving Credit Lender and Assignee Revolving
Credit Lender, directly between themselves, shall make all appropriate
adjustments in payments for periods prior to the effective date of an Assignment
and Assumption.

         16.3. EFFECT OF ASSIGNMENT.

         (a)      From and after the effective date specified in an Assignment
and Acceptance which has been executed, delivered, and recorded (which effective
date the Agent may delay by up to Five (5) Business Days after the delivery of
such Assignment and Acceptance):

                  (i)   The Assignee Revolving Credit Lender:

                        (A) Shall be a party to this Agreement and the Loan
                  Documents (and to any amendments thereof) as fully as if the
                  Assignee Revolving Credit Lender had executed each.

                        (B) Shall have the rights of a Revolving Credit
                  Lender hereunder to the extent of the Revolving Credit
                  Percentage Commitment and Maximum Revolving Credit Dollar
                  Commitment assigned by such Assignment and Acceptance.

                  (ii)  The Assigning Revolving Credit Lender shall be released
         from the Assigning Revolving Credit Lender's obligations under this
         Agreement and the Loan Documents to the extent of the Loan Commitment
         assigned by such Assignment and Acceptance.

                  (iii) The Agent shall undertake to obtain and distribute
         replacement Revolving Credit Notes to the subject Assigning Revolving
         Credit Lender and Assignee Revolving Credit Lender.

         (b)      By executing and delivering an Assignment and Acceptance, the
parties thereto confirm to and agree with each other and with all parties to
this Agreement as to those matters which are set forth in the subject Assignment
and Acceptance.

<PAGE>   104

                                      -96-

ARTICLE XVII. NOTICES

         17.1. NOTICE ADDRESSES. All notices, demands, and other communications
made in respect of any Loan Document (other than a request for a loan or advance
or other financial accommodation under the Revolving Credit) shall be made to
the following addresses, each of which may be changed upon seven (7) days
written notice to all others given by certified mail, return receipt requested:

         If to the Agent:

                 Fleet Retail Finance Inc.
                 40 Broad Street
                 Boston, Massachusetts 02109
                 Attention         James J. Ward
                                   Director
                 Fax               617-434-4312

         With a copy to:

                 Bingham Dana LLP
                 150 Federal Street
                 Boston, Massachusetts 02110
                 Attention         Robert A.J. Barry,  Esquire
                 Fax               617-951-8736

         If to the Borrowers:

                 Jacobson Stores Inc.
                 3333 Sargent Road
                 Jackson, Michigan 49201
                 Attention         Chief Financial Officer
                 Fax               517-764-7983

         With a copy to:

                 Honigman Miller Schwartz and Cohn LLP
                 2290 First National Building
                 660 Woodward Avenue
                 Detroit, Michigan 48226-3583
                 Attention         Robert J. Krueger, Esq.
                 Fax:              313-465-7453

         17.2.  NOTICE GIVEN.

         (a) Except as otherwise specifically provided herein, notices shall be
deemed made and correspondence received, as follows (all times being local to
the place of delivery or receipt):

<PAGE>   105

                                      -97-

                  (i)   By mail: the sooner of when actually received or Three
         (3) Business Days following deposit in the United States mail, postage
         prepaid.

                  (ii)  By recognized overnight express delivery: the Business
         Day following the day when sent.

                  (iii) By Hand: If delivered on a Business Day after 9:00 AM
         and no later than Three (3) hours prior to the close of customary
         business hours of the recipient, when delivered. Otherwise, at the
         opening of the then next Business Day.

                  (iv) By Facsimile transmission (which must include a header on
         which the party sending such transmission is indicated): If sent on a
         Business Day after 9:00 AM and no later than Three (3) hours prior to
         the close of customary business hours of the recipient, one (1) hour
         after being sent. Otherwise, at the opening of the then next Business
         Day.

         (b)      Rejection or refusal to accept delivery and inability to
deliver because of a changed address or Facsimile Number for which no due notice
was given shall each be deemed receipt of the notice sent.

         17.3. WIRE INSTRUCTIONS NOTICE GIVEN. Subject to change in the same
manner that a notice address may be changed (as to which, see Section 17.1),
wire transfers to the Agent shall be made in accordance with the following wire
instructions:

                  Fleet Retail Finance Inc.
                  ABA Number:       011000390
                  Account Name      :
                  Account Number    :
                  Reference         :

ARTICLE XVIII. TERM

         18.1. TERMINATION OF REVOLVING CREDIT. The Revolving Credit shall
remain in effect (subject to suspension as provided in Section 2.5(g) hereof)
until the Termination Date.

         18.2. ACTIONS ON TERMINATION.

         (a)      On the Termination Date, the Borrowers shall pay the Agent
(whether or not then due), in immediately available funds, all then Liabilities
including, without limitation: the following:

                  (i)   The entire balance of the Loan Account (including the
         unpaid principal balance of the Revolving Credit Loans, and the
         SwingLine Loan ).

                  (ii)  Any then remaining installments of the Closing Fee.

<PAGE>   106

                                      -98-

                  (iii) Any then remaining installments of the Agent's Fee.

                  (iv)  Any payments due on account of the indemnification
         obligations included in Section 2.10(e).

                  (v)   Any accrued and unpaid Unused Line Fee.

                  (vi)  Any applicable Revolving Credit Early Termination Fee.

                  (vii) All unreimbursed costs and expenses of the Agent and of
         Lenders' Special Counsel for which the Borrowers are responsible.

         (b)      On the Termination Date, the Borrowers shall also shall make
such arrangements concerning any L/C's then outstanding as are reasonably
satisfactory to the Agent.

         (c)      Until such payment (Section 18.2(a)) and arrangements
concerning L/C's (Section 18.2(b)), all provisions of this Agreement, other than
those included in Article 2: which place any obligation on the Agent or any
Revolving Credit Lender to make any loans or advances or to provide any
financial accommodations to the Borrowers shall remain in full force and effect
until all Liabilities shall have been paid in full.

         (d)      The release by the Agent of the Collateral Interests granted
the Agent by the Borrowers hereunder may be upon such conditions and
indemnifications as the Agent may require.

ARTICLE XIX. GENERAL

         19.1. PROTECTION OF COLLATERAL. The Agent's sole duty with respect to
the custody, safe keeping and physical preservation of the Collateral in its
possession, under ss.9-207 of the UCC (or UCC9'99 as applicable) or otherwise,
shall be to deal with such Collateral in the same manner as the Agent deals with
similar property for its own account.

         19.2. PUBLICITY. The Agent may issue a "tombstone" notice of the
establishment of the credit facility contemplated by this Agreement and may make
reference to the Borrowers (and may utilize any logo or other distinctive symbol
associated with the Borrowers) in connection with any advertising, promotion, or
marketing undertaken by the Agent.

         19.3. SUCCESSORS AND ASSIGNS. This Agreement shall be binding upon and
inure to the benefit of each Borrower and each Borrower's successors, and
assigns and shall be binding upon and inure to the benefit of the Agent and each
Revolving Credit Lender and their respective successors and assigns, provided,
however, no trustee or other fiduciary appointed with respect to any Borrower
shall have any rights hereunder. In the event that the Agent or any Revolving
Credit Lender assigns or transfers its rights under this Agreement, the assignee
shall thereupon succeed to and become vested

<PAGE>   107

                                      -99-

with all rights, powers, privileges, and duties of such assignor hereunder and
such assignor shall thereupon be discharged and relieved from its duties and
obligations hereunder.

         19.4. SEVERABILITY. Any determination that any provision of this
Agreement or any application thereof is invalid, illegal, or unenforceable in
any respect in any instance shall not affect the validity, legality, or
enforceability of such provision in any other instance, or the validity,
legality, or enforceability of any other provision of this Agreement.

         19.5. AMENDMENTS. COURSE OF DEALING.

         (a)      This Agreement and the other Loan Documents incorporate all
discussions and negotiations between the Borrowers and the Agent and each
Revolving Credit Lender, either express or implied, concerning the matters
included herein and in such other instruments, any custom, usage, or course of
dealings to the contrary notwithstanding. No such discussions, negotiations,
custom, usage, or course of dealings shall limit, modify, or otherwise affect
the provisions thereof. No failure by the Agent or any Revolving Credit Lender
to give notice to the Borrowers of any Borrower having failed to observe and
comply with any warranty or covenant included in any Loan Document shall
constitute a waiver of such warranty or covenant or the amendment of the subject
Loan Document. No change made by the Agent to the manner by which Borrowing Base
is determined shall obligate the Agent to continue to determine Borrowing Base
in that manner.

         (b)      The Borrowers may undertake any action otherwise prohibited
hereby, and may omit to take any action otherwise required hereby, upon and with
the express prior written consent of the Agent given in accordance with the
provisions of this Agreement. Subject to Article 15:, no consent, modification,
amendment, or waiver of any provision of any Loan Document shall be effective
unless executed in writing by or on behalf of the party to be charged with such
modification, amendment, or waiver (and if such party is the Agent then by a
duly authorized officer thereof). Any modification, amendment, or waiver
provided by the Agent shall be in reliance upon all representations and
warranties theretofore made to the Agent by or on behalf of the Borrowers (and
any guarantor, endorser, or surety of the Liabilities) and consequently may be
rescinded in the event that any of such representations or warranties was not
true and complete in all material respects when given.

         19.6. POWER OF ATTORNEY. In connection with all powers of attorney
included in this Agreement, each Borrower hereby grants unto the Agent (acting
through any of its officers) full power to do any and all things necessary or
appropriate in connection with the exercise of such powers as fully and
effectually as each Borrower might or could do, hereby ratifying all that said
attorney shall do or cause to be done by virtue of this Agreement. No power of
attorney set forth in this Agreement shall be affected by any disability or
incapacity suffered by any Borrower and each shall survive the same. All powers
conferred upon the Agent by this Agreement, being coupled with an interest,

<PAGE>   108

                                     -100-

shall be irrevocable until this Agreement is terminated by a written instrument
executed by a duly authorized officer of the Agent.

         19.7. APPLICATION OF PROCEEDS. The proceeds of any collection, sale, or
disposition of the Collateral, or of any other payments received hereunder,
shall be applied towards the Liabilities in such order and manner as the Agent
determines in its sole discretion, consistent, however, with Sections 13.6 and
13.7 and any other applicable provisions of this Agreement. Each Borrower shall
remain liable for any deficiency remaining following such application.

         19.8. INCREASED COSTS. If, as a result of any Requirement of Law, or of
the interpretation or application thereof by any court or by any governmental or
other authority or entity charged with the administration thereof, whether or
not having the force of law, which:

         (a)      ubjects any Revolving Credit Lender to any taxes or changes
the basis of taxation, or increases any existing taxes, on payments of
principal, interest or other amounts payable by the Borrowers to the Agent or
any Revolving Credit Lender under this Agreement (except for taxes on the Agent
or any Revolving Credit Lender based on net income or capital imposed by the
jurisdiction in which the principal or lending offices of the Agent or that
Revolving Credit Lender are located);

         (b)      imposes, modifies or deems applicable any reserve, cash
margin, special deposit or similar requirements against assets held by, or
deposits in or for the account of or loans by or any other acquisition of funds
by the relevant funding office of any Revolving Credit Lender;

         (c)      imposes on any Revolving Credit Lender any other condition
with respect to any Loan Document; or

         (d)      imposes on any Revolving Credit Lender a requirement to
maintain or allocate capital in relation to the Liabilities;

and the result of any of the foregoing, in such Revolving Credit Lender's
reasonable opinion, is to increase the cost to that Revolving Credit Lender of
making or maintaining any loan, advance or financial accommodation or to reduce
the income receivable by that Revolving Credit Lender in respect of any loan,
advance or financial accommodation by an amount which that Revolving Credit
Lender deems to be material, then upon written notice from the Agent, from time
to time, to the Company (such notice to set out in reasonable detail the facts
giving rise to and a summary calculation of such increased cost or reduced
income), the Borrowers shall forthwith pay to the Agent, for the benefit of the
subject Revolving Credit Lender, upon receipt of such notice, that amount which
shall compensate the subject Revolving Credit Lender for such additional cost or
reduction in income.

<PAGE>   109

                                     -101-

         19.9. COSTS AND EXPENSES OF THE AGENT.

         (a)      The Borrowers shall pay from time to time on demand all Costs
of Collection and all reasonable costs, expenses, and disbursements (including
attorneys' reasonable fees and expenses) which are incurred by the Agent and the
Syndication Agent in connection with the preparation, negotiation, execution,
and delivery of this Agreement and of any other Loan Documents, and all other
reasonable costs, expenses, and disbursements which may be incurred in
connection with or in respect to the credit facility contemplated hereby or
which otherwise are incurred with respect to the Liabilities.

         (b)      The Borrowers shall pay from time to time on demand all
reasonable costs and expenses (including attorneys' reasonable fees and
expenses) incurred, following the occurrence of any Event of Default, by the
Revolving Credit Lenders to Lenders' Special Counsel.

         (c)      Each Borrower authorizes the Agent to pay all such fees and
expenses and in the Agent's discretion, to add such fees and expenses to the
Loan Account.

         (d)      The undertaking on the part of each Borrower in this Section
19.9 shall survive payment of the Liabilities and/or any termination, release,
or discharge executed by the Agent in favor of any Borrower, other than a
termination, release, or discharge which makes specific reference to this
Section 19.9.

         19.10. COPIES AND FACSIMILES. Each Loan Document and all documents and
papers which relate thereto which have been or may be hereinafter furnished the
Agent or any Revolving Credit Lender may be reproduced by that Revolving Credit
Lender or by the Agent by any photographic, microfilm, xerographic, digital
imaging, or other process, and such Person making such reproduction may destroy
any document so reproduced. Any such reproduction shall be admissible in
evidence as the original itself in any judicial or administrative proceeding
(whether or not the original is in existence and whether or not such
reproduction was made in the regular course of business). Any facsimile which
bears proof of transmission shall be binding on the party which or on whose
behalf such transmission was initiated and likewise shall be so admissible in
evidence as if the original of such facsimile had been delivered to the party
which or on whose behalf such transmission was received.

         19.11. MASSACHUSETTS LAW. This Agreement and all rights and obligations
hereunder, including matters of construction, validity, and performance, shall
be governed by the law of The Commonwealth of Massachusetts.

         19.12. CONSENT TO JURISDICTION.

         (a)      Each Borrower agrees that any legal action, proceeding, case,
or controversy against such Borrower with respect to any Loan Document may be
brought in the Superior Court of Suffolk County Massachusetts or in the United
States District Court, District of Massachusetts, sitting in Boston,
Massachusetts, as the Agent may

<PAGE>   110

                                     -102-

elect in the Agent's sole discretion. By execution and delivery of this
Agreement, each Borrower, for itself and in respect of its property, accepts,
submits, and consents generally and unconditionally, to the jurisdiction of the
aforesaid courts.

         (b)      Each Borrower WAIVES personal service of any and all process
upon it, and irrevocably consents to the service of process out of any of the
aforementioned courts in any such action or proceeding by the mailing of copies
thereof by certified mail, postage prepaid, to such Borrower at such Borrower's
address for notices as specified herein, such service to become effective five
(5) Business Days after such mailing.

         (c)       Each Borrower WAIVES any objection based on forum non
conveniens and any objection to venue of any action or proceeding instituted
under any of the Loan Documents and consents to the granting of such legal or
equitable remedy as is deemed appropriate by the Court.

         (d)      Nothing herein shall affect the right of the Agent to bring
legal actions or proceedings in any other competent jurisdiction.

         (e)      Each Borrower agrees that any action commenced by such
Borrower
asserting any claim arising under or in connection with this Agreement or any
other Loan Document shall be brought solely in the Superior Court of Suffolk
County Massachusetts or in the United States District Court, District of
Massachusetts, sitting in Boston, Massachusetts, and that such Courts shall have
exclusive jurisdiction with respect to any such action.

         19.13. INDEMNIFICATION. Each Borrower shall indemnify, defend, and hold
the Agent, the Syndication Agent and each Revolving Credit Lender and any
Participant and any of their respective employees, officers, or agents (each, an
"INDEMNIFIED PERSON") harmless of and from any claim brought or threatened
against any Indemnified Person by such Borrower, any guarantor or endorser of
the Liabilities, or any other Person (as well as from attorneys' reasonable
fees, expenses, and disbursements in connection therewith) on account of the
relationship of such Borrower or of any guarantor or endorser of the Liabilities
with such Indemnified Person with respect to any of the Loan Documents or the
transactions described in the Loan Documents, including all costs, expenses,
liabilities, and damages as may be suffered by any Indemnified Person in
connection with (x) the Collateral; (y) the occurrence of any Event of Default;
or (z) the exercise of any rights or remedies under any of the Loan Documents
(each of which claims may be defended, compromised, settled, or pursued by the
Indemnified Person with counsel of the Indemnified Person's selection, but one
of which shall be at the expense of such Borrower) other than any claim as to
which a final determination is made in a judicial proceeding (in which the Agent
and any other Indemnified Person has had an opportunity to be heard), which
determination includes a specific finding that the Indemnified Person seeking
indemnification had acted in a grossly negligent manner or in actual bad faith.
This indemnification shall survive payment of the Liabilities and/or any
termination, release, or discharge executed by the Agent in favor of any
Borrower,

<PAGE>   111

                                     -103-

other than a termination, release, or discharge duly executed on behalf of the
Agent which makes specific reference to this Section 19.13.

         19.14. RULES OF CONSTRUCTION. The following rules of construction shall
be applied in the interpretation, construction, and enforcement of this
Agreement and of the other Loan Documents:

         (a)      Unless otherwise specifically provided for herein, interest
and any fee or charge which is stated as a per annum percentage shall be
calculated based on a 360 day year and actual days elapsed.

         (b)      Any term used herein to describe Collateral or a Person, which
erm is defined in either (or both) the UCC as in effect on the date when this
Agreement was executed by such Borrower or in UCC9'99, shall be given the
meaning which is the more encompassing of the two definitions.

         (c)      Words in the singular include the plural and words in the
plural include the singular.

         (d)      Cross references to Sections in this Agreement begin with the
Article in which that Section appears, followed by a colon, and then the Section
to which reference is made. (For example, a reference to "Section 5.6" is to
Section 5.6, which appears in Article 5 of this Agreement).

         (e)      Titles, headings (indicated by being underlined or shown in
SMALL CAPITALS) and any Table of Contents are solely for convenience of
reference; do not constitute a part of the instrument in which included; and do
not affect such instrument's meaning, construction, or effect.

         (f)      The words "includes" and "including" are not limiting.

         (g)      Text which follows the words "including, without limitation"
(or similar words) is illustrative and not limitational.

         (h)      Text which is shown in italics (except for parenthesized
italicized text), shown in BOLD, shown IN ALL CAPITAL LETTERS, or in any
combination of the foregoing, shall be deemed to be conspicuous.

         (i)      The words "may not" are prohibitive and not permissive.

         (j)      Any reference to a Person's "knowledge" (or words of similar
import) are to such Person's knowledge assuming that such Person has undertaken
reasonable and diligent investigation with respect to the subject of such
"knowledge" (whether or not such investigation has actually been undertaken).

         (k)      Terms which are defined in one section of any Loan Document
are used with such definition throughout the instrument in which so defined.

<PAGE>   112

                                     -104-

         (l)      The symbol "$" refers to United States Dollars.

         (m)      Unless limited by reference to a particular Section or
provision, any reference to "herein", "hereof", or "within" is to the entire
Loan Document in which such reference is made.

         (n)      References to "this Agreement" or to any other Loan Document
is to the subject instrument as amended to the date on which application of such
reference is being made.

         (o)      Except as otherwise specifically provided, all references to
time are to Boston time.

         (p)      In the determination of any notice, grace, or other period of
time prescribed or allowed hereunder:

                  (i)   Unless otherwise provided (A) the day of the act, event,
         or default from which the designated period of time begins to run shall
         not be included and the last day of the period so computed shall be
         included unless such last day is not a Business Day, in which event the
         last day of the relevant period shall be the then next Business Day and
         (B) the period so computed shall end at 5:00 PM on the relevant
         Business Day.

                  (ii)  The word "from" means "from and including".

                  (iii) The words "to" and "until" each mean "to, but
         excluding".

                  (iv)  The word "through" means "to and including".

         (q)      The Loan Documents shall be construed and interpreted in a
harmonious manner and in keeping with the intentions set forth in Section 19.15
hereof, provided, however, in the event of any inconsistency between the
provisions of this Agreement and any other Loan Document, the provisions of this
Agreement shall govern and control.

         (r)      This Agreement and the other Loan Documents are the result of
negotiation among, and have been reviewed by counsel to, among others, the Agent
and the Borrowers and are the product of discussions and negotiations among all
parties. Accordingly, this Agreement and the other Loan Documents are not
intended to be construed against the Agent or any of the Revolving Credit
Lenders merely on account of the Agent's or any Revolving Credit Lender's
involvement in the preparation of such documents

         19.15. INTENT. It is intended that:

         (a)      This Agreement take effect as a sealed instrument.

<PAGE>   113

                                     -105-

         (b)      The scope of all Collateral Interests created by each Borrower
to secure the Liabilities be broadly construed in favor of the Agent.

         (c)      All Collateral Interests created in favor of the Agent at any
time and from time to time secure all Liabilities, whether now existing or
contemplated or hereafter arising.

         (d)      All reasonable costs, expenses, and disbursements incurred by
the Agent, the Syndication Agent and, to the extent provide in Section 19.9 each
Revolving Credit Lender, in connection with such Person's relationship(s) with
the Borrowers shall be borne by the Borrowers.

         (e)      Unless otherwise explicitly provided herein, the Agent's
consent to any action of any Borrower which is prohibited unless such consent is
given may be given or refused by the Agent in its sole discretion and without
reference to Section 2.17 hereof.

         19.16. PARTICIPATIONS. Each Revolving Credit Lender may sell
participations to one or more financial institutions (each, a "PARTICIPANT") in
that Revolving Credit Lender's interests herein provided that no such
participation shall include any provision which accords that Participant with
any rights, vis-a-vis the Agent, with respect to any requirement herein for
approval by a requisite number or proportion of the Revolving Credit Lenders. No
such sale of a participation shall relieve a Revolving Credit Lender from that
Revolving Credit Lender's obligations hereunder nor obligate the Agent to any
Person other than a Revolving Credit Lender.

         19.17. RIGHT OF SET-OFF. Any and all deposits or other sums at any time
credited by or due to any Borrower from the Agent or any Revolving Credit Lender
or any Participant or from any Affiliate of any of the foregoing, and any cash,
securities, instruments or other property of such Borrower in the possession of
any of the foregoing, whether for safekeeping or otherwise (regardless of the
reason such Person had received the same) shall at all times constitute security
for all Liabilities and for any and all obligations of such Borrower to the
Agent and such Revolving Credit Lender or any Participant or such Affiliate and
may be applied or set off against the Liabilities and against such obligations
at any time that the Borrowers are InDefault, whether or not such are then due
and whether or not other collateral is then available to the Agent or that
Revolving Credit Lender.

         19.18. PLEDGES TO FEDERAL RESERVE BANKS. Nothing included in this
Agreement shall prevent or limit any Revolving Credit Lender, to the extent that
such Revolving Credit Lender is subject to any of the twelve Federal Reserve
Banks organized under ss.4 of the Federal Reserve Act (12 U.S.C. ss.341) from
pledging all or any portion of that Lender's interest and rights under this
Agreement, provided, however, neither such pledge nor the enforcement thereof
shall release the pledging Revolving Credit Lender from any of its obligations
hereunder or under any of the Loan Documents.

<PAGE>   114

                                     -106-

         19.19. MAXIMUM INTEREST RATE. Regardless of any provision of any Loan
Document, neither the Agent nor any Revolving Credit Lender shall be entitled to
contract for, charge, receive, collect, or apply as interest on any Liability,
any amount in excess of the maximum rate imposed by Applicable Law. Any payment
which is made which, if treated as interest on a Liability, would result in such
interest's exceeding such maximum rate shall be held, to the extent of such
excess, as additional collateral for the Liabilities as if such excess were
"Collateral."

         19.20. WAIVERS.

         (a)      Each Borrower (and all guarantors, endorsers, and sureties of
the Liabilities) make each of the waivers included in Section 19.20(b), below,
knowingly, voluntarily, and intentionally, and understands that Agent and each
Revolving Credit Lender, in establishing the facilities contemplated hereby and
in providing loans and other financial accommodations to or for the account of
each Borrower as provided herein, whether not or in the future, is relying on
such waivers.

         (b)      EACH BORROWER, AND EACH SUCH GUARANTOR, ENDORSER, AND SURETY
RESPECTIVELY WAIVES THE FOLLOWING:

                  (i)   Except as otherwise specifically required hereby, notice
         of non-payment, demand, presentment, protest and all forms of demand
         and notice, both with respect to the Liabilities and the Collateral.

                  (ii)  Except as otherwise specifically required hereby, the
         right to notice and/or hearing prior to the Agent's exercising of the
         Agent's rights upon default.

                  (iii) THE RIGHT TO A JURY IN ANY TRIAL OF ANY CASE OR
         CONTROVERSY IN WHICH THE AGENT OR ANY REVOLVING CREDIT LENDER IS OR
         BECOMES A PARTY (WHETHER SUCH CASE OR CONTROVERSY IS INITIATED BY OR
         AGAINST THE AGENT OR ANY REVOLVING CREDIT LENDER OR IN WHICH THE AGENT
         OR ANY REVOLVING CREDIT LENDER IS JOINED AS A PARTY LITIGANT), WHICH
         CASE OR CONTROVERSY ARISES OUT OF OR IS IN RESPECT OF, ANY RELATIONSHIP
         AMONGST OR BETWEEN THE BORROWER OR ANY OTHER PERSON AND THE AGENT AND
         EACH REVOLVING CREDIT LENDER LIKEWISE WAIVES THE RIGHT TO A JURY IN ANY
         TRIAL OF ANY SUCH CASE OR CONTROVERSY).

                  (iv)  The benefits or availability of any stay, limitation,
         hindrance, delay, or restriction (including, without limitation, any
         automatic stay which otherwise might be imposed pursuant to Section 362
         of the Bankruptcy Code) with respect to any action which the Agent may
         or may become entitled to take hereunder.

                  (v)   Any defense, counterclaim, set-off, recoupment, or other
         basis on which the amount of any Liability, as stated on the books and
         records of the

<PAGE>   115

                                     -107-

         Agent, could be reduced or claimed to be paid otherwise than in
         accordance with the tenor of and written terms of such Liability.

                  (vi)  Any claim to consequential, special, or punitive
         damages.

         19.21. PAYMENT OF FLORIDA PROPERTY TAXES.

         The Revolving Credit Notes collectively evidence Indebtedness in the
amount of $150,000,000. Florida documentary stamp taxes and non-recurring
intangible property taxes have been paid on recording the Florida Mortgages
securing payment thereof.

<PAGE>   116

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the undersigned have duly executed this Agreement as a
sealed instrument as of the date first set forth above.

                           JACOBSON STORES INC.
                           ("BORROWER")

                           By:     / s /   Paul W. Gilbert
                               ----------------------------------
                           Print Name:  Paul W. Gilbert
                                      ---------------------------
                           Title:  Vice Chairman
                                  -------------------------------

                           JACOBSON CREDIT CORP.
                           ("BORROWER")

                           By:     / s /   Paul W. Gilbert
                               ----------------------------------
                           Print Name:  Paul W. Gilbert
                                      ---------------------------
                           Title:  Vice Chairman
                                  -------------------------------

                           JACOBSON STORES REALTY COMPANY
                           ("BORROWER")

                           By:     / s /   Paul W. Gilbert
                               ----------------------------------
                           Print Name:  Paul W. Gilbert
                                      ---------------------------
                           Title:  Vice Chairman
                                  -------------------------------

                           FLEET RETAIL  FINANCE  INC., AS AGENT,
                           SWINGLINE  LENDER AND REVOLVING
                           CREDIT LENDER ("AGENT")

                            By:     / s /   James J. Ward
                               ----------------------------------
                            Print Name:  James J. Ward
                                      ---------------------------
                            Title:   Director
                                  -------------------------------

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