FABRI CENTERS OF AMERICA INC
8-K/A, 1994-12-12
MISCELLANEOUS SHOPPING GOODS STORES
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<PAGE>   1
                      SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
                            WASHINGTON, D.C. 20549

                         ____________________________

                               FORM 8-K/A NO. 1
                      TO FORM 8-K DATED OCTOBER 2, 1994


     Pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934
     ----------------------------------------------------------------------


                         FABRI-CENTERS OF AMERICA, INC.
             ------------------------------------------------------
             (Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)


Date of Report                                                December 12, 1994
- - -------------------------------------------------------------------------------


       Ohio                       1-6695                        34-0720629
- - -------------------------------------------------------------------------------
  (State or other              (Commission                    (IRS Employer
  jurisdiction of              File Number)                 Identification No.)
  incorporation)



5555 Darrow Road, Hudson, Ohio                                     44236
- - -------------------------------------------------------------------------------
(Address of principal executive offices)                        (Zip Code)



Registrant's telephone number, including area code             (216) 656-2600
                                                               --------------


(Former name or former address, if changed since last report)  Not applicable
                                                               --------------


     The undersigned  registrant hereby  amends the following items,
financial statements, exhibits or other  portions of its Current Report on
Form 8-K dated October 2, 1994 as set forth in the pages attached hereto:

(List all such items, financial statements, exhibits or other portions amended)

                                    Item 7
                                Exhibit 10(a)



     The Exhibit Index is located on sequential page 4.




                            Sequential Page 1 of 126
<PAGE>   2

      Pursuant to Item 7(a)(4) and Item 7(b)(2)  of Form 8-K as promulgated by
the  Securities and Exchange Commission,  the registrant is hereby providing
the  financial statements and pro forma  financial information  required  by
Item  7 of  Form  8-K  by  this amendment  to  the registrant's Current Report
on Form 8-K dated October 2, 1994.


Item 7.     FINANCIAL STATEMENTS, PRO FORMA FINANCIAL INFORMATION AND EXHIBITS

<TABLE>
<S>                                                                             <C>
(a)    Financial statements of acquired business

       Condensed Balance Sheet (unaudited) as of July 30, 1994  . . . . . . . .   F-1
       Condensed Statements of Income and Net Investment in Division
         (unaudited) for the fiscal six month periods ended July 30, 1994
         and July 31, 1993  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .   F-2
       Condensed Statements of Cash Flow (unaudited) for the fiscal
         six month periods ended July 30, 1994 and July 31, 1993  . . . . . . .   F-3
       Notes to Condensed Financial Statements (unaudited)  . . . . . . . . . .   F-4
       Report of Independent Auditors (Ernst & Young LLP) . . . . . . . . . . .   F-5
       Balance Sheets as of January 29, 1994 and January 30, 1993 . . . . . . .   F-6
       Statements of Income and Net Investment in Division for the
         fiscal years ended January 29, 1994 and January 30, 1993 . . . . . . .   F-7
       Statements of Cash Flow for the fiscal years ended January 29, 1994
          and January 30, 1993  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .   F-8
       Notes to Financial Statements  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .   F-9

(b)    Pro forma financial information

       Introduction to Pro Forma Combined Financial Statements (unaudited)  . .   P-1
       Pro Forma Combined Balance Sheet (unaudited) as of July 30, 1994   . . .   P-2
       Pro Forma Combined Statements of Income (unaudited)
         for the twenty-six weeks ended July 30, 1994 . . . . . . . . . . . . .   P-3
       Pro Forma Combined Statements of Income (unaudited) for
         the fiscal year ended January 29, 1994 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .   P-4
       Notes to Pro Forma Combined Financial Statements (unaudited) . . . . . .   P-5

(c)    Exhibits

       See the Exhibit Index at sequential page 4 of this report.

</TABLE>

                                 PAGE 2 OF 126
<PAGE>   3

                                   SIGNATURE

       Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the
registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the
undersigned hereunto duly authorized.



<TABLE>
<S>                                       <C>
                                          FABRI-CENTERS OF AMERICA, INC.

DATE: December 12, 1994                   /s/   Alan Rosskamm          
                                                _________________________________
                                          BY:   Alan Rosskamm
                                                Chairman, President and Chief
                                                Executive Officer





                                          /s/   Robert Norton          
                                                _________________________________
                                          BY:   Robert Norton
                                                Vice Chairman and Chief Financial
                                                Officer


</TABLE>


                                 PAGE 3 OF 126
<PAGE>   4

                         FABRI-CENTERS OF AMERICA, INC.

              FORM 8-K/A No. 1 AMENDMENT TO APPLICATION OR REPORT

                                 EXHIBIT INDEX



<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
       Exhibit No.            Description                                   Page No.
       -----------            -------------                                 --------
           <S>          <C>                                                  <C> 
           10(a)        Credit Agreement dated as of September 30,               25
                        1994 among Fabri-Centers of America, Inc. 
                        as borrower, the Banks which are Signatories
                        thereto and Society National Bank, as Agent.

           10(b)        Form of Employment Agreement between the                  *
                        Registrant and each of the following Executive
                        Official Officers: Alan Rosskamm, Robert
                        Norton, Donald Richey and Jane Aggers

           23           Consent of Independent Auditors (Ernst &                126
                        Young LLP)

<FN>
  *    Incorporated by reference to an Exhibit in the Registrant's Form 8-K
       filed with the Commission on December 1, 1993

</TABLE>




                                 PAGE 4 OF 126
<PAGE>   5

<TABLE>

                   CLOTH WORLD DIVISION OF BROWN GROUP, INC.
                            CONDENSED BALANCE SHEET
                                  (Unaudited)


<CAPTION>
Thousands
                                                                          July 30, 1994
                                                                          --------------
<S>                                                                           <C>         
ASSETS                                                                  

CURRENT ASSETS
Merchandise inventories, net of adjustment to last-in, first-out cost
   of $9,562                                                                   $ 82,265
Prepaid expenses and other current assets                                         2,943
                                                                               --------
     TOTAL CURRENT ASSETS                                                        85,208

DUE FROM AFFILIATES                                                              60,945
OTHER ASSETS                                                                         43
FIXED ASSETS                                                                     10,221
                                                                               --------
     TOTAL ASSETS                                                              $156,417
                                                                               ========

LIABILITIES AND NET INVESTMENT IN DIVISION

CURRENT LIABILITIES
Trade accounts payable                                                         $ 21,061
Employee compensation and benefits                                                2,888
Accrued sales, personal property and real estate taxes                            3,422
Income taxes                                                                        (24)
Deferred income taxes                                                             1,426
Other accrued expenses                                                            3,343
                                                                               --------
     TOTAL CURRENT LIABILITIES                                                   32,116

OTHER LIABILITIES                                                                 1,175
DEFERRED INCOME TAXES                                                               (35)

NET INVESTMENT IN DIVISION                                                      123,161
                                                                               --------
     TOTAL LIABILITIES AND NET INVESTMENT IN DIVISION                          $156,417
                                                                               ========
</TABLE>


See notes to financial statements.





                                      F-1





                                 PAGE 5 OF 126
<PAGE>   6


                   CLOTH WORLD DIVISION OF BROWN GROUP, INC.
         CONDENSED STATEMENTS OF INCOME AND NET INVESTMENT IN DIVISION
                                  (Unaudited)


<TABLE>

<CAPTION>
Thousands

                                                        Six Months Ended
                                                ------------------------------
                                                July 30, 1994   July 31, 1993
                                                -------------   -------------
<S>                                             <C>             <C>
NET SALES                                       $     103,525   $     108,358
Cost of goods sold                                     55,644          56,594
                                                -------------   -------------

Gross profit                                           47,881          51,764
                                                -------------   -------------

Selling and administrative expenses                    47,536          49,560
Interest expense                                          152             154
Other expense (income) -- net                            (188)             22
                                                -------------   -------------
                                                       47,500          49,736
                                                -------------   -------------

EARNINGS BEFORE INCOME TAXES                              381           2,028

Income taxes                                              (42)            727
                                                -------------   -------------

NET EARNINGS                                    $         423   $       1,301
                                                =============   =============


BEGINNING NET INVESTMENT IN DIVISION            $     122,738   $     119,555
                                                -------------   -------------

ENDING NET INVESTMENT IN DIVISION               $     123,161   $     120,856
                                                =============   =============
</TABLE>



See notes to financial statements.





                                      F-2





                                 PAGE 6 OF 126
<PAGE>   7

                   CLOTH WORLD DIVISION OF BROWN GROUP, INC.
                       CONDENSED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOW
                                  (Unaudited)


<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
Thousands
                                                                  Six Months Ended
                                                         ---------------------------------                
                                                         July 30, 1994       July 31, 1993      
                                                         -------------       -------------
<S>                                                         <C>                <C>
NET CASH PROVIDED (USED) BY OPERATING ACTIVITIES            $ 4,506            $(6,839)

INVESTING ACTIVITIES:
Capital expenditures                                         (1,041)            (1,329)
                                                            -------            -------

NET CASH PROVIDED (USED) IN INVESTING ACTIVITIES             (1,041)            (1,329)
                                                            -------            -------

FINANCING ACTIVITIES:
Net change in due from affiliates                            (3,465)             8,168
                                                            -------            -------

NET CASH PROVIDED (USED) BY FINANCING ACTIVITIES             (3,465)             8,168
                                                            -------           --------

INCREASE (DECREASE) IN CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS                  0                  0

CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS AT BEGINNING OF YEAR                    0                  0
                                                            -------           --------

CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS AT END OF YEAR                    $     0           $      0
                                                            =======           ========
</TABLE>

See notes to financial statements.





                                      F-3





                                 PAGE 7 OF 126
<PAGE>   8

NOTES TO CONDENSED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS


NOTE A  - BASIS OF PRESENTATION

The accompanying condensed financial statements have been prepared in
accordance with generally accepted accounting principles and reflect all
adjustments which management believes necessary (which include only normal
recurring accruals and the effect on LIFO inventory valuation of estimated
annual inflationary cost increases and year-end inventory levels) to present
fairly the results of operations.  These statements, however, do not include
all information and footnotes necessary for a complete presentation of
financial position, results of operations and cash flow in conformity with
generally accepted accounting principles.

The Division's business is subject to seasonal influences, and interim results
may not necessarily be indicative of the results which may be expected for any
other interim period or for the year as a whole.

For further information refer to the financial statements and footnotes
for the Cloth World Division of Brown Group, Inc. for the period ended 
January 29, 1994 included herein.


NOTE B - INVENTORIES

All inventories are valued at the lower of cost or market using the last-in,
first-out (LIFO) method.  If the first-in, first-out (FIFO) cost method had
been used, inventories would have been $9,562,000 higher at July 30, 1994.


NOTE C - SALE OF CLOTH WORLD

On August 25, 1994, Brown Group, Inc., announced an agreement to sell
substantially all of the assets, net of certain liabilities to be assumed, of
its Cloth World Division to Fabri-Centers of America, Inc.  The transaction
was completed on October 2, 1994.





                                      F-4





                                 PAGE 8 OF 126
<PAGE>   9





                         REPORT OF INDEPENDENT AUDITORS

Board of Directors
Brown Group, Inc.

We have audited the accompanying balance sheets of the Cloth World Division of
Brown Group, Inc. as of January 29, 1994 and January 30, 1993, and the related
statements of income and net investment in division, and cash flows for the
years then ended. These financial statements are the responsibility of the
Division's management. Our responsibility is to express an opinion on these
financial statements based on our audits.

We conducted our audits in accordance with generally accepted auditing
standards. Those standards require that we plan and perform the audit to obtain
reasonable assurance about whether the financial statements are free of
material misstatement. An audit includes examining, on a test basis, evidence
supporting the amounts and disclosures in the financial statements. An audit
also includes assessing the accounting principles used and significant
estimates made by management, as well as evaluating the overall financial
statement presentation. We believe that our audits provide a reasonable basis
for our opinion.

In our opinion, the financial statements referred to above present fairly, in
all material respects, the financial position of the Cloth World Division of
Brown Group, Inc. at January 29, 1994 and January 30, 1993, and the results of
its operations and its cash flows for the years then ended in conformity with
generally accepted accounting principles.



St. Louis, Missouri                                 ERNST & YOUNG LLP
November 21, 1994





                                      F-5





                                 PAGE 9 OF 126
<PAGE>   10

                   CLOTH WORLD DIVISION OF BROWN GROUP, INC.
                                 BALANCE SHEETS

Thousands

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                            
                                                            
                                                                          January 29, 1994     January 30, 1993
                                                                          ----------------     ----------------
<S>                                                                       <C>                  <C>
ASSETS

CURRENT ASSETS
Cash                                                                       $      (1,639)       $      (3,912)
Merchandise inventories, net of adjustment to last-in, first-out cost
   of $9,184 in 1993 and $10,135 in 1992                                          85,827               76,326
Prepaid expenses and other current assets                                          3,492                3,655
                                                                           -------------        -------------
     TOTAL CURRENT ASSETS                                                         87,680               76,069

DUE FROM AFFILIATES                                                               57,480               64,485
OTHER ASSETS                                                                          42                   39
FIXED ASSETS                                                                      11,029               11,416
                                                                           -------------        -------------
     TOTAL ASSETS                                                          $     156,231        $     152,009
                                                                           =============        =============
LIABILITIES AND NET INVESTMENT IN DIVISION

CURRENT LIABILITIES
Trade accounts payable                                                     $      20,711        $      17,856
Employee compensation and benefits                                                 3,248                3,416
Accrued sales, personal property, and real estate taxes                            3,080                3,180
Deferred income taxes                                                              1,426                1,272
Facilities closing reserves                                                        1,035                1,994
Income taxes                                                                         178                  455
Other accrued expenses                                                             2,695                3,077
                                                                           -------------        -------------
     TOTAL CURRENT LIABILITIES                                                    32,373               31,250

OTHER LIABILITIES                                                                  1,155                1,111
DEFERRED INCOME TAXES                                                                (35)                  93
NET INVESTMENT IN DIVISION                                                       122,738              119,555
                                                                           -------------        -------------
     TOTAL LIABILITIES AND NET INVESTMENT IN DIVISION                      $     156,231        $     152,009
                                                                           -------------        -------------
</TABLE>


See notes to financial statements.





                                      F-6





                                 PAGE 10 OF 126
<PAGE>   11

                   CLOTH WORLD DIVISION OF BROWN GROUP, INC.
              STATEMENTS OF INCOME AND NET INVESTMENT IN DIVISION


Thousands

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                  1993            1992
                                                ---------       ---------
<S>                                             <C>             <C>
NET SALES                                       $ 224,066       $ 223,907
Cost of goods sold                                118,756         117,546
                                                ---------       ---------

Gross profit                                      105,310         106,361
                                                ---------       ---------

Selling and administrative expenses               100,775          98,254
Interest expense                                      257             561
Other expense (income) -- net                          24            (394)
                                                ---------       --------- 
                                                  101,056          98,421
                                                ---------       ---------

EARNINGS BEFORE INCOME TAXES                        4,254           7,940

Income taxes                                        1,071           2,351
                                                ---------       ---------

NET EARNINGS                                    $   3,183       $   5,589
                                                =========       =========



BEGINNING NET INVESTMENT IN DIVISION            $  119,555      $ 113,966
                                                ----------      ---------

ENDING NET INVESTMENT IN DIVISION               $  122,738      $ 119,555
                                                ==========      =========
</TABLE>



See notes to financial statements.





                                      F-7





                                 PAGE 11 OF 126
<PAGE>   12

                   CLOTH WORLD DIVISION OF BROWN GROUP, INC.
                            STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOW

Thousands

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                    1993        1992    
                                                                  ---------   ---------
<S>                                                               <C>         <C>
OPERATING ACTIVITIES
Net earnings                                                      $   3,183   $   5,589
Adjustments to reconcile net earnings to net cash provided
   (used) by operating activities:
   Depreciation and amortization                                      2,947       2,793
   Loss on disposition of fixed assets                                  368         132
   Changes in operating assets and liabilities:
     Inventories                                                     (9,501)     (1,915)
     Prepaid expenses and other current assets                          163        (907)
     Trade accounts payable and accrued expenses                      1,246       3,092
     Income taxes                                                      (277)        828
     Other, net                                                         200        (191)
                                                                  ---------   --------- 

NET CASH PROVIDED (USED) BY OPERATING ACTIVITIES                     (1,671)      9,421

INVESTING ACTIVITIES
Capital expenditures                                                 (3,061)     (4,664)
                                                                  ---------   --------- 

NET CASH PROVIDED (USED) IN INVESTING ACTIVITIES                     (3,061)     (4,664)
                                                                  ---------   --------- 

FINANCING ACTIVITIES
Net change in due from affiliates                                     7,005      (5,271)
                                                                  ---------   --------- 

NET CASH PROVIDED (USED) BY FINANCING ACTIVITIES                      7,005      (5,271)
                                                                  ---------   --------- 

INCREASE (DECREASE) IN CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS                      2,273        (514)

CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS AT BEGINNING OF YEAR                       (3,912)     (3,398)
                                                                 ----------   --------- 

CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS AT END OF YEAR                          $  (1,639)  $  (3,912)
                                                                  =========   =========
</TABLE>

See notes to financial statements.





                                      F-8





                                 PAGE 12 OF 126
<PAGE>   13

NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS



NOTE 1: SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES

BASIS OF PRESENTATION

The financial statements include the accounts of the Cloth World Division (the
Division) of Brown Group, Inc.  The Division is a 342-store chain of retail
stores featuring quality apparel fabrics, home decorating, soft crafts, and
sewing supplies at competitive prices.

On August 25, 1994, Brown Group, Inc., announced an agreement to sell
substantially all of the assets, net of certain liabilities to be assumed, of
its Cloth World Division to Fabri-Centers of America, Inc.  The transaction was
completed on October 2, 1994.

ACCOUNTING PERIOD

The Division's fiscal year is the 52 or 53 week period ending the Saturday
nearest to January 31.  Fiscal years 1993 and 1992 ended on January 29, 1994
and January 30, 1993, respectively.  Fiscal years 1993 and 1992 each included
52 weeks.

INVENTORIES

All inventories are valued at the lower of cost or market using the last-in,
first-out (LIFO) method.  If the first-in, first-out (FIFO) cost method had
been used, inventories would have been $9,184,000 and $10,135,000 higher at
January 29, 1994  and January 30, 1993, respectively.

FIXED ASSETS

Fixed assets are stated at cost and consist primarily of leasehold improvements
and fixtures.  Depreciation and amortization of fixed assets are provided over
the estimated useful lives of the assets, or the remaining term of leases where
applicable, using the straight-line method.

INCOME TAXES

Provision is made for the tax effects of timing differences between financial
and tax reporting. These differences relate principally to depreciation and
inventory.

PREOPENING AND CLOSING EXPENSES

Preopening expenses of new facilities are charged to operations when incurred.
Costs of closing facilities, including capital asset disposition losses, and
lease termination costs, are accrued when management makes the decision to
close such facilities.


                                      F-9





                                 PAGE 13 OF 126
<PAGE>   14

NOTE 2:  TRANSACTIONS WITH AFFILIATES

Due from affiliates consists of  a noninterest-bearing receivable from Brown
Group, Inc., and represents the net accumulated balance resulting from various
transactions between the Division and Brown Group, Inc.  The balance is
primarily the result of the Division's participation in a central cash
management program, under which all cash receipts are remitted to Brown Group,
Inc., and all cash disbursements are funded by Brown Group, Inc.   In addition,
it reflects certain costs charged to the Division for which no cash is
transferred.  These costs include income tax payments, employee benefits,
insurance, and administrative services.

Brown Group, Inc., charges the Division for various insurance and employee
benefit programs sponsored by Brown Group, Inc. in which the Division and its
employees participate.  These charges totaled $6,845,153 and $5,845,313 in 1993
and 1992, respectively.  The benefit plans include health and life insurance,
pension, savings, and postretirement and postemployment; see Note 3 for a
description of some of these plans.  Insurance programs include casualty,
workers' compensation, property, and umbrella coverage.

Additionally, Brown Group, Inc., provides the Division with various
administrative services, for which the Division is charged associated costs
based upon approximate usage of these services. The administrative services
provided include payroll and tax accounting, risk management, distribution,
employee benefit management, administrative offices facility management, and
certain computer services. Charges for these services totaled $1,944,725 and
$2,084,460 in 1993 and 1992, respectively.   Such charges may not be
representative of administrative expenses that would be incurred if the
Division operated as a stand-alone company.

Included in fixed assets is an allocated portion of Brown Group, Inc.'s office
building, in which the Division's administrative offices are located. The net
amount allocated to the Division is based upon square footage occupied and was
$1,116,000 in 1993 and $1,173,000 in 1992, the related expenses for which are
included in the administrative services charge above.


NOTE 3: RETIREMENT AND OTHER BENEFIT PLANS

PENSIONS

Substantially all full-time employees of the Division are covered under several
noncontributory pension plans sponsored by Brown Group, Inc.  Plans covering
salaried and management employees provide pension benefits that are based on
the employee's highest consecutive five years of compensation during the ten
years before retirement.  Plans covering hourly employees generally provide
benefits of stated amounts for each year of service.  Brown Group, Inc.'s
funding policy for all plans is to make the minimum annual contributions
required by applicable regulations.

                                      F-10





                                 PAGE 14 OF 126
<PAGE>   15

The following table sets forth Brown Group, Inc.'s plans' funded status at the
December 31, 1993 and 1992 measurement dates, and amounts recognized in Brown
Group, Inc.'s Balance Sheet at January 29, 1994 and January 30, 1993, as this
information is not practical to accumulate for the Division alone (in
thousands):

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                            1993       1992  
                                                          --------   --------
<S>                                                      <C>         <C>
Actuarial present value of benefit obligations:

   Vested benefit obligations                             $118,243   $114,982    
                                                          ========   ========
   Accumulated benefit obligations                        $123,289   $118,025
                                                          ========   ========
   Projected benefit obligations                          $138,930   $133,422
   Plan assets at fair value                               188,338    175,662
                                                          --------   --------
   Excess of plan assets over
     projected benefit obligation                           49,408     42,240
   Unrecognized net gain                                   (20,420)   (10,617)
   Unrecognized prior service costs                          7,123      4,695
   Unrecognized net transition assets                       (7,015)   (10,067)
                                                          --------   --------
   Net pension asset recognized in the balance sheet       $29,096   $ 26,251
                                                          ========   ========
Actuarial assumptions used were as follows:

   Discount rate                                             7.25%       7.5%
   Expected return on plan assets                             9.5%       9.5%
   Compensation increase                                      5.0%       5.0%
</TABLE>


Pension plan assets are invested primarily in listed stocks and bonds.  The
plan assets are valued using the current market value for bonds and a five-year
moving average for equities.

Prior service costs are amortized over the average remaining service period of
employees expected to receive benefits under the plan.

The Division realized pension income of $48,000 in 1993 and $90,000 in 1992.
No pension asset has been recognized in the balance sheet of the Division.


SAVINGS PLAN

All management and full-time office employees  of the Division are eligible to
participate in a defined contribution 401(k) plan sponsored by Brown Group,
Inc.  The plan covers salaried, management, and certain hourly employees who
have one year of service and who



                                      F-11





                                 PAGE 15 OF 126
<PAGE>   16

are 21 years of age.  Division contributions represent a partial matching of
employee contributions generally up to a maximum of 3.5% of the employee's
salary.  The Division's expense for this plan was $264,000 in 1993 and $257,000
in 1992.


NOTE 4: INCOME TAXES
- - --------------------

INCOME TAXES

The Division is included in Brown Group, Inc.'s consolidated federal income tax
return for all periods presented.  Income taxes are accounted for under the
provisions of Statement of Financial Accounting Standards (SFAS) No. 109,
"Accounting for Income Taxes," which Brown Group, Inc., adopted in fiscal 1991.
SFAS No. 109 requires the adjustment of previously deferred taxes for changes
in tax rates under the liability method.  The accompanying financial statements
reflect income tax expense based on a tax sharing arrangement between the
companies.  Under the arrangement, the income tax provision reflects the
financial consequences of all income, deductions, and credits which can be
utilized on a separate return basis or in consolidation with Brown Group, Inc.,
and which are assured of realization.

The components of income tax expense (benefit) are as follows (in thousands):


<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                         1993        1992  
                                                      ---------   ---------
   <S>                                                <C>         <C>
   FEDERAL
     Current payable                                  $   1,684   $   2,778
     Deferred                                                75         (15)
                                                      ---------   --------- 
                                                          1,759       2,763

   STATE                                                   (688)       (412)
                                                      ---------   --------- 

   TOTAL INCOME TAX EXPENSE                           $   1,071   $   2,351
                                                      =========   =========
</TABLE>



Cash payments of income taxes, made on behalf of the Division by Brown Group,
Inc., for fiscal 1993 and 1992 were $1,387,834 and $2,393,001, respectively.

The differences between the income tax expense (benefit) reflected in the
financial statements and the amounts calculated at the federal statutory income
tax rate of 35% in 1993 and 34% in 1992 are as follows (in thousands):





                                      F-12





                                 PAGE 16 OF 126
<PAGE>   17


<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                             1993       1992  
                                                          ---------   ---------
   <S>                                                    <C>        <C>
   Income taxes at statutory rate                          $  1,489   $   2,700
   State income taxes, net of federal tax benefit              (447)       (272)
   Effect of revaluation of net deferred tax liabilities
     due to 1993 increase in federal tax rate from
     34% to 35%                                                  43         --
   Other                                                        (14)        (77)
                                                           --------   --------- 
                                                           $  1,071   $   2,351
                                                           ========   =========
</TABLE>


Significant components of the Division's deferred income tax assets and
liabilities are as follows (in thousands):

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                             1993       1992  
                                                          ---------   ---------
   <S>                                                    <C>        <C>
   DEFERRED TAX ASSETS
     Employee benefits, compensation, and insurance        $    412   $     319
     Inventory capitalization and inventory reserves            689         392
     Store closing reserves                                     380         661
     Other                                                       61           6
                                                           --------   ---------
        TOTAL DEFERRED TAX ASSETS                             1,542       1,378

   DEFERRED TAX LIABILITIES
     Excess depreciation                                       (288)       (344)
     LIFO inventory valuation                                (2,502)     (2,334)
     Other                                                     (143)        (65)
                                                           --------   --------- 
        TOTAL DEFERRED TAX LIABILITIES                       (2,933)     (2,743)
                                                           --------   --------- 
   NET DEFERRED TAX LIABILITY                              $ (1,391)  $  (1,365)
                                                           ========   =========
</TABLE>



No valuation reserve has been provided for these deferred tax assets at January
29, 1994 as full realization of these assets is expected.





                                      F-13





                                 PAGE 17 OF 126

<PAGE>   18

NOTE 5:  FIXED ASSETS
- - ---------------------

Fixed assets consist of the following (in thousands):

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                              January 29,       January 30,
                                                                 1994              1993  
                                                              -----------       -----------
        <S>                                                   <C>               <C>
        Land                                                   $      20         $       20
        Buildings and leasehold improvements                      11,854             10,968
        Machinery and equipment                                   22,875             22,473
                                                               ---------          ---------
                                                                  34,749             33,461

        Allowances for depreciation  and amortization            (23,720)           (22,045)
                                                               ---------          ---------
                                                               $  11,029          $  11,416
                                                               =========          =========
</TABLE>



NOTE 6: LEASES
- - --------------

The Division leases substantially all of its retail locations and certain other
equipment and facilities. Approximately two-thirds of the retail store leases
are subject to renewal options for varying periods.

In addition to minimum rental payments, certain of the retail store leases
require contingent payments based on sales levels.

Rent expense from operations for operating leases amounted to (in thousands):

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                  1993              1992 
                                                               ---------          ---------
        <S>                                                   <C>                <C>
        Minimum payments                                       $  18,184          $  17,614
        Contingent payments                                          113                112
                                                               ---------          ---------
                                                               $  18,297          $  17,726
                                                               =========          =========
</TABLE>


Rent expense has been reduced by rental income from subleases of $99,000 in
1993 and $152,000 in 1992.





                                      F-14





                                 PAGE 18 OF 126
<PAGE>   19

Future minimum payments under noncancelable operating leases with an initial
term of one year or more were as follows at January 29, 1994 (in thousands):

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                  Operating
                                                    Leases
                                                  ---------
                <S>                               <C>
                 1994                              $ 17,518
                 1995
                                                     16,378
                 1996
                                                     14,712
                 1997
                                                     12,604
                 1998
                                                     10,275
                 Thereafter                          29,905
                                                   --------
                 Total minimum lease payments      $101,392
                                                   ========
</TABLE>





                                      F-15





                                 PAGE 19 OF 126
<PAGE>   20


            INTRODUCTION TO PRO FORMA COMBINED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
                                  (Unaudited)

                 On October 2, 1994, the Company acquired substantially all of
the assets of Cloth World, a division of Brown Group Inc. ("Cloth World") for
approximately $100 million in cash and the assumption of certain liabilities. 
The final purchase price is subject to post-closing adjustments.  The funds
used to acquire Cloth World were provided by internally generated funds and
borrowings under the credit facility.  The acquisition has been recorded using
the purchase method, and accordingly, the results of operations of Cloth World
have been included in the Company's consolidated financial statements since the
date of acquisition.  The purchase price allocation has been based on
preliminary estimates which may be revised at a later date; however, the effect
of any revisions on the results of operations would not be material.

                 The unaudited Pro Forma Combined Balance Sheet as of July 30,
1994 gives effect to material events that are directly attributable to the
acquisition as if it had occurred on July 30, 1994.  The unaudited Pro Forma
Combined Statements of Income for the twenty-six weeks ended July 30, 1994 and
the fiscal year ended January 29, 1994 give effect to material events that are
directly attributable to the acquisition as if it had occurred on January 31,
1993.

                 The unaudited pro forma financial information is presented for
informational purposes only and is not necessarily indicative of the operating
results that would have occurred had the Cloth World acquisition been
consummated at the beginning of the periods presented.  In addition, they are
not intended to be a projection of future results and do not reflect synergies
that might be achieved from combined operations.





                                      P-1





                                 PAGE 20 OF 126
<PAGE>   21

FABRI-CENTERS OF AMERICA, INC.
PRO FORMA COMBINED BALANCE SHEET (UNAUDITED)
AS OF JULY 30, 1994
(THOUSANDS OF DOLLARS)


<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                FABRI-CENTERS
                                                 OF AMERICA        CLOTH WORLD        PRO FORMA           PRO FORMA
                                                 HISTORICAL        HISTORICAL        ADJUSTMENTS          COMBINED
                                                -------------      -----------       -----------          ---------
<S>                                             <C>               <C>                <C>                 <C>
ASSETS
Current assets:
    Cash                                        $     6,082       $       --         $      171 (A)      $    6,253
    Merchandise inventories                         239,406           82,265             10,300 (B)         331,971
    Prepaid expenses and other current assets         9,045            2,943                (31)(A)          11,957
    Deferred income taxes                             7,936               --                705 (E)           8,641
                                                -----------       ----------         ----------          ----------
Total current assets                                262,469           85,208             11,145             358,822

Property and equipment, net                          74,647           10,221               (671)(A)          84,197

Due from Affiliates                                      --           60,945            (60,945)(A)              --
Mortgage receivable                                   7,802               --                 --               7,802
Other assets                                          8,620               43                 --               8,663
                                                -----------       ----------         ----------          ----------
Total assets                                    $   353,538       $  156,417         $  (50,471)         $  459,484
                                                ===========       ==========         ==========          ==========

LIABILITIES AND SHAREHOLDERS' EQUITY
Current liabilities:
    Accounts payable                            $    77,384           21,061             (2,177)(A)          96,268
    Accrued expenses                                  9,525            9,629             (3,037)(A)          25,317
                                                                                          9,200 (C)
    Deferred income taxes                                --            1,426             (1,426)(A)              --
                                                -----------       ----------         ----------          ----------
Total current liabilities                            86,909           32,116              2,560             121,585

Long-term debt                                       57,900               --             69,390 (D)         127,290
Convertible subordinated debentures                  56,983               --                 --              56,983
Deferred income taxes                                 8,499              (35)                35 (A)           9,204
                                                                                            705 (E)
Other long-term liabilities                              97            1,175                 --               1,272

Investment in Division                                               123,161           (123,161)(A)              --
Shareholders' equity                                143,150               --                 --             143,150
                                                -----------       ----------         ----------          ----------
Total liabilities and shareholders' equity      $   353,538       $  156,417         $  (50,471)         $  459,484
                                                ===========       ==========         ==========          ==========
</TABLE>





See Notes to Pro Forma Combined Financial Statements





                                      P-2

                                 PAGE 21 OF 126





<PAGE>   22

FABRI-CENTERS OF AMERICA, INC.
Pro Forma Combined Statements of Income (Unaudited)
For the Twenty-Six Weeks Ended July 30, 1994
(Thousands of dollars, except share and per share data)



<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                              Fabri-Centers
                                                                of America      Cloth World       Pro Forma        Pro Forma
                                                                Historical       Historical      Adjustments        Combined
                                                               ------------     ------------     ------------     ------------
<S>                                                           <C>              <C>               <C>              <C>
Net sales                                                      $    245,527     $    103,525      $                $    349,052

Costs and expenses:
   Cost of goods sold                                               140,392           55,644                            196,036
   Selling, general and administrative expenses                     112,390           47,348                            159,738
   Interest expense, net                                              3,241              152            1,761 (F)         5,154
                                                               ------------     ------------      -----------      ------------
                                                                    256,023          103,144            1,761           360,928
                                                               ------------     ------------      -----------      ------------

Earnings (loss) from continuing operations before income
    taxes and cumulative effect of accounting change                (10,496)             381           (1,761)          (11,876)
Income tax benefit                                                   (4,041)             (42)            (489)(G)        (4,572)
                                                               ------------     ------------      -----------      ------------
Earnings (loss) from continuing operations before
    cumulative effect of accounting change                     $     (6,455)    $        423           (1,272)           (7,304)
                                                               ============     ============      ===========      ============
Earnings (loss) per common share from continuing
    operations before cumulative effect of
    accounting change                                          $      (0.69)                                       $      (0.78)
                                                               ============                                        ============

Average shares and equivalents outstanding                        9,316,779                                           9,316,779
</TABLE>




See Notes to Pro Forma Combined Financial Statements





                                      P-3

                                 PAGE 22 of 126





<PAGE>   23

FABRI-CENTERS OF AMERICA, INC.
PRO FORMA COMBINED STATEMENTS OF INCOME (UNAUDITED)
FOR THE YEAR ENDED JANUARY 29, 1994
(THOUSANDS OF DOLLARS, EXCEPT SHARE AND PER SHARE DATA)



<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                         FABRI-CENTERS
                                                          OF AMERICA         CLOTH WORLD        PRO FORMA          PRO FORMA
                                                          HISTORICAL         HISTORICAL        ADJUSTMENTS         COMBINED
                                                         -------------       ----------        ----------          ----------
<S>                                                      <C>                 <C>               <C>                 <C>
Net sales                                                $     582,071       $  224,066        $                   $  806,137

Costs and expenses:
   Cost of goods sold                                          329,950          118,756                               448,706
   Selling, general and administrative expenses                235,439          100,799                               336,238
   Interest expense, net                                         5,547              257             3,060 (F)           8,864
                                                         -------------       ----------        ----------          ----------
                                                               570,936          219,812             3,060             793,808
                                                         -------------       ----------        ----------          ----------

Earnings from continuing operations before income
    taxes and cumulative effect of accounting change            11,135            4,254            (3,060)             12,329
Income tax provision                                             4,176            1,071              (624)(G)           4,623
                                                         -------------       ----------        ----------          ----------

Earnings from continuing operations before
    cumulative effect of accounting change               $       6,959       $    3,183            (2,436)              7,706
                                                         =============       ==========        ==========          ========== 

Earnings per common share from continuing 
    operations before cumulative effect
    of accounting change                                 $        0.75                                             $     0.83
                                                         =============                                             ==========
Average shares and equivalents outstanding                   9,284,521                                              9,284,521
</TABLE>




See Notes to Pro Forma Combined Financial Statements





                                      P-4

                                 PAGE 23 of 126





<PAGE>   24

               NOTES TO PRO FORMA  COMBINED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
                                  (Unaudited)

<TABLE>

<S>              <C>
(A)              Represents adjustments to record the assets acquired and
                 liabilities assumed by the Company.

(B)              Represents an adjustment to write-up Cloth World's merchandise
                 inventories from the historical LIFO book value to preliminary
                 estimates of fair market value.

(C)              Represents adjustments to provide primarily for the
                 liquidation and closing of selected Cloth World stores, as
                 well as, estimated costs of discontinuing the use of the Brown
                 Group, Inc. distribution facility.

(D)              Represents the estimated cash portion of the purchase price
                 plus related acquisition costs.

(E)              Represents adjustments to deferred income taxes to account for
                 the difference between the estimated book and tax basis of net
                 assets.

(F)              Represents an adjustment to interest expense related to
                 estimated incremental borrowings, as a result of the
                 acquisition.

(G)              Represents an adjustment to income taxes on combined pro forma
                 earnings.


</TABLE>



                                      P-5

                                 PAGE 24 OF 126






<PAGE>   1



                                                                   EXHIBIT 10(A)

                                                                  EXECUTION COPY
________________________________________________________________________________


                                CREDIT AGREEMENT

                         dated as of September 30, 1994

                                     among

                         FABRI-CENTERS OF AMERICA, INC.

                                  as Borrower,

                    THE BANKS WHICH ARE SIGNATORIES THERETO

                                      and

                             SOCIETY NATIONAL BANK,
                                    as Agent


                                                                               
________________________________________________________________________________


                                 PAGE 25 OF 126
<PAGE>   2
<TABLE>

                                                     TABLE OF CONTENTS
<CAPTION>
                 Section                                                                                                    Page

                                                             ARTICLE 1
                                                            DEFINITIONS
         <S>     <C>                                                                                                        <C>
         1.1   Definitions  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .   1
         1.2   Computation of Time Periods  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  18
         1.3   Accounting Terms . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  18

                                                             ARTICLE 2
                                                    AMOUNT AND NATURE OF CREDIT

         2.1   Amount and Nature of Credit  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  18
         2.2   Purpose of Facility  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  18

                                                             ARTICLE 3
                                                               LOANS

         3.1   Revolving Credit Loans . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  18
               (a)      Revolving Credit Loans  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  18
               (b)      Revolving Credit Borrowings . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  19
               (c)      Revolving Credit Notes  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  19
               (d)      Notice of Borrowing . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  19
               (e)      Banks to Fund Agent . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  20
               (f)      Availability of Funds . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  20
               (g)      Failure of Bank to Loan . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  20
               (h)      Rate Conversion and Continuation  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  21
         3.2   Optional Reductions; Termination of Commitments; Mandatory Reduction; Extension of Commitment Period . . . .  23
               (a)      Optional Reduction; Termination of Commitments  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  23
               (b)      Mandatory Reduction . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  24
               (c)      Extension of Commitment Period  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  24
         3.3   Repayments and Prepayments; Prepayment Compensation  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  24
               (a)      Repayment . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  24
               (b)      Permitted Prepayments . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  24
               (c)      Mandatory Prepayment  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  25
               (d)      Prepayment Compensation; LIBOR Loans  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  25
               (e)      Prepayment Compensation Rate; Fed Funds Rate Loans  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  25
         3.4   Fees . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  26
               (a)      Facility Fee  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  26
               (b)      Unused Commitment Fee . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  26
               (c)      Determination of Applicable Fee Percentage  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  27
               (d)      Risk Participation Fee  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  27
</TABLE>



   
                                    i


   


                                 PAGE 26 OF 126
<PAGE>   3

<TABLE>

         <S>   <C>                                                                                                           <C>
               (e)      Agent's Fee . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  28
               (f)      Acceptance Commission . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  28
               (g)      Letter of Credit Fees . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  28
               (h)      Fees Nonrefundable  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  28
         3.5   Interest . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  28
               (a)      Regular Interest  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  28
               (b)      Applicable Loan Percentage; Terms of Adjustment . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  29
               (c)      Default Interest  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  30
               (d)      Interest Rate Determination . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  30
         3.6   Payments and Computations  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  31
               (a)      Payments  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  31
               (b)      Authorization to Charge Account . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  31
               (c)      Computations of Interest and Fees . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  31
               (d)      Payment not on Banking Day  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  31
               (e)      Presumption of Payment in Full by Borrower  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  31
         3.7   Reserves; Taxes; Indemnities . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  32
               (a)      Reserves or Deposit Requirements  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  32
               (b)      Imposition of Taxes . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  32
               (c)      Eurodollar Deposits Unavailable or Interest Rate Unascertainable  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  33
               (d)      Other Interest Rate Unattainable  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  33
               (e)      Indemnity . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  33
               (f)      Changes in Law Rendering LIBOR Loans Unlawful . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  34
               (g)      Funding . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  34
         3.8   Capital Adequacy . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  34
         3.9   Taxes  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  35
               (a)      Taxes; Withholding  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  35
               (b)      Stamp Taxes . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  35
               (c)      Other Taxes . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  36
               (d)      Removal of Bank . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  36
               (e)      Request for Refund  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  36
               (f)      Exemption Certificate . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  36
               (g)      Furnishing of Certificate . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  37
               (h)      Survival of Provision . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  37
        3.10   Pro Rata Treatment . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  37

                                                             ARTICLE 4
                                                            ACCEPTANCES

         4.1   Agreement to Create Acceptances  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  38
         4.2   Acceptance Criteria  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  38
         4.3   Conditions to Acceptances  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  38
         4.4   Acceptance Obligations . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  38
         4.5   Acceptance Request . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  39
         4.6   Discount . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  39
         4.7   Supply of Drafts . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  39

</TABLE>


                                       ii





                                 PAGE 27 OF 126
<PAGE>   4

<TABLE>
         <S>   <C>                                                                                                               <C>
         4.8   Payments and Computations; Overdue Payments; Cancellation of Drafts  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  40
               (a)      Payments  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  40
               (b)      Payments not on Banking Day . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  40
               (c)      Overdue Payments  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  40
               (d)      Computations  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  40
         4.9   Cancellation of Drafts . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  40
         4.10  Acceptance of Risk Participation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  40
         4.11  Reimbursement of Agent . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  41
         4.12  Continuance of Acceptances . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  41
         4.13  Termination of Commitment; Indemnification; Limitation of Liability  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  41
               (a)      Termination of Commitment . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  41
               (b)      Special Indemnification for Ineligibility . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  42
               (c)      Limitation of Liability . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  42

                                                             ARTICLE 5
                                                         LETTERS OF CREDIT

         5.1   Standby Letters of Credit  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  43
               (a)      Issuance  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  43
               (b)      Reimbursement Obligations . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  43
               (c)      Payment of Standby Letter of Credit Obligations . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  43
         5.2   Commercial Letters of Credit . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  43
               (a)      Issuance of Commercial Letters of Credit; Time Drafts . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  43
               (b)      Reimbursement Obligations . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  44
               (c)      Payment of Time Draft Obligations . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  44
         5.3   Letter of Credit Bank Relationship with Banks  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  44
               (a)      Risk Participation  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  44
               (b)      Reimbursement of Letter of Credit Bank  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  45
               (c)      Rights and Obligations of Letter of Credit Bank . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  45
               (d)      Effect of Applicable Law or Custom  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  46
               (e)      Termination of Letter of Credit Commitment  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  46
         5.4   Continuing Letters of Credit . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  46
         5.5   Borrower's Guaranty of Subsidiary Letter of Credit Obligations . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  47
               (a)      Guaranty  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  47
               (b)      Guaranty Absolute . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  47
               (c)      Reinstatement . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  47
               (d)      Waiver  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  47
               (e)      Subrogation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  47
               (f)      Continuing Guaranty . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  48

                                                             ARTICLE 6
                                                         OPENING COVENANTS

         6.1   Revolving Credit Notes . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  48
         6.2   Guaranty of Payment  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  48
</TABLE>



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<PAGE>   5

<TABLE>
         <S>     <C>                                                                                                       <C>
         6.3     Borrower Certificate . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  .  48
         6.4     Subsidiary Certificates  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  .  49
         6.5     Legal Opinion  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  .  49
         6.6     Unaudited and Pro Forma Financial Statements . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  .  49
         6.7     Certified Organizational Documents; Good Standing Certificates . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  .  49
         6.8     Payoff Letter  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  .  49
         6.9     Fee Letters  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  .  49
         6.10    Credit Request and Disbursement Direction Letter . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  .  50
         6.11    Payment of Closing Fees; Agent's Legal Fees  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  .  50
</TABLE>                                                                      
                                          
                                                                
                                   ARTICLE 7                                    
                        CONDITIONS TO ALL CREDIT EVENTS                   
<TABLE>                                                            
         <S>     <C>                                                                                                       <C>
         7.1     Representation Bringdown.  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  .  50
         7.2     Compliance with Agreement  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  .  50
         7.3     No Material Adverse Change . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  .  50
</TABLE>                                                                     
                                                                             
                                   ARTICLE 8                                  
                                   COVENANTS                                 
                                                                              
<TABLE>                                                                       
         <S>     <C>                                                                                                       <C>
         8.1     Financial Statements . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  .  51
                 (a)      Quarterly Financial Statements  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  .  51
                 (b)      Annual Financial Statements . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  .  51
                 (c)      Officer's Certificates  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  .  51
                 (d)      Publicly Filed Information  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  .  52
         8.2     Notices  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  .  52
                 (a)      Notice of Default; Misrepresentation  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  .  52
                 (b)      Notice of Default under ERISA . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  .  52
                 (c)      Notice of Litigation  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  .  53
                 (d)      Environmental Reporting . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  .  53
         8.3     Insurance  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  .  53
         8.4     Money Obligations  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  .  53
         8.5     Records  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  .  53
         8.6     Franchises . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  .  54
         8.7     ERISA Compliance . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  .  54
         8.8     Investments  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  .  54
         8.9     Acquisitions, Bulk Transfers . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  .  56
         8.10    Liens  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  .  57
         8.11    Indebtedness for Borrowed Money  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  .  58
         8.12    Compliance With Laws . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  .  58
         8.13    Properties . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  .  59
         8.14    Change in Nature of Business . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  .  59
         8.15    Use of Proceeds  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  .  59
         8.16    Interest Rate Protection Agreements  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  .  59
         8.17    Capital Expenditures . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  .  59
         8.18    Consolidated Net Working Capital . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  .  60
</TABLE>                                                                     


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<TABLE>
         <S>     <C>                                                                                                      <C>
         8.19    Consolidated Current Ratio . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  60
         8.20    Consolidated Tangible Net Worth  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  60
         8.21    Consolidated Fixed Charge Coverage . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  60
         8.22    Consolidated Current Funded Indebtedness . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  61
         8.23    Consolidated Leverage Ratio  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  61
         8.24    Dividends  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  62
         8.25    Subsidiary Guaranties  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  62
</TABLE>                                                                  
                                                                          
                                   ARTICLE 9                              
                         REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES                   
                                                                          
<TABLE>                                                                   
         <S>     <C>                                                                                                       <C>
         9.1     Existence  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  62
         9.2     Power, Authorization and Consent . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  62
         9.3     Litigation; Proceedings  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  63
         9.4     ERISA Compliance . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  63
         9.5     Financial Condition  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  63
         9.6     Pro Forma Financial Information  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  63
         9.7     Solvency . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  64
         9.8     Default  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  64
         9.9     Lawful Operations  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  64
         9.10    Investment Company Act Status  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  64
         9.11    Regulation G/Regulation U/Regulation X Compliance  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  64
         9.12    Full Disclosure  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  65
</TABLE>                                                                   
                                                                           
                                   ARTICLE 10                              
                               EVENTS OF DEFAULT                           
                                                                           
<TABLE>                                                                    
         <S>     <C>                                                                                                      <C>
         10.1    Payments . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  65
         10.2    Covenants  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  65
         10.3    Warranties . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  65
         10.4    Cross Default  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  65
         10.5    Change of Control  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  66
         10.6    Termination of Plan or Creation of Withdrawal Liability  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  66
         10.7    Validity of Agreements . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  66
         10.8    Solvency of Subsidiaries . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  67
         10.9    The Borrower's Solvency; FCA of Ohio's Solvency  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  67
</TABLE>                                                                    
                                                                            
                                   ARTICLE 11                               
                             REMEDIES UPON DEFAULT                          
                                                                            
<TABLE>                                                                     
         <S>     <C>                                                                                                      <C>
         11.1    Optional Defaults  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  67
         11.2    Automatic Defaults . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  68
         11.3    Offsets  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  68
         11.4    Equalization Provision; Sharing of Payments  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  69
                 (a)      Equalization of Advantage . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  69
</TABLE>                                                                      


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                                 PAGE 30 OF 126
<PAGE>   7
<TABLE>
         <S>     <C>                                                                                                       <C>

                 (b)      Sharing of Payments . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  69

                                   ARTICLE 12
                                   THE AGENT

         12.1    The Agent  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  70
         12.2    Nature of Appointment  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  70
         12.3    Society as a Bank; Other Transactions  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  70
         12.4    Instructions from Banks  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  70
         12.5    Bank's Diligence . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  71
         12.6    No Implied Representations . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  71
         12.7    Sub-Agents . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  71
         12.8    Agent's Diligence  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  71
         12.9    Notice of Default  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  71
         12.10   Agent's Liability  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  72
         12.11   Compensation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  72
         12.12   Agent's Indemnity  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  73
         12.13   Resignation  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  73
         12.14   Bank Purpose . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  73
         12.15   Bank Indemnification . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  74
</TABLE>                                                       
                                                                 
                                   ARTICLE 13                    
                           TRANSFERS AND ASSIGNMENTS             
                                                                 
<TABLE>                                                          
         <S>     <C>                                                                                                       <C>
         13.1    Transfer of Commitments  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  74
                 (a)      Prior Consent . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  74
                 (b)      Agreement; Transfer Fee . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  74
                 (c)      Notes . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  75
                 (d)      Parties . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  75
         13.2    Sale of Participations . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  75
                 (a)      Benefits of Participant . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  75
                 (b)      Rights Reserved . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  75
                 (c)      No Delegation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  76
         13.3    Confidentiality  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  76
</TABLE>                                                                     
                                                                   
                                   ARTICLE 14                      
                                 MISCELLANEOUS                     
                                                                   
<TABLE>                                                            
         <S>     <C>                                                                                                      <C>
         14.1    Amendments, Consents . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  76
         14.2    No Waiver; Cumulative Remedies . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  77
         14.3    Notices  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  77
         14.4    Costs and Expenses . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  77
         14.5    Obligations Several  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  78
         14.6    Execution in Counterparts  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  78
         14.7    Binding Effect; Assignment . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  79
</TABLE>


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<TABLE>
         <S>     <C>                                                                                                        <C>
         14.8    Governing Law  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .   79
         14.9    Severability of Provisions; Captions . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .   79
         14.10   Entire Agreement . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .   79
         14.11   JURY TRIAL WAIVER  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .   79
         14.12   Jurisdiction; Venue; Inconvenient Forum  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .   79
                 (a)      Jurisdiction  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .   79
                 (b)      Venue; Inconvenient Forum . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .   80
</TABLE>                                                                     





                                      vii





                                 PAGE 32 OF 126
<PAGE>   9

EXHIBITS AND SCHEDULES

<TABLE>
<S>                 <C>   <C>
ANNEX A             -     Banks which are Parties to the Credit Agreement; Commitments and Percentages
ANNEX B             -     Closing Fees of the Banks

Exhibit A           -     Form of Revolving Credit Note
Exhibit B-1         -     Form of Notice of Borrowing
Exhibit B-2         -     Form of Rate Conversion/Continuation Request
Exhibit B-3         -     Form of Reduction Notice
Exhibit B-4         -     Form of Extension Request and Consent
Exhibit B-5         -     Form of Acceptance Request
Exhibit C           -     Form of Draft of Acceptance
Exhibit D           -     Form of Guaranty of Payment
Exhibit E           -     Form of Borrower's Counsel Opinion
Exhibit F           -     Form of Compliance Certificate
Exhibit G           -     Form of Assignment Agreement
</TABLE>

Supplemental Schedule





                                      viii





                                 PAGE 33 OF 126
<PAGE>   10

                                CREDIT AGREEMENT



                         dated as of September 30, 1994




                  FABRI-CENTERS OF AMERICA, INC., an Ohio corporation
(hereinafter sometimes called the "Borrower"), the financial institutions named
in Annex A attached hereto and made a part hereof and their successors and
assigns (hereinafter sometimes collectively called the "Banks" and each
individually a "Bank") and SOCIETY NATIONAL BANK, Cleveland, Ohio, as Agent for
the Banks under this Agreement (hereinafter sometimes called the "Agent"),
hereby agree as follows:

                                   ARTICLE 1
                                  DEFINITIONS

         SECTION 1.1      DEFINITIONS.  As used in this Agreement, the
following capitalized terms shall have the following meanings:

         "ACCEPTANCE" shall mean a draft drawn by the Borrower on the Agent
conforming to the requirements of Section 4.2 hereof and accepted by the Agent
in accordance with such Section.

         "ACCEPTANCE COMMISSION" has the meaning assigned to such term in
Section 3.4(f).

         "ACCEPTANCE EXPOSURE" shall mean, with respect to any Bank, with
respect to all Acceptances, at any time of determination, such Bank's Ratable
Portion of the sum of (a) the aggregate undrawn amount of all Acceptances
outstanding at such time and (b) the aggregate amount that has been drawn by
the holder of any Acceptance under such Acceptances but for which the Agent or
the Banks, as the case may be, have not at such time been reimbursed by the
Borrower.

         "ACCEPTANCE OBLIGATION" shall mean, in respect of each Acceptance, the
obligation of the Borrower to pay the Agent the face amount thereof as required
by Section 4.4 hereof and in the manner specified in Section 4.8 hereof.

         "ACCEPTANCE REQUEST" has the meaning assigned to such term in Section
4.5.

         "ACQUISITION" shall mean the acquisition by the Borrower or a
Subsidiary of the Borrower of the assets of Cloth World, a division of Brown
Group, Inc.

         "ADJUSTED LIBOR" shall mean a rate per annum equal to the quotient
obtained (rounded upwards, if necessary, to the nearest 1/100th of 1%) by
dividing (i) the applicable LIBOR rate by (ii) 1.00 minus the Reserve
Percentage and which Adjusted LIBOR shall be automatically





                                 PAGE 34 OF 126
<PAGE>   11

adjusted on and as of the effective date of any change in the Reserve
Percentage provided that the Reserve Percentage or any change therein shall
have actually been incurred by any Bank.

         "ADMINISTRATIVE QUESTIONNAIRE" shall mean an Administrative
Questionnaire in the form of Schedule III to the Assignment Agreement attached
as Exhibit G hereto.

         "ADVANTAGE" shall mean any payment (whether made voluntarily or
involuntarily, by offset of any deposit or other indebtedness or otherwise)
(excluding any Obligations incurred in respect of any Negotiated Bid Loan made)
received by any Bank in respect of the Obligations owing by the Borrower to the
Banks (excluding any Obligations incurred in respect of a Negotiated Bid Loan)
if such payment results in that Bank having a lesser share of such Obligations
to the Banks (excluding any Obligations incurred in respect of a Negotiated Bid
Loan), than was the case immediately before such payment.

         "AFFECTED BANK" has the meaning assigned to such term in Section 3.8.

         "AGENT" has the meaning assigned to such term in the preamble of this
Agreement.

         "AGENT'S FEE LETTER" shall mean the fee letter, dated September 30,
1994, between the Borrower and the Agent, as the same may be amended or
modified from time to time.

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

         "ANNIVERSARY DATE" shall mean September 30.

         "APPLICABLE FEE PERCENTAGE" shall mean, on each day of any Fiscal
Quarter, with respect to any Facility Fee (as set forth in Section 3.4(a)) or
any Unused Commitment Fee (as set forth in Section 3.4(b)), the annual
percentage indicated in the following table corresponding to the Borrower's
Consolidated Fixed Charge Coverage Ratio as measured for a Four Fiscal Quarter
Period ending as of such Fee Determination Date:


                    Consolidated Fixed Charge Coverage Ratio
<TABLE>
             <S>                          <C>                          <C>                         <C>
                 >= 1.0 to 1.0               >= 1.25 to 1.0               >= 1.5 to 1.0
             but < 1.25 to 1.0            but < 1.5 to 1.0             but < 1.75 to 1.0           >= 1.75 to 1.0

                        0.25%                       0.225%                       .1875%                    .125%
</TABLE>

         "APPLICABLE LOAN PERCENTAGE" shall mean, on each day of any Interest
Period with respect to any LIBOR Loans comprising a Revolving Credit Borrowing
or any Fed Funds Rate Loans comprising a Revolving Credit Borrowing, as the
case may be, the percentage indicated





                                       2





                                 PAGE 35 OF 126
<PAGE>   12

in the following table corresponding to the Borrower's Consolidated Leverage
Ratio as measured for two (2) consecutive Fiscal Quarters immediately preceding
and ending on the Determination Date applicable to such Interest Period and the
Borrower's Consolidated Fixed Charge Coverage Ratio as measured for a Four
Fiscal Quarter Period ending as of such Determination Date:



<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
      Consolidated                            Consolidated Fixed Charge Coverage Ratio
     Leverage Ratio
  <S>                    <C>                    <C>                   <C>                     <C>
                            >=1.0 to 1.0         >= 1.25 to 1.0         >= 1.5 to 1.0
                         but < 1.25 to 1.0      but < 1.5 to 1.0      but < 1.75 to 1.0        >=1.75 to 1.0


  <= .55 to 1.0
  but > .50 to 1.0                2.50%                 2.25%                2.00%                1.75%

  <= .50 to 1.0
  but > .45 to 1.0                2.25%                 2.00%                1.75%                1.50%

  <= .45 to 1.0
  but > .35 to 1.0                2.00%                 1.75%                1.50%                 .875%

  <= .35 to 1.0
  but > .25 to 1.0                1.75%                 1.50%                 .875%                .75%


  <= .25 to 1.0                   1.00%                  .875%                .75%                 .50%
</TABLE>


         "BANK" or "BANKS" has the meaning assigned to such term in the
preamble of this Agreement.

         "BANK DEBT" shall mean, collectively, every Indebtedness and liability
now or hereafter owing by the Borrower to the Banks or any thereof, whether
owing by only the Borrower or by the Borrower with one or more others in a
several, joint or joint and several capacity, whether owing absolutely or
contingently, whether created by loan, overdraft, guaranty of payment or other
contract or by quasi-contract, tort, statute or other operation of Law, whether
incurred directly to the Banks or any thereof or acquired by any or all thereof
by purchase, pledge or otherwise, and whether participated to or from the Banks
or any thereof in whole or in part.

         "BANKING DAY" shall mean a day of the year on which banks are not
required or authorized to close in Cleveland, Ohio; provided, however, that,
when used in connection with a LIBOR Loan, "Banking Day" shall mean any such
day on which banks are open for dealings in or quoting deposit rates for dollar
deposits in the London interbank market.

         "BANKS LOANS" has the meaning assigned to such term in Section 11.4(b).

         "BORROW" shall mean to obtain a Revolving Credit Borrowing.


                                       3





                                 PAGE 36 OF 126
<PAGE>   13

         "BORROWER" has the meaning assigned to such term in preamble of this
Agreement.

         "BORROWER PROPERTY" means any real property and improvements owned,
leased, used, operated or occupied by the Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries
or any of their respective corporate predecessors, including any soil, surface
water or groundwater on or under such real property and improvements.

         "CLOSING DATE" shall mean September 30, 1994.

         "COMMERCIAL LETTER OF CREDIT" shall mean any commercial letter of
credit issued by the Letter of Credit Bank from time to time at the request of
the Borrower.

         "COMMITMENT" shall mean, with respect to each Bank, the obligation
hereunder of such Bank to make loans, and to participate in the risks of all
Letters of Credit (including any Sight Drafts or Time Drafts issued thereunder)
issued by the Letter of Credit Bank at the Borrower's request and the risks of
all Acceptances created by the Agent, up to the amount set forth opposite such
Bank's name under the column headed "Commitments" as set forth in Annex A
hereof during the Commitment Period subject to reductions and increases in the
Maximum Availability Amount and as such Commitment may be reduced in accordance
with a reduction in the Total Commitment Amount pursuant to Section 3.2(a)
hereof.

         "COMMITMENT PERIOD" shall mean the period from the date hereof to
September 30, 1997, as the same may be extended pursuant to Section 3.2(c) or
reduced pursuant to Section 3.2(a).

         "COMPANY" shall mean the Borrower or a Subsidiary.

         "CONSOLIDATED ASSETS" shall mean, as at the date of any determination,
the net book value of all assets of the Borrower and its Subsidiaries as of
such date classified as assets in accordance with generally accepted accounting
principles and determined on a consolidated basis.

         "CONSOLIDATED CAPITAL EXPENDITURE" shall mean the sum of all amounts
paid or indebtedness incurred by the Borrower and its Subsidiaries in
connection with the purchase of capital assets that would be required to be
capitalized and shown on the consolidated balance sheet of the Borrower and its
Subsidiaries in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles.

         "CONSOLIDATED CURRENT ASSETS" shall mean, as at the date of any
determination, the net book value of all assets of the Borrower and its
Subsidiaries as of such date classified as current assets in accordance with
generally accepted accounting principles and determined on a consolidated
basis.

         "CONSOLIDATED CURRENT LIABILITIES" shall mean, as at any date of
determination, all liabilities of the Borrower and its Subsidiaries as of such
date classified as current liabilities in accordance with generally accepted
accounting principles and determined on a consolidated basis (including,
without limitation, all accrued taxes, all principal installments of any
Long-Term


                                       4





                                 PAGE 37 OF 126
<PAGE>   14

Indebtedness under any promissory note maturing within twelve months of the
date of determination); PROVIDED, HOWEVER, that, the sum of (x) the aggregate
outstanding balance of Revolving Credit Loans plus (y) the aggregate
outstanding Negotiated Bid Loans not in excess of the Total Commitment Amount
shall not at any time be treated as a current liability.

         "CONSOLIDATED FIXED CHARGE COVERAGE RATIO" has the meaning assigned to
such term in Section 8.21.

         "CONSOLIDATED LEVERAGE RATIO" has the meaning assigned to such term in
Section 8.23.

         "CONSOLIDATED LIABILITIES" shall mean, as at any date of
determination, all liabilities of the Borrower and its Subsidiaries (excluding
from consideration as a Consolidated Liability, all Subordinated Indebtedness
other than the Convertible Subordinated Debentures) as of such date classified
as liabilities in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles and
determined on a consolidated basis.

         "CONSOLIDATED NET FIXED LEASE CHARGES" shall mean, for any fiscal
period, all fixed rental expenses (whether accrued or paid in cash) arising
from all capitalized leases or operating leases (but excluding leases of
personal property) of the Borrower and its Subsidiaries for such period less
all sublease rental payments arising from such capitalized leases or operating
leases (but excluding leases of personal property) for such period, in each
case, as determined on a consolidated basis and in accordance with generally
accepted accounting principles.

         "CONSOLIDATED NET INTEREST EXPENSE" shall mean, for any fiscal period,
all expense of the Borrower and its Subsidiaries for such fiscal period
classified as interest expense for such period less income of the Borrower and
its Subsidiaries for such fiscal period classified as interest income for such
period, in each case, in accordance with generally accepted accounting
principles and determined on a consolidated basis.

         "CONSOLIDATED NET PRE-TAX EARNINGS" shall mean, for any fiscal period,
the earnings (or losses) experienced by the Borrower and its Subsidiaries for
such period, before provision for any income taxes, as determined on a
consolidated basis and in accordance with generally accepted accounting
principles (but excluding for any such period any non-cash extraordinary gains
(or losses)).

         "CONSOLIDATED NET WORKING CAPITAL" shall mean, as at any date of
determination, the excess of (i) the Consolidated Current Assets of the
Borrower and its Subsidiaries as of such date over (ii) the Consolidated
Current Liabilities of the Borrower and its Subsidiaries as of such date;
provided, however, that, the sum of (x) the aggregate outstanding balance of
Revolving Credit Loans plus (y) the aggregate outstanding Negotiated Bid Loans
not in excess of the Total Commitment Amount shall not at any time be treated
as a current liability.

         "CONSOLIDATED TANGIBLE NET WORTH" shall mean, as at any date of
determination, the excess of (i) the net book value (after deducting all
applicable reserves and excluding any re-appraisal or write-up of assets after
the date of this Agreement except any re-appraisal or



                                       5





                                 PAGE 38 OF 126
<PAGE>   15

write-up of assets at the time such assets may be acquired in the Acquisition
or by means of corporate acquisitions subsequent to the date of this Agreement)
of all Consolidated Assets (excluding from consideration as a Consolidated
Asset, all intangible assets including, without limitation, patents, goodwill
and treasury shares) of the Borrower and its Subsidiaries as of such date OVER
(ii) all Consolidated Liabilities of the Borrower and its Subsidiaries as of
such date, in each case determined on a consolidated basis in accordance with
generally accepted accounting principles.

         "CONTROLLED GROUP" shall mean a controlled group of corporations as
defined in Section 1563 of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as may be amended
from time to time, of which any the Borrower or any Subsidiary is a part.

         "CONVERTIBLE SUBORDINATED DEBENTURES" shall mean the Borrower's 6.25%
Convertible Subordinated Debentures due 2002 and issued under an Indenture,
dated as of March 13, 1992, between the Borrower and Society National Bank (as
successor by merger to Ameritrust Company National Association, as Trustee.

         "CREDIT EVENT" shall mean (a) the obligation of (i) each Bank to make
a Loan on the occasion of each Revolving Credit Borrowing, (ii) the Agent to
issue and accept any Acceptance, (iii) the Letter of Credit Bank to issue any
Letter of Credit or accept any Time Draft, (iv) any Bank to participate in the
risk of any Acceptance, Letter of Credit or any Time Draft, (b) the making of a
Loan by any Bank, (c) the delivery by the Borrower of (I) a Notice of Borrowing
requesting a Revolving Credit Borrowing or a Letter of Credit, (II) a Rate
Conversion/Continuation Request requesting the conversion or continuation of
Revolving Credit Loans or (III) an Acceptance Request, (d) a Rate Conversion or
Rate Continuation, (e) the acceptance by the Borrower of proceeds of any
Revolving Credit Borrowing or any Acceptance or (f) the making by any Bank of a
Negotiated Bid Loan.

         "CUMULATIVE FISCAL EARNINGS" has the meaning assigned to such term in 
Section 8.20.

         "CUMULATIVE FISCAL PERIOD" shall mean, in respect of any Fiscal Year,
each of the following periods: (a) the period comprised of the first Fiscal
Quarter of such Fiscal Year, (b) the period comprised of the first and second
Fiscal Quarters of such Fiscal Year, (c) the period comprised of the first,
second and third Fiscal Quarters of such Fiscal Year and (d) the period
comprised of all Fiscal Quarters of such Fiscal Year.

         "DEFAULT UNDER ERISA" means (a) the occurrence or existence of a
material "accumulated funding deficiency" (as defined in ERISA) in respect of
any Plan within the scope of Section 302(a) of ERISA or (b) any failure by
Borrower or any Subsidiary to make a full and timely payment of premiums
required by Section 4001 of ERISA in respect of any Plan, or (c) the occurrence
or existence of any material liability under Section 4062, 4063, 4064, 4069,
4201, 4217 or 4243 of ERISA in respect of any Plan, or (d) the occurrence or
existence of any material breach of any other Law or regulation in respect of
any such Plan, or (e) the institution or existence of any action for the
forcible termination of any such Plan which is within the scope of Section
4001(a)(3) or (15) or ERISA.



                                       6





                                 PAGE 39 OF 126
<PAGE>   16

         "DETERMINATION DATE" has the meaning assigned to that term in Section
3.5(b).

         "DISTRIBUTION" shall mean any payment made, liability incurred and
other consideration (other than any stock dividend, or stock split or similar
distributions payable only in capital stock of the Borrower) given (i) for the
purchase, acquisition, redemption or retirement of any capital stock of the
Borrower (but excluding the purchase, acquisition or retirement of any capital
stock of the Borrower with respect to the 1,028,321 shares of common stock of
the Borrower authorized prior to the date of this Agreement by the Borrower's
Board of Directors for purchase, acquisition, redemption or retirement by the
Borrower) or (ii) as a dividend, return of capital or other distribution of any
kind of the Borrower's capital stock outstanding at any time.

         "ENVIRONMENTAL LAWS" shall mean any federal, state or local Law,
regulation, ordinance, or order pertaining to the protection of the environment
and the health and safety of the public, including (but not limited to) the
Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation and Liability Act
("CERCLA"), 42 USC Section Section  9601 ET SEQ.; the Resource Conservation and
Recovery Act ("RCRA"), 42 USC Section Section  6901 ET SEQ., the Hazardous
Materials Transportation Act, 49 USC Section Section 1801 et seq., the Federal
Water Pollution Control Act (33 USC Section Section  1251 et seq.), the Toxic
Substances Control Act (15 USC Section Section  2601 et seq.) and the
Occupational Safety and Health Act (29 USC Section Section  651 et seq.), and
all similar state, regional or local Laws, treaties, regulations, statutes or
ordinances, common Law, civil Laws, or any case precedents, rulings,
requirements, directives or requests having the force of Law of any foreign or
domestic governmental authority, agency or tribunal, and all foreign
equivalents thereof, as the same have been or hereafter may be amended, and any
and all analogous future Laws, treaties, regulations, statutes or ordinances,
common Law, civil Laws, or any case precedents, rulings, requirements,
directives or requests having the force of Law of any foreign or domestic
governmental authority, agency or tribunal and the regulations promulgated
pursuant thereto, which governs: (i) the existence, cleanup and/or remedy of
contamination on property; (ii) the emission or discharge of Hazardous
Materials into the environment; (iii) the control of hazardous wastes; (iv) the
use, generation, transport, treatment, storage, disposal, removal or recovery
of Hazardous Materials; or (v) the maintenance and development of wetlands.

         "ERISA" means the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974
(Public Law 93-406), as amended, and in the event of any amendment affecting
any section thereof referred to in this Agreement, that reference shall be
reference to that section as amended, supplemented, replaced or otherwise
modified.

         "ERISA AFFILIATE"  of any Person means any other Person that for
purposes of Title IV of ERISA is a member of such Person's Controlled Group, or
under common control with such Person, within the meaning of Section 414 of the
Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended from time to time.

         "ERISA REGULATOR" means any governmental agency (such as the
Department of Labor, the Internal Revenue Service and the Pension Benefit
Guaranty Corporation) having any regulatory authority over any Plan.



                                       7





                                 PAGE 40 OF 126
<PAGE>   17

         "EUROCURRENCY LIABILITIES" has the meaning assigned to that term in
Regulation D of the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System, as in
effect from time to time.

         "EVENT OF DEFAULT" has the meaning assigned to such term in Article 10.

         "EXEMPTION CERTIFICATE" has the meaning assigned to such term in
Section 3.9(f).

         "EXTENSION REQUEST AND CONSENT" has the meaning assigned to such term
in Section 3.2(c).

         "FCA OF OHIO" shall mean FCA of Ohio, Inc., an Ohio corporation, a
wholly-owned subsidiary of the Borrower.

         "FACILITY FEE" has the meaning assigned to such term in Section 3.4(a).

         "FED FUNDS RATE" shall mean, (i) for any Interest Period in respect of
Fed Funds Rate Loans, a rate per annum equal for each day during such Interest
Period to the weighted average of the rates on overnight Federal funds
transactions for members of the Federal Reserve System arranged by Federal
funds brokers, as published for the Banking Day immediately prior to the
commencement of such Interest Period (or, if such day is not a Banking Day, for
the next preceding Banking Day) by the Federal Reserve Bank of Cleveland, or,
if such rate is not so published for any day which is a Banking Day, the
average of the quotations for such day on such transactions received by the
Agent from three (3) federal funds brokers of recognized standing selected by
the Agent, and (ii) for any other period, a fluctuating interest rate per annum
equal for each day during such period to the weighted average of the rates on
overnight Federal funds transactions with members of the Federal Reserve System
arranged by federal funds brokers, as published for such day (or, if such day
is not a Banking Day, for the next preceding Banking Day) by the Federal
Reserve Bank of New York, or, if such rate is not so published for any day
which is a Banking Day, the average of the quotations for such day on such
transactions received by the Agent from three (3) federal funds brokers of
recognized standing selected by it.

         "FED FUNDS RATE LOANS" shall mean a Loan which bears interest as
provided in Section 3.5(a)(ii).

         "FEE ADJUSTMENT DATE" has the meaning assigned to such term in Section
3.4(c) hereof.

         "FEE DETERMINATION DATE" has the meaning assigned to such term in
Section 3.4(c) hereof.

         "FISCAL QUARTER" shall mean any of the four consecutive three-month
fiscal accounting periods collectively forming a Fiscal Year of the Borrower
consistent with the Borrower's past practice.

         "FISCAL YEAR" shall mean the Borrower's regular annual accounting
period which shall end January 28, 1995, in respect of the Borrower's current
annual accounting period and which

                                       8





                                 PAGE 41 OF 126
<PAGE>   18

shall consist of a fifty-two week annual period except for every sixth year
which shall consist of a fifty-three week annual accounting period (the
Borrower's annual period ending February 1, 1997 being such a fifty-three week
annual period).

         "FORMER AGENT" has the meaning assigned to such term in Section 12.13.

         "FOUR FISCAL QUARTER PERIOD" shall mean a period consisting of four
consecutive Fiscal Quarters, whether or not in the same Fiscal Year.

         "FUNDED SENIOR DEBT" shall mean, as at the date of any determination,
the sum of all Indebtedness of the Borrower and its Subsidiaries in respect of
(i) the outstanding Obligations (other than Obligations in respect of Letters
of Credit, Time Drafts or Acceptances) of the Borrower to the Banks under this
Agreement at such date and any other Bank Debt at such date (ii) the principal
amount of any other outstanding Indebtedness for Borrowed Money or the
capitalized amount of Indebtedness in respect of capitalized lease obligations
and purchase money obligations.

         "GUARANTEED LETTER OF CREDIT OBLIGATIONS" has the meaning assigned to
such term in Section 5.5.

         "GUARANTOR" means one who pledges his credit or property in any manner
for the payment or other performance of the Indebtedness, contract or other
obligation of another and includes (without limitation) any guarantor (whether
of collection or payment), any obligor in respect of a standby letter of credit
or surety bond issued for the obligor's account, and surety, any co- maker, any
endorser, and anyone who agrees conditionally or otherwise to make any loan,
purchase or investment in order thereby to enable another to prevent or correct
a default of any kind.

         "GUARANTORS OF PAYMENT" shall mean FCA Financial, Inc., Fabri-Centers
of South Dakota, Inc., Fabri-Centers of California, Inc., FCA of Ohio, and any
other Subsidiary of the Borrower existing on or after the Closing Date which
becomes a Guarantor of Payment pursuant to Section 8.25.

         "GUARANTY" means the obligation of a Guarantor.

         "GUARANTY OF PAYMENT" shall mean any Guaranty of Payment substantially
in the form of Exhibit D hereto, executed and delivered to the Agent by a
Subsidiary of the Borrower pursuant to Section 6.2 or 8.25.

         "HAZARDOUS MATERIAL"  shall mean and include (i) any asbestos or other
material composed of or containing asbestos which is, or may become, even if
properly managed, friable, (ii) petroleum and any petroleum product, including
crude oil or any fraction thereof, and natural gas or synthetic natural gas
liquids or mixtures thereof; (iii) any hazardous, toxic or dangerous waste,
substance or material defined as such in (or for purposes of) CERCLA or RCRA,
any so-called "Superfund" or "Superlien" law, or any other applicable
Environmental



                                       9





                                 PAGE 42 OF 126
<PAGE>   19

Laws, and (iv) any other substance whose generation, handling, transportation,
treatment or disposal is regulated pursuant to any Environmental Laws.

         "INDEBTEDNESS" means, with respect to any Person, without duplication,
(i) Indebtedness for Borrowed Money, (ii) obligations to pay the deferred
purchase price of property or services, (iii) obligations as lessee under
leases which shall have been or should be, in accordance with generally
accepted accounting principles, recorded as capital leases, (iv) all
obligations of such Person as an account party in respect of letters of credit
or banker's acceptances, (v) liabilities in respect of unfunded vested benefits
under plans covered by Title IV of ERISA, (vi) obligations secured by any Lien
on the properties or assets of the Person, (vii) obligations of such Person in
respect of currency or interest rate swap or comparable transactions, (viii)
the obligations of such Person in respect of any Reimbursement Agreement or
accepted Time Draft and (ix) obligations under direct or indirect Guaranties in
respect of, and obligations (contingent or otherwise) to purchase or otherwise
acquire, or otherwise to assure a creditor against loss in respect of,
indebtedness or obligations of others of the kinds referred to in clauses (i)
through (viii) above.

         "INDEBTEDNESS FOR BORROWED MONEY" means, with respect to any Person,
without duplication, all obligations of such Person for money borrowed
including, without limitation, all notes payable, and drafts accepted
representing extensions of credit, all obligations evidenced by bonds,
debentures, notes or other similar instruments, obligations under Reimbursement
Agreements and obligations upon which interest charges are customarily paid or
discounted, and all Guaranties of such obligations for money borrowed.

         "INTEREST ADJUSTMENT DATE" has the meaning assigned to such term in
Section 3.5(b).

         "INTEREST PERIOD" shall mean, for each of the Fed Funds Rate Loans
comprising a Revolving Credit Borrowing and for each of the LIBOR Loans
comprising a Revolving Credit Borrowing, the period commencing on the date of
such Loans or the date of the Rate Conversion or Rate Continuation of any Loans
into such Loans and ending on the numerically corresponding day of the period
selected by the Borrower pursuant to the provisions hereof and each subsequent
period commencing on the last day of the immediately preceding Interest Period
in respect of such Loans and ending on the last day of the period selected by
the Borrower pursuant to the provisions hereof.  The duration of each such
Interest Period (a) with respect to Fed Funds Rate Loans, shall not exceed
thirty (30) calendar days, as the Borrower may select, upon delivery to the
Agent of a Notice of Borrowing therefor in accordance with Section 3.1(d)
hereof or (b) with respect to LIBOR Loans, shall be one, two, three or six
months, in each case as the Borrower may select, upon delivery to the Agent of
a Notice of Borrowing therefor in accordance with Section 3.1(d) hereof;
PROVIDED, HOWEVER, that:

              (i)         Interest Periods for Loans comprising part of the
same Revolving Credit Borrowing shall be of the same duration;

             (ii)         no Interest Period may end on a date later than the
last day of the Commitment Period;



                                       10





                                 PAGE 43 OF 126
<PAGE>   20

            (iii)          whenever the last day of any Interest Period in
         respect of LIBOR Loans would otherwise occur on a day other than a
         Banking Day, the last day of such Interest Period shall be extended to
         occur on the next succeeding Banking Day; provided, however, that if
         such extension would cause the last day of such Interest Period to
         occur in the next following calendar month, the last day of such
         Interest Period shall occur on the immediately preceding Banking Day;

             (iv)         whenever the last day of any Interest Period in
         respect of Fed Funds Rate Loans would otherwise occur on a day other
         than a Banking Day, the last day of such Interest Period shall be
         extended to occur on the next succeeding Banking Day; and

              (v)         the Borrower may not select any Interest Period
         ending after the date of any reduction in the Maximum Availability
         Amount unless, after giving effect to such selection, the aggregate
         unpaid principal amount of any then outstanding Prime Rate Loans taken
         together with the principal amount of any then outstanding LIBOR Loans
         or Fed Funds Rate Loans having Interest Periods ending on or prior to
         the date of such reduction shall be at least equal to the principal
         amount of the Revolving Credit Loans due and payable on or prior to
         such date.

         "LC EXPOSURE" shall mean, with respect to any Bank, at any time of
determination, such Bank's Ratable Portion of the sum of (a) the aggregate
undrawn amount of all such Letters of Credit outstanding at such time, (b) the
aggregate amount of any Time Draft issued in respect of any Commercial Letter
of Credit and (c) the aggregate amount that has been drawn under such Letters
of Credit or Time Draft but for which the Letter of Credit Bank or the Banks,
as the case may be, have not at such time been reimbursed by the Borrower.

         "LAST FED FUNDS RATE" has the meaning assigned to such term in Section
3.3(e).

         "LAST LIBOR" has the meaning assigned to such term in Section 3.3(d).

         "LAW" shall mean any law, treaty, regulation, statute or ordinance,
common law, civil law, or any case precedent, ruling, requirement, directive or
request having the force of law of any foreign or domestic governmental
authority, agency or tribunal.

         "LENDING OFFICE" shall mean, with respect to any Bank, the office of
such Bank specified as its "Lending Office" below its name on the signature
pages hereto, or such other office of such Bank as such Bank may from time to
time specify in writing to the Borrower and the Agent as the office at which
Loans are to be made and maintained.

         "LETTER OF CREDIT" shall mean any Commercial Letter of Credit or
Standby Letter of Credit, as the case may be.

         "LETTER OF CREDIT BANK" shall mean Society National Bank, its 
successors and assigns.





                                       11





                                 PAGE 44 OF 126
<PAGE>   21

         "LETTER OF CREDIT BANK'S FEE LETTER" shall mean the letter, dated
September 30, 1994, between the Borrower and the Letter of Credit Bank, as the
same may be amended or modified from time to time, with respect to certain fees
relating to the Letter of Credit Bank's issuance of Letters of Credit.

         "LIBOR" shall mean, with respect to any LIBOR Loan for any Interest
Period, an interest rate per annum (rounded upward to the nearest 1/16th of 1%)
equal to the average of the per annum rates at which deposits in immediately
available funds in United States dollars approximately equal in principal
amount to the Agent's portion of such Revolving Credit Borrowing and for a
maturity comparable to the Interest Period are offered to the Reference Bank by
prime banks in any Eurodollar market reasonably selected by the Reference Bank,
determined as of 11:00 a.m. London time (or as soon thereafter as practicable),
two (2) Banking Days prior to the beginning of the relevant Interest Period
pertaining to a LIBOR Loan hereunder.

         "LIBOR LOANS" shall mean those Loans described in Section 3.1 hereof
on which the Borrower shall pay interest at a rate based on LIBOR.

         "LIBOR PREPAYMENT COMPENSATION RATE" has the meaning assigned to such
term in Section 3.3(d).

         "LIEN" shall mean any lien, security interest or other charge or
encumbrance of any kind, or any other type of preferential arrangement,
including, without limitation, the lien or retained security title of a
conditional vendor and any easement, right of way or other encumbrance on title
to real property.

         "LOAN" shall mean a Revolving Credit Loan made by a Bank to the
Borrower pursuant to Article 3 and refers to a Prime Rate Loan, a LIBOR Loan or
a Fed Funds Rate Loan.

         "LONG-TERM INDEBTEDNESS" shall mean, as at the date of any
determination, all Indebtedness of the Borrower or its Subsidiaries (i) which
matures no earlier than one (1) year from the time of determination, or (ii)
which matures less than one (1) year from the time of determination but which
may have its maturity extended, at the option of the obligor thereunder, to one
(1) year or later from the time of determination.

         "MAJORITY BANKS" shall mean, at any time of determination, two or more
Banks having Commitments in the aggregate of at least sixty-six percent (66%)
of the Total Commitment Amount.

         "MATERIAL ADVERSE EFFECT" shall mean the occurrence or existence of:
(a) a material adverse effect on the business, results of operations or
financial condition of the Borrower and its Subsidiaries on a consolidated
basis, or (b) a material adverse effect on the ability of the Borrower to
perform its obligations under this Agreement, or (c) a material adverse effect
on the legality, validity or enforceability of the Borrower's obligations under
this Agreement.




                                       12





                                 PAGE 45 OF 126
<PAGE>   22

         "MAXIMUM AVAILABILITY AMOUNT" shall mean the following amounts for the
following periods (subject to reductions in the Total Commitment Amount
pursuant to Section 3.2(a)):

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                     Period                                         Amount
                                     ------                                         ------
                     <S>                                                        <C>
                     commencing on the Closing Date and
                     ending December 31, 1994                                   Total Commitment Amount

                     commencing January 1, 1995 and ending
                     January 31, 1995                                           $160,000,000


                     commencing February 1, 1995 and ending
                     April 30, 1995                                             $175,000,000


                     commencing May 1, 1995 and ending
                     December 31, 1995                                          Total Commitment Amount

                     commencing January 1, 1996 and ending
                     April 30, 1996                                             $175,000,000


                     commencing May 1, 1996 and ending
                     December 31, 1996                                          Total Commitment Amount

                     commencing January 1, 1997 and ending
                     April 30, 1997                                             $175,000,000


                     commencing May 1, 1997 and ending on
                     the last day of the Commitment Period
                                                                                Total Commitment Amount
</TABLE>


         "NEGOTIATED BID LOAN" shall mean a Loan made by a Bank to the
Borrower, upon the terms and conditions negotiated between such Bank and the
Borrower as permitted by Section 8.11.

         "NOTE" OR "NOTES" shall mean a note or notes executed and delivered
pursuant to Section 3.1(c) hereof.

         "NOTICE OF BORROWING" shall mean a Notice of Borrowing substantially
in the form of Exhibit B-1 hereto.
                                       13





                                 PAGE 46 OF 126
<PAGE>   23

         "OBLIGATIONS" shall mean the obligations of the Borrower under this
Agreement, including, without limitation, the outstanding principal and accrued
interest in respect of any Revolving Credit Loans, the outstanding principal
and accrued interest in respect of the Guaranteed Letter of Credit Obligations,
all Facility Fees, Unused Commitment Fees, Risk Participation Fees, Acceptance
Commissions, fees owing to the Letter of Credit Bank, fees owing to the Agent,
other fees owing to the Banks or the Agent, reimbursement obligations under
Letters of Credit (including Sight Drafts or Time Drafts issued in respect
thereto), Acceptance Obligations, and any expenses, taxes, compensation or
other amounts owing under this Agreement, the Notes, any Guaranty of Payment,
any Reimbursement Agreement, including, without limitation, pursuant to
Sections 3.3, 3.4, 3.7, 3.8, 3.9  or 14.4 and any and all other amounts owed by
the Borrower to the Agent or the Banks pursuant to this Agreement or the Notes.

         "OTHER BANKS" has the meaning assigned to such term in Section 12.15.

         "OTHER TAXES" has the meaning assigned to such term in Section 3.9(b).

         "OUTSIDE LOANS" has the meaning assigned to such term in Section 8.11.

         "PAYMENT OFFICE" shall mean such office of the Agent as set forth
below the Agent's name on the signature pages hereof or such offices as may be
from time to time selected by the Agent and notified in writing by the Agent to
the Borrower and the Banks as the office to which payments are to be made by
the Borrower or the Banks, as the case may be.

         "PERSON" means an individual, partnership, corporation (including a
business trust), joint stock company, trust, unincorporated association, joint
venture or other entity, or a government or any political subdivision or agency
thereof.

         "PLAN" shall mean any employee pension benefit plan subject to Title
IV of the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974, as amended,
established or maintained by the Borrower, any Subsidiary, or any member of the
Controlled Group, or any such Plan to which the Borrower, any Subsidiary, or
any member of the Controlled Group is required to contribute on behalf of any
of its employees (other than a Multi-Employer Plan, as that term is defined in
Section 414(f) of the Internal Revenue Code as currently in effect).

         "POSSIBLE DEFAULT" shall mean an event, condition or thing which
constitutes, or which with the lapse of any applicable grace period or the
giving of notice or both would constitute, any event of default referred to in
Article 10 hereof and which has not been appropriately waived by the Banks in
writing or fully corrected prior to becoming an actual event of default.

         "PRE-CLOSING DATE ACCEPTANCES" has the meaning assigned to such term
in Section 4.12.

         "PREPAYMENT FED FUNDS COMPENSATION RATE" has the meaning assigned to
such term in Section 3.3(e).

         "PREPAYMENT LIBOR" has the meaning assigned to such term in Section
3.3(c).


                                       14





                                 PAGE 47 OF 126
<PAGE>   24

         "PRIME RATE" shall mean the higher of (i) the Fed Funds Rate plus one
and one-half percent (1.5%) or (ii) that interest rate established from time to
time by the Agent as the Agent's Prime Rate, whether or not such rate is
publicly announced; the Prime Rate may not be the lowest interest rate charged
by Agent for commercial or other extensions of credit.

         "PRIME RATE LOANS" shall mean those loans described in Section 3.1(b)
hereof on which the Borrower shall pay interest at the rate based on the Prime
Rate.

         "PURCHASE AGREEMENT" shall mean that certain Asset Purchase Agreement,
dated as of August 24, 1994, among the Brown Group, Inc., Cloth World, the
Borrower and FCA of Ohio.

         "QUALIFYING FINANCIAL STANDARDS" shall mean, as at any date of
determination, the condition that (a) the Borrower shall have delivered the
financial statements required by Section 8.1(a) or 8.1(b), as the case may be,
(b) the Borrower shall have delivered the certificate required to be delivered
pursuant to Section 8.1(c)(ii) evidencing that the Borrower's Consolidated
Fixed Charge Coverage Ratio for the Four Fiscal Quarter Period ending
immediately prior to such determination date is not less than 1.50 to 1.0 and
that the Borrower's Consolidated Leverage Ratio for the two (2) consecutive
Fiscal Quarters immediately preceding and ending immediately prior to such
determination date is not greater than .55 to 1.0 and (c) no Event of Default
shall have occurred and be continuing.

         "RATABLE PORTION" shall mean, in respect of any Bank, the quotient
(expressed as a percentage) obtained at any time by dividing such Bank's
Commitment at such time by the Total Commitment Amount.

         "RATE CONTINUATION" shall mean a continuation of LIBOR Loans or Fed
Funds Rate Loans having a particular Interest Period as LIBOR Loans or Fed
Funds Rate Loans having an Interest Period of the same duration pursuant to
Section 3.1(h).

         "RATE CONVERSION" refers to a conversion pursuant to Section 3.1(h) of
Loans of one Type into Loans of another Type and, with respect to LIBOR Loans
or Fed Funds Rate Loans, from one permissible Interest Period to another
permissible Interest Period.

         "RATE CONVERSION/CONTINUATION REQUEST" shall mean a request for Rate
Conversion or Rate Continuation in the form of Exhibit B-2 hereto made pursuant
to Section 3.1(h).

         "RECEIVABLE" shall mean a claim for moneys due or to become due,
whether classified as a contract right, account, chattel paper, instrument,
general intangible or otherwise.

         "REDUCTION NOTICE" shall mean a notice for a request for the reduction
in the Total Commitment Amount pursuant to Section 3.2(a) in the form of
Exhibit B-3 hereto.

         "REFERENCE BANK" shall mean the Cayman Islands branch office of
Society National Bank.




                                       15





                                 PAGE 48 OF 126
<PAGE>   25

         "REGULATORY CHANGE" shall mean, as to any Bank, any change in United
States federal, state or foreign Laws or regulations or the adoption or making
of any interpretations, directives or requests of or under any United States
federal, state or foreign Laws or regulations (whether or not having the force
of Law) by any court or governmental authority charged with the interpretation
or administration thereof.

         "REIMBURSEMENT AGREEMENT" shall mean any reimbursement agreement in
respect of any Letter of Credit.

         "RELATED WRITING" shall mean any assignment, mortgage, security
agreement, note, guaranty, subordination agreement, Reimbursement Agreement,
financial statement, certificate, audit report or other writing furnished by
the Borrower or any of its officers to the Banks pursuant to or otherwise in
connection with this Agreement.

         "REPORTABLE EVENT" shall mean a reportable event as that term is
defined in Title IV of the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974, as
amended, except actions of general applicability by the Secretary of Labor
under Section 110 of such Act.

         "RESERVE PERCENTAGE" shall mean for any day that percentage (expressed
as a decimal) which is in effect on such day, as prescribed by the Board of
Governors of the Federal Reserve System (or any successor) for determining the
maximum reserve requirement (including, without limitation, all basic,
supplemental, marginal and other reserves and taking into account any
transitional adjustments or other scheduled changes in reserve requirements)
for a member bank of the Federal Reserve System in Cleveland, Ohio, in respect
of "Eurocurrency Liabilities", but only if actually incurred by any Bank.

         "REVOLVING CREDIT BORROWING" shall mean a group of Revolving Credit
Loans of a single Type, made by the Banks on a single date and as to which a
single Interest Period is in effect (I.E. any group of Revolving Credit Loans
made by the Banks having a different Type, or having a different Interest
Period (regardless of whether such Interest Period commences on the same date
as another Interest Period), or made on a different date shall be considered to
comprise a different Revolving Credit Borrowing).

         "REVOLVING CREDIT LOAN" shall mean a Loan by a Bank to the Borrower
pursuant to Section 3.1(a) and refers to a Prime Rate Loan, a Fed Funds Rate
Loan or a LIBOR Loan.

         "REVOLVING CREDIT NOTE" shall mean a note executed and delivered
pursuant to Section 3.1(c) hereof.

         "RISK PARTICIPATION EXPOSURE" shall mean, with respect to any Bank, at
any time of determination, the sum of such Bank's (a) LC Exposure PLUS (b)
Acceptance Exposure.

         "RISK PARTICIPATION FEE" shall mean the fee payable to the Banks
pursuant to Section 3.4(d).




                                       16





                                 PAGE 49 OF 126
<PAGE>   26

         "SEC" shall mean the Securities and Exchange Commission.

         "SHARING BANKS" has the meaning assigned to such term in Section
11.4(b).

         "SIGHT DRAFT" shall mean a sight draft presented or to be presented
pursuant to the terms of any Commercial Letter of Credit.

         "SOCIETY" shall mean Society National Bank, a national banking
association.

         "STANDBY LETTER OF CREDIT" shall mean any standby letter of credit
issued by the Letter of Credit Bank on a risk-participated basis with the other
Banks pursuant to the provisions of this Agreement.

         "SUBORDINATED INDEBTEDNESS" shall mean (a) the Convertible
Subordinated Debentures and; (b) all other Indebtedness of the Borrower or its
Subsidiaries, now or hereafter existing, that is expressly subordinated and
made junior to the payment and performance in full of the Obligations and which
subordination is evidenced by written agreement in form and substance
satisfactory to the Banks.

         "SUBSIDIARY" shall mean an existing or future corporation, the
majority of the outstanding capital stock or voting power, or both, of which is
(or upon the exercise of all outstanding warrants, options and other rights
would be) owned at the time in question by the Borrower or by any Subsidiary of
the Borrower or by any combination of the Borrower and such company.

         "SWINGLINE FACILITY" shall mean a discretionary line of credit offered
to the Borrower by  Society in an aggregate principal amount not to exceed Five
Million Dollars ($5,000,000).

         "TAXES" has the meaning assigned to such term in Section 3.9(a).

         "TIME DRAFT" shall mean a Time Draft issued under a Commercial Letter
of Credit and accepted by the Letter of Credit Bank.

         "TOTAL COMMITMENT AMOUNT" shall mean the amount equal to Two Hundred
Million Dollars ($200,000,000) as such amount may be reduced pursuant to
Section 3.2(a), Section 3.2(b) or Article 11, as the case may be.

         "TYPE" shall mean, when used in respect of any Loan, LIBOR, Fed Funds
Rate or Prime Rate as applicable to such Loan.

         "UNUSED COMMITMENT FEE" has the meaning assigned to such term in
Section 3.4(b).

         The foregoing definitions shall be applicable to the singular and
plurals of the foregoing defined terms.




                                       17





                                 PAGE 50 OF 126
<PAGE>   27

         SECTION 1.2      COMPUTATION OF TIME PERIODS.  In this Agreement in
the computation of periods of time from a specific date to a later specified
date, the word "from" means "from and including" and the words "to" and "until"
each means "to but excluding".

         SECTION 1.3      ACCOUNTING TERMS.  Except as otherwise expressly
provided herein, all terms of an accounting or financial nature shall be
construed in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles, as in
effect from time to time; PROVIDED, HOWEVER, that, for purposes of determining
satisfaction of the Qualifying Financial Standards, the financial tests set
forth in the definitions of Applicable Loan Percentage and Applicable Fee
Percentage, Consolidated Tangible Net Worth and compliance with the covenants
set forth in Article 8, all terms of an accounting or financial nature shall be
construed in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles as in
effect on the date of this Agreement and in all cases shall be applied on a
basis consistent with those applied in the preparation of the audited financial
statements referred to in Section 9.5; PROVIDED, HOWEVER, that, all accounting
terms  shall be understood as based and determined on the "FIFO" method of
valuation of inventory.


                                   ARTICLE 2
                          AMOUNT AND NATURE OF CREDIT

         SECTION 2.1      AMOUNT AND NATURE OF CREDIT.  Subject to the terms
and conditions set forth in this Agreement, each of the Banks hereby
establishes a facility pursuant to which  Revolving Credit Loans shall be
available to the Borrower on a revolving credit basis in an amount not to
exceed Two Hundred Million Dollars ($200,000,000) (subject to the Maximum
Availability Amount in effect from time to time) of which an amount not to
exceed Sixty Million Dollars ($60,000,000) shall be available for the issuance
of Letters of Credit and Acceptances.

         SECTION 2.2      PURPOSE OF FACILITY.  The Borrower shall use the
proceeds of Revolving Credit Loans hereunder (a) to pay certain outstanding
indebtedness, (b) to fund the general corporate working capital purposes of the
Borrower and its Subsidiaries, and (c) for general corporate purposes,
including, without limitation, the completion of the Acquisition.  The Borrower
shall use the Acceptances and the proceeds of the Acceptances for the purposes
set forth in Article 4 and the Letters of Credit for the purposes set forth in
Article 5 and for general corporate purposes of the Borrower.

                                   ARTICLE 3
                                     LOANS

         SECTION 3.1      REVOLVING CREDIT LOANS.

         (a)     REVOLVING CREDIT LOANS.  Subject to the terms and provisions
of this Agreement, each Bank severally agrees to make Revolving Credit Loans to
the Borrower from time to time during the Commitment Period up to such Bank's
respective Commitment; PROVIDED, HOWEVER, that in no event shall the aggregate
principal amount of all Revolving Credit Loans PLUS the aggregate Risk
Participation Exposure be in excess of the Maximum Availability Amount in


                                       18





                                 PAGE 51 OF 126
<PAGE>   28

effect from time to time.  Within the limits set forth herein, the Borrower may
borrow, prepay and reborrow Revolving Credit Loans.

         (b)     REVOLVING CREDIT BORROWINGS.  Subject to the terms and
conditions set forth in this Agreement, the Borrower shall have the option to
request Revolving Credit Borrowings comprised of (i) Prime Rate Loans maturing
on or before the last day of the Commitment Period, in aggregate amounts of not
less than One Million Dollars ($1,000,000) or any integral multiple thereof,
(ii) LIBOR Loans in aggregate amounts of not less than Two Million Dollars
($2,000,000) or additional increments of One Million Dollars ($1,000,000) or
any integral multiple thereof, or (iii) Fed Funds Rate Loans in aggregate
amounts of not less than Two Million Dollars ($2,000,000) or additional
increments of One Million Dollars ($1,000,000) or any integral multiple
thereof.  The Borrower shall not be entitled to request any Revolving Credit
Borrowing which would result in the aggregate outstanding amount of all Fed
Funds Rate Loans to be greater than Ten Million Dollars ($10,000,000).

         (c)     REVOLVING CREDIT NOTES.  The obligation of the Borrower to
repay Revolving Credit Loans made by each Bank and to pay interest thereon
shall be evidenced by a Revolving Credit Note of the Borrower substantially in
the form of Exhibit A-1 hereto, with appropriate insertions, dated the date of
this Agreement and payable to the order of such Bank on the last day of the
Commitment Period, in the principal amount of its Commitment.  The principal
amount of the Revolving Credit Loans made by each Bank and all prepayments
thereof and the applicable dates with respect thereto shall be recorded by such
Bank from time to time on any ledger or other record of such Bank or such Bank
shall record such information by such other method as such Bank may generally
employ; PROVIDED, HOWEVER, that failure to make any such record shall in no way
detract from the Borrower's obligations under such Note.  The aggregate unpaid
amount of the Revolving Credit Loans shown on the records of such Bank shall be
rebuttably presumptive evidence of the principal amount owing and unpaid on
such Revolving Credit Note.

         (d)     NOTICE OF BORROWING.  The obligation of each Bank to make
Revolving Credit Loans comprising a Revolving Credit Borrowing is conditioned
upon receipt by the Agent of a request by the Borrower not later than 12:00
noon (Cleveland, Ohio time) (i) on the Banking Day which is the requested date
of a proposed Revolving Credit Borrowing comprised of Prime Rate Loans, (ii) on
a day which is three (3) Banking Days prior to the Banking Day which is the
requested date of a proposed Revolving Credit Borrowing comprised of LIBOR
Loans (except that the Revolving Credit Borrowing requested on the Closing Date
may be comprised of LIBOR Loans so long as each of the Banks shall have agreed
to make LIBOR Loans on the Closing Date without the notice required by this
Section 3.1(d)) and (iii) on a day which is one (1) Banking Day prior to the
Banking Day which is the requested date of a proposed Revolving Credit
Borrowing comprised of Fed Funds Rate Loans.  Each such request (a "Notice of
Borrowing") shall be transmitted by the Borrower to the Agent by telecopier or
such other means as the Agent agrees to in writing, substantially in the form
of Exhibit B-1, specifying therein the requested (A) date of the Revolving
Credit Loans comprising such Revolving Credit Borrowing, (B) Type of Revolving
Credit Loans comprising such Revolving Credit Borrowing, (C) aggregate amount
of such Revolving Credit Loans and (D) in the case of a proposed



                                       19





                                 PAGE 52 OF 126
<PAGE>   29

Revolving Credit Borrowing comprised of LIBOR Loans or Fed Funds Rate Loans,
the initial Interest Period for such Revolving Credit Loans.  The Borrower may
give a Notice of Borrowing telephonically so long as written confirmation of
such Revolving Credit Borrowing by delivery of written Notice of Borrowing is
received by the Agent by 1:00 p.m. (Cleveland, Ohio time) on the same day such
telephonic Notice of Borrowing was given.  The Agent may rely on such
telephonic Notice of Borrowing to the same extent that the Agent may rely on a
written Notice of Borrowing.  Each Notice of Borrowing and telephonic Notice of
Borrowing shall be irrevocable and binding on the Borrower and subject to the
indemnification provisions of this Article 3.  The Borrower shall bear all
risks related to the giving of a Notice of Borrowing telephonic or by such
other method of transmission as the Borrower shall elect.  The Agent shall give
to each Bank reasonably prompt notice by telecopier on the day received of each
such Notice of Revolving Credit Borrowing.

         (e)     BANKS TO FUND AGENT.  Each Bank shall, before 2:00 P.M.
(Cleveland, Ohio time) on the date of each Revolving Credit Borrowing, make
available to the Agent, in immediately available funds at the account of the
Agent maintained at the Payment Office as specified by the Agent to the Banks
prior to such date, such Bank's Ratable Portion of the Revolving Credit Loans
comprising such Revolving Credit Borrowing.  On the date requested by the
Borrower for a Revolving Credit Borrowing, after the Agent's receipt of the
funds representing a Bank's Ratable Portion of such Revolving Credit Borrowing
and upon the Borrower's fulfillment of the applicable conditions set forth in
Article 3, the Agent will make the funds of such Bank available to the Borrower
at the aforesaid applicable Payment Office.

         (f)     AVAILABILITY OF FUNDS.  Unless the Agent shall have received
notice from a Bank prior to the date, except in the case of Prime Rate Loans in
which case prior to the time, of any Revolving Credit Borrowing that such Bank
will not make available to the Agent such Bank's Ratable Portion of the
Revolving Credit Borrowing, the Agent may assume that such Bank has made its
Ratable Portion of the Revolving Credit Borrowing available to the Agent on the
date of the Revolving Credit Borrowing in accordance with Section 3.1(e).  In
reliance upon such assumption, the Agent may, but shall not be obligated to,
make available to the Borrower on such date a corresponding portion of the
Revolving Credit Borrowing.  If and to the extent that such Bank shall not have
made available to the Agent its Ratable Portion of the Loan to be made as to
the Revolving Credit Borrowing, such Bank and the Borrower severally agree to
repay to the Agent, immediately upon demand, the corresponding portion of the
Revolving Credit Borrowing, together with interest thereon, for each day from
the date such amount is made available to the Borrower until the date such
amount is repaid to the Agent (i) in the case of the Borrower, at the interest
rate applicable at the time to the Revolving Credit Loans comprising such
Revolving Credit Borrowing and (ii) in the case of such Bank, at the Fed Funds
Rate.  If such Bank shall repay to the Agent such corresponding portion of the
Revolving Credit Borrowing, the amount so repaid shall constitute such Bank's
Ratable Portion as part of such Revolving Credit Borrowing.

         (g)     FAILURE OF BANK TO LOAN.  The failure of any Bank to make the
Loan to be made by it as its Ratable Portion of any Revolving Credit Borrowing
shall not relieve any other Bank of its obligation hereunder to make its Loan
on the date of such Revolving Credit Borrowing.


                                       20





                                 PAGE 53 OF 126
<PAGE>   30

No Bank shall be responsible for the failure of any other Bank to make the Loan
to be made by such other Bank on the date of any Revolving Credit Borrowing.

         (h)     RATE CONVERSION AND CONTINUATION.  The Borrower shall have the
right, upon request delivered by the Borrower to the Agent not later than 12:00
noon (Cleveland, Ohio time) (i) on the day which is the Banking Day that the
Borrower desires to convert any LIBOR Loans comprising a Revolving Credit
Borrowing into Prime Rate Loans so as to comprise a Revolving Credit Borrowing,
(ii) the day which is one (1) day prior to the Banking Day on which the
Borrower desires to convert any LIBOR Loans or Prime Rate Loans comprising a
Revolving Credit Borrowing into Fed Funds Rate Loans so as to comprise a
Revolving Credit Borrowing, (iii) on the day that is three (3) Banking Days
prior to the Banking Day upon which the Borrower desires to convert any Prime
Rate Loans or Fed Funds Rate Loans comprising a Revolving Credit Borrowing into
LIBOR Loans for a given Interest Period so as to comprise a Revolving Credit
Borrowing, (iv) on the day which is three (3) Banking Days prior to the Banking
Day upon which the Borrower desires to continue any LIBOR Loans comprising a
given Revolving Credit Borrowing as LIBOR Loans for an additional Interest
Period of the same duration so as to comprise a Revolving Credit Borrowing, (v)
on the day which is three (3) Banking Days prior to the Banking Day upon which
the Borrower desires to convert any LIBOR Loans having a particular Interest
Period comprising a Revolving Credit Borrowing into LIBOR Loans having a
different permissible Interest Period so as to comprise a Revolving Credit
Borrowing, (vi) on the day which is one (1) Banking Day prior to the Banking
Day upon which the Borrower desires to continue any Fed Funds Rate Loans
comprising a given Revolving Credit Borrowing as Fed Funds Rate Loans for an
additional Interest Period of the same duration so as to comprise a Revolving
Credit Borrowing, (vii) on the day which is one (1) Banking Day prior to the
Banking Day upon which the Borrower desires to convert any Fed Funds Rate Loans
having a particular Interest Period comprising a Revolving Credit Borrowing
into Fed Funds Rate Loans having a different permissible Interest Period so as
to comprise a Revolving Credit Borrowing; PROVIDED, HOWEVER, that each such
Rate Conversion or Rate Continuation shall be subject to the following:

                 (A)      each Rate Conversion or Rate Continuation shall be
         funded among the Banks based upon each Bank's Ratable Portion of such
         converted or continued Revolving Credit Loans comprising a Revolving
         Credit Borrowing;

                 (B)      if less than all the outstanding principal amount of
         the Revolving Credit Loans comprising a Revolving Credit Borrowing is
         converted or continued, the aggregate principal amount of such
         Revolving Credit Loans converted or continued shall be, (i) in the
         case of LIBOR Loans, not less than Two Million Dollars ($2,000,000) or
         additional increments of One Million Dollars ($1,000,000) or any
         integral multiple thereof, (ii) in the case of Prime Rate Loans, not
         less than One Million Dollars ($1,000,000) or any integral multiple
         thereof and (iii) in the case of Fed Funds Rate Loans, not less than
         Two Million Dollars ($2,000,000) or additional increments of One
         Million Dollars or any integral multiple thereof;

                 (C)      each Rate Conversion or Rate Continuation shall be
         effected by each Bank by applying the proceeds of the Loan resulting
         from such Rate Conversion or


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         Rate Continuation to the Loan of such Bank being converted or
         continued, as the case may be, and the accrued interest on any such
         Loan (or portion thereof) being converted or continued shall be paid to
         the Agent on behalf of each Bank by the Borrower at the time of such 
         Rate Conversion or Rate Continuation;

                 (D)      LIBOR Loans and Fed Funds Rate Loans may not be
         converted or continued at a time other than the end of an Interest
         Period applicable thereto unless the Borrower shall pay, upon demand,
         any amounts due to the Banks pursuant to Section 3.3(d) or 3.3(e), as
         the case may be;

                 (E)      Revolving Credit Loans comprising a Revolving Credit
         Borrowing may not be converted into or continued as LIBOR Loans or Fed
         Funds Rate Loans less than one month prior to the last day of the
         Commitment Period or for an Interest Period which continues after the
         last day of the Commitment Period;

                 (F)      Revolving Credit Loans comprising a Revolving Credit
         Borrowing that cannot be converted into or continued as LIBOR Loans by
         reason of clause (E) shall be automatically converted at the end of
         the Interest Period in effect for such LIBOR Loans into Prime Rate
         Loans comprising a Revolving Credit Borrowing;

                 (G)      in connection with any Rate Conversion or Rate
         Continuation, no Interest Period can be selected which ends after the
         date of any reduction in the Maximum Availability Amount unless, after
         giving effect to such selection, the aggregate unpaid principal amount
         of any then outstanding Prime Rate Loans taken together with the
         principal amount of any then outstanding LIBOR Loans or Fed Funds Rate
         Loans having Interest Periods ending on or prior to the date of such
         reduction shall be at least equal to the principal amount of the
         Revolving Credit Loans due and payable on or prior to such date.

Each such request for a conversion or continuation (a "Rate
Conversion/Continuation Request") in respect of Revolving Credit Loans
comprising a Revolving Credit Borrowing shall be transmitted by the Borrower to
the Agent, by telecopier, telex or cable (in the case of telex or cable,
confirmed in writing prior to the effective date of the Rate Conversion or Rate
Continuation requested), in substantially the form of Exhibit B-2 hereto,
specifying (A) the identity and amount of the Revolving Credit Loans comprising
a Revolving Credit Borrowing that the Borrower requests be converted or
continued, (B) the Type of Revolving Credit Loans into which such Revolving
Credit Loans are to be converted or continued, (C) if such notice requests a
Rate Conversion, the date of the Rate Conversion (which shall be a Banking Day)
and (D) in the case of Revolving Credit Loans comprising a Revolving Credit
Borrowing being converted into or continued as LIBOR Loans or Fed Funds Rate
Loans, the Interest Period for such LIBOR Loans or Fed Funds Rate Loans, as the
case may be.  The Borrower may make Rate Conversion/Continuation Requests
telephonically so long as written confirmation of such Revolving Credit
Borrowing is received by the Agent by 1:00 p.m. (Cleveland, Ohio time) on the
same day of such telephonic Rate Conversion/Continuation Request.  The Agent
may rely on such telephonic Rate Conversion/Continuation Request to the same
extent that the Agent



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<PAGE>   32

may rely on a written Rate Conversion/Continuation Request.  Each Rate
Conversion/Continuation Request, whether telephonic or written, shall be
irrevocable and binding on the Borrower and subject to the indemnification
provisions of this Article 3.  The Borrower shall bear all risks related to
giving any Rate Conversion/Continuation Request telephonically or by such other
method of transmission as Borrower shall elect.  The Agent shall promptly
deliver on the day received a copy of each such Rate Conversion/Continuation
Request to the Banks by telecopier.

         SECTION 3.2      OPTIONAL REDUCTIONS; TERMINATION OF COMMITMENTS;
MANDATORY REDUCTION; EXTENSION OF COMMITMENT PERIOD.

         (a)     OPTIONAL REDUCTION; TERMINATION OF COMMITMENTS.  The Borrower
may, at any time and without payment of premium or penalty except as set forth
in Section 3.3, terminate in whole (provided no Time Drafts accepted by the
Letter of Credit Bank, Acceptances or Letters of Credit are then outstanding)
or from time to time in part reduce the Total Commitment Amount of the Banks by
delivering to the Agent, not later than 12:00 noon (Cleveland, Ohio time) two
(2) Banking Days immediately preceding the effective date of the reduction, a
notice of such reduction (a "Reduction Notice"), in the form of Exhibit B-3
hereto, stating the amount by which the Total Commitment Amount is to be
reduced and the effective date of such reduction.  Each reduction shall be
subject to the following: (i) each such reduction shall be in an aggregate
principal amount of not less than One Million Dollars ($1,000,000) or any
integral multiple thereof and (ii) each such reduction shall be in an amount
such that the Total Commitment Amount as so reduced, is not less than an amount
equal to the aggregate of (i) the aggregate principal amount of the Revolving
Credit Loans then outstanding hereunder plus (ii) the aggregate Risk
Participation Exposure. The Borrower shall not be permitted to reduce the Total
Commitment Amount unless, concurrently with any reduction, the Borrower shall
make a principal payment on each Bank's then outstanding Revolving Credit Loans
in an amount equal to the excess, if any, of such Revolving Credit Loans PLUS
the aggregate Risk Participation Exposure over the Commitment of such Bank as
so reduced.  The Agent shall promptly notify each Bank of its proportionate
amount and the date of each such reduction.  From and after each such
reduction, the Unused Commitment Fees and Facility Fees payable hereunder shall
be calculated upon the Commitments of the Banks as so reduced.  Each reduction
of the aggregate Commitments shall be made among the Banks in accordance with
its Ratable Portion. Any partial reduction in the Total Commitment Amount shall
be irrevocable and effective during the remainder of the Commitment Period and
shall not have the effect of reducing the Maximum Availability Amount from time
to time except to the extent that the Total Commitment Amount as so reduced is
less than the Maximum Availability Amount.  Any partial reduction of the Total
Commitment Amount pursuant to this Section 3.3(a) shall not alter the
obligation of the Borrower to prepay any amounts in excess of the Maximum
Availability Amount pursuant to Section 3.2(c) hereof. If the Borrower
terminates in whole the Commitments of the Banks, on the effective date of such
termination (the Borrower having prepaid in full the unpaid principal balance,
if any, of the Notes outstanding together with all interest (if any) and Unused
Commitment Fees and Facility Fees accrued and unpaid and all other amounts due
to the Agent or the Banks hereunder) all of the Notes outstanding shall be
delivered to the Agent marked "Cancelled" and redelivered to the Borrower.


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                                 PAGE 56 OF 126
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         (b)     MANDATORY REDUCTION.  In the event that the Acquisition shall
not have been consummated on or before November 1, 1994, the Total Commitment
Amount shall be automatically reduced to One Hundred Seventy-Five Million
Dollars ($175,000,000).  Each reduction of the Total Commitment Amount shall be
made among the Banks each in accordance with its Ratable Portion.  In the event
that such reduction of the Total Commitment Amount results in the aggregate
outstanding amount of the Revolving Credit Loans PLUS the aggregate Risk
Participation Exposure exceeding the Total Commitment Amount as so reduced, the
Borrower shall on such day prepay an aggregate principal amount of the
Revolving Credit Loans in an amount at least equal to such excess, together
with accrued interest to the date of such reduction on the principal amount
paid pursuant hereto, to the Agent for application to the Banks each in
accordance with its Ratable Portion.  Any such reduction in the Total
Commitment Amount shall be effective during the remainder of the Commitment
Period and shall not have the effect of reducing the Maximum Availability
Amount from time to time except to the extent that the Total Commitment Amount
as so reduced is less than the Maximum Availability Amount.  Any reduction of
the Total Commitment Amount pursuant to this Section 3.3(b) shall not alter the
obligation of the Borrower to prepay any amounts in excess of the Maximum
Availability Amount pursuant to Section 3.2(a) hereof.

         (c)     EXTENSION OF COMMITMENT PERIOD.  After the Borrower shall have
furnished its annual audit report pursuant to Section 8.1(b) hereof, commencing
with such financial statements for the 1995 Fiscal Year, the Borrower may
request in writing that the Commitment Period be extended one (1) year to the
Anniversary Date next following the last day of the Commitment Period then in
effect, which request shall be substantially in the form of Exhibit B-4 hereto
(an "Extension Request and Consent") addressed to the Agent on behalf of the
Banks.  The Agent shall promptly deliver a copy of each such Extension Request
and Consent to each of the Banks.  The Banks agree to give consideration to
each such request and to respond in writing to the Borrower affirmatively or
negatively as to such request no later than sixty (60) days after such request
is received by the Agent.  No Bank shall be obligated to grant the Borrower any
such extension, and unanimous written consent of all the Banks shall be
required to extend the Commitment Period.  In the event of the failure of any
of the Banks to so respond affirmatively or negatively in writing within such
sixty (60) day period, such request for extension shall be deemed to have been
denied.

         SECTION 3.3      REPAYMENTS AND PREPAYMENTS; PREPAYMENT COMPENSATION.

        (a)     REPAYMENT. The Borrower shall repay to the Agent for account of
the Banks the outstanding principal amount of the Revolving Credit Loans and
the accrued and unpaid interest, Facility Fees and Unused Commitment Fees and
any other amounts owing to the Banks, or any thereof, under this Agreement on
the last day of the Commitment Period or upon acceleration pursuant to Section
11.1 or 11.2.
        
         (b)     PERMITTED PREPAYMENTS. The Borrower may prepay, not later than
12:00 noon (Cleveland, Ohio time), upon at least two (2) Banking Days' notice
to the Agent stating the proposed date and aggregate principal amount of the
prepayment, and, upon such notice, shall prepay the outstanding aggregate
principal amount of the Revolving Credit Loans comprising



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                                 PAGE 57 OF 126
<PAGE>   34

part of the same Revolving Credit Borrowing in whole or ratably in part,
together with accrued interest to the date of such prepayment on the principal
amount prepaid; PROVIDED, HOWEVER, that each partial prepayment of Revolving
Credit Loans shall be in an aggregate principal amount of Two Million Dollars
($2,000,000) or additional increments of One Million Dollars ($1,000,000) or
any integral multiple thereof.  Any prepayment of any LIBOR Loans or Fed Funds
Rate Loans made on other than the last day of an Interest Period shall obligate
the Borrower to reimburse the Banks in respect thereof pursuant to Sections
3.3(d) or (e) hereof, respectively.  Upon receipt by the Agent of a notice
pursuant to this Section 3.3(b), the Agent shall promptly forward a copy of
such notice, by telecopier in the case of a prepayment of LIBOR Loans or Fed
Funds Rate Loans comprising a Revolving Credit Borrowing, to each of the Banks.

         (c)     MANDATORY PREPAYMENT.  If on any Banking Day the aggregate
outstanding amount of the Revolving Credit Loans PLUS the aggregate Risk
Participation Exposure exceeds the Maximum Availability Amount then in effect,
the Borrower shall on such day prepay an aggregate principal amount of the
Revolving Credit Loans in an amount at least equal to such excess, together
with accrued interest to the date of such prepayment on the principal amount
prepaid, to the Agent for the account of each of the Banks ratably in
accordance with their Commitments.

         (d)     PREPAYMENT COMPENSATION; LIBOR LOANS.    In any case of
prepayment of any LIBOR Loans comprising a Revolving Credit Borrowing, the
Borrower agrees that if Adjusted LIBOR as determined as of 11:00 a.m. London
time, two (2) Banking Days prior to the date of prepayment of any LIBOR Loans
comprising a Revolving Credit Borrowing (hereinafter, "Prepayment LIBOR") shall
be lower than the last Adjusted LIBOR previously determined for those LIBOR
Loans comprising a Revolving Credit Borrowing with respect to which prepayment
is intended to be made (hereinafter, "Last LIBOR"), then the Borrower shall,
upon written notice by the Agent, promptly pay to the Agent, for the account of
each of the Banks, in immediately available funds, compensation for such
prepayment measured by a rate (the "LIBOR Prepayment Compensation Rate") which
shall be equal to the difference between the Last LIBOR and the Prepayment
LIBOR.  In determining the Prepayment LIBOR, the Agent shall apply a rate equal
to Adjusted LIBOR for a deposit approximately equal to the amount of such
prepayment which would be applicable to an Interest Period commencing on the
date of such prepayment and having a duration as nearly equal as practicable to
the remaining duration of the actual Interest Period during which such
prepayment is to be made.  The LIBOR Prepayment Compensation Rate shall be
applied to all or such part of the principal amounts of the Notes as related to
the LIBOR Loans to be prepaid, and the prepayment compensation shall be
computed for the period commencing with the date on which such prepayment is to
be made to that date which coincides with the last day of the Interest Period
previously established when the LIBOR Loans, which are to be prepaid, were
made.  In the event the Borrower cancels a Notice of Borrowing with respect to
a Revolving Credit Borrowing comprised of LIBOR Loans subsequent to the
delivery to the Agent of such notice such cancellation shall be treated as a
prepayment as to which the Banks shall be entitled to the aforementioned
prepayment compensation.

         (e)     PREPAYMENT COMPENSATION RATE; FED FUNDS RATE LOANS.  In any
case of prepayment of any Fed Funds Rate Loans comprising all or any part of a
Revolving Credit

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                                 PAGE 58 OF 126
<PAGE>   35

Borrowing, the Borrower agrees that if the Fed Funds Rate as determined as of
11:00 a.m. Cleveland time, one (1) Banking Day prior to the date of prepayment
of any Fed Funds Rate Loans (hereinafter, "Prepayment Fed Funds Rate") shall be
lower than the last Fed Funds Rate previously determined for those Fed Funds
Rate Loans with respect to which prepayment is intended to be made
(hereinafter, "Last Fed Funds Rate"), then the Borrower shall, upon written
notice by the Agent, promptly pay to the Agent, for the account of each of the
Banks, in immediately available funds, a prepayment penalty measured by a rate
(the "Fed Funds Prepayment Compensation Rate") which shall be equal to the
difference between the Last Fed Funds Rate and the Prepayment Fed Funds Rate.
In determining the Prepayment Fed Funds Rate, the Agent shall apply the Fed
Funds Rate which would be applicable to a Fed Funds Rate Loan approximately
equal to the amount of such prepayment having an  Interest Period commencing on
the date of such prepayment and having a duration as nearly equal as
practicable to the remaining duration of the actual Interest Period during
which such prepayment is to be made.  The Prepayment Fed Funds Compensation
Rate shall be applied to all or such part of the principal amounts of the
Revolving Credit Notes as related to the Fed Funds Rate Loans to be prepaid,
and the prepayment penalty shall be computed for the period commencing with the
date on which such prepayment is to be made to the date which coincides with
the last day of the Interest Period previously established when the Fed Funds
Loans, which are to be prepaid, were made.  In the event the Borrower cancels a
proposed Fed Funds Rate Loan subsequent to the delivery to the Agent of a
Notice of Borrowing with respect a Revolving Credit Borrowing comprised of Fed
Funds Rate Loans, such cancellation shall be treated as a prepayment as to
which the Banks shall be entitled to the aforementioned prepayment
compensation.

         SECTION 3.4      FEES.

         (a)     FACILITY FEE.  The Borrower agrees to pay to each Bank,
through the Agent on the last day of each Fiscal Quarter commencing with the
Fiscal Quarter ending October 29, 1994, and on the date on which the
Commitments of such Bank shall be terminated or assigned in whole as provided
herein, a facility fee (a "Facility Fee") at a rate per annum, determined on a
daily basis, equal to the Applicable Fee Percentage from time to time in effect
as determined pursuant to Section 3.4(c) below, payable in arrears, on the
amount of the Commitment of such Bank, whether used or unused, determined on a
daily basis, during the preceding calendar quarter (or short period commencing
with the Closing Date, and ending with the last day of the Commitment Period or
any date on which the Commitment of such Bank shall be terminated or assigned
in whole).

         (b)     UNUSED COMMITMENT FEE.  The Borrower agrees to pay to each
Bank, through the Agent, on last day of each Fiscal Quarter commencing with the
Fiscal Quarter ending October 29, 1994, and on the date on which the
Commitments of the Banks shall have been terminated or assigned in whole as
provided herein, an unused commitment fee (an "Unused Commitment Fee") at a
rate per annum, determined on a daily basis, equal to the Applicable Fee
Percentage from time to time in effect as determined pursuant to Section 3.4(c)
below, payable in arrears, on the average daily unused portion of the
Commitment of such Bank, determined on a daily basis, during the preceding
calendar quarter (or short period commencing with the Closing Date and ending
with the last day of the Commitment Period or any date on


                                       26





                                 PAGE 59 OF 126
<PAGE>   36

which the Commitment of such Bank shall be terminated or assigned in whole).
For the purposes of calculating Unused Commitment Fees in respect of
Commitments, any portion of such Commitment unavailable due to Revolving Credit
Loans, outstanding Time Drafts in respect of Commercial Letters of Credit,
outstanding Standby Letters of Credit and outstanding Acceptances shall be
deemed to be usage.  Any portion of such Commitment unavailable due to
outstanding Sight Drafts under Commercial Letters of Credit shall not be deemed
to be usage for the purposes of computing the Unused Commitment Fee.
Negotiated Bid Loans and Pre-Closing Date Acceptances shall not be deemed to be
usage for the purposes of computing the Unused Commitment Fee.

         (c)     DETERMINATION OF APPLICABLE FEE PERCENTAGE.   So long as no
Event of Default shall exist, the Applicable Fee Percentage shall be adjusted
as herein specified as of the first day of the Fiscal Quarter ("Fee Adjustment
Date") during which (or, in the case of the first Fiscal Quarter of any Fiscal
Year, subsequent to which) the Agent shall have received (A) financial
statements required by Sections 8.1(a) (or, in the case of the case of the
first Fiscal Quarter of any Fiscal Year, by Section 8.1(b)) for the period
ending as of the last day of the Fiscal Quarter (or, in the case of the first
Fiscal Quarter of any Fiscal Year, the Fiscal Year) immediately preceding such
Fee Adjustment Date (each a "Fee Determination Date") and (B) a certificate
complying with Section 8.1(c)(ii) certifying the Borrower's Consolidated Fixed
Charge Coverage Ratio and the Borrower's Consolidated Leverage Ratio as of any
such Fee Determination Date; PROVIDED, HOWEVER, subject to the provisions of
the last sentence of this Section 3.4(c), the Applicable Fee Percentage to be
in effect from the Closing Date until the earlier of the delivery of the
Borrower's financial statements for the Borrower's 1995 Fiscal Year or one
hundred twenty days (120) after the last day of the Borrower's 1995 Fiscal
Year, shall be .225%; PROVIDED, FURTHER, that, with respect to any increase or
decrease in the Unused Commitment Fee and Facility Fee for the first Fiscal
Quarter of each Fiscal Year, such increase or decrease, as the case may be
shall be paid by an adjustment to the Unused Commitment Fee or Facility Fee, as
the case may be, payable for the second Fiscal Quarter of such Fiscal Year.  As
of any such Fee Adjustment Date, the Applicable Fee Percentage shall be the
Applicable Fee Percentage indicated in the definition of the term "Applicable
Fee Percentage" corresponding to the Borrower's Consolidated Fixed Charge
Coverage Ratio and the Borrower's Consolidated Leverage Ratio as of any such
Fee Determination Date.  Any such adjustment of the Applicable Fee Percentage
shall cease to be effective from the earlier of the next Fee Adjustment Date or
the date on which an Event of Default shall occur.  The Applicable Fee
Percentage effective from such earlier date and from time to time thereafter
shall be the Applicable Fee Percentage as may be applicable at such time
pursuant to this Section 3.4(c); PROVIDED, HOWEVER, that, if an Event of
Default shall have occurred, the Applicable Fee Percentage shall be 0.25%.

         (d)     RISK PARTICIPATION FEE.  The Letter of Credit Bank shall share
with the Banks, on a pro rata basis, a risk participation fee (the "Risk
Participation Fee") with respect to each Standby Letter of Credit and each Time
Draft accepted by the Letter of Credit Bank in an amount equal to the per annum
rate equal to the Applicable Loan Percentage in effect pursuant to Section
3.5(b) times the face amount of each such Standby Letter of Credit and each
accepted Time Draft.  The Letter of Credit Bank shall pay such Risk
Participation Fees to the Agent for the account of the Banks on the last day of
each calendar quarter commencing December 31, 1994.

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                                 PAGE 60 OF 126
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         (e)     AGENT'S FEE.  The Borrower agrees to pay to the Agent for the
sole account of the Agent an annual fee as set forth in the Agent's Fee Letter.

         (f)     ACCEPTANCE COMMISSION.  The Borrower agrees to pay the Agent,
on behalf of the Banks, acceptance commissions ("Acceptance Commissions") with
respect to each Acceptance created by the Agent pursuant to the terms hereof in
an amount equal to the per annum rate equal to Applicable Loan Percentage in
effect pursuant to Section 3.5(b) hereof times the face amount of each
Acceptance created, for the period from the date of the creation of such
Acceptance to the date of its maturity; PROVIDED, HOWEVER, that, from the
Closing Date until the earlier of the delivery of the Borrower's financial
statements for the Borrower's 1995 Fiscal Year or one hundred twenty days (120)
after the last day of the Borrower's 1995 Fiscal Year, the Applicable Loan
Percentage for the purposes of this Section 3.4(f) shall be 1.75%.  Each Bank
other than the Agent shall be entitled to receive an Acceptance Commission in
an amount based upon ninety-two and one-half per cent (92-1/2%) of its
Acceptance Exposure in each such Acceptance.  The entire remainder of the
Acceptance Commission shall in each case be paid to and retained by the Agent.
For purposes of effecting payment of such commissions, the Borrower hereby
irrevocably directs the Agent, and the Agent agrees, to deduct on the due date
of the commission, the amount thereof from the proceeds of the discount of such
Acceptance effected by the Agent on such date.

         (g)     LETTER OF CREDIT FEES.  The Borrower agrees to pay to the
Letter of Credit Bank for the sole account of the Letter of Credit Bank the
fees set forth in the Letter of Credit Bank's Fee Letter.

         (h)     FEES NONREFUNDABLE.  All fees set forth in this Section 3.4
and closing fees payable pursuant to Section 6.11 shall be paid on the date
due, in immediately available funds, to the Agent for distribution, if and as
appropriate, to the Banks and once paid, none of such fees shall be refundable
under any circumstances.

         SECTION 3.5      INTEREST.

         (a)     REGULAR INTEREST.  The Borrower shall pay interest on the
unpaid principal amount of each Loan made by each Bank from the date of such
Loan until such principal amount shall be paid in full at the following times
and rates per annum:

              (i)         PRIME RATE LOANS.  During such periods as a Revolving
         Credit Loan is a Prime Rate Loan, a rate per annum equal at all times
         to the Prime Rate, payable quarterly, in arrears, on the last day of
         each Fiscal Quarter and on the date such Prime Rate Loan shall be
         converted or paid in full (whether at maturity, by reason of
         acceleration or otherwise).

             (ii)         FED FUNDS RATE LOANS.  During such periods as a
         Revolving Credit Loan is a Fed Funds Rate Loan, a rate per annum equal
         at all times during each Interest Period for such Loan to the sum of
         the Fed Funds Rate for such Interest Period for such Loan plus the
         Applicable Loan Percentage in effect at the time of the making, the



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                                 PAGE 61 OF 126
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         conversion or continuation of such Loan, as the case may be, in
         accordance with Section 3.1(h), payable on the last day of such
         Interest Period and on the date such Fed Funds Rate Loan shall be
         converted or paid in full (whether at maturity, by reason of   
         acceleration or otherwise).

            (iii)         LIBOR LOANS.  During such periods as a Revolving
         Credit Loan is a LIBOR Loan, a rate per annum equal to the sum of the
         Adjusted LIBOR plus the Applicable Loan Percentage in effect from time
         to time from and after each Interest Adjustment Date occurring on or
         prior to the date of the making, the conversion or the continuation of
         such Loan, as the case may be, in accordance with Section 3.1(h),
         payable (A) on the last day of each Interest Period and (B) if such
         Interest Period has a duration of more than three months, three months
         after the first day of such Interest Period and (C) on the date such
         LIBOR Loan shall be converted to a Prime Rate Loan or a Fed Funds Rate
         Loan or paid in full (whether at maturity, by reason of acceleration
         or otherwise).

         (b)     APPLICABLE LOAN PERCENTAGE; TERMS OF ADJUSTMENT.

                      (i)         COMMENCEMENT; CONDITIONS.  So long as no
         Event of Default shall exist, the Applicable Loan Percentage shall be
         adjusted as herein specified as of the Closing Date and as of the
         first day of the calendar month (each an "Interest Adjustment Date")
         commencing after the date the Agent shall have received (A) financial
         statements required by Sections 8.1(a) or 8.1(b) for the period ending
         as of the last day of the Fiscal Quarter or Fiscal Year immediately
         preceding such Interest Adjustment Date (each a "Determination Date")
         and (B) a certificate complying with Section 8.1(c)(ii) certifying the
         Borrower's Consolidated Fixed Charge Coverage Ratio and the Borrower's
         Consolidated Leverage Ratio as of any such Determination Date;
         PROVIDED, HOWEVER, subject to the provisions of clause (ii) below, the
         Applicable Loan Percentage to be in effect from the Closing Date until
         the earlier of the delivery of the Borrower's financial statements for
         the Borrower's 1995 Fiscal Year or one hundred twenty days (120) after
         the last day of the Borrower's 1995 Fiscal Year, shall be 1.75%.

                          (ii)    CALCULATION AND DURATION OF ADJUSTMENT.  On
         each Interest Adjustment Date the Applicable Loan Percentage shall be
         the Applicable Loan Percentage indicated in the definition of the term
         "Applicable Loan Percentage" corresponding to the Borrower's
         Consolidated Fixed Charge Coverage Ratio and the Borrower's
         Consolidated Leverage Ratio as of any such Determination Date.  Any
         such adjustment of the Applicable Loan Percentage shall cease to be
         effective commencing on the earlier of (x) the next Interest
         Adjustment Date, (y) the Banking Day following the day on which the
         financial statements required to be delivered under Section 8.1(a) or
         8.1(b), as the case may be, for the period ending as of the last day
         of the Fiscal Quarter or Fiscal Year immediately preceding the date
         upon which the then Applicable Loan Percentage shall cease to be
         effective or (z) the date upon which an Event of Default shall occur.
         The Applicable Loan Percentage effective from such earlier date and
         from time to time thereafter shall be the  Applicable Loan Percentage
         as may be



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<PAGE>   39

         applicable at such time pursuant to this Section 3.5(b);
         PROVIDED, HOWEVER, that (A) if an Event of Default (other than an
         Event of Default under Section 10.1) shall occur, the Applicable Loan
         Percentage shall be 2.50% and (B) if an Event of Default under Section
         10.1 shall occur, the interest rate shall be the interest rate in
         effect pursuant to Section 3.5(c).

         (c)     DEFAULT INTEREST.   If any principal, interest or fees due
under this Agreement shall not be paid when due or if any Revolving Credit Note
shall not be paid at maturity, whether such maturity occurs by reason of lapse
of time or by operation of any provision of acceleration of maturity therein
contained, the principal thereof and the unpaid interest and fees thereon shall
bear interest, payable on demand, for Prime Rate Loans, LIBOR Loans and Fed
Funds Rate Loans, at a rate per annum which shall be equal at all time to the
greater of (x) two percent (2.0%) in excess of the rate per annum required to
be paid on such Loans immediately prior to the date on which such amount became
due or (y) two percent (2.0%) in excess of the Prime Rate from time to time in
effect.  The Borrower acknowledges that this calculation will result in the
accrual of interest on interest and the Borrower expressly consents and agrees
to this provision.

         (d)     INTEREST RATE DETERMINATION.

                      (i)         AGENT DETERMINATION; NOTICE.  The Agent shall
         determine the Adjusted LIBOR and the Fed Funds Rate in accordance with
         the definition of LIBOR Rate and Fed Funds Rate and Adjusted LIBOR set
         forth in Section 1.1.  The Agent shall give prompt notice to the
         Borrower and the Banks of the applicable interest rate determined by
         the Agent for purposes of Section 3.5(a)(i) or (ii) or (iii).

                      (ii)       FAILURE OF BORROWER TO ELECT.    If no
         Interest Period is specified in any Notice of Borrowing for any LIBOR
         Rate Loans comprising a Revolving Credit Borrowing or any Fed Funds
         Rate Loans comprising a Revolving Credit Borrowing, the Borrower shall
         be deemed to have selected an Interest Period with a duration of the
         one month with respect to LIBOR Loans and seven days with respect to
         Fed Funds Rate Loans.  If the Borrower shall not have given notice in
         accordance with Section 3.1(h) to continue any LIBOR Rate Loans
         comprising a Revolving Credit Borrowing into a subsequent Interest
         Period (and shall not have otherwise delivered a Rate
         Conversion/Continuation Request in accordance with Section 3.1(h) to
         convert such Loans), subject to the limitations set forth in Section
         3.1(h) such LIBOR Rate Loans shall, at the end of the Interest Period
         applicable thereto (unless repaid pursuant to the terms hereof),
         automatically continue as LIBOR Rate Loans having the same Interest
         Period as the immediately preceding Interest Period for such LIBOR
         Loans; PROVIDED, HOWEVER , that, if an Event of Default shall have
         occurred and be continuing, such LIBOR Loans shall be converted to
         Prime Rate Loans.  If the Borrower shall not have given notice in
         accordance with Section 3.1(h) to continue or convert any Fed Funds
         Rate Loans comprising a Revolving Credit Borrowing into a subsequent
         Interest Period (and shall not have otherwise delivered a Rate
         Conversion/Continuation Request in accordance with Section 3.1(h) to
         convert such Fed Funds Rate Loans), such Fed Funds



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Rate Loans shall, at the end of the Interest Period applicable thereto (unless
repaid pursuant to the terms hereof), automatically convert to Prime Rate
Loans.

         SECTION 3.6      PAYMENTS AND COMPUTATIONS.

         (a)     PAYMENTS.  The Borrower shall make each payment hereunder and
under the Notes with respect to principal of, interest on, and other amounts
relating to Revolving Credit Loans, not later than 11:00 A.M. (Cleveland, Ohio
time) on the day when due in dollars to the Agent in immediately available
funds by deposit of such funds to the Agent's account maintained at the Payment
Office.  Payments received after 12:00 noon (Cleveland time) on any day shall
be deemed to have been received on the next succeeding Banking Day.  The Agent
will promptly thereafter cause to be distributed like funds relating to the
payment of principal, interest, Unused Commitment Fees or Facility Fees or
other fees or other amounts which may be received in respect of the Obligations
of the Borrower under this Agreement ratably (other than as provided in Section
3.4(f) and amounts payable pursuant to Section 3.4(e) and 3.4(g) solely to the
Agent or the Letter of Credit Bank, as the case may be) to each of the Banks
for the account of its respective Lending Office, and like funds relating to
the payment of any other amount payable to any Bank to such Bank for the
account of its Lending Office.  The funds so distributed to each Bank shall in
each case be applied by such Bank in accordance with the terms of this
Agreement.

         (b)     AUTHORIZATION TO CHARGE ACCOUNT.  If and to the extent payment
owed to any Bank is not made when due hereunder or under the Note held by such
Bank, the Borrower hereby authorizes such Bank to charge from time to time
against any or all of the Borrower's general deposit accounts with such Bank
any amount so due.

         (c)     COMPUTATIONS OF INTEREST AND FEES.  All computations of
interest, commitment fees and letter of credit fees and all other fees shall be
made by the Agent on the basis of a year of 360 days in each case for the
actual number of days (including the first day but excluding the last day)
occurring in the period for which such interest or fees are payable.  Each
determination by the Agent (or, in the case of Section 3.7, by a Bank) of an
interest rate hereunder shall be conclusive and binding for all purposes,
absent manifest error.

         (d)     PAYMENT NOT ON BANKING DAY.  Whenever any payment hereunder or
under the Notes shall be stated to be due on a day other than a Banking Day,
such payment shall be made on the next succeeding Banking Day, EXCEPT, that, if
such extension would cause payment of interest on or principal of LIBOR Loans
to be made in the next following calendar month, such payment shall be made on
the immediately preceding Banking Day.  Any such extension or reduction of time
shall in such case be included in the computation of payment of interest,
Commitment Fee or Facility Fee, as the case may be.

         (e)     PRESUMPTION OF PAYMENT IN FULL BY BORROWER.  Unless the Agent
shall have received notice from the Borrower prior to the date on which any
payment is due to the Banks hereunder that the Borrower will not make such
payment in full, the Agent may assume that the Borrower will make or has made
such payment in full to the Agent on such date.  In reliance upon such
assumption, the Agent may, but shall not be obligated to, distribute to each


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                                 PAGE 64 OF 126
<PAGE>   41

Bank on such due date the amount then due such Bank.  If and to the extent the
Borrower shall not have made such payment in full to the Agent, each Bank shall
repay to the Agent promptly upon demand the amount distributed to such Bank
together with interest thereon, for each day from the date such amount is
distributed to such Bank until the date such Bank repays such amount to the
Agent, at the Federal Funds Rate plus the amount of any costs, expenses,
liabilities or losses incurred by the Agent in connection with its distribution
of such funds.

         SECTION 3.7      RESERVES; TAXES; INDEMNITIES.

         (a)     RESERVES OR DEPOSIT REQUIREMENTS.  If at any time any Law,
treaty or regulation (including, without limitation, Regulation D of the Board
of Governors of the Federal Reserve System) or the interpretation thereof by
any governmental authority charged with the administration thereof or any
central bank or other fiscal, monetary or other authority shall impose (whether
or not having the force of Law), modify or deem applicable any reserve and/or
special deposit requirement (other than reserves included in the Reserve
Percentage, the effect of which is reflected in the interest rate(s) of the
LIBOR Loan(s) in question) against assets held by, or deposits in or for the
amount of any loans by, any Bank, and the result of the foregoing is to
increase the cost (whether by incurring a cost or adding to a cost) to such
Bank of making or maintaining hereunder LIBOR Loans or to reduce the amount of
principal or interest received by such Bank with respect to such LIBOR Loans,
then upon demand by such Bank the Borrower shall pay to such Bank from time to
time on Interest Adjustment Dates with respect to such loans, as additional
consideration hereunder, additional amounts sufficient to fully compensate and
indemnify such Bank for such increased cost or reduced amount, assuming (which
assumption such Bank need not corroborate) such additional cost or reduced
amount was allocable to such LIBOR Loans.  A certificate as to the increased
cost or reduced amount as a result of any event mentioned in this Section
3.7(a), setting forth the calculations therefor, shall be promptly submitted by
such Bank to the Borrower and shall, in the absence of manifest error, be
conclusive and binding as to the amount thereof. Notwithstanding any other
provision of this Agreement, after any such demand for compensation by any
Bank, the Borrower, upon at least three (3) Banking Days' prior written notice
to such Bank through the Agent, may prepay the affected LIBOR Loans in full or
convert all LIBOR Loans to Prime Rate Loans or Fed Funds Rate Loans regardless
of the Interest Period of any thereof.  Any such prepayment or conversion shall
entitle the Banks to the prepayment compensation provided for in Section 3.3
hereof.  Each Bank will notify the Borrower as promptly as practicable (with a
copy thereof delivered to the Agent) of the existence of any event which will
likely require the payment by the Borrower of any such additional amount under
this Section.

         (b)     IMPOSITION OF TAXES.  In the event that by reason of any Law,
regulation or requirement or in the interpretation thereof by an official
authority, or the imposition of any requirement of any central bank whether or
not having the force of Law, any Bank shall, with respect to this Agreement or
any transaction under this Agreement, be subjected to any tax, levy, impost,
charge, fee, duty, deduction or withholding of any kind whatsoever (other than
any tax imposed upon the total net income of such Bank) and if any such
measures or any other similar measure shall result in an increase in the cost
to such Bank of making or maintaining any LIBOR Loan or in a reduction in the
amount of principal, interest or


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                                 PAGE 65 OF 126
<PAGE>   42

commitment fee receivable by such Bank in respect thereof, then such Bank shall
promptly notify the Borrower stating the reasons therefor.  The Borrower shall
thereafter pay to such Bank upon demand from time to time on Interest
Adjustment Dates with respect to such LIBOR Loans, as additional consideration
hereunder, such additional amounts as will fully compensate such Bank for such
increased cost or reduced amount.  A certificate as to any such increased cost
or reduced amount, setting forth the calculations therefor, shall be submitted
by such Bank to the Borrower and shall, in the absence of manifest error, be
conclusive and binding as to the amount thereof.  Notwithstanding any other
provision of this Agreement, after any such demand for compensation by any
Bank, the Borrower, upon at least three (3) Banking Days prior written notice
to such Bank through the Agent, may prepay the affected LIBOR Loans in full or
convert all LIBOR Loans to Prime Rate Loans or Fed Funds Rate Loans regardless
of the Interest Period of any thereof.  Any such prepayment or conversion shall
entitle the Banks to prepayment compensation provided for in Section 3.3
hereof.

         (c)     EURODOLLAR DEPOSITS UNAVAILABLE OR INTEREST RATE
UNASCERTAINABLE.  In respect of any LIBOR Loans, in the event that the Agent or
any Bank shall have determined that dollar deposits of the relevant amount for
the relevant Interest Period for such LIBOR Loans are not available to the
Reference Bank in the applicable Eurodollar market or that, by reason of
circumstances affecting such market, adequate and reasonable means do not exist
for ascertaining the LIBOR rate applicable to such Interest Period, as the case
may be, the Agent or such Bank shall promptly give notice of such determination
to the Borrower and (i) any notice of new LIBOR Loans (or conversion of
existing loans to LIBOR Loans) previously given by the Borrower and not yet
borrowed (or converted, as the case may be) shall be deemed a notice to make
Prime Rate Loans, and (ii) the Borrower shall be obligated either to prepay or
to convert any outstanding LIBOR Loans on the last day of the then current
Interest Period or Periods with respect thereto. Any such prepayment or
conversion shall entitle the Banks to prepayment compensation provided for in
Section 3.3 hereof.

         (d)     OTHER INTEREST RATE UNATTAINABLE.  In respect of any Fed Funds
Rate Loans, in the event that the Agent or any Bank shall have determined that,
by reason of circumstances affecting such market, adequate and reasonable means
do not exist for ascertaining the Fed Funds Rate applicable to such Interest
Period, the Agent or such Bank shall promptly give notice of such determination
to the Borrower and (i) any notice of new Fed Funds Rate Loans (or conversion
of existing Loans to Fed Funds Rate Loans) previously given by the Borrower and
not yet borrowed (or converted, as the case may be) shall be deemed a notice to
make Prime Rate Loans, and (ii) the Borrower shall be obligated either to
prepay or to convert any outstanding Fed Funds Rate Loans on the last day of
the then current Interest Period or Periods with respect thereto.  Any such
prepayment or conversion shall entitle the Banks to prepayment compensation
provided for in Section 3.3 hereof.

         (e)     INDEMNITY.  Without prejudice to any other provisions of this
Article 3, the Borrower hereby agrees to indemnify each Bank against any loss
or expense which such Bank may sustain or incur as a consequence of any default
by the Borrower in payment when due of any amount due hereunder in respect of
any LIBOR Loan or Fed Funds Rate Loan, including, but not limited to, any loss
of profit, premium or penalty incurred by such Bank in



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                                 PAGE 66 OF 126
<PAGE>   43

respect of funds borrowed by it for the purpose of making or maintaining such
LIBOR Loan or Fed Funds Rate Loan, as determined by such Bank in the exercise
of its sole but reasonable discretion.  A certificate as to any such loss or
expense shall be promptly submitted by such Bank to the Borrower and shall, in
the absence of manifest error, be conclusive and binding as to the amount
thereof.

         (f)     CHANGES IN LAW RENDERING LIBOR LOANS UNLAWFUL.  If at any time
any new Law, treaty or regulation, or any change in any existing Law, treaty or
regulation, or any interpretation thereof by any governmental or other
regulatory authority charged with the administration thereof, shall make it
unlawful for any Bank to fund any LIBOR Loans which it is committed to make
hereunder with moneys obtained in the Eurodollar market, the commitment of such
Bank to fund LIBOR Loans shall, upon the happening of such event forthwith be
suspended for the duration of such illegality, and such Bank shall by written
notice to the Borrower and the Agent declare that its Commitment with respect
to such Loans has been so suspended and, if and when such illegality ceases to
exist, such suspension shall cease and such Bank shall similarly notify the
Borrower and the Agent.  If any such change shall make it unlawful for any Bank
to continue in effect the funding in the applicable Eurodollar market of any
LIBOR Loan previously made by it hereunder, such Bank shall, upon the happening
of such event, notify the Borrower, the Agent and the other Banks thereof in
writing stating the reasons therefor, and the Borrower shall, on the earlier of
(i) the last day of the then current Interest Period or (ii) if required by
such Law, regulation or interpretation, on such date as shall be specified in
such notice, either convert all LIBOR Loans to Prime Rate Loans or Fed Funds
Rate Loans to the extent permissible under this Agreement or prepay all LIBOR
Loans to the Banks in full.  Any such prepayment or conversion shall entitle
the Banks to prepayment compensation as provided in Section 3.3 hereof.

         (g)     FUNDING.  Each Bank may, but shall not be required to, make
LIBOR Loans hereunder with funds obtained outside the United States.

         SECTION 3.8      CAPITAL ADEQUACY.  If any Bank shall have determined,
that, whether in effect at the date of this Agreement or hereafter in effect,
any applicable Law, rule, regulation or guideline regarding capital adequacy,
or any change therein, or any change in the interpretation or administration
thereof by any governmental authority, central bank or comparable agency
charged with the interpretation or administration thereof, or compliance by any
Bank (or its Lending Office) with any request or directive regarding capital
adequacy (whether or not having the force of Law) of any such authority,
central bank or comparable agency, has or would have the effect of reducing the
rate of return on such Bank's capital allocated to the transactions
contemplated by this Agreement (or the capital of its holding company) as a
consequence of its obligations hereunder to a level below that which such Bank
(or its holding company) could have achieved but for such adoption, change or
compliance (taking into consideration such Bank's policies or the policies of
its holding company with respect to capital adequacy) by an amount deemed by
such Bank to be material, then from time to time, within 15 days after demand
by such Bank (with a copy to the Agent), the Borrower shall pay to such Bank
such additional amount or amounts as will compensate such Bank (or its holding
company) for such reduction.  Each Bank will designate a different lending
office



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                                 PAGE 67 OF 126
<PAGE>   44

if such designation will avoid the need for, or reduce the amount of, such
compensation and will not, in the judgment of such Bank, be otherwise
disadvantageous to such Bank.  A certificate of any Bank claiming compensation
under this section and setting forth the additional amount or amounts to be
paid to it hereunder shall be conclusive in the absence of manifest error.  In
determining such amount, such Bank may use any reasonable averaging and
attribution methods.  Within four (4) months following the date such
certificate is furnished claiming compensation by any such Bank (the "Affected
Bank"), the Borrower may replace the Affected Bank with a lending institution
satisfactory to the Agent (the consent to which may not be unreasonably
withheld by the Agent), upon such terms and conditions as are satisfactory to
the Majority Banks.  Failure on the part of any Bank to demand compensation for
any reduction in return on capital with respect to any period shall not
constitute a waiver of such Bank's rights to demand compensation for any
reduction in return on capital in such period or in any other period.  The
protection of this Section 3.8 shall be available to each Bank regardless of
any possible contention of the invalidity or inapplicability of the Law,
regulation or other condition which shall have been imposed.

         SECTION 3.9      TAXES.

         (a)     TAXES; WITHHOLDING.  Any and all payments by the Borrower
hereunder, under the Notes or the other Related Writings shall be made, in
accordance with the provisions of Article 3, free and clear of and without
deduction for any and all present or future taxes, levies, imposts, deductions,
charges or withholdings, and all liabilities with respect thereto, EXCLUDING,
in the case of each Bank, taxes imposed on its income, and franchise taxes
imposed on it, by the jurisdiction under the Laws of which such Bank is
organized or any political subdivision thereof (all such non-excluded taxes,
levies, imposts, deductions, charges, withholdings and liabilities being
hereinafter referred to as "Taxes").  If the Borrower shall be required by Law
to deduct any Taxes from or in respect of any sum payable hereunder or under
any Note to any Bank or the Agent, (i) the sum payable shall be increased as
may be necessary so that after making all required deductions (including
deductions applicable to additional sums payable under this Section 3.9) such
Bank (as the case may be) receives an amount equal to the sum it would have
received had no such deductions been made, (ii) the Borrower shall make such
deductions and (iii) the Borrower shall pay the full amount deducted to the
relevant taxation authority or other authority in accordance with applicable
Law.  All such Taxes shall be paid by the Borrower prior to the date on which
penalties attach thereto or interest accrues thereon; PROVIDED, HOWEVER, that,
if any such penalties or interest become due, the Borrower shall make prompt
payment thereof to the appropriate governmental authority.  The Borrower shall
indemnify each Bank for the full amount of such Taxes (including any Taxes on
amounts payable under this Section 3.9) paid by the Bank and any liability
(including penalties, interest and expenses) arising therefrom or with respect
thereto, whether or not such Taxes were correctly or legally asserted.  Any
indemnification payment shall be made within thirty (30) days from the date the
Bank makes written demand therefor.


         (b)     STAMP TAXES.  The Borrower agrees to pay, and will indemnify
each Bank and the Agent for, any present or future stamp or documentary taxes
or any other excise or



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                                 PAGE 68 OF 126
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property taxes, charges or similar levies which arise from any payment made
hereunder or under the Notes or from the execution, delivery or registration
of, or otherwise with respect to, this Agreement or the Notes (hereinafter
referred to as "Other Taxes").

         (c)     OTHER TAXES.  The Borrower will indemnify each Bank and the
Agent for the full amount of Taxes or Other Taxes (including, without
limitation, any Taxes or Other Taxes imposed by any jurisdiction on amounts
payable under this section 3.10) paid by such Bank or the Agent (as the case
may be) and any liability (including penalties, interest and expenses) arising
therefrom or with respect thereto, whether or not such Taxes or Other Taxes
were correctly or legally asserted.  Any indemnification payment shall be made
within thirty (30) days from the date such Bank or the Agent (as the case may
be) makes written demand therefor.

         (d)     REMOVAL OF BANK.  Within four (4) months following the date
the Agent or a Bank shall make a written demand for Taxes or Other Taxes
pursuant to this Section 3.9, the Borrower may replace the Affected Bank with a
lending institution satisfactory to the Agent (the consent to which may not be
unreasonably withheld by the Agent), upon such terms and conditions as are
satisfactory to the Majority Banks (exclusive of each Affected Bank and be
computed without consideration of the Commitment of each such Affected Bank).
Failure on the part of any Bank to demand compensation for any reduction in
return on capital with respect to any period shall not constitute a waiver of
such Bank's rights to demand compensation for any reduction in return on
capital in such period or in any other period.  The protection of this Section
shall be available to each Bank regardless of any possible contention of the
invalidity or inapplicability of the law, regulation or other condition which
shall have been imposed.

         (e)     REQUEST FOR REFUND.  At the reasonable request of the
Borrower, a Bank or the Agent shall apply at the Borrower's expense for a
refund in respect of Taxes or Other Taxes previously paid by the Borrower
pursuant to this Section 3.9 if in the opinion of such Bank or the Agent there
is a reasonable basis for such refund.  Notwithstanding the foregoing, none of
the Banks or the Agent shall be obligated to pursue such refund if, in its sole
good faith judgment, such action would be disadvantageous to it.  If any Bank
subsequently receives from a taxing authority a refund of any Tax previously
paid by the Borrower and for which the Borrower has indemnified the Bank
pursuant to this Section 3.9, such Bank shall within thirty (30) days after
receipt of such refund, and to the extent permitted by applicable Law, pay to
the Borrower the net amount of any such recovery after deducting taxes and
expenses attributable thereto.

         (f)     EXEMPTION CERTIFICATE.  Not later than the Closing Date or, in
the case of any bank or financial institution that becomes a Bank after the
Closing Date, pursuant to Article 13, the date of the instrument of assignment
pursuant to which such bank or financial institution became a Bank, and
annually on each Anniversary Date thereafter or at such other times as the
Agent or the Borrower may request, (i) each Bank organized under the Laws of a
jurisdiction outside the United States shall provide the Agent and the Borrower
with duly completed copies of Form 1001 or Form 4224 or any successor form
prescribed by the Internal Revenue Service of the United States certifying that
such Bank is exempt from United States withholding taxes with respect to all
payments to be made to such Bank hereunder or other

                                       36





                                 PAGE 69 OF 126
<PAGE>   46

document satisfactory to the Borrower and the Agent indicating that all
payments to be made to such Bank hereunder are not subject to such taxes and
(ii) each other Bank shall provide the Agent and the Borrower with a written
statement that it is not a non-resident alien or foreign corporation and which
otherwise satisfies Treasury Regulation Section 1.1441-5(b) or any successor
regulation under the Internal Revenue Code (each such certificate or statement,
an "Exemption Certificate").  Unless the Agent and the Borrower have received
an Exemption Certificate from such Bank, the Borrower, or the Agent if the
Borrower has not withheld, may withhold taxes from such payments at the
applicable statutory rate (subject, in the case of the Borrower to the
requirements of Section 3.9(a)); PROVIDED, HOWEVER, that if the Borrower has
withheld it shall so notify the Agent.  If the Borrower is required to pay
additional amounts to any Bank pursuant to this Section 3.9, such Bank shall
use reasonable efforts to designate a different Lending Office if such
designation will thereafter avoid the need for any additional payments under
this Section 3.9 and will not, in the sole judgment of such Bank, be otherwise
disadvantageous to such Bank.  A Bank which ceases to be exempt from United
States withholding taxes shall notify the Agent and the Borrower promptly
thereof.

         (g)     FURNISHING OF CERTIFICATE.  Within 30 days after the date of
any payment of Taxes, the Borrower will furnish to the Agent, at its address
set forth on the signature page of the Agent to this Agreement or such other
address as the Agent notifies the Banks, the original or a certified copy of a
receipt evidencing payment thereof. The Borrower hereby represents and warrants
to the Agent and each of the Banks that no Taxes are payable in respect of any
payment made hereunder. If Taxes ever become payable in respect of any payment
hereunder or under the Notes made during a Fiscal Quarter, thereafter the
Borrower will furnish to the Agent, within (30) days after the end of such
Fiscal Quarter, at such address, a certificate from the Borrower stating that
any payments made during such Fiscal Quarter are exempt from or not subject to
Taxes.

         (h)     SURVIVAL OF PROVISION.  Without prejudice to the survival of
any other agreement of the Borrower hereunder, the agreements and liabilities
of the Borrower contained in this Section 3.9 shall survive the payment in full
of the outstanding Revolving Credit Loans, Facility Fees, Unused Commitment
Fees, Acceptance Fees, Risk Participation Fees, interest and termination of the
Commitments hereunder.

         SECTION 3.10     PRO RATA TREATMENT.  Except as required by Section
3.7 or Section 11.4(b) or as permitted under Section 3.9, each Revolving Credit
Borrowing, each payment or prepayment of principal of any Revolving Credit
Borrowing, each payment of interest on the Revolving Credit Loans, each payment
of the Facility Fees, each payment of the Unused Commitment Fees, each payment
of Risk Participation Fees, each payment of Acceptance Fees, each reduction of
the Commitments, each Rate Conversion or Rate Continuation of Revolving Credit
Loans comprising a Revolving Credit Borrowing shall be allocated among the
Banks in accordance with each Bank's Ratable Portion of the Total Commitment
Amount (or if the Commitments shall have expired or been terminated, in
accordance with the respective principal amounts of each Bank's Revolving
Credit Loans).





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                                 PAGE 70 OF 126
<PAGE>   47

                                   ARTICLE 4
                                  ACCEPTANCES

         SECTION 4.1      AGREEMENT TO CREATE ACCEPTANCES.  Subject to the
terms and provisions of this Agreement, the Agent on behalf of the Banks agrees
to extend credit in United States Dollars to the Borrower from time to time
during the Commitment Period by creating Acceptances for the Borrower;
PROVIDED, HOWEVER, that in no event  shall (a) the aggregate Risk Participation
Exposure exceed Sixty Million Dollars ($60,000,000) or (b) the aggregate
principal amount of all Revolving Credit Loans PLUS the aggregate Risk
Participation Exposure exceed the Total Commitment Amount.

         SECTION 4.2      ACCEPTANCE CRITERIA.  The Borrower shall have the
option, subject to the terms and conditions set forth herein, to request
Acceptances hereunder (i) having a face amount not less than Two Million United
States Dollars (U.S. $2,000,000) or additional increments of Five Hundred
Thousand Dollars ($500,000) or any integral multiple thereof (or such lesser
amount as may be acceptable to the Agent), payable in United States Dollars,
drawn by the Borrower on the Agent in accordance with this Agreement, either to
the order of the Borrower, in which case such draft shall be endorsed by the
Borrower in blank, or to the order of the Agent, (ii) covering a specified
shipment or shipments being purchased or sold by the Borrower, and (iii)
maturing on a Banking Day not more than 180 days after the date of such draft
and not more than 210 days after the date of such shipment or shipments, all as
specified in the relevant Acceptance Request; PROVIDED, HOWEVER, that no
Acceptance shall (a) have a tenor in excess of the period of time which is
usual and reasonably necessary to finance transactions of similar character,
(b) be, together with all other financings relating to the shipment in which
such Acceptance relates, in an aggregate face amount in excess of the c.i.f.
value of such shipment, (c) be created more than thirty (30) days after or more
than thirty (30) days before the date of the shipment to which such Acceptance
relates, or (d) extend beyond the termination of the Commitment Period.

         SECTION 4.3      CONDITIONS TO ACCEPTANCES.  The obligation of Agent
to create each Acceptance hereunder is subject to the following conditions
precedent:  (i) such Acceptance shall comply with the provisions of Section 4.5
hereof and shall also comply with applicable regulations of the Board of
Governors of the Federal Reserve System of the United States governing banker's
acceptances and shall (if accepted and endorsed by a member bank of the Federal
Reserve System or a bank authorized to create eligible acceptances) be eligible
under such regulations for purchase or, if such Acceptance has a maturity at
the time of discount of not more than ninety (90) days sight, exclusive of days
of grace, for discount by the Federal Reserve Banks.

         SECTION 4.4      ACCEPTANCE OBLIGATIONS.  The Borrower is obligated,
and hereby unconditionally agrees, to pay the Agent the face amount of each
Acceptance created by the Agent in accordance with the Acceptance Request sent
pursuant to Section 4.5 hereof on the maturity date thereof, or on such earlier
date as may be required pursuant to other provisions of this Agreement.




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         SECTION 4.5      ACCEPTANCE REQUEST.   The obligation of the Agent to
create Acceptances hereunder is conditioned, in the case of each Acceptance,
upon receipt by the Agent not later than 12:00 noon (Cleveland, Ohio time) of
each requested creation of an Acceptance by a request by the Borrower on the
Banking Day which is the requested date of the Acceptance.  Each such request
(an "Acceptance Request") shall be transmitted by the Borrower to the Agent by
telecopier or such other means as the Agent agrees to in writing, substantially
in the form of Exhibit B-5, specifying therein the requested (A) date of the
Acceptance, (B) number of days such Acceptance is to remain outstanding and the
maturity date thereof and (C) containing the information and certifications
contained in the Acceptance Request in the form of Exhibit B-8 attached hereto.
The Borrower may make an Acceptance Request telephonically so long as written
confirmation of such Acceptance Request is received by the Agent by 1:00 p.m.
(Cleveland, Ohio time) on the day of such telephonic request.  The Agent may
rely on such telephonic request to the same extent that the Agent may rely on a
written Acceptance Request.  Each Acceptance Request, whether written or
telephonic, shall be irrevocable and binding on the Borrower and subject to the
indemnification provisions of Article 3.  The Borrower shall bear all risks
relating to the method of communicating an Acceptance Request elected by the
Borrower.  The Agent may shall give to each Bank prompt notice on the day
received of each such Acceptance Request by telecopier.

         SECTION 4.6      DISCOUNT.  The Agent agrees, on the terms and
conditions of this Agreement, that on the date of the creation by it of each
Acceptance in accordance with the terms of this Agreement the Agent will (i)
discount such Acceptance at the Agent's then current discount rate for prime
banker's acceptances of equal tenor and face amount and (ii) pay to the
Borrower an amount equal to the difference between the proceeds of such
discount and the Acceptance Commission payable to the Agent for distribution to
the Banks in respect of such Acceptance under Section 3.4(f) hereof.

         SECTION 4.7      SUPPLY OF DRAFTS.  To enable the Agent to create
Acceptances in the manner specified herein, the Borrower shall supply the Agent
immediately after the execution of this Agreement, and thereafter promptly upon
request by the Agent, with a sufficient number of blank drafts conforming with
the requirements of this Agreement and duly executed on behalf of the Borrower,
which the Agent shall hold in safekeeping prior to use hereunder.  The Agent
shall indemnify the Borrower or any Bank for any loss the Borrower or any Bank
may suffer resulting solely from the improper use of any of such blank drafts
by any of Agent's officers, directors or employees and the creation of any
acceptances other than those authorized by the Borrower pursuant to Section 4.5
hereof.  The Agent is irrevocably authorized to complete such draft in the
manner specified in the Acceptance Request.  In case any authorized signatory
of the Borrower whose signature shall appear on any draft shall cease to have
such authority before the creation of an Acceptance with respect to such draft,
the obligations of the Borrower hereunder and under such Acceptance shall
nevertheless be  valid for all purposes as if such authority had remained in
force until such creation.





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<PAGE>   49

         SECTION 4.8      PAYMENTS AND COMPUTATIONS; OVERDUE PAYMENTS; 
CANCELLATION OF DRAFTS.

         (a)     PAYMENTS.  Unless otherwise provided herein, all payments of
principal, interest, Acceptance Obligations, premiums, penalties, fees and
other amounts which may become due hereunder, shall be made to the Agent in
immediately available funds for the account of the Banks, and the Agent shall
promptly distribute to each Bank in immediately available funds its ratable
share of the amount of principal, interest, premiums, penalties, Acceptance
Commissions, fees and other amounts which may become due hereunder, received by
it for the account of such Bank in accordance with the provisions of Section
3.10.

         (b)     PAYMENTS NOT ON BANKING DAY.   Whenever any payment pertaining
to an Acceptance Obligation or Time Draft accepted by the Letter of Credit Bank
to be made hereunder shall become due on a day other than a Banking Day, then
such due date shall be the immediately succeeding Banking Day and the Borrower
agrees to pay interest on such amount, in respect of each day during the period
from the date such amount was originally due until the immediately succeeding
Banking Day at a rate per annum equal to (i) the discount rate applicable to
the Acceptance with respect to which such Acceptance Obligation was payable or
(ii) the Prime Rate from time to time in effect with respect to such Time
Draft, as the case may be.

         (c)     OVERDUE PAYMENTS.  Without limiting the rights of the Agent or
any Bank under this Agreement or under applicable Law, the Borrower agrees to
pay interest, to the extent permitted by applicable Law, on any amount payable
under any Acceptance which shall not have been paid when due, in respect of
each day during the period from the date such amount became due until the same
shall be paid in full, at a rate per annum which shall be two percent (2.0%) in
excess of the Prime Rate from time to time in effect.

         (d)     COMPUTATIONS.  All computations of interest, the Acceptance
Commission, and the applicable discount rate pertaining to Acceptances shall be
made based on a year having 360 days and calculated for the actual number of
days elapsed.

         SECTION 4.9      CANCELLATION OF DRAFTS.  Upon payment by the Agent of
an Acceptance, the Agent shall, if the face amount of the Acceptance has been
received by the Agent from the Borrower, cancel the draft with respect to which
payment of the Acceptance was made and forward such cancelled draft, or a
photocopy thereof, to the Borrower.

         SECTION 4.10     ACCEPTANCE OF RISK PARTICIPATION.  The Agent hereby
agrees that it will sell simultaneously with the creation of each Acceptance,
and each Bank hereby agrees that it will buy simultaneously with the creation
of each such Acceptance (subject to the following sentence) an undivided pro
rata participation in any payment which Agent makes for the account of the
Borrower under any Acceptance for which payment Agent is not otherwise
immediately reimbursed by the Borrower.  The aggregate principal amount of all
outstanding Revolving Credit Loans of such Bank plus such Bank's aggregate Risk
Participation Exposure (after taking into effect such Bank's Ratable Portion of
the risk participation created under this Section 4.10) shall not exceed such
Bank's Commitment in effect from time to time.  The sale


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of the risk participation by the Agent, and the purchase thereof by each Bank
respectively, shall occur simultaneously with and shall be evidenced by each
Acceptance.

         SECTION 4.11     REIMBURSEMENT OF AGENT.  The Agent will notify each
other Bank promptly if the Agent makes any payment under an Acceptance which is
not immediately reimbursed by the Borrower.  Upon demand by the Agent, each
Bank shall pay to the Agent that Bank's Ratable Portion of each such payment
made by the Agent. Each such payment shall for all purposes hereunder be deemed
to be a Prime Rate Loan (it being understood that (i) each Bank's obligation to
make such payment is absolute and unconditional and shall not be affected by
any event or circumstance whatsoever, including the occurrence of any Default
or Possible Default hereunder or the failure of any condition precedent set
forth in Article 7 to be satisfied and (ii) each such payment shall be made
without any offset, abatement, withholding or reduction whatsoever).  In
addition, upon demand by the Agent, each Bank will pay an amount equal to such
Bank's pro rata share of all costs and expenses not reimbursed by the Borrower
which have been incurred or made by the Agent as the result of, or in
connection with, any action including, but not limited to, legal action which
may be taken by Agent to obtain reimbursement for payments made by Agent under
any Acceptance.  The principal amount, fees, interest and premiums with respect
to unpaid Acceptance Obligations deemed to be Prime Rate Loans pursuant to this
Section 4.11 shall be recorded on or in respect of the Revolving Credit Note by
each Bank from time to time on any ledger or other record of each Bank and each
Bank shall record such information by such other method as such Bank may
generally employ in accordance with Section 3.1(c); PROVIDED, HOWEVER, that
failure to make any such record shall in no way detract from the Borrower's
obligations under such Bank's Revolving Credit Note.  The aggregate unpaid
Acceptance Obligations shown on the aforesaid records of such Bank shall be
rebuttably presumptive evidence of the principal amount owing and unpaid on
such Revolving Credit Note.

         SECTION 4.12     CONTINUANCE OF ACCEPTANCES.  The Agent, the Banks,
the Letter of Credit Bank and the Borrower agree that with respect to those
certain banker's acceptances or time drafts identified on the Supplemental
Schedule attached hereto which have been issued for the account of the Borrower
by Society prior to the date of this Agreement (a) such banker's acceptances
("Pre- Closing Date Acceptances") shall be deemed to be Acceptances under this
Agreement as of the date this Agreement is becomes effective pursuant to
Section 14.7, subject to the terms and conditions of this Agreement (except
that the Borrower shall not be required by virtue of this Section 4.12 to pay
any additional Acceptance Commission or discount fees for the deemed issuance
of Pre-Closing Date Acceptances hereunder) and (ii) the Borrower shall have all
obligations hereunder in respect of such Pre-Closing Date Acceptances and the
Agent shall be deemed to be the issuer or acceptor thereof.

         SECTION 4.13     TERMINATION OF COMMITMENT; INDEMNIFICATION; 
LIMITATION OF LIABILITY.

         (a)     TERMINATION OF COMMITMENT.  In the event that (i) any
restriction is imposed on the Agent (including, without limitation, any legal
lending or acceptance limits imposed by the United States of America or any
political subdivision thereof) which in the judgment of the



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Agent after consultation with the Borrower would prevent the Agent from
creating Acceptances or maintaining its commitment to create Acceptances or
(ii) there shall have occurred, at any time during the term of this Agreement
(a) any adverse change or a development involving a prospective adverse change
affecting the condition of the Borrower which would materially impair the
ability of the Borrower to meet its Acceptance Obligations, (b) any outbreak of
hostilities or other national or international crisis or change in economic
conditions if the effect of such outbreak, crisis or change would make the
creation of Acceptances or the discount or sale thereof impracticable, (c) the
enactment, publication, decree or other promulgation of any statute,
regulation, rule or order of any court or other governmental authority which
would materially and adversely affect the ability of the Borrower to perform
its obligations under this Agreement, or (d) the taking of any action by any
government or agency in respect of its monetary or fiscal affairs which would
have a material adverse effect on the creation or marketing of banker's
acceptances in the United States of America, then the Agent, in the case of the
occurrence of any event described above, shall give written notice of the
occurrence of such event to the Borrower and the Banks, whereupon the
commitment of the Agent to create Acceptances shall terminate on the effective
date of such notice.  The Borrower shall forthwith pay to the Agent all
Acceptance Obligations on the maturity date of the Acceptance to which each
Acceptance Obligation relates.

         (b)     SPECIAL INDEMNIFICATION FOR INELIGIBILITY.  In the event that
any Acceptance for any reason whatsoever is deemed by the Agent not to be
eligible for discount under the Federal Reserve Act (12 USC 372), the Borrower
agrees to indemnify Agent and each Bank on demand for any and all additional
costs, expenses or damages incurred by Agent or any Bank, directly or
indirectly arising out of such ineligibility, including, without limitation,
any costs of maintaining reserves in respect to any such Acceptance and any
costs or expenses arising in any manner from the illiquidity of the market for
ineligible bankers' acceptances.  A statement as to additional amounts owed to
the Agent or any Bank, showing in detail the basis for the calculation thereof,
submitted in good faith to the Borrower by the Agent or any such Bank, shall be
final, conclusive and binding in the absence of manifest error.

         (c)     LIMITATION OF LIABILITY.  Neither the Agent nor any of its
directors, officers or employees shall be liable to the Borrower, except for
gross negligence or willful misconduct, for any action taken or omitted under
or in connection with any Acceptance, any draft to which an Acceptance relates
or any documents which in turn relate or pertain to any such draft.  When
dealing with any such Acceptance, draft or related documents, Agent shall be
entitled to act and shall be fully protected, against any claim of loss by the
Borrower (except as otherwise provided in this Article 4) occasioned by the
lack, or claimed lack, of authenticity or authority of the issuance of any
draft or any signature thereon, in acting upon any telegram, telex, teletype,
bank wire, cable or radiogram or any writing, application, notice, report,
statement, certificate, resolution, request, order, consent, letter or other
instrument or communication reasonably believed by Agent to be genuine and
correct and to have been signed or sent or made by an authorized person.





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                                   ARTICLE 5
                               LETTERS OF CREDIT

         SECTION 5.1      STANDBY LETTERS OF CREDIT.

         (a)     ISSUANCE.  Subject to the terms and conditions set forth in
this Agreement, upon written request from the Borrower, a copy of which is
delivered to the Agent, the Letter of Credit Bank will issue, for the account
of the Borrower or any Subsidiary of the Borrower, on or at any time after the
date of this Agreement but prior to the earliest of (i) fifteen (15) days prior
to the last day of the Commitment Period or (ii) the date on which the Banks'
Commitments are terminated in full, whether pursuant to Section 3.2 or Article
11 hereof or otherwise, Standby Letters of Credit in such form as the Borrower
and the Letter of Credit Bank may agree, but in no case having a final expiry
date later than fifteen (15) Banking Days prior to last day of the Commitment
Period, and in all cases in compliance with all applicable provisions of Law;
PROVIDED, HOWEVER, that, in no event shall (x) the aggregate Risk Participation
Exposure exceed Sixty Million Dollars ($60,000,000) or (y) the aggregate
principal amount of all Revolving Credit Loans PLUS the aggregate Risk
Participation Exposure exceed the Total Commitment Amount.

         (b)     REIMBURSEMENT OBLIGATIONS.  Each Standby Letter of Credit
issued by the Letter of Credit Bank hereunder shall be issued pursuant to the
Letter of Credit Bank's standard and customary form APPLICATION AND AGREEMENT
FOR IRREVOCABLE STANDBY LETTER OF CREDIT then in use and shall identify:  (i)
the respective dates of issuance and expiry of such Standby Letter of Credit
(which date of expiry shall not be greater than one (1) year after its
issuance), (ii) the amount of such Standby Letter of Credit (which shall be a
sum certain), (iii) the beneficiary and account party of such Standby Letter of
Credit and (iv) the drafts and other documents (if any) necessary to be
presented to the Letter of Credit Bank upon a drawing thereunder.  To the
extent that any of the terms of the above referenced APPLICATION AND AGREEMENT
FOR COMMERCIAL LETTER OF CREDIT conflict with the terms of this Agreement, the
terms of this Agreement shall control.

         (c)     PAYMENT OF STANDBY LETTER OF CREDIT OBLIGATIONS.  The Borrower
hereby agrees to pay the Letter of Credit Bank, on demand, the amount of each
drawing under any Standby Letter of Credit issued by the Letter of Credit Bank
pursuant to this Section, plus interest from the date of such drawing until
paid in full to the Letter of Credit Bank by the Borrower or pursuant to
Section 5.3(b) hereof, at an annual rate equal to the Prime Rate from time to
time in effect.

         SECTION 5.2      COMMERCIAL LETTERS OF CREDIT.

         (a)     ISSUANCE OF COMMERCIAL LETTERS OF CREDIT; TIME DRAFTS.
Subject to the terms and conditions set forth in this Agreement, upon written
request from the Borrower, a copy of which is delivered to the Agent, the
Letter of Credit Bank will issue, for the account of the Borrower or any
Subsidiary of the Borrower, on or at any time after the date of this Agreement
but prior to the earliest of (a) fifteen (15) days prior to the last day of the
Commitment Period, or (b) the date on which the Banks' Commitments are
terminated in full, whether pursuant to Section 3.2 or Article 11 hereof or
otherwise, Commercial Letters of Credit in such form as

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                                 PAGE 76 OF 126
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the Borrower and the Letter of Credit Bank may agree, but in no case having a
final expiry date later than fifteen (15) Banking Days prior to last day of the
Commitment Period, and in all cases in compliance with all applicable
provisions of Law; PROVIDED, HOWEVER, that, in no event shall (a) the aggregate
Risk Participation Exposure exceed Sixty Million Dollars ($60,000,000) or (b)
the aggregate principal amount of all Revolving Credit Loans PLUS the aggregate
Risk Participation Exposure exceed the Total Commitment Amount.

         (b)     REIMBURSEMENT OBLIGATIONS.  Each Commercial Letter of Credit
issued by the Letter of Credit Bank hereunder shall be issued pursuant to the
Letter of Credit Bank's standard and customary form APPLICATION AND AGREEMENT
FOR COMMERCIAL LETTER OF CREDIT then in use and shall identify:  (i) the
respective dates of issuance and expiry of such Commercial Letter of Credit and
any related Time Draft (which date of expiry of such Letter of Credit or Time
Draft shall not be greater than one hundred eighty (180) days after its
issuance and shall not extend beyond fifteen (15) Banking Days prior to the
last day of the Commitment Period), (ii) the amount of such Commercial Letter
of Credit (which shall be a sum certain), (iii) the beneficiary and account
party of such Commercial Letter of Credit, and (iv) the drafts and other
documents (if any) necessary to be presented to the Letter of Credit Bank upon
a drawing thereunder.  To the extent that any of the terms of the above
referenced APPLICATION AND AGREEMENT FOR COMMERCIAL LETTER OF CREDIT conflict
with the terms of this Agreement, the terms of this Agreement shall control.

         (c)     PAYMENT OF TIME DRAFT OBLIGATIONS.  The Borrower hereby agrees
to pay the Letter of Credit Bank on the date of payment of any Sight Draft
presented to the Letter of Credit Bank under any Commercial Letter of Credit,
or, subject to the conditions of Article 7 hereof, the Borrower may request
that the Letter of Credit Bank issue a Time Draft accepted by the Letter of
Credit Bank in the amount of such Sight Draft, plus interest from the date of
such payment by the Letter of Credit Bank until paid in full to the Letter of
Credit Bank, whether by the Borrower or pursuant to Section 5.3(b) hereof, at
an annual rate equal to the Prime Rate from time to time in effect.  The
Borrower agrees to pay the amount of each such accepted Time Draft issued by
the Letter of Credit Bank pursuant to this Section on the date on which such
Time Draft is due, plus interest from the such date until paid in full to the
Letter of Credit Bank, whether by the Borrower or pursuant to Section 5.3(b)
hereof, at an annual rate equal to the Prime Rate from time to time in effect,
together with any unpaid fees, commissions or discounts, if any, due with
respect thereto.

         SECTION 5.3      LETTER OF CREDIT BANK RELATIONSHIP WITH BANKS.

         (a)     RISK PARTICIPATION.  The Letter of Credit Bank hereby agrees
that it will sell simultaneously with the issuance of each Standby Letter of
Credit and simultaneously with the acceptance by the Letter of Credit Bank of
each Time Draft presented under Commercial Letters of Credit, and each other
Bank hereby agrees that it will buy simultaneously with the issuance of each
Standby Letter of Credit and the acceptance of each such Time Draft (subject to
the following sentence) a participation in any payment which the Letter of
Credit Bank makes for the account of the Borrower under any such Standby Letter
of Credit or acceptance for which payment the Letter of Credit Bank is not
otherwise immediately reimbursed by the



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                                 PAGE 77 OF 126
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Borrower in an amount equal to such Bank's Ratable Portion.  The aggregate
principal amount of all outstanding Revolving Credit Loans of such Bank PLUS
such Bank's aggregate Risk Participation Exposure (after taking into effect
such Bank's Ratable Portion of the risk participation created under this
Section 5.3) shall not exceed such Bank's Commitment in effect from time to
time.  The sale of the risk participation by the Letter of Credit Bank and the
purchase thereof by each Bank, respectively, shall occur simultaneously with
and shall be evidenced by each Standby Letter of Credit or by each acceptance
of a Time Draft by the Letter of Credit Bank under the Commercial Letters of
Credit, as the case may be.

         (b)     REIMBURSEMENT OF LETTER OF CREDIT BANK.  The Letter of Credit
Bank will notify the Agent, who will promptly notify each other Bank, if the
Letter of Credit Bank makes any payment under any Standby Letter of Credit, a
Commercial Letter of Credit, a Sight Draft which is not converted to a Time
Draft or at maturity of an accepted Time Draft which is not immediately
reimbursed by the Borrower.  Upon demand by the Agent each such other Bank
shall pay to the Agent that Bank's Ratable Portion of each such payment made by
the Agent. Each such payment shall for all purposes hereunder be deemed to be
an Prime Rate Loan (it being understood that (i) each Bank's obligation to make
such payment is absolute and unconditional and shall not be affected by any
event or circumstance whatsoever, including the occurrence of any Possible
Default hereunder or the failure of any condition precedent set forth in
Article 7 to be satisfied and (ii) each such payment shall be made without any
offset, abatement, withholding or reduction whatsoever).  In addition, upon
demand by the Letter of Credit Bank through the Agent, each other Bank will pay
an amount equal to such Bank's pro rata share of all costs and expenses not
reimbursed by the Borrower which have been incurred or made by the Letter of
Credit Bank as the result of, or in connection with, any action including, but
not limited to, legal action which may be taken by Agent to obtain
reimbursement for payments made by Agent under any Commercial Letter of Credit,
Standby Letter of Credit or Time Draft.

         (c)     RIGHTS AND OBLIGATIONS OF LETTER OF CREDIT BANK.  Neither the
Letter of Credit Bank, nor any of its correspondents, shall be responsible,
provided it has exercised reasonable care, as to any document presented under a
Letter of Credit, or any renewal or extension thereof, which appears to be
regular on its face and appears on its face to conform to the terms of the
Letter of Credit and to make reasonable reference thereto, for the validity or
sufficiency of any signature or endorsement, for delay in giving any notice or
failure of any instrument to bear adequate reference to the Letter of Credit,
or to any renewal or extension thereof, or failure of documents not clearly
specified in the Letter of Credit to accompany any instrument at negotiation,
or for failure of any person to note the amount of any draft on the reverse of
the Letter of Credit or on any renewal or extension thereof.  Any action,
inaction or omission on the part of the Letter of Credit Bank or any of its
correspondents, under or in connection with any Letter of Credit or any renewal
or extension thereof or the related instruments or documents, if in good faith
and in conformity with such Laws, regulations or customs as are applicable and
the terms of this Section 5.3, shall be binding upon the Borrower and shall not
place the Letter of Credit Bank or any of its correspondents under any
liability to the Borrower, in the absence of negligence by the Letter of Credit
Bank or its correspondents. The Letter of Credit Bank's rights, powers,
privileges and immunities specified in or arising under



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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.

         (d)     EFFECT OF APPLICABLE LAW OR CUSTOM.  All Letters of Credit
issued hereunder will, except to the extent otherwise expressly provided, be
governed by the Uniform Customs and Practice for Documentary Credits (1993
Revision), International Chamber of Commerce Publication No. 500, and any
subsequent revisions thereof.

         (e)     TERMINATION OF LETTER OF CREDIT COMMITMENT.  In the event that
(i) any restriction is imposed on the Letter of Credit Bank (including, without
limitation, any legal lending or acceptance limits imposed by the United States
of America or any political subdivision thereof) which in the judgment of the
Letter of Credit Bank after consultation with the Borrower would prevent the
Letter of Credit Bank from issuing Letters of Credit or maintaining its
commitment to issue Letters of Credit or (ii) there shall have occurred, at any
time during the term of this Agreement (a) any adverse change or a development
involving a prospective adverse change affecting the condition of the Borrower
which would materially impair the ability of the Borrower to meet its
obligations under this Article 5, (b) any outbreak of hostilities or other
national or international crisis or change in economic conditions if the effect
of such outbreak, crisis or change would make the creation of Letters of
Credit, Time Drafts or the discount or sale thereof impracticable, (c) the
enactment, publication, decree or other promulgation of any statute,
regulation, rule or order of any court or other governmental authority which
would materially and adversely affect the ability of the Borrower to perform
its obligations under this Agreement, or (d) the taking of any action by any
government or agency in respect of its monetary or fiscal affairs which would
have a material adverse effect on the creation or marketing of Time Drafts in
the United States of America, then the Letter of Credit Bank, through the
Agent, in the case of the occurrence of any event described above, shall give
written notice of the occurrence of such event to the Borrower and the Banks,
whereupon the commitment of the Letter of Credit Bank to issue Letters of
Credit shall terminate on the effective date of such notice.  The Borrower
shall forthwith pay to the Letter of Credit Bank all obligations in respect of
Letters of Credit or Time Drafts on the maturity date of such Time Draft or
date of drawing of such Letter of Credit.

         SECTION 5.4      CONTINUING LETTERS OF CREDIT.  The Agent, the Banks,
the Letter of Credit Bank and the Borrower agree that with respect to those
certain letters of credit or time drafts identified on the Supplemental
Schedule attached hereto which have been issued for the account of the Borrower
by Society prior to the date of this Agreement (a) such letters of credit or
time drafts shall be deemed to be Letters of Credit or Time Drafts under this
Agreement as of the date this Agreement becomes effective pursuant to Section
14.7, subject to the terms and conditions of this Agreement (except that the
Borrower shall not be required by virtue of this Section 5.4 to pay any
additional fees for the deemed issuance of such Letters of Credit or Time
Drafts hereunder) and (ii) the Borrower shall have all obligations hereunder in
respect of such Letters of Credit and the Letter of Credit Bank shall be deemed
to be the issuer or acceptor thereof, as the case may be.  The Letter of Credit
Bank shall pay the Risk Participation Fees in respect of such Letters of Credit
in accordance with Section 3.4(d).




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                                 PAGE 79 OF 126
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         SECTION 5.5      BORROWER'S GUARANTY OF SUBSIDIARY LETTER OF CREDIT
OBLIGATIONS.

         (a)     GUARANTY. The Borrower hereby unconditionally guarantees the
punctual payment when due, whether at stated maturity, by acceleration or
otherwise, of all obligations any Subsidiary may now or hereafter owe to the
Letter of Credit Bank in respect of any Letter of Credit for the account of
such Subsidiary, Time Draft drawn by such Subsidiary or in respect of any
Reimbursement Agreement entered into by such Subsidiary (all such obligations
of the Borrower being referred to herein as the "Guaranteed Letter of Credit
Obligations").

         (b)     GUARANTY ABSOLUTE.  The Borrower guarantees that the
Guaranteed Letter of Credit Obligations will be paid strictly in accordance
with the terms of the Letter of Credit, Time Draft or Reimbursement Agreement,
regardless of any Law, regulation or order now or hereafter in effect in any
jurisdiction affecting any of such terms or the rights of the Letter of Credit
Bank, the Agent or the Banks with respect thereto.  The liability of the
Borrower under this Section 5.5 shall be absolute and unconditional
irrespective of: (i) any lack of validity or enforceability of such Letter of
Credit, Time Draft or Reimbursement Agreement or other agreement or instrument
relating thereto; (ii) any change in the time, manner or place of payment of,
or in any other term of, all or any of the Guaranteed Letter of Credit
Obligations, or any other amendment or waiver of or any consent to departure
from any such Letter of Credit, Time Draft or Reimbursement Agreement or any
other agreement or instrument relating thereto; (iii) any release or amendment
or waiver of or consent to departure from any other guaranty, for all or any of
the Guaranteed Letter of Credit Obligations; (iv) the Letter of Credit Bank's,
the Agent's or any Bank's election in any proceeding instituted under Chapter
11 of Title 11 of the United States Code (11 U.S.C. Section 101 et seq.) (the
"Bankruptcy Code"), or the application of Section 1111(b)(2) of the Bankruptcy
Code; (v) any borrowing or grant of a security interest under Section 364 of
the Bankruptcy Code; or (vi) any other circumstance that might otherwise
constitute a defense available to, or a discharge of, any Subsidiary (other
than discharge by reason of payment in full by a Subsidiary) or any guarantor.

         (c)     REINSTATEMENT.  This Guaranty shall continue to be effective
or be reinstated, as the case may be, if at any time any payment of any of the
Guaranteed Letter of Credit Obligations is rescinded or must otherwise be
returned by the Letter of Credit Bank, the Agent or any Bank upon the
insolvency, bankruptcy or reorganization of the Borrower or otherwise, all as
though such payment had not been made.

         (d)     WAIVER.  The Borrower hereby waives promptness, diligence,
notice of acceptance and any other notice with respect to any of the Guaranteed
Letter of Credit Obligations and this Section 5.5 and any requirement that the
Agent or any Bank protect, secure, perfect or insure any security interest or
lien or any property subject thereto or exhaust any right or take any action
against the Borrower or any other person or entity or any collateral.

         (e)     SUBROGATION. The Borrower shall have no right of subrogation,
reimbursement or contribution and hereby waives any right to enforce any remedy
which the Letter of Credit Bank, the Agent or any of the Banks now has or may
hereafter have against any Subsidiary, any endorser or any other guarantor, of
all or any part of the Guaranteed Letter of Credit


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Obligations, and the Borrower hereby waives any benefit of, and any right to
participate in, any security or collateral given to the Letter of Credit Bank,
the Agent or any Bank to secure payment of the Guaranteed Letter of Credit
Obligations or any other liability of any Subsidiary to the Letter of Credit
Agreement, the Agent or the Banks.  The Borrower also waives all setoffs and
counterclaims and all presentments, demands for performance, notices of
nonperformance, protests, notices of protest, notices of dishonor, and notices
of acceptance of the Guaranty under this Section 5.5.  The Borrower further
waives all notices of the existence, creation or incurring of new or additional
indebtedness, arising either from additional loans extended to any Subsidiary
or otherwise, and also waives all notices that the principal amount, or any
portion thereof, and/or any interest on any instrument or document evidencing
all or any part of the Guaranteed Letter of Credit Obligations is due, notices
of any and all proceedings to collect from the maker, any endorser or any other
guarantor of all or any part of the Guaranteed Letter of Credit Obligations, or
from anyone else, and, to the extent permitted by law, notices of exchange,
sale, surrender or other handling of any security or other collateral given to
the Letter of Credit Bank, the Agent or the Banks to secure payment of the
Guaranteed Letter of Credit Obligations.

         (f)     CONTINUING GUARANTY.  This Section 5.5 is a continuing
guaranty and shall remain in full force and effect until the Guaranteed Letter
of Credit Obligations are paid in full and the Banks' Commitments are
terminated, and shall continue in effect thereafter until the Guaranty under
this Section 5.5 is revoked prospectively as to future transactions by written
notice to that effect actually received by the Letter of Credit Bank, the Agent
(but such notice shall not be effective as to any Guaranteed Letter of Credit
Obligations or the Revolving Credit Commitment outstanding at that time, any
additional interest, premiums or fees to become payable with respect thereto or
any renewals, extensions, or refinancings of the same).

                                   ARTICLE 6
                               OPENING COVENANTS

                 Prior to or concurrently with the execution and delivery of
this Agreement, the Borrower shall furnish to Agent originals or copies for
delivery to each Bank and the Letter of Credit Bank the following:

         SECTION 6.1      REVOLVING CREDIT NOTES.  Revolving Credit Notes, in
favor of each of the Banks, in the principal amount of such Bank's Commitment,
each duly executed by the Borrower.

         SECTION 6.2      GUARANTY OF PAYMENT.  A Guaranty of Payment of all
Debt incurred by the Borrower to the Banks pursuant to this Agreement, in the
form of Exhibit D hereto, executed and delivered to the Banks by FCA Financial,
Inc., Fabri-Centers of South Dakota, Inc., Fabri-Centers of California, Inc.
and FCA of Ohio.

         SECTION 6.3      BORROWER CERTIFICATE.  A certificate executed by an
authorized officer of the Borrower and a secretary or assistant secretary of
the Borrower certifying (a) the resolutions of the Board of Directors of the
Borrower authorizing the execution, performance and delivery of (i) this
Agreement, the Notes and all other Related Writings and (ii) the


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Purchase Agreement, (b) the names and signatures of the officers of the
Borrower executing or attesting to such documents or the Acceptances, (c) as
true, correct and in full force and effect without amendment or revocation on
the Closing Date the Articles of Incorporation and Regulations of the Borrower
and (d) the absence of any Default or Possible Default.

         SECTION 6.4      SUBSIDIARY CERTIFICATES.  A certificate executed by
an authorized officer of each Subsidiary and a secretary or assistant secretary
of such Subsidiary certifying (a) the resolutions of the Board of Directors of
the such Subsidiary authorizing the execution, performance and delivery of (i)
the Guaranty of Payment and all other Related Writings to which it is a party
and (ii) in the case of FCA of Ohio, the Purchase Agreement, (b) the names and
signatures of the officers of such Subsidiary executing or attesting to the
Guaranty of Payment (and in the case of FCA of Ohio, the Purchase Agreement),
(c) as true, correct and in full force and effect without amendment or
revocation as of the Closing Date the Certificate of Incorporation or Articles
of Incorporation, as the case may be, and By-Laws or Regulations, as the case
may be, of such Subsidiary.

         SECTION 6.5      LEGAL OPINION.  A favorable opinion of counsel for
the Borrower substantially in the form of Exhibit E hereto.

         SECTION 6.6      UNAUDITED AND PRO FORMA FINANCIAL STATEMENTS.
Unaudited consolidated financial statements of the Borrower and its
Subsidiaries as of July 30, 1994, and a pro forma balance sheet, dated as of
July 30, 1994 (adjusted to reflect the consummation of the Acquisition), in
form and substance reasonably satisfactory to the Agent.

         SECTION 6.7      CERTIFIED ORGANIZATIONAL DOCUMENTS; GOOD STANDING
CERTIFICATES.  The Articles of Incorporation or Certificate of Incorporation of
each of the Borrower and FCA of Ohio, certified by the office of the Secretary
of State or other similar official of the state of incorporation of such
entities.  Certificates of standing for each of the Borrower and FCA of Ohio,
certified by the office of the Secretary of State or other similar official of
the state of incorporation of such entities.

         SECTION 6.8      PAYOFF LETTER.  Evidence that (a) upon the payment of
the Indebtedness owed by the Borrower pursuant to that certain Credit
Agreement, dated as of July 21, 1992, the banks in respect of such credit
agreement will have terminated such credit agreement the Borrower and its
subsidiaries shall have no further obligations thereunder or in connection with
any guaranty or other document executed and delivered in connection therewith
and (b) the simultaneous payment of the Indebtedness under such credit
agreement on the Closing Date.

         SECTION 6.9      FEE LETTERS.  The Agent's Fee Letter, executed and
delivered by the Borrower in favor of the Agent and the Letter of Credit Bank
Fee Letter, executed and delivered by the Borrower in favor of the Letter of
Credit Bank.





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         SECTION 6.10     CREDIT REQUEST AND DISBURSEMENT DIRECTION LETTER.  A
Notice of Borrowing and a letter from the Borrower directing the Agent to
disburse the proceeds of the initial Revolving Credit Borrowing.

         SECTION 6.11     PAYMENT OF CLOSING FEES; AGENT'S LEGAL FEES.
Evidence of payment (or disbursement direction directing such payment delivered
pursuant to Section 6.10 hereof) (i) to the Agent for disbursement to each of
the Banks, the closing fee of such Bank as set forth on Annex B, (ii) to the
Agent for its own account, the fees referred to in the Agent's Fee Letters and
(iii) to the Agent for its own account, the legal fees and expenses of the
Agent.

                                   ARTICLE 7
                        CONDITIONS TO ALL CREDIT EVENTS

         On the date of each Credit Event, such Credit Event shall constitute a
representation and warranty by the Borrower that the following are and will be
true as of such date:

         SECTION 7.1      REPRESENTATION BRINGDOWN.  The representations and
warranties contained in Article 9 (other than the representation in the last
sentence of Section 9.5 in the case of any Credit Event involving only a Rate
Continuation or a Rate Conversion) are true and correct in all respects on and
as of the date of such Credit Event with the same effect as though made on and
as of such date, except to the extent such representations and warranties
expressly relate to an earlier date;

         SECTION 7.2      COMPLIANCE WITH AGREEMENT.  The Borrower and each of
its Subsidiaries shall be in compliance with all other terms and provisions of
set forth herein and in each other Related Writing on its part to be observed
or performed, and at the time of and immediately after such Credit Event, no
Possible Default shall have occurred and be continuing; and

         SECTION 7.3      NO MATERIAL ADVERSE CHANGE.  Except as otherwise
disclosed in the Form 10-Q Report filed by the Borrower with the SEC for the
Fiscal Quarter ending July 30, 1994, there has been no event since January 29,
1994 which would or might reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse
Effect; PROVIDED, HOWEVER, that, the failure of this representation under this
Section 7.3 shall not prevent the occurrence of a Rate Continuation or a Rate
Conversion subject to the provisions of Section 3.1(h) and, with respect to
such Credit Event, will not constitute a breach of a representation under this
Agreement.





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                                   ARTICLE 8
                                   COVENANTS

         So long as any of the Obligations remain unpaid and outstanding, or
any Bank shall have any Commitments outstanding, or any Revolving Credit Loans
shall remain unpaid, the Borrower agrees to perform and observe and to cause
each Subsidiary to perform and observe, all of the following provisions:

         SECTION 8.1      FINANCIAL STATEMENTS.

         (a)     QUARTERLY FINANCIAL STATEMENTS.  The Borrower will furnish to
each Bank promptly and in any case within sixty (60) days after the end of each
of the first three (3) Fiscal Quarters of each of its Fiscal Years, unaudited
consolidated balance sheets of the Borrower and its Subsidiaries as at the end
of that period and the unaudited consolidated statements of income and
reconciliations of consolidated cash flows for that period (either by delivery
of the Borrower's Form 10-Q Quarterly Report for such period or by separate
delivery of such financial statements), all prepared on a consolidated basis
and in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles (except for
certain information and footnotes normally including in financial statements
prepared in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles which are
condensed or omitted pursuant to the rules and regulations of the SEC which
condensation or omissions do not, in the view of the Borrower, make the
information in such financial statements inadequate or misleading) and
otherwise in form and detail satisfactory to each Bank and certified by a
financial officer of the Borrower.

         (b)     ANNUAL FINANCIAL STATEMENTS.  The Borrower will furnish to
each Bank promptly and in any case within one hundred twenty (120) days after
the end of each of its Fiscal Years, a complete annual audit report of the
Borrower and its Subsidiaries for that year (either by delivery of the
Borrower's Form 10-K Annual Report for such period or by separate delivery of
such financial statements), all prepared on a consolidated basis and in
accordance with generally accepted accounting principles except as disclosed
therein, and in form and detail satisfactory to each Bank and certified by an
independent public accountant satisfactory to such Bank, together with a
certificate by the accountant setting forth any Possible Defaults coming to its
attention during the course of its audit or, if none, a statement to that
effect, and

         (c)     OFFICER'S CERTIFICATES.  The Borrower will furnish to each
Bank promptly upon each Bank's written request, such other information about
the financial condition, properties and operations of the Borrower and its
Subsidiaries as such Bank may from time to time reasonably request, which
information shall be submitted in form and detail satisfactory to such Bank and
certified by a financial officer of the Borrower or the Subsidiary in question
and the Borrower will in any event furnish to each Bank the following:

              (i)         concurrently with the financial statements delivered
         in connection with clause (a) and (b) above, a certificate of a
         responsible financial officer of the Borrower, certifying that (A) to
         his knowledge and belief, those financial statements fairly present in
         all material respects the financial condition and results of
         operations of the Borrower



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         and its Subsidiaries subject (in the case of interim financial
         statements) to routine year-end audit adjustments) and (B) no Possible
         Default then exists or if any does, a brief description thereof and of
         the Borrower's intentions in respect thereof and

             (ii)         within sixty (60) days after the end of any Fiscal
         Quarter and within one hundred twenty days (120) after the end of any
         Fiscal Year, a certificate of a responsible financial officer of the
         Borrower, in the form of Exhibit F hereto, setting forth the
         calculations necessary to determine whether or not the Borrower and
         its Subsidiaries are in compliance with the general financial
         standards set forth in Sections 8.17, 8.18, 8.19, 8.20, 8.21, 8.22,
         8.23 and 8.24,

         (d)     PUBLICLY FILED INFORMATION.  The Borrower will furnish to each
Bank promptly when filed (in final form) or sent, a copy of

              (i)         each registration statement (other than on Form S-8),
         Form 10-K annual report, Form 10-Q quarterly report, Form 8-K current
         report or similar document filed by the Borrower with the SEC (or any
         similar federal agency having regulatory jurisdiction over the
         Borrower's securities) and

             (ii)         each proxy statement, annual report or other document
         sent by the Borrower to its stockholders or other security holders
         generally (or any trustee for transmission to any such holders under
         any indenture which secures any of its securities or pursuant to which
         such securities are issued).

         SECTION 8.2      NOTICES.

         (a)     NOTICE OF DEFAULT; MISREPRESENTATION.  The Borrower shall give
each Bank (i) prompt written notice as soon as possible, and in any event
within five (5) Banking Days, after any responsible financial officer of the
Borrower or any Subsidiary (A) knows of the occurrence of any Possible Default
or of any development which in such officer's reasonable belief would or might
reasonably be expected to result in a Material Adverse Effect or (B) reasonably
believes that any representation or warranty made in this Agreement or any
Related Writing shall for any reasons have ceased in any material respect to be
true and complete and (ii) a statement on behalf of the Borrower executed by
any responsible financial officer of the Borrower or such Subsidiary setting
forth the details of such Possible Default or such development and the action
that the Borrower has taken or proposes to take with respect thereto.

         (b)     NOTICE OF DEFAULT UNDER ERISA.  If the Borrower shall receive
written notice from any ERISA Regulator or otherwise have actual knowledge that
a Default under ERISA exists with respect to any Plan, the Borrower shall
notify each Bank of the occurrence of such Default under ERISA, within five (5)
days after receiving such notice or obtaining such knowledge and shall: (i) so
long as the Default under ERISA has not been corrected to the satisfaction of,
or waived in writing by the party giving notice, the Borrower shall thereafter
treat as a current liability (if not otherwise so treated) all liability of the
Borrower or its Subsidiary that would arise by reason of the termination of or
withdrawal from such Plan if such plan was then terminated, and (ii) within
forty-five (45) days of the receipt of such notice


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                                 PAGE 85 OF 126
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or obtaining such knowledge, furnish to each Bank a pro forma consolidated
balance sheet of the Borrower as at the end of the immediately preceding Fiscal
Quarter adjusted to reflect the amount of the current liability referred to
above certified by the chief financial officer of the Borrower.

         (c)     NOTICE OF LITIGATION.  The Borrower shall give each Bank
prompt, and in any event within five (5) Banking Days of the date the Borrower
or any of its Subsidiaries becomes aware of, notice of (i) any suit at Law or
in equity filed or threatened to be filed against the Borrower or any of its
Subsidiaries involving money or property valued in excess of Five Million
Dollars ($5,000,000), except where the same is fully covered by insurance
(subject to normal deductibles) and the insurer has accepted liability
therefor, and (ii) any litigation, investigation or proceeding before or by any
administrative or governmental agency, department, bureau, commission or board
the effect of which would or might reasonably be expected to have a Material
Adverse Effect on the manner in which the Borrower and its Subsidiaries
currently conducts their businesses.

         (d)     ENVIRONMENTAL REPORTING.  The Borrower shall give each Bank
prompt, and in any event within ten (10) days of the date the Borrower or any
of its Subsidiaries receives or transmits, as the case may be, copies of all
material communications with any government or governmental agency relating to
Environmental Laws.

         SECTION 8.3      INSURANCE.  The Borrower shall, and shall cause each
of its Subsidiaries to, (a) keep itself and all of its insurable properties
insured at all times to such extent, by such insurers, and against such hazards
and liabilities as is generally and prudently done by like businesses, it being
understood that all such insurance coverage at the date of this Agreement meets
the standards contemplated by this Section 8.3, (b) give each Bank prompt
written notice of each material change in insurance coverage and the details of
the change and (c) promptly upon any Bank's written request, furnish to such
Bank such information about any such insurance as such Bank may from time to
time reasonably request, which information shall be prepared in form and detail
satisfactory to such Bank and certified by an officer of the Borrower or the
applicable Subsidiary.

         SECTION 8.4      MONEY OBLIGATIONS.  The Borrower shall pay, and shall
cause each of its Subsidiaries to pay, in full (a) prior in each case to the
date when penalties would attach, all taxes, assessments and governmental
charges and levies (except only those so long as and to the extent that the
same shall be contested in good faith by appropriate and timely proceedings)
for which the Borrower or its Subsidiaries may be or become liable or to which
any or all of the properties of the Borrower or its Subsidiaries may be or
become subject, and (b) all of its other obligations calling for the payment of
money (except only those so long as and to the extent that the same shall be
contested in good faith) before such payment becomes overdue.

         SECTION 8.5      RECORDS.  The Borrower shall, and shall cause each of
its Subsidiaries to, (a) at all times maintain true and complete records and
books of account and, without limiting the generality of the foregoing,
maintain appropriate reserves for possible losses and liabilities, all in
accordance with generally accepted accounting principles and (b) at


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all reasonable times permit each Bank to examine its books and records and to
make excerpts therefrom and transcripts thereof.

         SECTION 8.6      FRANCHISES.  The Borrower shall preserve and
maintain, and shall cause each of its Subsidiaries to preserve and maintain, at
all times its corporate existence, rights and franchises; provided, however,
that this Section 8.6 shall not prevent any merger or consolidation permitted
by Section 8.9 hereof.

         SECTION 8.7      ERISA COMPLIANCE.  The Borrower shall not incur, and
shall not permit any of its Subsidiaries to incur, any material accumulated
funding deficiency within the meaning of the ERISA and the regulations
thereunder, or any material liability to the Pension Benefit Guaranty
Corporation, established thereunder in connection with any Plan.  The Borrower
shall furnish, and shall cause each of its Subsidiaries to furnish to the Banks
(i) simultaneously with a filing with the Pension Benefit Guaranty Corporation
of a notice regarding any Reportable Event and in any event within thirty (30)
days after the Borrower or any Subsidiary knows or has reason to know that any
Reportable Event with respect to any Plan has occurred, a statement of any
responsible financial officer of the Borrower or such Subsidiary setting forth
details as to such Reportable Event and the action which the Borrower or such
Subsidiary proposes to take with respect thereto, together with a copy of the
notice of such Reportable Event given to the Pension Benefit Guaranty
Corporation if a copy of such notice is available to the Borrower or such
Subsidiary, (ii) promptly after the filing thereof with the Internal Revenue
Service, copies of each annual report with respect to each Plan established or
maintained by the Borrower or any Subsidiary for each plan year, including (x)
where required by Law, a statement of assets and liabilities of such Plan as of
the end of such plan year and statements of changes in fund balance and in
financial position, or a statement of changes in net assets available for plan
benefits, for such plan year, certified by an independent public accountants of
recognized standing satisfactory to the Majority Banks and (y) an actuarial
statement of such Plan applicable to such plan year, certified by an enrolled
actuary of recognized standing satisfactory to the Majority Banks, and (iii)
promptly after receipt thereof a copy of any notice the Borrower or any
Subsidiary or any member of the Controlled Group may receive from the Pension
Benefit Guaranty Corporation or the Internal Revenue Service with respect to
any Plan administered by the Borrower or any Subsidiary; provided, however,
that this latter clause shall not apply to notices of general application
promulgated by the Pension Benefit Guaranty Corporation or the Internal Revenue
Service.  The Borrower shall notify, and shall cause each of its Subsidiaries
to notify, the Banks promptly of any taxes assessed, proposed to be assessed or
which the Borrower or any Subsidiary has reason to believe may be assessed
against the Borrower or any Subsidiary by the Internal Revenue Service with
respect to any Plan and any filing which relates to the withdrawal by the
Borrower or any Subsidiary from a Multi-Employer Plan.  As used in this
subsection "material" means the measure of a matter of significance which shall
be determined as being an amount equal to five per cent (5%) of the Borrower's
Consolidated Tangible Net Worth.

         SECTION 8.8      INVESTMENTS.  The Borrower shall not, and shall not
permit any of its Subsidiaries to, (a) create any Subsidiary, except with the
prior written consent of the Banks (which consent shall not be unreasonably
withheld; except that any Bank may withhold its



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consent at such Bank's sole discretion if such Subsidiary shall not immediately
thereafter become a Guarantor of Payment), (b) make or hold any investment in
any common stocks, bonds or securities of any kind, (c) be or become a party to
any joint venture or other partnership, (d) make or keep outstanding any
advance or loan or (e) be or become a Guarantor of any kind; provided, however,
that this Section 8.8 shall not apply to any of the following permitted
exceptions (the "Permitted Exceptions"):  (i) any endorsement of a check or
other medium of payment for deposit or collection through normal banking
channels or any similar transaction in the normal course of business, (ii) any
investment in direct obligations of the United States of America or other U.S.
Government backed investments such as, but not limited to, Government National
Mortgage Association paper, (iii) any advance or loan to an officer or employee
of the Borrower or any Subsidiary or any corporation wholly-owned by such
officer(s) or employee(s), so long as all such advances and loans aggregate not
more than the maximum principal sum of One Million Five Hundred Thousand
Dollars ($1,500,000) at any one time outstanding, (iv) any investment in
commercial paper which at the time of such investment is assigned the rating of
A-1 or P-1 in accordance with the rating systems employed by either Moody's
Investor Service, Inc. or Standard & Poor's Corporation, (v) any advance or
loan or capital contribution made to the Borrower or any of the Subsidiaries,
(vi) any guaranty securing only an indemnity, performance or similar bond
incurred in the normal course of business for the purpose of securing a
release, stay, or discharge in the course of any legal proceeding to which the
Borrower or any Subsidiary is a party or for any other purpose required by Law
or governmental regulation as a condition to the doing of business or the
exercise of any license or privilege by the Borrower or any Subsidiary, (vii)
any certificate of deposit, money market certificate or short-term investment
fund issued or offered by a member bank of the Federal Reserve System having
equity capital in excess of one Hundred Million Dollars ($100,000,000), (viii)
any bankers' acceptance of a member bank of the Federal Reserve System having
equity capital in excess of One Hundred Million Dollars ($100,000,000), (ix)
any investment in debt obligations issued by a state or municipal entity with a
final maturity of one year or less after the date of purchase and rated SP-1 or
AA by Standard & Poor's Corporation or MIG-1 or Aa by Moody's Investors
Service, Inc., (x) any certificates of deposit of, or time deposits with,
commercial banks organized and existing under the Laws of any country, or a
political subdivision of any such country, in each case payable solely at
offices of such banks having equity capital in excess of One Hundred Million
Dollars ($100,000,000) and located outside of the United States of America and
in each case maturing within 360 days after the date of purchase or deposit,
(xi) any investment in a business enterprise engaged in the same or similar
business(es) as the Borrower or the Subsidiary in question, provided, that the
Borrower or such Subsidiary acquire at least a majority of the voting stock of
such business enterprise and further provided that the aggregate amount of such
investments in any Fiscal Year of the Borrower shall not exceed an amount equal
to twenty per cent (20%) of the Borrower's Consolidated Tangible Net Worth at
such time, (xii) any financing provided by the Borrower to a purchaser of a
portion of the business of the Borrower or any Subsidiary pursuant to any sale
thereof which is permitted pursuant to clause (vii), (viii) and (ix) of Section
8.9, (xiii) any investment in investment grade tax exempt securities or
obligations purchased under repurchase agreements, (xiv) investments in limited
partnership interests designed to offer tax credit incentive for the
development of affordable housing, of as much as Five Million Dollars
($5,000,000) in the aggregate, (xv) any investment in commercial paper which at
the time of such investment is assigned the rating of A-2 or P-2


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in accordance with the rating systems employed by either Moody's Investors
Service, Inc. or Standard & Poor's Corporation so long as the remaining
maturity of such commercial paper does not exceed seven (7) days, (xvi) any
investment in short-term investment funds offered by brokerage companies (which
funds and companies are regulated by the SEC and the Securities Investment
Protection Corporation), the value of which is based at $1 per share and is not
predicated on a net asset value (NAV), (xvii) any investment in or the creation
of any partnership among two or more wholly-owned Subsidiaries of the Borrower,
(xviii) any investment in that certain long-term promissory note due 2003
bearing interest at a rate of five and one-half percent (5-1/2%) and relating
to the sale of the former headquarters of the Borrower located in Beachwood,
Ohio or (xix) any investment comprised of a Guaranty by the Borrower of any
Subsidiary's obligations under a real property lease.  In addition to the
foregoing Permitted Exceptions, the Borrower or any Subsidiary may make
isolated investments in any business enterprise, provided, that the aggregate
amount of such investments by all of the Borrower and its Subsidiaries does not
exceed the lesser of (y) five per cent (5%) of the Borrower's Consolidated
Tangible Net Worth at the end of the previous fiscal year of the Borrower, or
(z) Ten Million Dollars ($10,000,000) in the aggregate.

         SECTION 8.9      ACQUISITIONS, BULK TRANSFERS.  The Borrower shall
not, and shall not permit any of its Subsidiaries to, (a) be a party to any
consolidation, control share acquisition, majority share acquisition or other
business combination or merger or (b) purchase all or a substantial part of the
outstanding securities or assets of any corporation or other business
enterprise, or (c) lease, sell or otherwise transfer any assets (other than
such chattels, if any, as may have become obsolete or no longer useful in the
continuance of its present business) except in the normal course of its present
business; provided, however, that, if no Possible Default shall then exist or
immediately thereafter will begin to exist, this Section 8.9 shall not apply to
(i) any merger of the Borrower or any Subsidiary with the Borrower or any other
Subsidiary subject, however, to the condition that, if the Borrower is a party,
the Borrower shall be the surviving corporation, or (ii) any consolidation of
one Subsidiary with another Subsidiary, or (iii) any transfer of assets from
the Borrower to any Subsidiary or any Subsidiary to the Borrower or any other
Subsidiary, or (iv) any merger of the Borrower with any other entity so long as
the Borrower is the surviving corporation, or (v) any purchase of all or a
substantial part of the stock or assets of any corporation or other business
enterprise engaged in the same or similar businesses of the Borrower or the
Subsidiary in question (other than the Acquisition), provided, that the
purchase price for such stock or assets (consisting of cash, promissory notes,
other deferred payments and assumed liabilities, if any) in the aggregate does
not exceed, in any twelve-month period, an amount equal to twenty per cent
(20%) of the Borrower's Consolidated Tangible Net Worth at such time, prior to
such purchase or (vi) any merger of the Borrower or any Subsidiary with, or any
purchase or other acquisition of all or a substantial part of the stock or
assets of, any corporation or other business enterprise engaged in the same or
similar businesses of the Borrower; provided, (1) the acquisition price is paid
in common stock or other equity securities of the Borrower (other than any cash
payments to dissenting shareholders in a merger), (2) the financial covenants
set forth herein in Sections 8.20, 8.22 and 8.23, shall have been met on a pro
forma, consolidated basis, as of the end of the preceding Fiscal Quarter of the
Borrower, and (3), in the event of a merger, the Borrower or such Subsidiary is
the surviving corporation; or (vii) any sale, negotiated in good



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faith, of a portion of the business of the Borrower or any Subsidiary but only
if the assets associated with such sale do not exceed ten per cent (10%) of the
Borrower's Consolidated Assets as of the Borrower's immediately preceding
fiscal year-end in any twelve-month period; or (viii) the mortgage or sale or
sale/leaseback of the Borrower's corporate headquarters and warehouse facility
site in Hudson, Ohio; or (ix) the sale or mortgage of all or any portion of the
real estate owned by Borrower and/or any Subsidiary which is adjacent or
contiguous to the Borrower's corporate headquarters and warehouse facility site
in Hudson, Ohio; or (x) the Acquisition; provided, however, that, the
Acquisition is consummated in material compliance with the terms of the
Purchase Agreement, or (xi) the sale or sale/leaseback of the store located in
Odessa, Texas and/or the store located in Cutler Ridge, Florida; provided,
however, that any sale or sale/leaseback of substantial assets on a cumulative
basis as is otherwise permitted under clauses (vii), (viii) or (ix) of this
Section 8.9, shall not exceed thirty-five per cent (35%) of the Borrower's
Consolidated Assets as of January 29, 1994.

         SECTION 8.10     LIENS.  Subject to any transaction permitted under
Section 8.9 hereof, the Borrower shall not, and shall not permit any of its
Subsidiaries to, (a) acquire any property subject to any lease, land contract
or other title retention contract (other than a consignment of inventory or
patterns in the ordinary course of business which does not involve specific
assets which were at any time owned by the Borrower or any Subsidiary), (b)
sell or otherwise transfer any Receivables, whether with or without recourse,
other than any ordinary course sale of Receivables for the purposes of
collection of such Receivables or (c) suffer or permit any property now owned
or hereafter acquired by it to be or become encumbered by any mortgage,
security interest, financing statement or lien of any kind or nature; provided,
that this Section 8.10 shall not apply to (i) any lien for a tax, assessment or
governmental charge or levy being contested in good faith, (ii) any lien
securing only its workers' compensation, unemployment insurance and similar
obligations, (iii) any mechanic's, carrier's or similar common Law or statutory
lien incurred in the normal course of business, (iv) any transfer of a check or
other medium of payment for deposit or collection through normal banking
channels or any similar transaction in the normal course of business, (v) any
mortgage or security interest (including any refinancing thereof in whole or in
part) created by the Borrower or any Subsidiary in the course of purchasing
property, or existing on property at the time of such purchase (whether or not
assumed), provided that such mortgage or security interest shall be restricted
to the property being purchased and provided, further, that the indebtedness
secured thereby shall not exceed two-thirds (2/3) of the purchase price in the
case of real estate or four-fifths (4/5) thereof in the case of personal
property, (vi) any mortgage, security interest or lien securing only
Indebtedness owed to any of the Banks, or to any financial institution pursuant
to the provisions of Section 8.11(vii) hereof, (vii) any financing statement
perfecting only a security interest permitted by this Section 8.10, (viii)
easements, restrictions, minor title irregularities and similar matters having
no adverse effect as a practical matter on the ownership or use of the
Borrower's or any Subsidiary's real property, or (ix) any lien securing or
given in lieu of surety, stay, appeal or  performance bonds, or securing
performance of contracts or bids (other than contracts for the payment of money
borrowed) or deposits required by Law or governmental regulations or by any
court order, decree, judgment or rule or as a condition to the transaction of
business or the exercise of any right, privilege or license.




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         SECTION 8.11     INDEBTEDNESS FOR BORROWED MONEY.  The Borrower shall
not, and shall not permit any of its Subsidiaries to, create, incur or suffer
to exist any Indebtedness for Borrowed Money of any kind; provided, however,
that this Section 8.11 shall not apply to: (i) the Obligations of the Borrower
under this Agreement and any obligations of any Subsidiary under any Guaranty
of Payment and any obligation of any Subsidiary under a Reimbursement Agreement
in respect of any Letter of Credit, (ii) any purchase money indebtedness
secured by a purchase money mortgage or security interest permitted by Section
8.10 hereof, (iii) any Subordinated Indebtedness, (iv) so long as the Borrower
and its Subsidiaries is satisfying the Qualifying Financial Standards, any
loans may be obtained from financial institutions not pursuant to this
Agreement ("Outside Loans") aggregating not more than Thirty Million Dollars
($30,000,000) in principal amount at any one time outstanding of which an
aggregate principal amount of not more than Ten Million Dollars ($10,000,000)
in Outside Loans may be obtained from financial institutions other than the
Banks; provided, however, that any such Outside Loan obtained from any
financial institution other than a Bank may not remain outstanding for more
than thirty (30) consecutive days and; provided, further, that any such Outside
Loans must be repaid within one (1) Banking Day following the date as of which
the Borrower no longer satisfies such Qualifying Financial Standards, except
that if such repayment would cause the Borrower to incur compensation
obligations resulting from the prepayment of any such Outside Loan with a fixed
rate, the Borrower shall not be required to repay such loan until the earlier
of (x) the expiration of the interest period or (ii) the date upon which
repayment will not result in a compensation obligation, (v) certain unsecured
senior or Subordinated Indebtedness the terms of which are acceptable to all of
the Banks (it being understood that any Bank will not find acceptable any such
terms which are, in any Bank's judgment, more restrictive, individually or
collectively, than the terms of this Agreement unless the Banks are given the
right, at their option, to incorporate the same or similar terms into the
provisions of this Agreement by way of amendment thereto); in any event such
indebtedness will be automatically applied in such a way as to reduce the
outstanding amount of revolving credit loans and will ratably reduce Total
Commitment Amount by like amount or (vi) any permitted exception set forth in
Section 8.9 or 8.10 hereof, (vii) the outstanding principal amount with respect
to the Swingline Facility, or (viii) the outstanding principal balance of the
Convertible Subordinated Debentures or (ix) if at the time of incurrence
thereof the Borrower and its Subsidiaries has satisfied the Qualifying
Financial Standards, any Negotiated Bid Loans obtained from any of the Banks
aggregating not more than Seventy-Five Million Dollars ($75,000,000) in
principal amount at any one time outstanding; provided, however, that (A) no
such Negotiated Bid Loan may remain outstanding for more than three (3) months
and (B) no Bank may have outstanding Negotiated Bid Loans in an aggregate
greater than two (2) times the amount of such Bank's Commitment; provided,
however, that the Outside Loans and the Negotiated Bid Loans shall not be made
or maintained in an aggregate principal amount outstanding at any one time
which, when combined with all Obligations owed to the Banks pursuant to this
Agreement at such time,(x) would total more than Two Hundred Twenty Million
Dollars ($220,000,000) or (y) in the event that the Total Commitment Amount is
reduced pursuant to Section 3.3(b), would total more than One Hundred
Ninety-Five Million Dollars ($195,000,000).

         SECTION 8.12     COMPLIANCE WITH LAWS.  The Borrower shall comply, and
shall cause each of its Subsidiaries to comply, in all respects with its
Articles of Incorporation or


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Certificate of Incorporation, as the case may be, and Regulations or By-laws,
as the case may be, and all applicable occupational safety and health Laws,
federal and state securities Laws, product safety Laws, Environmental Laws and
every other Law, treaty, rule, regulation, determination of an arbitrator, and
every lawful governmental order or determination if non-compliance with such
Law or order would have or might reasonably be expected to have a Material
Adversely Effect; provided, however, that this Section 8.12 shall not apply to
any noncompliance if and to the extent that the same is being contested in good
faith by timely and appropriate proceedings which are effective to stay
enforcement thereof and against which appropriate reserves have been
established.

         SECTION 8.13     PROPERTIES.  The Borrower shall maintain, and shall
cause each Subsidiary to maintain, all assets materially necessary to its
continuing operations in good working order and condition, ordinary wear and
tear excepted.

         SECTION 8.14     CHANGE IN NATURE OF BUSINESS. The Borrower shall not
make, or permit any of its Subsidiaries to make, any material change in the
nature of its business as carried on at the date hereof; provided, however,
that this Section 8.14 shall not prohibit the Borrower or any of its
Subsidiaries from expanding its business operations into any geographic area
where such operations are not currently located or from entering into new
products in the fabric and craft related business.

         SECTION 8.15     USE OF PROCEEDS.  The Borrower shall use the Letters
of Credit, the proceeds of the Loans and the Letters of Credit and Acceptances
only for the purposes specified in Section 2.2 hereof.

         SECTION 8.16     INTEREST RATE PROTECTION AGREEMENTS.  The Borrower
shall enter into, on or prior to November 30, 1994, and thereafter maintain in
full force and effect, interest rate protection agreements in an aggregate
notional amount of approximately Twenty Million Dollars ($20,000,000) having
the effect of fixing the rate of interest in respect of such notional amount at
a fixed rate of approximately eight percent (8%) per annum for a period of not
less than two (2) years and on such other terms and in such form as is
reasonably acceptable to the Agent.

         SECTION 8.17     CAPITAL EXPENDITURES.  The Borrower shall not make or
permit Consolidated Capital Expenditures to exceed: (i) for Fiscal Year ending
1995, Twenty Million Dollars ($20,000,000) (without taking into effect the cost
of the Acquisition or any capital expenditures made by Cloth World prior to the
date of the consummation of the Acquisition),  (ii) for Fiscal Year ending
1996, Thirty Million Dollars ($30,000,000), and (iii) for Fiscal Year ending
1997 and for each Fiscal Year ending thereafter, (x) if the Borrower does not
meet the Qualifying Financial Standards as at the end of the Fiscal Year
immediately preceding any such Fiscal Year, Twenty Five Million Dollars
($25,000,000) or (y) if the Borrower meets the Qualifying Financial Standards
as at the end of the Fiscal Year immediately preceding any such Fiscal Year,
the sum of Thirty Million Dollars ($30,000,000) plus the amount (not to exceed
Five Million Dollars ($5,000,000)) by which Consolidated Capital Expenditures
permitted during such immediately preceding Fiscal Year exceed actual
Consolidated Capital Expenditures made during such Fiscal Year.  For purposes
of determination the amount of


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Consolidated Capital Expenditures permitted under this Section 8.17, the amount
of Consolidated Capital Expenditures made during any Fiscal Year shall be
applied first against the amount of Consolidated Capital Expenditures permitted
in such Fiscal Year and next to the amount of Consolidated Capital Expenditures
permitted but not made in the immediately preceding Fiscal Year.

         SECTION 8.18     CONSOLIDATED NET WORKING CAPITAL.  The Borrower will
not suffer or permit the Consolidated Net Working Capital of the Borrower and
its Subsidiaries to be as at the end of any Fiscal Quarter less than One
Hundred and Seventy-Five Million Dollars ($175,000,000).

         SECTION 8.19     CONSOLIDATED CURRENT RATIO.  The Borrower will not
suffer or permit the ratio of Consolidated Current Assets of the Borrower and
its Subsidiaries to Consolidated Current Liabilities of the Borrower and its
Subsidiaries to be as at the end of any Fiscal Quarter less than 2.0 to 1.0.

         SECTION 8.20     CONSOLIDATED TANGIBLE NET WORTH.  The Borrower will
not suffer or permit its Consolidated Tangible Net Worth as of the Closing Date
and as at the end of any Fiscal Quarter to be less than the "Required Minimum
Amount" in effect at such time.  The "Required Minimum Amount" shall be (i) as
of the Closing Date, One Hundred and Sixteen Million Five Hundred Thousand
Dollars ($116,500,000) and (ii) as at the end of any Cumulative Fiscal Period
ending after the Closing Date:

(a)  One Hundred and Sixteen Million Five Hundred Thousand Dollars
($116,500,000)
plus

         (b)  an aggregate amount equal to fifty percent (50%) of Borrower's
consolidated net earnings (if any and only to the extent a positive number) for
such Cumulative Fiscal Period, in each case calculated after taxes and
cumulating income and losses for all Fiscal Quarters within such Cumulative
Fiscal Period (such amount being "Cumulative Fiscal Earnings") plus

         (c) an aggregate amount equal to all Cumulative Fiscal Earnings (if
any and only to the extent a positive number) attributable to Fiscal Years
ending after the Closing Date and not including the Fiscal Year during which
said Cumulative Fiscal Period is occurring (which aggregate amount shall not be
reduced by consolidated net losses (if any) reported for any Fiscal Year ending
after the Closing Date) plus

         (d) an amount equal to the total net proceeds received by Borrower at
any time from any stock or other equity offering or any conversion of
Subordinated Indebtedness into equity after the Closing Date (excluding stock
offerings under any employee benefit plan of the Borrower or its Subsidiaries).

         SECTION 8.21     CONSOLIDATED FIXED CHARGE COVERAGE.  The Borrower
shall not suffer or permit, as at the end of any period indicated below for the
applicable period then ending, the ratio (the "Consolidated Fixed Charge
Coverage Ratio") of: (x) Consolidated Net Pre-Tax Earnings of the Borrower and
its Subsidiaries attributable to such period plus


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Consolidated Net Fixed Lease Charges attributable to such period plus
Consolidated Net Interest Expense attributable to such period plus depreciation
and amortization charges of the Borrower and its Subsidiaries attributable to
such period plus with respect to any period during Fiscal Years ending 1995 and
1996, any non-cash charges in such period related to the Acquisition to (y)
Consolidated Net Fixed Lease Charges attributable to such period plus
Consolidated Net Interest Expense attributable to such period plus scheduled
principal payments in respect of any Long-Term Indebtedness of the Borrower and
its Subsidiaries during such period, to be less as at such date than:

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
         Period in Question                                            Ratio  
         ------------------                                       --------------  
<S>                                                         <C>   
Fiscal Year Ending January 28, 1995                                 1.00 to 1.00
Fiscal Quarter Ending April 29, 1995                                1.00 to 1.00
Fiscal Quarter Ending July 29, 1995                                 1.00 to 1.00
Fiscal Quarter Ending October 28, 1995                              1.00 to 1.00
Fiscal Year Ending January 27, 1996                                 1.20 to 1.00
Four Fiscal Quarter Period Ending April 27, 1996                    1.15 to 1.00
Four Fiscal Quarter Period Ending July 27, 1996                     1.15 to 1.00
Four Fiscal Quarter Period Ending October 26, 1996                  1.15 to 1.00
Fiscal Year Ending February 1, 1997                                 1.20 to 1.00
Each Four Fiscal Quarter Period ending thereafter                   1.20 to 1.00
</TABLE>

         SECTION 8.22     CONSOLIDATED CURRENT FUNDED INDEBTEDNESS.  The
Borrower shall not suffer or permit, as at the end of any Fiscal Quarter, the
ratio of: (x) Consolidated Current Assets at such date to (y) Consolidated
Current Liabilities at such date plus Funded Senior Debt at such date to be
less than: (i) 1.15 to 1.00 as at the end of each of the first three Fiscal
Quarters of any Fiscal Year and (ii) 1.25 to 1.00 as at the end of any Fiscal
Year.

         SECTION 8.23     CONSOLIDATED LEVERAGE RATIO.  The Borrower shall not
suffer or permit, as at the end of any Fiscal Quarter, the ratio (the
"Consolidated Leverage Ratio") of: (x) Funded Senior Debt outstanding as at
such date to (y) the sum of Funded Senior Debt outstanding as at such date plus
the Convertible Subordinated Debentures outstanding as at such date plus
Consolidated Tangible Net Worth as at such date to be greater than the ratio
specified for such Fiscal Quarter:

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
         Fiscal Quarter                                        Ratio
         --------------                                     ------------
<S>                                                         <C>
Closing Date                                                .55 to 1.00
Fiscal Quarter Ending October 29, 1994                      .50 to 1.00
Fiscal Quarter Ending January 28, 1995                      .40 to 1.00
Fiscal Quarter Ending April 29, 1995                        .45 to 1.00
Fiscal Quarter Ending July 29, 1995                         .55 to 1.00
Fiscal Quarter Ending October 28, 1995                      .50 to 1.00
Fiscal Quarter Ending January 27, 1996                      .40 to 1.00
Fiscal Quarter Ending April 27, 1996                        .40 to 1.00
</TABLE>



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                                 PAGE 94 OF 126
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<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
<S>                                                         <C>
Fiscal Quarter Ending July 27, 1996                         .50 to 1.00
Fiscal Quarter Ending October 26, 1996                      .45 to 1.00
Fiscal Quarter Ending February 1, 1997                      .35 to 1.00
Fiscal Quarter Ending May 3, 1997                           .40 to 1.00
Fiscal Quarter Ending August 2, 1997                        .45 to 1.00
</TABLE>

and, in the event that this Agreement is extended pursuant to Section 3.2(c),
thereafter, for the first Fiscal Quarter of each Fiscal Year, .40 to 1.0, for
the second Fiscal Quarter of each Fiscal Year, .45 to 1.0, for the third Fiscal
Quarter of each Fiscal Year, .45 to 10 and for the fourth Fiscal Quarter of
each Fiscal Year, .35 to 1.0.

         SECTION 8.24     DIVIDENDS.  The Borrower shall not be restricted in
either making or committing itself to make any Distribution to its
shareholders; except, that, in the event that the Consolidated Leverage Ratio
as at the end of any Fiscal Year is .35 to 1.00 or greater, the Borrower shall
not make or commit itself to make Distributions to its shareholders during the
succeeding Four Fiscal Quarter Period in an aggregate amount in excess of fifty
percent (50%) of its Consolidated Net Earnings attributable to the prior Fiscal
Year.

         SECTION 8.25     SUBSIDIARY GUARANTIES.  The Borrower shall cause each
Subsidiary of the Borrower having assets in excess of One Hundred Thousand
Dollars ($100,000) not existing on the Closing Date to deliver to the Agent
immediately upon the creation of such Subsidiary (i) a Guaranty of Payment,
duly executed by an authorized officer of such Subsidiary, (ii) a certificate
substantially in the form of the certificate delivered pursuant to Section 6.4
and (iii) certified copies of its organizational documents.

                                   ARTICLE 9
                         REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES

         Subject to the exceptions in the Supplemental Schedule, the Borrower
represents and warrants to each of the Banks as follows:

         SECTION 9.1      EXISTENCE.  The Borrower and each of its Subsidiaries
is a corporation duly organized and validly existing and in good standing under
the Laws of the state of its incorporation and is duly qualified and authorized
to do business wherever it owns any real estate or personal property or
transacts any substantial business (except in jurisdictions in which failure to
so qualify would not have a Material Adverse Effect.

         SECTION 9.2      POWER, AUTHORIZATION AND CONSENT.  The execution,
delivery and performance of this Agreement, the Notes or any Guaranty of
Payment by the Borrower and any Subsidiary, as the case may be, and of all
Related Writings to which it is party (a) are within the Borrower's or the
Subsidiary legal power and authority, (b) have been duly authorized by all
necessary or proper action of such the Borrower or the Subsidiary, (c) do not
require the consent or approval of any governmental body, agency, authority or
any other Person which has not been obtained and (d) will not violate (i) any
provision of Law applicable to the Borrower or the Subsidiary, (ii) any
provision of the Borrower's or the Subsidiary, as



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the case may be, certificate or articles of incorporation or by-laws or
regulations, or (iii) any material agreement or material indenture by which the
Borrower or the Subsidiary or the property of the Borrower or the Subsidiary is
bound, except where such violation specified in this clause (iii) would not
have a materially adverse effect on the Borrower or the Subsidiary, or (e) will
not result in the creation or imposition of any lien or encumbrance on any
property or assets of the Borrower or the Subsidiary except as provided herein.
The execution, delivery and performance of the Purchase Agreement by the
Borrower and FCA of Ohio (a) are within the Borrower's and FCA of Ohio's legal
power and authority, (b) have been duly authorized by all necessary or proper
action of the Borrower and FCA of Ohio, and (C) will not violate any provision
of the Borrower's or FCA of Ohio's, as the case may be, Articles of
Incorporation or Regulations.

         SECTION 9.3      LITIGATION; PROCEEDINGS.  No action, suit,
investigation or proceeding is now pending or, to the knowledge of Borrower,
threatened against the Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries at Law, in equity or
otherwise, or with respect to this Agreement, any Guaranty of Payment or any
Related Writing, before any court, board, commission, agency or instrumentality
of any federal, state, local or foreign government or of any agency or
subdivision thereof, or before any arbitrator or panel of arbitrators which
would or might reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect.

         SECTION 9.4      ERISA COMPLIANCE.  Neither the Borrower nor any
Subsidiary has incurred any material accumulated funding deficiency within the
meaning of the ERISA, and the regulations thereunder.  No Reportable Event has
occurred with respect to any Plan which may result in any material liability
against the Borrower or any Subsidiary.  The Pension Benefit Guaranty
Corporation, established under ERISA has not asserted that the Borrower or any
Subsidiary has incurred any material liability in connection with any Plan.  No
Lien has been attached and no person has, to the best of the Borrower's
knowledge, threatened to attach a lien on any property of the Borrower or any
Subsidiary as a result of the Borrower's or any Subsidiary's failing to comply
with ERISA or regulations.  As used in this subsection "material" means the
measure of a matter of significance which shall be determined as being an
amount equal to five per cent (5%) of the Borrower's Consolidated Tangible Net
Worth.

         SECTION 9.5      FINANCIAL CONDITION.  The consolidated financial
statements of the Borrower and its Subsidiaries for the Fiscal Year ending
January 29, 1994, previously delivered to the Banks, are true and complete
(including, without limiting the generality of the foregoing, a disclosure of
all material contingent liabilities), have been prepared in accordance with
generally accepted accounting principles applied on a basis consistent with
those used during their next preceding Fiscal Year (except as noted therein)
and fairly present their then financial condition and operations for the Fiscal
Year then ending.  Except as otherwise disclosed in the Form 10-Q Report filed
by the Borrower with the SEC for the Fiscal Quarter ending July 30, 1994, there
has been no material change in the Borrower or any Subsidiary's financial
condition, properties or business since that date.

         SECTION 9.6      PRO FORMA FINANCIAL INFORMATION.  The pro forma
consolidated balance sheet of the Borrower and its Subsidiaries as at July 30,
1994, but after giving effect to the Acquisition, in the good faith judgment of
the Borrower presents fairly on a pro forma


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basis what is the consolidated financial position of the Borrower and its
Subsidiaries would be on and as of such date were the Acquisition to be
consummated on such date.

         SECTION 9.7      SOLVENCY.  The Borrower has received consideration
which is the reasonable equivalent value of the obligations and liabilities
that the Borrower has incurred to the Banks.  The Borrower is not insolvent as
defined in any applicable state or federal statute, nor will the Borrower be
rendered insolvent by the execution and delivery of this Agreement or any Note
to the Banks.  The Borrower is not engaged or about to engage in any business
or transaction for which the assets retained by it shall be an unreasonably
small capital, taking into consideration the obligations to the Banks incurred
hereunder.  The Borrower does not intend to, nor does it believe that it will,
incur debts beyond its ability to pay them as they mature.

         SECTION 9.8      DEFAULT.  No Possible Default exists hereunder, nor
will any begin to exist immediately after the execution and delivery hereof.

         SECTION 9.9      LAWFUL OPERATIONS. Except as set forth in the
Supplemental Schedule, the operations of the Borrower and the operations of
each of its Subsidiaries are in full compliance as of the Closing Date with all
requirements imposed by Law or regulation, whether federal, state or local
including (without limitation) all Environmental Laws, occupational safety and
health Laws and zoning ordinances except where the noncompliance with any such
Laws could not be reasonably expected to result in a Material Adverse Effect;
provided, however, that this Section 9.9 shall not apply to any noncompliance
if and to the extent that the same is being contested in good faith by timely
and appropriate proceedings which are effective to stay enforcement thereof and
against which appropriate reserves have been established.

         SECTION 9.10     INVESTMENT COMPANY ACT STATUS.  Neither the Borrower
nor any of its Subsidiaries is an "investment company" or an "affiliated
person" of, or "promoter" or "principal underwriter" for, an "investment
company", as such terms are defined in the Investment Company Act of 1940, as
amended (15 U.S.C. Section 80(a)(1), et seq.).

         SECTION 9.11     REGULATION G/REGULATION U/REGULATION X COMPLIANCE.
Neither the Borrower nor any of its Subsidiaries is engaged principally, or as
one of its important activities, in the business of extending credit for the
purpose of purchasing or carrying "margin stock" (as defined by Regulation U of
the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System of the United States (as
amended from time to time) and all official rulings and interpretations
thereunder or thereof and at no time shall more than 25% of the value of the
assets of the Borrower or the Borrower and its Consolidated Subsidiaries that
are subject to any "arrangement" (as such term is used in section 221.2(g) of
Regulation U) be represented by "margin stock".  No part of the proceeds of any
Revolving Credit Loan will be used, whether directly or indirectly, and whether
immediately, incidentally or ultimately, (i) to purchase or to extend credit to
others for the purpose of purchasing "margin stock" (other than any purchase by
the Borrower of the common stock of the Borrower as permitted by the terms of
this Agreement), or to carry or to extend credit to others for the purpose of
carrying stock which will be "margin stock" after giving effect to the
Revolving Credit Loans or (ii) for any purpose that entails a violation of, or
is inconsistent with, the provisions of the Regulations of

                                       64





                                 PAGE 97 OF 126
<PAGE>   74

the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System of the United States,
including Regulation G, U or X.

         SECTION 9.12     FULL DISCLOSURE.  No information, exhibits or reports
furnished by the Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries to the Agent or any Bank
omits to state any fact necessary to make the statements contained therein not
materially misleading in light of the circumstances and purposes for which such
information was provided.  The Borrower and each of its Subsidiaries has
provided all information requested by the Agent or any Bank and all such
information is complete and accurate in all material respects.

                                   ARTICLE 10
                               EVENTS OF DEFAULT

                 Each of the following shall constitute an event of default (an
"Event of Default") hereunder:

         SECTION 10.1     PAYMENTS.  If the principal of or interest on any
Note, any Letter of Credit reimbursement obligation (including but not limited
to any Time Draft accepted by the Letter of Credit Bank relating to any
Commercial Letter of Credit) not reimbursed pursuant to Section 5.3(b) hereof,
any Acceptance Obligation not reimbursed pursuant to Section 4.11 hereof, any
Acceptance Commission, reimbursement, payment or amount due the Agent or any of
the Banks, any amendment fee or administrative fee imposed by any of the Banks,
any Letter of Credit fees or any Facility Fee, Commitment Fee, the Risk
Participation Fee or other fee or amount owing to the Banks or the Agent under
this Agreement shall not be paid in full punctually when due and payable and
shall remain unpaid for a period of ten (10) consecutive days.

         SECTION 10.2     COVENANTS.  If the Borrower or any Subsidiary shall
fail or omit to perform and observe (a) any agreement or other provision (other
than those referred to in Section 10.1 hereof or clause (b) of this Section
10.2) contained or referred to in this Agreement or any Related Writing that is
on the Borrower's or such Subsidiary's part to be complied with and such
Possible Default shall not have been fully corrected within thirty (30) days
after the giving of written notice thereof to the Borrower by Agent or any Bank
that the specified Possible Default is to be remedied or (b) provisions of
Section 8.25 hereof and such Possible Default shall not have been fully
corrected within fifteen (15) days after the occurrence of such Possible
Default.

         SECTION 10.3     WARRANTIES.  If any representation, warranty or
statement made in or pursuant to this Agreement or any Related Writing or any
other material information furnished by the Borrower or any Subsidiary to the
Banks or any thereof or any other holder of any Note or any Acceptance, shall
be false or erroneous in any respect when furnished or made or deemed furnished
or made hereunder.

         SECTION 10.4     CROSS DEFAULT.  If the Borrower (a) defaults in any
payment of principal or interest due and owing upon any other Indebtedness for
Borrowed Money (other than Indebtedness for Borrowed Money referred to in
clause (b) of this Section 10.4) beyond any period of grace provided with
respect thereto or in the performance of any other

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agreement, term or condition contained in any agreement under which such
obligation is created, if the effect of such default has resulted in the
acceleration of the maturity of such indebtedness or has caused such
indebtedness to become due prior to its stated maturity or (b) defaults in any
payment of principal or interest due and owing upon any Indebtedness for
Borrowed Money comprised of Negotiated Bid Loans, loans under the Swingline
Facility or Outside Loans owing to any of the Banks or in the performance of
any other agreement, term or condition contained in any agreement or promissory
note under which such obligation is created, constituting, or which with the
giving of notice or the lapse of any applicable grace period or both would
constitute, a default which accelerates (or permits any creditor or creditors
or representative of creditors to accelerate) the maturity of any such
Indebtedness for Borrowed Money.

         SECTION 10.5     CHANGE OF CONTROL.  If (x) any "person" or "group"
(other than any group consisting solely of members of the Rosskamm family or
the Zimmerman family) shall become the "beneficial owner" (as those terms are
respectively used in the Securities and Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, and
the rules and regulations thereunder) of more than fifty percent (50%) of the
outstanding voting stock of the Borrower or shall otherwise acquire the power
(whether by contract, by proxy or otherwise) to elect a majority of the
Borrower's Board of Directors or (y) during any twelve (12) month period,
individuals who were directors of the Borrower at the beginning of such period
or were elected to the Board of Directors of the Borrower with the approval of
a majority of such directors shall cease to constitute a majority of the Board
of Directors.

         SECTION 10.6     TERMINATION OF PLAN OR CREATION OF WITHDRAWAL
LIABILITY.  If (a) any Reportable Event occurs and the Majority Banks, in their
sole determination, deem such Reportable Event to constitute grounds (i) for
the termination of any Plan by the Pension Benefit Guaranty Corporation or (ii)
for the appointment by the appropriate United States district court of a
trustee to administer any Plan and such Reportable Event shall not have been
fully corrected or remedied to the full satisfaction of the Majority Banks
within thirty (30) days after giving of written notice of such determination to
the Borrower by any Bank or (b) any Plan shall be terminated within the meaning
of Title IV of ERISA (other than a Standard Termination, as that term is
defined in Section 4041(b) of ERISA), or (c) a trustee shall be appointed by
the appropriate United States district court to administer any Plan, or (d) the
Pension Benefit Guaranty Corporation shall institute proceedings to terminate
any Plan or to appoint a trustee to administer any Plan or (e) there occurs a
withdrawal by the Borrower or any Subsidiary from a Multi-Employer Plan which
results or may result in a withdrawal liability in an amount equal to or
greater than five per cent (5%) of the Borrower's Consolidated Tangible Net
Worth.

         SECTION 10.7     VALIDITY OF AGREEMENTS.  If this Agreement, the
Notes, any Guaranty of Payment, the guaranty under Section 5.5 of this
Agreement, any Reimbursement Agreement, or any other Related Writing shall for
any reason cease to be, or be asserted by the Borrower or any Subsidiary not to
be, a legal, valid and binding obligation of any party thereto (other than the
Agent, the Letter of Credit Bank or any Bank) enforceable in accordance with
its terms.



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         SECTION 10.8     SOLVENCY OF SUBSIDIARIES.  If any Subsidiary (other
than the FCA of Ohio) shall (a) generally not pay its debts as such debts
become due, or (b) make a general assignment for the benefit of creditors, or
(c) apply for or consent to the appointment of a receiver, a custodian, a
trustee, an interim trustee or liquidator of itself or all or a substantial
part of its assets, or (d) be adjudicated a debtor or have entered against it
an order for relief under Title 11 of the United States Code, as the same may
be amended from time to time, or (e) file a voluntary petition in bankruptcy or
file a petition or an answer seeking reorganization or an arrangement with
creditors or seeking to take advantage of any other law (whether federal or
state) relating to relief of debtors, or admit (by answer, by default or
otherwise) the material allegations of a petition filed against it in any
bankruptcy, reorganization, insolvency or other proceeding (whether federal or
state) relating to relief of debtors, or (f) suffer or permit to continue
unstayed and in effect for thirty (30) consecutive days any judgment, decree or
order, entered by a court of competent jurisdiction, which approves a petition
seeking its reorganization or appoints a receiver, custodian, trustee, interim
trustee or liquidator of itself or of all or a substantial part of its assets,
or (g) take or omit to take any other action in order thereby to effect any of
the foregoing.

         SECTION 10.9     THE BORROWER'S SOLVENCY; FCA OF OHIO'S SOLVENCY.  If
the Borrower or FCA of Ohio shall (a) discontinue business, or (b) generally
not pay its debts as such debts become due, or (c) make a general assignment
for the benefit of creditors, or (d) apply for or consent to the appointment of
a receiver, a custodian, a trustee, an interim trustee or liquidator of all or
a substantial part of its assets, or (e) be adjudicated a debtor or have
entered against it an order for relief under Title 11 of the United States
Code, as the same may be amended from time to time, or (f) file a voluntary
petition in bankruptcy or file a petition or an answer seeking reorganization
or an arrangement with creditors or seeking to take advantage of any other Law
(whether federal or state) relating to relief of debtors, or admit (by answer,
by default or otherwise) the material allegations of a petition filed against
it in any bankruptcy, reorganization, insolvency or other proceeding (whether
federal or state) relating to relief of debtors, or (g) suffer or permit to
continue unstayed and in effect for thirty (30) consecutive days any judgment,
decree or order entered by a court or governmental commission of competent
jurisdiction, which assumes custody or control of the Borrower or FCA of Ohio,
approves a petition seeking reorganization of the Borrower or FCA of Ohio or
any other judicial modification of the rights of its creditors, or appoints a
receiver, custodian, trustee, interim trustee or liquidator for the Borrower or
FCA of Ohio or of all or a substantial part of its assets, or (h) take, or omit
to take, any action in order thereby to effect any of the foregoing.

                                   ARTICLE 11
                             REMEDIES UPON DEFAULT

                 Notwithstanding any contrary provision or inference herein or
elsewhere,

         SECTION 11.1     OPTIONAL DEFAULTS.  If any Event of Default referred
to in Sections 10.1 through and including 10.8 hereof shall occur, the Majority
Banks, or in the event that the Commitments of the Banks shall have been
terminated, the Banks holding 66% of the



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amount of Revolving Credit Loans then outstanding, shall have the right in
their discretion, by directing the Agent, on behalf of the Banks, to give
written notice to the Borrower, to

                 (1)      terminate the Commitments and the credits hereby
         established, if not theretofore terminated, and forthwith upon such
         election the obligations of the Banks, and each thereof, to make any
         further loan or loans hereunder and to risk participate in Letters of
         Credit and Acceptances hereunder, and the obligation of the Agent to
         create Acceptances and the obligation of the Letter of Credit Bank to
         issue Standby Letters of Credit, immediately shall be terminated,
         and/or

                 (2)      accelerate the maturity of all of the Borrower's
         Obligations to the Banks (if it be not already due and payable),
         whereupon all of the Borrower's Obligations to the Banks and the Agent
         shall become and (including but not limited to the Notes and the
         Acceptance Obligations and all reimbursement obligations under Letters
         of Credit) thereafter be immediately due and payable in full without
         any presentment or demand and without any further or other notice of
         any kind, all of which are hereby waived by the Borrower.

         SECTION 11.2     AUTOMATIC DEFAULTS.  If any Event of Default referred
to in Section 10.9 hereof shall occur,

                 (1)      all of the Commitments and the credits hereby
         established shall automatically and forthwith terminate, if not
         theretofore terminated, and no Bank thereafter shall be under any
         obligation to grant any further loan or loans hereunder, nor shall the
         Agent thereafter be under any obligation to create Acceptances
         hereunder, nor shall the Letter of Credit Bank be under any obligation
         to issue any Standby Letter of Credit hereunder, and

                 (2)      the principal of and interest on any Notes, and the
         Acceptance Obligations, and all reimbursement obligations with respect
         to Letters of Credit, then outstanding, and all of the Borrower's
         other Bank Debt and the Agent shall thereupon become and thereafter be
         immediately due and payable in full (if it be not already due and
         payable), all without any presentment, demand or notice of any kind,
         which are hereby waived by the Borrower.

Each Bank agrees that, unless so requested by the Agent with the consent of the
Majority Banks, it shall not take or cause to be taken any action to declare
the Commitments terminated or to declare payable or collect the amounts
referred to above that is independent from any action taken or to be taken by
the Agent, unless such action is taken in connection with an Event of Default
described in Section 10.1 or 10.9.

         SECTION 11.3     OFFSETS.  If there shall occur or exist any Possible
Default referred to in Section 10.9 hereof or if the maturity of the Notes or
any Acceptance or any accepted Time Draft is accelerated pursuant to Section
11.1 or 11.2 hereof, each Bank shall have the right at any time to set off
against, and to appropriate and apply toward the payment of, any



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and all Debt then owing by the Borrower to that Bank (including, without
limitation, any participation purchased or to be purchased pursuant to Section
11.4 hereof), whether or not the same shall then have matured, any and all
deposit balances and all other indebtedness then held or owing by that Bank to
or for the credit or account of the Borrower, all without notice to or demand
upon the Borrower or any other person, all such notices and demands being
hereby expressly waived by the Borrower.

         SECTION 11.4     EQUALIZATION PROVISION; SHARING OF PAYMENTS.

         (a)     EQUALIZATION OF ADVANTAGE.  Subject to the provisions of
Section 11.4(b) below, each Bank agrees with the other Banks that if it at any
time shall obtain any Advantage over the other Banks in respect of the
Borrower's Obligations to the Banks (except under Section 3.7, 3.8, 3.9 or 14.4
hereof), it will purchase from the other Banks, for cash and at par, such
additional participation in the Borrower's Debt to the Banks as shall be
necessary to nullify the Advantage.  If any said Advantage resulting in the
purchase of an additional participation as aforesaid shall be recovered in
whole or in part from the Bank receiving the Advantage, each such purchase
shall be rescinded, and the purchase price restored (but without interest
unless the Bank receiving the Advantage is required to pay interest on the
Advantage to the person recovering the Advantage from such Bank) ratably to the
extent of the recovery.  Each Bank further agrees with the other Banks that if
it at any time shall receive any payment for or on behalf of the Borrower on
any indebtedness owing by the Borrower to that Bank by reason of offset of any
deposit or other indebtedness, it will apply such payment first to any and all
indebtedness owing by the Borrower to that Bank pursuant to this Agreement
(including, without limitation, any participation purchased or to be purchased
pursuant to this Section 11.4) until the Borrower's Obligations have been paid
in full.  The Borrower agrees that any Bank so purchasing a participation from
the other Banks pursuant to this Section may exercise all its rights of payment
(including the right of set-off) with respect to such participation as fully as
if such Bank were a direct creditor of the Borrower in the amount of such
participation.

         (b)     SHARING OF PAYMENTS.  Upon the occurrence and continuation of
an Event of Default, the Borrower, the Agent and each of the Banks under this
Agreement, each of the Banks having Negotiated Bid Loans, Outside Loans or
loans under the Swingline Facility then outstanding (collectively, the "Sharing
Banks") agree that all payments made to any Bank in respect of the Revolving
Credit Loans, the Negotiated Bid Loans, the Outside Loans or loans in respect
of the Swingline Facility (such loans to be collectively referred to in the
aggregate as the "Subject Loans") shall be remitted to the Agent by the
Borrower, or by any Sharing Bank receiving any such payment after the
occurrence and during the continuation of an Event of Default, for application
by the Agent as follows: all payments made to the Agent in respect of the
Subject Loans shall be made (i) to each Sharing Bank in respect of the
Revolving Credit Loans, the interest and fees due in respect of such Revolving
Credit Loans, and the Swingline Facility and such interest as may be due
Society in respect of outstanding loans under the Swingline Facility on a pro
rata basis based upon the percentage such Subject Loans of such Bank bear to
the aggregate of all such Subject Loans then outstanding and (ii) upon payment
in full of all amounts to be paid pursuant to the preceding clause (i), to the
Sharing Banks on a pro rata basis based upon the percentage the aggregate of
then outstanding Negotiated Bid


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Loans and the then outstanding Outside Loans of such Sharing Bank bears to the
aggregate of all of the Negotiated Bid Loans and the Outside Loans then
outstanding.  Each Sharing Bank may apply any such payment received pursuant to
this Section 11.4(b) to the amounts owing to such Sharing Bank in respect of
such the Subject Loans of such Sharing Bank in such manner and in such order as
such Sharing Bank shall determine in its sole discretion.  Each Sharing Bank
agrees the such Sharing Bank shall provide that any transferee (whether by
absolute assignment or participation) of all or any portion of any Negotiated
Bid Loan, Outside Loan or any loan in respect of the Swingline Facility shall
be bound by the provisions of this Section 11.4(b) and Article 12 hereof.

                                   ARTICLE 12
                                   THE AGENT

         SECTION 12.1     THE AGENT.  Each Bank irrevocably appoints Society to
be its Agent with full authority to take such actions, and to exercise such
powers, on behalf of the Banks in respect of this Agreement and the Related
Writings as are therein respectively delegated to the Agent or as are
reasonably incidental to those delegated powers.  Society in such capacity
shall be deemed to be an independent contractor of the Banks.  Each of the
Sharing Banks irrevocably appoints Society to be its Agent with full authority
to take such actions, and to exercise such powers, on behalf of the Banks in
respect of this Agreement and the Related Writings as are therein respectively
delegated to the Agent pursuant to Section 11.4 or as are reasonably incidental
to those delegated powers.  Society in such capacity shall be deemed to be an
independent contractor of the Sharing Banks.  For the purposes of this Article
12, "Bank" shall include any Sharing Bank.

         SECTION 12.2     NATURE OF APPOINTMENT.  The Agent shall have no
fiduciary relationship with any Bank by reason of this Agreement and the
Related Writings. The Agent shall not have any duty or responsibility
whatsoever to any Bank except those expressly set forth in this Agreement and
the Related Writings.  Without limiting the generality of the foregoing, each
Bank acknowledges that the Agent is acting as such solely as a convenience to
the Banks and not as a manager of the commitments or the Obligations evidenced
by the Notes.  This Article 12 does not confer any rights upon the Borrower or
anyone else (except the Banks), whether as a third party beneficiary or
otherwise.

         SECTION 12.3     SOCIETY AS A BANK; OTHER TRANSACTIONS.  Society's
rights as a Bank under this Agreement and the Related Writings shall not be
affected by its serving as the Agent.  Society and its affiliates may generally
transact any banking, financial, trust, advisory or other business with the
Borrower or its Subsidiaries (including, without limitation, the acceptance of
deposits, the extension of credit and the acceptance of fiduciary appointments)
without notice to the Banks, without accounting to the Banks, and without
prejudice to Society's rights as a Bank under this Agreement and the Related
Writings except as may be expressly required under this Agreement.

         SECTION 12.4     INSTRUCTIONS FROM BANKS.  The Agent shall not be
required to exercise any discretion or take any action as to matters not
expressly provided for by this



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Agreement and the Related Writings (including, without limitation, collection
and enforcement actions in respect of any Obligations under the Notes or this
Agreement and any collateral therefor) except that the Agent shall take such
action (or omit to take such action) other than actions referred to in Section
14.1, as may be reasonably requested of it in writing by the Majority Banks
with instructions and which actions and omissions shall be binding upon all the
Banks; provided, however, that the Agent shall not be required to act (or omit
any act) if, in its judgment, any such action or omission might expose the
Agent to personal liability or might be contrary to this Agreement, any Related
Writing or any applicable Law.

         SECTION 12.5     BANK'S DILIGENCE.  Each Bank (a) represents and
warrants that it has made its decision to enter into this Agreement and the
Related Writings and (b) agrees that it will make its own decision as to taking
or not taking future actions in respect of this Agreement and the Related
Writings; in each case without reliance on the Agent or any other Bank and on
the basis of its independent credit analysis and its independent examination of
and inquiry into such documents and other matters as it deems relevant and
material.

         SECTION 12.6     NO IMPLIED REPRESENTATIONS.  The Agent shall not be
liable for any representation, warranty, agreement or obligation of any kind of
any other party to this Agreement or anyone else, whether made or implied by
the Borrower or any Subsidiary in this Agreement or any Related Writing or by a
Bank in any notice or other communication or by anyone else or otherwise.

         SECTION 12.7     SUB-AGENTS.  The Agent may employ agents and shall
not be liable (except as to money or property received by it or its agents) for
any negligence or misconduct of any such agent selected by it with reasonable
care.  The Agent may consult with legal counsel, certified public accountants
and other experts of its choosing (including, without limitation, Society's
salaried employees or any otherwise not independent) and shall not be liable
for any action or inaction taken or suffered in good faith by it in accordance
with the advice of any such counsel, accountants or other experts which shall
have been selected by it with reasonable care.

         SECTION 12.8     AGENT'S DILIGENCE.  The Agent shall not be required
(a) to keep itself informed as to anyone's compliance with any provision of
this Agreement or any Related Writing, (b) to make any inquiry into the
properties, financial condition or operation of the Borrower or any of its
Subsidiaries or any other matter relating to this Agreement or any Related
Writing, (c) to report to any Bank any information (other than which this
Agreement or any Related Writing expressly requires to be so reported) that the
Agent or any of its affiliates may have or acquire in respect of the
properties, business or financial condition of the Borrower or any of its
Subsidiaries or any other matter relating to this Agreement or any Related
Writing or (d) to inquire into the validity, effectiveness or genuineness of
this Agreement or any Related Writing.

         SECTION 12.9     NOTICE OF DEFAULT.  The Agent shall not be deemed to
have knowledge of any Possible Default or Event of Default unless and until it
shall have received a written notice describing it and citing the relevant
provision of this Agreement or any Related


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Writing.  The Agent shall give each Bank reasonably prompt notice of any such
written notice except, of course, to any Bank that shall have given the written
notice.

         SECTION 12.10    AGENT'S LIABILITY.   Neither the Agent nor any of its
directors, officers, employees, attorneys, and other agents shall be liable for
any action or omission on their respective parts except for gross negligence or
willful misconduct.  Without limitation of the generality of the foregoing, the
Agent:  (i) may treat the payee of any Revolving Credit Note as the holder
thereof until the Agent receives a fully executed copy of the Assignment
Agreement required by Section 13.1(b) signed by such payee and in form
satisfactory to the Agent and the fee required by Section 13.1(b); (ii) may
consult with legal counsel, independent public accountants and other experts
selected by it and shall not be liable for any action taken or omitted to be
taken in good faith by it in accordance with the advice or such counsel,
accountants or experts which have been selected by the Agent with reasonable
care; (iii) makes no warranty or representation to any Bank and shall not be
responsible to any Bank for any statements, warranties or representations made
in or in connection with this Agreement, any Guaranty of Payment or any other
Related Writing, including, without limitation, the truth of the statements
made in any certificate delivered by the Borrower under Article 6 or any Notice
of Borrowing, Acceptance Request, Rate Continuation/Conversion Request,
Extension Request and Consent, Reimbursement Agreement or any other similar
notice or delivery, the Agent being entitled for the purposes of determining
fulfillment of the conditions set forth therein to rely conclusively upon such
certificates; (iv) shall not have any duty to ascertain or to inquire as to the
performance or observance of any of the terms, covenants or conditions of this
Agreement, the Notes or any other Related Writing or to inspect the property
(including the books and records) of the Borrower or its Subsidiaries; (v)
shall not be responsible to any Bank for the due execution, legality, validity,
enforceability, genuineness, sufficiency or value of this Agreement, any
Guaranty of Payment or collateral covered by any agreement or any other Related
Writing and (vi) shall incur no liability under or in respect of this
Agreement, the Notes or any other Related Writing by acting upon any notice,
consent, certificate or other instrument or writing (which may be by telegram,
telecopy, cable or telex) believed by it in good faith to be genuine and
correct and signed or sent by the proper party or parties.

         Neither the Agent nor any of its directors, officers, employees or
agents shall have any responsibility to the Borrower on account of the failure
of or delay in performance or breach by any Bank of any of its obligations
hereunder or to any Bank on account of the failure of or delay in performance
or breach by any other Bank or the Borrower of any of their respective
obligations hereunder or under any Related Writing or in connection herewith or
therewith.

         The Banks each hereby acknowledge that the Agent shall be under no
duty to take any discretionary action permitted to be taken by it pursuant to
the provisions of this Agreement, the Notes or any other Related Writing unless
it shall be requested in writing to do so by the Majority Banks.

         SECTION 12.11    COMPENSATION.  Except for the fees set forth in the
Agent's Fee Letter, the Agent shall receive no other compensation for its
services as agent of the Banks in respect of this Agreement and the Related
Writings, except any expressly referred to in this



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Agreement, but the Borrower shall reimburse the Agent periodically on its
demand for out-of-pocket expenses, if any, reasonably incurred by it as such.

         SECTION 12.12    AGENT'S INDEMNITY.  The Banks shall indemnify the
Agent (to the extent the Agent is not reimbursed by the Borrower) from and
against (a) any loss or liability (other than any caused by the Agent's gross
negligence or willful misconduct and other than any loss to the Agent resulting
from the Borrower's non-payment of agency fees owed solely to the Agent)
incurred by the Agent as such in respect of this Agreement, the Notes, the
Letters of Credit, the Acceptances, any Time Draft, any Guaranty of Payment or
any Related Writing (as the Agent) and (b) any out-of-pocket expenses incurred
in defending itself or otherwise related to this Agreement, the Notes, any
Guaranty of Payment, any Letter of Credit, any Acceptance, any Time Draft or
any Related Writing (other than any caused by the Agent's gross negligence or
willful misconduct) including, without limitation, reasonable fees and
disbursements of legal counsel of its own selection (including, without
limitation, the reasonable interdepartmental charges of its salaried attorneys)
in the defense of any claim against it or in the prosecution of its rights and
remedies as the Agent (other than the loss, liability or costs incurred by the
Agent in the defense of any claim against it by the Banks arising in connection
with its actions in its capacity as Agent); provided, however, that each Bank
shall be liable for only its Ratable Portion of the whole loss or liability.

         SECTION 12.13    RESIGNATION.  The Agent (or any successor) may at any
time resign as such by giving ten (10) days' prior written notice to the
Borrower and to each Bank; and the Majority Banks may remove the Agent at any
time with or without cause by giving written notice to the Agent and the
Borrower.  In any such case, the Majority Banks may appoint a successor to the
resigned or removed agent (the "Former Agent"), provided that the Majority
Banks obtain the Borrower's prior written consent to the successor (which
consent shall not be unreasonably withheld), by giving written notice to the
Borrower, the Former Agent and each Bank not participating in the appointment;
provided, however, that, if at the time of the proposed resignation or removal
of an Agent, the Borrower is the subject of an action referred to in Section
10.9 or an Event of Default shall have occurred and be continuing the
Borrower's consent shall not be required.  In the absence of a timely
appointment, the Former Agent shall have the right (but not the duty) to make a
temporary appointment of any Bank (but only with that Bank's consent) to act as
its successor pending an appointment pursuant to the immediately preceding
sentence.  In either case, the successor Agent shall deliver its written
acceptance of appointment to the Borrower, to each Bank and to the Former
Agent, whereupon (a) the Former Agent shall execute and deliver such
assignments and other writings as the successor Agent may reasonably require to
facilitate its being and acting as the Agent, (b) the successor Agent shall in
any event automatically acquire and assume all the rights and duties as those
prescribed for the Agent by this Article 12 and (c) the Former Agent shall be
discharged from its duties and obligations under this Agreement and the Related
Writings.

         SECTION 12.14    BANK PURPOSE.  Each Bank represents and warrants to
the Agent, the other Banks and the Borrower that such Bank is familiar with the
Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and the rules and regulations thereunder
and is not entering into this Agreement with any intention to violate such Act
or any rule or regulation thereunder.  Subject to the



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provisions of Sections 14.1 and 14.2, each Bank shall at all times retain full
control over the disposition of its assets subject only to this Agreement and
to all applicable Law.

         SECTION 12.15    BANK INDEMNIFICATION.  Each Bank providing cash
management or similar services to the Borrower agrees to indemnify each of the
other Banks (the "Other Banks") from and against any and all liabilities,
obligations, losses, damages, penalties, actions, judgments, suits, costs,
expenses or disbursements of any kind or nature whatsoever that may be imposed
on, incurred by, or asserted against any Other Bank in any way relating to or
arising out of the cash management or similar services provided by such Bank to
the Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries or any action or inaction of such Bank
in connection therewith.

                                   ARTICLE 13
                           TRANSFERS AND ASSIGNMENTS

         SECTION 13.1     TRANSFER OF COMMITMENTS.  Each Bank shall have the
right at any time or times to transfer to another financial institution,
without recourse, all or any part of (a) that Bank's Commitment, (b) any Loan
made by that Bank, (c) any Revolving Credit Note, (d) that Bank's Risk
Participation Exposure and (e) that Bank's participations, if any, purchased
pursuant to Section 11.4; provided, however, in each such case, that the
transferor and the transferee shall have complied with the following
requirements:

         (a)     PRIOR CONSENT.  No transfer may be consummated pursuant to
this Article 13 without the prior written consent of the Borrower and the Agent
(other than a transfer by any Bank to any affiliate of such Bank), which
consent of the Borrower shall not be unreasonably withheld; provided, however,
that, neither the Borrower nor the Agent shall be deemed to be unreasonable in
withholding its respective consent if, (i) after giving effect to such
transfer, any Bank's (including any assignee becoming a Bank pursuant to this
Section 13.1) Ratable Portion of the Total Commitment Amount would be less than
Ten Million Dollars ($10,000,000), (ii) the proposed transferee is a financial
institution not organized under the Laws of a state or of the United States
(unless such institution is an affiliate of the transferring Bank) or (iii) if
the proposed transferee's long-term certificates of deposit shall be rated A or
below by any rating agency or the equivalent rating by Thompson's Bank Watch;
provided, further, that, if at the time of the proposed transfer the Borrower
is the subject of a proceeding referenced in Section 10.9 or any Event of
Default shall have occurred and be continuing, the Borrower's consent shall not
be required and any Bank may consummate a transfer contemplated by Section 13.1
notwithstanding the requirements of clauses (i), (ii) or (iii) of this Section
13.1(a).  Notwithstanding anything to the contrary, any Bank may at any time
assign all or any portion of its rights under this Agreement and its Notes to a
Federal Reserve Bank, and no such assignment shall release such assigning Bank
from its obligations hereunder.

         (b)     AGREEMENT; TRANSFER FEE.  The transferor (i) shall remit to
the Agent an administrative fee of Two Thousand Five Hundred Dollars ($2,500)
and (ii) shall cause the transferee to execute and deliver to the Borrower, the
Agent and each Bank (A) an Assignment Agreement, in the form of Exhibit G
hereto (an "Assignment Agreement") together with the




                                       74





                                PAGE 107 OF 126
<PAGE>   84

consents and releases and the Administrative Questionnaire referenced therein
and (B) such additional amendments, assurances and other writings as the Agent
may reasonably require.

         (c)     NOTES.  The Borrower shall execute and deliver (i) to the
Agent, the transferor and the transferee, any consent or release (of all or a
portion of the obligations of the transferor) to be delivered in connection
with the Assignment Agreement, (ii) if a Bank's entire interest in its
Commitment, its Risk Participation Exposure and in all of its Loans have been
transferred, to the transferee an appropriate Notes against return of the Notes
(marked "replaced") held by the transferor and (iii) if only a portion of a
Bank's interest in its Commitment, its Risk Participation Exposure and its
Loans has been transferred, a new Revolving Credit Note to each of the
transferor and the transferee against return of the original such Notes of the
transferor (marked "replaced") held by the transferor.

         (d)     PARTIES.  Upon satisfaction of the requirements of this
Section 13.1, including the payment of the fee and the delivery of the
documents set forth in Section 13.1(b), (i) the transferee shall become and
thereafter be deemed to be a "Bank" for the purposes of this Agreement and (ii)
the transferor (A) shall continue to be a "Bank" for the purposes of this
Agreement only if and to the extent that the transfer shall not have been a
transfer of its entire interest in its Commitment, its Risk Participation
Exposure and its Loans, (B) shall cease to be and thereafter shall no longer be
deemed to be a "Bank" in the case of any transfer of its entire interest in its
Commitment, its Risk Participation Exposure and its Loans and (C) the signature
pages hereto and Annex A hereto shall be automatically amended, without further
action, to reflect the result of any such transfer.

         SECTION 13.2     SALE OF PARTICIPATIONS.  Each Bank shall have the
right at any time or times to sell one or more participations or
subparticipations to a financial institution, as the case may be, in all or any
part of (a) that Bank's Commitment, (b) that Bank's Risk Participation
Exposure, (c) any Loan made by that Bank, (d) any Note delivered to that Bank
pursuant to this Agreement, and (e) that Bank's participations, if any,
purchased pursuant to Section 11.4 or this Section 13.2.

         (a)     BENEFITS OF PARTICIPANT.  The provisions of Sections 3.7, 3.8
and 3.9 shall inure to the benefit of each purchaser of a participation or
subparticipation (provided that each such participant shall look solely to the
seller of its participation for those benefits and the Borrower's liabilities,
if any, under any of those sections shall not be increased as a result of the
sale of any such participation) and Agent shall continue to distribute payments
pursuant to this Agreement as if no participation has been sold.

         (b)     RIGHTS RESERVED.  In the event any Bank shall sell any
participation or subparticipation, that Bank shall, as between itself and the
purchaser, retain all of its rights (including, without limitation, rights to
enforce against the Borrower this Agreement and the Related Writings) and
duties pursuant to this Agreement and the Related Writings, including, without
limitation, that Bank's right to approve any waiver, consent or amendment
pursuant to Section 14.1, except if and to the extent that any such waiver,
consent or amendment would




                                       75





                                PAGE 108 OF 126
<PAGE>   85

              (i)         reduce any fee or commission allocated to the
                          participation or subparticipation, as the case may be,

             (ii)         reduce the amount of any principal payment on any
                          Loan allocated to the participation or
                          subparticipation, as the case may be, or reduce the
                          principal amount of any Loan so allocated or the rate
                          of interest payable thereon, or

            (iii)         extend the time for payment of any amount allocated
                          to the participation or subparticipation, as the case
                          may be.

         (c)     NO DELEGATION.  No participation or subparticipation shall
operate as a delegation of any duty of the seller thereof.  Under no
circumstance shall any participation or subparticipation be deemed a novation
in respect of all or any part of the seller's obligations pursuant to this
Agreement.

         SECTION 13.3     CONFIDENTIALITY.  Each Bank hereby (a) acknowledges
that the Borrower and each of its Subsidiaries have many trade secrets and much
financial, environmental and other data and information the confidentiality of
which is important to their business and (b) agrees to keep confidential any
such trade secret, data or information designated in writing by the Borrower or
any of its Subsidiaries as confidential, except that this Section shall not
preclude any Bank from furnishing any such secret, data or information: (i) as
may be required by order of any court of competent jurisdiction or requested by
any governmental agency having any regulatory authority over that Bank or its
securities or in response to legal process, (ii) to any other party to this
Agreement, (iii) or to any affiliate of any Bank or to any actual or
prospective transferee, participant or subparticipant (so long as such
affiliate or prospective transferee, participant or subparticipant is a
financial institution) of all or part of that Bank's rights arising out of or
in connection with the Related Writings and this Agreement or any thereof so
long as such affiliate, prospective transferee, participant or subparticipant
to whom disclosure is made agrees to be bound by the provisions of this Section
13.3, (iv) to anyone if it shall have been already publicly disclosed (other
than by that Bank in contravention of this Section 13.3), (v) to the extent
reasonably required in connection with the exercise of any right or remedy
under this Agreement or any Related Writing, (vi) to that Bank's legal counsel,
auditors and accountants and (vii) in connection with any legal proceedings
instituted by or against the Agent or any Bank.

                                   ARTICLE 14
                                 MISCELLANEOUS

         SECTION 14.1     AMENDMENTS, CONSENTS.  No amendment, modification,
termination, or waiver of any provision of this Agreement or of the Notes, nor
consent to any variance therefrom, shall be effective unless the same shall be
in writing and signed by the Majority Banks (and then such waiver or consent
shall be effective only in the specific instance and for the specific purpose
for which given).  Unanimous consent of all Banks shall be required with
respect to (i) the extension of maturity of any Note, or the payment date of
interest, principal and/or fees thereunder, or (ii) any reduction in the rate
of interest on the


                                       76





                                PAGE 109 OF 126
<PAGE>   86

Notes, or in any amount of principal or interest due on any Note, or in the
manner of pro rata application of any payments made by the Borrower to the
Banks hereunder, or (iii) any change in any percentage voting requirement in
this Agreement, or (iv) any change in the dollar amount or percentage of the
Banks' Commitments or any Bank's Commitment, or (v) any change in amount or
timing of any fees payable under this Agreement, or (vi) any release of the
Guarantors of Payment or any thereof from any obligation of under any Guaranty
of Payment or release the Borrower from its obligations under Section 5.5
hereof, or (vii) any change in any provision of this agreement which requires
all of the Banks to take any action under such provision or (viii) any change
in Section 11.4(b), 13.1, 13.2 or this Section 14.1 itself. Notice of
amendments or consents ratified by the Banks hereunder shall immediately be
forwarded by the Borrower to all Banks.  Each Bank or other holder of a Note
shall be bound by any amendment, waiver or consent obtained as authorized by
this section, regardless of its failure to agree thereto.

         SECTION 14.2     NO WAIVER; CUMULATIVE REMEDIES.  No omission or
course of dealing on the part of Agent, any Bank or the holder of any Note in
exercising any right, power or remedy hereunder shall operate as a waiver
thereof; nor shall any single or partial exercise of any such right, power or
remedy preclude any other or further exercise thereof or the exercise of any
other right, power or remedy hereunder.  The remedies herein provided are
cumulative and in addition to any other rights, powers or privileges held by
operation of Law, by contract or otherwise.

         SECTION 14.3     NOTICES.  All notices, requests, demands and other
communications provided for hereunder shall be in writing and, if to the
Borrower, mailed or delivered to it (including, without limitation, delivery by
facsimile transmission), addressed to it at the address specified on the
signature pages of this Agreement, if to a Bank, mailed or delivered to it
(including, without limitation, delivery by facsimile transmission), addressed
to the address of such Bank specified on the signature pages of this Agreement.
All notices, statements, requests, demands and other communications provided
for hereunder shall be deemed to be given or made when delivered or forty-eight
(48) hours after being deposited in the mails with postage prepaid by
registered or certified mail or delivered to a telegraph company, addressed as
aforesaid, except that notices from the Borrower to Agent or the Banks pursuant
to any of the provisions hereof, including, without limitation, Articles 3, 4,
5 and 6 hereof, shall not be effective until received by Agent or the Banks.

         SECTION 14.4     COSTS AND EXPENSES.  The Borrower agrees to pay on
demand all reasonable costs and expenses of the Agent in connection with the
preparation, execution, delivery, modification, administration and amendment of
this Agreement (including, without limitation, any amendment), the Notes, any
Guaranty of Payment, the Acceptances, the Letters of Credit, any Time Drafts or
Sight Drafts, the Related Writings and the other documents to be delivered
hereunder, including, without limitation, the reasonable fees and out-of-pocket
expenses of counsel for the Agent with respect thereto (including any
reasonable interdepartmental charges) and with respect to advising the Agent as
to its rights and responsibilities under this Agreement.  Without limiting the
generality of the foregoing, such costs and expenses shall include: (a)
reasonable attorneys' and paralegal's costs, expenses and disbursements of
counsel to the Agent; (b) extraordinary expenses of Agent in connection with


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                                PAGE 110 OF 126
<PAGE>   87

the administration of this Agreement, the Notes, any Guaranty of Payment, the
Acceptances, the accepted Time Drafts, the sight drafts, Letters of Credit, any
other Related Writing and the other instruments and documents to be delivered
hereunder; (c) the reasonable fees and out-of-pocket expenses of special
counsel for the Agent or the Agent for the benefit of the Banks, with respect
thereto and of local counsel, if any, who may be retained by said special
counsel with respect thereto; (d) costs and expenses (including reasonable
attorneys and paralegal costs, expenses and disbursements) for any amendment,
supplement, waiver, consent, or subsequent closing in connection with this
Agreement, the Notes, any Guaranty of Payment, the Acceptances, the Time
Drafts, the Sight Drafts, any Letters of Credit or any other Related Writing
and the transactions contemplated thereby; (e) sums paid or incurred to pay any
amount or take any action required of the Borrower under this Agreement, the
Notes or any Related Writing that the Borrower fails to pay or take; (f) the
cost of any appraisal, survey, environmental audit or the retention of any
other professional service or consultant commenced after the occurrence and
continuation of an Event of Default and deemed reasonably necessary by the
Agent; (g) costs of inspections and periodic review of the records of the
Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries, including, without limitation, travel,
lodging, and meals for inspections of the Borrower's and its Subsidiaries'
operations by the Agent up to one time per year and at any time after the
occurrence and during the continuation of an Event of Default; (h) costs and
expenses of forwarding loan proceeds, fees, interest and other payments to the
Banks; and (i) costs and expenses (including, without limitation, attorneys'
fees) paid or incurred to obtain payment of the Obligations (including the
Obligations arising under this Section 14.4), enforce the provisions of the
Credit Agreement, the Notes, any Guaranty of Payment or any other Related
Writing, or to defend any claims made or threatened against the Agent arising
out of the transactions contemplated hereby (including without limitation,
preparations for and consultations concerning any such matters).  The Borrower
further agrees to pay on demand all costs and expenses of each Bank, if any
(including reasonable counsel fees and expenses), in connection with the
restructuring or the enforcement (whether through negotiations, legal
proceedings or otherwise) of this Agreement, the Notes, any Guaranty of
Payment, any other Related Writing and the other documents to be delivered
hereunder, including, without limitation, reasonable counsel fees and expenses
in connection with the enforcement of rights under this Section 14.4.  The
foregoing shall not be construed to limit any other provisions of this
Agreement, the Notes, any Guaranty of Payment or any Related Writing regarding
costs and expenses to be paid by the Borrower.  All of the foregoing costs and
expenses may be charged, in the Agent's sole discretion, to the Borrower's loan
account as Revolving Credit Loans (notwithstanding existence of any Possible
Default or Event of Default or the failure of the conditions of Article 7 to
have been satisfied).

         SECTION 14.5     OBLIGATIONS SEVERAL.  The obligations of the Banks
hereunder are several and not joint.  Nothing contained in this Agreement and
no action taken by Agent or the Banks pursuant hereto shall be deemed to
constitute the Banks a partnership, association, joint venture or other entity.
No default by any Bank hereunder shall excuse the other Banks from any
obligation under this Agreement; but no Bank shall have or acquire any
additional obligation of any kind by reason of such default.

         SECTION 14.6     EXECUTION IN COUNTERPARTS.  This Agreement may be
executed in any number of counterparts and by different parties hereto in
separate counterparts, each of


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                                PAGE 111 OF 126
<PAGE>   88

which when so executed and delivered shall be deemed to be an original and all
of which taken together shall constitute but one and the same agreement.

         SECTION 14.7     BINDING EFFECT; ASSIGNMENT.  This Agreement shall
become effective when it shall have been executed by the Borrower, Agent and by
each Bank and thereafter shall be binding upon and inure to the benefit of the
Borrower and each of the Banks and their respective successors and assigns,
except that the Borrower shall not have the right to assign its rights
hereunder or any interest herein without the prior written consent of all of
the Banks.  No person, other than the Banks, shall have or acquire any
obligation to grant the Borrower any Loans hereunder.  Any Bank may at any time
sell, assign, transfer, grant participations pursuant to Article 13 hereof.

         SECTION 14.8     GOVERNING LAW.  This Agreement, each of the Notes and
any Related Writing shall be governed by and construed in accordance with the
Laws of the State of Ohio and the respective rights and obligations of the
Borrower and the Banks shall be governed by Ohio Law.

         SECTION 14.9     SEVERABILITY OF PROVISIONS; CAPTIONS.  Any provision
of this Agreement which is prohibited or unenforceable in any jurisdiction
shall, as to such jurisdiction, be ineffective to the extent of such
prohibition or unenforceability without invalidating the remaining provisions
hereof or affecting the validity or enforceability of such provision in any
other jurisdiction.  The several captions to sections and subsections herein
are inserted for convenience only and shall be ignored in interpreting the
provisions of this Agreement.

         SECTION 14.10    ENTIRE AGREEMENT.  This Agreement and the Related
Writings referred to in or otherwise contemplated by this Agreement set forth
the entire agreement of the parties as to the transactions contemplated by this
Agreement.

         SECTION 14.11    JURY TRIAL WAIVER.  THE BORROWER, THE AGENT, THE
LETTER OF CREDIT BANK AND EACH OF THE BANKS WAIVE ANY RIGHT TO HAVE A JURY
PARTICIPATE IN RESOLVING ANY DISPUTE, WHETHER SOUNDING IN CONTRACT, TORT OR
OTHERWISE, AMONG THE BORROWER, THE AGENT, THE LETTER OF CREDIT BANK AND THE
BANKS, OR ANY THEREOF, ARISING OUT OF, IN CONNECTION WITH, RELATED TO, OR
INCIDENTAL TO THE RELATIONSHIP ESTABLISHED AMONG THEM IN CONNECTION WITH THIS
AGREEMENT OR ANY NOTE OR OTHER INSTRUMENT, DOCUMENT OR AGREEMENT EXECUTED OR
DELIVERED IN CONNECTION HEREWITH OR THE TRANSACTIONS RELATED THERETO.

         SECTION 14.12    JURISDICTION; VENUE; INCONVENIENT FORUM.

         (A)     JURISDICTION.  EACH OF THE PARTIES HERETO HEREBY IRREVOCABLY
AND UNCONDITIONALLY SUBMITS, FOR ITSELF AND ITS PROPERTY, TO THE NONEXCLUSIVE
JURISDICTION OF ANY OHIO STATE COURT OR FEDERAL COURT OF THE UNITED STATED OF
AMERICA SITTING IN CUYAHOGA COUNTY, OHIO,


                                       79





                                PAGE 112 OF 126
<PAGE>   89

AND ANY APPELLATE COURT FROM ANY THEREOF, IN ANY ACTION OR PROCEEDING ARISING
OUT OF OR RELATING TO THIS AGREEMENT, THE NOTES OR ANY RELATED WRITING, OR FOR
RECOGNITION OR ENFORCEMENT OF ANY JUDGMENT, AND EACH OF THE PARTIES HERETO
HEREBY IRREVOCABLY AND UNCONDITIONALLY AGREES THAT ALL CLAIMS IN RESPECT OF ANY
SUCH ACTION OR PROCEEDING MAY BE HEARD AND DETERMINED IN ANY SUCH OHIO STATE
OR, TO THE EXTENT PERMITTED BY LAW, IN SUCH FEDERAL COURT.  EACH OF THE PARTIES
HERETO AGREES THAT A FINAL JUDGMENT IN ANY SUCH ACTION OR PROCEEDING SHALL BE
CONCLUSIVE AND MAY BE ENFORCED IN OTHER JURISDICTIONS BY SUIT ON THE JUDGMENT
OR IN ANY OTHER MANNER PROVIDED BY LAW.  NOTHING IN THIS AGREEMENT SHALL AFFECT
ANY RIGHT THAT ANY PARTY MAY OTHERWISE HAVE TO BRING ANY ACTION OR PROCEEDING
RELATING TO THIS AGREEMENT, THE NOTES OR ANY RELATED WRITING IN THE COURTS OF
ANY JURISDICTION.

         (B)     VENUE; INCONVENIENT FORUM.  EACH OF THE PARTIES HERETO HEREBY
IRREVOCABLY AND UNCONDITIONALLY WAIVES, TO THE FULLEST EXTENT IT MAY LEGALLY
AND EFFECTIVELY DO SO, ANY OBJECTION THAT IT MAY NOW OR HEREAFTER HAVE TO THE
LAYING OF VENUE OF ANY SUIT, ACTION OR PROCEEDING ARISING OUT OF OR RELATING TO
THIS AGREEMENT, THE NOTES OR ANY OTHER RELATED WRITING IN ANY OHIO STATE OR
FEDERAL COURT SITTING IN OHIO. EACH OF THE PARTIES HERETO HEREBY WAIVES, TO THE
FULLEST EXTENT PERMITTED BY LAW, THE DEFENSE OF AN INCONVENIENT FORUM TO THE
MAINTENANCE OF SUCH ACTION OR PROCEEDING IN ANY SUCH COURT.  THE BORROWER
CONFIRMS THAT THE FOREGOING WAIVERS ARE INFORMED AND FREELY MADE.





                                       80





                                PAGE 113 OF 126
<PAGE>   90

                 IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties hereto have caused this
Agreement to be executed by their respective officers or agents thereunto duly
authorized, as of the date first above written.


                                        FABRI-CENTERS OF AMERICA, INC.


                                        Robert Norton
                                        -----------------------------------
                                        By:  Robert Norton
                                             ------------------------------
                                        Its: Chief Financial Officer
                                             ------------------------------


                                        5555 Darrow Road
                                        Hudson, Ohio 44236
                                        Attention: Chief Financial Officer
                                        Telecopy: 216-463-6675





                                       81





                                PAGE 114 OF 126
<PAGE>   91

                                        SOCIETY NATIONAL BANK,
                                        individually and as Agent



                                        Michael Jackson
                                        -----------------------------------
                                        By: Michael J. Jackson
                                        Its: Vice President


                                        127 Public Square
                                        Cleveland, Ohio 44114
                                        Attention:  Large Corporate Division
                                        Telecopy:  (216) 689-4981
                                                   -------------------------




                                       82





                                PAGE 115 OF 126
<PAGE>   92

                                     BANKS
                                     -----

                                        SOCIETY NATIONAL BANK


                                        Michael Jackson
                                        ----------------------------------
                                        By: Michael J. Jackson
                                        Title: Vice President


                                        Address for Notices:

                                        Society National Bank
                                        127 Public Square
                                        Cleveland, Ohio 44114
                                        Attention: Large Corporate Division

                                        Telecopy: (216) 689-4981

                                        Lending Office:

                                        Society National Bank
                                        127 Public Square
                                        Cleveland, Ohio 44114





                                       83





                                PAGE 116 OF 126
<PAGE>   93

                                        NATIONAL CITY BANK


                                        D. B. Hayes, Jr.
                                        -----------------------------------
                                        By: Donald B. Hayes, Jr.
                                            -------------------------------
                                        Title: Vice President
                                               ----------------------------

                                        Address for Notices:

                                        National City Bank
                                        National City Center
                                        1900 East Ninth Street
                                        Cleveland, Ohio 44114
                                        Attention: Metro Division

                                        Telecopy: (216) 575-9396

                                        Lending Office:


                                        National City Bank
                                        National City Center
                                        1900 East Ninth Street
                                        Metro Division
                                        Cleveland, Ohio 44114





                                       84





                                PAGE 117 OF 126
<PAGE>   94

                                        NBD BANK, N.A.


                                        Michael K. Kelly
                                        ------------------------------------
                                        By: Michael K. Kelly
                                            --------------------------------
                                        Title: Vice President
                                               -----------------------------


                                        Address for Notices:

                                        NBD Bank, N.A.
                                        Midwest Banking Division
                                        611 Woodward
                                        Detroit, Michigan  48226
                                        Attention: Patti Dueweke
                                                   ------------------------
                                        Telecopy:  313-225-3269
                                                   ------------------------

                                        Lending Office:

                                        NBD Bank, N.A.
                                        Midwest Banking Division
                                        611 Woodward
                                        Detroit, Michigan  48226





                                       85





                                PAGE 118 OF 126
<PAGE>   95


                                        COMERICA BANK


                                        Ian Hogan
                                        ----------------------------------
                                        By: Ian Hogan
                                            ------------------------------
                                        Title: Vice President
                                               ---------------------------

                                        Address for Notices:

                                        Comerica Bank
                                        One Detroit Center
                                        500 Woodward Avenue
                                        Detroit, Michigan  48226
                                        Attention: Ian Hogan/Beverly Jones
                                                   -----------------------
                                        Telecopy:  (313) 222-3330
                                                   -----------------------

                                        Lending Office:
                                      
                                      
                                        Comerica Bank
                                        One Detroit Center
                                        500 Woodward Avenue
                                        Detroit, Michigan  48226





                                       86





                                PAGE 119 OF 126
<PAGE>   96

                                        THE HUNTINGTON NATIONAL BANK


                                        Charles B. Knowles, Jr.
                                        -------------------------------------
                                        By: Charles B. Knowles, Jr.
                                            ---------------------------------
                                        Title: Vice President
                                               ------------------------------

                                        Address for Notices:

                                        The Huntington National Bank
                                        917 Euclid Avenue-CM-62
                                        Cleveland, Ohio 44114
                                        Attention: C. B. Knowles, Jr.
                                                   --------------------------
                                        Telecopy:  (216) 344-6082
                                                   --------------------------

                                        Lending Office:

                                        The Huntington National Bank
                                        917 Euclid Avenue
                                        Cleveland, Ohio 44114





                                       87





                                PAGE 120 OF 126
<PAGE>   97

                                        PNC BANK, NATIONAL ASSOCIATION


                                        Joseph G. Moran
                                        ----------------------------------
                                        By: Joseph G. Moran
                                            ------------------------------
                                        Title: Vice President
                                               ---------------------------

                                        Address for Notices:

                                        PNC Bank, National Assocation
                                        1375 E. Ninth Street, Suite 1250
                                        Cleveland, Ohio 44114
                                        Attention:
                                                   -----------------------

                                        Telecopy: (216) 348-8594


                                        Lending Office:

                                        PNC Bank, National Association
                                        One PNC Plaza
                                        Fifth Avenue and Wood Street
                                        Pittsburg, Pennsylvania 15265





                                       88





                                PAGE 121 OF 126
<PAGE>   98

                                        BANK ONE, AKRON, NA


                                        Susan D. Steiger
                                        --------------------------------------
                                        By: Susan D. Steiger
                                            ----------------------------------
                                        Title: Vice President
                                               -------------------------------


                                        Address for Notices:
                                   
                                        Bank One, Akron, NA
                                        50 S. Main Street
                                        Akron, Ohio 44308
                                        Attention: Corporate Banking Department
                                                   ----------------------------
                                        Telecopy:  (216) 972-1598
                                                   ----------------------------

                                        Lending Office:

                                        Bank One, Akron, NA
                                        50 S. Main Street
                                        Akron, Ohio 44308





                                       89





                                PAGE 122 OF 126
<PAGE>   99

                                        THE FIFTH THIRD BANK


                                        Deborah E. Perkins
                                        -------------------------------------
                                        By: Deborah E. Perkins
                                            ---------------------------------
                                        Title: Asst. Vice President
                                               ------------------------------

                                        Address for Notices:

                                        The Fifth Third Bank
                                        1404 E. Ninth Street
                                        Cleveland, Ohio 44114
                                        Attention: Deborah E. Perkins
                                                   --------------------------
                                        Telecopy:  (216) 687-5996
                                                   --------------------------

                                        Lending Office:

                                        The Fifth Third Bank
                                        1404 E. Ninth Street
                                        Cleveland, Ohio 44114





                                       90





                                PAGE 123 OF 126
<PAGE>   100


Annex A and B




ANNEX A AND B TO THIS CREDIT AGREEMENT AS LISTED ON SEQUENTIAL PAGE 33 HAVE NOT
BEEN INCLUDED AS PART OF THIS FILING ON FORM 8-K/A NO. 1.  THESE ITEMS WILL BE
FURNISHED UPON REQUEST.





                                       91





                                PAGE 124 OF 126
<PAGE>   101


Exhibits




THE EXHIBITS TO THIS CREDIT AGREEMENT AS LISTED ON SEQUENTIAL PAGE 33 HAVE NOT
BEEN INCLUDED AS PART OF THIS FILING ON FORM 8-K/A NO. 1.  THESE EXHIBITS WILL
BE FURNISHED UPON REQUEST.





                                       92





                                PAGE 125 OF 126

<PAGE>   1

                                                                     EXHIBIT 23
                                                                     ----------



                        CONSENT OF INDEPENDENT AUDITORS





         We consent to the incorporation by reference in the Registration
Statements (Form S-8) pertaining to the Fabri-Centers of America, Inc.'s
Executive Incentive Plan (Nos. 2-73332 and 33-49688), the Employee Savings and
Profit Sharing Plan (No. 33-32809), the 1988 Stock Option Plan for Non-Employee
Directors (No. 33-38681) and the 1990 Employees Stock Option and Stock
Appreciation Rights Plan (Nos. 33-37355 and 33-49690) of our report dated
November 21, 1994, with respect to the January 29, 1994 and January 30, 1993
financial statements of the Cloth World Division of Brown Group, Inc. included
in Fabri-Centers of America, Inc.'s Form 8-K/A No. 1 dated December 12, 1994.



St. Louis, Missouri
December 12, 1994                             Ernst & Young LLP



                                PAGE 126 OF 126


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