BAKER J INC
10-K, 1997-05-01
SHOE STORES
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                  SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
                        WASHINGTON, D.C.  20549
                             FORM 10-K
(Mark One)
  [ X ]           ANNUAL REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF
                  THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934 (FEE REQUIRED)
                           For the fiscal year ended February 1, 1997
                                                        OR
  [    ]          TRANSITION REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF
                  THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934 (NO FEE REQUIRED)
                       Commission file Number 0-14681

                          J. BAKER, INC.
        (Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)

    Massachusetts                                 04-2866591
(State of Incorporation)               (I.R.S. Employer Identification Number)
            555 Turnpike Street, Canton, Massachusetts  02021
                (Address of principal executive offices)

                           (617) 828-9300
           (Registrant's telephone number, including area code)

       Securities  registered  pursuant to Section 12(b) of the Act:
                                  NONE

       Securities registered pursuant to Section 12(g) of the Act:
                 Common Stock, par value $.50 per share
                7% Convertible Subordinated Notes Due 2002
                     Preferred Stock Purchase Rights
                          (Title of Class)

Indicate by check mark if disclosure of delinquent  filers  pursuant to Item 405
of Regulation S-K is not contained herein and will not be contained, to the best
of the registrant's  knowledge,  in definitive  proxy or information  statements
incorporated by reference in Part III of this Form 10-K or any amendment to this
Form 10-K. [ X ]

The registrant  (1) has filed all reports  required to be filed by Section 13 or
15(d) of the Securities  Exchange Act of 1934 during the preceding 12 months (or
for such shorter  period that the registrant was required to file such reports),
and (2) has been subject to such filing requirements for the past 90 days.
                           Yes  [ X ]      No
The  aggregate  market  value of the voting stock held by  nonaffiliates  of the
registrant was approximately $120,895,749 as of April 1, 1997 (based on the last
reported sales price of the registrant's stock in the over-the-counter market on
such date).

The number of shares outstanding of the registrant's common stock as of April 1,
1997 was 13,892,910.

                      DOCUMENTS INCORPORATED BY REFERENCE
Certain  portions of the definitive  proxy statement for the 1997 Annual Meeting
of Stockholders  (the "Proxy  Statement") are  incorporated by reference in Part
III.


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<PAGE>

                                J. Baker, Inc.
                               Form 10-K Report
                         Year Ended February 1, 1997
                                   Part I


DESCRIPTION OF BUSINESS
General
         J. Baker,  Inc. ("J. Baker" or the "Company",  which term shall include
all  subsidiaries  of the  Company) is engaged in the retail sale of apparel and
footwear. The Company is engaged in the retail sale of apparel through its chain
of Casual  Male Big & Tall men's  stores  which sell  fashion,  casual and dress
clothing  and  footwear to the big and tall man and through its chain of Work 'n
Gear work  clothing  stores  which sell a wide  selection of workwear as well as
health care  apparel and  uniforms  for  industry  and service  businesses.  The
Company sells footwear  through  self-service  licensed shoe departments in mass
merchandising  department  stores.  In  all of  these  operations,  the  Company
emphasizes the sale of quality products at comparatively low prices.

         During the fourth quarter of fiscal 1997, the Company  restructured its
footwear operations in order to focus its efforts on the management, development
and growth of its Casual Male Big & Tall and Work 'n Gear apparel businesses. In
connection  with the  restructuring,  in March,  1997 the Company  completed the
sales of its Shoe Corporation of America ("SCOA") and Parade of Shoes divisions,
and has begun to downsize its Licensed  Discount footwear  division.  As part of
the  restructuring,  the Company made a  determination  that it would reduce its
investment in its Licensed  Discount  footwear  business.  The Company currently
intends to concentrate  the Licensed  Discount  division's  efforts on its major
licensors  while  exploring  future  strategic  options for this  business.  For
additional  information on the restructuring,  see Industry Segments,  Footwear,
Restructuring and Note 2 to the Consolidated Financial Statements.

         On  January  13,  1997,  the  Company  announced  that it had  signed a
definitive  agreement  for the sale of its Parade of Shoes  division  to Payless
ShoeSource, Inc. ("Payless") of Topeka, Kansas. The transaction was completed on
March 10, 1997.  For  additional  information on the sale of the Parade of Shoes
division,  see Industry  Segments,  Footwear,  Parade of Shoes and Note 2 to the
Consolidated Financial Statements.

         On March  5,  1997,  the  Company  announced  that it had sold its SCOA
division to an entity formed by CHB Capital  Partners of Denver,  Colorado along
with  Dennis  B.  Tishkoff,  President  of SCOA,  and  certain  members  of SCOA
management.  For  additional  information  on the  sale of  SCOA,  see  Industry
Segments,  Footwear, Shoe Corporation of America, and Note 2 to the Consolidated
Financial Statements.

         During  fiscal  1996,  the  Company  disposed  of  its  Fayva  footwear
division.  For additional information on the disposal of the Fayva division, see
Industry  Segments,  Footwear,  Fayva  Footwear  Division  and  Note  2  to  the
Consolidated Financial Statements.

         The  Company's  businesses  are  seasonal.  The Casual  Male Big & Tall
division  generates  its largest sales  volumes in June  (Father's  Day) and the
Christmas  season,  and the Work 'n Gear stores  generate  their  largest  sales
volume during the second half of the fiscal year. The Company's largest footwear
volume is generated in the Easter,  back to school and Christmas  seasons.  On a
combined  basis,  the Company's sales during the second half of each fiscal year
have consistently exceeded those during the first half of the year. Unseasonable
weather  may  affect  sales of  shoes  and  boots  as well as of work  clothing,
especially during the traditional high-volume periods.

         The Company is required to carry a  substantial  inventory  in order to
provide prompt  deliveries to its Casual Male Big & Tall and Work 'n Gear stores
and its licensed shoe departments.  Order backlogs, however, are not material to
the Company's business. The inventories needed in the operation of the Company's
apparel  and  footwear  businesses  are  currently  available  from a number  of
domestic and overseas  sources,  with no single source  accounting for more than
nine percent of the Company's merchandise.

         The  Company  benefits by "most  favored  nation"  provisions  in trade
agreements  between  the  United  States  and  certain  countries  in which  the
Company's  suppliers are located.  From time to time, the United States Congress
has proposed legislation which could result in such provisions being struck from
particular trade agreements, which could, in turn, result

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<PAGE>
in higher costs to the Company.  There has been extensive  Congressional  debate
with  respect to the "most  favored  nation"  provision  of the trade  agreement
between the United States and China which was renewed for one year in July, 1992
and has since been extended through June, 1997. The failure of this provision to
be renewed would likely result in  substantially  increased costs to the Company
in the purchase of footwear from China.  However,  the Company believes that all
of its competitors in the footwear industry would be similarly affected.

Industry Segments

         The Company is engaged in the sale of apparel and footwear manufactured
by others. Financial information with respect to the Company's industry segments
can be found in Note 13 to the Consolidated Financial Statements.

Apparel

Casual Male Big & Tall Division
         Casual Male Big & Tall is the  Company's  chain of big and tall apparel
stores providing fashion, casual and dress clothing and footwear for the big and
tall man. The chain specializes in big sizes,  featuring waist sizes from 44" to
64" and tall sizes, generally for men 6'3" or taller and with inseams up to 38".
According to retailer and  manufacturer  estimates as well as Company  research,
big and tall men currently represent  approximately 12% to 15% of the adult male
population  in the United  States,  compared to  approximately  10% to 11% three
years ago. The Company  believes  that the clothing  demands of these  customers
have historically not been met through traditional men's apparel stores. The big
and tall customer  frequently  has difficulty  finding an adequate  selection of
apparel in his size in department and men's specialty stores. Furthermore,  only
a limited number of big and tall  specialty  stores exist,  and these  typically
have a narrow selection of current sportswear fashions.

         Casual Male Big & Tall stores offer private label as well as some brand
name casual  sportswear  and dress wear in a wide variety of styles,  colors and
fabrics with a focus on basic merchandise such as sports coats,  dress pants and
shirts and a wide  variety of casual  clothes,  including  footwear.  The stores
target the middle income customer  seeking good value at moderate prices and, as
a result,  the  Casual  Male  limits  the  amount of  high-fashion-oriented  and
low-turnover  tailored clothing offered and focuses primarily on basic items and
classic  fashion  sportswear,  thereby  minimizing  fashion risk and  markdowns.
Management  believes that the type and selection of its  merchandise,  favorable
prices and  ability  to obtain  desirable  store  locations  are key  factors in
enabling it to compete  effectively.  Casual Male Big & Tall started fiscal 1997
with 400  stores  and ended the year with 440  stores  (including  one  licensed
department),  having  opened 49 stores and  closed 9 stores.  The 440 stores are
located in 45 states throughout the United States.  Sales in the Casual Male Big
& Tall  stores  accounted  for  26.9%,  21.0% and 17.4% of the  Company's  total
revenues for the years ended February 1, 1997,  February 3, 1996 and January 28,
1995,  respectively.  On a proforma  basis,  excluding  sales  generated  by the
Company's  SCOA and Parade of Shoes  divisions,  sales in the Casual  Male Big &
Tall  stores  accounted  for 40.4% of the  Company's  sales  for the year  ended
February 1, 1997.

         The Company's Casual Male Big & Tall division faces  competition from a
variety of sources  including  department  stores,  specialty  stores,  discount
stores and off price and other retailers who sell big and tall  merchandise.  In
addition, sales of clothing through catalogs and home shopping networks or other
electronic  media provide  additional  sources of  competition.  The Casual Male
faces  competition  on a local  level  from  independent  retailers  and  small,
regional  retail  chains,  as well as on a national  scale from  chains  such as
Rochester Big & Tall, and Repp, Ltd., a division of Edison Brothers,  Inc. Repp,
Ltd.,   one  of  Casual  Male's  largest   competitors,   operates  a  chain  of
approximately  175 big and tall  stores.  While  Casual  Male  has  successfully
competed   on  the  basis  of   merchandise   selection,   including   inventory
replenishment  on an  ongoing  basis by color and size,  favorable  pricing  and
desirable store  locations,  there can be no assurance that other retailers will
not adopt purchasing and marketing  concepts similar to those of the Casual Male
Big & Tall chain. In addition, discount retailers with significant buying power,
such as  Wal-Mart,  K-Mart,  Venture  stores and  Target  stores,  represent  an
increasing  source of competition  for Casual Male. The bulk of the  merchandise
carried by these department  stores is classified as commodity or "basic" items,
but their buying power  provides them with a competitive  edge and an ability to
charge low prices for such items.

         In  deciding to open Casual Male  stores,  the Company  reviews  market
demographics, drive-by visibility for customers, store occupancy costs and costs
to build  and  stock  each  location.  Considering  these  factors  and  others,
management of the Company  projects sales volumes and estimates  operating costs
for each  location and decides to open a store if such  projections  demonstrate
that an acceptable return on the Company's  inventory and fixed asset investment
can be realized.  New Casual Male stores require an average  inventory and fixed
asset investment of approximately $170,000

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<PAGE>
to $200,000,  composed of approximately $85,000 to $100,000 for fixed assets and
$85,000 to $100,000 for inventory.

         The  Company  makes  decisions  to close  Casual  Male  locations  when
management  believes that these locations are not generating  acceptable  profit
levels. Most store closings occur at lease expiration,  unless lease buyout is a
more economical  option for the Company.  The costs to close stores are expensed
at time of closing.

Work 'n Gear Division
         The Work 'n Gear  division  is the  Company's  specialty  retail  chain
focused entirely on workwear, uniforms and footwear. Work 'n Gear carries a wide
selection of workwear  products,  including  rugged  specialty  outerwear,  work
shirts and pants,  and cold weather  accessories  as well as a complete  line of
health care  apparel and  uniforms  for  industry  and service  businesses.  The
Company  started  fiscal  1997 with 69 stores and ended the year with 66 stores,
having  closed  3  stores.  The  66  stores  are  located  in 13  states  in the
northeastern and midwestern United States.

         The Bureau of Labor Statistics  ("BLS") estimates that there were 126.5
million people in the work force in 1996. Of this number,  approximately 40%, or
49.2  million,  wear  work  clothes  or  uniforms,  according  to  the  National
Association of Uniform  Manufacturers and Distributors.  Although  manufacturing
industries are generally on the decline in the United States, service industries
are among the fastest  growing.  For example,  the BLS cites security and health
care as two of the service  industries  where there will be  significant  growth
over the next five  years.  The Work 'n Gear stores seek to address the needs of
three major groups:  (i) those customers who buy work clothing to be worn on the
job, including industrial tops and bottoms,  jeans, work boots, rugged outerwear
and other  accessories,  (ii)  those  industrial  customers  who  either  supply
uniforms  or  provide  a  clothing  allowance  to their  employees  to  purchase
uniforms,  and (iii) those  customers  who work in the health care  industry and
related fields.

         Traditional  competition  for  the  sale  of  workwear  is  fragmented.
Traditional Army and Navy stores offer a large assortment of workwear items, but
supplement  with fishing,  hunting and other product  lines.  Other  competitors
include large specialty chains such as Bob's Stores and full service  department
stores which typically have more narrow product  offerings and are  increasingly
discontinuing  this line of apparel.  To the  Company's  knowledge,  no specific
specialty store similar to Work 'n Gear exists on a national basis.  Competition
for industrial  workwear (purchased by employers) comes from large manufacturers
such as  WearGuard/ARAMARK,  Uniforms to You, Crest Uniform and Fashion Seal, as
well as small "mom and pop" uniform  dealers.  In the medical uniform  business,
competition  is  dominated  by three  entities:  (i) Life  Uniform,  the largest
retailer with  approximately  300 stores,  (ii) catalog  operations led by J. C.
Penney and including Tafford,  Uniform World, Sears Roebuck & Company and Jasco,
and  (iii)  approximately   2,600  independent   operators  of  medical  uniform
businesses.  Management  believes  that its  strategy  of  servicing  all  three
segments  of the  workwear  market -  consumer,  industrial  and  health  care -
combined  with  its  retail  expertise,  affords  Work  'n  Gear  a  significant
competitive advantage in the marketplace.

         Work 'n Gear stores are generally  located in strip shopping centers or
are free  standing.  Locations in active strip  centers are a criterion for site
selection,  as the close  proximity to other stores  increases  traffic into the
Work 'n Gear stores, particularly for health care apparel and accessories.  Site
locations must take into  consideration  proximity of major medical  facilities,
active retail environments,  population density, business presence in the market
and competition.

         Sales in the Work 'n Gear stores  accounted for 5.9%,  4.8% and 4.2% of
the Company's  total revenues for the years ended February 1, 1997,  February 3,
1996 and January 28, 1995,  respectively.  On a proforma basis,  excluding sales
generated by the Company's SCOA and Parade of Shoes divisions, sales in the Work
'n Gear  stores  accounted  for 8.8% of the  Company's  sales for the year ended
February 1, 1997.

Footwear

Restructuring
         During the fourth quarter of fiscal 1997, the Company  restructured its
footwear operations in order to focus its efforts on the management, development
and growth of its Casual Male Big & Tall and Work 'n Gear apparel businesses. In
connection  with the  restructuring,  in March,  1997 the Company  completed the
sales of its SCOA and Parade of Shoes  divisions,  and has begun to downsize its
Licensed Discount footwear division.  As part of the restructuring,  the Company
made a  determination  that it  would  reduce  its  investment  in its  Licensed
Discount  footwear  business.  The Company  currently intends to concentrate the
Licensed  Discount  division's  efforts on its major  licensors  while exploring
future  strategic  options for this  business.  The  Company  recorded a pre-tax
charge of $166.6 million  ($117.1  million,  or $8.42 per share, on an after-tax
basis)  related  to the  sales of the SCOA and  Parade of Shoes  divisions,  the
write-down to realizable value of certain

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<PAGE>
assets  related to its  Licensed  Discount  shoe  division,  and  severance  and
consolidation  costs related to the  downsizing of the Company's  administrative
areas and  facilities.  Of the pre-tax  charge,  $122.3 million is included as a
separate  component  of  results of  operations  in the  Company's  Consolidated
Statement of Earnings for the year ended  February 1, 1997,  and the majority of
the remaining  charge,  which relates to the reduction of the Licensed  Discount
division's  inventory  valuation,  is included in cost of sales. Also, in fiscal
1996,  the  Company  recorded a  restructuring  charge of $69.3  million  ($41.6
million,  or $3.00 per share, on an after-tax  basis) related to the disposal of
its Fayva footwear division. Further information on the divisional components of
the restructuring of the Company's  footwear business follows.  Also, see Note 2
to the Consolidated Financial Statements.

Licensed Discount Shoe Division
         In a licensed  shoe  department  operation,  the store and the  Company
enter into a license  agreement  under which the Company has the exclusive right
to operate a shoe department in the store for a period of years.  The department
is operated under the store name in space  supplied by the store,  and the store
collects  payments from customers and credits the Company.  The Company pays the
store a license  fee,  generally  a  percentage  of net sales,  for the right to
operate the department and for the use of the space.  The license fee ordinarily
covers utilities,  janitorial service,  cash collection and handling,  packaging
and  advertising.  In some  circumstances,  the license fee also covers staffing
costs.

         In its licensed shoe  department  operations,  the Company sells a wide
variety of family  footwear,  including  men's,  women's and  children's  dress,
casual and  athletic  footwear as well as work shoes and  slippers.  Most of the
shoes  offered by the  Company in its  licensed  departments  are sold under the
Company's  trademarks or on an unbranded basis,  although the Company also sells
name brand merchandise at discounted prices in its mass  merchandising  licensed
accounts.

         The  Company's   licensed  shoe   departments  in  mass   merchandising
department  stores are operated on a self-serve  basis. The Company's  personnel
employed in particular  departments  are  responsible for stocking and layout of
shelves,  responding to customer inquiries and related  administrative tasks. In
certain  accounts,  the  Company's  shoe  departments  are serviced in a similar
manner by employees of the licensor.

         As part of the  restructuring of its footwear  operations,  the Company
made a  determination  that it  would  reduce  its  investment  in its  Licensed
Discount  footwear  business.  The Company  currently intends to concentrate the
division's  efforts on its major  licensors  while  exploring  future  strategic
options for this business.  As a result,  the Company undertook an evaluation of
the value of the assets in the Licensed  Discount footwear  business,  and wrote
off certain assets which did not benefit future  operations and wrote down other
assets  to  expected  realizable  value.  For  additional   information  on  the
restructuring of the Company's Licensed Discount footwear  division,  see Note 2
to the Consolidated Financial Statements.

         The  Company  and  its   predecessors   have  operated   licensed  shoe
departments in mass  merchandising  department stores for more than forty years.
Sales in the Licensed Discount division  accounted for 33.8%, 34.5% and 38.5% of
the Company's  total revenues in the years ended  February 1, 1997,  February 3,
1996 and January 28, 1995,  respectively.  On a proforma basis,  excluding sales
generated  by the  Company's  SCOA and Parade of Shoes  divisions,  sales in the
Licensed  Discount  division  accounted for 50.8% of the Company's sales for the
year ended February 1, 1997. At February 1, 1997,  the Company  operated a total
of 937 licensed  shoe  departments  under license  agreements  with 21 different
discount  department store operators.  During fiscal 1997, the Company opened 38
departments  and closed 188,  representing  a net  decrease of 150 units for the
year. As previously indicated,  the Company intends to concentrate its resources
in this  division  on the  major  chains  in which  it  operates  licensed  shoe
departments. As a result, the Company may continue to experience declines in the
number of licensed  departments  it operates.  The Company's  licensed  discount
departments are located in 40 states and in the District of Columbia.

         The Company conducts its licensed  department  operations under written
agreements  for fixed terms.  Of the 937  licensed  shoe  departments  which the
Company  operated at February 1, 1997,  635, or 68%,  are covered by  agreements
with terms  expiring  in less than five years and 302,  or 32%,  are  covered by
agreements with terms expiring in more than ten years.

         Of the Company's  licensed  departments  at February 1, 1997,  302 were
operated under license with Ames Department Stores, Inc. ("Ames"),  a major mass
merchandising  retailer in the eastern United States.  For the fiscal year ended
February 1, 1997, Ames accounted for 10.5% of the Company's total revenues. On a
proforma  basis,  excluding  sales generated by the Company's SCOA and Parade of
Shoes  divisions,  sales in Ames accounted for 15.8% of the Company's  sales for
the year ended February 1, 1997.


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<PAGE>
         On June 23, 1995, Bradlees Stores, Inc. ("Bradlees"), a licensor of the
Company,  filed for protection under Chapter 11 of the United States  Bankruptcy
Code. At the time of the bankruptcy filing, the Company had outstanding accounts
receivable of  approximately  $1.8 million due from Bradlees.  Under  bankruptcy
law,  Bradlees has the option of  continuing  (assuming)  the  existing  license
agreement  with the  Company or  terminating  (rejecting)  that  agreement.  The
Company does not expect this filing under the Bankruptcy Code to have a material
adverse effect on future earnings. The Company's sales in the Bradlees chain for
the  fiscal  year ended  February  1, 1997 were $57.7  million.  For  additional
information, see Note 3 to the Consolidated Financial Statements.

         On October 18, 1995, Jamesway Corporation ("Jamesway"), then a licensor
of the  Company,  filed for  protection  under  Chapter 11 of the United  States
Bankruptcy Code. Jamesway liquidated its inventory, fixed assets and real estate
and has ceased  operation of its  business in all of its 90 stores.  The Company
participated   in  Jamesway's   going  out  of  business  sales  and  liquidated
substantially all of its footwear inventory in the 90 Jamesway stores during the
going out of business sales. At the time of the bankruptcy  filing,  the Company
had  outstanding  accounts  receivable  of  approximately  $1.4 million due from
Jamesway.  Because  Jamesway  ceased  operation of its  business,  the Company's
license  agreement was rejected.  The Company has negotiated a settlement of the
amount of its claim with  Jamesway  which has been  approved  by the  Bankruptcy
Court. It is anticipated that, if approved, a partial distribution of the amount
owed to the Company under the settlement  will be made during the second half of
fiscal 1998.

         The Company's  licensed shoe department  business faces  competition at
two levels:  (1) for sales to retail  customers  and (2) for the business of the
department  store chains which are its shoe  licensor  customers.  The Company's
success in its licensed  department  operations is substantially  dependent upon
the  success  of the  department  store  chains  in which the  Company  operates
licensed  departments.  Within the particular  market that is served by the mass
merchandising  department  store chains,  the Company  believes that the primary
competitive  factors  are the  price  and the  breadth  and  suitability  of the
selection of footwear that is offered.

         The  Company  also  faces  potential   competition  from  the  in-house
operational  capabilities  of its licensors.  Because of the large scale of many
licensing  arrangements  and years of commitment that are involved,  the Company
has observed that changes in these  arrangements do not frequently occur and are
more often  initiated  by  external  factors  such as  mergers  or  acquisitions
involving the licensors or business terminations by other licensees, rather than
by  competition  among  licensees for the business of a licensor.  To the extent
that there is active  competition  for new  business  in this area,  the Company
believes  that the  principal  factors  weighed by a potential  licensor are the
quality of the licensee's  operations,  as reflected by sales  results,  and the
price paid to the licensor in the form of the license fee.

Shoe Corporation of America Division
         The Company's Shoe  Corporation of America ("SCOA")  division  operated
full-service,   semi-service  and  self-service  licensed  shoe  departments  in
department and specialty stores.  SCOA was acquired by the Company in the fourth
quarter of fiscal  1994.  As of February 1, 1997,  SCOA  operated  454  licensed
footwear departments in twelve chains with locations in 31 states throughout the
United States. Sales in the SCOA licensed departments accounted for 19.8%, 18.0%
and 12.1% of the Company's  revenues in the fiscal years ended February 1, 1997,
February 3, 1996 and January 28, 1995, respectively.

         On March  5,  1997,  the  Company  announced  that it had sold its SCOA
division to an entity formed by CHB Capital  Partners of Denver,  Colorado along
with  Dennis  B.  Tishkoff,  President  of SCOA,  and  certain  members  of SCOA
management.  The  decision  to  divest  the SCOA  division  was a result  of the
refocusing  of  the  Company's  management  efforts  primarily  on  its  apparel
businesses   and  the  desire  of  SCOA   management  to  operate  the  division
independently.  The  transaction  involved  the  transfer  to the  buyer  of the
division's inventory, fixed assets, intellectual property and license agreements
for the various  department and specialty  store chains serviced by SCOA as well
as the assumption by the buyer of certain liabilities of the SCOA division.  Net
cash proceeds from the transaction of  approximately  $40.0 million were used to
pay down the Company's bank debt. For additional  information on the sale of the
Company's SCOA division, see Note 2 to the Consolidated Financial Statements.

Parade of Shoes Division
         The  Company's  Parade of Shoes  division,  which the Company  began in
1985,  operated a chain of 188 stores in 13 states and the  District of Columbia
at February 1, 1997. Parade of Shoes stores provided primarily leather dress and
casual  shoes and  athletic  footwear at everyday  value  prices  available  for
selection  in a casual,  self-service  atmosphere.  Sales in the Parade of Shoes
stores  accounted for 13.7%,  11.3% and 11.3% of the  Company's  revenues in the
fiscal  years  ended  February 1, 1997,  February 3, 1996 and January 28,  1995,
respectively.


                                       6

<PAGE>
         On  January  13,  1997,  the  Company  announced  that it had  signed a
definitive  agreement  for the sale of its Parade of Shoes  division  to Payless
ShoeSource,  Inc.  ("Payless") of Topeka,  Kansas. The Company decided to divest
the Parade of Shoes division in order to refocus management efforts primarily on
the Company's apparel businesses. The transaction,  which was completed on March
10, 1997,  involved the transfer to Payless of the division's  inventory,  fixed
assets,  intellectual  property and leases on the 186 then  remaining  Parade of
Shoes stores.  Net cash proceeds from the  transaction  of  approximately  $20.0
million  were  used  to  pay  down  the  Company's  bank  debt.  For  additional
information on the sale of the Company's Parade of Shoes division, see Note 2 to
the Consolidated Financial Statements.

Fayva Footwear Division
         On September 5, 1995,  the Company  announced  its intent to dispose of
its Fayva footwear division, which was completed by the end of fiscal 1996. When
the Company acquired all of the outstanding stock of Morse Shoe, Inc. ("Morse"),
an operator of licensed  footwear  departments  and of the Fayva chain of family
shoe stores in early 1993,  it did so  primarily  for the  strategic  fit of the
Morse and Baker licensed footwear divisions.  In addition, the Company believed,
at that time,  that it could improve the  operations of Morse's Fayva  division.
However,  after operating Fayva for two and one half years,  the Company decided
to dispose  of Fayva due to the  continued  operating  losses  generated  by the
division,  along with  Fayva's  declining  market  share in an  already  crowded
discount retail footwear industry. For additional information on the disposal of
the Fayva division, see Note 2 to the Consolidated Financial Statements.

Trademarks

         The Company  has no  patents,  franchises  or  concessions,  except for
agreements  granting it the right to operate licensed  departments.  The Company
owns  certain  trademarks  which it uses in its  business.  The Company does not
consider these trademarks to be materially important to its business.

Research and Development

         The  Company  does not  engage  in any  Company-sponsored  research  or
customer-sponsored research.

Environment

         The  Company  has not  been  required  to  make  any  material  capital
equipment  expenditures,  or suffered  any  material  effect on its  earnings or
competitive  position,  as a result of compliance  with federal,  state or local
environmental laws.

Employees

         As of  February  1, 1997,  the  Company  employed  approximately  5,037
persons  full-time  and 5,304 persons  part-time,  of whom  approximately  4,119
full-time and 5,218 part-time employees were engaged in retail operations at the
store  level.  Approximately  461  of  the  Company's  full-time  and  part-time
employees are covered by collective bargaining agreements.  The Company believes
that its employee  relations are good. In connection with the divestiture of the
SCOA and Parade of Shoes divisions and certain corporate downsizing, the Company
reduced its work force during the first quarter of fiscal 1998 by  approximately
3,481  employees,  of whom  approximately  1,693 were  full-time  and 1,788 were
part-time.

Executive Officers of the Company
<TABLE>
         <S>                                <C>               <C>
         Name                               Age               Office

         Sherman N. Baker                    77               Chairman of the Board
         Alan I. Weinstein                   54               President and Chief Executive Officer
         James Lee                           50               Executive Vice President and President of the Licensed
                                                              Discount Division
         Harold Leppo                        59               Interim President of The Casual Male, Inc.
         Stuart M. Needleman                 49               Executive Vice President and President of Work 'n Gear
         Philip G. Rosenberg                 47               Executive Vice President, Chief Financial Officer and
                                                              Treasurer
</TABLE>

         Mr. Baker has been the Chairman of the Board of the Company since
March, 1990.  From 1970 until March, 1990, Mr. Baker served as Chief Executive
Officer of the Company and its predecessor.

                                        7

<PAGE>
         Mr. Weinstein has held the positions of President and Chief Executive
Officer since November, 1996 and March, 1997, respectively.  From September,
1996 through March, 1997, Mr. Weinstein served as Acting Chief Executive Officer
of the Company.  From July, 1985 through September, 1996, Mr. Weinstein held
the positions of Senior Executive Vice President, Chief Financial Officer and
Secretary of the Company. He was also appointed Chief Administrative Officer in
1988.  Mr. Weinstein joined the Company's predecessor in 1968 as Assistant
Controller and has held a variety of positions of increasing responsibility in
finance and administration since that time.

         Mr. Lee has held the positions of Executive Vice President of the
Company and President of the Company's Licensed Discount Division since
January, 1995.  From August, 1994 through December, 1994, Mr. Lee was Senior
Vice President and Director of Distribution for the Company's Fayva division.
Prior to joining the Company, Mr. Lee was Senior Vice President and General
Merchandise Manager of Caldor Stores.

         Mr.  Leppo was named  Interim  President  of The Casual  Male in March,
1997,  having  previously  served as President of Lord & Taylor for eleven years
and as a consultant  to the Company's  Board of Directors  from 1990 until 1992.
Mr. Leppo has over 38 years  experience  in the retail  industry  and  currently
serves on the Board of Directors for Filene's  Basement,  Inc.,  The Napier Co.,
Royce Hosiery Co., Salant Corp. and Bradlees.

         Mr. Needleman has held the positions of Executive Vice President of the
Company and President of the  Company's  Work 'n Gear  division  since  October,
1993. From 1989 through October,  1993, Mr Needleman held the position of Senior
Vice President and Director of Operations of The Casual Male, Inc.

         Mr. Rosenberg has held the position of Executive Vice President since
September, 1996 and was appointed Chief Financial Officer in March, 1997.  From
September, 1996 through March, 1997, Mr. Rosenberg served as Acting Chief
Financial Officer of the Company.  In addition, Mr. Rosenberg has held the
positions of Treasurer and Chief Accounting Officer since June, 1992.  Mr.
Rosenberg joined the Company's predecessor in May, 1970 and has held a variety
of positions of increasing responsibility in finance and administration since
that time.

PROPERTIES

         The  Company's  executive,  buying and  general  offices and one of its
footwear   distribution   centers   ("home   office")  are  located  in  Canton,
Massachusetts.  This  facility  is  located  at  555  Turnpike  Street,  Canton,
Massachusetts  on 37 acres of land and is  owned  by JBAK  Canton  Realty,  Inc.
("Realty"),  a subsidiary  of JBAK Holding,  Inc. and an indirect,  wholly-owned
subsidiary of the Company. On December 30, 1996, Realty obtained a $15.5 million
mortgage  loan  from The  Chase  Manhattan  Bank  secured  by the  real  estate,
buildings and other improvements  located at the home office.  Realty leases the
property to JBI, Inc., a wholly-owned subsidiary of the Company. The home office
contains  approximately  750,000 square feet of space,  including  approximately
150,000 square feet of office space.

         The Company leases  approximately 33,000 square feet of warehouse space
at 40  Industrial  Drive,  Canton,  Massachusetts.  The  lease on this  facility
expires on June 30,  1997.  The Company has notified the lessor of its intent to
vacate the building at the expiration of the current lease term.

         The  Company  leases  a  building  at  65  Sprague  Street,  Readville,
Massachusetts that serves as the administrative offices for Casual Male and Work
'n Gear, and as the distribution  center for the Casual Male Big & Tall and Work
'n Gear stores. The building contains approximately 75,000 square feet of office
space and approximately 375,000 square feet of warehouse/distribution space. The
Company plans to move the administrative staff and distribution  capabilities of
the Work 'n Gear  division to its Canton  facility  by the third  quarter of the
current  fiscal year.  The lease on this facility  expires on May 31, 1999.  The
Company has two consecutive five year options to renew the lease.

         As of February 1, 1997, the Company operated 440 Casual Male Big & Tall
stores,  all in leased  premises  ranging from 1,710 to 6,050 square feet,  with
average   space  of   approximately   3,310  square  feet  and  total  space  of
approximately  1,456,000  square  feet. A majority of the leases run for initial
terms of five years.  Most are renewable at the option of the Company for one or
more five year terms.

         As of February 1, 1997,  the Company  operated 66 Work 'n Gear  stores,
all in leased premises ranging from 3,258 square feet to 6,200 square feet, with
average   space  of   approximately   4,365  square  feet  and  total  space  of
approximately  288,000  square  feet.  A majority  of the leases run for initial
terms of five years.  Most are renewable at the option of the Company for one or
more five year terms.

                                        8

<PAGE>
         As of February 1, 1997, the Company had 188 Parade of Shoes stores, all
operating in leased premises. In connection with the sale of the Parade of Shoes
division in March,  1997, the Company  remains  contingently  liable for certain
store lease obligations. See Note 2 to the Consolidated Financial Statements.

         See "DESCRIPTION OF BUSINESS - Industry Segments, Footwear, Licensed
Discount Shoe Department Operations",  for information  regarding the Company's
licenses to operate shoe departments in retail stores of its licensors.

LEGAL PROCEEDINGS

         The Company is engaged in the following significant litigation:

         On November  10, 1993,  a federal  jury in  Minneapolis,  MN returned a
verdict assessing royalties of $1,550,000, and additional damages of $1,500,000,
against the Company in a patent  infringement suit brought by Susan Maxwell with
respect to a device used to connect  pairs of shoes.  Certain post trial motions
were  filed  by  Susan  Maxwell  seeking  treble  damages,  attorney's  fees and
injunctive  relief which  motions  were granted on March 10, 1995.  Judgment was
entered for Maxwell.  The Company  appealed the judgment.  On June 11, 1996, the
United  States  Court of Appeals  for the  Federal  Circuit  reversed  the trial
court's  findings  in part,  affirmed  the trial  court's  findings  in part and
vacated the award to Maxwell of treble  damages,  attorney's fees and injunctive
relief.  Maxwell subsequently  requested a rehearing in banc of the matter which
request  was  denied  by order of the  Court  dated  August  28,  1996.  Maxwell
petitioned  the United States Supreme Court for a writ of certiorari to hear the
case which  petition was denied on March 17, 1997. The case has been remanded to
the trial court for a redetermination  of damages consistent with the opinion of
the appellate court.

         A complaint was also filed by Susan  Maxwell in November,  1992 against
Morse Shoe, Inc. ("Morse"),  a subsidiary of the Company,  alleging infringement
of the patent referred to above.  The Morse trial was stayed pending the outcome
of the J. Baker  appeal.  In light of the decision of the Supreme  Court and the
remand to the trial court, it is not clear when a trial date will be set for the
Morse case.

         Other  than as  described  above,  the  Company  is not a party  to any
material legal proceedings.

SUBMISSION OF MATTERS TO A VOTE OF SECURITY HOLDERS

         No matters  were  submitted  to a vote of security  holders  during the
fourth quarter of the fiscal year covered by this report.



















                                        9

<PAGE>
                                PART II

MARKET FOR REGISTRANT'S COMMON STOCK AND RELATED STOCKHOLDER MATTERS.

Market Information
         The Company's Common Stock is traded in the over-the-counter market and
is quoted on the National  Association  of Securities  Dealers,  Inc.  Automated
Quotation System ("NASDAQ") under the symbol "JBAK".

         The  following  table sets forth the high and low last  reported  sales
prices, as reported by NASDAQ, for the Company's Common Stock for each quarterly
period during the years ended  February 1, 1997 and February 3, 1996. The prices
set forth below do not include retail mark-ups, mark-downs or commissions.
<TABLE>

         <S>                                                           <C>             <C>
         Year Ended February 1, 1997                                    High            Low
                                                                        ----            ----
         First Quarter                                                 $ 9 7/8         $ 4 1/8
         Second Quarter                                                 10 1/2           6 3/8
         Third Quarter                                                   7               5 3/8
         Fourth Quarter                                                  7               5 5/16

         Year Ended February 3, 1996                                    High            Low
                                                                        ----            ----
         First Quarter                                                 $15 13/16       $12 1/2
         Second Quarter                                                 13 1/2           9 7/8
         Third Quarter                                                  10               6 1/8
         Fourth Quarter                                                  6 5/8           4 3/8
</TABLE>

Holders

         The  approximate  number of holders of record of the  Company's  Common
Stock as of April 1, 1997 was 431. The Company  believes  that the actual number
of beneficial owners of the Company's Common Stock is substantially greater than
the stated  number of holders of record,  because a portion of the Common  Stock
outstanding is held in "street name".

Dividends
         On March 2,  1987,  the Board of  Directors  of the  Company  adopted a
policy of paying quarterly dividends.  For each quarter thereafter,  the Company
has paid a 1 1/2 cents per share dividend.

         The  Company's  unsecured  revolving  credit  agreement  and its senior
subordinated notes agreement limit the amount of cash dividends that may be paid
to  stockholders.  For  additional  information  see Note 6 to the  Consolidated
Financial Statements.

Other
         On December 15, 1994,  the Board of Directors of the Company  adopted a
Shareholder  Rights Agreement (the "Rights  Agreement")  designed to enhance the
Company's  ability  to  protect   shareholder   interests  and  to  ensure  that
shareholders  receive fair treatment in the event any coercive  takeover attempt
of the Company is made in the  future.  Pursuant  to the Rights  Agreement,  the
Board of  Directors  declared a dividend  distribution  of one  preferred  stock
purchase right (the "Right") for each  outstanding  share of common stock of the
Company  to  shareholders  of record as of the close of  business  on January 6,
1995.  Each  right  entitles  the  holder to  purchase  from the  Company a unit
consisting  of one ten  thousandth  (1/10,000)  of a share  of  Series  A Junior
Participating  Cumulative  Preferred Stock, par value $1.00 per share, at a cash
exercise price of $70 per unit,  subject to  adjustment,  upon the occurrence of
certain  events as are set forth in the Rights  Agreement.  These events include
the earliest to occur of (i) the  acquisition of 15% or more of the  outstanding
shares  of  common  stock  of the  Company  by any  person  or  group,  (ii) the
commencement  of  a  tender  or  exchange  offer  that  would  result  upon  its
consummation in a person or a group becoming the beneficial owner of 15% or more
of the outstanding common stock of the Company or (iii) the determination by the
Board of  Directors  that any person is an "Adverse  Person",  as defined in the
Rights  Agreement.  The  Rights  are not  exercisable  until  or  following  the
occurrence  of one of the above  events and will  expire on December  14,  2004,
unless previously redeemed or exchanged by the Company as provided in the Rights
Agreement.

                                       10

<PAGE>

SELECTED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL DATA

         The following selected consolidated  financial data for the Company are
derived from the financial  statements that have been audited and reported on by
KPMG  Peat  Marwick  LLP,  independent  certified  public  accountants,  and are
qualified  in their  entirety by  reference  to the more  detailed  consolidated
financial  statements and the  independent  auditors'  report thereon  appearing
elsewhere in this Form 10-K. J. Baker has acquired a number of specialty  retail
businesses  in recent  years,  sold its SCOA and  Parade of Shoes  divisions  in
fiscal 1998 and disposed of its Fayva  division  during fiscal 1996. The Company
has also  experienced a number of licensor  bankruptcy  filings in recent years.
These acquisitions, the sales of SCOA and Parade of Shoes, the disposal of Fayva
and  licensor  bankruptcy  filings  affect the  comparability  of the  financial
information  herein.  For further  discussions see "DESCRIPTION OF BUSINESS" and
Notes 2 and 3 to the Consolidated Financial Statements.

                                J. BAKER, INC.
                    SELECTED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL DATA
              (Dollars in thousands, except per share amounts)

<TABLE>
<S>                                                      <C>           <C>          <C>           <C>          <C>
                                                                                      Year Ended
                                                         ---------------------------------------------------------------
                                                           2/01/97        2/03/96      1/28/95     1/29/94      1/30/93
                                                           -------        -------      -------     -------      -------
Income Statement Data:                                                  (53 weeks)
Net sales                                                $ 897,492     $1,020,413   $1,042,979    $918,878      $532,256
Cost of sales                                              542,247        580,067      579,735     516,855       313,703
                                                          --------      ---------    ---------     -------      --------
      Gross profit                                         355,245        440,346      463,244     402,023       218,553
Selling, administrative and
  general expenses                                         347,977        392,586      389,362     336,283       174,658
Depreciation and amortization                               29,431         32,428       27,883      21,874        14,688
Restructuring and other non-recurring charges              122,309         69,300            -           -             -
                                                           -------        -------      --------    -------       -------
      Operating income (loss)                             (144,472)       (53,968)      45,999      43,866        29,207
Interest income                                                254            526          635         704            80
Interest expense                                           (13,056)       (10,983)      (9,735)     (8,146)       (8,211)
                                                          --------        -------      -------      ------       -------
      Earnings (loss) before taxes and
          extraordinary item                              (157,274)       (64,425)      36,899      36,424        21,076
Income tax expense (benefit)                               (45,846)       (25,823)      13,283      13,113         7,798
                                                          --------       --------      -------     -------       -------
      Earnings (loss) before extraordinary item           (111,428)       (38,602)      23,616      23,311        13,278
Extraordinary item, net of income tax benefit                    -              -            -           -        (2,444)
                                                          --------      ---------      -------    --------       -------
      Net earnings (loss)                                $(111,428)     $ (38,602)    $ 23,616    $ 23,311      $ 10,834
                                                          ========       ========      =======     =======       =======

Earnings (loss) per common share:

Primary:
      Earnings (loss) before extraordinary item          $   (8.02)     $   (2.79)    $   1.71    $   1.70     $    1.25
      Extraordinary item                                         -              -            -           -          (.23)
                                                          --------       --------      -------     -------      --------
                                                         $   (8.02)     $   (2.79)    $   1.71    $   1.70     $    1.02
                                                          ========      =========      =======     =======      ========
Fully diluted:
      Earnings (loss) before extraordinary item          $   (8.02)     $   (2.79)    $   1.46    $   1.45     $    1.11
      Extraordinary item                                         -              -            -           -          (.18)
                                                          --------       --------      -------     -------      --------
                                                         $   (8.02)     $   (2.79)    $   1.46    $   1.45     $     .93
                                                          ========       ========      =======    ========      ========


</TABLE>

                                        11

<PAGE>

                                 J. BAKER, INC.
                      SELECTED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL DATA
                (Dollars in thousands, except per share amounts)


<TABLE>
<S>                                             <C>            <C>             <C>             <C>              <C>
                                                                                 As At
                                                 ----------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                 2/01/97        2/03/96         1/28/95         1/29/94         1/30/93
Balance Sheet Data:                              -------        -------         -------         -------         -------
Working capital                                 $182,123       $205,080        $235,948        $187,095         $138,385

Total assets                                     382,521        526,082         578,618         502,496          431,798

Long-term debt                                   214,092        207,766         204,518         154,665           95,864

Stockholders' equity                              71,989        184,037         223,317         200,086          172,610
                                                 =======       ========        ========        ========         ========
Cash dividends declared
      per common share                          $    .06       $    .06        $    .06        $    .06         $    .06
                                                 =======        =======         =======         =======          =======

</TABLE>

Store Openings and Closings:
<TABLE>
<S>                       <C>       <C>        <C>            <C>         <C>    <C>          <C>        <C>    <C>        <C>
                                   Apparel                                            Footwear*
                          ----------------------------        ------------------------------------------------
                                                                                   Total      Parade
                          Casual     Work       Total         Licensed            Licensed      of               Total
                           Male     'n Gear    Apparel        Discount    SCOA   Shoe Dept.   Shoes      Fayva  Footwear   Total
                          ------    -------    -------        --------    ----   ----------   -------    -----  --------   -----

Stores open at
   January 29, 1994         254         52        306           1,368       162      1,530      162        395    2,087    2,393

Openings                     65          9         74              71       321        392       46          2      440      514

Closings                      -          -          -            (197)      (35)      (232)     (17)       (29)    (278)    (278)
                           ----       ----       ----           -----      ----      -----     ----       ----    -----    -----

Stores open at
   January 28, 1995         319         61        380           1,242       448      1,690      191        368    2,249    2,629

Openings                     81          9         90              27        99        126        8          6      140      230

Closings                      -         (1)        (1)           (182)      (42)      (224)     (31)      (374)    (629)    (630)

                           ----       ----      -----           -----      ----      -----     ----       ----    -----    -----
Stores open at
   February 3, 1996         400         69        469           1,087       505      1,592      168          -    1,760    2,229

Openings                     49          -         49              38        56         94       42          -      136      185

Closings                     (9)        (3)       (12)           (188)     (107)      (295)     (22)         -     (317)    (329)
                           ----       ----       ----           -----     -----      -----     ----       ----    -----    -----

Stores open at
   February 1, 1997         440         66        506             937       454      1,391      188          -    1,579    2,085
                           ====       ====       ====           =====      ====      =====     ====       ====    =====    =====
</TABLE>


*     Excludes  wholesale footwear  departments  serviced by the Company (all of
      which were closed during the year ended January 28, 1995).





                                       12

<PAGE>
   MANAGEMENT'S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS
                            OF OPERATIONS.

         All  references  herein to fiscal  1997,  fiscal  1996 and fiscal  1995
relate to the years  ended  February  1, 1997,  February 3, 1996 and January 28,
1995,  respectively.  To the extent that the Company may have incurred increased
costs  resulting from inflation,  the Company  believes that it has been able to
offset these costs through higher  revenues.  Accordingly,  the Company believes
that inflation has had no significant impact on the operations of the Company.

Results of Operations

         During the fourth quarter of fiscal 1997, the Company  restructured its
footwear operations in order to focus its efforts on the management, development
and growth of its Casual Male Big & Tall and Work 'n Gear apparel businesses. In
connection  with the  restructuring,  in March,  1997 the Company  completed the
sales of its Shoe Corporation of America ("SCOA") and Parade of Shoes divisions,
and has begun to downsize its Licensed  Discount footwear  division.  As part of
the  restructuring,  the Company made a  determination  that it would reduce its
investment in its Licensed  Discount  footwear  business.  The Company currently
intends to concentrate  the Licensed  Discount  division's  efforts on its major
licensors  while  exploring  future  strategic  options for this  business.  The
Company  recorded a pre-tax charge of $166.6 million ($117.1  million,  or $8.42
per share, on an after-tax basis) related to the sales of the SCOA and Parade of
Shoes divisions, the write-down to realizable value of certain assets related to
its Licensed  Discount shoe  division,  and severance  and  consolidation  costs
related to the downsizing of the Company's  administrative areas and facilities.
Of the pre-tax  charge,  $122.3  million is included as a separate  component of
results of operations as "Restructuring and other non-recurring  charges" in the
Company's  Consolidated  Statement  of Earnings  for the year ended  February 1,
1997.  The Company has also  recorded a charge to cost of sales of $37.3 million
related to a reduction  in the  Licensed  Discount  division's  inventory to net
realizable value. The remaining  components of the charge include an increase in
the  allowance  for  doubtful  accounts  for the  Licensed  Discount  division's
accounts receivable, and losses incurred from actions taken in order to maximize
the cash  proceeds  received for the assets sold in the Parade of Shoes and SCOA
divisions  subsequent  to the  Company's  decision to dispose of each.  Also, in
fiscal 1996, the Company recorded a restructuring charge of $69.3 million ($41.6
million,  or $3.00 per share, on an after-tax  basis) related to the disposal of
its Fayva footwear  division.  While the Company believes that the restructuring
of its footwear  business will serve to improve  operations  in the future,  the
Company  recognizes it is operating in a soft retail  environment  and has taken
steps intended to manage its remaining  businesses in a manner  consistent  with
such  economic  environment.  These steps include  reducing  estimates of future
sales,  increasing  management's focus on merchandise planning and distribution,
cutting expenditures and prudently managing store openings. The Company also has
attempted  to  generate  additional  sales  and  keep  inventories  in  line  by
increasing promotional activities.

                    Fiscal 1997 versus Fiscal 1996

         In fiscal 1997, net sales decreased by $122.9 million or 12.0% from net
sales in fiscal 1996. Sales in the Company's  footwear  operations  decreased by
$153.4  million due to a $106.0  million sales  decrease in the Company's  Fayva
division  (which is primarily  the result of the closing of all 357 Fayva stores
in the third  quarter of fiscal  1996),  a 1.1%  decrease in  comparable  retail
footwear store sales (Comparable retail footwear store sales increases/decreases
are based upon  comparisons of weekly sales volume in licensed  departments  and
Parade  of  Shoes  stores  which  were  open in  corresponding  weeks of the two
comparison  periods),  and a decrease in the number of licensed shoe departments
in operation  during fiscal 1997 versus fiscal 1996 (which was due in large part
to Jamesway ceasing operations in the fourth quarter of fiscal 1996).

         Sales in the Company's specialty apparel operations  increased by $30.5
million  due to an  increase  in the number of Casual Male Big & Tall stores and
Work 'n Gear stores in  operation at the end of fiscal 1997 over fiscal 1996 and
a 2.7%  increase  in  comparable  specialty  apparel  store  sales.  (Comparable
specialty apparel store sales  increases/decreases are based upon comparisons of
weekly  sales  volume in Casual  Male Big & Tall  stores and Work 'n Gear stores
which were open in corresponding weeks of the two comparison periods.)

         Cost of sales  constituted 60.4% of sales in fiscal 1997 as compared to
56.8% in fiscal 1996.  Cost of sales in the Company's  footwear  operations  was
64.4% of sales in fiscal 1997 (which  includes the $37.3  million  write-down of
the Licensed  Discount  division's  inventory)  as compared to 58.8% of sales in
fiscal 1996. Excluding the effect of this $37.3 million charge, cost of sales in
the  Company's  footwear  operations  was  58.3% of sales in  fiscal  1997.  The
decrease in such percentage, from 58.8% of sales in fiscal 1996, is attributable
to lower markdowns as a percentage of sales, partially offset by a lower initial
markup  on  merchandise  purchases.  Cost  of  sales  in the  Company's  apparel
operations was 52.1% of sales

                                       13

<PAGE>
in fiscal  1997 as compared  to 51.2% of sales in fiscal  1996  primarily  due a
lower  initial  markup  on  merchandise  purchases,  partially  offset  by lower
markdowns as a percentage of sales.

         Selling, administrative and general expenses decreased $44.6 million or
11.4% from fiscal  1996,  primarily  due to the closing of the  Company's  Fayva
division in the third quarter of fiscal 1996. As a percentage of sales, selling,
administrative  and  general  expenses  were  38.8% of sales in  fiscal  1997 as
compared to 38.5% of sales in fiscal 1996.  Selling,  administrative and general
expenses in the Company's footwear operations were 38.5% of sales in fiscal 1997
which was comparable to 38.5% of sales in fiscal 1996.  Selling,  administrative
and general expenses in the Company's apparel  operations were 39.4% of sales in
fiscal 1997 as  compared to 38.5% of sales in fiscal  1996.  This  increase  was
primarily the result of a higher  allocation of predominantly  fixed overhead to
the Company's apparel  operations as a result of the  proportionate  increase in
apparel sales to total Company sales.

         Depreciation  and  amortization  expense  decreased  by $3.0 million in
fiscal 1997 from fiscal 1996 primarily due to the write-off of certain fixed and
intangible  assets in the fourth  quarter of fiscal 1997  related to the overall
restructuring  of  the  Company's   footwear  divisions  and  the  write-off  of
furniture, fixtures and leasehold improvements as a result of the closing of the
Company's  Fayva division in the third quarter of fiscal 1996. This decrease was
partially offset by capital expenditures for depreciable and amortizable assets.

         Of the $166.6 million  pre-tax charge recorded in the fiscal year ended
February 1, 1997 for the  divestitures of the SCOA and Parade of Shoes divisions
and the downsizing of the Company's  Licensed Discount  division,  the Company's
administrative  areas and its  corporate  facilities,  $122.3  million  has been
classified  as  restructuring  and other  non-recurring  charges.  Such  charges
include the losses on the sales of the SCOA and Parade of Shoes  divisions,  the
write-off of assets and  obligations  related to the  reduction of the Company's
investment in its Licensed Discount  division,  severance and related costs, and
lease obligations and write-offs of assets for excess corporate facilities.  For
additional information, see Note 2 to the Consolidated Financial Statements.

         During the fiscal  year ended  February 3, 1996,  the Company  recorded
restructuring charges of $69.3 million ($41.6 million, or $3.00 per share, on an
after-tax  basis) related to the disposal of its Fayva footwear  division.  Such
charges included the costs to exit from and dispose of Fayva, including the loss
on disposal of inventory,  severance payments, the write-off of fixed assets and
the costs to dispose of store leases. For additional information,  see Note 2 to
the Consolidated Financial Statements.

         As a result of the above  described  effects,  the Company's  operating
loss increased to $144.5 million  (operating  income of $22.1 million  excluding
the $166.6  million  pre-tax  charge) in fiscal 1997 from an  operating  loss of
$54.0 million  (operating income of $15.3 million excluding the $69.3 million of
restructuring  charges) in fiscal 1996. As a percentage of sales,  the operating
loss was 16.1% of sales (operating  income of 2.5% of sales excluding the $166.6
million  pre-tax charge) in fiscal 1997 as compared to an operating loss of 5.3%
of sales  (operating  income of 1.5% of sales  excluding  the $69.3  million  of
restructuring charges) in fiscal 1996.

         Net interest expense  increased $2.3 million to $12.8 million in fiscal
1997 as compared to $10.5 million in fiscal 1996 due to higher average levels of
borrowings and higher interest rates.

         Income tax  benefit  for fiscal  1997 was $45.8  million,  yielding  an
effective  tax rate of 29.2%,  as  compared  to an income  tax  benefit of $25.8
million in fiscal 1996,  yielding an effective tax rate of 40.1% in fiscal 1996.
The  difference in the effective tax rate  primarily  reflects the impact of the
additional  valuation  reserve  applied  against  deferred  tax  accounts  as of
February  1,  1997.  See Note 7 to the  Consolidated  Financial  Statements  for
further discussion of taxes on earnings.

         The net loss for fiscal  1997 was $111.4  million as  compared to a net
loss of $38.6 million in fiscal 1996.

                     Fiscal 1996 versus Fiscal 1995

         In fiscal 1996,  net sales  decreased by $22.6 million or 2.2% from net
sales in fiscal 1995. Sales in the Company's  footwear  operations  decreased by
$61.1 million due to a sales decrease in the Company's  Fayva division (which is
primarily  the result of the  aforementioned  closing of all 357 Fayva stores in
the third quarter of fiscal 1996),  the elimination of wholesale  footwear sales
(which is a result of the closing of all wholesale footwear departments serviced
by the Company  during the second  quarter of fiscal  1995),  a 7.0% decrease in
comparable retail footwear store sales, and a decrease in the number of discount
licensed  shoe  departments  in operation  during fiscal 1996 versus fiscal 1995
(which was due in large

                                       14

<PAGE>
part to Jamesway ceasing  operations in the fourth quarter of fiscal 1996). This
decrease was partially offset by a sales increase in the Company's SCOA licensed
shoe  division  as a  result  of  SCOA's  beginning  business  in  new  licensed
departments since the first quarter of fiscal 1995.

         Sales in the Company's specialty apparel operations  increased by $38.6
million  due to an  increase  in the number of Casual Male Big & Tall stores and
Work 'n Gear stores in  operation  at the end of fiscal  1996 over fiscal  1995,
partially offset by a 2.7% decrease in comparable specialty apparel store sales.

         Cost of sales  constituted 56.8% of sales in fiscal 1996 as compared to
55.6% in fiscal 1995.  Cost of sales in the Company's  footwear  operations  was
58.8% of sales in fiscal 1996 as compared to 56.8% of sales in fiscal 1995.  The
increase in such percentage was primarily  attributable to higher markdowns as a
percentage  of  sales  and a  decrease  in the  initial  markup  on  merchandise
purchases,  partially  offset by the  elimination of wholesale  footwear  sales,
which have a higher cost of sales than retail footwear  sales.  Cost of sales in
the Company's  apparel  operations was 51.2% of sales in fiscal 1996 as compared
to 51.0% of sales in fiscal 1995. The increase in such  percentage was primarily
attributable to higher markdowns as a percentage of sales, partially offset by a
higher initial markup on merchandise purchases.

         Selling,  administrative and general expenses increased $3.2 million or
0.8% over  fiscal  1995,  primarily  due to a relative  decrease in sales in the
licensed discount division which has lower selling,  administrative  and general
expenses than the Company's other divisions.  As a percentage of sales, selling,
administrative  and  general  expenses  were 38.5% in fiscal 1996 as compared to
37.3% in fiscal  1995.  Selling,  administrative  and  general  expenses  in the
Company's footwear  operations were 38.5% in fiscal 1996 as compared to 37.2% of
sales in fiscal 1995.  This increase was primarily the result of a change in the
relative  mix of  footwear  sales and a decline in  comparable  retail  footwear
sales.  Selling,  administrative  and general expenses in the Company's  apparel
operations  were 38.5% of sales in fiscal  1996 as compared to 37.9% of sales in
fiscal  1995,  primarily  due to an increase in store  level  expenses  from new
stores openings, coupled with comparable store sales declines.

         Depreciation  and  amortization  expense  increased  by $4.5 million in
fiscal  1996 over fiscal  1995 due to an  increase  in average  depreciable  and
amortizable assets.

         During the fiscal  year ended  February 3, 1996,  the Company  recorded
restructuring  charges of $69.3  million  ($41.6  million on an after tax basis)
related to the disposal of its Fayva footwear  division.  Such charges  included
the costs to exit from and dispose of Fayva,  including  the loss on disposal of
inventory,  severance  payments,  the write off of fixed assets and the costs to
dispose of store leases.

         As a result of the above  described  effects,  the Company  reported an
operating loss of $54.0 million (operating income of $15.3 million excluding the
restructuring  charges) in fiscal 1996 versus  operating income of $46.0 million
in fiscal 1995.

         Net interest expense  increased $1.4 million to $10.5 million in fiscal
1996 as compared to $9.1 million in fiscal 1995, primarily due to higher average
levels of borrowings  and higher  interest rates on borrowings in fiscal 1996 as
compared to fiscal 1995.

         For fiscal 1996,  the Company  reported a tax benefit of $25.8 million,
resulting in an effective tax rate of 40.1%, as compared to tax expense of $13.3
million,  yielding an effective tax rate of 36.0% in fiscal 1995.  See Note 7 to
the  Consolidated  Financial  Statements  for  further  discussion  of  taxes on
earnings.

         Net loss for fiscal 1996 was $38.6  million as compared to net earnings
of $23.6 million in fiscal 1995.

Financial Condition

                   February 1, 1997 versus February 3, 1996

         As a result  of the  sales of the  Company's  SCOA and  Parade of Shoes
divisions in March,  1997,  the Company's  balance sheet at February 1, 1997 has
classified certain assets and liabilities of these divisions as "Assets held for
Sale",  primarily accounts receivable,  merchandise  inventories,  net property,
plant and  equipment  and accounts  payable.  Also, as a result of the Company's
overall  restructuring of its footwear  business in fiscal 1997, the Company has
written down the value of  inventory  and  accounts  receivable  in its Licensed
Discount division, written down certain fixed and intangible assets,

                                       15

<PAGE>
and has recorded accruals related to the restructuring.  For additional
information, see Note 2 to the Consolidated Financial Statements.

         Accounts  receivable at February 1, 1997  decreased from the balance at
February 3, 1996 primarily due to the impact of the divestiture of the Company's
SCOA division, the reduction in the number of units operated in January, 1997 as
compared to January, 1996 in the Company's Licensed Discount shoe division,  and
a net increase of $2.1 million in the Company's allowance for doubtful accounts.
The  increase in the  allowance  for  doubtful  accounts,  which was recorded in
conjunction  with the  revaluation  of the Company's  investment in its Licensed
Discount  division,  is primarily due to the reduction in the Company's estimate
of the amounts  expected to be realized from the settlement of Chapter 11 claims
with various licensors.

         Merchandise inventories at February 1, 1997 were lower than at February
3, 1996  primarily due to the impact of the  divestitures  of the Company's SCOA
and Parade of Shoes  divisions and to the  write-down of the Company's  Licensed
Discount division's inventory to net realizable value.

         Income tax  receivable  at February 1, 1997  decreased to zero from the
balance at February 3, 1996  primarily  due to the  collection  of the estimated
federal tax refund during fiscal 1997.

         The decrease in net property,  plant and equipment is the result of the
impact of the  divestitures of the Company's SCOA and Parade of Shoes divisions,
coupled  with the  recording of $21.2  million in  depreciation  expense  during
fiscal 1997,  partially offset by the Company incurring capital  expenditures of
$16.4  million in fiscal 1997,  primarily  for the opening of new stores and the
renovation of existing units.

         The  decrease in other  assets is primarily  due to the  write-offs  of
certain  intangible assets as a result of the divestitures of the Company's SCOA
and Parade of Shoes divisions and the revaluation and reduction of the Company's
investment  in  its  Licensed  Discount  footwear  division,  coupled  with  the
recording of $8.2 million in amortization expense.

         The decrease in accounts  payable is primarily due to the impact of the
divestiture  of the Company's SCOA  division.  The ratio of accounts  payable to
merchandise  inventory  was 39.0% at  February  1, 1997 as  compared to 36.8% at
February 3, 1996. Such increase is primarily the result of the write-down of the
Company's Licensed Discount division's inventory.

         Accrued  expenses  at February  1, 1997  increased  from the balance at
February 3, 1996 primarily due to accruals  related to the  restructuring of the
Company's  footwear  business,  including  the sales of the  Company's  SCOA and
Parade of Shoes divisions,  and the downsizing and restructuring of its Licensed
Discount  division and the Company's  administrative  areas and facilities.  See
Note 2 to the Consolidated  Financial Statements for information on accruals set
up for restructuring and other non-recurring costs.

Liquidity and Capital Resources
         The Company  currently has a revolving  credit facility on an unsecured
basis with Fleet National  Bank,  The First National Bank of Boston,  The Yasuda
Trust and Banking  Company,  Ltd.,  Bank  Hapoalim  B.M.,  National City Bank of
Columbus,  Standard  Chartered  Bank and  Citizens  Bank of  Massachusetts  (the
"Banks").  As  amended  to date,  the  aggregate  commitment  amount  under this
revolving  credit  facility  was reduced  from $205 million to $145 million upon
receipt of the proceeds of the sales of the  Company's  SCOA and Parade of Shoes
divisions in March,  1997.  Borrowings  under the revolving credit facility bear
interest at variable rates and, at the discretion of the Company,  can be in the
form of loans, bankers' acceptances and letters of credit. This facility expires
on May 30, 1998.  The Company had  outstanding  obligations  under the revolving
credit  facility of $155.2 million as of February 1, 1997,  consisting of loans,
obligations under bankers'  acceptances and letters of credit. The Company is in
the  process  of  seeking to  refinance  its  revolving  credit  facility  for a
three-year term.

         On December 30, 1996, JBAK Canton Realty, Inc. ("Realty"), a subsidiary
of JBAK Holding, Inc. and an indirect,  wholly-owned  subsidiary of the Company,
obtained a $15.5 million  mortgage loan from The Chase Manhattan Bank secured by
the real  estate,  buildings  and  other  improvements  owned by  Realty  at 555
Turnpike Street, Canton, Massachusetts.  Realty leases the property to JBI, Inc.
a wholly-owned  subsidiary of the Company. The property is used as the Company's
corporate  headquarters.  Proceeds  of the  mortgage  loan were used to pay down
loans under the Company's revolving credit facility.



                                       16

<PAGE>
         In  June,  1992  the  Company  issued  $70  million  of 7%  convertible
subordinated  notes due 2002. The notes are convertible at a conversion price of
$16.125 per share, subject to adjustment in certain events.

         The  Company  expects to open  approximately  50 Casual Male Big & Tall
stores and 6 Work 'n Gear stores and to close  approximately 1 Casual Male Big &
Tall store in fiscal 1998. As part of the  downsizing  of the Licensed  Discount
shoe division, the Company plans to close approximately 100 licensed departments
in fiscal 1998.

         The Company believes that amounts  available under its revolving credit
facility,  along with internally generated funds, will be sufficient to meet its
current operating and capital requirements under ordinary  circumstances through
the end of the current fiscal year.

Safe Harbor Statement Under the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995
         The Company cautions that any forward-looking  statements (as such term
is defined in the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995) contained in
this  Form  10-K  or  made  by  management  of the  Company  involve  risks  and
uncertainties, and are subject to change based on various important factors. The
following  factors,  among others, in some cases have affected and in the future
could affect the Company's financial  performance and actual results,  and could
cause actual results for fiscal 1998 and beyond to differ  materially from those
expressed or implied in any such forward-looking statements: changes in consumer
spending  patterns,   consumer  preferences  and  overall  economic  conditions,
availability of credit,  interest rates,  the impact of competition and pricing,
the  weather,  the  financial  condition  of the  retailers  in whose stores the
Company  operates  licensed shoe  departments,  changes in existing or potential
duties,  tariffs  or  quotas,   availability  of  suitable  store  locations  at
appropriate terms and ability to hire and train associates.




















                                       17

<PAGE>

FINANCIAL STATEMENTS AND SUPPLEMENTARY DATA




                  J. BAKER, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
             Index to Consolidated Financial Statements

<TABLE>
<S>                                                                                                      <C>
Consolidated Financial Statements:                                                                       PAGE


         Independent Auditors' Report                                                                      19

         Consolidated balance sheets as of February 1, 1997 and February 3, 1996                           20

         Consolidated statements of earnings for the years ended February 1, 1997,                         21
February 3, 1996 and January 28, 1995

         Consolidated statements of stockholders' equity for the years ended                               22
February 1, 1997, February 3, 1996 and January 28, 1995

         Consolidated statements of cash flows for the years ended February 1, 1997,                       23
February 3, 1996 and January 28, 1995

         Notes to consolidated financial statements                                                        24

</TABLE>

All schedules have been omitted as they are inapplicable or not required, or the
information has been included in the consolidated financial statements or in the
notes thereto.














                                        18

<PAGE>













                       Independent Auditors' Report



The Board of Directors and Stockholders
J. Baker, Inc.:


We have audited the accompanying  consolidated  balance sheets of J. Baker, Inc.
and  subsidiaries  as of February 1, 1997 and February 3, 1996,  and the related
consolidated  statements  of earnings,  stockholders'  equity and cash flows for
each of the  years in the  three-year  period  ended  February  1,  1997.  These
consolidated  financial  statements  are  the  responsibility  of the  Company's
management.  Our  responsibility is to express an opinion on these  consolidated
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 consolidated  financial statements referred to above present
fairly, in all material  respects,  the financial position of J. Baker, Inc. and
subsidiaries  as of  February 1, 1997 and  February 3, 1996,  and the results of
their  operations  and their cash flows for each of the years in the  three-year
period ended February 1, 1997 in conformity with generally  accepted  accounting
principles.





                                                 KPMG Peat Marwick LLP


Boston, Massachusetts
March 20, 1997










                                      19

<PAGE>
                      J. BAKER, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
                         Consolidated Balance Sheets
                    February 1, 1997 and February 3, 1996
<TABLE>
<S>                                                                                <C>                    <C>
        Assets                                                                            1997                 1996
        ------                                                                            ----                 ----
Current assets:
    Cash and cash equivalents                                                      $   3,969,116          $   3,287,141
    Accounts receivable:
        Trade, net                                                                    14,771,734             19,514,985
        Other                                                                          1,737,786              3,219,862
                                                                                      ----------             ----------
                                                                                      16,509,520             22,734,847
                                                                                      ----------             ----------

    Merchandise inventories                                                          146,045,496            285,703,289
    Prepaid expenses                                                                   6,031,033              8,600,990
    Income tax receivable                                                                      -              7,236,732
    Deferred income taxes                                                             37,548,000              9,198,000
    Assets held for sale                                                              62,255,582                      -
                                                                                     -----------            -----------
             Total current assets                                                    272,358,747            336,760,999
                                                                                     -----------            -----------

Property, plant and equipment, at cost:
    Land and buildings                                                                19,340,925             25,064,423
    Furniture, fixtures and equipment                                                 54,695,398            115,099,770
    Leasehold improvements                                                            42,650,123             43,442,932
                                                                                     -----------            -----------
                                                                                     116,686,446            183,607,125
    Less accumulated depreciation and amortization                                    40,032,801             62,524,262
                                                                                     -----------            -----------
             Net property, plant and equipment                                        76,653,645            121,082,863
                                                                                     -----------            -----------

Deferred income taxes                                                                 26,199,000              6,939,000
Other assets, at cost, less accumulated amortization                                   7,309,411             61,298,880
                                                                                    ------------            -----------
                                                                                    $382,520,803           $526,081,742
                                                                                     ===========            ===========
        Liabilities and Stockholders' Equity
Current liabilities:
    Current portion of long-term debt                                              $   2,012,327          $   1,500,000
    Accounts payable                                                                  57,006,085            105,113,721
    Accrued expenses                                                                  29,837,310             25,066,874
    Income taxes payable                                                               1,380,664                      -
                                                                                    ------------            -----------
             Total current liabilities                                                90,236,386            131,680,595
                                                                                    ------------            -----------

Other liabilities                                                                      6,203,073              2,598,026
Long-term debt, net of current portion                                               140,787,673            133,000,000
Senior subordinated debt                                                               2,951,411              4,412,711
Convertible subordinated debt                                                         70,353,000             70,353,000

Stockholders' equity:
    Common stock, par value $.50 per share, authorized 40,000,000 shares,
      13,892,397 shares issued and outstanding in 1997 (13,872,647 in 1996)            6,946,199              6,936,324
    Preferred stock, par value $1.00 per share, authorized 2,000,000 shares
      (none issued and outstanding)                                                            -                      -
    Series A junior participating cumulative preferred stock, par value $1.00
      per share, authorized 100,000 shares (none issued and outstanding)                       -                      -
    Additional paid-in capital                                                       115,416,223            115,213,017
    Retained earnings (deficit)                                                      (50,373,162)            61,888,069
                                                                                     -----------            -----------
             Total stockholders' equity                                               71,989,260            184,037,410
                                                                                     -----------            -----------
                                                                                    $382,520,803           $526,081,742
                                                                                     ===========            ===========
</TABLE>


See accompanying notes to consolidated financial statements.

                                       20

<PAGE>
                     J. BAKER, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
                  Consolidated Statements of Earnings
For the years ended  February  1, 1997,  February 3, 1996 and January 28, 1995


<TABLE>
<S>                                                            <C>                     <C>                  <C>
                                                                     1997                    1996                 1995
                                                                     ----                    ----                 ----

Net sales                                                       $897,491,941           $1,020,412,703       $1,042,978,875

Cost of sales                                                    542,246,938              580,067,086          579,734,911
                                                                 -----------            -------------        -------------

      Gross profit                                               355,245,003              440,345,617          463,243,964

Selling, administrative and general expenses                     347,977,056              392,585,851          389,362,380

Depreciation and amortization                                     29,430,473               32,428,001           27,882,778

Restructuring and other non-recurring charges                    122,309,000               69,300,000                    -
                                                                 -----------            -------------        -------------

      Operating income (loss)                                   (144,471,526)             (53,968,235)          45,998,806

Interest income                                                      253,750                  526,188              635,574

Interest expense                                                 (13,056,127)             (10,983,067)          (9,735,209)
                                                                 -----------             ------------        -------------

      Earnings (loss) before taxes                              (157,273,903)             (64,425,114)          36,899,171

Income tax expense (benefit)                                     (45,846,000)             (25,823,000)          13,283,000
                                                                ------------             ------------        -------------

      Net earnings (loss)                                      $(111,427,903)            $(38,602,114)        $ 23,616,171
                                                                ============              ===========         ============

Earnings (loss) per common share:
      Primary                                                  $       (8.02)          $        (2.79)      $         1.71
                                                                ============            =============        =============
      Fully diluted                                            $       (8.02)          $        (2.79)      $         1.46
                                                                ============            =============        =============

Number of shares used to compute earnings (loss) per common share:
      Primary                                                     13,887,544               13,858,273           13,831,552
                                                                ============             ============        =============
      Fully diluted                                               13,900,633               13,905,545           18,363,042
                                                                ============             ============        =============
</TABLE>








See accompanying notes to consolidated financial statements.

                                       21

<PAGE>



                     J. BAKER, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
               Consolidated  Statements of  Stockholders'
         Equity For the years ended February 1, 1997,  February 3,
                       1996 and January 28, 1995

<TABLE>
<S>                                   <C>                <C>              <C>             <C>              <C>
                                                                           Additional        Retained         Total
                                                  Common Stock               Paid-in         Earnings      Stockholders'
                                          Shares            Amount           Capital        (Deficit)         Equity
                                          ------            ------         ----------        --------      ------------


Balance, January 29, 1994              13,792,647        $6,896,324       $114,654,417     $78,535,733     $200,086,474


Net earnings for the year ended
    January 28, 1995                            -                 -                  -      23,616,171       23,616,171
Exercise of stock options                  48,000            24,000            420,405               -          444,405
Dividends paid ($.06 per share)                 -                 -                  -        (830,145)        (830,145)
                                       ----------        ----------        -----------     -----------      -----------
Balance, January 28, 1995              13,840,647         6,920,324        115,074,822     101,321,759      223,316,905
                                       ----------        ----------        -----------     -----------      -----------

Net loss for the year ended
    February 3, 1996                            -                 -                  -     (38,602,114)     (38,602,114)
Exercise of stock options                  32,000            16,000            138,195               -          154,195
Dividends paid ($.06 per share)                 -                 -                  -        (831,576)        (831,576)
                                       ----------         ---------          ---------      ----------       ----------

Balance, February 3, 1996              13,872,647         6,936,324        115,213,017      61,888,069      184,037,410
                                       ----------        ----------        -----------      ----------      -----------


Net loss for the year ended
    February 1, 1997                            -                 -                  -    (111,427,903)    (111,427,903)
Shares issued in connection with the
  acquisition of Shoe Corporation
  of America                                6,001             3,001            104,942               -          107,943
Exercise of stock options                  13,749             6,874             98,264               -          105,138
Dividends paid ($.06 per share)                 -                 -                  -        (833,328)        (833,328)
                                       ----------        ----------         ----------     -----------      -----------

Balance, February 1, 1997              13,892,397        $6,946,199       $115,416,223    $(50,373,162)    $ 71,989,260
                                       ==========        ==========       ============    ============     ============

</TABLE>







See accompanying notes to consolidated financial statements

                                        22

<PAGE>
                    J. BAKER, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
                  Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows
       For the years ended  February  1, 1997,  February 3, 1996
                       and January 28, 1995


<TABLE>
<S>                                                                <C>                  <C>                  <C>
                                                                         1997                 1996                 1995
                                                                         ----                 ----                 ----
Cash flows from operating activities:
      Net earnings (loss)                                          $(111,427,903)       $ (38,602,114)       $  23,616,171
      Adjustments to reconcile net earnings (loss) to net cash
        provided by operating activities:
         Depreciation and amortization:
             Fixed assets                                             21,151,307           21,985,599           19,015,776
             Deferred charges, intangible assets and
                deferred financing costs                               8,317,866           10,490,278            8,922,497
         Deferred income taxes                                       (47,610,000)         (20,153,000)           7,955,364
         Loss on disposals and revaluation of assets                  97,815,906           29,900,000                    -
         Change in:
             Accounts receivable                                       2,002,092            3,088,464            8,466,255
             Merchandise inventories                                  52,566,128           36,583,661          (56,854,448)
             Prepaid expenses                                         (1,758,077)          (3,030,223)          (1,449,914)
             Accounts payable                                        (29,177,966)         (15,678,736)          12,529,534
             Accrued expenses                                          5,340,437            9,561,924           (9,986,666)
             Income taxes payable/receivable                           8,617,396           (7,709,089)           1,165,288
             Other liabilities                                         3,724,711           (4,045,342)          (7,267,692)
                                                                     -----------           ----------           ----------
                Net cash provided by
                 operating activities                                  9,561,897           22,391,422            6,112,165
                                                                     -----------           ----------           ----------

Cash  flows from investing activities: Capital expenditures for:
         Property, plant and equipment                               (16,420,644)         (28,062,433)         (44,513,548)
         Other assets                                                 (1,921,816)          (1,379,958)         (12,000,475)
      Payments received on note receivable                             3,888,000            2,900,000                    -
                                                                     -----------          -----------          -----------
                Net cash used in investing activities                (14,454,460)         (26,542,391)         (56,514,023)
                                                                     -----------          -----------          -----------

Cash flows from financing activities:
      Repayment of senior debt                                        (8,700,000)          (1,500,000)          (2,636,300)
      Proceeds from other long term debt                                       -            4,700,000           51,300,000
      Proceeds from mortgage payable                                  15,500,000                    -                    -
      Payment of mortgage escrow                                        (605,215)                   -                    -
      Release of restricted cash                                               -                    -            3,455,357
      Proceeds from issuance of common stock, net of retirements         213,081              154,195              444,405
      Payment of dividends                                              (833,328)            (831,576)            (830,145)
                                                                       ---------           ----------           ----------
                Net cash provided by financing activities              5,574,538            2,522,619           51,733,317
                                                                       ---------           ----------           ----------

Net increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents                     681,975           (1,628,350)           1,331,459

Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of year                         3,287,141            4,915,491            3,584,032
                                                                       ---------           ----------           ----------

Cash and cash equivalents at end of year                            $  3,969,116         $  3,287,141         $  4,915,491
                                                                     ===========          ===========          ===========


</TABLE>


See accompanying notes to consolidated financial statements

                                      23

<PAGE>
                    J. BAKER, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
                Notes    to    Consolidated    Financial Statements  
             February 1, 1997,  February 3, 1996 and January 28, 1995

(1)      Summary of Significant Accounting Policies
         ------------------------------------------
         Nature of Operations
            J. Baker,  Inc. and  subsidiaries  (the "Company") is engaged in the
            retail sale of apparel  and  footwear.  As of February 1, 1997,  the
            Company's Casual Male Big & Tall, Work 'n Gear and Licensed Discount
            footwear  businesses  operated 1,443  locations in 47 states and the
            District of  Columbia.  The Company  operates the 440 store chain of
            Casual Male Big & Tall men's stores which sell  fashion,  casual and
            dress clothing and footwear to the big and tall man and the 66 store
            chain  of  Work 'n  Gear  work  clothing  stores  which  sell a wide
            selection  of workwear as well as health care  apparel and  uniforms
            for industry and service businesses,  and sells footwear through 937
            self-service   licensed  shoe  departments  in  mass   merchandising
            department   stores.  In  all  of  these  operations,   the  Company
            emphasizes the sale of quality products at comparatively low prices.
            See  Note  2 for  information  regarding  the  divestitures  of  the
            Company's  Shoe  Corporation  of America  (SCOA) and Parade of Shoes
            divisions and the liquidation of the Company's Fayva shoe division.

         Basis of Presentation and Principles of Consolidation
            The consolidated  financial  statements  include the accounts of the
            Company  and  its  wholly  owned   subsidiaries.   All   significant
            intercompany  accounts  and  transactions  have been  eliminated  in
            consolidation.

            The preparation of consolidated  financial  statements in conformity
            with generally accepted accounting principles requires management to
            make estimates and assumptions  that affect the reported  amounts of
            assets and  liabilities  and  disclosure  of  contingent  assets and
            liabilities at the date of the financial statements and the reported
            amounts of revenues and expenses.  Actual  results could differ from
            these estimates.

         Fiscal Year
            The  Company  follows  a 52 - 53  week  fiscal  year  ending  on the
            Saturday  nearest January 31. The fiscal year ended February 3, 1996
            contained 53 weeks.

         Fair Value of Financial Instruments
            The carrying amount of cash, cash equivalents, trade receivables and
            trade payables  approximate fair value because of the short maturity
            of these  financial  instruments.  The fair  value of the  Company's
            long-term  instruments  is  estimated  based on  market  values  for
            similar instruments. At February 1, 1997, the difference between the
            carrying  value of long-term  instruments  and their  estimated fair
            value is not material.

         Cash and Cash Equivalents
            Cash   equivalents   consist  of  highly  liquid   instruments  with
            maturities  of three  months or less and are  stated  at cost  which
            approximates market.

         Merchandise Inventories
            Merchandise  inventories,  which consist entirely of finished goods,
            are valued at the lower of cost or market, principally by the retail
            inventory method.

         Depreciation and Amortization of Property, Plant and Equipment
            Depreciation and amortization of the Company's  property,  plant and
            equipment  are  provided  on  the  straight-line   method  over  the
            following periods:
<TABLE>
                           <S>                                                  <C>
                           Furniture and fixtures                                7 years
                           Machinery and equipment                               7 years
                           Leasehold improvements                               10 years
                           Building, building improvements and
                              land improvements                                 40 years
</TABLE>




                                       24

<PAGE>
                       J. BAKER, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
                Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements

            Maintenance  and repairs are charged to expense as  incurred.  Major
            renewals  or  replacements  are  capitalized.  When  properties  are
            retired or  otherwise  disposed  of, the asset and  related  reserve
            account are  relieved  and the  resulting  gain or loss,  if any, is
            credited or charged to earnings.

         Impairment of Long-Lived Assets and Long-Lived Assets to Be Disposed Of
            The Company adopted the provisions of SFAS No. 121,  "Accounting for
            the Impairment of Long-Lived  Assets and for Long-Lived Assets to Be
            Disposed  Of", on February 4, 1996.  This  Statement  requires  that
            long-lived assets and certain  identifiable  intangibles be reviewed
            for impairment whenever events or changes in circumstances  indicate
            that  the  carrying  amount  of an  asset  may  not be  recoverable.
            Recoverability  of  assets  to be held  and  used is  measured  by a
            comparison  of the  carrying  amount of an asset to future  net cash
            flows  expected  to be  generated  by the asset.  If such assets are
            considered  to be  impaired,  the  impairment  to be  recognized  is
            measured  by the amount by which the  carrying  amount of the assets
            exceed the fair value of the  assets.  Assets to be  disposed of are
            reported  at the lower of the  carrying  amount or fair  value  less
            costs to sell.  Adoption of this  Statement  did not have a material
            impact on the Company's financial position, results of operations or
            liquidity.  See Note 2 regarding asset write-offs as a result of the
            Company's decision to downsize its footwear operations.

         Earnings Per Common Share
            Earnings  per common  share of the Company is based on the  weighted
            average  number of shares of common  stock  outstanding  during  the
            applicable  period.  Primary  earnings  per  share  is  based on the
            weighted average number of shares of common stock outstanding during
            such  period.  Stock  options and  warrants  are  excluded  from the
            calculation since they have less than a 3% dilutive effect.

            Fully  diluted  earnings per share is based on the weighted  average
            number of shares of common stock  outstanding  during the applicable
            period. Included in this calculation is the dilutive effect of stock
            options and warrants.  Included in this  calculation  for the period
            ended  January  28,  1995 is the  dilutive  effect of  common  stock
            issuable under the 7% convertible  subordinated  notes due 2002. The
            common stock issuable under the 7%  convertible  subordinated  notes
            was not included in the  calculation  for the periods ended February
            1,  1997  and   February  3,  1996   because  its  effect  would  be
            antidilutive.

         Revenue Recognition
            The  Company  recognizes  revenue  at the time of sale in its retail
            stores and licensed departments.

         Store Opening and Closing Costs
            Direct incremental store opening costs are amortized to expense over
            a twelve  month  period.  All costs  related to store  closings  are
            expensed at the time of closing.

         Deferred Lease Acquisition Costs
            Costs  incurred  in  connection  with  the  acquisition  of  license
            agreements were classified as deferred lease  acquisition  costs and
            were being amortized over the terms of the respective leases,  which
            ranged from three to twenty years.

         Stock Options
            Prior to  February  4, 1996,  the  Company  accounted  for its stock
            options in accordance  with the provisions of Accounting  Principles
            Board  ("APB")  Opinion  No.  25,  "Accounting  for Stock  Issued to
            Employees",  and  related  interpretations.  As  such,  compensation
            expense  would be  recorded on the date of grant only if the current
            market price of the underlying stock exceeded the exercise price. On
            February 4, 1996, the Company adopted SFAS No. 123,  "Accounting for
            Stock-Based  Compensation",  which permits  entities to recognize as
            expense  over the vesting  period the fair value of all  stock-based
            awards on the date of grant. Alternatively, SFAS No. 123 also allows
            entities to continue to apply the  provisions  of APB Opinion No. 25
            and provide  proforma  net income and  proforma  earnings  per share
            disclosures for employee stock option grants made in fiscal 1996 and
            future years as if the  fair-value-based  method defined in SFAS No.
            123 had been  applied.  The Company has elected to continue to apply
            the  provisions  of APB  Opinion  No. 25 and  provide  the  proforma
            disclosure provisions of SFAS No. 123.

                                       25

<PAGE>
                         J. BAKER, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
                   Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements

         Income Taxes
            Deferred taxes are provided for using the asset and liability method
            for temporary differences between financial and tax reporting.

(2)      Restructuring and Other Non-Recurring Charges
         --------------------------------------------- 
            During the fourth quarter of fiscal 1997,  the Company  restructured
            its  footwear  operations  in  order  to focus  its  efforts  on the
            management, development and growth of its Casual Male Big & Tall and
            Work  'n  Gear   apparel   businesses.   In   connection   with  the
            restructuring, in March, 1997 the Company completed the sales of its
            Shoe  Corporation of America ("SCOA") and Parade of Shoes divisions,
            and has begun to downsize its Licensed Discount  footwear  division.
            As part of the restructuring,  the Company made a determination that
            it would reduce its  investment  in its Licensed  Discount  footwear
            business.  The Company currently intends to concentrate the Licensed
            Discount  division's  efforts on its major licensors while exploring
            future strategic  options for this business.  The Company recorded a
            pre-tax  charge  of $166.6  million  ($117.1  million,  or $8.42 per
            share,  on an after-tax  basis) related to the sales of the SCOA and
            Parade of Shoes  divisions,  the  write-down to realizable  value of
            certain assets related to its Licensed  Discount shoe division,  and
            severance and  consolidation  costs related to the downsizing of the
            Company's  administrative  areas  and  facilities.  Of  the  pre-tax
            charge,  $122.3  million  is  included  as a separate  component  of
            results of  operations in the  Company's  Consolidated  Statement of
            Earnings for the year ended  February 1, 1997.  The Company has also
            recorded  a charge to cost of sales of $37.3  million  related  to a
            reduction  in the  Licensed  Discount  division's  inventory  to net
            realizable value. The remaining  components of the charge include an
            increase in the  allowance  for  doubtful  accounts for the Licensed
            Discount  division's accounts  receivable,  and losses incurred from
            actions  taken in order to maximize the cash  proceeds  received for
            the assets sold in the Parade of Shoes and SCOA divisions subsequent
            to the Company's decision to dispose of each. In connection with the
            above  events,  the Company  reduced its work force during the first
            quarter of fiscal  1998 by  approximately  3,481  employees  of whom
            approximately 1,693 were full-time and 1,788 were part-time.

            Asset   write-offs   included   in  the   restructuring   and  other
            non-recurring  charges  totaled $99.6 million,  while the balance of
            the charge will require cash outlays,  primarily in fiscal 1998. See
            Note 5 for information  regarding the write-off of certain assets of
            the Company's footwear operations.

            The   significant   components  of  the   restructuring   and  other
            non-recurring  charges and the reserves  remaining as of February 1,
            1997 were as follows:
<TABLE>
                  <S>                                                                <C>                <C>
                                                                                       Charges           Remaining
                                                                                       Recorded          Reserves
                                                                                       ---------         ----------

                  Loss on sales of divisions                                         $ 63,737,000       $ 2,777,000

                  Asset write-offs and obligations related to
                    the reduction of the Company's investment
                    in its Licensed Discount shoe division                             36,739,000         2,800,000

                  Severance and employee benefit costs                                  9,300,000         8,600,000

                  Lease obligations and asset write-offs for
                    excess corporate facilities                                         9,733,000         4,800,000

                  Other                                                                 2,800,000         2,550,000
                                                                                       ----------        ----------

                                                                                     $122,309,000       $21,527,000
                                                                                      ===========        ==========
</TABLE>

                                       26

<PAGE>
                      J. BAKER, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
                    Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements

         Sale of Shoe Corporation of America Division
            On  March  5,  1997,  the  Company  announced  it had  sold its SCOA
            division  to an entity  formed  by CHB  Capital  Partners  of Denver
            Colorado,  along with Dennis B.  Tishkoff,  President  of SCOA,  and
            certain members of SCOA  management.  The  transaction  involved the
            transfer to the buyer of the  division's  inventory,  fixed  assets,
            intellectual   property  and  license  agreements  for  the  various
            department  and specialty  store chains  serviced by SCOA as well as
            the  assumption  by the  buyer of  certain  liabilities  of the SCOA
            division.  In connection  with the sale of SCOA,  the Company paid a
            total of $3.0  million  to former  stockholders  of SCOA in order to
            satisfy  a  contractual  contingent  payment  obligation,  based  on
            earnings,  owed to such former SCOA stockholders.  Net cash proceeds
            received  from the sale,  reduced  by the  amount of the  contingent
            payment,  by a $1.4 million two-year escrow account balance,  and by
            transaction  expenses of $1.3 million,  totaled  approximately $40.0
            million.  The Company also remains as guarantor on certain of SCOA's
            license agreements for periods not to exceed two years.

         Sale of Parade of Shoes Division
            On March 10, 1997,  the Company  completed the sale of its Parade of
            Shoes division to Payless  ShoeSource,  Inc.  ("Payless") of Topeka,
            Kansas.  The  transaction  involved  the  transfer to Payless of the
            division's inventory, fixed assets, intellectual property and leases
            on the 186 Parade of Shoes stores.  Net cash proceeds from the sale,
            reduced by a $2.7 million  two-year  escrow account  balance and the
            retained accounts payable of the division,  were approximately $20.0
            million.  The Company remains  contingently  liable under certain of
            the Parade of Shoes store leases assigned to Payless.

         Revaluation and Downsizing of Licensed Discount Shoe Division
            As part of the restructuring of its footwear  business,  the Company
            made a  determination  that it would  reduce its  investment  in its
            Licensed Discount footwear  business.  The Company currently intends
            to concentrate the Licensed Discount division's efforts on its major
            licensors  while  exploring  future   strategic   options  for  this
            business.  As a result,  the Company  undertook an evaluation of the
            value of the assets in the Licensed Discount business, and wrote off
            certain  assets which did not benefit  future  operations  and wrote
            down other  assets to  expected  realizable  value.  Included in the
            restructuring  and other  non-recurring  charges  for the year ended
            February  1, 1997,  are  write-offs  of  intangible  assets of $33.9
            million,  which the Company deems to have no future value,  and $2.8
            million  in  accrued  costs  relating  to  the   repositioning   and
            downsizing  of the Licensed  Discount  business.  In  addition,  the
            Company  has  recorded  a charge of $37.3  million to cost of sales,
            representing  the  write-down  of the Licensed  Discount  division's
            inventory  to net  realizable  value and a charge of $2.2 million to
            selling,   administrative  and  general  expenses,  representing  an
            increase to the Company's allowance for doubtful accounts related to
            amounts  expected to be realized  from the  settlement of Chapter 11
            claims with various licensors.

         Disposal of Fayva Division
            In  the  year  ended   February  3,  1996,   the  Company   recorded
            restructuring  charges  of $69.3  million  (which  had an  after-tax
            effect  of $41.6  million  or $3.00  per  share)  as a result of the
            liquidation of the Company's Fayva footwear division.  Restructuring
            charges  included  actual  costs for  employee  severance  and other
            benefits  of $3.5  million  (a  total of  2,545  full and  part-time
            employees were terminated),  fixed asset write-offs of $18.5 million
            and a loss on the  disposal  of  inventory  of $20.5  million.  Also
            included in  restructuring  charges is a charge of $26.8 million for
            costs related to the disposition of the Fayva store leases.  Accrued
            at  February  1, 1997 are lease  termination  costs of $2.0  million
            which are expected to be paid by the end of fiscal 1998.

(3)      Bankruptcy Filings of Licensors
         -------------------------------
            On June 23, 1995, Bradlees Stores, Inc. ("Bradlees"),  a licensor of
            the Company,  filed for  protection  under  Chapter 11 of the United
            States  Bankruptcy Code. At the time of the bankruptcy  filing,  the
            Company had outstanding  accounts  receivable of approximately  $1.8
            million due from Bradlees.  Under  bankruptcy law,  Bradlees has the
            option of continuing  (assuming) the existing license agreement with
            the  Company  or  terminating  (rejecting)  that  agreement.  If the
            license agreement is assumed,  Bradlees must cure all defaults under
            the agreement  and the Company will collect in full the  outstanding
            past due receivable. The Company has no assurance that the agreement
            will be assumed or that Bradlees will continue in business. Although
            the Company believes that the rejection of the license  agreement or
            the cessation of Bradlees' business is not probable, in the

                                       27

<PAGE>
                      J. BAKER, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
                  Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements

            event that the  agreement is rejected or Bradlees  does not continue
            in business,  the Company believes it will have a substantial  claim
            for damages.  If such a claim is necessary,  the amount  realized by
            the  Company,  relative to the carrying  values of  Bradlees-related
            assets,  will be based on the relevant facts and circumstances.  The
            Company  does not expect this filing  under the  Bankruptcy  Code to
            have a material  adverse  effect on future  earnings.  The Company's
            sales in the  Bradlees  chain for the fiscal year ended  February 1,
            1997 were $57.7 million.

            On October  18,  1995,  Jamesway  Corporation  ("Jamesway"),  then a
            licensor of the Company,  filed for  protection  under Chapter 11 of
            the  United  States   Bankruptcy  Code.   Jamesway   liquidated  its
            inventory,  fixed assets and real estate and ceased operation of its
            business  in all  of its 90  stores.  The  Company  participated  in
            Jamesway's going out of business sales and liquidated  substantially
            all of its footwear  inventory in the 90 Jamesway  stores during the
            going out of business sales.  At the time of the bankruptcy  filing,
            the Company had  outstanding  accounts  receivable of  approximately
            $1.4 million due from Jamesway. Because Jamesway ceased operation of
            its business,  the  Company's  license  agreement was rejected.  The
            Company has  negotiated a settlement of the amount of its claim with
            Jamesway  which has been  approved by the  Bankruptcy  Court.  It is
            anticipated that, if approved,  a partial distribution of the amount
            owed to the  Company  under the  settlement  will be made during the
            second half of fiscal 1998.

            On April  26,  1990,  Ames  Department  Stores,  Inc.,  and  related
            entities ("Ames"),  a significant licensor of the Company (see Notes
            5 and 12),  filed for  protection  under  Chapter  11 of the  United
            States  Bankruptcy  Code. On December 18, 1992, the Company and Ames
            executed  Amendment  No. 2 to the  Ames  license  agreement  and the
            Company and Ames executed a certain Stipulation which was filed with
            the United States  Bankruptcy Court for the Southern District of New
            York and approved on January 6, 1993, the consummation date of Ames'
            Plan of  Reorganization.  The Stipulation  provided that the license
            agreement between Ames and the Company shall be modified and amended
            and the license agreement assumed by Ames. Further,  pursuant to the
            Stipulation,  the  Company  settled its $13.7  million  pre-petition
            claim with Ames and, in return,  the Company  received $5 million in
            cash and a  promissory  note  issued  by Ames in the  amount of $8.7
            million bearing  interest at the rate of 6.0% per annum and having a
            final  maturity  on  December  1, 1997.  At  February  1, 1997,  the
            outstanding balance of the Ames promissory note is $2.9 million. The
            Stipulation  further  provided  for a mortgage  lien on and security
            interest  in  the  real   property  and  buildings  in  Rocky  Hill,
            Connecticut comprising the executive offices of Ames, which mortgage
            lien and  security  interest  shall be used as security in repayment
            for the  promissory  note,  and  which  shall be senior to all other
            liens  and  security  interests  except  those  granted  in favor of
            certain banks under a credit agreement with such banks.

(4)      Accounts Receivable
         --------------------
            Trade accounts  receivable are principally  comprised of amounts due
            from  landlords of the  Company's  licensed  shoe  departments.  The
            Company  performs regular credit  evaluations of its licensors,  and
            generally does not require collateral from its licensors.

            The  following is a summary of the activity  affecting the allowance
            for doubtful  accounts  receivable  for the years ended  February 1,
            1997, February 3, 1996 and January 28, 1995:
<TABLE>
            <S>                                                     <C>               <C>              <C>
                                                                        1997             1996             1995
                                                                        ----             ----             ----
            Balance, beginning of year                              $3,217,429        $1,972,723       $  521,922

            Additions charged to expense                             2,200,000         1,413,580        1,450,801

            Write-offs, net of recoveries                             (130,812)         (169,054)               -
                                                                     ---------         ---------        ---------

            Balance, end of year                                    $5,286,617        $3,217,249       $1,972,723
                                                                     =========         =========        =========
</TABLE>
                                       28

<PAGE>
                      J. BAKER, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
                   Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements

(5)      Other Assets
         ------------
            Other assets, net of accumulated  amortization,  at February 1, 1997
            and February 3, 1996 were comprised of:
<TABLE>
                  <S>                                                                       <C>                 <C> 
                                                                                               1997                1996
                                                                                               ----                ----
                  Systems development costs, net of accumulated                                
                      amortization of $4,529,842 and $9,566,062                             $ 4,529,811         $14,165,479
                  Deferred lease acquisition costs, net of accumulated
                      amortization of $18,628,527 at February 3, 1996                                 -          29,799,508
                  Excess of costs over net assets acquired, net of
                      accumulated amortization of $1,828,479 at
                      February 3, 1996                                                                -          10,131,228
                  Notes Receivable, net of current portion of
                      $2,900,000 at February 1, 1997 and
                      February 3, 1996                                                                -           3,888,000
                  Other intangible assets and deferred charges, net of
                      accumulated amortization of $1,157,036 and $2,556,558                   1,814,746           2,372,428
                  Cash surrender value of officers' life insurance, net                          47,279             539,306
                  Deposits                                                                      917,575             402,931
                                                                                             ----------          ----------

                                                                                            $ 7,309,411         $61,298,880
                                                                                             ==========          ==========
</TABLE>
            As of  February  1, 1997,  the  Company  wrote off  certain  assets,
            primarily  systems  development  costs and  excess of costs over net
            assets acquired, in connection with the sales of the SCOA and Parade
            of Shoes  divisions.  In conjunction  with the  restructuring of the
            Company's footwear  operations,  the Company undertook an evaluation
            of  the  value  of the  assets  in the  Licensed  Discount  footwear
            business. As a result, as of February 1, 1997, the Company wrote off
            certain  assets which did not benefit  future  operations  and wrote
            down other assets to expected  realizable value,  including deferred
            lease  acquisition  costs,  systems  development costs and excess of
            costs over net assets acquired.

            Remaining  systems  development  costs  are  being  amortized  on  a
            straight  line basis over eight years.  Deferred  lease  acquisition
            costs  consisted  primarily of payments made in connection  with the
            acquisition of license  agreements and were being amortized over the
            terms of the respective license agreements. The excess of costs over
            net assets  acquired was the result of the  acquisitions  of various
            businesses and was being amortized over periods of fifteen to twenty
            years. Notes receivable consist of a 6.0% note from Ames maturing on
            December 1, 1997 (see Note 3) and a $988,000  (at  February 3, 1996)
            10.25% note from Hills  Department  Store Company.  Other intangible
            assets and deferred charges consist  primarily of costs incurred for
            the issuance of debt and are being  amortized  over periods of three
            to ten years.

(6)      Debt
         ----
         Long-Term Debt
            Long-term  debt at  February  1,  1997  and  February  3,  1996  was
            comprised of:
<TABLE>
                  <S>                                                           <C>                   <C>
                                                                                   1997                   1996
                                                                                   ----                   ----
                  Credit facility (weighted average                             $125,800,000          $133,000,000
                    interest rate of 8.2% in fiscal 1997
                    and 7.9% in fiscal 1996)
                  Mortgage note, net of current portion                           14,987,673                     -
                                                                                 -----------           -----------
                    (interest rate of 9.0%)
                                                                                $140,787,673          $133,000,000
                                                                                 ===========           ===========
</TABLE>

            The  Company  currently  has  a  revolving  credit  facility  on  an
            unsecured basis with Fleet National Bank, The First National Bank of
            Boston,  The Yasuda Trust and Banking  Company,  Ltd., Bank Hapoalim
            B.M.,  National City Bank of Columbus,  Standard  Chartered Bank and
            Citizens Bank of Massachusetts (the "Banks"). The aggregate

                                       29
<PAGE>
                       J. BAKER, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
                 Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements

            commitment  amount under this revolving  credit facility was reduced
            from $205  million to $145  million  upon receipt of the proceeds of
            the  sales of the  Company's  SCOA and  Parade  of Shoes  divisions.
            Borrowings   under  the  revolving   credit  facility  can,  at  the
            discretion  of the  Company,  be in the form of any  combination  of
            loans,  bankers'  acceptances and letters of credit. Loans under the
            revolving   credit   facility  bear   interest,   at  the  Company's
            discretion,  at Fleet National Bank of Massachusetts' corporate base
            rate or at the London Interbank  Offered Rate (LIBOR) plus a margin.
            The margin amount,  as well as a commitment fee, is determined based
            on a financial ratio as defined in the revolving credit facility.

            This  facility  expires on May 30,  1998.  At February 1, 1997,  the
            Company  had  $49.8  million  available  for  borrowing  under  this
            facility.

            On  December  30,  1996,  JBAK Canton  Realty,  Inc.  ("Realty"),  a
            subsidiary  of  JBAK  Holding,  Inc.  ("Holding")  and an  indirect,
            wholly-owned  subsidiary  of the Company,  obtained a $15.5  million
            mortgage  loan from The Chase  Manhattan  Bank  secured  by the real
            estate,  buildings and other improvements owned by Realty located at
            555  Turnpike  Street,  Canton,  Massachusetts.  Realty  leases  the
            property to JBI,  Inc.  ("JBI"),  a  wholly-owned  subsidiary of the
            Company.   The   property  is  used  as  the   Company's   corporate
            headquarters.  Neither  Holding nor Realty has agreed to pay or make
            its assets available to pay creditors of the Company or JBI. Neither
            the Company nor JBI have agreed to make their  assets  available  to
            pay  creditors of Holding or Realty.  Proceeds of the mortgage  loan
            were used to pay down loans  under the  Company's  revolving  credit
            facility.

         Senior Subordinated Debt
            In June 1989, the Company issued $35 million of senior  subordinated
            notes with detachable  warrants which enable the holders to purchase
            600,000  shares of the Company's  common stock at a price of $20 per
            share,  subject to adjustments.  At February 1, 1997, the detachable
            warrants enable holders to purchase  approximately 640,000 shares at
            $18.80 per share.  Subject to certain  conditions,  the  Company may
            repurchase all, but not less than all, of the  outstanding  warrants
            for 150% of the then per share warrant  exercise  price.  The senior
            subordinated  notes of $4,451,411 at February 1, 1997 ($5,912,711 at
            February 3, 1996) are presented net of $48,589  ($87,289 at February
            3, 1996),  which reflects the  unaccreted  portion of the $1,710,000
            value originally assigned to the detachable  warrants.  The value of
            the warrants was recorded as additional paid-in capital and is being
            accreted using the effective interest method.

            The senior  subordinated  debt was reduced by $27.5 million in June,
            1992 with proceeds from the $70 million 7% convertible  subordinated
            notes referred to below.  The senior  subordinated  notes are due in
            installments  of $1.5 million per year beginning in May, 1995 with a
            final  payment in May,  1999.  Interest,  currently  at  11.21%,  is
            payable quarterly.

         Convertible Subordinated Debt
            Convertible  subordinated  debt at February 1, 1997 and  February 3,
            1996 was comprised of:
<TABLE>
                  <S>                                                            <C>                   <C>
                                                                                    1997                  1996
                                                                                    ----                  ----
                  7% convertible subordinated notes                              $70,000,000           $70,000,000
                  Convertible debentures                                             353,000               353,000
                                                                                  ----------            ----------
                                                                                 $70,353,000           $70,353,000
                                                                                  ==========            ==========
</TABLE>

            In June  1992,  the  Company  issued $70  million of 7%  convertible
            subordinated  notes due 2002. The notes are convertible  into common
            stock at a  conversion  price  of  $16.125  per  share,  subject  to
            adjustment in certain  events.  The Company used the net proceeds to
            repay all of the $20  million  outstanding  principal  amount of its
            senior  term notes,  $27.5  million  principal  amount of its senior
            subordinated  notes, and a portion of outstanding bank  indebtedness
            under its unsecured revolving credit facility.

            Prior to the Company's  acquisition of Morse Shoe,  Inc.  ("Morse"),
            94% of the Morse convertible  debentures converted into Morse common
            stock.  Since the acquisition of Morse on January 30, 1993,  holders
            of $2.7 million of additional Morse convertible debentures converted
            their  debt  into  49,820  shares  of J.  Baker  common  stock.  The
            remaining  balance of  $353,000  convertible  debentures  accrued no
            interest until January 15, 1997,

                                       30
<PAGE>
                         J. BAKER, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
                  Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements

            at which time the rate became 8%, and no  principal  will be payable
            until  January  15,  2002.  The  debt  is  subject,   under  certain
            circumstances,  to mandatory conversion.  Approximately 6,500 shares
            of J. Baker common stock are reserved for any future  conversions of
            the remaining Morse convertible debentures.

            The  Company's  revolving  credit  facility and senior  subordinated
            notes  contain  various   covenants  and   restrictive   provisions,
            including restrictions on the incurrence of additional  indebtedness
            and liens, the payment of dividends and the maintenance of specified
            financial  ratios,  minimum  levels  of  working  capital  and other
            financial criteria. At  February  1,  1997,  the  Company  was in  
            compliance  with such covenants.

            The Company is  restricted,  under  various  debt  agreements,  from
            paying cash  dividends  unless  tangible net worth  exceeds  certain
            required  levels.  As  defined  by the  most  restrictive  of  those
            agreements,  minimum  tangible  net worth,  as so defined,  was $199
            million at February 1, 1997.  At  February  1, 1997,  the  Company's
            tangible net worth, as so defined, was approximately $258 million.

            Scheduled   principal   repayments   of   long-term   debt,   senior
            subordinated  notes and convertible  subordinated  debt for the next
            five fiscal years and thereafter are as follows:
<TABLE>
                           <S>                                                  <C>
                             Fiscal year
                           ending January
                           --------------
                                1998                                            $  2,012,327
                                1999                                             127,860,387
                                2000                                               2,112,955
                                2001                                                 670,455
                                2002                                                 733,348
                                Thereafter                                      $ 82,763,528
</TABLE>

(7)      Taxes on Earnings
         -----------------
            Income tax  expense  (benefit)  attributable  to income  (loss) from
            continuing operations consists of:
<TABLE>
                <S>                                              <C>                    <C>                   <C>
                                                                      Current              Deferred                Total
                                                                      -------              --------                -----
                Year ended February 1, 1997:
                  Federal                                        $           -          $(32,688,000)         $(32,688,000)
                  State and city                                     1,764,000           (14,922,000)          (13,158,000)
                                                                   -----------           -----------            ----------
                                                                 $   1,764,000          $(47,610,000)         $(45,846,000)
                                                                   ===========           ===========           ===========
                Year ended February 3, 1996:
                  Federal                                          $(7,311,000)         $(13,271,000)         $(20,582,000)
                  State and city                                     1,641,000            (6,882,000)           (5,241,000)
                                                                    ----------           -----------           -----------
                                                                   $(5,670,000)         $(20,153,000)         $(25,823,000)
                                                                    ==========           ===========           ===========
                Year ended January 28, 1995:
                  Federal                                          $ 4,132,000           $ 5,308,000           $ 9,440,000
                  State and city                                     2,100,000             1,743,000             3,843,000
                                                                    ----------            ----------            ----------
                                                                   $ 6,232,000           $ 7,051,000           $13,283,000
                                                                    ==========           ============           ==========
</TABLE>

             The following is a  reconciliation  between the  statutory  federal
             income  tax rate and the  Company's  effective  rate for the  years
             ended February 1, 1997, February 3, 1996 and January 28, 1995:
<TABLE>
                  <S>                                                   <C>                  <C>                     <C>
                                                                         1997                 1996                   1995
                                                                         ----                 ----                   ----
                  Statutory federal income tax rate                     (35.0%)              (35.0%)                 35.0%
                  State income taxes, net of federal
                     income tax benefit                                  (5.4%)               (5.3%)                  6.8%
                  Jobs tax credits                                          -                 (0.6%)                 (1.6%)
                  Change in beginning of year balance in the valuation
                     allowance for deferred tax assets                    7.4%                   -                   (2.6%)
                  Other                                                   3.8%                 0.8%                  (1.6%)
                                                                         -----                -----                  -----
                                                                        (29.2%)              (40.1%)                 36.0%
                                                                         =====                =====                  =====
</TABLE>
                                       31
<PAGE>
                         J. BAKER, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
                    Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements

             The  tax  effects  of  temporary  differences  that  give  rise  to
             significant  portions of the  deferred  tax assets and deferred tax
             liabilities  at February 1, 1997 and February 3, 1996 are presented
             below:
<TABLE>
              <S>                                                                  <C>                  <C>
                                                                                        1997                1996
                                                                                        ----                ----
              Deferred tax assets:
                 Accounts receivable                                               $     550,000        $    550,000
                 Inventory                                                            32,692,000           1,500,000
                 Intangible assets                                                    11,506,000             (71,000)
                 Other assets                                                          1,227,000             516,000
                 Nondeductible accruals and reserves                                  12,476,000           9,154,000
                 Operating loss and credit carryforwards                              46,759,000          42,443,000
                                                                                     -----------         -----------
                     Total gross deferred tax assets                                 105,210,000          54,092,000
                     Less valuation allowance                                        (26,636,000)        (14,969,000)
                                                                                     -----------         -----------
                     Net deferred tax assets                                          78,574,000          39,123,000
                                                                                     -----------         -----------
              Deferred tax liabilities:
                 Property, plant and equipment                                        (5,811,000)        (13,970,000)
                 Intangible assets                                                    (6,426,000)         (6,426,000)
                 Other liabilities                                                    (2,590,000)         (2,590,000)
                                                                                     -----------         -----------  
                     Total gross deferred tax liabilities                            (14,827,000)        (22,986,000)
                                                                                     -----------         -----------
                     Net deferred tax asset                                         $ 63,747,000        $ 16,137,000
                                                                                     ===========         ===========
</TABLE>

            At February 1, 1997 and February 3, 1996, the net deferred tax asset
            consisted of the following:
<TABLE>
               <S>                                                                  <C>                 <C>
                                                                                         1997               1996
                                                                                         ----               ----
               Deferred tax asset - current                                         $ 37,548,000        $  9,198,000
               Deferred tax asset - noncurrent                                        26,199,000           6,939,000
                                                                                      ----------          ----------
                                                                                    $ 63,747,000        $ 16,137,000
                                                                                     ===========         ===========
</TABLE>


            The  valuation  allowance  for deferred tax assets as of February 3,
            1996  was  $14,969,000.   The  increase  in  valuation   reserve  of
            $11,667,000 is attributable to an increase in temporary  differences
            for which a reserve is required.

            At  February  1,  1997,   the   Company  has  net   operating   loss
            carryforwards ("NOLS") and general business credit carryforwards for
            federal income tax purposes of approximately  $97.0 million and $1.3
            million,  respectively,  which expire in years ended  January,  2002
            through  January,  2012.  Financial  Accounting  Standards  No. 109,
            "Accounting  for Income  Taxes" ("FAS 109"),  requires  that the tax
            benefit of such NOLS be  recorded as an asset to the extent that the
            Company  assesses  the  utilization  of such NOLS to be "more likely
            than not". The NOLS available for future  utilization were generated
            principally by restructuring and other  non-recurring  charges which
            are not expected to continue. The Company has determined, based upon
            the history of prior  operating  earnings in its ongoing  businesses
            and its  expectations  for the future,  that operating income of the
            Company will more likely than not be sufficient to utilize fully the
            $97.0 million of NOLS prior to their expiration in the year 2012.

            The Company has minimum tax credit  carryforwards  of  approximately
            $4.0  million  available to reduce  future  regular  federal  income
            taxes, if any, over an indefinite period.

(8)       Pension and Profit Sharing Plans
          --------------------------------
            The Company has a noncontributory  pension plan (the "Pension Plan")
            which  covers   substantially   all   non-union   employees  and  is
            administered by Trustees who are officers of the Company.

                                        32
<PAGE>
                       J. BAKER, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
                  Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements

            The following  table sets forth the Pension  Plan's funded status at
            February 1, 1997 and February 3, 1996:
<TABLE>
               <S>                                                                 <C>                   <C>      
                                                                                       1997                  1996
               Actuarial present value of benefit obligations:                         ----                  ----
                   Vested                                                          $12,696,000           $11,420,000
                   Non-vested                                                        1,170,000             1,053,000
                                                                                    ----------           -----------
                         Total accumulated benefit obligations                     $13,866,000           $12,473,000
                                                                                    ==========            ==========

               Plan assets at fair value                                           $15,737,000           $12,137,000
               Actuarial present value of projected benefit obligations            (18,832,000)          (17,100,000)
                                                                                    ----------           -----------
               Deficiency of plan assets over projected benefit obligations         (3,095,000)           (4,963,000)

               Unrecognized prior service benefit                                     (449,000)             (494,000)
               Unrecognized net transitional liability                                 979,000             1,100,000
               Unrecognized net actuarial loss                                         520,000             2,612,000
                                                                                    ----------           -----------

               Accrued pension cost                                                $(2,045,000)          $(1,745,000)
                                                                                    ==========            ==========
</TABLE>


            In December 1993, the Board of Directors of the Company  established
            a Supplemental  Retirement plan (the "Supplemental Plan") to provide
            benefits  attributable to  compensation  in excess of $150,000,  but
            less than $254,064.  The following table sets forth the Supplemental
            Plan's funded status at February 1, 1997 and February 3, 1996:
<TABLE>
               <S>                                                                   <C>                   <C>
                                                                                        1997                  1996
                                                                                        ----                  ----
               Actuarial present value of benefit obligation:
                    Vested                                                           $ 251,000             $ 203,000
                    Non-vested                                                         110,000                89,000
                                                                                       -------              --------
                         Total accumulated benefit obligations                       $ 361,000             $ 292,000
                                                                                      ========              ========

               Plan assets at fair value                                             $       -             $       -
               Actuarial present value of projected benefit obligations               (700,000)             (829,000)
                                                                                      --------              --------
               Deficiency of plan assets over projected benefit obligations           (700,000)             (829,000)

               Unrecognized prior service cost                                         400,000               433,000
               Unrecognized net actuarial (gain) loss                                 (149,000)               80,000
                                                                                       -------               ------- 

               Accrued pension cost                                                  $(449,000)            $(316,000)
                                                                                      ========              ========
</TABLE>

            Assumptions  used to develop the plans'  funded status were discount
            rate  (7.5% in 1997,  7.25% in 1996) and  increase  in  compensation
            levels (4.5%).

            Plan  assets  of both the  Pension  Plan and the  Supplemental  Plan
            consist  primarily of common  stock,  U.S.  government  obligations,
            mutual funds and insurance contracts.

            Net pension cost for the years ended  February 1, 1997,  February 3,
            1996 and January 28, 1995 included the following components:
<TABLE>
                  <S>                                              <C>               <C>                <C>
                                                                       1997             1996               1995
                                                                       ----             ----               ----
                  Service cost - benefits earned
                      during the year                               $1,828,000       $1,260,000         $1,223,000
                  Interest cost on projected
                      benefit obligation                             1,420,000        1,199,000          1,056,000
                  Actual return on plan assets                      (2,657,000)      (1,528,000)           (66,000)
                  Net amortization and deferral                      1,734,000          655,000           (565,000)
                                                                     ---------        ---------          ---------

                      Net pension cost                              $2,325,000       $1,586,000         $1,648,000
                                                                     =========        =========          =========
</TABLE>
                                        33
<PAGE>
                        J. BAKER, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
                    Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements

            Assumptions used to develop the net periodic pension cost for fiscal
            1997 were discount rate (7.25%), expected long-term return on assets
            (9.0%) and increase in compensation levels (4.5%).

            In January 1992, the Company  implemented a qualified  401(k) profit
            sharing plan  available to full-time  employees  who meet the plan's
            eligibility requirements. Under the 401(k) plan, the Company matches
            25% (50% for the  year  ended  January  28,  1995) of the  qualified
            employee's contribution up to 3% of the employee's salary. The total
            cost  of  the  matching  contribution  was  $379,000,  $441,000  and
            $915,000 for the years ended February 1, 1997,  February 3, 1996 and
            January 28, 1995, respectively.

            The  Company  has  established  incentive  bonus  plans for  certain
            executives and employees.  The bonus  calculations  are based on the
            achievement of certain profit levels,  as defined in the plans.  For
            the years ended  February 1, 1997,  February 3, 1996 and January 28,
            1995, $145,500, $50,000 and $940,000, respectively, was provided for
            bonuses under the plans.

            The Company  does not provide  post-retirement  benefits  other than
            pensions as defined under SFAS #106.

(9)      Stock Options and Performance Share Awards
         ------------------------------------------
            The Company has options  outstanding  under the Amended and Restated
            1985 Stock Option Plan,  the 1992  Directors'  Stock Option Plan and
            the 1994  Equity  Incentive  Plan (the  "Stock  Option  Plans").  In
            addition,  the Company has granted options which are not part of any
            Stock Option Plan.

            The Amended and  Restated  1985 Stock  Option Plan  provided for the
            issuance  of  incentive  and  non-qualified  stock  options  to  key
            employees  at an  option  price  of not less  than  100% of the fair
            market  value of a share on the date of grant of the  option.  Under
            this plan,  there are no shares of common stock  available for grant
            at February 1, 1997 as no options could be granted  thereunder after
            June, 1995.

            In fiscal 1995, the Company  established  the 1994 Equity  Incentive
            Plan,  which  provides  for the  issuance of one  million  shares of
            common stock to officers and  employees in the form of stock options
            (both  incentive  options  and  non-qualified  options),  grants  of
            restricted  stock,  grants of  performance  shares and  unrestricted
            grants of stock. At February 1, 1997,  26,500 shares of common stock
            are reserved for grants of performance shares, and 368,091 shares of
            common stock remain available for all other types of grants.

            Options  granted  under the Amended and  Restated  1985 Stock Option
            Plan and the 1994 Equity  Incentive Plan become  exercisable  either
            ratably over four or more years or upon grant,  at the discretion of
            the Board of Directors, and expire ten years from the date of grant.

            The 1992  Directors'  Stock Option Plan  provides for the  automatic
            grant of an option to purchase 2,500 shares of the Company's  common
            stock upon a director's  initial  election to the Board of Directors
            and, in addition, at the close of business on the fifth business day
            following  the Company's  annual  meeting of  stockholders.  Options
            under  the  Directors'  Plan  are  granted  at a price  equal to the
            closing  price of the  Company's  common stock on the date of grant.
            They are  exercisable in full as of the date of grant and expire ten
            years  from the date of grant.  Under  this  plan,  there are 15,000
            shares of common stock available for grant at February 1, 1997.

            The Company applied  Accounting  Principles Board Opinion No. 25 and
            related   interpretations  in  accounting  for  its  stock  options.
            Accordingly,  no  compensation  cost has been  recognized  for stock
            options in the  Company's  results of  operations.  Had the  Company
            recorded a charge for the fair value of options  granted  consistent
            with SFAS No. 123, net loss and net loss per common share would have
            been increased by $940,000 and $0.07 in fiscal 1997 and $300,000 and
            $0.02 in  fiscal  1996,  respectively.  There is no  effect on fully
            diluted earnings per share.

                                      34
<PAGE>
                      J. BAKER, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
               Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements

            The fair value of each option  grant is estimated on the date of the
            grant  using  the  Black-Scholes  options  pricing  model,  with the
            following  weighted  average  assumptions  used for grants in fiscal
            1997 and fiscal 1996.
<TABLE>
                  <S>                                                          <C>               <C>
                                                                                 1997              1996
                                                                                 ----              ----

                  Risk-free interest rate                                         5.9%              6.2%
                  Expected option lives                                        6.8 years         7.1 years
                  Expected volatility                                            59.0%             59.2%
                  Expected dividend yield                                         0.8%              0.5%
</TABLE>

            The effect of  applying  SFAS No. 123 is not  representative  of the
            proforma  effect on net earnings in future years because it does not
            take into  consideration  proforma  compensation  expense related to
            grants made prior to fiscal 1996.

            Data with respect to stock options for fiscal years 1997, 1996 and 
            1995 is as follows:
<TABLE>
                <S>                                <C>            <C>        <C>           <C>        <C>          <C>
                                                             1997                    1996                     1995
                                                   ------------------------  ----------------------   ---------------------
                                                                  Weighted                 Weighted                Weighted
                                                                   Average                  Average                 Average
                                                                  Exercise                 Exercise                Exercise
                                                     Shares         Price      Shares        Price      Shares       Price
                                                    ---------     --------    --------     --------     ------     --------

                Outstanding at beginning of year    1,176,170       $15.30   1,091,395       $16.58     884,920      $15.42
                Granted                               731,262         8.70     338,000        12.88     336,025       19.21
                Exercised                             (13,749)        7.65     (32,000)        4.82     (48,000)       9.26
                Cancelled                            (821,253)       16.55    (221,225)       19.43     (81,550)      19.36
                                                    ---------                 --------                 --------
                Options outstanding at end of year  1,072,430         9.58   1,176,170        15.30   1,091,395       16.58
                                                    =========                =========                =========

                Options exercisable at end of year    516,027                  589,102                  453,945
                Weighted average fair-value of
                  options granted during the year      $ 4.94                    $8.08
</TABLE>

            Effective as of February 5, 1996, the Board of Directors offered all
            employee  participants  in the Stock Option Plans the opportunity to
            reprice to $9.00 per share any currently  outstanding  stock options
            with  exercise  prices in excess of $9.00 per share.  On February 5,
            1996, the fair market value of the Company's  common stock was $5.25
            per share.  Pursuant to the repricing program, any employee electing
            to reprice  outstanding  stock options was also required to accept a
            reduced number of options shares  commensurate with the reduction in
            price to $9.00 from the price of the original  grant.  Each repriced
            option  retained the vesting  schedule  associated with the original
            grant.  Holders of original  option grants  totaling  646,376 shares
            elected to reprice  such  options at $9.00 per share  resulting in a
            reduction of such options held to 342,962 shares, which is contained
            in the number of options granted in fiscal 1997.

            The  following  table  sets  forth a summary  of the  stock  options
            outstanding at February 1, 1997:
<TABLE>
                <S>                <C>           <C>                 <C>                <C>             <C>
                                              Options Outstanding                             Options Exercisable
                                   --------------------------------------------------   --------------------------------
                                                 Weighted Average
                                                    Remaining
                   Range of          Number         Years of         Weighted Average      Number       Weighted Average
                Exercise price     Outstanding   Contractual Life     Exercise Price     Exercisable     Exercise Price
                ---------------    -----------   ----------------    ----------------    -----------    ----------------
                $ 4.88 - $ 8.63      347,920           7.3                $ 7.35           135,320           $ 6.65
                $ 9.00 - $ 9.88      583,985           7.3                $ 9.15           270,782           $ 9.18
                $12.00 - $16.63       72,000           6.9                $13.41            55,575           $13.46
                $17.00 - $22.38       68,525           6.8                $20.53            54,350           $20.64
                                    --------                                               -------

                $ 4.88 - $22.38    1,072,430           7.3                $ 9.58           516,027           $10.18
                                   =========                                               =======
</TABLE>

                                       35
<PAGE>
                      J. BAKER, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
               Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements

            During fiscal 1997,  the Company  granted  Performance  Share Awards
            that  entitle  certain  officers to shares of the  Company's  common
            stock in fiscal  1999 if the  price of the  common  stock  attains a
            "Target  Price" (the average  closing price of the Company's  common
            stock for the fifteen  consecutive  trading  days prior to April 30,
            1998) between  $10.00 and $14.00.  If such Target Price is attained,
            the Company  will grant  between  61,750 and  123,500  shares of the
            Company's common stock, respectively, to the eligible officers.

(10)     Commitments and Contingent Liabilities
         --------------------------------------
         Leases
            The  Company  operates  mainly from leased  premises  under  license
            agreements  generally requiring payment of annual rentals contingent
            upon sales.  The Company leases its computers,  vehicles and certain
            of its offices and warehouse  facilities,  in addition to its retail
            stores.

            The Company remains liable under certain leases and lease guaranties
            for premises  previously  leased by the Company for the operation of
            Parade  of  Shoes  and  Fayva  shoe  stores  (the  "Excess  Property
            Leases").  The total  liability  under the Excess Property Leases is
            approximately  $61.1 million as of February 1, 1997. The Company has
            reduced   its  actual   liability   by   assigning   or   subleasing
            substantially  all of the  Excess  Property  Leases to  unaffiliated
            third parties.

            At February 1, 1997,  minimum  rental  commitments  under  operating
            leases are as follows:
<TABLE>
                  <S>                                   <C>                               <C>
                    Fiscal Year
                  ending January                        Net minimum rentals               Minimum sub-rentals
                  --------------                        -------------------               -------------------
                                                                           (in thousands)
                      1998                                    $ 43,709                          $  661
                      1999                                      37,239                             653
                      2000                                      28,100                             648
                      2001                                      20,935                             580
                      2002                                      16,014                             409
                      Thereafter                                36,504                               -
                                                               -------                           -----

                                                              $182,501                          $2,951
                                                               =======                           =====
</TABLE>

            Rent expense for the years ended February 1, 1997,  February 3, 1996
            and January 28, 1995 was as follows:
<TABLE>
                      <S>                                              <C>               <C>               <C>
                                                                          1997              1996              1995
                                                                          ----              ----              ----
                                                                                       (in thousands)
                      Minimum rentals                                  $ 49,167          $ 52,284          $ 53,189
                      Contingent rentals                                 83,084            93,289            90,275
                                                                        -------           -------           -------
                                                                        132,251           145,573           143,464
                      Less sublease rentals                                 317               336               409
                                                                        -------           -------           -------

                         Net rentals                                   $131,934          $145,237          $143,055
                                                                        =======           =======           =======
</TABLE>

         Other Commitments and Contingencies
            The Company has employment  agreements  with certain of its officers
            under which it is committed  to pay an  aggregate  of  approximately
            $1.1 million through April, 1998.

            During  fiscal  1996,  the  Company's  Board  of  Directors  adopted
            executive  severance  agreements which create certain liabilities in
            the event of the termination of the covered  executives within three
            years  following  either a change of control  of the  Company or the
            termination of certain key executives of the Company.  The aggregate
            commitment amount under these executive severance agreements, should
            all thirteen covered employees be terminated,  is approximately $2.2
            million.


                                       36
<PAGE>
                        J. BAKER, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
                    Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements

            At  February  1,  1997  and  February  3,  1996,   the  Company  was
            contingently  liable under letters of credit  totaling $11.2 million
            and $18.8 million, respectively. These letters of credit, which have
            terms of one month to one year, are used primarily to  collateralize
            the  Company's  obligations  to third  parties  for the  purchase of
            inventory. The fair value of these letters of credit is estimated to
            be the same as the  contract  values  based on the nature of the fee
            arrangements with the issuing banks. No material loss is anticipated
            due to the non-performance by counterparties to these arrangements.

            On November 10, 1993, a federal jury in  Minneapolis,  MN returned a
            verdict assessing royalties of $1,550,000, and additional damages of
            $1,500,000,  against  the  Company  in a  patent  infringement  suit
            brought by Susan  Maxwell  with  respect to a device used to connect
            pairs of shoes.  Certain  post  trial  motions  were  filed by Susan
            Maxwell  seeking  treble  damages,  attorney's  fees and  injunctive
            relief,  which motions were granted on March 10, 1995.  Judgment was
            entered for Maxwell. The Company appealed the judgment.  On June 11,
            1996,  the United  States  Court of Appeals for the Federal  Circuit
            reversed  the trial  court's  findings in part,  affirmed  the trial
            court's  findings in part and vacated the award to Maxwell of treble
            damages, attorney's fees and injunctive relief. Maxwell subsequently
            requested a rehearing in banc of the matter which request was denied
            by order of the Court dated August 28, 1996.  Maxwell petitioned the
            United  States  Supreme  Court for a writ of  certiorari to hear the
            case which  petition was denied on March 17, 1997. The case has been
            remanded  to  the  trial  court  for a  redetermination  of  damages
            consistent with the opinion of the appellate court.

            A  complaint  was also  filed by Susan  Maxwell  in  November,  1992
            against  Morse Shoe,  Inc.  ("Morse"),  a subsidiary of the Company,
            alleging  infringement  of the patent  referred to above.  The Morse
            trial was stayed  pending  the  outcome of the J. Baker  appeal.  In
            light of the  decision  of the  Supreme  Court and the remand to the
            trial  court,  it is not clear when a trial date will be set for the
            Morse case.

            Morse  has  filed a breach  of  contract  lawsuit  against  a former
            wholesale  customer.  There can be no assurance  of what amount,  if
            any, the Company will realize as a result of this lawsuit.

(11)     Stockholders' Equity
         --------------------
            The Board of  Directors  of the  Company  is  authorized  by vote or
            votes,  from time to time  adopted,  to provide for the  issuance of
            Preferred  Stock  in one or more  series  and to fix and  state  the
            voting powers, designations, preferences and relative participating,
            optional  or other  special  rights of the shares of each series and
            the qualifications, limitations and restrictions thereof.

            On December 15, 1994, the Board of Directors of the Company  adopted
            a Shareholder Rights Agreement (the "Rights Agreement")  designed to
            enhance the Company's ability to protect  shareholder  interests and
            to ensure that shareholders  receive fair treatment in the event any
            coercive  takeover  attempt of the  Company  is made in the  future.
            Pursuant to the Rights Agreement,  the Board of Directors declared a
            dividend  distribution  of one preferred  stock  purchase right (the
            "Right") for each  outstanding  share of common stock of the Company
            to  shareholders of record as of the close of business on January 6,
            1995.  Each right entitles the holder to purchase from the Company a
            unit  consisting  of one ten  thousandth  (1/10,000)  of a share  of
            Series A Junior Participating  Cumulative Preferred Stock, par value
            $1.00 per share,  at a cash exercise price of $70 per unit,  subject
            to  adjustment,  upon the  occurrence  of certain  events as are set
            forth in the Rights Agreement.  These events include the earliest to
            occur  of (i) the  acquisition  of 15% or  more  of the  outstanding
            shares of common  stock of the Company by any person or group,  (ii)
            the  commencement  of a tender or exchange  offer that would  result
            upon its consummation in a person or a group becoming the beneficial
            owner of 15% or more of the outstanding  common stock of the Company
            or (iii) the determination by the Board of Directors that any person
            is an  "Adverse  Person",  as defined in the Rights  Agreement.  The
            Rights are not exercisable  until or following the occurrence of one
            of the above  events and will expire on December  14,  2004,  unless
            previously  redeemed or  exchanged by the Company as provided in the
            Rights Agreement.


                                      37
<PAGE>
                       J. BAKER, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
                Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements

(12)     Principal Licensor
         ------------------
            Sales in  licensed  departments  operated  under  the  Ames  license
            agreement  accounted  for 10.5%,  9.4% and 9.5% of the Company's net
            sales in the years  ended  February  1, 1997,  February  3, 1996 and
            January 28, 1995, respectively. On a proforma basis, excluding sales
            generated by the Company's SCOA and Parade of Shoes divisions, sales
            in Ames  accounted  for  15.8% of the  Company's  sales for the year
            ended February 1, 1997.

(13)     Segment Information
         --------------------
            The  Company is a specialty  retailer  conducting  business  through
            retail  stores  in two  business  segments:  apparel  and  footwear.
            Information   about   operations  for  each  of  these  segments  is
            summarized as follows:
<TABLE>
            <S>                                          <C>                    <C>                    <C>
                                                                                 Year Ended
                                                         --------------------------------------------------------------
                                                         February 1, 1997       February 3, 1996       January 28, 1995
                                                         ----------------       ----------------       ----------------
                                                                                   (53 weeks)
                                                                                ($ in thousands)
            Apparel
                  Net sales                                     $293,775               $263,322                $224,759
                  Operating profit                                24,123                 24,814                  26,974
                  Identifiable assets                            113,117                104,923                  89,111
                  Depreciation and amortization                    7,501                  6,973                   4,130
                  Additions to property, equipment and
                      leasehold improvements                       6,665                 10,461                  11,570

            Footwear
                  Net sales                                     $603,717               $757,091                $818,220
                  Restructuring and other
                    non-recurring charges                       (122,309)               (69,300)                      -
                  Operating profit (loss)                       (144,744)               (51,768)                 44,993
                  Identifiable assets                            231,812                377,530                 456,552
                  Depreciation and amortization                   18,094                 20,524                  20,363
                  Additions to property, equipment and
                      leasehold improvements                       8,043                 13,271                  31,298

            Consolidated
                  Net sales                                     $897,492             $1,020,413              $1,042,979
                  Restructuring and other
                    non-recurring charges                       (122,309)               (69,300)                      -
                  Operating profit (loss) before general
                      corporate expense                         (120,621)               (26,954)                 71,967
                  General corporate expense                      (23,851)               (27,014)                (25,968)
                  Interest expense, net                          (12,802)               (10,457)                 (9,100)

            Earnings (loss) before income taxes                $(157,274)              $(64,425)               $ 36,899

            Identifiable assets                                 $344,929               $482,453                $545,663
            Corporate assets                                      37,592                 43,629                  32,955

                  Total assets                                  $382,521               $526,082                $578,618

            Depreciation and amortization                       $ 29,430               $ 32,428                $ 27,883

            Additions to property, equipment and
                  leasehold improvements                        $ 16,421               $ 28,062                $ 44,514
</TABLE>


                                       38
<PAGE>
                           J. BAKER, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
                    Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements

(14)     Selected Quarterly Financial Data (Unaudited)
         ---------------------------------------------
<TABLE>
         <S>                                             <C>          <C>          <C>          <C>            <C> 
                                                           First        Second       Third        Fourth
                                                           Quarter      Quarter      Quarter      Quarter         Total
                                                           -------      -------      -------      -------         -----
                                                                 (In thousands, except per share data)
         Year ended February 1, 1997
              Net sales                                  $ 195,530    $ 231,805    $ 222,764    $ 247,393       $ 897,492
              Gross profit                                  90,621      101,427       96,184       67,013         355,245
              Net earnings (loss)                        $     826    $   1,486    $   1,418    $(115,158)      $(111,428)
                                                          ========     ========     ========     ========        ========
              Earnings (loss) per common share:
                  Primary                                $     .06    $     .11    $     .10    $   (8.29)      $   (8.02)
                                                          ========     ========     ========     ========        ========
                  Fully diluted                          $     .06    $     .11    $     .10    $   (8.29)      $   (8.02)
                                                          ========     ========     ========     ========        ========

         Year ended February 3, 1996
              Net sales                                  $ 231,385    $ 272,520    $ 245,255      $271,253     $1,020,413
              Gross profit                                 103,532      120,202      104,600       112,012        440,346
              Net earnings (loss)                        $     638    $   1,397    $ (41,328)    $     691     $  (38,602)
                                                          ========     ========     ========      ========      =========
              Earnings (loss) per common share:
                  Primary                                $     .05    $     .10    $   (2.98)    $     .05     $    (2.79)
                                                          ========     ========     ========      ========      =========
                  Fully diluted                          $     .05    $     .10    $   (2.98)    $     .05     $    (2.79)
                                                          ========     ========     ========      ========      =========
</TABLE>


(15)     Advertising Costs

            Advertising  costs are charged to expense as  incurred.  The Company
            incurred advertising costs of $14.8 million, $20.5 million and $20.1
            million in the years ended  February  1, 1997,  February 3, 1996 and
            January 28, 1995, respectively.

(16)     Supplemental Schedules to Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows
<TABLE>
            <S>                                                          <C>               <C>                 <C> 
                                                                             1997              1996               1995
                                                                             ----              ----               ----

            Cash paid for interest                                       $12,670,073       $11,069,341         $ 8,765,653
            Cash paid for income taxes                                   $ 1,168,901       $ 2,039,089         $ 4,162,348
            Income taxes refunded                                        $(8,315,483)                -                   -
                                                                          ==========        ==========          ==========
            Non-cash investing activities:
            Notes receivable (see Notes 3 and 5)                         $    23,000       $    47,000         $    95,000 
                                                                          ==========        ==========          ==========
</TABLE>






                                       39

<PAGE>




CHANGES IN AND DISAGREEMENTS WITH ACCOUNTANTS ON ACCOUNTING
     AND FINANCIAL DISCLOSURE

   None.

                                  PART III

DIRECTORS AND EXECUTIVE OFFICERS OF THE REGISTRANT

    The  information  appearing  in  the  Proxy  Statement  under  the  captions
"ELECTION OF DIRECTORS",  "Information About Board of Directors and Committees",
"Report of the  Compensation  Committee  of the Board of  Directors on Executive
Compensation",   "Executive   Compensation"   and   "Employment   and  Severance
Arrangements" is incorporated herein by this reference.

EXECUTIVE COMPENSATION

    The  information   appearing  in  the  Proxy  Statement  under  the  caption
"Executive Compensation", "Employment and Severance Arrangements",  "Information
About  Board of  Directors  and  Committees"  and  "Report  of the  Compensation
Committee of the Board of Directors on Executive  Compensation"  is incorporated
herein by this reference.

SECURITY OWNERSHIP OF CERTAIN BENEFICIAL OWNERS AND MANAGEMENT

    The information appearing in the Proxy Statement under the caption "SECURITY
OWNERSHIP OF CERTAIN BENEFICIAL OWNERS AND MANAGEMENT" is incorporated herein by
this reference.

CERTAIN RELATIONSHIPS AND RELATED TRANSACTIONS

    The information  appearing in the Proxy Statement under the caption "Certain
Relationships  and  Related   Transactions"  is  incorporated   herein  by  this
reference.

                                PART IV

EXHIBITS, FINANCIAL STATEMENT SCHEDULES, AND REPORTS ON FORM 8-K

    (a)  The following documents are filed as part of this report:

       1,2. The financial  statements,  notes thereto, and independent auditors'
            report listed in the Index to Consolidated  Financial Statements set
            forth in Item 8.

       3.   The Exhibits listed in the Exhibit Index.

    (b)  None.
















                                       40

<PAGE>





                                SIGNATURES


    Pursuant  to the  requirements  of  Section  13 or 15(d)  of the  Securities
Exchange Act of 1934, the registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on
its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly authorized.

                                            J. Baker, Inc.
                                            -------------               
                                            (Registrant)



By/s/Sherman N. Baker                       By/s/Alan I. Weinstein
   -------------------                        --------------------
     Sherman N. Baker                       Alan I. Weinstein
     Chairman of the Board                  President and
                                            Chief Executive Officer


By/s/Philip G. Rosenberg
  ----------------------
     Philip G. Rosenberg
     Executive Vice President
     and Principal Financial Officer



May 1, 1997


    Pursuant to the  requirements  of the Securities  Exchange Act of 1934, this
report has been signed by the following  persons on behalf of the registrant and
in the capacities and on the dates indicated:


/s/Sherman N. Baker                         /s/J. Christopher Clifford
- --------------------                        -----------------------------
Sherman N. Baker, Director                  J. Christopher Clifford, Director



/s/Ervin Cruce                              /s/Douglas Kahn
- --------------------                        ---------------------------
Ervin Cruce, Director                       Douglas Kahn, Director



/s/David Pulver                             /s/Melvin M. Rosenblatt
- ---------------------                       --------------------------
David Pulver, Director                      Melvin M. Rosenblatt, Director



/s/Nancy Ryan                               /s/Stanley Simon
- --------------------                        --------------------------
Nancy Ryan, Director                        Stanley Simon, Director



/s/Alan I. Weinstein
- ------------------------
Alan I. Weinstein, Director


All as of May 1, 1997

                                      41

<PAGE>
















                            EXHIBITS

                           Filed with

                    Annual Report on Form 10-K

                               of

                           J. BAKER, INC.

                         555 Turnpike Street
                          Canton, MA  02021

                  For the Year Ended February 1, 1997



















                                  42

<PAGE>



                           EXHIBIT INDEX

<TABLE>
<S>                                                                                                            <C>
Exhibit                                                                                                        Page No.


2.   Plan of Acquisition, Reorganization, Arrangement, Liquidation of Succession

     (.01)  Asset Purchase Agreement dated as of March 5, 1997 by and between                                         *
            Shoe Corporation of America and JBI, Inc. (filed as Exhibit 2.1 to
            the Company's Form 8-K Report dated March 20, 1997).

     (.02)  Asset Purchase Agreement dated as of January 13, 1997 by and between                                      *
            Payless ShoeSource, Inc., JBI, Inc. and J. Baker, Inc. (filed as
            Exhibit 2.2 to the Company's Form 8-K Report dated March 20, 1997).


3.   Articles of Organization and By-Laws

     (.01)  Amended and Restated Articles of Organization of the Company,                                             *
            as filed with the Secretary of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts
            on September 26, 1990 (filed as Exhibit 3.01 to the Company's
            Form 10-K Report for the year ended February 2, 1991).

     (.02)  By-Laws of the Company, as amended by the Board of Directors                                              *
            on September 11, 1990 (filed as Exhibit 19.01 to the Company's
            Form 10-Q Report for the quarter ended November 3, 1990).


4.   Instruments Defining the Rights of Security Holders, Including Indentures

     (.01)  Senior Notes and Senior Subordinated Notes with Stock Purchase                                            *
            Warrants dated as of May 1, 1989 (filed as Exhibit 4.01 to the
            Company's Form 10-Q Report for the quarter ended July 29, 1989).

     (.02)  Amendment dated as of November 13, 1995 to Senior Subordinated                                            *
            Note Agreement dated May 1, 1989 (filed as Exhibit 4.02 to the
            Company's Form 10-Q Report for the quarter ended October 28, 1995).

     (.03)  Indenture dated as of January 15, 1992 by and between Morse Shoe,                                         *
            Inc. and State Street Bank and Trust Company as Trustee with
            respect to  Convertible  Subordinated  Debentures due 2002 (filed as
            Exhibit  4.12 to the  Company's  Form 10-K Report for the year ended
            January 30, 1993).

     (.04)  First Supplemental Indenture dated as of January 30, 1993 to                                              *
            the Indenture dated January 15, 1992 under which Convertible
            Subordinated Debentures Due 2002 were issued by Morse Shoe, Inc.
            (filed as Exhibit 4.01 to the Company's Form 10-Q Report for the
            quarter ended May 1, 1993).





*    Incorporated herein by reference
**   Included herein

                                  43

<PAGE>




Exhibit                                                                                                        Page No.


     (.05)  Indenture dated as of June 12, 1992 by and between J. Baker, Inc.                                         *
            and State Street Bank and Trust Company as Trustee with respect to
            7% Convertible Subordinated Notes due 2002 (filed as Exhibit 4.08 to
            the  Company's  Form 10-Q  Report for the  quarter  ended  August 1,
            1992).

     (.06)  Revolving Credit and Loan Agreement by and among JBI, Inc., J.                                            *
            Baker, Inc. and Fleet National Bank of Massachusetts, et al
            (formerly Shawmut Bank, N.A.), dated as of February 1, 1993
            (filed as Exhibit  4.03 to the  Company's  Form 10-K  Report for the
            year ended January 30, 1993).

     (.07)  Guarantee Agreement dated as of February 1, 1993, between J.                                              *
            Baker, Inc., Fleet National Bank of Massachusetts, et al, and
            subsidiaries of J. Baker, Inc. (filed as Exhibit 4.09 to the
            Company's Form 10-K Report for the year ended January 30, 1993).

     (.08)  Security Agreement dated as of February 1, 1993, between JBI,                                             *
            Inc., J. Baker, Inc., and Fleet National Bank of Massachusetts,
            et al (filed as Exhibit 4.10 to the  Company's  Form 10-K Report for
            the year ended January 30, 1993).

     (.09)  Stock Pledge Agreement dated as of February 1, 1993 by and                                                *
            between JBI, Inc., J. Baker, Inc., Fleet National Bank of
            Massachusetts, et al, and subsidiaries of J. Baker, Inc.
            (filed as Exhibit 4.11 to the Company's Form 10-K Report
            for the year ended January 30, 1993).

     (.10)  First Amendment and Waiver Agreement by and among JBI, Inc., J.                                           *
            Baker, Inc, and Fleet National Bank of Massachusetts, et al,
            dated  as of  November  19,  1993  (filed  as  Exhibit  4.01  to the
            Company's Form 10-Q Report for the quarter ended October 30, 1993).

     (.11)  First Amendment to Pledge Agreement by and among JBI, Inc., J.                                            *
            Baker, Inc. and Fleet National Bank of Massachusetts, et al,
            dated  as of  November  19,  1993  (filed  as  Exhibit  4.03  to the
            Company's Form 10-Q Report for the quarter ended October 30, 1993).

     (.12)  Second Amendment to Pledge Agreement by and among JBI, Inc., J.                                           *
            Baker, Inc. and Fleet National Bank of Massachusetts, et al,
            dated  as of  December  30,  1993  (filed  as  Exhibit  4.14  to the
            Company's Form 10-K Report for the year ended January 29, 1994).

     (.13)  Second Amendment Agreement to Revolving Credit and Loan Agreement                                         *
            by and among JBI, Inc, J. Baker, Inc. and Fleet National Bank of
            Massachusetts,  et al,  dated as of April 29, 1994 (filed as Exhibit
            4.01 to the  Company's  Form 10-Q Report for the quarter ended April
            30, 1994).




*    Incorporated herein by reference
**   Included herein

                                   44

<PAGE>




Exhibit                                                                                                        Page No.

     (.14)  Third Amendment Agreement to Revolving Credit and Loan Agreement                                          *
            by and among JBI, Inc., J. Baker, Inc., and Fleet National Bank
            of  Massachusetts,  et al,  dated as of  December  1, 1994 (filed as
            Exhibit 4.01 to the Company's Form 10-Q Report for the quarter ended
            October 29, 1994).

     (.15)  Fourth Amendment Agreement to Revolving Credit and Loan Agreement                                         *
            by and among JBI, Inc., J. Baker, Inc. and Fleet National Bank of
            Massachusetts,  et al,  dated as of March 6, 1995  (filed as Exhibit
            4.16 to the  Company's  Form 10-K Report for the year ended  January
            28, 1995).

     (.16)  Fifth Amendment Agreement to Revolving Credit and Loan Agreement                                          *
            by and among JBI, Inc., J. Baker, Inc. and Fleet National Bank
            of Massachusetts,  et al, dated as of May 19, 1995 (filed as Exhibit
            4.01 to the  Company's  Form 10-Q Report for the quarter ended April
            29, 1995).

     (.17)  Assumption Agreement between TCMB&T and Fleet National Bank                                               *
            of Massachusetts, et al, dated as of May 19, 1995 (filed as
            Exhibit 4.02 to the Company's Form 10-Q Report for the quarter
            ended April 29, 1995).

     (.18)  Second Amendment Agreement to Pledge Agreement among JBI, Inc.,                                           *
            J. Baker, Inc. and Fleet National Bank of Massachusetts, et al,
            dated as of May 19,  1995  (filed as Exhibit  4.03 to the  Company's
            Form 10-Q Report for the quarter ended April 29, 1995).

     (.19)  Sixth Amendment Agreement to Revolving Credit and Loan Agreement                                          *
            by and among JBI, Inc., J. Baker, Inc. and Fleet National Bank of
            Massachusetts,  et al,  dated as of  September  12,  1995  (filed as
            Exhibit 4.01 to the Company's Form 10-Q Report for the quarter ended
            July 29, 1995).

     (.20)  Seventh Amendment Agreement to Revolving Credit and Loan                                                  *
            Agreement by and among JBI, Inc., J. Baker, Inc. and Fleet
            National Bank of Massachusetts, et al, dated as of November 17, 1995
            (filed as Exhibit  4.01 to the  Company's  Form 10-Q  Report for the
            quarter ended October 28, 1995).

     (.21)  Shareholder Rights Agreement between J. Baker, Inc. and Fleet                                             *
            National Bank of Massachusetts, dated as of December 15, 1994
            (filed  as  Exhibit  4.01 to the  Company's  Form 8-K  Report  dated
            December 15, 1994).

     (.22)  Eighth Amendment to Revolving Credit and Loan Agreement by and among                                      *
            JBI, Inc., J. Baker, Inc. and Fleet National Bank, et al., dated as
            of June 21, 1996 (filed as Exhibit 4.01 to the Company's Form 10-Q
            Report for the quarter ended August 3, 1996).





*    Incorporated herein by reference
**   Included herein

                                45

<PAGE>



Exhibit                                                                                                        Page No.

     (.23)  Ninth Amendment to Revolving Credit and Loan Agreement by and among                                      **
            JBI, Inc., J. Baker, Inc. and Fleet National Bank, et al., dated as
            of December 31, 1996, attached.

     (.24)  Tenth Amendment to Revolving Credit and Loan Agreement by and among                                      **
            JBI, Inc., J. Baker, Inc. and Fleet National Bank, et al., dated as
            of February 14, 1997, attached.

     (.25)  Eleventh Amendment to Revolving Credit and Loan Agreement by and among                                   **
            JBI, Inc., J. Baker, Inc. and Fleet National Bank, et al., dated as of
            April 14, 1997, attached.

     (.26)  Waiver Agreement and Amendment to Senior Subordinated Note Agreement                                     **
            between JBI, Inc. and Massachusetts Mutual Life Insurance Company and
            MassMutual Participation Investors ("MassMutual") dated February 24,
            1997, attached.

     (.27)  Guaranty Agreement of certain subsidiaries of the Company in favor of                                    **
            MassMutual dated as of March 13, 1997, attached.

10.  Material Contracts

     (.01)  License Agreement between Ames Department Stores, Inc., et al and                                         *
            JBI Holding Company, Inc. (filed as Exhibit 10.01 to the Company's
            Form 10-K Report for the year ended January 30, 1988).

     (.02)  Agreement between JBI Holding Company, Inc. and JBI, Inc. re:                                             *
            Assignment of Ames License Agreement (filed as Exhibit 10.02 to
            the Company's Form 10-K Report for the year ended January 30,
            1988).

     (.03)  Amendment No. 1 dated April 29, 1989 to Agreement between Ames                                            *
            Department Stores, Inc. and JBI Holding Company, Inc. (filed as
            Exhibit  10.04 to the  Company's  Form 10-Q  Report for the  quarter
            ended April 29, 1989).

     (.04)  Amendment No. 2 dated December 18, 1992, to Agreement between                                             *
            Ames Department Stores, Inc. and JBI Holding Company, Inc. (filed
            as  Exhibit  10.04 to the  Company's  Form 10-K  Report for the year
            ended January 30, 1993).

     (.05)  Guaranty and Indemnity Agreement dated April 28, 1989 between J.                                          *
            Baker, Inc. and Ames Department Stores, Inc. (filed as Exhibit
            10.05 to the Company's  Form 10-Q Report for the quarter ended April
            29, 1989).

     (.06)  Plan of Reorganization of The Casual Male Corporation dated                                               *
            November 1, 1990 as revised November 20, 1990 (filed as Exhibit
            2.01 to the Company's Form 10-Q Report for the quarter ended
            November 3, 1990).




*    Incorporated herein by reference
**   Included herein

                                46

<PAGE>




Exhibit                                                                                                        Page No.

     (.07)  Executive Employment Agreement dated March 25, 1993 between                                               *
            Sherman N. Baker and J. Baker, Inc. (filed as Exhibit 10.01
            to the Company's Form 10-Q Report for the quarter ended
            July 31, 1993).

     (.08)  Amendment to Employment Agreement between J. Baker, Inc. and                                              *
            Sherman N.Baker, dated March 31, 1995 (filed as Exhibit 4.10
            to the Company's Form 10-K Report for the year ended January
            28, 1995).

     (.09)  Amendment to Employment Agreement between J. Baker, Inc. and                                              *
            Sherman N. Baker, dated March 31, 1996 (filed as Exhibit 10.09 to
            the Company's Form 10-K Report for the year ended February 3, 1996).

     (.10)  Third Amendment to Employment Agreement between J. Baker, Inc. and                                       **
            Sherman N. Baker dated as of March 31, 1997, attached.

     (.11)  Executive Employment Agreement between J. Baker, Inc. and Alan                                            *
            I. Weinstein, dated March 25, 1993 (filed as Exhibit 10.04 to the
            Company's Form 10-Q Report for the quarter ended July 31, 1993).

     (.12)  Amendment to Employment Agreement between J. Baker, Inc. and Alan                                         *
            I. Weinstein, dated April 27, 1994 (filed as Exhibit 10.01 to the
            Company's Form 10-Q Report for the quarter ended July 30, 1994).

     (.13)  Amendment to Employment Agreement between J. Baker, Inc. and Alan                                         *
            I. Weinstein, dated April 25, 1995 (filed as Exhibit 10.01 to the
            Company's Form 10-Q Report for the quarter ended April 29, 1995).

     (.14)  Amendment to Employment Agreement between J. Baker, Inc. and Alan                                         *
            I. Weinstein, dated March 7, 1996 (filed as Exhibit 10.13 to the
            Company's Form 10-K Report for the year ended February 3, 1996).

     (.15)  Amendment to Employment Agreement between J. Baker, Inc. and Alan                                         *
            I. Weinstein, dated April 5, 1996 (filed as Exhibit 10.14 to the
            Company's Form 10-K Report for the year ended February 3, 1996).

     (.16)  Performance Share Award granted to Alan I. Weinstein dated March 26,                                      *
            1996 (filed as Exhibit 10.04 to the Company's Form 10-Q Report for
            the quarter ended August 3, 1996).

     (.17)  Executive Employment Agreement between J. Baker, Inc. and Alan I.                                        **
            Weinstein dated April 1, 1997, attached.

     (.18)  Executive Employment Agreement between J. Baker, Inc. and Jerry                                           *
            M. Socol, dated March 25, 1993 (filed as Exhibit 10.11 to the
            Company's Form 10-K Report for the year ended January 29, 1994).

     (.19)  Amendment to Employment Agreement between J. Baker, Inc. and Jerry                                        *
            M. Socol, dated June 9, 1994 (filed as Exhibit 10.01 to the
            Company's Form 10-Q Report for the quarter ended July 29, 1995).



*    Incorporated herein by reference
**   Included herein

                                47

<PAGE>




Exhibit                                                                                                        Page No.

     (.20)  Amendment to Employment Agreement between J. Baker, Inc. and Jerry                                        *
            M. Socol, dated July 14, 1995 (filed as Exhibit 10.02 to the
            Company's Form 10-Q Report for the quarter ended July 29, 1995).

     (.21)  Amendment to Employment Agreement between J. Baker, Inc. and Jerry                                        *
            M. Socol, dated March 7, 1996 (filed as Exhibit 10.18 to the
            Company's Form 10-K Report for the year ended February 3, 1996).

     (.22)  Amendment to Employment Agreement between J. Baker, Inc. and Jerry                                        *
            M. Socol, dated April 5, 1996 (filed as Exhibit 10.19 to the
            Company's Form 10-K Report for the year ended February 3, 1996).

     (.23)  Performance Share Award granted to Jerry M. Socol dated March 26,                                         *
            1996 (filed as Exhibit 10.03 to the Company's Form 10-Q Report
            for the quarter ended August 3, 1996).

     (.24)  Termination Agreement between J. Baker, Inc. and Jerry M. Socol                                          **
            dated October, 1996, attached.

     (.25)  Executive Employment Agreement between J. Baker, Inc. and Larry I.                                        *
            Kelley, dated March 25, 1993 (filed as Exhibit 10.06 to the
            Company's Form 10-Q Report for the quarter ended July 31, 1993).

     (.26)  Amendment to Employment Agreement between J. Baker, Inc. and Larry                                        *
            I. Kelley, dated April 27, 1994 (filed as Exhibit 10.02 to the
            Company's Form 10-Q Report for the quarter ended July 30, 1994).

     (.27)  Amendment to Employment Agreement between J. Baker, Inc. and Larry                                        *
            I. Kelley, dated May 2, 1995 (filed as Exhibit 10.02 to the
            Company's Form 10-Q Report for the quarter ended April 29, 1995).

     (.28)  Amendment to Employment Agreement between J. Baker, Inc. and Larry                                        *
            I. Kelley, dated November 7, 1995 (filed as Exhibit 10.03 to the
            Company's Form 10-Q Report for the quarter ended October 28, 1995)

     (.29)  Amendment to Employment Agreement between J. Baker, Inc. and Larry                                        *
            I. Kelley, dated April 5, 1996 (filed as Exhibit 10.24 to the
            Company's Form 10-K Report for the year ended February 3, 1996).

     (.30)  Promissory Note of Larry I. Kelley dated June 3, 1991 (filed as                                           *
            Exhibit 10.33 to the Company's Form 10-K Report for the year ended
            February 1, 1992).

     (.31)  Promissory Note of Larry I. Kelley dated February 2, 1993 (filed                                          *
            as Exhibit 10.15 to the Company's Form 10-K Report for the year
            ended January 29, 1994).

     (.32)  Promissory Note of Larry I. Kelley dated April 30, 1993 (filed as                                         *
            Exhibit 10.16 to the Company's Form 10-K Report for the year ended
            January 29, 1994).




*    Incorporated herein by reference
**   Included herein

                                   48

<PAGE>




Exhibit                                                                                                        Page No.

     (.33)  Amendment to Employment Agreement between J. Baker, Inc. and Larry                                        *
            I. Kelley dated June 5, 1996 (filed as Exhibit 10.01 to the Company's
            Form 10-Q Report for the quarter ended August 3, 1996).

     (.34)  Promissory Note of Larry I. Kelley in favor of J. Baker, Inc. dated                                       *
            August 23, 1996 (filed as Exhibit 10.02 to the Company's Form 10-Q
            Report for the quarter ended August 3, 1996).

     (.35)  Performance Share Award granted to Larry I. Kelley dated June 5, 1996                                     *
            (filed as Exhibit 10.05 to the Company's Form 10-Q Report for the
            quarter ended August 3, 1996).

     (.36)  Executive Employment Agreement dated as of November 1, 1993                                               *
            between Stuart M. Needleman and J. Baker, Inc. (filed as Exhibit
            10.03 to the  Company's  Form  10-Q  Report  for the  quarter  ended
            October 30, 1993).

     (.37)  Amendment to Employment Agreement between J. Baker, Inc. and                                              *
            Stuart M. Needleman, dated February 13, 1995 (filed as Exhibit
            10.24 to the  Company's  Form 10-K Report for the year ended January
            28, 1995).

     (.38)  Amendment to Employment Agreement between J. Baker, Inc. and                                              *
            Stuart M. Needleman, dated November 10, 1995 (filed as Exhibit
            10.04 to the  Company's  Form  10-Q  Report  for the  quarter  ended
            October 28, 1995).

     (.39)  Amendment to Executive Employment Agreement between J. Baker, Inc.                                        *
            and Stuart M. Needleman dated April 5, 1996 (filed as Exhibit 10.01
            to the Company's Form 10-Q Report for the quarter ended May 3, 1996).

     (.40)  Performance Share Award granted to Stuart M. Needleman dated October                                      *
            18, 1996 (filed as Exhibit 10.02 to the Company's Form 10-Q Report
            for the quarter ended November 2, 1996).

     (.41)  Executive Employment Agreement dated as of November 19, 1993                                              *
            between Dennis B. Tishkoff and J. Baker, Inc. (filed as Exhibit
            10.04 to the  Company's  Form  10-Q  Report  for the  quarter  ended
            October 30, 1993).

     (.42)  Amendment to Employment Agreement between J. Baker, Inc. and                                              *
            Dennis B. Tishkoff, dated February 8, 1995 (filed as Exhibit
            10.26 to the  Company's  Form 10-K Report for the year ended January
            28, 1995).

     (.43)  Amendment to Employment Agreement between J. Baker, Inc. and                                              *
            Dennis B. Tishkoff, dated April 25, 1995 (filed as Exhibit
            10.03 to the Company's  Form 10-Q Report for the quarter ended April
            29, 1995).





*    Incorporated herein by reference
**   Included herein

                                 49

<PAGE>



Exhibit                                                                                                        Page No.

     (.44)  Amendment to Employment Agreement between J. Baker, Inc. and                                              *
            Dennis B. Tishkoff, dated November 26, 1995 (filed as Exhibit
            10.05 to the  Company's  Form  10-Q  Report  for the  quarter  ended
            October 28, 1995).

     (.45)  Executive Employment Agreement between J. Baker, Inc. and James                                           *
            Lee, dated January 26, 1995 (filed as Exhibit 10.27 to the
            Company's Form 10-K Report for the year ended January 28, 1995).

     (.46)  Amendment to Employment Agreement between J. Baker, Inc. and                                              *
            James D. Lee, dated November 6, 1995 (filed as Exhibit 10.02
            to the Company's Form 10-Q Report for the quarter ended
            October 28, 1995).

     (.47)  Forgiveness Loan made by James Lee in favor of Morse Shoe, Inc.,                                          *
            dated August 26, 1994 (filed as Exhibit 10.03 to the Company's
            Form 10-Q Report for the quarter ended July 29, 1995).

     (.48)  Promissory Note made by James Lee in favor of J. Baker, Inc.,                                             *
            dated May 19, 1995 (filed as Exhibit 10.04 to the Company's Form
            10-Q Report for the quarter ended July 29, 1995).

     (.49)  Performance Share Award granted to James Lee dated October 18, 1996                                       *
            (filed as Exhibit 10.01 to the Company's Form 10-Q Report for the
            quarter ended November 2, 1996).

     (.50)  Executive Employment Agreement between J. Baker, Inc. and David                                           *
            A. Levin, dated June 12, 1995 (filed as Exhibit 10.39 to
            the Company's Form 10-K Report for the year ended February 3, 1996).

     (.51)  Amendment to Employment Agreement between J. Baker, Inc. and                                              *
            David A. Levin, dated April 5, 1996 (filed as Exhibit 10.40 to
            the Company's Form 10-K Report for the year ended February 3, 1996).

     (.52)  Termination Agreement between J. Baker, Inc. and David A. Levin                                          **
            dated March 15, 1997, attached.

     (.53)  Severance Compensation Agreement between J. Baker, Inc. and                                               *
            Philip G. Rosenberg, dated November 1, 1995 (filed as Exhibit 10.41
            to the Company's Form 10-K Report for the year ended February 3, 1996).

     (.54)  Performance Share Award granted to Philip G. Rosenberg dated October                                      *
            18, 1996 (filed as Exhibit 10.03 to the Company's Form 10-Q Report
            for the quarter ended November 2, 1996).

     (.55)  Executive Employment Agreement between J. Baker, Inc. and Philip                                         **
            G. Rosenberg, dated April 1, 1997, attached.

     (.56)  J. Baker, Inc. Amended and Restated 1985 Stock Option Plan (filed                                         *
            as Exhibit 19.02 to the Company's Form 10-Q Report for the quarter
            ended August 1, 1992).



*    Incorporated herein by reference
**   Included herein

                                  50

<PAGE>



Exhibit                                                                                                        Page No.

     (.57)  J. Baker, Inc. 1994 Equity Incentive Plan dated as of March 29,                                           *
            1994 (filed as Exhibit 10.23 to the Company's Form 10-K Report
            for the year ended January 29, 1994).

     (.58)  J. Baker, Inc. 1992 Directors Stock Option Plan dated as of                                               *
            April 13, 1992 (filed as Exhibit 19.03 to the Company's Form
            10-Q Report for the quarter ended August 1, 1992).

     (.59)  Stock Purchase Agreement by and among J. Baker, Inc. and Tishkoff                                         *
            Enterprises, Inc. and certain stockholders of Tishkoff Enterprises, Inc.
            dated November 19, 1993 (filed as Exhibit 2.01 to the Company's Form
            10-Q Report for the quarter ended October 30, 1993).

     (.60)  Mortgage and Security Agreement dated as of December 30, 1992 by                                          *
            and between JBI Holding Company, Inc. and Ames Department Stores,
            Inc. (filed as Exhibit 10.22 to the Company's Form 10-K Report
            for the year ended January 30, 1993).

     (.61)  Promissory Note dated as of December 30, 1992 made by Ames                                                *
            Department Stores, Inc. in favor of JBI Holding Company, Inc.
            (filed as Exhibit  4.14 to the  Company's  Form 10-K  Report for the
            year ended January 30, 1993).

     (.62)  Agreement and Plan of Reorganization by and among J. Baker, Inc.,                                         *
            Morse Acquisition, Inc. and Morse Shoe, Inc. dated October 22,
            1992,  as amended by Letter  Amendments  dated  December 7, 1992 and
            December 10, 1992 (filed as Exhibits 2.01-2.03 to the Company's Form
            10-Q Report for the quarter ended October 31, 1992).

     (.63)  Agreement of Merger among J. Baker, Inc., JBAK Acquisition Corp.                                          *
            and Tishkoff Enterprises, Inc. dated December 3, 1993 (filed as
            Exhibit 10.30 to the  Company's  Form 10-K Report for the year ended
            January 29, 1994).

     (.64)  Agency Agreement by and between Gordon Brothers Partners, Inc.                                            *
            and Morse Shoe, Inc., dated September 22, 1995 (filed as Exhibit
            10.01 to the  Company's  Form  10-Q  Report  for the  quarter  ended
            October 28, 1995).

     (.66)  Mortgage, Assignment of Leases and Rents and Security Agreement from                                      *
            Morse Shoe, Inc. to Fleet National Bank dated as of June 21, 1996
            (filed as Exhibit  10.06 to the  Company's  Form 10-Q Report for the
            quarter ended August 3, 1996).

     (.66)  Mortgage, Assignment of Leases and Rents and Security Agreement from                                      *
            JBI, Inc. to Fleet National Bank dated as of June 21, 1996 (filed as
            Exhibit 10.07 to the Company's Form 10-Q Report for the quarter ended
            August 3, 1996).

     (.67)  Release and Discharge of Mortgage from Fleet National Bank as Agent                                      **
            with respect to the Canton, Massachusetts property dated December 27,
            1996, attached.


*    Incorporated herein by reference
**   Included herein

                                 51

<PAGE>



Exhibit                                                                                                        Page No.

     (.68)  Release of Mortgage from Fleet National Bank as Agent with                                               **
            respect to the Columbus, Ohio property dated February 27, 1997,
            attached.

     (.69)  Mortgage and Security Agreement by JBAK Canton Realty, Inc. to                                           **
            The Chase Manhattan Bank dated as of December 30, 1996, attached.


11.         Statement re:  Computation of Primary and Fully Diluted Earnings                                         **
            Per Share, attached.

12.         Statement re:  Computation of Earnings to Fixed Charges, attached.                                       **

21.         Subsidiaries of the Registrant, attached.                                                                **

23.         Consent of KPMG Peat Marwick, attached.                                                                  **

27.         Financial Data Schedule, attached.                                                                      ***


</TABLE>








*     Incorporated herein by reference
**    Included herein
***   This exhibit has been filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission as
      part of J. Baker,  Inc.'s  electronic  submission  of this Form 10-K under
      EDGAR filing requirements. It has not been included herein.

                                      52




                                                         EXHIBIT 4.23


                         NINTH AMENDMENT AGREEMENT


         This NINTH  AMENDMENT  AGREEMENT is dated as of December 31, 1996 (this
"Agreement"),   by  and  among  JBI,  INC.,  a  Massachusetts  corporation  (the
"Borrower");  J. BAKER, INC., a Massachusetts corporation ("Baker"); each of the
banks that is a signatory hereto (individually,  a "Bank" and, collectively, the
"Banks"); and FLEET NATIONAL BANK (successor by merger to Fleet National Bank of
Massachusetts  (formerly  known  as  Shawmut  Bank,  N.A.)  and  Fleet  Bank  of
Massachusetts, N.A.), a national banking association, as agent for the BANKS (in
such capacity, together with its successors in such capacity, the "Agent").

                  The Borrower,  Baker, the Banks and the Agent are parties to a
Revolving Credit and Loan Agreement, dated as of February 1, 1993 (as amended by
the First Amendment and Waiver Agreement,  dated as of November 19, 1993, by the
Second Amendment  Agreement,  dated as of April 29, 1994, by the Third Amendment
Agreement,  dated as of December  1, 1994,  by the Fourth  Amendment  Agreement,
dated as of March 6, 1995, by the Fifth Amendment Agreement, dated as of May 19,
1995, by the Sixth Amendment  Agreement,  dated as of September 12, 1995, by the
Seventh  Amendment  Agreement,  dated as of November 17, 1995, and by the Eighth
Amendment Agreement, dated as of June 21, 1996, as in effect on the date hereof,
the  "Credit  Agreement").  Capitalized  terms  used  but  not  defined  in this
Agreement have the meanings specified for such terms in the Credit Agreement.

         The  Borrower  and Baker  have  requested  that the Banks and the Agent
extend the Termination Date under the Credit Agreement.  The Banks and the Agent
are prepared to so amend the Credit  Agreement,  subject to the  satisfaction of
the conditions precedent and in reliance upon the representations and warranties
of the Borrower and Baker set forth herein.

         Section 1. Amendments to the Credit Agreement. As of the Effective Date
(as  defined  in  Section 2 below),  the  Credit  Agreement  shall be amended by
amending and restating the following  defined term that appears  therein to read
as follows:

                  " 'TERMINATION  DATE' shall mean February 14, 1998,  provided,
         that if such day is not a BUSINESS DAY, the  TERMINATION  DATE shall be
         the  immediately  preceding  BUSINESS DAY (subject to the provisions of
         Article XXV)."

In order to effect said extension, each of the parties hereto waives the request
and  notice  requirements  set forth in  Article  XXV of the  Credit  Agreement.
Additionally,  the Revolving  Notes  currently  outstanding  (collectively,  the
"Current Notes") are hereby


<PAGE>



amended such that the Maturity Date set forth  therein shall be the  Termination
Date as defined and amended herein. So as to remove any doubt, the Maturity Date
of the Revolving  Notes shall be, as of the Effective  Date (as defined  below),
February 14, 1998.

         Section 2.  Conditions to  Effectiveness.  This Agreement  shall become
effective (the date of such  effectiveness  being referred to hereinafter as the
"Effective  Date") on the later to occur of (a)  December  31,  1996 and (b) the
date on which each of the following conditions precedent is satisfied:

         (a)      the Agent shall receive copies of this Agreement bearing the 
                  signature of each of the Borrower, Baker, the Guarantors and 
                  the Banks;

         (b)      the Aggregate Commitment Amount, as determined as of the date
                  hereof, shall automatically and permanently be reduced by 
                  $5,400,000, provided, however, that such reduction shall be 
                  in addition to, and not in lieu or in satisfaction of, (i) 
                  any reductions in the Aggregate Commitment Amount
                  otherwise required under the Credit Agreement and (ii) all 
                  reductions in the Aggregate Commitment Amount required
                  pursuant to that certain Waiver Agreement, dated as of 
                  December 19, 1996 (the "Chase Waiver Agreement"), by and 
                  among the Borrower, Baker, the Banks and the Agent;

         (c)      the Borrower shall pay to the Agent, for the benefit of the 
                  Banks, the Initial Payment (a defined in Section 3 below);

         (d)      the representations and warranties of the Borrower and Baker 
                  set forth in Section 4 below, shall be true and correct in 
                  every respect; and

         (e)      the Agent shall  receive such other  documents and writings as
                  the Agent may  reasonably  determine  necessary  to effect the
                  transactions contemplated hereby.

Notwithstanding anything in this Agreement to the contrary, should the Effective
Date not occur on or before  December 31, 1996, this Agreement shall be null and
void and of no force or effect.

         Section 3. Fees.  In partial  consideration  of the Banks and the Agent
executing and delivering this Agreement, and thereby consenting to the extension
of the  Termination  Date, the Borrower  agrees that, on the Effective  Date, it
shall pay to the Agent, for the account of all of the Banks, collectively, which
have executed and delivered their respective signature page hereto to the Agent,
a fee in the  aggregate  amount of $200,000  (the "Fee").  The Fee is earned and
owing in full to the Agent on the Effective Date;  however,  notwithstanding the
foregoing, the Agent and the Banks hereby consent to the payment by the Borrower
of the Fee in two (2) installments as follows:


<PAGE>




         (a)      25% of the Fee (the "Initial Payment") shall be paid
                  immediately on the Effective Date, and

         (b)      75%of the Fee (the "Final Payment") shall be paid on February
                  14, 1997,

provided,  however,  that if,  and only  if,  on or  before  5:00  p.m.  Boston,
Massachusetts  time, February 14, 1997, (x) the Borrower has permanently reduced
the Aggregate  Commitment Amount to an amount equal to or less than $165,000,000
and (y) no Default or Event of Default has occurred and is continuing  under any
provision of any of the Credit Agreement,  the other Operative  Documents or the
Financing Agreements,  including without limitation Section 2.25.1 of the Credit
Agreement,  then the Agent and the Banks shall  irrevocably waive the payment of
the Final Payment set forth in subsection (b) above.  The Borrower's  obligation
hereunder to pay the Fee shall be an Obligation under the Credit Agreement,  and
the  failure by the  Borrower to pay the Final  Payment  when (and if) due shall
constitute an Event of Default under the Credit  Agreement.  The Initial Payment
and the Final  Payment (if any) shall be  distributed  by the Agent to the Banks
pro rata in  accordance  with each  Bank's  Commitment  Percentage  set forth in
Section 6.01 of the Credit Agreement.  Notwithstanding the foregoing, should the
Agent and the Banks accelerate,  prior to 5:00 p.m. Boston,  Massachusetts time,
February 14, 1997, the Borrower's  Obligations in accordance  with Section 11.02
of the Credit Agreement,  and, prior to such acceleration,  the Borrower and the
other  Obligors not have complied with the  conditions  set forth in subsections
(x) and (y) above, the Final Payment shall become  automatically and immediately
due and payable.

         Section 4.  Representations  and Warranties.  By its signature  hereto,
each of the Borrower and Baker (and with respect to subsections (c), (d) and (e)
below,  the other Obligors),  jointly and severally,  represents and warrants to
the Banks and the Agent that,  as of the date hereof and after giving  effect to
the amendments to the Credit Agreement contemplated in Section 1 above:

         (a)      This  Agreement  has been duly  executed and  delivered by the
                  Borrower and Baker.  The  agreements  and  obligations  of the
                  Borrower and Baker contained herein  constitute  legal,  valid
                  and  binding  obligations  of  each  such  Person  enforceable
                  against such Person in accordance with their respective terms.

         (b)      The execution, delivery and performance by the Borrower and 
                  Baker of this Agreement and the transactions contemplated 
                  hereby are within the corporate authority of each such Person,
                  have been duly authorized by proper corporate proceedings, do
                  not and will not contravene any contractual obligation of 
                  such Person or any applicable law, and do not and will not 
                  result in or require the creation or imposition of any Lien on
                  any property of such Person, other than Liens in favor of the
                  Agent on behalf of the Banks.



<PAGE>



         (c)      The representations and warranties made by the Obligors in the
                  Credit Agreement, the other Operative Documents and the 
                  Financing Agreements were true and correct when made and are 
                  true and correct on and as of the date hereof with the same 
                  force and effect as if made on and as of the date hereof 
                  (except for representations or warranties that (i) relate 
                  solely to a prior date, (ii) are rendered inaccurate solely 
                  by reason of the transactions contemplated by the Chase Waiver
                  Agreement or (iii) are rendered inaccurate solely by reason of
                  the failure of any information contained in any of Exhibits G
                  (solely as the information therein relates to Section 8.04 or
                  8.05 of the Credit Agreement), N, O, P, Q or R to the
                  Credit Agreement to remain true).  For purposes of this 
                  Section 4(c), each reference in Article VIII of the Credit 
                  Agreement to "this Agreement" shall include this Agreement.

         (d)      No Default or Event of Default has occurred,  is continuing or
                  will exist  under the Credit  Agreement,  any other  Operative
                  Documents or any Financing  Agreements  after giving effect to
                  this Agreement.

         (e)      All of the Obligors'  obligations and liabilities to the Agent
                  and the Banks as evidenced by or otherwise  arising  under the
                  Credit Agreement,  any of the other Operative Documents or any
                  Financing Agreements, are hereby ratified and confirmed in all
                  respects, and no counterclaim,  right of set-off or defense of
                  any  kind  exists  or is  outstanding  with  respect  to  such
                  obligations and liabilities.

The foregoing  shall be deemed to be  representations  and warranties made in an
Operative Document for purposes of Section 11.01(d) of the Credit Agreement.

         Section 5. Consent of Obligors.  Each of the Obligors  acknowledges and
consents  to the  execution  and  delivery  by the  Borrower  and  Baker of this
Agreement on the terms specified  herein and the performance by each such Person
of its respective obligations hereunder,  under the Credit Agreement (as amended
hereby),  the other  Operative  Documents  and the  Financing  Agreements.  Each
Obligor, by signing this Agreement,  confirms and agrees with the Banks that (a)
all of its obligations  under the Guarantee  and/or the Pledge Agreement (as the
case may be) shall  remain in full force and effect and are hereby  ratified and
confirmed,  and (b) its grant  (as the case may be) to the  Banks of a  security
interest  under the  Operative  Documents to which it is a party shall remain in
full force and effect and is hereby ratified and confirmed.

         Section 6.        Miscellaneous.

         (a)      Replacement  Notes.  The Borrower  hereby agrees that,  within
                  five (5)  business  days after  receipt  of a written  request
                  therefor from any Bank,  the Borrower  shall execute or caused
                  to be  executed  (as the case may be) and deliver to such Bank
                  (i) a new  Revolving  Note in the same  form and with the same
                  terms as the Current Notes, provided, however, that the


<PAGE>



                  Maturity  Date set forth  therein  shall be February 14, 1998,
                  and (ii) an opinion of in-house  counsel to the Borrower as to
                  the   replacement   Revolving   Note  in  form  and  substance
                  satisfactory to the Bank.

         (b)      No Other Amendments, Etc.  Except as expressly set forth in 
                  this Agreement, this Agreement shall not, by implication or 
                  otherwise, limit,impair, constitute a waiver of or otherwise 
                  affect any rights or remedies of the Agent or the Banks under
                  the Credit Agreement, the other Operative Documents or the 
                  Financing Agreements, nor alter, modify, amend or in any way 
                  affect any of the terms, obligations or covenants
                  contained in the Credit Agreement, the other Operative 
                  Documents or the Financing Agreements, all of which are 
                  ratified and confirmed on and as of the date hereof in all 
                  respects and shall continue in full force and effect.  In the
                  event of any conflict between the terms of this Agreement
                  and the terms of the Credit Agreement, the terms of this 
                  Agreement shall control.

         (c)      Counterparts,  Etc.  This  Agreement  may be  executed  in any
                  number of  counterparts,  but all of such  counterparts  shall
                  together constitute but one and the same agreement.  In making
                  proof of this Agreement,  it shall not be necessary to produce
                  or account for more than one such counterpart.  Delivery of an
                  executed   counterpart   of  a  signature  page  by  facsimile
                  transmission  shall be  effective  as  delivery  of a manually
                  executed counterpart of this Agreement.

         (d)      Assignments.  This Agreement shall be binding upon and inure 
                  to the benefit of each of the parties hereto and their 
                  respective successors in title and assigns.

         (e)      Governing Law, Etc.  This Agreement and the respective rights 
                  and obligations hereunder of each of the parties hereto shall
                  be governed by and interpreted and determined in accordance 
                  with the laws of The Commonwealth of Massachusetts.


         IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties hereto have caused this Agreement to be
duly executed and delivered as of the day and year first above written.
                                      JBI, INC.


                                      By    /s/Alan I. Weinstein
                                         Name:    Alan I. Weinstein
                                         Title:   President





<PAGE>



                                       J. BAKER, INC.



                                       By    /s/Alan I. Weinstein
                                             Name:    Alan I. Weinstein
                                             Title:   President

                                       FLEET NATIONAL BANK,
                                       for itself and as Agent


                                       By    /s/Gerald G. Sheehan
                                             Name:     Gerald G. Sheehan
                                             Title:    AVP


                                       THE FIRST NATIONAL BANK OF BOSTON

                                        By    /s/Thomas F. Farley, Jr.
                                             Name:     Thomas F. Farley, Jr.
                                             Title:    Director


                                       FLEET BANK, N.A. (formerly "NatWest Bank
                                            N.A.")


                                       By    /s/Gerald G. Sheehan
                                             Name:     Gerald G. Sheehan
                                             Title:    AVP



                                       BANK HAPOALIM B.M.
                                       By    /s/Shaun Breidbart
                                             Name:     Shaun Breidbart
                                             Title:    Assistant Vice President


                                       By    /s/Conrad Wagner
                                             Name:     Conrad Wagner
                                             Title:    First Vice President


<PAGE>




                                       NATIONAL CITY BANK OF COLUMBUS

                                       By    /s/Michael J. Durbin
                                             Name:     Michael J. Durbin
                                             Title:    Corporate Loan Officer


                                       STANDARD CHARTERED BANK

                                       By    /s/David D. Cutting
                                             Name:     David D. Cutting
                                             Title:    Senior Vice President


                                       By    /s/Kristina McDavid
                                             Name:     Kristina McDavid
                                             Title:    Vice President


                                       CITIZENS BANK OF MASSACHUSETTS


                                       By    /s/Patrick C. Joyce
                                             Name:     Patrick C. Joyce
                                             Title:    Vice President


                                       THE YASUDA TRUST AND BANKING
                                           COMPANY, LTD.


                                       By    /s/Raitaro Ito
                                            Name:     Mr. Raitaro Ito
                                            Title:    Joint General Manager










<PAGE>



We hereby acknowledge, consent and agree to the terms of the foregoing Agreement
and confirm that our  obligations  under the Guarantee and the Pledge  Agreement
shall remain unchanged and in full force and effect.

Dated:  December 31, 1996

SPENCER COMPANIES, INC.


By    /s/ Alan I. Weinstein
      Name:    Alan I. Weinstein
      Title:   President


SPENCER NO. 301 CORP.


By    /s/ Alan I. Weinstein
      Name:    Alan I. Weinstein
      Title:   President

JBI HOLDING CO., INC.


By    /s/ Alan I. Weinstein
      Name:    Alan I. Weinstein
      Title:   President


TCMB&T, INC.


By    /s/ Alan I. Weinstein
      Name:    Alan I. Weinstein
      Title:   President

WGS CORP.


By    /s/ Alan I. Weinstein
      Name:    Alan I. Weinstein
      Title:   President



<PAGE>



TCM HOLDING COMPANY, INC.


By    /s/ Alan I. Weinstein
      Name:    Alan I. Weinstein
      Title:   President


MORSE SHOE, INC.


By    /s/ Alan I. Weinstein
      Name:    Alan I. Weinstein
      Title:   President

BUCKMIN, INC.


By    /s/ Alan I. Weinstein
      Name:    Alan I. Weinstein
      Title:   President


ELM EQUIPMENT CORP.


By    /s/ Alan I. Weinstein
      Name:    Alan I. Weinstein
      Title:   President

JARED CORPORATION


By    /s/ Alan I. Weinstein
      Name:    Alan I. Weinstein
      Title:   President

MORSE SHOE (CANADA) LTD.


By    /s/ Alan I. Weinstein
      Name:    Alan I. Weinstein
      Title:   President





<PAGE>



MORSE SHOE INTERNATIONAL, INC.


By    /s/ Alan I. Weinstein
      Name:    Alan I. Weinstein
      Title:   President


ISAB, INC.


By    /s/ Alan I. Weinstein
      Name:    Alan I. Weinstein
      Title:   President



WHITE CAP FOOTWEAR, INC.


By    /s/ Alan I. Weinstein
      Name:    Alan I. Weinstein
      Title:   President


THE CASUAL MALE, INC.


By    /s/ Alan I. Weinstein
      Name:    Alan I. Weinstein
      Title:   President





<PAGE>

                                                              EXHIBIT 4.24

                      TENTH AMENDMENT AGREEMENT


         This TENTH  AMENDMENT  AGREEMENT is dated as of February 14, 1997 (this
"Agreement"),   by  and  among  JBI,  INC.,  a  Massachusetts  corporation  (the
"Borrower");  J. BAKER, INC., a Massachusetts corporation ("Baker"); each of the
banks that is a signatory hereto (individually,  a "Bank" and, collectively, the
"Banks"); and FLEET NATIONAL BANK (successor by merger to Fleet National Bank of
Massachusetts  (formerly  known  as  Shawmut  Bank,  N.A.)  and  Fleet  Bank  of
Massachusetts, N.A.), a national banking association, as agent for the BANKS (in
such capacity, together with its successors in such capacity, the "Agent").

                  The Borrower,  Baker, the Banks and the Agent are parties to a
Revolving Credit and Loan Agreement, dated as of February 1, 1993 (as amended by
the First Amendment and Waiver Agreement,  dated as of November 19, 1993, by the
Second Amendment  Agreement,  dated as of April 29, 1994, by the Third Amendment
Agreement,  dated as of December  1, 1994,  by the Fourth  Amendment  Agreement,
dated as of March 6, 1995, by the Fifth Amendment Agreement, dated as of May 19,
1995, by the Sixth Amendment  Agreement,  dated as of September 12, 1995, by the
Seventh  Amendment  Agreement,  dated as of  November  17,  1995,  by the Eighth
Amendment  Agreement,  dated as of June 21,  1996,  and by the Ninth  Amendment,
dated as of December  31,  1996,  as in effect on the date  hereof,  the "Credit
Agreement").  Capitalized  terms used but not defined in this Agreement have the
meanings specified for such terms in the Credit Agreement.

         The  Borrower  and Baker  have  requested  that the Banks and the Agent
extend the Termination Date under the Credit Agreement.  The Banks and the Agent
are prepared to so amend the Credit  Agreement,  subject to the  satisfaction of
the conditions precedent and in reliance upon the representations and warranties
of the Borrower and Baker set forth herein.

         Section 1. Amendments to the Credit Agreement. As of the Effective Date
(as  defined  in  Section 2 below),  the  Credit  Agreement  shall be amended by
amending and restating the following  defined term that appears  therein to read
as follows:

                  " 'TERMINATION DATE' shall mean April 14, 1998, provided, that
         if such day is not a BUSINESS  DAY, the  TERMINATION  DATE shall be the
         immediately  preceding  BUSINESS  DAY  (subject  to the  provisions  of
         Article XXV)."

In order to effect said extension, each of the parties hereto waives the request
and  notice  requirements  set forth in  Article  XXV of the  Credit  Agreement.
Additionally,  the Revolving  Notes  currently  outstanding  (collectively,  the
"Current  Notes")  are  hereby  amended  such that the  Maturity  Date set forth
therein shall be the Termination Date as


<PAGE>



defined and amended herein.  So as to remove any doubt, the Maturity Date of the
Revolving Notes shall be, as of the Effective Date (as defined below), April 14,
1998.

         Section 2.  Conditions to  Effectiveness.  This Agreement  shall become
effective (the date of such  effectiveness  being referred to hereinafter as the
"Effective  Date")  on the  date  on  which  each  of the  following  conditions
precedent is satisfied:

         (a)      the Agent shall receive copies of this Agreement bearing the 
                  signature of
                  each of the Borrower, Baker, the Guarantors and the Banks;

         (b)      the representations and warranties of the Borrower and Baker 
                  set forth in Section
                  3 below, shall be true and correct in every respect; and

         (c)      the Agent shall  receive such other  documents and writings as
                  the Agent may  reasonably  determine  necessary  to effect the
                  transactions contemplated hereby.

Notwithstanding anything in this Agreement to the contrary, should the Effective
Date not occur on or before  February 14, 1997, this Agreement shall be null and
void and of no force or effect.

         Section 3.  Representations  and Warranties.  By its signature  hereto,
each of the Borrower and Baker (and with respect to subsections (c), (d) and (e)
below,  the other Obligors),  jointly and severally,  represents and warrants to
the Banks and the Agent that,  as of the date hereof and after giving  effect to
the amendments to the Credit Agreement contemplated in Section 1 above:

         (a)      This  Agreement  has been duly  executed and  delivered by the
                  Borrower and Baker.  The  agreements  and  obligations  of the
                  Borrower and Baker contained herein  constitute  legal,  valid
                  and  binding  obligations  of  each  such  Person  enforceable
                  against such Person in accordance with their respective terms.

         (b)      The execution, delivery and performance by the Borrower and 
                  Baker of this Agreement and the transactions contemplated 
                  hereby are within the corporate authority of each such Person,
                  have been duly authorized by proper corporate proceedings, 
                  do not and will not contravene any contractual obligation of 
                  such Person or any applicable law, and do not
                  and will not result in or require the creation or imposition 
                  of any Lien on any property of such Person, other than Liens 
                  in favor of the Agent on behalf of the Banks.

         (c)      The representations and warranties made by the Obligors in the
                  Credit  Agreement,  the  other  Operative  Documents  and  the
                  Financing  Agreements  were true and correct when made and are
                  true and  correct on and as of the date  hereof  with the same
                  force and effect as if made on and as of the


<PAGE>



                  date hereof (except for representations or warranties that (i)
                  relate solely to a prior date, or (ii) are rendered inaccurate
                  solely by reason of the failure of any  information  contained
                  in any of  Exhibits  G  (solely  as  the  information  therein
                  relates to Section 8.04 or 8.05 of the Credit  Agreement),  N,
                  O, P, Q or R to the  Credit  Agreement  to remain  true).  For
                  purposes of this Section 3(c),  each reference in Article VIII
                  of the Credit Agreement to "this Agreement" shall include this
                  Agreement.

         (d)      No Default or Event of Default has occurred,  is continuing or
                  will exist  under the Credit  Agreement,  any other  Operative
                  Documents or any Financing  Agreements  after giving effect to
                  this Agreement.

         (e)      All of the Obligors'  obligations and liabilities to the Agent
                  and the Banks as evidenced by or otherwise  arising  under the
                  Credit Agreement,  any of the other Operative Documents or any
                  Financing Agreements, are hereby ratified and confirmed in all
                  respects, and no counterclaim,  right of set-off or defense of
                  any  kind  exists  or is  outstanding  with  respect  to  such
                  obligations and liabilities.

The foregoing  shall be deemed to be  representations  and warranties made in an
Operative Document for purposes of Section 11.01(d) of the Credit Agreement.

         Section 4. Consent of Obligors.  Each of the Obligors  acknowledges and
consents  to the  execution  and  delivery  by the  Borrower  and  Baker of this
Agreement on the terms specified  herein and the performance by each such Person
of its respective obligations hereunder,  under the Credit Agreement (as amended
hereby),  the other  Operative  Documents  and the  Financing  Agreements.  Each
Obligor, by signing this Agreement,  confirms and agrees with the Banks that (a)
all of its obligations  under the Guarantee  and/or the Pledge Agreement (as the
case may be) shall  remain in full force and effect and are hereby  ratified and
confirmed,  and (b) its grant  (as the case may be) to the  Banks of a  security
interest  under the  Operative  Documents to which it is a party shall remain in
full force and effect and is hereby ratified and confirmed.

         Section 5. Covenant to Give Notice of Commitment Reduction. Each of the
Borrower and Baker  jointly and  severally  agrees  that,  on or before March 17
1997, they will give  irrevocable  written  direction to the Agent to reduce the
Aggregate   Commitment   Amount  to  $145,000,000  (or  such  amount  less  than
$145,000,000  as the Borrower and Baker may elect) and that upon receipt of such
direction by the Agent, the Aggregate  Commitment Amount shall  automatically be
reduced by such  amount.  Any failure on the part of the  Borrower  and Baker to
give such  irrevocable  written  direction on or before  March 17, 1997,  as set
forth  in the  immediately  preceding  sentence,  shall  constitute  an Event of
Default under the Credit  Agreement;  provided that such Event of Default may be
waived by the Agent with,  and only with,  the written  consent of the  Majority
Banks.





<PAGE>



         Section 6.        Miscellaneous.

         (a)      Replacement Notes.  The Borrower hereby agrees that, within 
                  five (5) business days after receipt of a written request 
                  therefor from any Bank, the Borrower shall execute or cause 
                  to be executed (as the case may be) and deliver to such Bank 
                  (i) a new Revolving Note in the same form and
                  with the same terms as the Current Notes, provided, however,
                  that the Maturity Date set forth therein shall be April 14, 
                  1998, notwithstanding anything contained in Section 6(a) in 
                  the Ninth Amendment to the Credit Agreement regarding the 
                  same, and (ii) an opinion of in-house counsel to
                  the Borrower as to the replacement Revolving Note in form and
                  substance satisfactory to the Bank.

         (b)      No Other Amendments, Etc.  Except as expressly set forth in 
                  this Agreement, this Agreement shall not, by implication or 
                  otherwise, limit, impair, constitute a waiver of or otherwise 
                  affect any rights or remedies of the Agent or the Banks under
                  the Credit Agreement, the other Operative Documents or the 
                  Financing Agreements, nor alter, modify, amend or in any way 
                  affect any of the terms, obligations or covenants
                  contained in the Credit Agreement, the other Operative 
                  Documents or the Financing Agreements, all of which are 
                  ratified and confirmed on and as of the date hereof in all
                  respects and shall continue in full force and
                  effect.  In the event of any conflict between the terms of
                  this Agreement and the terms of the Credit Agreement, the 
                  terms of this Agreement shall control.

         (c)      Counterparts,  Etc.  This  Agreement  may be  executed  in any
                  number of  counterparts,  but all of such  counterparts  shall
                  together constitute but one and the same agreement.  In making
                  proof of this Agreement,  it shall not be necessary to produce
                  or account for more than one such counterpart.  Delivery of an
                  executed   counterpart   of  a  signature  page  by  facsimile
                  transmission  shall be  effective  as  delivery  of a manually
                  executed counterpart of this Agreement.

         (d)      Assignments.  This Agreement shall be binding upon and inure 
                  to the benefit of each of the parties hereto and their 
                  respective successors in title and assigns.

         (e)      Governing Law, Etc.  This Agreement and the respective rights
                  and obligations hereunder of each of the parties hereto shall 
                  be governed by and interpreted and determined in accordance 
                  with the laws of The Commonwealth of Massachusetts.






<PAGE>




         IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties hereto have caused this Agreement to be
duly executed and delivered as of the day and year first above written.
                                      JBI, INC.


                                      By    /s/Philip Rosenberg
                                           Name:       Philip Rosenberg
                                           Title:      Executive Vice President


                                      J. BAKER, INC.


                                      By    /s/Philip Rosenberg
                                           Name:       Philip Rosenberg
                                           Title:      Executive Vice President

                                      FLEET NATIONAL BANK,
                                      for itself and as Agent


                                      By    /s/R. A. Meringolo
                                            Name:       R. A. Meringolo
                                            Title:      Senior Vice President


                                      THE FIRST NATIONAL BANK OF BOSTON


                                      By    /s/Thomas F. Farley, Jr.
                                            Name:       Thomas F. Farley, Jr.
                                            Title:      Director


                                      FLEET BANK, N.A. (formerly "NatWest Bank
                                            N.A.")


                                      By    /s/R. A. Meringolo
                                            Name:       R. A. Meringolo
                                            Title:      Senior Vice President






<PAGE>



                                       BANK HAPOALIM B.M.

                                       By    /s/Conrad Wagner
                                            Name:       Conrad Wagner
                                            Title:      First Vice President

                                       By    /s/Laura A. Raffa
                                            Name:      Laura Anne Raffa
                                            Title:     First Vice President and
                                                       Corporate Manager


                                       NATIONAL CITY BANK OF COLUMBUS

                                       By    /s/Michael J. Durbin
                                           Name:       Michael J. Durbin
                                           Title:      Corporate Loan Officer


                                       STANDARD CHARTERED BANK


                                       By    /s/David D. Cutting
                                             Name:       David D. Cutting
                                             Title:      Senior Vice President


                                       By    /s/Leonardo A. Tee
                                             Name:       Leonardo A. Tee
                                             Title:      Vice President


                                       CITIZENS BANK OF MASSACHUSETTS


                                       By    /s/Patrick C. Joyce
                                             Name:       Patrick C. Joyce
                                             Title:      Vice President







<PAGE>



                                       THE YASUDA TRUST AND BANKING
                                       COMPANY, LTD.


                                       By    /s/Makoto Tagawa
                                             Name:       Makoto Tagawa
                                             Title:      Deputy General Manager


We hereby acknowledge, consent and agree to the terms of the foregoing Agreement
and confirm that our  obligations  under the Guarantee and the Pledge  Agreement
shall remain unchanged and in full force and effect.

Dated:  December 31, 1996

SPENCER COMPANIES, INC.


By    /s/ Philip Rosenberg
      Name:    Philip Rosenberg
      Title:   Executive Vice President

SPENCER NO. 301 CORP.


By    /s/ Philip Rosenberg
      Name:    Philip Rosenberg
      Title:   Executive Vice President

JBI HOLDING CO., INC.


By    /s/ Philip Rosenberg
      Name:    Philip Rosenberg
      Title:   Executive Vice President


TCMB&T, INC.


By    /s/ Philip Rosenberg
      Name:    Philip Rosenberg
      Title:   Executive Vice President


<PAGE>




WGS CORP.


By    /s/ Philip Rosenberg
      Name:    Philip Rosenberg
      Title:   Executive Vice President

TCM HOLDING COMPANY, INC.


By    /s/ Philip Rosenberg
      Name:    Philip Rosenberg
      Title:   Executive Vice President


MORSE SHOE, INC.


By    /s/ Philip Rosenberg
      Name:    Philip Rosenberg
      Title:   Executive Vice President

BUCKMIN, INC.


By    /s/ Philip Rosenberg
      Name:    Philip Rosenberg
      Title:   Executive Vice President


ELM EQUIPMENT CORP.


By    /s/ Philip Rosenberg
      Name:    Philip Rosenberg
      Title:   Executive Vice President


JARED CORPORATION


By    /s/ Philip Rosenberg
      Name:    Philip Rosenberg
      Title:   Executive Vice President




<PAGE>


MORSE SHOE (CANADA) LTD.


By    /s/ Philip Rosenberg
      Name:    Philip Rosenberg
      Title:   Executive Vice President

MORSE SHOE INTERNATIONAL, INC.


By    /s/ Philip Rosenberg
      Name:    Philip Rosenberg
      Title:   Executive Vice President


ISAB, INC.


By    /s/ Philip Rosenberg
      Name:    Philip Rosenberg
      Title:   Executive Vice President


WHITE CAP FOOTWEAR, INC.


By    /s/ Philip Rosenberg
      Name:    Philip Rosenberg
      Title:   Executive Vice President



THE CASUAL MALE, INC.


By    /s/ Philip Rosenberg
      Name:    Philip Rosenberg
      Title:   Executive Vice President





<PAGE>



                                                       EXHIBIT 4.25

                      ELEVENTH AMENDMENT AGREEMENT


         This ELEVENTH  AMENDMENT  AGREEMENT is dated as of April 14, 1997 (this
"Agreement"),   by  and  among  JBI,  INC.,  a  Massachusetts  corporation  (the
"Borrower");  J. BAKER, INC., a Massachusetts corporation ("Baker"); each of the
banks that is a signatory hereto (individually,  a "Bank" and, collectively, the
"Banks"); and FLEET NATIONAL BANK (successor by merger to Fleet National Bank of
Massachusetts  (formerly  known  as  Shawmut  Bank,  N.A.)  and  Fleet  Bank  of
Massachusetts, N.A.), a national banking association, as agent for the BANKS (in
such capacity, together with its successors in such capacity, the "Agent").

                  The Borrower,  Baker, the Banks and the Agent are parties to a
Revolving Credit and Loan Agreement, dated as of February 1, 1993 (as amended by
the First Amendment and Waiver Agreement,  dated as of November 19, 1993, by the
Second Amendment  Agreement,  dated as of April 29, 1994, by the Third Amendment
Agreement,  dated as of December  1, 1994,  by the Fourth  Amendment  Agreement,
dated as of March 6, 1995, by the Fifth Amendment Agreement, dated as of May 19,
1995, by the Sixth Amendment  Agreement,  dated as of September 12, 1995, by the
Seventh  Amendment  Agreement,  dated as of  November  17,  1995,  by the Eighth
Amendment Agreement, dated as of June 21, 1996, by the Ninth Amendment, dated as
of December  31,  1996,  ,and by the Tenth  Amendment,  dated as of February 14,
1997,  as in effect on the date  hereof,  the "Credit  Agreement").  Capitalized
terms used but not defined in this  Agreement  have the meanings  specified  for
such terms in the Credit Agreement.

         The  Borrower  and Baker  have  requested  that the Banks and the Agent
extend the Termination Date under the Credit Agreement.  The Banks and the Agent
are prepared to so amend the Credit  Agreement,  subject to the  satisfaction of
the conditions precedent and in reliance upon the representations and warranties
of the Borrower and Baker set forth herein.

         Section 1. Amendments to the Credit Agreement. As of the Effective Date
(as  defined  in  Section 2 below),  the  Credit  Agreement  shall be amended by
amending and restating the following  defined term that appears  therein to read
as follows:

                  " 'TERMINATION DATE' shall mean May 30, 1998,  provided,  that
         if such day is not a BUSINESS  DAY, the  TERMINATION  DATE shall be the
         immediately  preceding  BUSINESS  DAY  (subject  to the  provisions  of
         Article XXV)."




<PAGE>



In order to effect said extension, each of the parties hereto waives the request
and  notice  requirements  set forth in  Article  XXV of the  Credit  Agreement.
Additionally,  the Revolving  Notes  currently  outstanding  (collectively,  the
"Current  Notes")  are  hereby  amended  such that the  Maturity  Date set forth
therein shall be the Termination  Date as defined and amended  herein.  So as to
remove any doubt,  the Maturity Date of the Revolving  Notes shall be, as of the
Effective Date (as defined below), May 30, 1998.

         Section 2.  Conditions to  Effectiveness.  This Agreement  shall become
effective (the date of such  effectiveness  being referred to hereinafter as the
"Effective  Date")  on the  date  on  which  each  of the  following  conditions
precedent is satisfied:

         (a)      the Agent shall receive copies of this Agreement bearing the 
                  signature of each of the Borrower, Baker, the Guarantors and 
                  the Banks;

         (b)      the representations and warranties of the Borrower and Baker 
                  set forth in Section 3 below, shall be true and correct in 
                  every respect; and

         (c)      the Agent shall  receive such other  documents and writings as
                  the Agent may  reasonably  determine  necessary  to effect the
                  transactions contemplated hereby.

Notwithstanding anything in this Agreement to the contrary, should the Effective
Date not occur on or before April 14,  1997,  this  Agreement  shall be null and
void and of no force or effect.

         Section 3.  Representations  and Warranties.  By its signature  hereto,
each of the Borrower and Baker (and with respect to subsections (c), (d) and (e)
below,  the other Obligors),  jointly and severally,  represents and warrants to
the Banks and the Agent that,  as of the date hereof and after giving  effect to
the amendments to the Credit Agreement contemplated in Section 1 above:


         (a)      This  Agreement  has been duly  executed and  delivered by the
                  Borrower and Baker.  The  agreements  and  obligations  of the
                  Borrower and Baker contained herein  constitute  legal,  valid
                  and  binding  obligations  of  each  such  Person  enforceable
                  against such Person in accordance with their respective terms.

         (b)      The execution, delivery and performance by the Borrower and 
                  Baker of this Agreement and the transactions contemplated 
                  hereby are within the corporate authority of each such Person,
                  have been duly authorized by proper corporate proceedings,
                  do not and will not contravene any contractual obligation of 
                  such Person or any applicable law, and do not and will not 
                  result in or require the creation or imposition of any Lien on
                  any property of such Person, other than Liens in favor of the 
                  Agent on behalf of the Banks.


<PAGE>




         (c)      The representations and warranties made by the Obligors in the
                  Credit Agreement, the other Operative Documents and the 
                  Financing Agreements were true and correct when made and are 
                  true and correct on and as of the date hereof with the same 
                  force and effect as if made on and as of the
                  date hereof (except for representations or warranties that 
                  (i) relate solely to a prior date, or (ii) are rendered 
                  inaccurate solely by reason of the failure of any information
                  contained in any of Exhibits G (solely as the
                  information therein relates to Section 8.04 or 8.05 of the 
                  Credit Agreement), N, O, P, Q or R to the Credit Agreement to
                  remain true). For purposes of this Section 3(c), each 
                  reference in Article VIII of the Credit Agreement to "this 
                  Agreement" shall include this Agreement.

         (d)      No Default or Event of Default has occurred,  is continuing or
                  will exist  under the Credit  Agreement,  any other  Operative
                  Documents or any Financing  Agreements  after giving effect to
                  this Agreement.

         (e)      All of the Obligors'  obligations and liabilities to the Agent
                  and the Banks as evidenced by or otherwise  arising  under the
                  Credit Agreement,  any of the other Operative Documents or any
                  Financing Agreements, are hereby ratified and confirmed in all
                  respects, and no counterclaim,  right of set-off or defense of
                  any  kind  exists  or is  outstanding  with  respect  to  such
                  obligations and liabilities.

The foregoing  shall be deemed to be  representations  and warranties made in an
Operative Document for purposes of Section 11.01(d) of the Credit Agreement.

         Section 4. Consent of Obligors.  Each of the Obligors  acknowledges and
consents  to the  execution  and  delivery  by the  Borrower  and  Baker of this
Agreement on the terms specified  herein and the performance by each such Person
of its respective obligations hereunder,  under the Credit Agreement (as amended
hereby),  the other  Operative  Documents  and the  Financing  Agreements.  Each
Obligor, by signing this Agreement,  confirms and agrees with the Banks that (a)
all of its obligations  under the Guarantee  and/or the Pledge Agreement (as the
case may be) shall  remain in full force and effect and are hereby  ratified and
confirmed,  and (b) its grant  (as the case may be) to the  Banks of a  security
interest  under the  Operative  Documents to which it is a party shall remain in
full force and effect and is hereby ratified and confirmed.

         Section 5. (a)  Affirmative  Covenant.  Each of the  Borrower and Baker
jointly and  severally  agrees  that,  on or before  April 28,  1997,  they will
deliver  to the Agent and the Banks  one or more  commitment  letters  (the "New
Commitment Letters"),  issued by one or more financial  institutions  reasonably
acceptable  to the Agent and the Majority  Banks,  setting forth a commitment or
commitments to provide one or more credit facilities (the "New  Commitments") to
the Obligors in an amount sufficient, in the aggregate, to repay all outstanding
obligations  under  the  Credit  Agreement  (assuming  full  utilization  of the
Aggregate  Commitment  Amount),  and having a required funding date of not later
than May 30, 1997, and provided, that the New Commitment Letters will be


<PAGE>



in form and  substance  reasonably  satisfactory  to the Agent and the  Majority
Banks.  Any  failure on the part of the  Borrower  and Baker to deliver  the New
Commitment  Letters on or before April 28, 1997, as set forth in the immediately
preceding  sentence,  shall  constitute  an Event of  Default  under the  Credit
Agreement;  provided that such Event of Default may be waived by the Agent with,
and only with, the written consent of the Majority Banks.

         (b) Extension Fee. Additionally, each of the Borrower and Baker jointly
and  severally  promise  to pay an  extension  fee in the  aggregate  amount  of
$150,000 (the "Extension  Fee") on April 29, 1997 if the Borrower and Baker have
failed to comply with the covenant contained in subparagraph (a) of Section 5 of
this  Amendment.  The  Extension  Fee (if any)  shall be paid to the  Agent  and
distributed  by the Agent to the Banks pro rata in  accordance  with each Bank's
Commitment  Percentage  set  forth  in  ss.6.01  of the  Credit  Agreement.  The
obligation  of the Borrower and Baker to pay the Extension Fee (if any) shall be
an Obligation under the Credit  Agreement,  and the failure to pay the Extension
Fee (if any) shall constitute an Event of Default under the Credit Agreement.

         Section 6.        Miscellaneous.

         (a)      Replacement Notes.  The Borrower hereby agrees that, within 
                  five (5) business days after receipt of a written request 
                  therefor from any Bank, the Borrower shall execute or cause 
                  to be executed (as the case may be) and deliver to such Bank 
                  (i) a new Revolving Note in the same form and  with the same 
                  terms as the Current Notes, provided, however, that the
                  Maturity Date set forth therein shall be May 30, 1998, 
                  notwithstanding anything contained in Section 6(a) in the 
                  Tenth Amendment to the Credit Agreement regarding the same, 
                  and (ii) an opinion of in-house counsel to the Borrower as to
                  the replacement Revolving Note in form and substance
                  satisfactory to the Bank.

         (b)      No Other Amendments, Etc.  Except as expressly set forth in 
                  this Agreement, this Agreement shall not, by implication or 
                  otherwise, limit, impair, constitute a waiver of or otherwise
                  affect any rights or remedies of the Agent or the Banks under
                  the Credit Agreement, the other Operative Documents or the 
                  Financing Agreements, nor alter, modify, amend or in any way 
                  affect any of the terms, obligations or covenants
                  contained in the Credit Agreement, the other Operative 
                  Documents or the Financing Agreements, all of which are 
                  ratified and confirmed on and as of the date hereof in all 
                  respects and shall continue in full force and
                  effect.  In the event of any conflict between the terms of
                  this Agreement and the terms of the Credit Agreement, the 
                  terms of this Agreement shall control.

         (c)      Counterparts, Etc.  This Agreement may be executed in any 
                  number of counterparts, but all of such counterparts shall
                   together constitute but one


<PAGE>



                  and the same agreement.  In making proof of this Agreement, it
                  shall not be necessary to produce or account for more than one
                  such  counterpart.  Delivery of an executed  counterpart  of a
                  signature page by facsimile transmission shall be effective as
                  delivery of a manually executed counterpart of this Agreement.

         (d)      Assignments.  This Agreement shall be binding upon and inure 
                  to the benefit of each of the parties hereto and their 
                  respective successors in title and assigns.

         (e)      Governing Law, Etc.  This Agreement and the respective rights
                  and obligations hereunder of each of the parties hereto shall
                  be governed by and interpreted and determined in accordance 
                  with the laws of The  Commonwealth of Massachusetts.


         IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties hereto have caused this Agreement to be
duly executed and delivered as of the day and year first above written.

                                      JBI, INC.


                                      By   /s/Philip Rosenberg
                                           Name:      Philip Rosenberg
                                           Title:     Executive Vice President


                                      J. BAKER, INC.

                                       By      /s/Philip Rosenberg
                                           Name:    Philip Rosenberg
                                           Title:   Executive Vice President




                                       FLEET NATIONAL BANK,
                                       for itself and as Agent

                                       By    /s/Gerald G. Sheehan
                                           Name: Gerald G. Sheehan
                                           Title: AVP


<PAGE>



                                       THE FIRST NATIONAL BANK OF BOSTON


                                       By    /s/Thomas J. McGrath
                                           Name: Thomas J. McGrath
                                           Title: Vice President


                                       FLEET BANK, N.A. (formerly "NatWest Bank
                                             N.A.")

                                       By    /s/Gerald G. Sheehan
                                             Name: Gerald G. Sheehan
                                             Title: AVP

                                       BANK HAPOALIM B.M.

                                       By    /s/Conrad Wagner
                                             Name: Conrad Wagner
                                             Title: First Vice President


                                       By    /s/Laura A. Raffa
                                             Name: Laura A. Raffa
                                             Title: First Vice President



                                       NATIONAL CITY BANK OF COLUMBUS


                                       By    /s/Ralph A. Kaparos
                                             Name: Ralph Kaparos
                                             Title: Senior Vice President


                                       STANDARD CHARTERED BANK

                                       By    /s/Kristina McDavid
                                             Name: Kristina McDavid
                                             Title: Vice President




<PAGE>



                                       CITIZENS BANK OF MASSACHUSETTS


                                       By    /s/Peter J. Reyno
                                            Name: Peter J. Reyno
                                            Title: VP


                                       THE YASUDA TRUST AND BANKING
                                       COMPANY, LTD.


                                       By    /s/Makota Tagawa
                                             Name: Makoto Tagawa
                                             Title: Deputy General Manager








We hereby acknowledge, consent and agree to the terms of the foregoing Agreement
and confirm that our  obligations  under the Guarantee and the Pledge  Agreement
shall remain unchanged and in full force and effect.

Dated:  April 14, 1997

SPENCER COMPANIES, INC.


By    /s/Philip Rosenberg
      Name:       Philip Rosenberg
      Title: Executive Vice President

SPENCER NO. 301 CORP.


By    /s/Philip Rosenberg
      Name:       Philip Rosenberg
      Title: Executive Vice President



<PAGE>



JBI HOLDING CO., INC.


By    /s/Philip Rosenberg
      Name:       Philip Rosenberg
      Title: Executive Vice President

TCMB&T, INC.


By    /s/Philip Rosenberg
      Name:       Philip Rosenberg
      Title: Executive Vice President


WGS CORP.


By    /s/Philip Rosenberg
      Name:       Philip Rosenberg
      Title: Executive Vice President

TCM HOLDING COMPANY, INC.


By    /s/Philip Rosenberg
      Name:       Philip Rosenberg
      Title: Executive Vice President

MORSE SHOE, INC.


By    /s/Philip Rosenberg
      Name:       Philip Rosenberg
      Title: Executive Vice President

BUCKMIN, INC.


By    /s/Philip Rosenberg
      Name:       Philip Rosenberg
      Title: Executive Vice President






<PAGE>



ELM EQUIPMENT CORP.


By    /s/Philip Rosenberg
      Name:       Philip Rosenberg
      Title: Executive Vice President




JARED CORPORATION


By    /s/Philip Rosenberg
      Name:       Philip Rosenberg
      Title: Executive Vice President

MORSE SHOE (CANADA) LTD.


By    /s/Philip Rosenberg
      Name:       Philip Rosenberg
      Title: Executive Vice President

MORSE SHOE INTERNATIONAL, INC.


By    /s/Philip Rosenberg
      Name:       Philip Rosenberg
      Title: Executive Vice President

ISAB, INC.


By    /s/Philip Rosenberg
      Name:       Philip Rosenberg
      Title: Executive Vice President

WHITE CAP FOOTWEAR, INC.


By    /s/Philip Rosenberg
      Name:       Philip Rosenberg
      Title: Executive Vice President




<PAGE>



THE CASUAL MALE, INC.


By    /s/Philip Rosenberg
      Name:       Philip Rosenberg
      Title: Executive Vice President




<PAGE>



                                                      EXHIBIT 4.26

                            WAIVER AGREEMENT

              WAIVER AGREEMENT dated as of February 27, 1997, between JBI, INC.,
     a  Massachusetts   corporation  (the   "Borrower");   J.  BAKER,   INC.,  a
     Massachusetts  corporation ("Baker"), each of the banks that is a signatory
     hereto (individually a "Bank" and,  collectively,  the "Banks");  and FLEET
     NATIONAL BANK, a national banking association, as agent for the Banks party
     to the Credit Agreement referred to below (in such capacity,  together with
     its successors in such capacity, the "Agent").

              Reference is made to the Revolving Credit and Loan Agreement dated
     as of February 1, 1993 (as  modified  and  supplemented  and in effect from
     time to time, the "Credit Agreement") among the Borrower,  Baker, the Banks
     and the Agent. Baker has advised the Banks that Baker desires to:

              (a) sell its  divisional  business  known as Shoe  Corporation  of
     America  ("SCOA") to SC Acquisition  Corp.  (the "SCOA Sale"),  all as more
     particularly  described  in the draft Asset  Purchase  Agreement  among the
     Borrower and SC Acquisition Corp. (a copy of which has been provided to the
     Agent and each of the Banks; the "SCOA Sale Agreement");

              (b)  sell  its  divisional  business  known  as  Parade  of  Shoes
     ("Parade") to Payless  ShoeSource,  Inc. (the "Parade  Sale"),  all as more
     particularly  described  in the Purchase  and Sale  Agreement,  dated as of
     January 13,  1997 (a copy of which has been  provided to the Agent and each
     of the Banks; the "Parade Sale Agreement"); and

              (c)  amend its  Senior  Subordinated  Note  Agreement  (the  "Note
     Agreement"),  dated as of May 1,  1989  between  the  Borrower,  Baker  and
     Massachusetts  Mutual Life Insurance Company and Mass Mutual  Participation
     Investors  ("MassMutual"),  under  which  MassMutual  holds an  outstanding
     principal amount of $4,500,000 of the Borrower's Senior  Subordinated Notes
     (the  "Subordinated  Notes")  all as  more  particularly  described  in the
     consent  letter dated  February 24, 1997,  issued by the Borrower and Baker
     and accepted by  MassMutual (a copy of which has been provided to the Agent
     and each of the Banks; the "MassMutual Consent Letter").

              Baker has  further  advised the Banks that as a result of the SCOA
     Sale and the Parade Sale, and the  repositioning  of its licensed  discount
     shoe division, Baker will suffer a one-time, after-tax restructuring charge
     to earnings of  $118,000,000  to be recorded by Baker in the fourth quarter
     of  fiscal  year  ending  on  the  last   Saturday  in  January  1997  (the
     "Restructuring Charge").

              To that end, Baker and the Borrower have requested that:

              (i)  the Majority Banks waive certain provisions of the Credit 
                   Agreement solely


<PAGE>



     to the extent required to permit the SCOA Sale and the Parade Sale;

              (ii) the  Majority  Banks  consent  to the  Borrower  and  Baker's
     exclusion  of  the  Restructuring  Charge  in  their  calculations  of  all
     financial  covenants  contained  in the  Credit  Agreement  under  Sections
     10.01.1 through 10.01.10;

              (iii) the Majority  Banks waive  compliance  with Section 10.06 to
     the extent  necessary to (a) increase the applicable  interest rate payable
     under the Note Agreement and (b) amend the interest  payment  periods under
     the Note  Agreement,  each as  contemplated  under the  MassMutual  Consent
     Letter;

              (iv) the Majority  Banks  consent to the  Subsidiaries  delivering
     guarantees  to  MassMutual   in  connection   with  Baker  and   Borrower's
     obligations under the Note Agreement; and

              (v) in  connection  with the SCOA  Sale,  the  Agent  release  the
     Mortgage,  Assignment of Leases and Rents and Security Agreement,  dated as
     of June 21, 1996, from the Borrower to the Agent (the  "Mortgage")  held on
     the  property  located at 2035 Innis Road,  Columbus,  Ohio (the  "Columbus
     Property").

              Accordingly the parties hereto agree as follows:

              1.     Definitions. Except as otherwise defined in this Agreement,
     terms defined in the Credit Agreement are used herein as defined therein.

              2.      Waivers.  Effective as of the Effective Date (as defined
     in Section 5 hereof) and subject to the terms and conditions hereof, and 
     in reliance on the representations and warranties set forth herein, the 
     Majority Banks hereby:

              (a) waive compliance by the Borrower and Baker with the provisions
     of Sections  10.01.8 and 10.07 of the Credit Agreement solely to the extent
     required to permit the consummation of the SCOA Sale in accordance with the
     terms of the SCOA Sale  Agreement and to permit the release of the Mortgage
     in connection  with the SCOA Sale;  provided  that the foregoing  waiver of
     compliance  with  Sections  10.01.8 and 10.07  contained in this clause (a)
     shall only be effective if the SCOA Sale is  consummated on or before March
     17,  1997 and Baker shall have  complied  with the  covenants  set forth in
     clause (a) of  Section 4 hereof  and no  Default or Event of Default  shall
     have occurred and be continuing;

              (b) waive compliance by the Borrower and Baker with the provisions
     of Sections, 10.01.8 and 10.07 of the Credit Agreement solely to the extent
     required to permit the  consummation  of the Parade Sale in accordance with
     the terms of the Parade Sale Agreement;  provided that the foregoing waiver
     of compliance with Sections  10.01.8 and 10.07 contained in this clause (b)
     shall only be  effective  if the Parade Sale occurs on or before  March 17,
     1997,  and Baker shall have complied with the covenants set forth in clause
     (b) of Section 4 hereof and no Default or Event


<PAGE>



     of Default shall have occurred and be continuing; and

              (c) consent to Borrower and Baker's exclusion of the Restructuring
     Charge in their  calculations of all financial  covenants  contained in the
     Credit Agreement under Sections 10.01.1 through 10.01.10; provided that the
     foregoing  consent  contained in this clause (c) shall only be effective if
     the SCOA Sale is  consummated  on or before  March 17, 1997 and Baker shall
     have  complied  with the  covenants  set forth in clause  (a) of  Section 4
     hereof  and no  Default or Event of  Default  shall  have  occurred  and be
     continuing;

              (d) waive compliance by the Borrower and Baker with the provisions
     of Section 10.06 of the Credit  Agreement  solely to the extent required to
     permit the transactions  contemplated by the MassMutual Consent Letter upon
     the terms and  conditions and under the  circumstances  described in clause
     (c)  of  the  recitals  hereto;  provided  that  the  foregoing  waiver  of
     compliance  with Section 10.06 shall only be effective if (i) the SCOA Sale
     has  closed  and the Net  Proceeds  of the SCOA  Sale have been paid to the
     Banks,  (ii)  Borrower  and Baker have  permanently  reduced the  Aggregate
     Commitment Amount in an amount equal to the greater of (x) the Net Proceeds
     of the SCOA  Sale and (y)  $40,000,000,  and (iii) no  Default  or Event of
     Default  shall have  occurred  and be  continuing  prior to or after giving
     effect to any proposed transaction under the MassMutual Consent Letter.

              3.  Representations and Warranties.  By its signature hereto, each
     of the  Borrower  and Baker  represents  and  warrants to the Banks and the
     Agent that, as of the date hereof and after giving effect to the SCOA Sale,
     the  Parade  Sale  and  the  MassMutual  Consent  Letter  and  the  waivers
     contemplated by Section 2 hereof:

                      (a)      no Default has occurred and is continuing;

                      (b)  the  representations  and  warranties  set  forth  in
              Article VIII of the Credit  Agreement are true and complete on the
              date hereof as if made on and as of the date hereof and as if each
              reference  in said  Article  VIII  to  "this  Agreement"  included
              reference to this Agreement  (provided that the representation and
              warranty  set forth  herein  shall not be deemed to be  inaccurate
              solely by reason of the failure of any  information  contained  in
              any of Exhibits G (solely as the  information  therein  relates to
              Section 8.04 or 8.05 of the Credit Agreement), N, O, P, Q and R to
              the Credit Agreement to remain true); and

                      (c) the  Parade  Sale,  the SCOA  Sale and the  MassMutual
              Consent  Letter do not require  any consent or waiver  (other than
              the waivers contemplated by Section 2 hereof) under any agreement,
              instrument or other  document  (including  without  limitation the
              Convertible  Subordinated  Notes and the Subordinated  Convertible
              Debentures).

     The foregoing shall be deemed to be representations and warranties made in 
an


<PAGE>



    operative Document for purposes of section 11.01(d) of the Credit Agreement:

              4.      Covenants.

                      (a) Simultaneously with receipt thereof, Baker shall cause
              to be paid to the Banks an amount equal to the Net Proceeds of the
              SCOA Sale for application to the Borrower's  Obligations under the
              Credit  Agreement,  and  the  Aggregate  Commitment  Amount  shall
              automatically and permanently be reduced by an amount equal to the
              greater  of  (x)  the  Net  Proceeds  of the  SCOA  Sale  and  (y)
              $40,000,000,   provided,  however,  that  such  reduction  in  the
              Aggregate  Commitment Amount under the Credit Agreement (the "SCOA
              Reduction")  shall be in addition to (and not in satisfaction  of)
              any  required  reductions  in  the  Aggregate   Commitment  Amount
              pursuant  to the  terms of the  Credit  Agreement  (including  the
              Parade Reduction (as defined below)); and

                      (b) Simultaneously with receipt thereof, Baker shall cause
              to be paid to the Banks an amount equal to the Net Proceeds of the
              Parade Sale for  application to the Borrower's  Obligations  under
              the Credit  Agreement,  and the Aggregate  Commitment Amount shall
              automatically and permanently be reduced by an amount equal to the
              greater  of (x)  the  Net  Proceeds  of the  Parade  Sale  and (y)
              $20,000,000,   provided,  however,  that  such  reduction  in  the
              Aggregate  Commitment  Amount  under  the  Credit  Agreement  (the
              "Parade   Reduction")   shall  be  in  addition  to  (and  not  in
              satisfaction   of)  any  required   reductions  in  the  Aggregate
              Commitment  Amount  pursuant to the terms of the Credit  Agreement
              (including the SCOA Reduction).

     A breach of any of the foregoing covenants shall be an Event of Default for
     all purposes of the Credit Agreement.

              5. Effective Date.  This Agreement  shall become  effective on the
     date (the  "Effective  Date") as of which  the Agent  notifies  each of the
     parties  hereto  in  writing  that it shall  have  received  the  following
     documents, each of which shall be satisfactory to it in form and substance:

                      (a)      copies of this Agreement duly executed and 
              delivered by each of the Borrower, Guarantors and Majority Banks;
              and

                      (b)      such other documents relating to the matters 
              contemplated hereby as the Agent or its counsel may reasonably 
              request.

              6.      Miscellaneous. Except as expressly herein provided, the 
     Credit Agreement and all other operative Documents and Financing Agreements
     shall remain unchanged and in full force and effect.  This Agreement may be
     executed in any number of counterparts, all of which taken together shall 
     constitute one and the same instrument and any of the parties hereto may 
     execute this Agreement by signing any such counterpart.  This Agreement 
     shall be governed by, and construed in


<PAGE>



     accordance with, the law of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts.


              IN WITNESS WHEREOF,  the parties hereto have caused this Agreement
     to be duly  executed  and  delivered  as of the day and  year  first  above
     written.
                                       JBI, INC.


                                       By     /s/Philip Rosenberg
                                            Name:      Philip Rosenberg
                                            Title:     Executive Vice President


                                       J. BAKER, INC.


                                       By     /s/Philip Rosenberg
                                             Name:      Philip Rosenberg
                                             Title:     Executive Vice President

                                       FLEET NATIONAL BANK,
                                       for itself and as Agent


                                       By     /s/Gerald G. Sheehan
                                             Name:      Gerald G. Sheehan
                                             Title:     Asst. Vice President


                                       THE FIRST NATIONAL BANK OF BOSTON


                                       By     /s/Thomas F. Farley, Jr.
                                             Name:      Thomas F. Farley, Jr.
                                             Title:     Director


                                       FLEET BANK, N.A. (formerly "NatWest Bank
                                             N.A.")


                                       By     /s/Gerald G. Sheehan
                                             Name:      Gerald G. Sheehan
                                             Title:     Asst. Vice President




<PAGE>




                                       BANK HAPOALIM B.M.


                                       By     /s/Conrad Wagner
                                             Name:      Conrad Wagner
                                             Title:     First Vice President

                                       By     /s/Laura A. Raffa
                                             Name:      Laura Anne Raffa
                                             Title:     First Vice President and
                                                        Corporate Manager


                                       NATIONAL CITY BANK OF COLUMBUS


                                       By     /s/Michael J. Durbin
                                             Name:      Michael J. Durbin
                                             Title:     Corporate Loan Officer


                                       STANDARD CHARTERED BANK


                                       By     /s/David D. Cutting
                                             Name:      David D. Cutting
                                             Title:     Senior Vice President


                                       By     /s/Leonardo A. Tee
                                             Name:      Leonardo A. Tee
                                             Title:     Vice President


                                       CITIZENS BANK OF MASSACHUSETTS


                                       By     /s/Patrick C. Joyce
                                             Name:      Patrick C. Joyce
                                             Title:     Vice President








<PAGE>



                                       THE YASUDA TRUST AND BANKING COMPANY,
                                       LTD.


                                       By     /s/Makoto Tagawa
                                             Name:      Makoto Tagawa
                                             Title:     Deputy General Manager


We hereby acknowledge, consent and agree to the terms of the foregoing Agreement
and confirm that our  obligations  under the Guarantee and the Pledge  Agreement
shall remain unchanged and in full force and effect.

Dated:  February 27, 1997

SPENCER COMPANIES, INC.


By   /s/ Philip Rosenberg
     Name:          Philip Rosenberg
     Title:         Executive Vice President

SPENCER NO. 301 CORP.


By   /s/ Philip Rosenberg
     Name:          Philip Rosenberg
     Title:         Executive Vice President

JBI HOLDING CO., INC.


By   /s/ Philip Rosenberg
     Name:          Philip Rosenberg
     Title:         Executive Vice President


TCMB&T, INC.


By   /s/ Philip Rosenberg
     Name:          Philip Rosenberg
     Title:         Executive Vice President





<PAGE>




WGS CORP.


By   /s/ Philip Rosenberg
     Name:          Philip Rosenberg
     Title:         Executive Vice President

TCM HOLDING COMPANY, INC.


By   /s/ Philip Rosenberg
     Name:          Philip Rosenberg
     Title:         Executive Vice President


MORSE SHOE, INC.


By   /s/ Philip Rosenberg
     Name:          Philip Rosenberg
     Title:         Executive Vice President

BUCKMIN, INC.


By   /s/ Philip Rosenberg
     Name:          Philip Rosenberg
     Title:         Executive Vice President


ELM EQUIPMENT CORP.


By   /s/ Philip Rosenberg
     Name:          Philip Rosenberg
     Title:         Executive Vice President


JARED CORPORATION


By   /s/ Philip Rosenberg
     Name:          Philip Rosenberg
     Title:         Executive Vice President




<PAGE>


MORSE SHOE (CANADA) LTD.


By   /s/ Philip Rosenberg
     Name:          Philip Rosenberg
     Title:         Executive Vice President

MORSE SHOE INTERNATIONAL, INC.


By   /s/ Philip Rosenberg
     Name:          Philip Rosenberg
     Title:         Executive Vice President


ISAB, INC.


By   /s/ Philip Rosenberg
     Name:          Philip Rosenberg
     Title:         Executive Vice President


WHITE CAP FOOTWEAR, INC.


By   /s/ Philip Rosenberg
     Name:          Philip Rosenberg
     Title:         Executive Vice President



THE CASUAL MALE, INC.


By   /s/ Philip Rosenberg
     Name:          Philip Rosenberg
     Title:         Executive Vice President





<PAGE>

                                                             EXHIBIT 4.27

                        GUARANTY AGREEMENT


To Massachusetts Mutual Life Insurance Company
and MassMutual Participation Investors:

Gentlemen:

         JBI,  Inc., a  Massachusetts  corporation  (the  "Company")  originally
issued and sold $35,000,000  aggregate  principal amount (of which $4,500,000 is
currently  outstanding and held by Massachusetts  Mutual Life Insurance  Company
and MassMutual Participation Investors) of 11.21% (original interest rate, which
interest rate has been adjusted per Letter  Agreement  dated  February 24, 1997,
the "Letter  Agreement") Senior  Subordinated Notes, due 1999 (the "Subordinated
Notes"),  pursuant to the  several  Senior  Subordinated  Note  Agreements  (the
"Subordinated  Note  Agreements"),  each  dated as of May 1,  1989  between  the
Company,  J.  Baker,  Inc.,  a  Massachusetts  corporation  ("Baker"),  and  the
Purchasers named in Schedule I thereto.

         All  indebtedness  for principal,  interest,  Make Whole Amount,  fees,
expenses and all other  amounts  payable by the Company  under and in respect of
the  Subordinated  Notes  are  hereinafter   collectively  referred  to  as  the
"Subordinated  Debt".  Terms used but not otherwise  defined  herein are used as
defined in the Subordinated Note Agreements.

         Baker owns,  directly or indirectly,  100% of the outstanding  stock of
the Company,  WGS Corp., a Massachusetts  corporation,  The Casual Male, Inc., a
Massachusetts corporation;  TCMB&T, Inc., a Massachusetts  corporation;  Spencer
No. 301 Corp., a New York corporation; Morse Shoe, Inc., a Delaware corporation;
Buckmin, Inc., a Massachusetts corporation; Elm Equipment Corp., a Massachusetts
corporation;  Isab, Inc., a Delaware  corporation;  Jared Corporation,  a Puerto
Rican corporation;  Morse Shoe (Canada) Ltd., a Canadian corporation; Morse Shoe
International,  Inc., a Delaware  corporation,  and White Cap Footwear,  Inc., a
Delaware  corporation,   (individually  a  "Guarantor"  and  collectively,   the
"Guarantors").  The  Subordinated  Notes are to be guaranteed by, inter alia, an
unconditional guaranty by each of the Guarantors.

         In  compliance  with the  requirements  of the  Letter  Agreement,  the
Guarantors  do hereby  covenant  with the holders of the  Subordinated  Notes as
follows:

SECTION 1. GUARANTY.
         Section   1.1.   Guaranty.   Each   Guarantor,   individually,   hereby
unconditionally guarantees the payment when due, whether by demand or otherwise,
of all of the  Subordinated  Debt  and  agrees  to pay any  and  all  reasonable
expenses  incurred by the holders of the  Subordinated  Notes in  enforcing  any
rights under this Guaranty Agreement.

         The  guaranty  provided  for herein is a guaranty of payment and not of
collectability.

         Section 1.2.  Nature of Guaranty.  Each Guarantor  guarantees  that the
Subordinated  Notes will be paid strictly in accordance  with the terms thereof,
regardless  of any law,  regulation  or order now or  hereafter in effect in any
jurisdiction  affecting  any of such items or the  rights of the  holders of the
Subordinated Notes with respect thereto, except as specifically provided herein.
The liability of each Guarantor under this Guaranty  Agreement shall be absolute
and unconditional irrespective of:
                  (i) any lack of validity or enforceability of the Subordinated
         Note Agreements, this Guaranty Agreement, the other Subsidiary Guaranty
         Agreements, the Baker Guaranty Agreement, the Subordinated Notes or any
         other  agreement  or  instrument  relating  thereto  (collectively  the
         "Related Documents");

                  (ii) any change in the time, manner or place of payment of, or
         in any other  terms of,  all or any of the  Subordinated  Debt,  or any
         other  amendment or waiver of or any consent to  departure  from all or
         any of the Related Documents;

                  (iii)  any  exchange,   release  or   non-perfection   of  any
         collateral,  or any  release  or  amendment  or waiver of or consent to
         departure from any other guaranty,  for all or any of the  Subordinated
         Debt; or

                  (iv) to the extent  permitted by law,  any other  circumstance
         which might otherwise constitute a defense available to, or a discharge
         of, a Guarantor in respect of the  Subordinated  Debt or a Guarantor in
         respect  of this  guaranty,  other  than the  payment  or the tender of
         payment in full of the Subordinated Debt.

         This  Guaranty   Agreement   shall  continue  to  be  effective  or  be
reinstated,  as the  case  may be,  if at any  time  any  payment  of any of the
Subordinated  Debt is rescinded  or must  otherwise be returned by any holder of
Subordinated  Notes  upon the  insolvency,  bankruptcy  or  reorganization  of a
Guarantor or otherwise, all as though such payment had not been made.

         The obligations of each Guarantor hereunder shall in no way be effected
or impaired by any acceptance by any holder of Subordinated  Notes of any direct
or indirect  security for, or other guaranties of, any of the Subordinated  Debt
or by any failure, delay, neglect or omission by the holders of the Subordinated
Notes to realize  upon or protect any of the  Subordinated  Debt or any notes or
other  instruments  evidencing the  Subordinated  Debt or any direct or indirect
security therefor or by any approval, consent, waiver, or other action taken, or
omitted to be taken, by the holders of the Subordinated Notes.

         Each Guarantor  expressly  recognizes that payment of the  Subordinated
Debt is guaranteed by Baker pursuant to the Baker Guaranty Agreement and by each
of Holding and  Spencer  pursuant to  separate  Subsidiary  Guaranty  Agreements
entered into by each of Holding and Spencer,  respectively,  and agrees that the
obligations of a Guarantor under this Guaranty  Agreement are in no way affected
or diminished thereby.

         The  obligations of a Guarantor  under this Guaranty  Agreement and the
rights of the holders of the  Subordinated  Notes to enforce such obligations by
any  proceedings,  whether by action at law, suit in equity or otherwise,  shall
not be subject to any reduction, limitation,  impairment or termination, whether
by reason of any claim of any  character  whatsoever  or  otherwise,  including,
without  limitation,  claims  of  waiver,  release,  surrender,   alteration  or
compromise,  and shall not be  subject  to any  defense,  setoff,  counterclaim,
recoupment or  termination  whatsoever,  other than the payment or the tender of
payment in immediately available funds in full of the Subordinated Debt.


         A Guarantor shall not be required to make any payment  hereunder at any
time when payment by the Company of the  Subordinated  Debt is prohibited by the
provisions of Section 9 of the Subordinated Note Agreement.


         Section 1.3. Waivers by Guarantors;  Subrogation. Each Guarantor hereby
waives  promptness,  diligence,  notice of acceptance  and any other notice with
respect to any of the  Subordinated  Debt and this  Guaranty  Agreement  and any
requirement that the holders of the Subordinated Notes protect,  secure, perfect
or insure any  security  interest  or lien or any  property  subject  thereto or
exhaust  any  right or take  any  action  (including,  without  limitation,  any
presentment  or demand  with  respect  to the  Subordinated  Debt)  against  the
Guarantor or any other Person or any collateral.

         No  Guarantor  will  exercise any rights which it may acquire by way of
subrogation  under this  Guaranty  Agreement,  by any payment made  hereunder or
otherwise,  until all of the  Subordinated  Debt and other amounts payable under
this Guaranty Agreement shall have been paid in full (the "Guaranty  Termination
Date").  If any  amount  shall  be  paid  to a  Guarantor  on  account  of  such
subrogation  rights at any time prior to the  Guaranty  Termination  Date,  such
amount  shall be held in trust and shall  forthwith be credited and applied upon
the Subordinated Debt,  whether matured or unmatured.  If a Guarantor shall make
payment  to the  holders  of the  Subordinated  Notes  of all or any part of the
Subordinated  Debt, then, on or after the Guaranty  Termination  Date, each such
holder will, at the  Guarantor's  request,  execute and deliver to the Guarantor
appropriate documents,  without recourse and without representation or warranty,
necessary  to evidence  the  transfer by  subrogation  to the  Guarantor  of the
interest in the Subordinated Debt resulting from such payment by the Guarantor.


         Section 1.4. Duration of Guaranty.  The guaranty provided for herein is
a  continuing  guaranty  and shall (i) remain in full force and effect until the
Guaranty  Termination Date, (ii) be binding upon each Guarantor,  its successors
and assigns, and (iii) inure to the benefit of and be enforceable by each holder
of Subordinated Notes and its successors, transferees and assigns.

         Section  1.5.   Subordination.   Each  holder  of  Subordinated   Notes
acknowledges and agrees, by its acceptance of this Guaranty Agreement,  that the
rights of such holder  hereunder in respect of such  Subordinated  Debt shall at
all times be wholly  subordinate  and  junior in right of payment to any and all
Superior Indebtedness,  as provided in the subordination provisions appearing in
the Subordinated Note Agreement.

SECTION 2.        AMENDMENT.

         No  amendment,  modification  or waiver of, or any action  taken or not
taken under or pursuant to, any of the terms and provisions of any  Subordinated
Note shall  effect or modify  any of the terms or  provisions  of this  Guaranty
Agreement or any of the  obligations of the Guarantor  hereunder,  except and to
the extent expressly provided for in any such amendment, modification or waiver.

SECTION 3.        MISCELLANEOUS.

         Section 3.1.  Amendment  and Waiver.  This  Guaranty  Agreement  may be
amended with respect to one or more Guarantor and observance of any term of this
Guaranty Agreement may be waived with respect to one or more Guarantor with, and
only with, the written consent of such Guarantor and the holder or holders of at
least 66-2/3% in principal  amount of the  Subordinated  Notes then  outstanding
(exclusive of Subordinated  Notes then owned by such  Guarantor,  any Restricted
Subsidiary and any Affiliates).

         Section 3.2. No Waiver. No delay or omission on the part of the holders
of the  Subordinated  Notes to  exercise  any right or power  accruing  upon any
default,  omission or failure of  performance  hereunder  shall  impair any such
right or power or shall be construed to be a waiver thereof,  but any such right
and  power  may be  exercised  from  time  to  time as  often  as may be  deemed
expedient.  No waiver,  amendment,  release  or  modification  of this  Guaranty
Agreement  shall be  established  by conduct,  custom or course of dealing,  but
solely by an instrument in writing as provided in Section 3.1 hereof.  No remedy
conferred  herein upon the holders of the  Subordinated  Notes is intended to be
exclusive of any other  available  remedy or  remedies,  but each and every such
remedy shall be cumulative  and shall be in addition to every other remedy given
under this Guaranty  Agreement or now or hereafter existing at law or in equity.
In order to entitle the holders of the Subordinated Notes to exercise any remedy
reserved  in this  Guaranty  Agreement,  it shall not be  necessary  to give any
notice, other than such notice as may be herein expressly required. In the event
any  provision  contained in this Guaranty  Agreement  should be breached by the
Guarantor and thereafter duly waived by the holders of the  Subordinated  Notes,
such waiver shall be limited to the particular breach so waived and shall not be
deemed to waive any other breach hereunder.

         Section 3.3. Notices. All notices and other communications provided for
hereunder  shall be in writing and shall be mailed by  certified  or  registered
mail,  return  receipt  requested,  or  delivered,  if to the  Guarantor  at 555
Turnpike Street, Canton,  Massachusetts 02021, Attention: Philip Rosenberg, with
a copy to  General  Counsel  at the same  address;  and if to any  holder of the
Subordinated Notes, at the address of such holder set forth in Schedule I to the
Subordinated  Note Agreements,  or to such other address as any Guarantor or any
holder of  Subordinated  Notes shall have  designated  by written  notice to the
other parties to this Guaranty Agreement.

         Section 3.4. Entire  Agreement.This  Guaranty Agreement constitutes the
entire  agreement and supersedes all prior agreements and  understandings,  both
written and oral, between the parties with respect to the subject matter hereof.

         Section 3.5.      Severability.    All provisions  contained in this 
Guaranty  Agreement are severable and the  invalidity or  unenforceability  of
any provision  shall in no manner effect or impair the validity,  legality
and enforceability of the remaining provisions contained herein.

         Section 3.6.      Counterparts.    This  Guaranty  Agreement  may be
executed  simultaneously  in several counterparts,  each of which shall be 
deemed an original,  and all of which together  shall  constitute one and the
same instrument.

         Section 3.7.      Headings.        The  descriptive  headings  of the
several  sections  of this  Guaranty Agreement are inserted for convenience 
only and do not constitute a part of this Guaranty Agreement.

         Section 3.8.      Governing Law.   This  Guaranty  Agreement  shall in
all  respects  be  governed  by and construed in accordance with the law of the
Commonwealth of Massachusetts.

         Executed and delivered by each Guarantor on March 13, 1997.


                                       WGS CORP.



                                       By:/s/Philip Rosenberg
                                       Name:    Philip Rosenberg
                                       Title:   Executive Vice President

                                       THE CASUAL MALE, INC.


                                        By:/s/Philip Rosenberg
                                        Name:    Philip Rosenberg
                                        Title:   Executive Vice President

                                        TCM HOLDING CO., INC.


                                        By: /s/Philip Rosenberg
                                        Name:    Philip Rosenberg
                                        Title:   Executive Vice President


                                        TCMB&T, INC.


                                        By: /s/Philip Rosenberg
                                        Name:    Philip Rosenberg
                                        Title:   First Senior Vice President

                                        SPENCER NO. 301 CORP.


                                        By: /s/Philip Rosenberg
                                        Name:    Philip Rosenberg
                                        Title:   First Senior Vice President

                                        MORSE SHOE, INC.


                                        By: /s/Philip Rosenberg
                                        Name:    Philip Rosenberg
                                        Title:   Executive Vice President

                                        MORSE SHOE (CANADA) LTD.


                                        By: /s/Philip Rosenberg
                                        Name:    Philip Rosenberg
                                        Title:   Executive Vice President

                                        MORSE SHOE INTERNATIONAL, INC.


                                        By:/s/Philip Rosenberg
                                        Name:    Philip Rosenberg
                                        Title:   First Senior Vice President


                                         BUCKMIN, INC.


                                         By: /s/Philip Rosenberg
                                         Name:    Philip Rosenberg
                                         Title:   First Senior Vice President

                                         ELM EQUIPMENT CORP.



                                         By: /s/Philip Rosenberg  
                                         Name:    Philip Rosenberg
                                         Title:   First Senior Vice President


                                         ISAB, INC.


                                         By: /s/Philip Rosenberg
                                         Name:    Philip Rosenberg
                                         Title:   First Senior Vice President

                                         JARED CORPORATION


                                         By: /s/Philip Rosenberg
                                         Name:    Philip Rosenberg
                                         Title:   First Senior Vice President

                                         WHITE CAP FOOTWEAR, INC.


                                         By: /s/Philip Rosenberg
                                         Name:    Philip Rosenberg
                                         Title:   First Senior Vice President
ATTEST:


By: /s/Mark T. Beaudouin
Name:    Mark T. Beaudouin
Title:   Secretary




                                                              EXHIBIT 10.10

                              THIRD AMENDMENT
                           TO EMPLOYMENT AGREEMENT
                             DATED MARCH 25, 1993




         Reference is made to the Executive Employment Agreement dated as of
March 25, 1993, as amended on March 31, 1995 and on March 31, 1996 (the 
"Agreement") by and between J. Baker, Inc. and Sherman N. Baker.  Pursuant to
paragraph 19 of the Agreement and in order to further amend certain provisions
of the Agreement, the Agreement is hereby amended as follows:

         1. Paragraph 3(a) of the Agreement  entitled  "Compensation"  is hereby
amended  by  deleting  the  figure  "$283,500"  in the third  line  thereof  and
inserting in its place the figure "$255,150".

         2.  Paragraph 6 of the  Agreement  is hereby  amended by  deleting  the
phrase  "ending on April 1, 1997" in the fifth line thereof and inserting in its
place the phrase "ending on April 1, 1998".

         3.       All other terms of the Agreement shall remain unchanged and 
continue in full force and effect.



J. BAKER, INC.




By: /s/Alan I. Weinstein
         Alan I. Weinstein                               
         President and
         Chief Executive Officer




/s/ Sherman N. Baker
         Sherman N. Baker                                       




<PAGE>



                                                             EXHIBIT 10.17

                       EXECUTIVE EMPLOYMENT AGREEMENT


         This  Agreement  is dated as of April 1,  1997 by and  between  Alan I.
Weinstein (the "Employee") and J. BAKER, INC., a Massachusetts  corporation (the
"Company").

         WHEREAS,  the  Employee  and the Company  are  parties to an  Executive
Employment  Agreement dated as of March 25, 1993 as amended by amendments  dated
April 27, 1994, April 25, 1995, March 8, 1996 and April 5, 1996; and

         WHEREAS,  the Employee and the Company now desire to amend, restate and
set forth in  writing  the terms and  conditions  of the  Employee's  employment
agreement with the Company from the date hereof;


         NOW,  THEREFORE,  in consideration  of the mutual  covenants  contained
herein, the parties hereto agree as follows:


         1. Employment.  Under and subject to the terms and conditions set forth
herein,  the Company  hereby  agrees to employ the Employee  during the Term (as
defined in Section 6 hereof) as its President and Chief Executive Officer and/or
in such other senior executive  management  position(s) with the Company, or any
parent or  subsidiary  of the Company,  as the Board of Directors of the Company
(the "Board") may determine from time to time,  and the Employee  hereby accepts
such employment.


         2. Duties.  The Employee  agrees,  during the Term and any extension of
the Term, faithfully to perform for the Company, and any subsidiary or parent of
the Company,  the duties of the President and Chief  Executive  Officer,  and/or
such other  duties as may be assigned  to him from time to time by the  Company.
The Employee  further agrees to devote his entire  business time,  attention and
energies   exclusively  to  such   employment  and  to  conform  to  the  rules,
regulations,  instructions,  personnel practices and policies of the Company and
its subsidiaries, as existing and amended from time to time.


         3.       Compensation.

                  (a) Base Salary. The Company shall pay the Employee during the
Term an annual base salary ("Base Salary") of not less than $375,000, payable in
equal  installments in accordance  with the Company's  regular pay intervals for
its senior executives.




                                                         1

<PAGE>




                  (b) Cash  Incentive  Compensation.  In  addition to his annual
base salary as determined pursuant to Section 3(a), the Company shall pay to the
Employee such amounts, if any, to which the Employee is entitled,  as an officer
of the  Company,  under the  Company's  Cash  Incentive  Compensation  Plan (the
"Incentive Plan"), as from time to time such plan may be amended.


         4.       Other Benefits.

                  (a)  Fringe  Benefits.  The  Employee  shall  be  entitled  to
participate  in all  benefit  programs  that the Company  establishes  and makes
available to management  generally and in any event shall be entitled to receive
benefits at least  substantially  comparable to those  provided  pursuant to the
present practices of the Company and its subsidiaries.

                  (b)      Paid Vacations.  The Employee shall be entitled to an
annual paid vacation of four weeks in each calendar year, to be taken at such
time or times as the Employee and the Company shall mutually agree.


         5.  Expenses.   The  Company  shall  reimburse  the  Employee  for  all
reasonable travel, entertainment and other business expenses incurred or paid by
the Employee in performing his duties under this Agreement upon  presentation by
the  Employee  of expense  statements  or  vouchers  and such  other  supporting
information  as the Company may from time to time  request,  provided,  however,
that the amount available for such expenses may be fixed in advance by the Board
after consultation with the Employee.


         6. Effective Date and Term. This Agreement shall become effective as of
the date  hereof  and the  Employee's  employment  under  this  Agreement  shall
commence  on such date and,  unless  sooner  terminated  as  provided  herein or
extended,  shall  continue for a term (the "Term")  ending on April 1, 1999. The
Employee and the Company have obligations hereunder extending past the Term.


         7.       Noncompetition.

                  (a) During the Employee's  employment  under this Agreement or
otherwise  and for a period of two years after the date of  termination  of such
employment (the "Termination  Date"), the Employee will not, without the express
written  consent of the Company,  anywhere in the United States or any territory
or possession  thereof or in any foreign country in which the Company was active
as of the  Termination  Date:  (i) compete  with the Company or any other entity
directly or indirectly  controlled by the Company (each an "Affiliate"),  in the
Company's  Business  (as  defined in Section  7(c)  hereof);  or (ii)  otherwise
interfere with, disrupt or attempt to interfere with or disrupt the relationship
between the

                                                         2

<PAGE>



Company  or an  Affiliate  and any  person  or  business  that  was a  customer,
supplier, lessor, licensor,  manufacturer,  contractor,  designer or employee of
the Company or such Affiliate on the Termination  Date or within two years prior
to the Termination Date.

                  (b)  The  term  "compete"  as used  in  this  Section  7 means
directly or indirectly, or by association with any entity or business, either as
a  proprietor,   partner,  employee,  agent,  consultant,   director,   officer,
shareholder  (provided  that  the  Employee  may  make  passive  investments  in
competitive  enterprises the shares of which are listed on a national securities
exchange if the Employee at no time owns directly or indirectly  more than 2% of
the outstanding equity ownership of such enterprise) or in any other capacity or
manner (i) to solicit,  hire,  purchase  from,  sell to, rent from, or otherwise
conduct  business  related to the  Company's  Business  with any party that is a
customer or supplier of the Company or an  Affiliate  or (ii) operate any retail
store or leased footwear department  ("Leased  Department") which sells products
related to the Company's Business (as defined in Section 7(c) hereof).

                  (c) The term  "Company's  Business"  as used in this Section 7
means the operation of any of the following  specialty retail  businesses,  as a
principal business unit, either alone or in combination:  (i) Leased Departments
in discount or mass merchandising department stores; (ii) retail stores offering
casual  clothing for "Big and Tall" men or the mail order catalog sales thereof;
or (iii) retail stores offering primarily work related clothing and uniforms for
medical and  laboratory  purposes or the mail order catalog sales  thereof.  The
term shall also include any additional  specialty  retail  businesses  which the
Company may  acquire  subsequent  to the date  hereof and which are  operated as
principal business units of the Company on the Termination Date.

                  (d) The term  "supplier"  as used in this Section 7 shall mean
any party or affiliate of a party from which, on the Termination  Date or within
two years prior to the Termination  Date, the Company or an Affiliate  purchased
products  sold by the  Company or an  Affiliate  or was in  contact or  actively
planning to contact in  connection  with the  purchase  of products  sold by the
Company or an Affiliate on or before the  Termination  Date or which the Company
or an Affiliate was contemplating the sale of at some time after the Termination
Date.

                  (e) The term  "customer"  as used in this Section 7 shall mean
any party or affiliate of a party,  that on the  Termination  Date or within two
years  prior to the  Termination  Date,  was a wholesale  vendee or  prospective
wholesale  vendee of the Company or an  Affiliate  or in  connection  with whose
business  the Company or an  Affiliate  operated a Leased  Department,  a retail
store  for the sale of casual  clothing  for "Big and Tall"  men,  work  related
clothing and uniforms for medical and laboratory purposes or any other specialty
retail business which the Company  operated as a principal  business unit on the
Termination  Date, had contacted in connection  with the potential  operation of
such  businesses  within two years  prior to the  Termination  Date or which the
Company or an Affiliate was actively  planning to contact in connection with the
potential operation of any such businesses on the Termination Date.

                                                         3

<PAGE>





         8.  Confidential  Information.  The Employee will never use for his own
advantage or disclose any  proprietary or confidential  information  relating to
the business  operations or  properties of the Company,  any Affiliate or any of
their respective customers,  suppliers,  landlords, licensors or licensees. Upon
termination  of the  Employee's  employment,  the Employee  will  surrender  and
deliver to the Company all documents and  information  of every kind relating to
or connected with the Company and Affiliates  and their  respective  businesses,
customers, suppliers, landlords, licensors and licensees.


         9.       Termination.

                  (a) Death.  In any event of the death of the  Employee  during
the Term,  his  employment  shall  terminate  and the  Company  shall pay to the
Employee's  surviving  spouse,  or to  the  Employee's  estate  if  their  is no
surviving  spouse,  (i) the Employee's base salary for one year from the date of
death,  payable in accordance  with the Company's  regular pay intervals for its
senior  executives  and (ii) amounts under the Incentive  Plan, if any,  payable
with respect to the fiscal year in which his death occurs which  otherwise would
have been paid to the Employee on the basis of the results for such fiscal year,
prorated to the date of his death. Upon the death of the Employee, the rights of
the Employee's  surviving spouse or estate hereunder,  as the case may be, shall
be limited solely to the benefits set forth in this Section 9(a).

                  (b)  Disability.  In the event that the Employee  shall become
disabled (as  hereinafter  defined)  during the Term, the Company shall have the
right to terminate the  Employee's  employment  upon written  notice,  provided,
however, that in such event the Company shall (i) continue to pay the Employee's
base  salary  for one year from the date such  termination  occurs,  payable  in
accordance  with the Company's  regular pay intervals for its senior  executives
and (ii) pay to the Employee  amounts  under the Incentive  Plan, if any,  which
otherwise  would have been paid to the  Employee on the basis of the results for
the fiscal year in which such termination  occurs,  prorated to the date of such
termination.  For purposes of this  Agreement,  the Employee shall be considered
disabled  on the date when any  physical or mental  illness or other  incapacity
shall, in the judgment of a majority of the members (other than the Employee) of
the Board,  after consulting with or being advised by one or more physicians (it
being understood that one of such physicians may be the Employee's physician but
that the Board shall not be bound by his views),  have prevented the performance
in a manner reasonably satisfactory to the Company of the Employees duties under
this Agreement for a period of six consecutive months.

                  (c)  For  Cause.  The  Company  may by  notice  terminate  the
Employee's employment at any time for cause, which shall mean (i) failure by the
Employee  to cure a  material  breach of this  Agreement  within  15 days  after
written notice thereof by the Company, (ii) the continuation after notice by the
Company of willful misconduct by the Employee in the

                                                         4

<PAGE>



performance of the Employee's duties hereunder or (iii) the commission by the 
Employee of an act constituting a felony.  In such event all obligations of the 
Company hereunder shall thereupon

terminate,  including the obligation to pay any amounts under the Incentive Plan
with  respect  to the  fiscal  year in which such  termination  occurs,  but the
Employee shall be entitled to receive any accrued salary and other amounts under
the Incentive Plan accrued with respect to any prior fiscal years.

                  (d)  Without  Cause.  During the Term  hereof and prior to any
Change of Control of the Company,  the Company may terminate  this  Agreement at
any time without cause. In such event, the Company shall pay to the Employee, in
accordance with the Company's  regular pay intervals for its senior  executives,
an amount  equal to the  greater of (i) the amount of Base  Salary the  Employee
would  have  received  through  the last day of the Term or (ii) one (1) year of
Base Salary.

                  (e) Change of Control. In the event the Employee's  employment
with the Company is terminated  either by the Company or by the Employee  within
one (1) year after a Change of Control of the Company  occurring during the Term
hereof  (regardless  of whether  such  Employee's  termination  occurs after the
expiration of the Term) then, in such event,  the Company shall pay the Employee
at his sole and  exclusive  option an amount in cash (the  "Severance  Payment")
equal to either (i) the  greater of (a) the amount of Base  Salary the  Employee
would have  received  through the last day of the Term or (b) two (2) years Base
Salary, payable to the Employee in a single lump sum cash payment; or (ii) three
(3) years Base  Salary  payable in  accordance  with the  Company's  regular pay
intervals for its senior executives; provided, however, that any amounts payable
to the Employee pursuant to this subparagraph  (e)(ii) which exceed one (1) year
of Base Salary  shall be reduced by any salary or other  compensation  earned by
the Employee from  subsequent  employment.  For purposes of this Agreement "Base
Salary"  shall mean the  Employee's  Base Salary as set forth in  Paragraph 3 of
this Agreement,  as such Base Salary may be increased from time to time. "Change
of  Control" of the  Company  shall have the meaning set forth in the  Company's
1994 Equity  Incentive  Plan as approved by the  Stockholders  of the Company on
June 7, 1994 (and without regard to any subsequent  amendments thereto).  If any
of the termination  events set forth in this subparagraph (e) shall occur during
the Term hereof or other applicable time periods,  the provisions of paragraph 7
hereof shall be null and void and have no further force or effect.

                  (f) Severance  Payment  Limitation Upon Change of Control.  If
all or part  of the  Severance  Payment  payable  to the  Employee  pursuant  to
subparagraph  9(e) hereof,  when added to other payments payable to the Employee
as a result of a Change of Control, constitute Parachute Payments, the following
limitation shall apply. If the Parachute Payments,  net of the sum of the Excise
Tax, Federal income and employment taxes and state and local income taxes on the
amount of the Parachute  Payments in excess of the Threshold Amount, are greater
than the Threshold Amount,  the Employee shall be entitled to the full Severance
Payment

                                                         5

<PAGE>



payable under  subparagraph  9(e) of this Agreement.  If the Threshold Amount is
greater than the Parachute  Payments,  net of the sum of the Excise Tax, Federal
income and  employment  taxes and state and local  income taxes on the amount of
the  Parachute  Payments in excess of the Threshold  Amount,  then the Severance
Payment  payable under  subparagraph  9(e) of this Agreement shall be reduced to
the extent necessary so that the maximum Parachute Payments shall not exceed the
Threshold  Amount.  The Company  shall  select a firm of  independent  certified
public  accountants to determine which of the foregoing  alternative  provisions
shall apply.  For purposes of  determining  the amount of the Federal income and
employment  taxes,  and  state  and  local  income  taxes on the  amount  of the
Parachute  Payments in excess of the  Threshold  Amount,  the Employee  shall be
deemed to pay  Federal  income  taxes at the  highest  marginal  rate of Federal
income  taxation  applicable to  individuals  for the calendar year in which the
Severance  Payments  under  subparagraph  9(e) of this Agreement are payable and
state  and  local  income  taxes at the  highest  marginal  rates of  individual
taxation in the state and locality of the Employee's  residence for the calendar
year in which the Severance  Payments under  Subparagraph 9(e) of this Agreement
are payable, net of the maximum reduction in Federal income taxes which could be
obtained from deduction of such state and local taxes.

         For purposes of this Agreement:

         "Parachute Payments" shall mean any payment or provision by the Company
of any amount or benefit to and for the benefit of the Employee, whether paid or
payable or  provided  or to be  provided  under the terms of this  Agreement  or
otherwise,  that would be considered  "parachute payments" within the meaning of
Section   280G(B)(2)(A)  of  the  Internal  Revenue  Code  and  the  regulations
promulgated thereunder.

         "Threshold  Amount" shall mean three times the Employee's "base amount"
within the meaning of Section  280(G)(b)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code and the
regulations promulgated thereunder, less one dollar.

         "Excise  Tax" shall mean the excise tax imposed by Section  4999 of the
Internal Revenue Code.


         10.      Approval of Board.  The Company represents that this Agreement
has been duly approved by the Board and is in all respects valid and binding
upon the Company.


         11. Key Person  Insurance.  The Employee agrees to take such actions as
may be  reasonably  required to permit the  Company to, in its sole  discretion,
maintain key person life  insurance on the  Employee's  life in such amounts and
for such periods of time,  if any, as the Company  deems  appropriate,  with all
benefits being payable to the Company.  Upon payment by the Employee of the cash
surrender  value, if any, of any such policy and any paid but unearned  premiums
for such  policy,  the Company  will assign  such  policy to the  Employee  upon
termination  (other  than  because of the  Employee's  death) of the  Employee's
employment

                                                         6

<PAGE>



with  the  Company,  provided,  however,  that,  in  the  event  the  Employee's
employment  is  terminated  by reason of the  disability of the Employee and the
death of the  Employee  may  reasonably  be expected  within one year after such
termination as a result of such disability, the Company shall not be required to
assign any such policy.


         12. Notices. Any notice or other communication required or permitted to
be given  hereunder  shall be in writing  and shall be deemed to have been given
and  received  when  actually  delivered,  one  business  day after  dispatch by
telegraphic  means,  two business days after  dispatch by  recognized  overnight
delivery  service,  or five days after mailing by certified or  registered  mail
with proper postage affixed,  return receipt  requested and addressed as follows
(or to such other address as a party  entitled to receive  notice  hereunder may
have designated by notice pursuant to this Section 12):

                  (a)      If to the Company:

                           J. Baker, Inc.
                           555 Turnpike Street
                           Canton, Massachusetts 02021
                           Attention:   Chief Executive Officer

                  (b)      If to the Employee:

                           Alan I. Weinstein
                           13 Kings Road
                           Sharon, Massachusetts 02067


         13. Severability. If any provision of this Agreement or its application
to any person or circumstances is invalid or  unenforceable,  then the remainder
of this  Agreement or the  application  of such  provision  to other  persons or
circumstances  shall not be  affected  thereby.  Further,  if any  provision  or
application  hereof is invalid or  unenforceable,  then a suitable and equitable
provision  shall be substituted  therefor in order to carry out so far as may be
valid or  enforceable  the intent and purposes of the invalid and  unenforceable
provision.


         14.      Applicable Law.  This Agreement shall be interpreted and
construed in accordance with, and shall be governed by, the laws of the 
Commonwealth of Massachusetts without giving effect to the conflict of law 
provisions thereof.


         15.      Assignment.  Neither of the parties hereto shall, without the
written consent of the other, assign or transfer this Agreement or any rights or
obligations hereunder, provided, however, that in the event that the Company 
sells all or substantially all of its assets the

                                                         7

<PAGE>



Company may assign its rights and  transfer  its  obligations  hereunder  to the
purchaser  of such  assets.  A  merger  of the  Company  with  or  into  another
corporation  shall be deemed not to be an assignment of this Agreement,  and, in
any such event, this Agreement shall inure to the benefit of and be binding upon
the surviving  corporation  and the  Employee.  Subject to the  foregoing,  this
Agreement  shall be binding upon, and shall inure to the benefit of, the parties
and their respective  successors,  heirs,  administrators,  executors,  personal
representatives and assigns.


         16.      Headings.  This section and paragraph headings contained in 
this Agreement are for convenience of reference only and shall not affect in 
any way the meaning or interpretation of this Agreement.


         17. Remedies. It is specifically  understood and agreed that any breach
of the  provisions  of Section 7 or 8 of this  Agreement  is likely to result in
irreparable injury to the Company, that damages at law will be inadequate remedy
for such  breach,  and that in  addition  to any other  remedy it may have,  the
Company shall be entitled to enforce the specific  performance  of said Sections
and to seek both temporary and permanent  injunctive relief therefor without the
necessity of proving actual damages.


         18.      Waiver of Breach.  Any waiver by either the Company or the 
Employee of a breach of any provision of this Agreement shall not operate or be 
construed as a waiver of any subsequent breach.


         19.      Amendment of Agreement.  This Agreement may be altered, 
amended or modified, in whole or in part, only by a writing signed by both the 
Employee and the Company.


         20.  Integration.  This  Agreement  constitutes  the  entire  agreement
between the parties with respect to the subject  matter  thereof and  supersedes
all prior agreements whether oral or written with respect to such subject matter
between the parties  including,  without  limitation,  the Executive  Employment
Agreement  dated as of March 25, 1993 and  amendments  to such  agreement  dated
April 27, 1994, April 25, 1995, March 8, 1996 and April 5, 1996.








                                                         8

<PAGE>


         Intending to be legally bound, the Company and the Employee have signed
this  Agreement  as if under  seal as of the  date set  forth at the head of the
first page.


                                         J. BAKER, INC.



                                         /s/ Sherman N. Baker
                                         Sherman N. Baker
                                         Chairman of the Board


                                         /s/ Alan I. Weinstein
                                         Alan I. Weinstein

                                  9


<PAGE>




                                                           EXHIBIT 10.24

                          TERMINATION AGREEMENT


         THIS AGREEMENT is made and entered into this ____ day of October, 1996 
by and between Jerry M. Socol ("Executive" or "You" or "Your") and J. Baker, 
Inc. (the "Company").

         WHEREAS,  the  Executive is currently  employed by the Company under an
employment  agreement  dated March 23,  1993,  as amended from time to time (the
"Employment Agreement"); and

         WHEREAS, the Executive and the Company both desire to terminate the 
Employment Agreement; and

         WHEREAS,  the Executive and the Company  further desire to establish an
amicable arrangement for ending the employment relationship between them.

         NOW,  THEREFORE,  for good and valuable  consideration,  including  the
promises and mutual agreement  contained herein,  the receipt and sufficiency of
which is hereby acknowledged, the parties hereto agree as follows:

1.       RESIGNATION

         Effective October 1, 1996  ("Resignation  Date") or prior thereto,  the
Executive has resigned his employment,  offices,  positions as Director, and all
other   positions  he  now  holds  with  the  Company  and  its  affiliates  and
subsidiaries.

2.       SEVERANCE PAY

         To the extent that the  Company  has not  already  done so, the Company
shall pay the  Executive  as severance  pay all base salary  accrued and due him
under the Employment  Agreement up to and including the  Resignation  Date. This
amount, totaling Six Hundred Seventy Five Thousand Dollars ($675,000),  shall be
paid as follows:

         (a) A lump sum  payment of One Hundred  Twelve  Thousand  Five  Hundred
Dollars  ($112,500),  constituting three (3) months base salary to be paid eight
(8) days after execution of this Agreement; and

         (b) Thirty-nine (39) weekly  installment  payments of Fourteen Thousand
Four Hundred Twenty Three Dollars and 07/100 ($14,423.07) commencing immediately
following the Resignation Date and terminating on the week ending June 29, 1997.
The  Executive  agrees  that  payments  provided  in this  Section 2 and 3 shall
constitute  payment  in full of any and all  obligations  of the  Company to the
Executive under the Employment Agreement.

G\JMSTERM.RV3
                                     1

<PAGE>




3.       BENEFIT CONTINUATION

         (a) Health and Disability Insurance. During the period beginning on the
Resignation  Date  and  ending  on  April  1,  1998,  you  will be  entitled  to
participate in the health,  dental, group life and disability insurance programs
("Insurance  Coverages")  currently  maintained  by the  Company at the  Company
employee cost  thereof.  Your share of premium  payments in connection  with the
Insurance Coverages, if applicable,  will be deducted from your severance pay as
if you had remained actively employed.  On July 1, 1997, the Executive shall pay
to the Company,  in a lump sum,  the  Executive's  share of premium  payments in
connection with the above Insurance Coverages as well as the portion of medicare
taxes associated with the personal use of his automobile as set forth in Section
3(c)  hereof,  for the period  commencing  July 1, 1997 and ending  December 31,
1997. On January 1, 1998 the Executive shall pay to the Company,  in a lump sum,
that portion of the Insurance  Coverages  and of FICA and medicare  taxes as are
associated  with the personal use of his  automobile  from January 1, 1998 until
April 1, 1998. The Company will furnish  specific details of such amounts to the
Executive.

         (b) Other  Benefits.  Pursuant  to  applicable  benefit  plan terms and
benefit  practices,  your  eligibility to  participate in the Company's  section
401(k) plan, defined benefit pension plan and supplemental  executive retirement
plan ceased effective on the Resignation Date. Your rights to benefits,  if any,
are governed by the terms of those benefit plans and programs.

         (c)      Car Lease.

         You shall have the right to use the  vehicle  leased by the Company for
your  benefit  through  the close of  business  on April 1, 1998 and the Company
shall maintain the current level of insurance on the vehicle  through that date.
In  addition,  the  maintenance  and repairs on the vehicle will be continued in
accordance with the terms of the Company's fleet leasing program as currently in
place with respect to the vehicle.  The  cellular  telephone  which is currently
installed in the vehicle  shall be  available  for your use until the vehicle is
returned to the Company.  Any  charges,  however,  for the use of the  telephone
including,  without limitation,  monthly service fees, peak or off-peak air time
charges and maintenance charges shall be at your sole expense.  The Company will
arrange for the  billing  address  for bills in  connection  with the use of the
telephone to be changed to your home address.

         (d)      Company Credit Cards.

         Any use of Company credit cards, gasoline cards, telephone cards or the
like shall have terminated  effective as of the  Resignation  Date and you shall
return these to the Company immediately.






G\JMSTERM.RV3
                                      2

<PAGE>




4.       STOCK OPTION AGREEMENTS

         With  respect  to  incentive  or   non-qualified   stock  options  (the
"Options")  granted to you pursuant to the  Company's  1985 Amended and Restated
Stock Option Plan or 1994 Equity Incentive Plan (the "Option  Plans"),  any such
Options to purchase  shares of the Company's  common stock which are exercisable
as of the  Resignation  Date  ("Currently  Exercisable  Options")  shall  remain
exercisable through July 1, 1997. A list of Currently Exercisable Options is set
forth on the attached  Exhibit A. Any such Options to purchase  shares which may
become  exercisable  subsequent to the  Resignation  Date shall have  terminated
effective as of the Resignation  Date and such Options shall be forfeited to the
Company.  Similarly,  the Performance Share Award granted to you as of March 26,
1996 and any other  performance  share award which may have been  granted to you
shall terminate effective as of the Resignation Date.

5.       GENERAL RELEASE OF CLAIMS

         (a) You  voluntarily  release and absolutely and forever  discharge the
Company and its affiliates, subsidiaries, predecessors, successors, and assigns,
and the current and former officers,  directors,  shareholders,  employees,  and
agents of each of the  foregoing  (any and all of which are  referred  to as the
"Releasees")  generally from all suits, demands,  charges,  complaints,  claims,
sums of money,  promises,  agreements,  causes  of  action,  damages,  interest,
attorneys'  fees,  expenses,  judgments,  accounts,  agreements and debts of any
nature whatsoever,  known or unknown ("Claims"),  which you have, claim to have,
ever had,  or ever  claimed to have had  against  the  Releasees.  This  general
release of Claims  including,  without  implication  of  limitation,  all Claims
related to your employment with the Company, the compensation provided to you by
the  Company,  the  Company's  decision  to  terminate  your  employment,   your
resignation  from the  Company,  or your  activities  on behalf of the  Company,
including, without implication of limitation, any Claims for wrongful discharge,
breach  of  contract,  breach  of an  implied  covenant  of good  faith and fair
dealing,  tortious interference with advantageous relations,  any intentional or
negligent misrepresentation, and unlawful discrimination under the common law or
any statute  (including,  without  implication of  limitation,  Title VII of the
Civil Rights Act of 1964 and the Age  Discrimination  in Employment  Act, 29 USC
621 et sec).  You also waive any claim for  reinstatement,  attorney's  fees, or
costs.  Notwithstanding  anything in this general release to the contrary,  this
general  release  shall not be  construed  to limit your  right to enforce  this
Agreement.

         Basically,  and without  limiting the foregoing,  you will not bring or
otherwise  participate in any lawsuits or charges against the Company concerning
your  employment,  the  compensation,  benefits,  terms,  and conditions of your
employment, or your resignation from employment.






G\JMSTERM.RV3
                                        3

<PAGE>




         (b) The Company hereby  releases and absolutely and forever  discharges
the Executive from any and all suits,  claims,  demands,  debts,  sums of money,
damages,  interest,  attorneys'  fees,  expenses,  actions,  causes  of  action,
judgments, accounts, promises, contracts,  agreements, and any and all claims in
law or in equity,  whether now known or unknown,  which it ever had, now has, or
which it,  hereafter can,  shall or may have against the Executive,  arising out
of,  or  related  to,  his  employment  with or,  separation  from the  Company,
including,  but expressly not limited to, any claim which it may have to recover
money, or damages of any kind, as a result of any actions, claims, complaints or
charges brought by it under any federal, state or common law, except for actions
to enforce or for breach of this Agreement.

6.       CONFIDENTIALITY OF AGREEMENT

         You and the  Company  agree to keep  the  existence  and  terms of this
Agreement  in the  strictest  confidence  and not  disclose  the  terms  of this
Agreement  to any  persons  except,  as  the  case  may  be,  immediate  family,
attorneys,  and financial  advisors and  accountants,  and to them only provided
that they also agree to keep the information completely confidential. Each party
will be considered to have breached this  Agreement if any of those  individuals
fail to keep such information  completely  confidential and the party disclosing
such information  failed to obtain a prior agreement from such  individual(s) to
keep the information confidential. Notwithstanding the foregoing, each party may
make any disclosure to the extent required by law.  Nothing herein shall prevent
you from disclosing the provisions of Section 9 to any  prospective  employer or
to  any  individuals   with  whom  you   contemplate   engaging  in  a  business
relationship.

7.       CONFIDENTIAL INFORMATION

         You shall at all times keep in  confidence  and trust all  Confidential
Information  and  shall  not  reveal  Confidential  Information  for a period of
eighteen (18) months.  "Confidential  Information" means information  concerning
the Company that has been treated as  confidential by the Company and that is of
competitive  or other business  value to the Company.  Confidential  Information
includes,  without  implication  of  limitation,  trade  secrets,   confidential
revenue,  sales, or earnings information,  confidential business  relationships,
and  confidential  business plans and sales and marketing plans. No provision of
this section shall be construed as prohibiting the following  disclosures by the
Executive:  (i)  disclosure  pursuant  to the terms of the order of the court or
governmental  authority of competent  jurisdiction,  provided that, prior to any
such  disclosure  the Company shall be promptly  notified of any such order of a
court or governmental  authority and have the opportunity to obtain a protective
order in connection  therewith;  or (ii) disclosure of matters which have become
generally  available to the public other than as a result of disclosures made by
the Executive in violation of this Agreement.







G\JMSTERM.RV3
                                    4

<PAGE>



8.       RETURN OF PROPERTY

         All  documents,  records,  materials,  software,  equipment,  and other
physical  property,  and all  copies  of any of the  foregoing,  whether  or not
pertaining to Confidential  Information,  that have come into your possession or
been produced by you in connection with your employment  ("Property")  have been
and remain the sole property of the Company.  You confirm that you have returned
to the Company all Property.

9.       NON-COMPETITION

         Effective as of the Resignation  Date and for a period of two (2) years
thereafter,  you agree that unless you receive prior  written  approval from the
Company,  you will  not,  anywhere  in the  United  States or any  territory  or
possession thereof, engage in, as an employee,  consultant,  owner or otherwise,
either directly or indirectly or by association  with, any business which, is in
competition  with  either  J.  Baker's  Casual  male  Big & Tall or Work 'N Gear
divisions or which, without implication of limitation, (i) distributes, sells or
markets  so-called "big and tall" clothing of any kind for men or which utilizes
the "big and tall" retail or wholesale marketing concept as part of its business
or (ii)  distributes,  sells or markets work  related  clothing for men or women
(including, without limitation, medical and laboratory uniforms), and agree that
for a period  of two (2) years  from the date  hereof,  neither  you nor any new
employer of yours shall open, convert,  develop,  organize or acquire any new or
existing  business  which  utilizes  the  concept  of big and tall  clothing  or
specialty  workwear and clothing for the  distribution,  selling or marketing of
same.

         Nothing in this  paragraph 9 shall prohibit your  participation  in the
footwear  business of any kind or in the  business of  manufacturing  big & tall
clothing or work clothing.

         For purposes of this  section,  a business that  distributes,  sells or
markets "big and tall" or "work  related" or  "workwear"  clothing  shall mean a
business  whose gross sales of such  clothing  exceeds  three (3) percent of the
total overall gross sales of the business.

10.      LITIGATION COOPERATION

         You  agree to  cooperate  fully  with the  Company  in the  defense  or
prosecution of any claims,  actions or government  investigations  which already
have been brought or which may be brought in the future  against or on behalf of
or affecting the Company which relate to events or occurrences  that  transpired
during your  employment  with the Company.  Your full  cooperation in connection
with such claims or actions shall  include,  without  implication of limitation,
being  available to meet with counsel to prepare for  investigatory  interviews,
discovery or trial, to provide  complete  information  pursuant to the Company's
counsel's  requests and questions,  and to testify  truthfully as a witness when
reasonably  requested  by the  Company at  reasonable  times  designated  by the
Company.  The Company agrees to reimburse you for any  reasonable  out-of-pocket
expenses  that  you  incur in  connection  with  such  cooperation,  subject  to
reasonable documentation.

G\JMSTERM.RV3
                                    5

<PAGE>




11.      NON-SOLICITATION

         You  agree  that,  prior to  October  1, 1998 you will not  solicit  or
encourage  employees of the Company or its affiliates to leave the employment of
the Company or any of its affiliates for the purpose of becoming  employed by or
otherwise affiliated with you or any other person or entity.

12.      NON-DISPARAGEMENT

         The Company and you agree that neither the Company,  which includes its
officers and directors, nor you will make any statements,  written or oral, that
are  disparaging  about  or  adverse  to the  business  interests  of you or the
Company, as the case may be, or any of the Company's  affiliates or subsidiaries
(including  disparaging statements about their officers,  directors,  employees,
consultants, customers or suppliers) or which are intended to harm the good will
of either you or the Company or any of the Company's affiliates or subsidiaries.
Each  party's  obligations   hereunder  include  but  are  not  limited  to  any
correspondence or discussions with employees,  officers,  directors,  customers,
shareholders,  investors or anyone in the investment community.  They also apply
to any  communication  with or about employees,  officers or directors about any
other employees, officers or directors.

13.      TAX EFFECT OF PAYMENTS

         The  Company  shall  reduce  payments  made  to you  pursuant  to  this
Agreement by deductions  and  withholdings  that it reasonably  determines to be
required for tax purposes and the Company shall make such tax related  reporting
that it reasonably  determines to be required with respect to payments  pursuant
to this Agreement.

14.      NOTICES, ACKNOWLEDGEMENT AND OTHER TERMS

         This Agreement is the entire agreement between you and the Company and,
with  the  exception  of  the  Option  Agreements  and  those  other  agreements
pertaining to benefits referred to and set forth in Section 3 of this Agreement,
all previous agreements, or promises between you and the Company are superseded,
terminated, null, and void.

         You  acknowledge  that you have been given the  opportunity,  if you so
desired, to consider this Agreement for twenty-one (21) days before executing it
and have been advised by legal  counsel with respect  thereto.  If not signed by
you and returned to me so that I receive it within  twenty-one (21) days of your
receipt of this  Agreement,  this Agreement will not be valid. In the event that
you execute and return this Agreement  within less than  twenty-one (21) days of
the date of its delivery to you, you acknowledge that such decision was entirely
voluntary and that you had the opportunity to consider this letter agreement for
the entire  twenty-one  (21) day  period.  The Company  acknowledges  that for a
period  of  seven  (7)  days  from  the  date  of the  execution  by you of this
Agreement, you shall retain the right to revoke this Agreement by written notice
that I receive before the end of such period, and the Company and you agree that

G\JMSTERM.RV3
                                       6

<PAGE>



this Agreement shall not become effective or enforceable until the expiration of
such revocation period.

         By  signing  this  Agreement,  you  acknowledge  that you are  doing so
voluntarily.   You  also   acknowledge   that  you  are  not   relying   on  any
representations  by any  representative  of the  Company  or by any of the other
Releasees concerning the meaning of any aspect of this Agreement.

         In the event of any  dispute,  this  Agreement  will be  construed as a
whole, will be interpreted in accordance with its fair meaning,  and will not be
construed  strictly  for  or  against  either  you or the  Company.  The  law of
Massachusetts  will  govern any  dispute  about this  Agreement,  including  any
interpretation  or enforcement of this  Agreement,  without giving effect to the
conflict  of laws  provisions  of  Massachusetts  law.  In the  event  that  any
provision or portion of a provision of this Agreement  shall be determined to be
unenforceable,  the remainder of this Agreement shall be enforced to the fullest
extent  possible  as if such  provision  or  portion  of a  provision  were  not
included.  This Agreement may be modified only by a written  agreement signed by
you and an authorized representative of the Company.

15.      ENFORCEMENT

         The  Executive  agrees  that  violation  of Sections 6 through 12 above
could cause the Company to suffer  irreparable harm, whereby remedies at law may
be  inadequate  to protect  the Company  against  actual or  threatened  breach.
Therefore,  the Executive  agrees that the  provisions of the above sections are
enforceable in both law and equity,  and that the granting of injunctive  relief
in favor of the  Company  may be allowed  without  proof of actual  damages  and
without requirement of the Company to post a bond in connection therewith.

16.      AUTHORITY

         The party signing for the Company  represents that he has the authority
to execute this Agreement on behalf of the Company.














G\JMSTERM.RV3
                                     7

<PAGE>



17.      SUCCESSORS

         This  Agreement  shall  binding be upon and inure to the benefit of the
parties  and  their  respective  heirs,  executors,   administrators,   personal
representatives, successors and assigns.

         IN WITNESS  WHEREOF,  the  parties  set their hands and seals as of the
date written above.


                                     J. BAKER, INC.


                                     By:/s/Alan I. Weinstein
                                     Alan I. Weinstein
                                     Acting President and
                                     Chief Executive Officer




                                     EXECUTIVE



                                     /s/Jerry M. Socol
                                     Jerry M. Socol






G\JMSTERM.RV3

                                    8

<PAGE>



                                                          EXHIBIT 10.52

                             TERMINATION AGREEMENT


         This  Agreement,  by  and  between  J.  Baker,  Inc.,  a  Massachusetts
corporation  together with its  subsidiaries  and divisions (the "Company") with
its principal place of business at 555 Turnpike  Street,  Canton,  Massachusetts
and David Levin of Newton, Massachusetts ("Employee") shall be effective as of
the 15th day of March, 1997.

                              W I T N E S S E T H

         WHEREAS,  the  Employee  has been  employed  by the Company as a senior
executive officer pursuant to an Executive  Employment  Agreement dated June 12,
1995,  as  amended  by an  amendment  dated  April  5,  1996,  (the  "Employment
Agreement");
         WHEREAS,  the parties  hereto have agreed that the Employee will resign
from his  present  positions  with the  Company  upon the terms  and  conditions
hereafter  set forth and that these terms and  conditions  shall  supersede  the
terms and conditions of the Employment Agreement.
         NOW THEREFORE, in consideration of the agreements contained herein, the
sufficiency of which is hereby acknowledged, the parties agree as follows:
         1.  Effective  as of the date hereof,  (the  "Termination  Date"),  the
Company and the Employee  agree to terminate  the  Employment  Agreement and all
rights and obligations of the parties  thereunder,  which  Employment  Agreement
shall  be  superseded  in all  respects  by the  terms  and  conditions  of this
Agreement.
         2.       Effective as of the date hereof, the Employee shall resign in
writing from any positions he occupies as an executive officer of the Company.
         3. (a)  During the period  beginning  on the date  hereof and ending on
April 1, 1998 the  Employee  will  continue to receive,  as  severance  pay, his
present base salary on a weekly basis, and shall be entitled to subscribe to the
health and dental programs currently  maintained by the Company at the Company's
cost of and  pursuant  to the  provisions  of the  Consolidated  Omnibus  Budget
Reconciliation Act.


                                                         1

<PAGE>



                  (b) During the period  beginning on the date hereof and ending
on April 1, 1998, the Employee or his heirs, successors or assigns will receive,
in the aggregate,  the sum of two hundred thousand dollars ($200,000) payable in
installments on a weekly basis.
                  (c) On the date  hereof,  the  Employee  will receive from the
Company a lump sum cash  payment  of one  hundred  thousand  dollars  ($100,000)
representing  the  Company's  additional   contribution  to  the  costs  of  the
Employee's relocation from Holmdel, New Jersey to Massachusetts.
         The  Employee  agrees that the Company has the right to deduct from all
such payments set forth in Subparagraphs  (a) - (c) above any Federal,  state or
local  taxes of any kind  required by law to be  withheld  with  respect to such
payments.  The Employee  further  agrees that the payments  provided for in this
Paragraph 3 shall  constitute  payment in full of any and all obligations of the
Company to the Employee  under the  aforementioned  Employment  Agreement or any
other  agreement,  whether  written or oral,  the Employee may have had with the
Company.
         4. The  Company  agrees  that  through the close of business on May 15,
1997,  the  Employee  shall,  at his  option,  have the right to use the vehicle
leased by the Company for the benefit of the  Employee.  Through such date,  the
Company  shall  maintain  the  current  level of  insurance  on the  vehicle and
maintain and repair the vehicle in accordance  with the Company's  fleet leasing
program.  The cellular  telephone  which is  currently  installed in the vehicle
shall be available for the  Employee's  use until the vehicle is returned to the
Company.  Any charges,  however,  for use of the  telephone  including,  without
limitation,  monthly  service  fees,  peak or  off-peak  air  time  charges  and
maintenance  charges shall be at his sole expense.  The Company will arrange for
the billing  address for bills in connection with the use of the telephone to be
changed to his home address.
         5. Any use of Company credit cards, gasoline cards,  telephone cards or
the like shall have  terminated  effective  as of the  Resignation  Date and the
Employee agrees to return these to the Company immediately.
         6. Effective as of the date hereof and thereafter,  the Employee agrees
that he will not divulge,  use,  furnish,  disclose or make accessible to anyone
other  than  the  Company  or  its  officers  and  directors  any  knowledge  or
information with respect to systems, plans, procedures,

                                                         2

<PAGE>



programs,  methods, or material relating to the business, products or activities
of the  Company or any other  confidential,  secret or  proprietary  information
concerning  the  business,  products,  properties  or  activities of the Company
including,  without limitation,  financial information  concerning the Company's
operations  and  information  relating to the  Company's  customers,  suppliers,
vendors,  vendees,  landlords,  licensors or licensees.  The  provisions of this
paragraph shall not apply to information which is or generally becomes available
to the  public  other  than as a  result  of  breach  of this  Agreement  by the
Employee.
         7. The Employee hereby  represents,  warrants and agrees that as of the
date  hereof,  he has  turned  over to the  Company or left in its  offices  all
documents  or other  materials  or things owned by the Company and has not taken
any such  documents or materials with him, nor made copies of any such documents
or materials  for his own use or the use of any person other than the Company or
persons connected therewith.
         8.  Effective as of the date hereof and  thereafter,  the parties agree
that  neither  will take any action or make any  statements  with respect to the
Company or the Employee or any persons  connected  therewith  which shall injure
the name or  reputation  of any such  party  or which  may in any way  adversely
affect the  ability of such party both to conduct its  business  and to maintain
harmonious intra-company relations.
         9.  Effective  as of the  date  hereof  and for a  period  of one  year
thereafter,  the  Employee  agrees that  neither he nor any new  employer  will,
without the express written consent of the Company,  hire,  recruit,  solicit or
induce or  attempt  to induce,  any  employee  or  employees  of the  Company to
terminate  their  employment  with the  Company or to become an  employee of the
Employee or his new employer.
         10.  (a) The  Employee  agrees  that he, his  representatives,  agents,
estates,  successors and assigns  release and forever  discharge the Company and
its affiliates, subsidiaries, predecessors, successors, assigns, and the current
and former officers,  directors,  shareholders,  employees and agents of each of
the  foregoing,  both  individually  and in their official  capacities  with the
Company,  from  any and  all  actions,  suits,  claims,  complaints,  contracts,
liabilities,  agreements,  promises,  debts and  damages,  whether  existing  or
contingent which arise out of the Employee's  employment with or his termination
of employment from the Company, except as set forth in this Agreement.

                                                         3

<PAGE>



                  (b) The  Company  agrees that it, its  successors  and assigns
release  and  forever  discharge  the  Employee,  his  representatives,  agents,
estates,  successors  and  assigns  from  any and all  actions,  suits,  claims,
complaints,  contracts,  liabilities,  agreements,  promises, debts and damages,
whether existing or contingent which arise out of the Employee's employment with
or his termination of employment  from the Company,  except as set forth in this
Agreement.
         11. The  Employee  and the  Company  agree  that with  respect to stock
options  granted to the  Employee  pursuant to the  Company's  1985  Amended and
Restated  Stock  Option  Plan or the 1992  Equity  Incentive  Plan (the  "Option
Plans"), any such options to purchase shares of the Company's common stock which
are currently  exercisable on the date hereof shall remain  exercisable  through
June 15,  1997;  and any such  options  to  purchase  shares  which  may  become
exercisable  subsequent  to the date hereof shall be forfeited  and  terminated.
Effective as of the close of business on June 15, 1997 the exercisability of any
stock options  granted to the Employee shall terminate and such options shall be
forfeited to the Company.
         12. The Company and the Employee acknowledge and agree that a breach by
either  party of the  provisions  of this  Agreement  will cause the other party
irreparable  injury and damage and,  therefore,  the  Company  and the  Employee
expressly agree that each party shall be entitled to injunctive and/or equitable
relief in any court of competent jurisdiction to prevent or otherwise restrain a
breach of this Agreement for the purpose of enforcing this Agreement or any part
hereof.
         13. This Agreement  contains the entire  contract  between the parties,
supersedes all prior agreements,  written or oral, and may not be changed except
in writing duly executed by the parties in the same manner as this Agreement.
         14. This Agreement is being executed and delivered in the  Commonwealth
of Massachusetts and this Agreement shall be construed under and governed by the
laws of such Commonwealth.






                                                         4

<PAGE>


         IN WITNESS WHEREOF,  the parties hereto have executed this agreement as
of the day and year first written above.
                                      J. BAKER, INC.



                                      By: /s/Alan I. Weinstein
                                      Alan I. Weinstein
                                      President and Chief Executive Officer




                                      /s/ David A. Levin
                                      David Levin



                                 5


<PAGE>



                                                             EXHIBIT 10.55

                    EXECUTIVE EMPLOYMENT AGREEMENT


         This  Agreement  is dated as of April 1, 1997 by and between  Philip G.
Rosenberg (the "Employee") and J. BAKER, INC., a Massachusetts  corporation (the
"Company").


         WHEREAS,  the Employee  and the Company  desire to set forth in writing
the terms and conditions of the Employee's employment agreement with the Company
from the date hereof;


         NOW,  THEREFORE,  in consideration  of the mutual  covenants  contained
herein, the parties hereto agree as follows:


         1. Employment.  Under and subject to the terms and conditions set forth
herein,  the Company  hereby  agrees to employ the Employee  during the Term (as
defined in Section 6 hereof) as its Executive Vice President and Chief Financial
Officer and/or in such other senior  executive  management  position(s) with the
Company,  or any parent or subsidiary of the Company,  as the Board of Directors
of the Company (the "Board") may determine  from time to time,  and the Employee
hereby accepts such employment.

         2. Duties.  The Employee  agrees,  during the Term and any extension of
the Term, faithfully to perform for the Company, and any subsidiary or parent of
the Company, the duties of the Chief Financial Officer, and/or such other duties
as may be assigned to him from time to time by the Company. The Employee further
agrees to devote his entire business time, attention and energies exclusively to
such  employment  and  to  conform  to  the  rules,  regulations,  instructions,
personnel  practices  and  policies  of the  Company  and its  subsidiaries,  as
existing and amended from time to time. The Employee may be required to relocate
his principal  residence only to an area in which the Company or a subsidiary of
the Company has or determines to have significant operations.

         3.       Compensation.

                  (a) Base Salary. The Company shall pay the Employee during the
Term an annual base salary ("Base Salary") of not less than $225,000, payable in
equal  installments in accordance  with the Company's  regular pay intervals for
its senior executives.

                  (b) Cash  Incentive  Compensation.  In  addition to his annual
base salary as determined pursuant to Section 3(a), the Company shall pay to the
Employee such amounts, if any, to which the Employee is entitled,  as an officer
of the  Company,  under the  Company's  Cash  Incentive  Compensation  Plan (the
"Incentive Plan"), as from time to time such plan may

                                                         1

<PAGE>



be amended.


         4.       Other Benefits.

                  (a)  Fringe  Benefits.  The  Employee  shall  be  entitled  to
participate  in all  benefit  programs  that the Company  establishes  and makes
available to management  generally and in any event shall be entitled to receive
benefits at least  substantially  comparable to those  provided  pursuant to the
present practices of the Company and its subsidiaries.

                  (b) Paid  Vacations.  The  Employee  shall be  entitled  to an
annual paid  vacation of four weeks in each  calendar  year, to be taken at such
time or times as the Employee and the Company shall  mutually  agree,  provided,
however,  that no more  than two weeks  shall be taken  during  any three  month
period unless otherwise agreed upon by the Company's Chief Executive Officer.

         5.  Expenses.   The  Company  shall  reimburse  the  Employee  for  all
reasonable travel, entertainment and other business expenses incurred or paid by
the Employee in performing his duties under this Agreement upon  presentation by
the  Employee  of expense  statements  or  vouchers  and such  other  supporting
information  as the Company may from time to time  request,  provided,  however,
that the amount available for such expenses may be fixed in advance by the Board
after consultation with the Employee.

         6. Effective Date and Term. This Agreement shall become effective as of
the date  hereof  and the  Employee's  employment  under  this  Agreement  shall
commence  on such date and,  unless  sooner  terminated  as  provided  herein or
extended,  shall  continue for a term (the "Term")  ending on April 1, 1999. The
Employee and the Company have obligations hereunder extending past the Term.

         7.       Noncompetition.

                  (a) During the Employee's  employment  under this Agreement or
otherwise  and for a period of two years after the date of  termination  of such
employment (the "Termination  Date"), the Employee will not, without the express
written  consent of the Company,  anywhere in the United States or any territory
or possession  thereof or in any foreign country in which the Company was active
as of the  Termination  Date:  (i) compete  with the Company or any other entity
directly or indirectly  controlled by the Company (each an "Affiliate"),  in the
Company's  Business  (as  defined in Section  7(c)  hereof);  or (ii)  otherwise
interfere with, disrupt or attempt to interfere with or disrupt the relationship
between  the  Company  or an  Affiliate  and any person or  business  that was a
customer,  supplier,  lessor, licensor,  manufacturer,  contractor,  designer or
employee of the Company or such Affiliate on the Termination  Date or within two
years prior to the Termination Date.



                                                         2

<PAGE>




                  (b)  The  term  "compete"  as used  in  this  Section  7 means
directly or indirectly, or by association with any entity or business, either as
a  proprietor,   partner,  employee,  agent,  consultant,   director,   officer,
shareholder  (provided  that  the  Employee  may  make  passive  investments  in
competitive  enterprises the shares of which are listed on a national securities
exchange if the Employee at no time owns directly or indirectly  more than 2% of
the outstanding equity ownership of such enterprise) or in any other capacity or
manner (i) to solicit,  hire,  purchase  from,  sell to, rent from, or otherwise
conduct  business  related to the  Company's  Business  with any party that is a
customer or supplier of the Company or an  Affiliate  or (ii) operate any retail
store or leased footwear department  ("Leased  Department") which sells products
related to the Company's Business (as defined in Section 7(c) hereof).

                  (c) The term  "Company's  Business"  as used in this Section 7
means the operation of any of the following  specialty retail  businesses,  as a
principal business unit, either alone or in combination:  (i) Leased Departments
in discount or mass merchandising department stores; (ii) retail stores offering
casual  clothing for "Big and Tall" men or the mail order catalog sales thereof;
or (iii) retail stores offering primarily work related clothing and uniforms for
medical and  laboratory  purposes or the mail order catalog sales  thereof.  The
term shall also include any additional  specialty  retail  businesses  which the
Company may  acquire  subsequent  to the date  hereof and which are  operated as
principal business units of the Company on the Termination Date.

                  (d) The term  "supplier"  as used in this Section 7 shall mean
any party or affiliate of a party from which, on the Termination  Date or within
two years prior to the Termination  Date, the Company or an Affiliate  purchased
products  sold by the  Company or an  Affiliate  or was in  contact or  actively
planning to contact in  connection  with the  purchase  of products  sold by the
Company or an Affiliate on or before the  Termination  Date or which the Company
or an Affiliate was contemplating the sale of at some time after the Termination
Date.

                  (e) The term  "customer"  as used in this Section 7 shall mean
any party or affiliate of a party,  that on the  Termination  Date or within two
years  prior to the  Termination  Date,  was a wholesale  vendee or  prospective
wholesale  vendee of the Company or an  Affiliate  or in  connection  with whose
business  the Company or an  Affiliate  operated a Leased  Department,  a retail
store  for the sale of casual  clothing  for "Big and Tall"  men,  work  related
clothing and uniforms for medical and laboratory purposes or any other specialty
retail business which the Company  operated as a principal  business unit on the
Termination  Date, had contacted in connection  with the potential  operation of
such  businesses  within two years  prior to the  Termination  Date or which the
Company or an Affiliate was actively  planning to contact in connection with the
potential operation of any such businesses on the Termination Date.

         8.       Confidential Information.  The Employee agrees that he will
never use for his own advantage or disclose any proprietary or confidential 
information relating to the business operations or properties of the Company, 
any Affiliate or any of their respective customers, suppliers, landlords, 
licensors or licensees.  Upon termination of the Employee's employment,

                                                         3

<PAGE>



the  Employee  will  surrender  and  deliver to the Company  all  documents  and
information  of  every  kind  relating  to or  connected  with the  Company  and
Affiliates and their respective  businesses,  customers,  suppliers,  landlords,
licensors and licensees.

         9.       Termination.

                  (a) Death.  In any event of the death of the  Employee  during
the Term,  his  employment  shall  terminate  and the  Company  shall pay to the
Employee's  surviving  spouse,  or to  the  Employee's  estate  if  their  is no
surviving  spouse,  (i) the Employee's base salary for one year from the date of
death,  payable in accordance  with the Company's  regular pay intervals for its
senior  executives  and (ii) amounts under the Incentive  Plan, if any,  payable
with respect to the fiscal year in which his death occurs which  otherwise would
have been paid to the Employee on the basis of the results for such fiscal year,
prorated to the date of his death. Upon the death of the Employee, the rights of
the Employee's  surviving spouse or estate hereunder,  as the case may be, shall
be limited solely to the benefits set forth in this Section 9(a).

                  (b)  Disability.  In the event that the Employee  shall become
disabled (as  hereinafter  defined)  during the Term, the Company shall have the
right to terminate the  Employee's  employment  upon written  notice,  provided,
however, that in such event the Company shall (i) continue to pay the Employee's
base  salary  for one year from the date such  termination  occurs,  payable  in
accordance  with the Company's  regular pay intervals for its senior  executives
and (ii) pay to the Employee  amounts  under the Incentive  Plan, if any,  which
otherwise  would have been paid to the  Employee on the basis of the results for
the fiscal year in which such termination  occurs,  prorated to the date of such
termination.  For purposes of this  Agreement,  the Employee shall be considered
disabled  on the date when any  physical or mental  illness or other  incapacity
shall, in the judgment of a majority of the members (other than the Employee) of
the Board,  after consulting with or being advised by one or more physicians (it
being understood that one of such physicians may be the Employee's physician but
that the Board shall not be bound by his views),  have prevented the performance
in a manner reasonably satisfactory to the Company of the Employees duties under
this Agreement for a period of six consecutive months.

                  (c)  For  Cause.  The  Company  may by  notice  terminate  the
Employee's employment at any time for cause, which shall mean (i) failure by the
Employee  to cure a  material  breach of this  Agreement  within  15 days  after
written notice thereof by the Company, (ii) the continuation after notice by the
Company  of  willful  misconduct  by  the  Employee  in the  performance  of the
Employee's  duties  hereunder or (iii) the  commission by the Employee of an act
constituting a felony.  In such event all  obligations of the Company  hereunder
shall thereupon terminate, including the obligation to pay any amounts under the
Incentive Plan with respect to the fiscal year in which such termination occurs,
but the  Employee  shall be entitled  to receive  any  accrued  salary and other
amounts under the Incentive Plan accrued with respect to any prior fiscal years.

                                                         4

<PAGE>




                  (d)  Without  Cause.  During the Term  hereof and prior to any
Change of Control of the Company,  the Company may terminate  this  Agreement at
any time without cause. In such event, the Company shall pay to the Employee, in
accordance with the Company's  regular pay intervals for its senior  executives,
an amount  equal to the  greater of (i) the amount of Base  Salary the  Employee
would  have  received  through  the last day of the Term or (ii) one (1) year of
Base Salary.

                  (e)      Change of Control.

         (i)  In the  event  the  Employee's  employment  with  the  Company  is
terminated  (A) by the Company or (B) by the Employee for "good  reason"  within
three (3) years  after a Change in Control of the Company  occurring  during the
Term hereof (regardless of whether such Employee's  termination occurs after the
expiration of the Term), or

         (ii) in the event the  Employee's  employment is terminated  (C) by the
Company  (except if such  termination is for "Cause") or (D) by the Employee for
good reason within three (3) years after the employment of any of Messrs. Socol,
Weinstein or Levin,  respectively,  with the Company has  terminated  during the
Term  hereof  for  any  reason   including,   without   limitation,   dismissal,
resignation,  retirement,  death or termination  for any other reason,  then, in
either  event  occurring  in (e)(i) or  (e)(ii),  the  Company  shall pay to the
Employee an amount,  in cash, (the "Severance  Payment") equal to the greater of
(I) the amount of Base Salary the Employee would have received  through the last
day of the  Term or (II)  one (1)  year of Base  Salary.  For  purposes  of this
Agreement  "Annual Base Salary" shall mean the Employee's  base salary in effect
on the date of this Agreement, as such base salary may be increased from time to
time.

         (iii) In the event the Employee's employment is terminated as described
in  subparagraph  (e)(i)  above,  the  Severance  Payment  shall  be made to the
Employee  in a  single  lump sum  cash  payment.  In the  event  the  Employee's
employment  is  terminated  as  described in  subparagraph  (e)(ii)  above,  the
Severance Payment shall be made to the Employee in accordance with the Company's
regular pay intervals for its senior executives beginning  immediately following
the Employee's termination of employment with the Company.

         (iv)  Notwithstanding the Employee's rights to receive the payments and
benefits  pursuant to this  agreement,  the Employee shall not be deemed to have
waived any rights the  Employee  may have at law or equity  with  respect to the
termination of his employment.

         (v) A termination  for "good reason" shall be deemed to have  occurred,
and the Employee  shall be entitled to the benefits set forth in this  Paragraph
(e), if the Employee voluntarily  terminates his employment after the occurrence
of any of the  following  events,  if  either  the  circumstances  set  forth in
subparagraphs (e)(i) or (e)(ii) has occurred: (i) the assignment to the Employee
of any duties inconsistent with the highest position (including status, offices,
titles  and  reporting  requirements),  authority,  duties  or  responsibilities
attained by the  Employee  during the period of his  employment  by the Company;
(ii) a relocation of the Employee outside the metropolitan Boston area; or (iii)
a decrease in the Employee's

                                                         5

<PAGE>



compensation  (including base salary,  bonus or fringe  benefits).  For purposes
hereof,  "Change of Control of the Company"  shall have the meaning set forth in
the Company's 1994 Equity Incentive Plan, as approved by the Stockholders of the
Company  on June 7,  1994  (and  without  regard  to any  subsequent  amendments
thereto).

                  (f) Severance  Payment  Limitation Upon Change of Control.  If
all or part  of the  Severance  Payment  payable  to the  Employee  pursuant  to
subparagraph  9(e) hereof,  when added to other payments payable to the Employee
as a result of a Change of Control, constitute Parachute Payments, the following
limitation shall apply. If the Parachute Payments,  net of the sum of the Excise
Tax, Federal income and employment taxes and state and local income taxes on the
amount of the Parachute  Payments in excess of the Threshold Amount, are greater
than the Threshold Amount,  the Employee shall be entitled to the full Severance
Payment  payable under  subparagraph  9(e) of this  Agreement.  If the Threshold
Amount is greater than the Parachute Payments, net of the sum of the Excise Tax,
Federal  income and  employment  taxes and state and local  income  taxes on the
amount of the  Parachute  Payments in excess of the Threshold  Amount,  then the
Severance  Payment  payable under  subparagraph  9(e) of this Agreement shall be
reduced to the extent necessary so that the maximum Parachute Payments shall not
exceed the  Threshold  Amount.  The Company  shall select a firm of  independent
certified  public  accountants to determine  which of the foregoing  alternative
provisions  shall apply.  For purposes of determining  the amount of the Federal
income and employment  taxes,  and state and local income taxes on the amount of
the Parachute  Payments in excess of the Threshold Amount, the Employee shall be
deemed to pay  Federal  income  taxes at the  highest  marginal  rate of Federal
income  taxation  applicable to  individuals  for the calendar year in which the
Severance  Payments  under  subparagraph  9(e) of this Agreement are payable and
state  and  local  income  taxes at the  highest  marginal  rates of  individual
taxation in the state and locality of the Employee's  residence for the calendar
year in which the Severance  Payments under  Subparagraph 9(e) of this Agreement
are payable, net of the maximum reduction in Federal income taxes which could be
obtained from deduction of such state and local taxes.

         For purposes of this Agreement:

         "Parachute Payments" shall mean any payment or provision by the Company
of any amount or benefit to and for the benefit of the Employee, whether paid or
payable or  provided  or to be  provided  under the terms of this  Agreement  or
otherwise,  that would be considered  "parachute payments" within the meaning of
Section   280G(B)(2)(A)  of  the  Internal  Revenue  Code  and  the  regulations
promulgated thereunder.


         "Threshold  Amount" shall mean three times the Employee's "base amount"
within the meaning of Section  280(G)(b)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code and the
regulations promulgated thereunder, less one dollar.



                                                         6

<PAGE>



         "Excise  Tax" shall mean the excise tax imposed by Section  4999 of the
Internal Revenue Code.

         10.      Approval of Board.  The Company represents that this Agreement
has been duly approved by the Board and is in all respects valid and binding
upon the Company.

         11. Key Person  Insurance.  The Employee agrees to take such actions as
may be  reasonably  required to permit the  Company to, in its sole  discretion,
maintain key person life  insurance on the  Employee's  life in such amounts and
for such periods of time,  if any, as the Company  deems  appropriate,  with all
benefits being payable to the Company.  Upon payment by the Employee of the cash
surrender  value, if any, of any such policy and any paid but unearned  premiums
for such  policy,  the Company  will assign  such  policy to the  Employee  upon
termination  (other  than  because of the  Employee's  death) of the  Employee's
employment  with  the  Company,  provided,  however,  that,  in  the  event  the
Employee's  employment is terminated by reason of the disability of the Employee
and the death of the Employee may  reasonably be expected  within one year after
such  termination  as a result  of such  disability,  the  Company  shall not be
required to assign any such policy.

         12. Notices. Any notice or other communication required or permitted to
be given  hereunder  shall be in writing  and shall be deemed to have been given
and  received  when  actually  delivered,  one  business  day after  dispatch by
telegraphic  means,  two business days after  dispatch by  recognized  overnight
delivery  service,  or five days after mailing by certified or  registered  mail
with proper postage affixed,  return receipt  requested and addressed as follows
(or to such other address as a party  entitled to receive  notice  hereunder may
have designated by notice pursuant to this Section 12):

                  (a)      If to the Company:

                           J. Baker, Inc.
                           555 Turnpike Street
                           Canton, Massachusetts 02021
                           Attention:   Chief Executive Officer

                  (b)      If to the Employee:

                           Philip G. Rosenberg
                           36 Castle Drive
                           Sharon, Massachusetts 02067


         13.      Severability.  If any provision of this Agreement or its 
application to any person or circumstances is invalid or unenforceable, then 
the remainder of this Agreement or the application of such provision to other 
persons or circumstances shall not be affected thereby.

                                                         7

<PAGE>



Further,  if any provision or  application  hereof is invalid or  unenforceable,
then a suitable and equitable  provision shall be substituted  therefor in order
to carry out so far as may be valid or  enforceable  the intent and  purposes of
the invalid and unenforceable provision.

         14.      Applicable Law.  This Agreement shall be interpreted and 
construed in accordance with, and shall be governed by, the laws of the 
Commonwealth of Massachusetts without giving effect to the conflict of law 
provisions thereof.

         15.  Assignment.  Neither of the  parties  hereto  shall,  without  the
written consent of the other, assign or transfer this Agreement or any rights or
obligations  hereunder,  provided,  however,  that in the event that the Company
sells all or  substantially  all of its assets the Company may assign its rights
and transfer its obligations hereunder to the purchaser of such assets. A merger
of the Company  with or into  another  corporation  shall be deemed not to be an
assignment of this Agreement, and, in any such event, this Agreement shall inure
to the  benefit  of and be  binding  upon  the  surviving  corporation  and  the
Employee.  Subject to the foregoing,  this Agreement  shall be binding upon, and
shall inure to the benefit  of, the  parties  and their  respective  successors,
heirs, administrators, executors, personal representatives and assigns.

         16.      Headings.  This section and paragraph headings contained in 
this Agreement are for convenience of reference only and shall not affect in 
any way the meaning or interpretation of this Agreement.

         17. Remedies. It is specifically  understood and agreed that any breach
of the  provisions  of Section 7 or 8 of this  Agreement  is likely to result in
irreparable injury to the Company, that damages at law will be inadequate remedy
for such  breach,  and that in  addition  to any other  remedy it may have,  the
Company shall be entitled to enforce the specific  performance  of said Sections
and to seek both temporary and permanent  injunctive relief therefor without the
necessity of proving actual damages.

         18.      Waiver of Breach.  Any waiver by either the Company or the 
Employee of a breach of any provision of this Agreement shall not operate or be
construed as a waiver of any subsequent breach.

         19.      Amendment of Agreement.  This Agreement may be altered, 
amended or modified, in whole or in part, only by a writing signed by both the
Employee and the Company.

         20.  Integration.  This  Agreement  constitutes  the  entire  agreement
between the parties with respect to the subject  matter  thereof and  supersedes
all prior agreements whether oral or written with respect to such subject matter
between  the parties  including,  without  limitation,  that  certain  Severance
Compensation  Agreement dated as of November 1, 1995 by and between the Employee
and the Company.


                                                         8

<PAGE>


         Intending to be legally bound, the Company and the Employee have signed
this  Agreement  as if under  seal as of the  date set  forth at the head of the
first page.

                                   J. BAKER, INC.



                                    /s/ Alan I. Weinstein
                                    Alan I. Weinstein
                                    President and Chief Executive Officer


                                    /s/ Philip Rosenberg
                                    Philip G. Rosenberg

                                  9


<PAGE>


                                                        EXHIBIT 10.67


                     RELEASE AND DISCHARGE OF MORTGAGE

         THIS  INSTRUMENT is executed as of December 27, 1996, by FLEET NATIONAL
BANK,  a national  banking  association  having an address at 1 Federal  Street,
Boston, Massachusetts 02111, as agent (in such capacity, the "Agent") for itself
and the other banks party to that certain  Revolving  Credit and Loan Agreement,
dated as of February  1, 1993 (as  amended,  modified  and  supplemented  and in
effect from time to time).

                             WITNESSETH:

         WHEREAS,  the Agent is the holder of that certain Mortgage and Security
Agreement, dated as of July 15, 1996 (the "Mortgage"),  from Morse Shoe, Inc. to
the Agent,  recorded with the Norfolk County Registry District of the Land Court
as Document No. 742555.

         NOW, THEREFORE,  for good and valuable  consideration,  the receipt and
sufficiency  of which are hereby  acknowledged,  the Agent  hereby  releases the
Mortgage and the lien  evidenced  thereby and  consents to the  discharge of the
Mortgage of record.

         EXECUTED AS A SEALED INSTRUMENT as of the 27 day of December, 1996.

                         FLEET NATIONAL BANK, a national
                          banking association, as Agent


                           By:  /s/ Gerald G. Sheehan
                           Title:    AVP

                  COMMONWEALTH OF MASSACHUSETTS

COUNTY OF SUFFOLK, ss.                                    December 27, 1996

         Then personally appeared the above-named Gerald G. Sheehan,  the AVP of
FLEET  NATIONAL  BANK,  a  national  banking  association  ("Fleet  Bank"),  and
acknowledged the foregoing to be the free act and deed of Fleet Bank, before me,

                                        /s/ Michael Araujo
                                        Notary Public
                                        My commission expires: May 27, 1997



<PAGE>


                                                              EXHIBIT 10.68

                              RELEASE OF MORTGAGE

         FOR  VALUABLE  CONSIDERATION  PAID,  FLEET  NATIONAL  BANK,  a national
banking  association having its principal office at One Federal Street,  Boston,
Massachusetts  02211,  as agent for certain other banks referred to in a certain
Revolving  Credit and Loan  Agreement  dated as of February 1, 1993, as amended,
does hereby certify that a certain Mortgage,  Assignment of Leases and Rents and
Security  Agreement  dated the 21st day of June,  1996, and recorded on the 28th
day of June, 1996, in the Recorder's Office,  Franklin County,  Ohio in Official
Record Volume 32406, Page D-18, executed by JBI, Inc. to Fleet National Bank, as
agent, on the following  described real estate known as 2035 Innis Road situated
in the State of Ohio,  County of Franklin and being part in the City of Columbus
and part in Clinton Township has been fully paid and satisfied, and the Recorder
of said county is authorized to discharge the same of record.

         IN  WITNESS  WHEREOF,  this  Satisfaction  of  Mortgage  has been  duly
executed by Fleet National Bank, as agent, this 27th day of February, 1997.

Signed and Acknowledged                     FLEET NATIONAL BANK
in the Presence of:


______________________                      By: /s/ Gerald G. Sheehan
Name:                                       Name: Gerald G. Sheehan
Title:                                      Title: AVP

Commonwealth of Massachusetts
County of ______________,    ss

         Before me, a notary public, in and for said county, personally appeared
Gerald G.  Sheehan,  known to me to be the person who, as AVP of Fleet  National
Bank, the corporation which executed the foregoing instrument,  signed the same,
and  acknowledged  to me that he/she did so sign said instrument in the name and
upon behalf of said  corporation as such officer;  that the same is his/her free
act and deed as such  officer  and the free and  corporate  act and deed of said
corporation;  and that  he/she  is duly  authorized  thereunto  by its  board of
directors.  In testimony whereof,  I have hereunto  subscribed my name this 27th
day of February, 1997.

                                      /s/ Michael Araujo
                                      Michael Araujo, Notary Public
                                      My Commission Expires: May 27, 1997




                                                           EXHIBIT 10.69


                JBAK CANTON REALTY, INC., as mortgagor
                                           (Borrower)


                                to


               THE CHASE MANHATTAN BANK, as mortgagee
                                           (Lender)


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

                          MORTGAGE AND
                        SECURITY AGREEMENT
                -----------------------------------



                   Dated:  As of December 30, 1996

                   Location:        J. Baker Corporate Facility
                                    555 Turnpike Street
                                    Canton, Massachusetts 02021

                                    County:          Norfolk

                   PREPARED BY AND UPON
                   RECORDATION RETURN TO:

                   MESSRS. THACHER PROFFITT & WOOD
                   Two World Trade Center
                   New York, New York  10048

                   Attention:       David S. Hall, Esq.

                   File No.:        86000-00376

                   Title No.:







<PAGE>



                  THIS   MORTGAGE  AND   SECURITY   AGREEMENT   (the   "Security
Instrument")  is made as of the  ____  day of  December,  1996,  by JBAK  CANTON
REALTY,  INC.,  a  Massachusetts  corporation,  having  its  principal  place of
business  at 555  Turnpike  Street,  Canton,  Massachusetts  02021 as  mortgagor
("Borrower") to THE CHASE MANHATTAN BANK, a New York banking corporation, having
an  address at 380  Madison  Avenue,  11th  Floor,  New York,  New York 10017 as
mortgagee ("Lender").

                           RECITALS:

                  Borrower by its promissory note of even date herewith given to
Lender is  indebted  to Lender in the  principal  sum of  FIFTEEN  MILLION  FIVE
HUNDRED THOUSAND AND 00/100 DOLLARS  ($15,500,000) in lawful money of the United
States  of  America  (the  note   together   with  all   extensions,   renewals,
modifications,  substitutions  and  amendments  thereof  shall  collectively  be
referred to as the "Note"), with interest from the date thereof at the rates set
forth in the Note,  principal and interest to be payable in accordance  with the
terms and conditions provided in the Note.

                  Borrower desires to secure the payment of the Debt (as defined
in Article 2) and the performance of all of its  obligations  under the Note and
the Other Obligations (as defined in Article ).


                                          Article 1 - GRANTS OF SECURITY

                  Section  1.1   PROPERTY   MORTGAGED.   Borrower   does  hereby
irrevocably mortgage,  grant, bargain, sell, pledge, assign,  warrant,  transfer
and convey to Lender,  and grant a security interest to Lender in, the following
property,  rights,  interests  and estates now owned,  or hereafter  acquired by
Borrower (collectively, the "Property"):

                           (a)      Land.  The real property described in 
                  Exhibit A attached hereto
                  and made a part hereof (the "Land");

                           (b) Additional  Land. All additional  lands,  estates
                  and development  rights hereafter acquired by Borrower for use
                  in connection  with the Land and the  development  of the Land
                  and all additional  lands and estates  therein which may, from
                  time  to  time,  by  supplemental  mortgage  or  otherwise  be
                  expressly   made   subject  to  the  lien  of  this   Security
                  Instrument;

                           (c)      Improvements.  The buildings, structures, 
                  fixtures, additions, enlargements, extensions, modifications,
                  repairs, replacements and improvements now or hereafter
                  erected or located on the Land (the "Improvements");

                           (d) Easements.  All easements,  rights-of-way or use,
                  rights,  strips  and  gores of land,  streets,  ways,  alleys,
                  passages, sewer rights, water, water courses, water rights and
                  powers,  air rights and development  rights,  and all estates,
                  rights, titles, interests, privileges,  liberties, servitudes,
                  tenements,  hereditaments  and  appurtenances  of  any  nature
                  whatsoever, in any way now or hereafter belonging,

[NY01:247789.4]  86000-00376  12/23/96 4:57pm

<PAGE>



                  relating or  pertaining to the Land and the  Improvements  and
                  the reversion and reversions,  remainder and  remainders,  and
                  all  land  lying  in the bed of any  street,  road or  avenue,
                  opened or proposed,  in front of or adjoining the Land, to the
                  center  line  thereof  and all the  estates,  rights,  titles,
                  interests,  dower and rights of dower,  curtesy  and rights of
                  curtesy,  property,  possession,  claim and demand whatsoever,
                  both at law and in equity,  of Borrower of, in and to the Land
                  and the Improvements  and every part and parcel thereof,  with
                  the appurtenances thereto;

                           (e) Fixtures and Personal  Property.  All  machinery,
                  equipment,  fixtures  (including,  but  not  limited  to,  all
                  heating, air conditioning,  plumbing, lighting, communications
                  and elevator  fixtures)  and other  property of every kind and
                  nature whatsoever owned by Borrower,  or in which Borrower has
                  or shall have an interest,  now or hereafter  located upon the
                  Land and the Improvements,  or appurtenant thereto, and usable
                  in  connection  with  the  present  or  future  operation  and
                  occupancy  of the Land and the  Improvements  and all building
                  equipment,  materials  and  supplies of any nature  whatsoever
                  owned by Borrower,  or in which  Borrower has or shall have an
                  interest,  now or  hereafter  located  upon  the  Land and the
                  Improvements,  or appurtenant thereto, or usable in connection
                  with the present or future operation and occupancy of the Land
                  and the Improvements (collectively,  the "Personal Property"),
                  and the right, title and interest of Borrower in and to any of
                  the  Personal  Property  which may be subject to any  security
                  interests,  as  defined in the  Uniform  Commercial  Code,  as
                  adopted  and  enacted by the state or states  where any of the
                  Property is located (the "Uniform Commercial Code"),  superior
                  in  lien  to the  lien of  this  Security  Instrument  and all
                  proceeds and products of the above;

                           (f) Leases and Rents. All leases, subleases and other
                  agreements  affecting  the use,  enjoyment or occupancy of the
                  Land and/or the Improvements  heretofore or hereafter  entered
                  into and all extensions, amendments and modifications thereto,
                  whether  before or after the filing by or against  Borrower of
                  any petition for relief under 11 U.S.C. ss.101 et seq., as the
                  same may be amended from time to time (the "Bankruptcy  Code")
                  (the "Leases") and all right,  title and interest of Borrower,
                  its successors and assigns therein and thereunder,  including,
                  without limitation, cash or securities deposited thereunder to
                  secure the  performance  by the  lessees of their  obligations
                  thereunder and all rents,  additional rents, revenues,  issues
                  and  profits  (including  all  oil and  gas or  other  mineral
                  royalties  and  bonuses)  from the  Land and the  Improvements
                  whether  paid or  accruing  before or after  the  filing by or
                  against   Borrower  of  any  petition  for  relief  under  the
                  Bankruptcy  Code (the  "Rents") and all proceeds from the sale
                  or other  disposition  of the  Leases and the right to receive
                  and apply the Rents to the payment of the Debt;

                           (g)      Condemnation Awards.  All awards or 
                  payments, including interest thereon, which may heretofore
                  and hereafter be made with respect to the Property, whether 
                  from the exercise of the right of eminent domain (including 
                  but not limited to any transfer made in lieu of or in 
                  anticipation of the exercise of the

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                                                       - 2 -

<PAGE>



                  right), or for a change of grade, or for any other injury to 
                  or decrease in the value of the Property;

                           (h)      Insurance Proceeds.  All proceeds of and 
                  any unearned premiums on any insurance policies covering the 
                  Property, including, without limitation, the
                  right to receive and apply the proceeds of any insurance, 
                  judgments, or settlements made in lieu thereof, for damage to
                  the Property;

                           (i)      Tax Certiorari.  All refunds, rebates or 
                  credits in connection with a reduction in real estate taxes 
                  and assessments charged against the Property as
                  a result of tax certiorari or any applications or proceedings
                  for reduction;

                           (j)      Conversion.  All proceeds of the conversion,
                  voluntary or involuntary, of any of the foregoing including, 
                  without limitation, proceeds of insurance and condemnation
                  awards, into cash or liquidation claims;

                           (k)      Rights.  The right, in the name and on 
                  behalf of Borrower, to appear in and defend any action or 
                  proceeding brought with respect to the Property and to 
                  commence any action or proceeding to protect the interest of
                  Lender in the Property;

                           (l)   Agreements.    All    agreements,    contracts,
                  certificates,   instruments,  franchises,  permits,  licenses,
                  plans,  specifications  and other documents,  now or hereafter
                  entered into, and all rights  therein and thereto,  respecting
                  or pertaining to the use, occupation, construction, management
                  or  operation  of the  Land  and  any  part  thereof  and  any
                  Improvements or respecting any business or activity  conducted
                  on the Land and any part  thereof  and all  right,  title  and
                  interest  of  Borrower  therein  and  thereunder,   including,
                  without  limitation,  the  right,  upon the  happening  of any
                  default hereunder,  to receive and collect any sums payable to
                  Borrower thereunder;

                           (m)      Trademarks.  All tradenames, trademarks, 
                  servicemarks, logos, copyrights, goodwill, books and records 
                  and all other general intangibles relating to or used in 
                  connection with the operation of the Property; and

                           (n)      Other Rights.  Any and all other rights of 
                  Borrower in and to the items set forth in Subsections 
                 (a) through (m) above.

                  Section 1.2 ASSIGNMENT OF RENTS.  Borrower  hereby  absolutely
and  unconditionally  assigns to Lender Borrower's right,  title and interest in
and to all current and future  Leases and Rents;  it being  intended by Borrower
that this  assignment  constitutes  a present,  absolute  assignment  and not an
assignment for additional security only.  Nevertheless,  subject to the terms of
this  Section  and Section , Lender  grants to  Borrower a revocable  license to
collect  and  receive  the Rents.  Borrower  shall hold the Rents,  or a portion
thereof sufficient to discharge all current sums due on the Debt, for use in the
payment of such sums.


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                                                       - 3 -

<PAGE>



                  Section 1.3 SECURITY  AGREEMENT.  This Security  Instrument is
both a real property  mortgage and a "security  agreement" within the meaning of
the Uniform  Commercial  Code.  The  Property  includes  both real and  personal
property and all other rights and interests,  whether  tangible or intangible in
nature,  of Borrower in the Property.  By executing and delivering this Security
Instrument,  Borrower  hereby grants to Lender,  as security for the Obligations
(defined in Section ), a security  interest in the Personal Property to the full
extent that the Personal Property may be subject to the Uniform Commercial Code.

                  Section 1.4 PLEDGE OF MONIES HELD.  Borrower hereby pledges to
Lender any and all monies now or hereafter  held by Lender,  including,  without
limitation,  any sums deposited in the Escrow Fund (as defined in Section ), Net
Proceeds  (as  defined  in  Section  4.4) and  condemnation  awards or  payments
described  in Section 3.6, as  additional  security  for the  Obligations  until
expended or applied as provided in this Security Instrument.

                        CONDITIONS TO GRANT

                  TO HAVE AND TO HOLD the above granted and  described  Property
unto and to the use and  benefit of Lender,  and the  successors  and assigns of
Lender, forever;

                  PROVIDED,   HOWEVER,  these  presents  are  upon  the  express
condition  that, if Borrower  shall well and truly pay to Lender the Debt at the
time and in the manner provided in the Note and this Security Instrument,  shall
well and truly  perform  the  Other  Obligations  as set forth in this  Security
Instrument  and shall  well and truly  abide by and  comply  with each and every
covenant and condition set forth herein and in the Note,  these presents and the
estate hereby granted shall cease, terminate and be void.


                    Article 2 - DEBT AND OBLIGATIONS SECURED

                  Section 2.1 DEBT.  This  Security  Instrument  and the grants,
assignments  and transfers made in Article are given for the purpose of securing
the  following,  in such order of priority as Lender may  determine  in its sole
discretion (the "Debt"):

                  (a)      the payment of the indebtedness evidenced by the Note
         in lawful money of the United States of America;

                  (b) the payment of interest,  default  interest,  late charges
         and other sums, as provided in the Note,  this  Security  Instrument or
         the Other Security Documents (defined below);

                  (c)      the payment of the Prepayment Consideration (as
         defined in the Note), if any;

                  (d)      the payment of all other moneys agreed or provided
         to be paid by Borrower in the Note, this Security Instrument or the 
         Other Security Documents;


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                                                       - 4 -

<PAGE>



                  (e)      the payment of all sums advanced pursuant to this 
         Security Instrument to protect and preserve the Property and the lien 
         and the security interest created hereby;
         and

                  (f) the payment of all sums  advanced  and costs and  expenses
         incurred by Lender in connection with the Debt or any part thereof, any
         renewal,  extension,  or change of or substitution  for the Debt or any
         part  thereof,  or  the  acquisition  or  perfection  of  the  security
         therefor,  whether  made or  incurred  at the  request of  Borrower  or
         Lender.

                  Section 2.2 OTHER  OBLIGATIONS.  This Security  Instrument and
the grants,  assignments  and  transfers  made in Article are also given for the
purpose of securing the following (the "Other Obligations"):

                  (a)      the performance of all other obligations of Borrower
         contained herein;

                  (b) the performance of each  obligation of Borrower  contained
         in any other  agreement  given by Borrower  to Lender  which is for the
         purpose of further  securing the obligations  secured  hereby,  and any
         amendments, modifications and changes thereto; and

                  (c) the performance of each  obligation of Borrower  contained
         in any  renewal,  extension,  amendment,  modification,  consolidation,
         change of, or substitution  or replacement  for, all or any part of the
         Note, this Security Instrument or the Other Security Documents.

                  Section 2.3       DEBT AND OTHER OBLIGATIONS.  Borrower's 
obligations for the payment of the Debt and the performance of the Other 
Obligations shall be referred to collectively below as the "Obligations."

                  Section 2.4 PAYMENTS. Unless payments are made in the required
amount in  immediately  available  funds at the place where the Note is payable,
remittances  in payment of all or any part of the Debt shall not,  regardless of
any receipt or credit  issued  therefor,  constitute  payment until the required
amount is actually  received  by Lender in funds  immediately  available  at the
place where the Note is payable (or any other place as Lender,  in Lender's sole
discretion,  may have  established  by  delivery  of written  notice  thereof to
Borrower) and shall be made and accepted subject to the condition that any check
or draft may be handled for  collection in  accordance  with the practice of the
collecting bank or banks.  Acceptance by Lender of any payment in an amount less
than the amount then due shall be deemed an acceptance on account only,  and the
failure to pay the entire  amount then due shall be and  continue to be an Event
of Default (defined below).



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                                                       - 5 -

<PAGE>



                                 Article 3 - BORROWER COVENANTS

                  Borrower covenants and agrees that:

                  Section 3.1       PAYMENT OF DEBT.  Borrower will pay the 
Debt at the time and in the manner provided in the Note and in this Security 
Instrument.

                  Section 3.2  INCORPORATION  BY REFERENCE.  All the  covenants,
conditions and  agreements  contained in (a) the Note and (b) all and any of the
documents  other  than the Note or this  Security  Instrument  now or  hereafter
executed by Borrower and/or others and by or in favor of Lender, which wholly or
partially   secure  or  guaranty  payment  of  the  Note  (the  "Other  Security
Documents"),  are hereby  made a part of this  Security  Instrument  to the same
extent and with the same force as if fully set forth herein.

                  Section 3.3       INSURANCE.

                  (a)  Borrower  shall  obtain  and  maintain,  or  cause  to be
         maintained,  insurance for Borrower and the Property providing at least
         the following coverages:

                           (i)   comprehensive   all  risk   insurance   on  the
                  Improvements  and the  Personal  Property  which  is  owned by
                  Borrower,  in each case (A) in an amount  equal to 100% of the
                  "Full  Replacement  Cost," which for purposes of this Security
                  Instrument shall mean actual  replacement  value (exclusive of
                  costs of excavations,  foundations,  underground utilities and
                  footings)  with a waiver of  depreciation;  (B)  containing an
                  agreed amount endorsement with respect to the Improvements and
                  Personal  Property  which is owned by  Borrower,  waiving  all
                  co-insurance  provisions;  (C)  providing for no deductible in
                  excess of $100,000;  and (D) providing coverage for contingent
                  liability from Operation of Building  Laws,  Demolition  Costs
                  and Increased Cost of Construction  Endorsements together with
                  an "Ordinance or Law Coverage" or "Enforcement" endorsement if
                  any of the  Improvements  or the use of the Property  shall at
                  any time constitute legal  non-conforming  structures or uses.
                  The Full Replacement  Cost shall be redetermined  from time to
                  time (but not more  frequently  than once in any  twelve  (12)
                  calendar  months) at the request of Lender by an  appraiser or
                  contractor  designated  and paid by Borrower  and  approved by
                  Lender,  or by an engineer or appraiser in the regular  employ
                  of  the  insurer.   After  the  first  appraisal,   additional
                  appraisals   may  be  based  on   construction   cost  indices
                  customarily  employed in the trade. No omission on the part of
                  Lender  to  request  any  such  ascertainment   shall  relieve
                  Borrower of any of its obligations under this Subsection;

                           (ii) commercial  general liability  insurance against
                  claims for personal injury,  bodily injury,  death or property
                  damage  occurring  upon,  in  or  about  the  Property,   such
                  insurance (A) to be on the so-called  "occurrence" form with a
                  combined  single  limit of not less  than  $2,000,000;  (B) to
                  continue at not less than the aforesaid  limit until  required
                  to be  changed  by Lender  in  writing  by  reason of  changed
                  economic conditions making such protection inadequate; and (C)
                  to

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<PAGE>



                  cover  at  least  the  following  hazards:  (1)  premises  and
                  operations;  (2) products and  completed  operations on an "if
                  any"  basis;   (3)   independent   contractors;   (4)  blanket
                  contractual liability for all written and oral contracts;  and
                  (5) contractual  liability covering the indemnities  contained
                  in Article hereof to the extent the same is available;

                           (iii) loss of rents  insurance  (A) with loss payable
                  to Lender;  (B) covering  all risks  required to be covered by
                  the insurance provided for in Subsection (a)(i); and (C) in an
                  amount  equal to 100% of the  projected  gross income from the
                  Property  for a period of twelve  (12)  months.  The amount of
                  such loss of rents insurance shall be determined  prior to the
                  date  hereof and at least once each year  thereafter  based on
                  Borrower's  reasonable  estimate of the gross  income from the
                  Property for the succeeding twelve-month period. All insurance
                  proceeds  payable to Lender pursuant to this Subsection  shall
                  be held by Lender  and  shall be  applied  to the  obligations
                  secured  hereunder from time to time due and payable hereunder
                  and under the Note;  provided,  however,  that nothing  herein
                  contained   shall  be  deemed  to  relieve   Borrower  of  its
                  obligations to pay the  obligations  secured  hereunder on the
                  respective dates of payment provided for in the Note except to
                  the extent such amounts are actually  paid out of the proceeds
                  of such loss of rents insurance;

                           (iv)   at   all   times   during   which   structural
                  construction,  repairs  or  alterations  are  being  made with
                  respect  to  the  Improvements   (A)  owner's   contingent  or
                  protective  liability insurance covering claims not covered by
                  or  under  the  terms or  provisions  of the  above  mentioned
                  commercial  general liability  insurance  policy;  and (B) the
                  insurance  provided  for in  Subsection  (a)(i)  written  in a
                  so-called  builder's risk  completed  value form or equivalent
                  property   insurance   satisfactory   to   Lender   (1)  on  a
                  non-reporting  basis,  (2) against all risks  insured  against
                  pursuant to Subsection  (a)(i),  (3)  including  permission to
                  occupy the Property, and (4) with an agreed amount endorsement
                  waiving co-insurance provisions;

                           (v) workers'  compensation,  subject to the statutory
                  limits of the  state in which the  Property  is  located,  and
                  employer's  liability  insurance  with  a  limit  of at  least
                  $1,000,000  per  accident  and per disease per  employee,  and
                  $1,000,000  for  disease  aggregate  in respect of any work or
                  operations on or about the Property, or in connection with the
                  Property or its operation (if applicable);

                           (vi)    comprehensive boiler and machinery insurance,
                  if applicable, in  amounts as shall be reasonably required by
                  Lender;

                           (vii) if any  portion of the  Improvements  is at any
                  time located in an area identified by the Secretary of Housing
                  and Urban  Development  or any  successor  thereto  as an area
                  having  special flood hazards  pursuant to the National  Flood
                  Insurance Act of 1968,  the Flood  Disaster  Protection Act of
                  1973 or the National  Flood  Insurance  Reform Act of 1994, as
                  each  may  be  amended,  or  any  successor  law  (the  "Flood
                  Insurance Acts"), flood hazard insurance in an amount equal to

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<PAGE>



                  the lesser of (A) the principal  balance of the Note,  and (B)
                  the maximum limit of coverage available for the Property under
                  the Flood Insurance Acts;

                           (viii)  earthquake,   sinkhole  and  mine  subsidence
                  insurance,   if  required  by  Lender  in  amounts,  form  and
                  substance satisfactory to Lender,  provided that the insurance
                  pursuant  to  this   Subsection   (viii)  shall  be  on  terms
                  consistent  with the all risk insurance  policy required under
                  Subsection 3.3(a)(i);

                           (ix) such  other  insurance  and in such  amounts  as
                  Lender from time to time may reasonably  request  against such
                  other insurable hazards which at the time are commonly insured
                  against for  property  similar to the  Property  located in or
                  around the region in which the Property is located.

                           (b) All  insurance  provided  for in  Subsection  (a)
         hereof  shall be obtained  under valid and  enforceable  policies  (the
         "Policies" or in the singular,  the "Policy"),  in such forms and, from
         time to time after the date hereof, in such amounts as may from time to
         time be  satisfactory  to  Lender,  issued  by  financially  sound  and
         responsible  insurance companies authorized to do business in the state
         in which the Property is located and approved by Lender.  The insurance
         companies  must have a  general  policy  rating  of A or  better  and a
         financial  class of VI or better by A.M.  Best  Company,  Inc.,  and if
         there are any  Securities  (defined in Section 19.1 below) issued which
         have been  assigned  a rating by a credit  rating  agency  approved  by
         Lender (a "Rating  Agency"),  the insurance company shall have a claims
         paying ability rating by such Rating Agency of not less than one rating
         category  below  the  highest  rating  at  any  time  assigned  to  the
         Securities, but in no event less than BBB by Standard & Poor's Corp. or
         such  comparable  rating by such other Rating Agency (each such insurer
         shall be referred  to below as a  "Qualified  Insurer").  Not less than
         thirty  (30)  days  prior  to the  expiration  dates  of  the  Policies
         theretofore  furnished to Lender pursuant to Subsection (a),  certified
         copies of the Policies marked "premium paid" or accompanied by evidence
         satisfactory  to Lender of payment of the premiums due thereunder  (the
         "Insurance  Premiums"),  shall be  delivered  by  Borrower  to  Lender;
         provided,  however, that in the case of renewal Policies,  Borrower may
         furnish  Lender with  binders  therefor to be followed by the  original
         Policies when issued.

                           (c)  Borrower  shall not obtain (i) any  umbrella  or
         blanket  liability or casualty Policy unless, in each case, such Policy
         is  approved in advance in writing by Lender and  Lender's  interest is
         included  therein as  provided  in this  Security  Instrument  and such
         Policy is issued by a Qualified  Insurer,  or (ii)  separate  insurance
         concurrent  in form or  contributing  in the  event of loss  with  that
         required  in  Subsection  (a)  to be  furnished  by,  or  which  may be
         reasonably required to be furnished by, Borrower. In the event Borrower
         obtains separate insurance or an umbrella or a blanket Policy, Borrower
         shall  notify  Lender of the same and shall cause  certified  copies of
         each Policy to be delivered as required in Subsection  (a). Any blanket
         insurance Policy shall specifically allocate to the Property the amount
         of coverage  from time to time required  hereunder and shall  otherwise
         provide the same  protection as would a separate  Policy  insuring only
         the Property in  compliance  with the  provisions  of  Subsection  (a).
         Notwithstanding  Lender's approval of any umbrella or blanket liability
         or casualty Policy

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<PAGE>



         hereunder,  Lender reserves the right, in its reasonable discretion, to
         require  Borrower to obtain a separate  Policy in compliance  with this
         Section 3.3.

                  (d) All Policies of insurance  provided for or contemplated by
         Subsection (a), except for the Policy referenced in Subsection  (a)(v),
         shall name Lender and Borrower as the insured or additional insured, as
         their  respective  interests  may  appear,  and in the case of property
         damage,  boiler and  machinery,  and flood  insurance,  shall contain a
         standard non-contributing mortgagee clause in favor of Lender providing
         that the loss thereunder shall be payable to Lender.

                  (e)      All Policies of insurance provided for in Subsection
         (a) shall contain clauses or endorsements to the effect that:

                           (i) no act  or  negligence  of  Borrower,  or  anyone
                  acting for Borrower, or of any tenant under any Lease or other
                  occupant,  or failure  to comply  with the  provisions  of any
                  Policy which might  otherwise  result in a  forfeiture  of the
                  insurance  or any part  thereof,  shall in any way  affect the
                  validity or  enforceability of the insurance insofar as Lender
                  is concerned;

                           (ii)  the  Policy  shall  not be  materially  changed
                  (other  than to increase  the  coverage  provided  thereby) or
                  cancelled  without at least 30 days' written  notice to Lender
                  and any other party named therein as an insured; and

                           (iii) each  Policy  shall  provide  that the  issuers
                  thereof shall give written  notice to Lender if the Policy has
                  not been renewed thirty (30) days prior to its expiration; and

                           (iv)     Lender shall not be liable for any Insurance
                  Premiums thereon or subject to any assessments thereunder.

                           (f) If requested by Lender, Borrower shall furnish to
         Lender,  on or  before  thirty  (30)  days  after  the close of each of
         Borrower's  fiscal years,  a statement  certified by Borrower or a duly
         authorized  officer of Borrower of the amounts of insurance  maintained
         in compliance  herewith,  of the risks covered by such insurance and of
         the insurance  company or companies  which carry such insurance and, if
         requested by Lender,  verification of the adequacy of such insurance by
         an independent insurance broker or appraiser acceptable to Lender.

                           (g) If at any  time  Lender  is  not  in  receipt  of
         written evidence that all insurance required hereunder is in full force
         and effect,  Lender shall have the right, without notice to Borrower to
         take such action as Lender  deems  necessary to protect its interest in
         the  Property,  including,  without  limitation,  the obtaining of such
         insurance  coverage as Lender in its sole discretion deems appropriate,
         and all expenses  incurred by Lender in connection  with such action or
         in obtaining  such  insurance and keeping it in effect shall be paid by
         Borrower  to Lender upon demand and until paid shall be secured by this
         Security  Instrument and shall bear interest in accordance with Section
         10.3 hereof.

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<PAGE>




                           (h) If the Property shall be damaged or destroyed, in
         whole or in part, by fire or other casualty, Borrower shall give prompt
         notice of such  damage  to  Lender  and  shall  promptly  commence  and
         diligently  prosecute the  completion of the repair and  restoration of
         the Property as nearly as possible to the condition the Property was in
         immediately prior to such fire or other casualty, with such alterations
         as may be approved  by Lender  (the  "Restoration")  and  otherwise  in
         accordance with Section of this Security Instrument. Borrower shall pay
         all costs of such Restoration  whether or not such costs are covered by
         insurance.

                  Section 3.4       PAYMENT OF TAXES, ETC.

                  (a) Borrower shall promptly pay or cause to be paid all taxes,
         assessments,  water rates, sewer rents, governmental  impositions,  and
         other charges,  including without  limitation vault charges and license
         fees for the use of vaults,  chutes and  similar  areas  adjoining  the
         Land,  now or  hereafter  levied or  assessed  or imposed  against  the
         Property  or  any  part  thereof  (the  "Taxes"),   all  ground  rents,
         maintenance  charges and similar  charges,  now or hereafter  levied or
         assessed or imposed  against  the  Property  or any part  thereof  (the
         "Other Charges"),  and all charges for utility services provided to the
         Property  as same  become due and  payable.  Borrower  will  deliver to
         Lender,   promptly   upon   Lender's   request,   evidence   reasonably
         satisfactory  to Lender  that the  Taxes,  Other  Charges  and  utility
         service charges have been so paid or are not then delinquent.  Borrower
         shall not suffer and shall promptly cause to be paid and discharged any
         lien or  charge  whatsoever  which  may be or  become a lien or  charge
         against the Property.  Except to the extent sums  sufficient to pay all
         Taxes and Other Charges have been  deposited  with Lender in accordance
         with the terms of this Security  Instrument,  Borrower shall furnish to
         Lender paid  receipts  for the  payment of the Taxes and Other  Charges
         prior to the date the same shall become delinquent.

                  (b) After prior written notice to Lender, Borrower, at its own
         expense,   may  contest  by  appropriate  legal  proceeding,   promptly
         initiated  and  conducted  in good  faith and with due  diligence,  the
         amount or  validity  or  application  in whole or in part of any of the
         Taxes,  provided  that (i) no  Event of  Default  has  occurred  and is
         continuing under the Note, this Security Instrument or any of the Other
         Security  Documents,  (ii)  Borrower  is  permitted  to do so under the
         provisions of any other mortgage,  deed of trust or deed to secure debt
         affecting  the  Property,  (iii)  such  proceeding  shall  suspend  the
         collection of the Taxes from Borrower and from the Property or Borrower
         shall have paid all of the Taxes under  protest,  (iv) such  proceeding
         shall be  permitted  under  and be  conducted  in  accordance  with the
         provisions  of any other  instrument  to which  Borrower is subject and
         shall not constitute a default thereunder, (v) neither the Property nor
         any part  thereof or interest  therein will be in danger of being sold,
         forfeited,  terminated,  cancelled or lost,  (vi)  Borrower  shall have
         deposited with Lender  adequate  reserves for the payment of the Taxes,
         together with all interest and penalties  thereon,  unless Borrower has
         paid all of the Taxes  under  protest,  and (vii)  Borrower  shall have
         furnished the security as may be required in the proceeding,  or as may
         be  requested by Lender to insure the payment of any  contested  Taxes,
         together with all interest and penalties thereon.


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<PAGE>



                  Section 3.5 ESCROW FUND.  In addition to the initial  deposits
with respect to Taxes and, if applicable, Insurance Premiums made by Borrower to
Lender on the date hereof to be held by Lender in escrow,  Borrower shall pay or
cause  to be  paid  to  Lender  on the  first  day of each  calendar  month  (a)
one-twelfth of an amount which would be sufficient to pay the Taxes payable,  or
estimated by Lender to be payable,  during the next  ensuing  twelve (12) months
and (b) at the option of Lender,  if the liability or casualty Policy maintained
by Borrower  covering the Property shall not  constitute an approved  blanket or
umbrella  Policy pursuant to Subsection  3.3(c) hereof,  or Lender shall require
Borrower to obtain a separate  Policy  pursuant  to  Subsection  3.3(c)  hereof,
one-twelfth of an amount which would be sufficient to pay the Insurance Premiums
due for the renewal of the coverage afforded by the Policies upon the expiration
thereof (the amounts in (a) and (b) above shall be called the "Escrow Fund"). In
the event  Lender  shall  elect to  collect  payments  in escrow  for  Insurance
Premiums,  Borrower  shall pay to Lender an initial  deposit to be determined by
Lender, in its sole discretion, to increase the amounts in the Escrow Fund to an
amount which,  together  with  anticipated  monthly  escrow  payments,  shall be
sufficient to pay all Insurance  Premiums and Taxes as they become due. Borrower
agrees to notify Lender immediately of any changes to the amounts, schedules and
instructions for payment of any Taxes and Insurance  Premiums of which it has or
obtains  knowledge  and  authorizes  Lender or its agent to obtain the bills for
Taxes and Other Charges  directly from the  appropriate  taxing  authority.  The
Escrow Fund and the payments of interest or principal or both,  payable pursuant
to the Note shall be added  together  and shall be paid as an  aggregate  sum by
Borrower  to Lender.  Lender will apply the Escrow Fund to payments of Taxes and
Insurance Premiums required to be made by Borrower pursuant to Sections and
 hereof. If the amount of the Escrow Fund shall exceed the amounts due for Taxes
and Insurance  Premiums  pursuant to Sections and hereof,  Lender shall,  in its
discretion,  return any excess to Borrower or credit such excess  against future
payments to be made to the Escrow Fund.  In allocating  such excess,  Lender may
deal  with the  person  shown on the  records  of  Lender to be the owner of the
Property. If the Escrow Fund is not sufficient to pay the items set forth in (a)
and (b) above,  Borrower  shall promptly pay to Lender,  upon demand,  an amount
which Lender shall estimate as sufficient to make up the deficiency.  The Escrow
Fund shall not  constitute a trust fund and may be commingled  with other monies
held by Lender.  No  earnings or interest on the Escrow Fund shall be payable to
Borrower.

                  Section 3.6 CONDEMNATION.  Borrower shall promptly give Lender
notice of the actual or threatened  commencement of any  condemnation or eminent
domain  proceeding  and shall  deliver  to Lender  copies of any and all  papers
served in connection with such  proceedings.  Notwithstanding  any taking by any
public or quasi-public  authority through eminent domain or otherwise (including
but not  limited  to any  transfer  made in  lieu of or in  anticipation  of the
exercise of such taking),  Borrower  shall  continue to pay the Debt at the time
and in the manner  provided  for its  payment  in the Note and in this  Security
Instrument and the Debt shall not be reduced until any award or payment therefor
shall have been actually received and applied by Lender,  after the deduction of
expenses of collection,  to the reduction or discharge of the Debt. Lender shall
not be limited to the interest paid on the award by the condemning authority but
shall be  entitled  to receive  out of the award  interest  at the rate or rates
provided  herein or in the Note. If the Property or any portion thereof is taken
by the power of eminent domain,  Borrower shall promptly commence and diligently
prosecute the Restoration of the Property in accordance with Section 4.4 of this
Security  Instrument.  In the  event  Lender is not  required  to  disburse  Net
Proceeds  (defined  below) to Borrower in  accordance  with  Section 4.4 of this
Security

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                                                      - 11 -

<PAGE>



Instrument,  Lender may apply any award or payment to the reduction or discharge
of the Debt  whether  or not  then due and  payable.  If the  Property  is sold,
through foreclosure or otherwise, prior to the receipt by Lender of the award or
payment,  Lender shall have the right,  whether or not a deficiency  judgment on
the Note shall have been sought,  recovered  or denied,  to receive the award or
payment, or a portion thereof sufficient to pay the Debt.

                  Section 3.7       LEASES AND RENTS.

                  (a) All  renewals  of Leases  and all  proposed  Leases  shall
         provide for rental rates and terms  comparable to existing local market
         rates and terms and shall be arms-length  transactions  with bona fide,
         independent  third party tenants.  All proposed  Leases and renewals of
         existing   Leases  (other  than   residential   Leases  relating  to  a
         residential  multifamily  property)  shall  be  subject  to  the  prior
         approval of Lender and its counsel, at Borrower's  expense.  All Leases
         shall provide that they are subordinate to this Security Instrument and
         that the lessee agrees to attorn to Lender.  Borrower (i) shall observe
         and  perform  all the  obligations  imposed  upon the lessor  under the
         Leases  and shall not do or permit to be done  anything  to impair  the
         value  of any of the  Leases  as  security  for the  Debt;  (ii)  shall
         promptly send copies to Lender of all notices of default which Borrower
         shall send or receive thereunder; (iii) shall enforce all of the terms,
         covenants and  conditions  contained in the Leases upon the part of the
         lessee  thereunder  to be observed or performed,  short of  termination
         thereof;  provided  however,  with respect to  multifamily  residential
         property,  a  residential  Lease  may be  terminated  in the event of a
         default by the tenant  thereunder;  (iv) shall not  collect  any of the
         Rents more than one (1) month in  advance;  (v) shall not  execute  any
         other  assignment of the lessor's  interest in any of the Leases or the
         Rents;  (vi) shall not alter,  modify or change the terms of any Leases
         without the prior written consent of Lender, or cancel or terminate any
         Leases or accept a surrender thereof or convey or transfer or suffer or
         permit a conveyance or transfer of the Land or of any interest  therein
         so as to effect a merger of the estates and rights of or a  termination
         or diminution of the  obligations of, lessees  thereunder;  (vii) shall
         not alter, modify or change the terms of any guaranty, letter of credit
         or other  credit  support with respect to any of the Leases (the "Lease
         Guaranty") or cancel or terminate such Lease Guaranty without the prior
         written  consent  of  Lender;  and  (viii)  shall  not  consent  to any
         assignment  of or subletting  under any Leases not in  accordance  with
         their terms, without the prior written consent of Lender.

                  (b)      Intentionally Omitted

                  (c) Upon the occurrence of an Event of Default,  to the extent
         permitted by law,  Borrower shall promptly  deposit with Lender any and
         all monies representing security deposits under the Leases,  whether or
         not Borrower actually  received such monies (the "Security  Deposits").
         Lender shall hold the Security Deposits in accordance with the terms of
         the respective  Lease, and shall only release the Security  Deposits in
         order to return a  tenant's  Security  Deposit  to such  tenant if such
         tenant is  entitled  to the return of the  Security  Deposit  under the
         terms of the Lease and is not otherwise in default under the Lease.  To
         the extent  required by Applicable Laws (defined  below),  Lender shall
         hold the Security  Deposits in an interest  bearing account selected by
         Lender in its sole discretion.  In the event Lender is not permitted by
         law to hold the Security

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                                                      - 12 -

<PAGE>



         Deposits,  Borrower shall deposit the Security Deposits into an account
         with a federally insured institution as approved by Lender.

                  (d) Notwithstanding anything to the contrary contained in this
         Section 3.7,  Lender shall  consent to a one-time  assignment  or other
         transfer of the tenant's  interest in the J.Baker  Lease (as defined in
         Section  5.10)  provided  J. Baker,  Inc.  continues  to  guaranty  the
         tenant's  obligations under said lease.  Notwithstanding the foregoing,
         Lender agrees to release JBI, Inc. from further  liability under the J.
         Baker Lease and to allow J. Baker, Inc. to terminate its Lease Guaranty
         in connection  with such a transfer  provided that (a) Lender  receives
         thirty  (30) days  prior  written  notice of such  termination,  (b) no
         default has occurred and is continuing under this Security  Instrument,
         the Note or the Other Security  Documents and (c) upon the satisfaction
         (in the sole  determination  of  Lender) of such  conditions  as may be
         reasonably  imposed  by  Lender,  which may  include,  but shall not be
         limited to, the following matters:

                  A.       Tenant's proposed transferee ("Tenant's Transferee")
                           shall have a credit rating from Standard's & Poor's
                           Corp. or Moody's or such comparable
                           Rating Agency (a) if Lender has not released the 
                           balance of the reserve amount held pursuant to that 
                           certain Tenant Credit Reserve and Security
                           Agreement dated the date hereof, by and between 
                           Borrower and Lender (the "Additional Reserve") 
                           pursuant to the terms thereof, equal to or
                           greater than that of J. Baker, Inc. as of the date 
                           hereof and at the time of said transfer or (b) if 
                           Lender has released the balance of the Additional
                           Reserve pursuant to the terms thereof, of not less
                           than an investment grade credit rating from Standard
                           & Poor's Corp. or Moody's or such comparable Rating
                           Agency;

                  B.       Borrower shall pay to Lender a processing fee of 
                           $4,000 upon request for approval of such termination
                           and a fee equal to 1% of the outstanding
                           principal balance of the Loan upon approval of the 
                           release of JBI, Inc. from further liability under the
                           J. Baker Lease and the termination of the
                           Lease Guaranty;

                  C.       Borrower shall pay any and all out-of-pocket costs 
                           incurred in connection with the termination 
                           (including, without limitation, Lender's reasonable
                           counsel fees and disbursements);

                  D.       Tenant's Transferee shall, as of the date of such 
                           transfer, have an aggregate net worth and liquidity
                           of not less than that of J. Baker, Inc. as of
                           the date hereof and as of the date of the transfer;

                  E.       Tenant's Transferee must not have been a party to any
                           bankruptcy proceeding, voluntary or involuntary, made
                           an assignment for the benefit of creditors or taken
                           advantage of any insolvency act, or any act for the
                           benefit of debtors within seven (7) years prior to 
                           the date of the transfer;


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<PAGE>



                  F.       Tenant's Transferee shall assume all of the
                           obligations of the tenant under
                           the J. Baker Lease;

                  G.       There shall be no material litigation pending against
                           Tenant's Transferee that is not acceptable to Lender;
                            and

                  H.       Tenant's Transferee shall not have defaulted under 
                           its or their obligations with respect to any other 
                           indebtedness beyond any applicable grace period.

                  Section 3.8 MAINTENANCE OF PROPERTY.  Borrower shall cause the
Property  to be  maintained  in a  good  and  safe  condition  and  repair.  The
Improvements  and the  Personal  Property  shall not be removed,  demolished  or
materially  altered  (except for normal  replacement  of the Personal  Property)
without  the  consent of Lender.  Borrower  shall  promptly  repair,  replace or
rebuild any part of the  Property  which may be destroyed  by any  casualty,  or
become  damaged,  worn or dilapidated or which may be affected by any proceeding
of the character  referred to in Section  hereof and shall  complete and pay for
any structure at any time in the process of  construction or repair on the Land.
Borrower shall not initiate,  join in, acquiesce in, or consent to any change in
any  private  restrictive  covenant,  zoning  law or  other  public  or  private
restriction,  limiting or defining the uses which may be made of the Property or
any part thereof.  If under applicable  zoning  provisions the use of all or any
portion of the Property is or shall become a  nonconforming  use,  Borrower will
not  cause or permit  the  nonconforming  use to be  discontinued  or  abandoned
without the express written consent of Lender.

                  Section  3.9  WASTE.  Borrower  shall not commit or suffer any
waste of the Property or make any change in the use of the  Property  which will
in any way  materially  increase the risk of fire or other hazard arising out of
the operation of the Property,  or take any action that might invalidate or give
cause  for  cancellation  of any  Policy,  or do or  permit  to be done  thereon
anything that may in any way impair the value of the Property or the security of
this Security  Instrument.  Borrower will not, without the prior written consent
of Lender,  permit any drilling or exploration  for or extraction,  removal,  or
production  of any  minerals  from the  surface or the  subsurface  of the Land,
regardless of the depth thereof or the method of mining or extraction thereof.

                  Section 3.10      COMPLIANCE WITH LAWS.

                  (a)  Borrower  shall  promptly  comply with all  existing  and
         future federal, state and local laws, orders, ordinances,  governmental
         rules  and  regulations  or court  orders  affecting  or  which  may be
         interpreted  to affect the  Property,  or the use thereof  ("Applicable
         Laws").

                  (b) Borrower shall from time to time,  upon Lender's  request,
         provide Lender with evidence  satisfactory  to Lender that the Property
         complies with all  Applicable  Laws or is exempt from  compliance  with
         Applicable Laws.

                  (c)  Notwithstanding any provisions set forth herein or in any
         document  regarding  Lender's  approval of alterations of the Property,
         Borrower  shall  not alter  the  Property  in any  manner  which  would
         increase Borrower's responsibilities for compliance

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         with  Applicable  Laws  without the prior  written  approval of Lender.
         Lender's approval of the plans, specifications, or working drawings for
         alterations of the Property shall create no responsibility or liability
         on behalf of Lender  for their  completeness,  design,  sufficiency  or
         their  compliance  with  Applicable  Laws. The foregoing shall apply to
         tenant  improvements  constructed by Borrower or by any of its tenants.
         Lender may condition any such approval upon receipt of a certificate of
         compliance  with   Applicable  Laws  from  an  independent   architect,
         engineer, or other person acceptable to Lender.

                  (d) Borrower shall give prompt notice to Lender of the receipt
         by Borrower of any notice related to a violation of any Applicable Laws
         and of the  commencement  of any  proceedings or  investigations  which
         relate to compliance with Applicable Laws.

                  Section 3.11      BOOKS AND RECORDS.

                  (a) Borrower and any  Guarantors  (defined in Subsection  (e))
         and  Indemnitor(s)  (defined in  Subsection  (o)),  if any,  shall keep
         adequate  books and  records of account in  accordance  with  generally
         accepted accounting  principles  ("GAAP"),  or in accordance with other
         methods  acceptable  to  Lender  in its sole  discretion,  consistently
         applied and furnish to Lender:

                           (i) monthly  certified rent rolls signed and dated by
                  Borrower,   detailing   the  names  of  all   tenants  of  the
                  Improvements,  the  portion of  Improvements  occupied by each
                  tenant, the base rent and any other charges payable under each
                  Lease and the term of each  Lease,  including  the  expiration
                  date, and any other  information as is reasonably  required by
                  Lender, within twenty (20) days after the end of each calendar
                  month;

                           (ii)  upon   Lender's   written   request   therefor,
                  quarterly operating  statements of the Property,  prepared and
                  certified  by  Borrower  in  the  form   required  by  Lender,
                  detailing the revenues received, the expenses incurred and the
                  net operating income before and after debt service  (principal
                  and interest) and major capital  improvements for that quarter
                  and containing  appropriate year to date  information,  within
                  thirty (30) days after the end of each fiscal quarter;

                           (iii) an annual  operating  statement of the Property
                  detailing  the  total   revenues   received,   total  expenses
                  incurred,  total cost of all capital improvements,  total debt
                  service and total cash flow,  to be prepared and  certified by
                  Borrower  in the form  required  by Lender,  or if required by
                  Lender,  an audited annual  operating  statement  prepared and
                  certified  by  an  independent   certified  public  accountant
                  acceptable  to Lender,  within sixty (60) days after the close
                  of each fiscal year of Borrower;

                           (iv) an  annual  balance  sheet and  profit  and loss
                  statement of Borrower, any Guarantors and any Indemnitor(s) in
                  the form  required by Lender,  prepared  and  certified by the
                  respective Borrower,  Guarantors and/or  Indemnitor(s),  or if
                  required by Lender,  audited financial  statements prepared by
                  an  independent   certified   public   accountant   reasonably
                  acceptable to Lender, within sixty (60) days

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<PAGE>



                  after the close of each fiscal year of Borrower, Guarantors 
                  and Indemnitor(s), as the case may be; and

                           (v) an annual operating budget presented on a monthly
                  basis consistent with the annual operating statement described
                  above for the Property,  including cash flow  projections  for
                  the upcoming year, and all proposed  capital  replacements and
                  improvements  at least fifteen (15) days prior to the start of
                  each fiscal year.

         Notwithstanding the provisions of this Subsection 3.11(a), Lender 
agrees not to require the rent rolls referred to in Subsection 3.11(a)(i) for 
so long as J. Baker, Inc. is the guarantor of the lease of the entire Property.

                  (b)      Upon request from Lender, Borrower, any Guarantor
and any Indemnitor shall furnish in a timely manner to Lender:

                           (i) a property  management  report for the  Property,
                  showing   the  number  of   inquiries   made   and/or   rental
                  applications  received from tenants or prospective tenants and
                  deposits  received  from  tenants  and any  other  information
                  requested by Lender,  in  reasonable  detail and  certified by
                  Borrower (or an officer,  general partner, member or principal
                  of Borrower if Borrower is not an individual) under penalty of
                  perjury to be true and complete,  but no more  frequently than
                  quarterly; and

                           (ii) an accounting  of all security  deposits held in
                  connection  with  any  Lease  of any  part  of  the  Property,
                  including the name and  identification  number of the accounts
                  in which such security deposits are held, the name and address
                  of the financial  institutions in which such security deposits
                  are  held  and  the  name of the  person  to  contact  at such
                  financial  institution,  along with any  authority  or release
                  necessary  for  Lender to obtain  information  regarding  such
                  accounts directly from such financial institutions.

         Notwithstanding the provisions of this Subsection 3.11(b), Lender
agrees not to require the reports referred to in Subsection 3.11(b) for so long
as J. Baker, Inc. is the guarantor of the lease of the entire Property.

                  (c) Borrower,  any Guarantor and any Indemnitor  shall furnish
         Lender with such other additional  financial or management  information
         (including State and Federal tax returns) as may, from time to time, be
         reasonably  required by Lender in form and  substance  satisfactory  to
         Lender.

                  (d) Borrower,  any Guarantor and any Indemnitor  shall furnish
         to Lender and its agents convenient  facilities for the examination and
         audit of any such books and records.

                  Section 3.12      PAYMENT FOR LABOR AND MATERIALS.  Borrower
will promptly pay when due all bills and costs for labor, materials, and 
specifically fabricated materials

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incurred in  connection  with the  Property and never permit to exist beyond the
due date  thereof in respect of the  Property  or any part  thereof  any lien or
security interest,  even though inferior to the liens and the security interests
hereof,  and in any event never  permit to be created or exist in respect of the
Property or any part thereof any other or additional  lien or security  interest
other than the liens or  security  interests  hereof,  except for the  Permitted
Exceptions (defined below).

                  Section 3.13 PERFORMANCE OF OTHER  AGREEMENTS.  Borrower shall
observe and perform  each and every term to be observed or performed by Borrower
pursuant to the terms of any  agreement  or  recorded  instrument  affecting  or
pertaining  to the  Property,  or given by Borrower to Lender for the purpose of
further securing an obligation secured hereby and any amendments,  modifications
or changes thereto.


                                           Article 4 - SPECIAL COVENANTS

         Borrower covenants and agrees that:

                  Section 4.1 PROPERTY USE. The Property  shall be used only for
a commercial  office  building  and  distribution  center,  and for no other use
without the prior  written  consent of Lender,  which consent may be withheld in
Lender's sole and absolute discretion.

                  Section 4.2       ERISA.

                  (a) It shall not engage in any  transaction  which would cause
         any  obligation,  or  action  taken or to be taken,  hereunder  (or the
         exercise by Lender of any of its rights under the Note,  this  Security
         Instrument and the Other Security  Documents) to be a non-exempt (under
         a statutory or administrative class exemption)  prohibited  transaction
         under the Employee  Retirement  Income Security Act of 1974, as amended
         ("ERISA"); provided, however, that Borrower shall not be deemed to have
         breached  the  representation  in this  Section  4.2(a) if a prohibited
         transaction  occurs  which  would not have  occurred  if all or part of
         Lender's  interest had not been transferred to an employee benefit plan
         (as defined in Section 3(3) of ERISA) or an entity using assets of such
         a plan (as defined in 29 C.F.R. ss.2510.3-101).

                  (b) Borrower further covenants and agrees to deliver to Lender
         such  certifications or other evidence from time to time throughout the
         term of the  Security  Instrument,  as  requested by Lender in its sole
         discretion,  that (i)  Borrower is not an  "employee  benefit  plan" as
         defined in Section 3(3) of ERISA, which is subject to Title I of ERISA,
         or a  "governmental  plan" within the meaning of Section 3(3) of ERISA;
         (ii) Borrower is not subject to state statutes  regulating  investments
         and fiduciary obligations with respect to governmental plans; and (iii)
         one or more of the following circumstances is true:

                           (A)      Equity interests in Borrower are publicly 
         offered securities, within  the meaning of 29 C.F.R. 
         ss. 2510.3-101(b)(2);


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<PAGE>



                           (B) Less than 25 percent of each outstanding class of
                  equity  interests  in  Borrower  are  held  by  "benefit  plan
                  investors"    within   the   meaning   of   29   C.F.R.    ss.
                  2510.3-101(f)(2); or

                           (C) Borrower qualifies as an "operating company" or a
                  "real  estate  operating  company"  within  the  meaning of 29
                  C.F.R.  ss.  2510.3-101(c)  or  (e) or an  investment  company
                  registered under The Investment Company Act of 1940.

                  Section 4.3 SINGLE  PURPOSE  ENTITY.  Borrower  covenants  and
agrees that it has not and shall not and agrees that its general partner(s),  if
Borrower is a  partnership,  its  managing  member(s),  if Borrower is a limited
liability company, or its principal  shareholders,  if Borrower is a corporation
(in each case, "Principal"), has not and shall not:

                  (a) with  respect  to  Borrower,  engage  in any  business  or
         activity  other than the  ownership,  operation and  maintenance of the
         Property,  and  activities  incidental  thereto  and  with  respect  to
         Principal,  engage in any business or activity other than the ownership
         of  its  interest  in  Borrower,   and  activities  incidental  thereto
         including the management of the Property;

                  (b) with  respect to  Borrower,  acquire  or own any  material
         assets other than (i) the Property,  and (ii) such incidental  Personal
         Property as may be necessary for the operation of the Property and with
         respect to Principal,  acquire or own any material asset other than its
         interest in Borrower;

                  (c) merge  into or  consolidate  with any  person or entity or
         dissolve,  terminate  or  liquidate  in whole or in part,  transfer  or
         otherwise  dispose of all or substantially  all of its assets or change
         its legal structure, without in each case Lender's consent;

                  (d)  fail  to  preserve  its   existence  as  an  entity  duly
         organized,  validly existing and in good standing (if applicable) under
         the laws of the  jurisdiction  of its  organization  or  formation,  or
         without the prior written consent of Lender,  amend, modify,  terminate
         or fail  to  comply  with  the  provisions  of  Borrower's  Partnership
         Agreement,  Articles  or  Certificate  of  Incorporation,  Articles  of
         Organization or similar organizational  documents,  as the case may be,
         or of  Principal's  Partnership  Agreement,  Articles or Certificate of
         Incorporation,  Articles  of  Organization  or  similar  organizational
         documents, as the case may be, whichever is applicable;

                  (e)      own any subsidiary or make any investment in, any 
         person or entity without the consent of Lender;

                  (f)      commingle its assets with the assets of any of its 
         members, general partners, affiliates, principals or of any other 
         person or entity;

                  (g) with  respect  to  Borrower,  incur any debt,  secured  or
         unsecured,   direct   or   contingent   (including   guaranteeing   any
         obligation),  other  than the Debt,  except for trade  payables  in the
         ordinary  course of its business of owning and  operating the Property,
         provided  that such debt is not  evidenced  by a note and paid when due
         and with respect

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<PAGE>



         to Principal, incur any debt secured or unsecured, direct or contingent
         (including guaranteeing any obligations);

                  (h)      become insolvent and fail to pay its debts and 
         liabilities from its assets as the same shall become due;

                  (i) fail to maintain  its  records,  books of account and bank
         accounts  separate  and  apart  from  those  of  the  members,  general
         partners, principals and affiliates of Borrower or of Principal, as the
         case may be, the affiliates of a member,  general  partner or principal
         of Borrower or  Principal,  as the case may be, and any other person or
         entity;

                  (j) enter into any  contract  or  agreement  with any  member,
         general partner, principal or affiliate of Borrower or of Principal, as
         the  case may be,  Guarantor  or  Indemnitor,  or any  member,  general
         partner,   principal  or  affiliate  thereof,  except  upon  terms  and
         conditions that are  intrinsically  fair and  substantially  similar to
         those  that  would be  available  on an  arms-length  basis  with third
         parties other than any member, general partner,  principal or affiliate
         of  Borrower  or of  Principal,  as  the  case  may  be,  Guarantor  or
         Indemnitor,  or any member,  general  partner,  principal  or affiliate
         thereof;

                  (k)      seek the dissolution or winding up in whole, or in 
         part, of Borrower or of Principal, as the case may be;

                  (l) fail to correct any known misunderstandings  regarding the
         separate identity of Borrower, or of Principal,  as the case may be, or
         any member,  general  partner,  principal or  affiliate  thereof or any
         other person;

                  (m)      hold itself out to be responsible for the debts of 
         another person;

                  (n) make any loans or advances to any third  party,  including
         any member, general partner,  principal or affiliate of Borrower, or of
         Principal,  as the  case  may  be,  or  any  member,  general  partner,
         principal or affiliate thereof without Lender's prior written consent;

                  (o)      fail to file its own tax returns (except that Lender 
         acknowledges that Borrower and Principal will file a consolidated tax 
         return with J. Baker, Inc. which shall provide that Borrower, Principal
 and J. Baker, Inc. are separate legal entities);

                  (p) agree to, enter into or consummate any  transaction  which
         would  render  Borrower  or  Principal,  as the case may be,  unable to
         furnish the  certification or other evidence referred to in Section (b)
         hereof;

                  (q) fail  either to hold  itself  out to the public as a legal
         entity  separate  and  distinct  from any other  entity or person or to
         conduct its business solely in its own name in order not (i) to mislead
         others as to the  identity  with which such other party is  transacting
         business,  or (ii) to suggest that Borrower or  Principal,  as the case
         may be, is responsible for the debts of any third party  (including any
         member, general partner,

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<PAGE>



         principal or affiliate of Borrower, or of Principal, as the case may 
         be, or any member, general partner, principal or affiliate thereof);

                  (r)      fail to maintain adequate capital for the normal 
         obligations reasonably  foreseeable in a business of its size and 
         character and in light of its contemplated  business operations;

                  (s) file or  consent  to the  filing of any  petition,  either
         voluntary  or   involuntary,   to  take  advantage  of  any  applicable
         insolvency,  bankruptcy, liquidation or reorganization statute, or make
         an assignment for the benefit of creditors; or

                  (t) share any  common  logo with or hold  itself  out as or be
         considered  as a  department  or division  of (i) any general  partner,
         principal, member or affiliate of Borrower or of Principal, as the case
         may be, (ii) any affiliate of a general partner, principal or member of
         Borrower or of Principal, as the case may be, or (iii) any other person
         or entity.

                  Section 4.4       RESTORATION.  The following provisions shall
apply in connection with the Restoration of the Property:

                  (a) If the Net  Proceeds  (defined  below)  shall be less than
         $75,000 and the costs of completing the Restoration  shall be less than
         $75,000,  the Net Proceeds will be disbursed by Lender to Borrower upon
         receipt,  provided that all of the  conditions  set forth in Subsection
         (b)(i) are met and Borrower delivers to Lender a written undertaking to
         expeditiously   commence  and  to  satisfactorily   complete  with  due
         diligence the Restoration in accordance with the terms of this Security
         Instrument.

                  (b) If the Net  Proceeds  are equal to or greater than $75,000
         or the costs of completing the  Restoration is equal to or greater than
         $75,000,  Lender shall make the Net Proceeds  available for Restoration
         in accordance with the provisions of this Subsection  4.4(b).  The term
         "Net  Proceeds" for purpose of this Section 4.4 shall mean: (i) the net
         amount  of all  insurance  proceeds  received  by  Lender  pursuant  to
         Subsections (a)(i), (iv), (vi) and (vii) of this Security Instrument as
         a  result  of  such  damage  or  destruction,  after  deduction  of its
         reasonable  costs  and  expenses   (including,   but  not  limited  to,
         reasonable   counsel  fees),  if  any,  in  collecting  the  same  (the
         "Insurance  Proceeds"),  or  (ii)  the net  amount  of all  awards  and
         payments  received by Lender  with  respect to a taking  referenced  in
         Section  3.6  of  this  Security  Instrument,  after  deduction  of its
         reasonable costs and expenses (including, but not limited to reasonable
         counsel  fees),   if  any,  in  collecting   the  same   ("Condemnation
         Proceeds"), whichever the case may be, available for the Restoration in
         accordance with the provisions of this Subsection (b).

                         (i)  The  Net  Proceeds  shall  be  made  available  to
                  Borrower  for  the  Restoration  provided  that  each  of  the
                  following conditions are met:


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<PAGE>



                                    (A) no Event of Default  shall have occurred
                           and be  continuing  under  the  Note,  this  Security
                           Instrument or any of the Other Security Documents;

                                    (B) (1) in the  event the Net  Proceeds  are
                           Insurance Proceeds,  less than fifty percent (50%) of
                           the total  floor  area of the  Improvements  has been
                           damaged,  destroyed or rendered  unusable as a result
                           of such  fire or other  casualty  or (2) in the event
                           that the Net Proceeds are Condemnation Proceeds, said
                           Condemnation Proceeds do not exceed $200,000;

                                    (C)  Leases  demising  in the  aggregate  at
                           least 50% of the total rentable space in the Property
                           which has been demised  under  executed and delivered
                           Leases in effect as of the date of the  occurrence of
                           such fire or other casualty or taking,  whichever the
                           case may be,  shall  remain in full  force and effect
                           during and after the completion of the Restoration;

                                    (D) Borrower shall commence the  Restoration
                           as soon as  reasonably  practicable  (but in no event
                           later than  thirty  (30) days  after  such  damage or
                           destruction  or  taking,  whichever  the case may be,
                           occurs)  and  shall  diligently  pursue  the  same to
                           satisfactory  completion (Restoration shall be deemed
                           commenced upon the filing of a building permit);

                                    (E)  Lender  shall  be  satisfied  that  any
                           operating   deficits  which  will  be  incurred  with
                           respect to the Property as a result of the occurrence
                           of  any  such  fire  or  other  casualty  or  taking,
                           whichever the case may be, will be covered out of (1)
                           the Net Proceeds, (2) the insurance coverage referred
                           to in Subsection  (a)(iii),  or (3) by other funds of
                           Borrower;

                                    (F) Lender shall be satisfied that, upon the
                           completion  of the  Restoration,  the gross cash flow
                           and  the  net  cash  flow  of the  Property  will  be
                           restored to a level  sufficient to cover all carrying
                           costs  and   operating   expenses  of  the  Property,
                           including,  without  limitation,  debt service on the
                           Note  at  a  coverage  ratio  (after   deducting  all
                           required  reserves  as  required  by Lender  from net
                           operating  income)  of at  least  1.2 to  1.0,  which
                           coverage  ratio shall be  determined by Lender in its
                           sole  and  absolute  discretion  on the  basis of the
                           Applicable Interest Rate (as defined in the Note);

                                    (G)  Lender  shall  be  satisfied  that  the
                           Restoration  will  be  completed  on  or  before  the
                           earliest to occur of (1) six (6) months  prior to the
                           Maturity  Date (as defined in the Note),  (2) six (6)
                           months  after  the  occurrence  of such fire or other
                           casualty,  or taking,  whichever  the case may be, or
                           (3) such  time as may be  required  under  applicable
                           zoning law, ordinance, rule or regulation in order to
                           repair and restore the  Property to the  condition it
                           was in  immediately  prior  to  such  fire  or  other
                           casualty

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<PAGE>



                           or to as nearly as possible the condition it was in 
                           immediately prior to such taking, as applicable;

                                    (H)  Borrower  shall  execute and deliver to
                           Lender a  completion  guaranty in form and  substance
                           satisfactory  to Lender and its  counsel  pursuant to
                           the  provisions of which  Borrower  shall guaranty to
                           Lender the  lien-free  completion  by Borrower of the
                           Restoration in accordance with the provisions of this
                           Subsection (b);

                                    (I) the Property  and the use thereof  after
                           the  Restoration  will  be  in  compliance  with  and
                           permitted   under   all   applicable   zoning   laws,
                           ordinances, rules and regulations; and

                                    (J)  the  Restoration   shall  be  done  and
                           completed by Borrower in an expeditious  and diligent
                           fashion  and  in  compliance   with  all   applicable
                           governmental laws, rules and regulations  (including,
                           without limitation, all applicable Environmental Laws
                           (defined below); and

                                    (K)  with   respect   to  a  taking  of  the
                           Property,  such  taking  does not (1)  result  in the
                           violation of any requirement pursuant to the terms of
                           any Leases or (2)  adversely  impact  the  operations
                           and/or  the fair  market  value of the  Property,  as
                           determined by Lender in its sole discretion.

                           (ii) The Net  Proceeds  shall be held by Lender  and,
                  until  disbursed in  accordance  with the  provisions  of this
                  Subsection (b), shall constitute  additional  security for the
                  Obligations. The Net Proceeds shall be disbursed by Lender to,
                  or as  directed  by,  Borrower  from time to time  during  the
                  course  of  the   Restoration,   upon   receipt  of   evidence
                  satisfactory  to Lender that (A) all  materials  installed and
                  work and labor  performed  (except to the extent that they are
                  to  be  paid  for  out  of  the  requested   disbursement)  in
                  connection  with the  Restoration  have been paid for in full,
                  and (B) there  exist no  notices  of  pendency,  stop  orders,
                  mechanic's or  materialman's  liens or notices of intention to
                  file same,  or any other liens or  encumbrances  of any nature
                  whatsoever  on the  Property  arising  out of the  Restoration
                  which have not either been fully bonded to the satisfaction of
                  Lender and  discharged of record or in the  alternative  fully
                  insured  to the  satisfaction  of Lender by the title  company
                  insuring the lien of this Security Instrument.

                           (iii)  All  plans  and  specifications   required  in
                  connection  with the  Restoration  shall be  subject  to prior
                  review  and  acceptance  in all  respects  by Lender and by an
                  independent   consulting  engineer  selected  by  Lender  (the
                  "Restoration  Consultant").  Lender  shall have the use of the
                  plans  and  specifications  and  all  permits,   licenses  and
                  approvals   required  or  obtained  in  connection   with  the
                  Restoration.  The identity of the contractors,  subcontractors
                  and  materialmen  engaged in the  Restoration,  as well as the
                  contracts under which they have been engaged, shall be subject
                  to prior review and  acceptance by Lender and the  Restoration
                  Consultant. All costs and expenses incurred by

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                  Lender in  connection  with making the Net Proceeds  available
                  for the Restoration including, without limitation,  reasonable
                  counsel   fees   and   disbursements   and   the   Restoration
                  Consultant's fees, shall be paid by Borrower.

                           (iv) In no event shall  Lender be  obligated  to make
                  disbursements of the Net Proceeds in excess of an amount equal
                  to the costs  actually  incurred from time to time for work in
                  place  as  part  of  the  Restoration,  as  certified  by  the
                  Restoration Consultant,  minus the Restoration Retainage.  The
                  term  "Restoration  Retainage" as used in this  Subsection (b)
                  shall  mean  an  amount  equal  to 10% of the  costs  actually
                  incurred  for  work in place  as part of the  Restoration,  as
                  certified by the  Restoration  Consultant,  until such time as
                  the  Restoration  Consultant  certifies  to  Lender  that  Net
                  Proceeds  representing  50% of the required  Restoration  have
                  been disbursed.  There shall be no Restoration  Retainage with
                  respect to costs  actually  incurred by  Borrower  for work in
                  place in completing the last 50% of the required  Restoration.
                  The   Restoration   Retainage   shall   in   no   event,   and
                  notwithstanding  anything to the  contrary  set forth above in
                  this  Subsection  (b), be less than the amount  actually  held
                  back  by  Borrower  from   contractors,   subcontractors   and
                  materialmen  engaged  in  the  Restoration.   The  Restoration
                  Retainage   shall  not  be  released  until  the   Restoration
                  Consultant  certifies to Lender that the  Restoration has been
                  completed in accordance with the provisions of this Subsection
                  (b) and that all approvals  necessary for the re-occupancy and
                  use of the Property have been  obtained  from all  appropriate
                  governmental and  quasi-governmental  authorities,  and Lender
                  receives evidence satisfactory to Lender that the costs of the
                  Restoration have been paid in full or will be paid in full out
                  of the Restoration Retainage,  provided,  however, that Lender
                  will release the portion of the  Restoration  Retainage  being
                  held  with  respect  to  any  contractor,   subcontractor   or
                  materialman  engaged  in the  Restoration  as of the date upon
                  which the Restoration  Consultant certifies to Lender that the
                  contractor,  subcontractor  or materialman has  satisfactorily
                  completed   all  work  and  has  supplied  all   materials  in
                  accordance   with   the   provisions   of  the   contractor's,
                  subcontractor's or materialman's contract, and the contractor,
                  subcontractor  or  materialman  delivers  the lien waivers and
                  evidence of payment in full of all sums due to the contractor,
                  subcontractor or materialman as may be reasonably requested by
                  Lender  or by the  title  company  insuring  the  lien of this
                  Security Instrument. If required by Lender, the release of any
                  such portion of the Restoration Retainage shall be approved by
                  the  surety  company,  if any,  which has  issued a payment or
                  performance bond with respect to the contractor, subcontractor
                  or materialman.

                           (v)   Lender   shall   not  be   obligated   to  make
                  disbursements  of the Net Proceeds more  frequently  than once
                  every calendar month.

                           (vi)  If  at  any  time  the  Net   Proceeds  or  the
                  undisbursed  balance  thereof  shall  not,  in the  opinion of
                  Lender,  be sufficient to pay in full the balance of the costs
                  which  are  estimated  by  the  Restoration  Consultant  to be
                  incurred in connection with the completion of the Restoration,
                  Borrower  shall  deposit  the  deficiency  (the "Net  Proceeds
                  Deficiency") with Lender before any further

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                  disbursement  of the  Net  Proceeds  shall  be  made.  The Net
                  Proceeds  Deficiency  deposited  with Lender  shall be held by
                  Lender and shall be disbursed for costs  actually  incurred in
                  connection   with  the  Restoration  on  the  same  conditions
                  applicable to the disbursement of the Net Proceeds,  and until
                  so disbursed  pursuant to this Subsection (b) shall constitute
                  additional security for the Obligations.

                           (vii) The excess, if any, of the Net Proceeds and the
                  remaining  balance,  if any,  of the Net  Proceeds  Deficiency
                  deposited  with  Lender  after  the   Restoration   Consultant
                  certifies to Lender that the Restoration has been completed in
                  accordance with the provisions of this Subsection (b), and the
                  receipt by Lender of evidence  satisfactory to Lender that all
                  costs incurred in connection  with the  Restoration  have been
                  paid in  full,  shall  be  remitted  by  Lender  to  Borrower,
                  provided no Event of Default  shall have occurred and shall be
                  continuing under the Note, this Security  Instrument or any of
                  the Other Security Documents.

                  (c) All Net Proceeds not required (i) to be made available for
         the  Restoration  or (ii) to be  returned  to  Borrower  as excess  Net
         Proceeds pursuant to Subsection (b)(vii) may be retained and applied by
         Lender  toward  the  payment  of the Debt  whether  or not then due and
         payable  in such  order,  priority  and  proportions  as  Lender in its
         discretion shall deem proper or, at the discretion of Lender,  the same
         may be paid,  either in whole or in part, to Borrower for such purposes
         as Lender shall designate,  in its discretion.  If Lender shall receive
         and retain Net Proceeds,  the lien of this Security Instrument shall be
         reduced only by the amount thereof  received and retained by Lender and
         actually applied by Lender in reduction of the Debt.


                 Article 5 - REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES

Borrower represents and warrants to Lender that:

                  Section 5.1 WARRANTY OF TITLE.  Borrower has good title to the
Property and has the right to mortgage,  grant, bargain,  sell, pledge,  assign,
warrant,   transfer  and  convey  the  same  and  that  Borrower   possesses  an
unencumbered  fee simple  absolute estate in the Land and the  Improvements  and
that it owns the Property free and clear of all liens,  encumbrances and charges
whatsoever  except  for those  exceptions  shown in the title  insurance  policy
insuring the lien of this  Security  Instrument  (the  "Permitted  Exceptions").
Borrower shall forever  warrant,  defend and preserve the title and the validity
and priority of the lien of this Security  Instrument and shall forever  warrant
and defend the same to Lender against the claims of all persons whomsoever.

                  Section  5.2   AUTHORITY.   Borrower   (and  the   undersigned
representative of Borrower, if any) has full power, authority and legal right to
execute this Security Instrument, and to mortgage, grant, bargain, sell, pledge,
assign,  warrant,  transfer and convey the Property pursuant to the terms hereof
and to keep  and  observe  all of the  terms  of  this  Security  Instrument  on
Borrower's part to be performed.

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                  Section 5.3 LEGAL STATUS AND  AUTHORITY.  Borrower (a) is duly
organized,  validly existing and in good standing under the laws of its state of
organization or incorporation; (b) is duly qualified to transact business and is
in good  standing  in the State where the  Property is located;  and (c) has all
necessary approvals, governmental and otherwise, and full power and authority to
own the Property and carry on its business as now  conducted  and proposed to be
conducted. Borrower now has and shall continue to have the full right, power and
authority  to operate  and lease the  Property,  to  encumber  the  Property  as
provided  herein and to perform all of the other  obligations to be performed by
Borrower  under the  Note,  this  Security  Instrument  and the  Other  Security
Documents.

                  Section 5.4 VALIDITY OF DOCUMENTS. (a) The execution, delivery
and  performance  of the Note,  this Security  Instrument and the Other Security
Documents  and  the  borrowing   evidenced  by  the  Note  (i)  are  within  the
corporate/partnership/company  power of Borrower;  (ii) have been  authorized by
all  requisite  corporate/partnership/company  action;  (iii) have  received all
necessary  approvals and consents,  corporate,  governmental or otherwise;  (iv)
will not  violate,  conflict  with,  result in a breach of or  constitute  (with
notice or lapse of time,  or both) a default  under any  provision  of law,  any
order or  judgment  of any court or  governmental  authority,  the  articles  of
incorporation,   by-laws,   partnership   or  trust   agreement,   articles   of
organization, operating agreement, or other governing instrument of Borrower, or
any indenture,  agreement or other instrument to which Borrower is a party or by
which it or any of its assets or the  Property  is or may be bound or  affected;
(v) will not  result  in the  creation  or  imposition  of any  lien,  charge or
encumbrance  whatsoever  upon any of its  assets,  except the lien and  security
interest created hereby;  and (vi) will not require any authorization or license
from,  or any  filing  with,  any  governmental  or other body  (except  for the
recordation of this  instrument in  appropriate  land records in the State where
the Property is located and except for Uniform  Commercial Code filings relating
to the  security  interest  created  hereby);  and (b) the Note,  this  Security
Instrument and the Other  Security  Documents  constitute  the legal,  valid and
binding obligations of Borrower.

                  Section  5.5   LITIGATION.   There  is  no  action,   suit  or
proceeding, judicial, administrative or otherwise (including any condemnation or
similar proceeding), pending or, to the best of Borrower's knowledge, threatened
or  contemplated  against,  or  affecting,  Borrower,  a  Guarantor,  if any, an
Indemnitor, if any, or the Property.

                  Section 5.6       STATUS OF PROPERTY.

                  (a) No  portion  of the  Improvements  is  located  in an area
         identified  by the  Secretary of Housing and Urban  Development  or any
         successor  thereto as an area having special flood hazards  pursuant to
         the Flood  Insurance  Acts or, if any  portion of the  Improvements  is
         located  within such area,  Borrower has obtained and will maintain the
         insurance prescribed in Section hereof.

                  (b) Borrower has obtained all necessary certificates, licenses
         and other  approvals,  governmental  and  otherwise,  necessary for the
         operation  of the  Property  and the  conduct of its  business  and all
         required  zoning,  building  code,  land use,  environmental  and other
         similar permits or approvals, all of which are in full force and

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<PAGE>



         effect as of the date hereof and not subject to revocation, suspension,
         forfeiture or modification.

                  (c) To the best of Borrower's  knowledge after due inquiry and
         investigation,  the Property and the present and  contemplated  use and
         occupancy  thereof are in full  compliance  with all applicable  zoning
         ordinances,  building codes, land use and environmental  laws and other
         similar laws.

                  (d) The Property is served by all  utilities  required for the
         current or contemplated use thereof. All utility service is provided by
         public utilities and the Property has accepted or is equipped to accept
         such utility service.

                  (e) All public roads and streets  necessary for service of and
         access to the Property for the current or contemplated use thereof have
         been completed,  are serviceable and all-weather and are physically and
         legally open for use by the public.

                  (f)      The Property is served by public water and sewer 
         systems.

                  (g)      The Property is free from damage caused by fire or 
         other casualty.

                  (h) All costs and  expenses  of any and all labor,  materials,
         supplies and equipment  used in the  construction  of the  Improvements
         have been paid in full.

                  (i)  Borrower  has paid in full for,  and is the owner of, all
         furnishings, fixtures and equipment (other than tenants' property) used
         in connection with the operation of the Property, free and clear of any
         and all security interests, liens or encumbrances,  except the lien and
         security interest created hereby.

                  (j) To the best of Borrower's  knowledge after due inquiry and
         investigation,  all liquid and solid waste  disposal,  septic and sewer
         systems  located on the Property are in a good and safe  condition  and
         repair and in compliance with all Applicable Laws.

                  Section  5.7 NO  FOREIGN  PERSON.  Borrower  is not a "foreign
person" within the meaning of Sections  1445(f)(3) of the Internal  Revenue Code
of 1986, as amended and the related Treasury Department  regulations,  including
temporary regulations.

                  Section 5.8  SEPARATE  TAX LOT.  The  Property is assessed for
real  estate tax  purposes as one or more  wholly  independent  tax lot or lots,
separate from any adjoining land or improvements not constituting a part of such
lot or lots,  and no other land or  improvements  is assessed and taxed together
with the Property or any portion thereof.

                  Section 5.9       ERISA COMPLIANCE.

                  (a) As of the  date  hereof  and  throughout  the term of this
         Security  Instrument,  (i) Borrower is not and will not be an "employee
         benefit plan" as defined in Section 3(3) of ERISA,  which is subject to
         Title I of ERISA, and (ii) the assets of Borrower do not

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<PAGE>



         and will not constitute "plan assets" of one or more such plans for 
         purposes of Title I of  ERISA; and

                  (b) As of the  date  hereof  and  throughout  the term of this
         Security Instrument (i) Borrower is not and will not be a "governmental
         plan" within the meaning of Section 3(3) of ERISA and (ii) transactions
         by or with  Borrower are not and will not be subject to state  statutes
         applicable  to  Borrower   regulating   investments  of  and  fiduciary
         obligations with respect to governmental plans.

                  Section  5.10  LEASES.  (a)  Borrower is the sole owner of the
entire lessor's interest in the Leases; (b) the Leases are valid and enforceable
and in full force and effect;  (c) all of the Leases are arms-length  agreements
with bona fide, independent third parties (except, however, with respect to that
certain lease dated December 11, 1996 between  Borrower,  as landlord,  and JBI,
Inc.,  as tenant  (the "J.  Baker  Lease"));  (d) no party under any Lease is in
default;  (e) all  Rents  due  have  been  paid in  full;  (f) the  terms of all
alterations,  modifications  and  amendments  to the Leases are reflected in the
certified  occupancy  statement delivered to and approved by Lender; (g) none of
the Rents  reserved in the Leases have been  assigned  or  otherwise  pledged or
hypothecated;  (h) none of the Rents have been  collected  for more than one (1)
month in advance;  (i) the premises demised under the Leases have been completed
and the  tenants  under  the  Leases  have  accepted  the same  and  have  taken
possession  of the same on a  rent-paying  basis;  (j) there exist no offsets or
defenses to the payment of any  portion of the Rents;  (k) no Lease  contains an
option to purchase,  right of first  refusal to purchase,  or any other  similar
provision;  (l) no person or entity has any possessory  interest in, or right to
occupy,  the Property  except  under and pursuant to a Lease;  (m) each Lease is
subordinate  to this  Security  Instrument,  either  pursuant  to its terms or a
recorded  subordination  agreement;  and  (n) no  Lease  has  the  benefit  of a
non-disturbance  agreement  that  would be  considered  unacceptable  to prudent
institutional lenders.

                  Section 5.11 FINANCIAL CONDITION. (a) (i) Borrower is solvent,
and no bankruptcy,  reorganization,  insolvency or similar  proceeding under any
state or federal  law with  respect to  Borrower  has been  initiated,  and (ii)
Borrower  has  received  reasonably  equivalent  value for the  granting of this
Security Instrument.

                  (b)      No petition in bankruptcy has been filed by or 
against Borrower, JBI, Inc. or J. Baker, Inc., or any principal, general partner
or member thereof, in the last seven (7) years, and neither Borrower, JBI, Inc.
nor J. Baker, Inc. or any principal, general partner or member thereof, in the
last seven (7) years has ever made any assignment for the benefit of
creditors or taken advantage of any insolvency act or any act for the benefit 
of debtors.

                  Section 5.12 BUSINESS PURPOSES. The loan evidenced by the Note
secured by the Security Instrument and the Other Security Documents (the "Loan")
is solely for the business purpose of Borrower, and is not for personal, family,
household, or agricultural purposes.

                  Section 5.13      TAXES.  Borrower, any Guarantor and any 
Indemnitor have filed all federal, state, county, municipal, and city income 
and other tax returns required to have been filed by them and have paid all 
taxes and related liabilities which have become due pursuant to such returns or 
pursuant to any assessments received by them.  Neither Borrower, any Guarantor

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nor any Indemnitor  knows of any basis for any additional  assessment in respect
of any such taxes and related liabilities for prior years.

                  Section 5.14      MAILING ADDRESS.  Borrower's mailing 
address, as set forth in the opening paragraph hereof or as changed in 
accordance with the provisions hereof, is true and correct.

                  Section  5.15  NO  CHANGE  IN  FACTS  OR  CIRCUMSTANCES.   All
information  in the  application  for the Loan  submitted  to Lender  (the "Loan
Application") and in all financing statements, rent rolls, reports, certificates
and other  documents  submitted in connection  with the Loan  Application  or in
satisfaction  of the terms  thereof,  are accurate,  complete and correct in all
material  respects.  There has been no adverse  change in any  condition,  fact,
circumstance  or  event  that  would  make  any  such  information   inaccurate,
incomplete or otherwise misleading.

                  Section 5.16 DISCLOSURE.  Borrower has disclosed to Lender all
material facts and has not failed to disclose any material fact that could cause
any representation or warranty made herein to be materially misleading.

                  Section 5.17      THIRD PARTY REPRESENTATIONS.  Each of the 
representations and the warranties made by each Guarantor and Indemnitor herein
or in any Other Security Document(s) is true and correct in all material
respects.

                  Section 5.18      ILLEGAL ACTIVITY.  No portion of the 
Property has been or will be purchased with proceeds of any illegal activity.

                  Section 5.19 CONTRACTS. All contracts,  agreements,  consents,
waivers,  documents and writings of every kind or character at any time to which
Borrower is a party to be delivered to Lender  pursuant to any of the provisions
of this Security  Instrument are valid and enforceable  against Borrower and, to
the best  knowledge  of  Borrower,  are  enforceable  against all other  parties
thereto,  and, to  Borrower's  actual  knowledge,  in all respects are what they
purport to be and, to the best  knowledge  of  Borrower,  to the extent that any
such  writing  shall  impose  any  obligation  or duty on the party  thereto  or
constitute  a waiver of any rights  which any such party might  otherwise  have,
said writing  shall be valid and  enforceable  against said party in  accordance
with  its  terms,  except  as such  enforcement  may be  limited  by  applicable
bankruptcy,  insolvency,  reorganization or similar laws affecting the rights of
creditors generally.


                    Article 6 - OBLIGATIONS AND RELIANCES

                  Section  6.1   RELATIONSHIP   OF  BORROWER  AND  LENDER.   The
relationship  between Borrower and Lender is solely that of debtor and creditor,
and Lender has no fiduciary or other special relationship with Borrower,  and no
term or condition of any of the Note,  this  Security  Instrument  and the Other
Security  Documents  shall be construed so as to deem the  relationship  between
Borrower and Lender to be other than that of debtor and creditor.

                  Section 6.2       NO RELIANCE ON LENDER.  Lender will be 
relying solely upon Borrower's expertise and business plan in connection with 
the ownership and operation of the

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Property.  Borrower is not relying on Lender's expertise, business acumen or
advice in connection with the Property.

                  Section 6.3 NO LENDER  OBLIGATIONS.  (a)  Notwithstanding  the
provisions of Subsections (f) and (l) or Section , Lender is not undertaking the
performance of (i) any  obligations  under the Leases;  or (ii) any  obligations
with  respect  to  such  agreements,   contracts,   certificates,   instruments,
franchises, permits, trademarks, licenses and other documents.

                  (b)  By  accepting  or  approving   anything  required  to  be
observed,  performed  or  fulfilled  or to be given to Lender  pursuant  to this
Security Instrument, the Note or the Other Security Documents, including without
limitation,  any officer's  certificate,  balance sheet, statement of profit and
loss or other  financial  statement,  survey,  appraisal,  or insurance  policy,
Lender  shall not be deemed to have  warranted,  consented  to, or affirmed  the
sufficiency,  the legality or  effectiveness  of same,  and such  acceptance  or
approval  thereof shall not constitute any warranty or affirmation  with respect
thereto by Lender.

                  Section 6.4 RELIANCE.  Borrower  recognizes  and  acknowledges
that in accepting the Note,  this  Security  Instrument  and the Other  Security
Documents,  Lender is expressly and primarily  relying on the truth and accuracy
of  the  warranties  and  representations  set  forth  in  Article  without  any
obligation to investigate the Property and  notwithstanding any investigation of
the Property by Lender;  that such reliance  existed on the part of Lender prior
to the date  hereof;  that the  warranties  and  representations  are a material
inducement to Lender in accepting the Note,  this  Security  Instrument  and the
Other Security Documents;  and that Lender would not be willing to make the Loan
and  accept  this  Security  Instrument  in the  absence of the  warranties  and
representations as set forth in Article 5.


                        Article 7 - FURTHER ASSURANCES

                  Section 7.1 RECORDING OF SECURITY  INSTRUMENT,  ETC.  Borrower
forthwith  upon the  execution  and  delivery of this  Security  Instrument  and
thereafter,  from time to time,  will cause this Security  Instrument and any of
the Other Security  Documents creating a lien or security interest or evidencing
the lien hereof upon the Property and each instrument of further assurance to be
filed,  registered  or  recorded  in such  manner  and in such  places as may be
required by any present or future law in order to publish notice of and fully to
protect and perfect the lien or security  interest hereof upon, and the interest
of Lender in, the Property. Borrower will pay all taxes, filing, registration or
recording  fees,  and  all  expenses  incident  to the  preparation,  execution,
acknowledgment and/or recording of the Note, this Security Instrument, the Other
Security  Documents,  any note or mortgage  supplemental  hereto,  any  security
instrument with respect to the Property and any instrument of further assurance,
and any modification or amendment of the foregoing  documents,  and all federal,
state,  county and municipal  taxes,  duties,  imposts,  assessments and charges
arising out of or in connection with the execution and delivery of this Security
Instrument,  any mortgage  supplemental  hereto,  any security  instrument  with
respect  to the  Property  or any  instrument  of  further  assurance,  and  any
modification or amendment of the foregoing documents, except where prohibited by
law so to do.


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                  Section 7.2 FURTHER ACTS,  ETC.  Borrower will, at the cost of
Borrower,  and without expense to Lender,  do, execute,  acknowledge and deliver
all and every such further acts,  deeds,  conveyances,  mortgages,  assignments,
notices of assignments,  transfers and assurances as Lender shall,  from time to
time,  reasonably  require,  for  the  better  assuring,  conveying,  assigning,
transferring,  and  confirming  unto  Lender  the  property  and  rights  hereby
mortgaged,  granted,  bargained, sold, conveyed,  confirmed,  pledged, assigned,
warranted  and  transferred  or  intended  now or  hereafter  so to be, or which
Borrower may be or may hereafter become bound to convey or assign to Lender,  or
for carrying out the intention or  facilitating  the performance of the terms of
this Security  Instrument or for filing,  registering or recording this Security
Instrument, or for complying with all Applicable Laws. Borrower, on demand, will
execute  and  deliver  and  hereby  authorizes  Lender to execute in the name of
Borrower or without the  signature of Borrower to the extent Lender may lawfully
do so, one or more financing statements, chattel mortgages or other instruments,
to evidence more  effectively  the security  interest of Lender in the Property.
Borrower  grants to Lender an  irrevocable  power of  attorney  coupled  with an
interest for the purpose of  exercising  and  perfecting  any and all rights and
remedies available to Lender at law and in equity,  including without limitation
such rights and remedies available to Lender pursuant to this Section .

          Section 7.3       CHANGES IN TAX, DEBT CREDIT AND DOCUMENTARY STAMP
                            -------------------------------------------------
LAWS.
- ----

                  (a) If any law is enacted or adopted or amended after the date
         of this  Security  Instrument  which deducts the Debt from the value of
         the Property for the purpose of taxation or which imposes a tax, either
         directly  or  indirectly,  on the  Debt  or  Lender's  interest  in the
         Property,  Borrower  will  pay the tax,  with  interest  and  penalties
         thereon,  if any. If Lender is advised by counsel chosen by it that the
         payment of tax by  Borrower  would be  unlawful or taxable to Lender or
         unenforceable or provide the basis for a defense of usury,  then Lender
         shall have the option by written  notice of not less than  ninety  (90)
         days to declare the Debt immediately due and payable.

                  (b)  Borrower  will not claim or demand or be  entitled to any
         credit or  credits  on account of the Debt for any part of the Taxes or
         Other Charges assessed against the Property,  or any part thereof,  and
         no deduction shall otherwise be made or claimed from the assessed value
         of the Property,  or any part thereof,  for real estate tax purposes by
         reason of this Security  Instrument or the Debt. If such claim,  credit
         or deduction shall be required by law, Lender shall have the option, by
         written  notice of not less than ninety (90) days,  to declare the Debt
         immediately due and payable.

                  (c) If at any time the  United  States of  America,  any State
         thereof or any  subdivision of any such State shall require  revenue or
         other stamps to be affixed to the Note,  this Security  Instrument,  or
         any of the Other  Security  Documents or impose any other tax or charge
         on the  same,  Borrower  will  pay  for the  same,  with  interest  and
         penalties thereon, if any.


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                  Section 7.4       ESTOPPEL CERTIFICATES.

                  (a) After request by Lender,  Borrower,  within ten (10) days,
         shall furnish  Lender or any proposed  assignee with a statement,  duly
         acknowledged  and  certified,  setting  forth  (i)  the  amount  of the
         original principal amount of the Note, (ii) the unpaid principal amount
         of the Note,  (iii) the rate of interest of the Note, (iv) the terms of
         payment and maturity  date of the Note,  (v) the date  installments  of
         interest  and/or  principal were last paid,  except as provided in such
         statement,  there  are no  defaults  or,  to  the  best  of  Borrower's
         knowledge,  events  which  with the  passage  of time or the  giving of
         notice or both,  would constitute an event of default under the Note or
         the  Security  Instrument,   (vi)  that  the  Note  and  this  Security
         Instrument are valid,  legal and binding  obligations and have not been
         modified or if modified, giving particulars of such modification, (vii)
         whether any offsets or defenses exist against the  obligations  secured
         hereby  and,  if any are  alleged  to  exist,  a  detailed  description
         thereof,  (viii)  that all  Leases  are in full  force and  effect  and
         (provided the Property is not a residential  multifamily property) have
         not been modified (or if modified,  setting  forth all  modifications),
         (ix) the date to which the Rents  thereunder have been paid pursuant to
         the Leases, (x) whether or not, to the best knowledge of Borrower,  any
         of the lessees under the Leases are in default  under the Leases,  and,
         if any of the lessees are in default, setting forth the specific nature
         of all such  defaults,  (xi) the amount of  security  deposits  held by
         Borrower under each Lease and that such amounts are consistent with the
         amounts  required  under each Lease,  and (xii) as to any other matters
         reasonably  requested by Lender and  reasonably  related to the Leases,
         the  obligations   secured  hereby,   the  Property  or  this  Security
         Instrument.

                  (b) Borrower  shall deliver to Lender,  promptly upon request,
         duly  executed  estoppel  certificates  from any one or more lessees as
         required  by Lender  attesting  to such  facts  regarding  the Lease as
         Lender  may   reasonably   require,   including   but  not  limited  to
         attestations  that each  Lease  covered  thereby  is in full  force and
         effect with no defaults  thereunder on the part of any party, that none
         of the Rents  have been paid more than one month in  advance,  and that
         the  lessee  claims no defense  or offset  against  the full and timely
         performance of its obligations under the Lease.

                  (c) Upon any  transfer or proposed  transfer  contemplated  by
         Section hereof, at Lender's request,  Borrower,  any Guarantors and any
         Indemnitor(s)  shall  provide an estoppel  certificate  to the Investor
         (defined  in  Section  ) or any  prospective  Investor  in  such  form,
         substance and detail as Lender,  such Investor or prospective  Investor
         may require.

                  Section 7.5 FLOOD INSURANCE.  After Lender's request, Borrower
shall  deliver   evidence   satisfactory  to  Lender  that  no  portion  of  the
Improvements is situated in a federally  designated  "special flood hazard area"
or if it is, that Borrower has obtained  insurance  meeting the  requirements of
Section 3.3(a)(vii).

                  Section 7.6  SPLITTING OF SECURITY  INSTRUMENT.  This Security
Instrument  and the Note  shall,  at any time until the same shall be fully paid
and satisfied,  at the sole election of Lender,  be split or divided into two or
more notes and two or more security

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instruments,  each of which shall  cover all or a portion of the  Property to be
more particularly described therein. To that end, Borrower, upon written request
of Lender,  shall  execute,  acknowledge  and deliver,  or cause to be executed,
acknowledged  and delivered by the then owner of the Property,  to Lender and/or
its designee or designees  substitute  notes and  security  instruments  in such
principal amounts, aggregating not more than the then unpaid principal amount of
this Security Instrument,  and containing terms,  provisions and clauses similar
to those  contained  herein  and in the  Note,  and  such  other  documents  and
instruments as may be required by Lender.

                  Section  7.7  REPLACEMENT   DOCUMENTS.   Upon  receipt  of  an
affidavit  of an  officer  of  Lender  as to the  loss,  theft,  destruction  or
mutilation  of the Note or any Other  Security  Document  which is not of public
record, and, in the case of any such mutilation, upon surrender and cancellation
of such Note or Other Security Document, Borrower will issue, in lieu thereof, a
replacement  Note or Other  Security  Document,  dated  the  date of such  lost,
stolen,  destroyed  or  mutilated  Note or Other  Security  Document in the same
principal amount thereof and otherwise of like tenor.


                      Article 8 - DUE ON SALE/ENCUMBRANCE

                  Section 8.1 LENDER  RELIANCE.  Lender will rely on  Borrower's
ownership of the Property as a means of maintaining the value of the Property as
security for repayment of the Debt and the performance of the Other Obligations.
Borrower  acknowledges that Lender has a valid interest in maintaining the value
of the Property so as to ensure that,  should Borrower  default in the repayment
of the Debt or the performance of the Other Obligations,  Lender can recover the
Debt by a sale of the Property.

                  Section 8.2 NO SALE/ENCUMBRANCE. Borrower agrees that Borrower
shall not, without the prior written consent of Lender, sell, convey,  mortgage,
grant, bargain,  encumber, pledge, assign, or otherwise transfer the Property or
any  part  thereof  or  permit  the  Property  or any part  thereof  to be sold,
conveyed,  mortgaged,  granted,  bargained,  encumbered,  pledged,  assigned, or
otherwise transferred.

                  Section  8.3  SALE/ENCUMBRANCE  DEFINED.  A sale,  conveyance,
mortgage, grant, bargain,  encumbrance,  pledge,  assignment, or transfer within
the meaning of this  Article 8 shall be deemed to  include,  but not limited to,
(a) an installment  sales agreement wherein Borrower agrees to sell the Property
or any part thereof for a price to be paid in installments;  (b) an agreement by
Borrower leasing all or a substantial part of the Property for other than actual
occupancy by a space tenant  thereunder or a sale,  assignment or other transfer
of, or the grant of a security interest in, Borrower's right, title and interest
in and  to any  Leases  or any  Rents;  (c)  if  Borrower,  any  Guarantor,  any
Indemnitor,  or any  general  or  limited  partner  or member of  Borrower,  any
Guarantor or any Indemnitor is a corporation, the voluntary or involuntary sale,
conveyance,  transfer or pledge of such corporation's stock (or the stock of any
corporation directly or indirectly  controlling such corporation by operation of
law or otherwise) or the creation or issuance of new stock by which an aggregate
of more  than 10% of such  corporation's  stock  shall be  vested  in a party or
parties who are not now  stockholders;  (d) if  Borrower,  any  Guarantor or any
Indemnitor or any general or limited partner or member of

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Borrower, any Guarantor or any Indemnitor is a limited or general partnership or
joint  venture,  the  change,  removal or  resignation  of a general  partner or
managing  partner or the transfer or pledge of the  partnership  interest of any
general partner or managing partner or any profits or proceeds  relating to such
partnership interest or the voluntary or involuntary sale, conveyance,  transfer
or pledge of limited partnership interests (or the limited partnership interests
of any limited  partnership  directly or  indirectly  controlling  such  limited
partnership by operation of law or otherwise) or the creation or issuance of new
limited  partnership  interests,  by which an aggregate of more than 10% of such
limited partnership  interests are held by parties who are not currently limited
partners; and (e) if Borrower,  any Guarantor,  any Indemnitor or any general or
limited  partner or member of Borrower,  any  Guarantor or any  Indemnitor  is a
limited  liability  company,  the change,  removal or  resignation of a managing
member or the transfer of the membership  interest of any managing member or any
profits or proceeds  relating to such  membership  interest or the  voluntary or
involuntary sale, conveyance, transfer or pledge of membership interests (or the
membership  interests of any limited  liability  company  directly or indirectly
controlling such limited  liability company by operation of law or otherwise) or
the creation or issuance of new membership  interests,  by which an aggregate of
more  than 10% of such  membership  interests  are held by  parties  who are not
currently members.  Notwithstanding the foregoing,  the following transfer shall
not be deemed to be a sale, conveyance,  mortgage, grant, bargain,  encumbrance,
pledge, assignment, or transfer within the meaning of this Article 8: a transfer
by devise or descent or by operation of law upon the death of a member,  partner
or  stockholder  of Borrower,  any  Guarantor or any  Indemnitor  or any general
partner or member thereof.

                  Section 8.4  LENDER'S  RIGHTS.  Lender  reserves  the right to
condition the consent required hereunder upon a modification of the terms hereof
and on assumption of the Note,  this Security  Instrument and the Other Security
Documents as so modified by the proposed  transferee,  payment of a transfer fee
of equal to one  percent  (1%) of the  principal  balance of the Note,  a $4,000
processing  fee, and all of Lender's  expenses  incurred in connection with such
transfer,  the  approval  by a Rating  Agency of the  proposed  transferee,  the
proposed transferee's  continued compliance with the covenants set forth in this
Security Instrument, including, without limitation, the covenants in Section 4.3
hereof,  or  such  other  conditions  as  Lender  shall  determine  in its  sole
discretion to be in the interest of Lender.  All of Lender's  expenses  incurred
and the $4,000 processing fee shall be payable by Borrower whether or not Lender
consents to the transfer. Lender shall not be required to demonstrate any actual
impairment of its security or any increased  risk of default  hereunder in order
to  declare  the  Debt   immediately  due  and  payable  upon  Borrower's  sale,
conveyance,  mortgage,  grant,  bargain,  encumbrance,  pledge,  assignment,  or
transfer of the Property without Lender's consent. This provision shall apply to
every  sale,  conveyance,   mortgage,  grant,  bargain,   encumbrance,   pledge,
assignment,  or transfer of the Property regardless of whether voluntary or not,
or whether  or not  Lender  has  consented  to any  previous  sale,  conveyance,
mortgage, grant, bargain,  encumbrance,  pledge,  assignment, or transfer of the
Property.

                  Section 8.5 ONE-TIME TRANSFER. Notwithstanding anything to the
contrary contained in this Article 8, Lender shall not unreasonably withhold its
consent to a one-time sale,  assignment,  or other transfer of the Property or a
one-time  sale or transfer of Borrower  or  Principal  provided  that (a) Lender
receives thirty (30) days prior written notice of such transfer,  (b) no default
has occurred and is continuing under this Security Instrument, the Note or the

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Other  Security   Documents  and  (c)  upon  the   satisfaction   (in  the  sole
determination  of Lender) of such  conditions  as may be  reasonably  imposed by
Lender, which may include, but shall not be limited to, the following matters:

    A.       Borrower shall pay to Lender a processing fee of $4,000 upon
             request for loan assumption and a transfer fee equal to 1% of the
             outstanding principal balance of the Loan upon transfer approval;

    B.       Borrower shall pay any and all out-of-pocket costs incurred in
             connection with the transfer (including, without limitation,
             Lender's counsel fees and disbursements and all recording fees,
             title insurance premiums and mortgage and intangible taxes);

    C.       The proposed transferee (the "Transferee") and Transferee's
             Principals, as hereinafter defined, must have demonstrated
             expertise as determined by Lender in owning and operating
             properties similar in location, size and operation to the Property.
             The term "Transferee's Principals" shall include Transferee's (I)
             managing members, general partners or principal shareholders and
             (II) such other members, partners or shareholders which shall own
             a 5% or greater interest in Transferee;

    D.      Transferee and Transferee's Principals shall, as of the date of such
            transfer, have an aggregate net worth and liquidity of not less than
            that of J. Baker, Inc. as of the date hereof and as of the date of 
            the transfer;

   E.       Transferee,  Transferee's Principals and all
            other   entities   which  may  be  owned  or
            controlled   directly   or   indirectly   by
            Transferee's Principals ("Related Entities")
            must not have been a party to any bankruptcy
            proceeding,  voluntary or involuntary,  made
            an  assignment  for the benefit of creditors
            or taken advantage of any insolvency act, or
            any act for the  benefit of  debtors  within
            seven  (7)  years  prior  to the date of the
            transfer;

    F.      Transferee   shall   assume   all   of   the
            obligations of Borrower under the Note, this
            Security  Instrument  and the Other Security
            Documents in a manner satisfactory to Lender
            in   all   respects,    including,   without
            limitation,  by entering  into an assumption
            agreement in form and substance satisfactory
            to Lender;

     G.     There shall be no material litigation pending against Transferee,
            Transferee's Principals and Related Entities that is not acceptable
            to Lender;


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     H.     Transferee, Transferee's Principals and Related Entities shall not
            have defaulted under its or their obligations with respect to any
            other indebtedness;

     I.     Transferee and Transferee's Principals must be able to satisfy all
            the covenants set forth in Section 4.3 hereof;

     J.     Transferee shall be approved by such Rating Agencies as selected
            by Lender; and

     K.     Transferee shall deliver an endorsement to the existing title policy
            insuring this Security Instrument as modified by the assumption
            agreement, as a valid first lien on the Property and naming the
            Transferee as owner of the fee estate of the Property, which
            endorsement shall insure that as of the recording of the assumption
            agreement, the Property shall not be subject to any additional
            exceptions or liens other than those contained in the title policy
            issued in connection with this Security Instrument.

                             Article 9 - PREPAYMENT

                  Section 9.1 PREPAYMENT  BEFORE EVENT OF DEFAULT.  The Debt may
be prepaid only in strict  accordance  with the express terms and  conditions of
the Note including the payment of any prepayment consideration.

                  Section 9.2 PREPAYMENT ON CASUALTY OR  CONDEMNATION.  Provided
no Event of Default exists under the Note, this Security Instrument or the Other
Security  Documents,  in the event of any prepayment of the Debt pursuant to the
terms of Sections or hereof during the last  thirty-six (36) months prior to the
Maturity Date, no Prepayment Consideration (defined in the Note) shall be due in
connection  therewith,  but  Borrower  shall  be  responsible  for the  Interest
Shortfall Payment (defined in the Note), if any, and all other amounts due under
the Note, this Security Instrument and the Other Security Documents.

                  Section 9.3  PREPAYMENT  AFTER EVENT OF DEFAULT.  If a Default
Prepayment (defined below) occurs, Borrower shall pay to Lender the entire Debt,
including without limitation, the following amounts:

                  (a) if the Default  Prepayment  occurs  prior to the time when
         prepayment of the principal balance of the Note is permitted, an amount
         equal  to the sum of (i) the  present  value of the  interest  payments
         which would have  accrued on the  principal  balance of the Note (which
         would be outstanding each month assuming scheduled amortization) at the
         Applicable Interest Rate (as defined in the Note) from the date of such
         Default Prepayment to the first day prepayment is permitted pursuant to
         the Note discounted at a rate equal to the Treasury Rate (as defined in
         the Note)  except  that such  Treasury  Rate shall be based on the U.S.
         Treasury  constant  maturity  most nearly  approximating  the date upon
         which prepayment is first permitted  pursuant to the Note, and (ii) the
         Prepayment  Consideration  (defined  in the Note) which would have been
         payable to Lender as of the

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         first day of the sixth  (6th) Loan Year (as  defined in the Note) based
         on the Treasury Rate in effect at the time of such Default  Prepayment;
         and

                  (b) if the Default Prepayment occurs at a time when prepayment
         of the  principal  balance  of the Note is  permitted,  the  Prepayment
         Consideration and the Interest Shortfall Payment (defined in the Note),
         if applicable.

For purposes of this Section 9.3,  the term  "Default  Prepayment"  shall mean a
prepayment of the principal  amount of the Note made after the occurrence of any
Event of Default or an  acceleration  of the  Maturity  Date (as  defined in the
Note) under any  circumstances,  including,  without  limitation,  a  prepayment
occurring in connection with reinstatement of this Security  Instrument provided
by statute under  foreclosure  proceedings  or exercise of a power of sale,  any
statutory right of redemption  exercised by Borrower or any other party having a
statutory  right to redeem or prevent  foreclosure,  any sale in  foreclosure or
under exercise of a power of sale or otherwise.


                      Article 10 - DEFAULT

                  Section 10.1      EVENTS OF DEFAULT.  The occurrence of any 
one or more of the following events shall constitute an "Event of Default":

                  (a)      if any portion of the Debt is not paid prior to the 
tenth (10th) day after the same is due or if the entire Debt is not paid on or 
before the Maturity Date;

                  (b) if any of the Taxes or Other  Charges is not paid when the
         same is due and  payable  except to the extent sums  sufficient  to pay
         such  Taxes  and  Other  Charges  have been  deposited  with  Lender in
         accordance with the terms of this Security Instrument;

                  (c)   if the Policies are not kept in full force and effect, 
         or if the Policies are  not delivered to Lender upon request;

                  (d) if  Borrower  violates  or does not comply with any of the
         provisions  of  Section or  Article  12 within  thirty  (30) days after
         notice from Lender or if Borrower or Principal, as applicable, violates
         or does not comply with any of the provisions of Section 4.3 or Article
         8;

                  (e)  if  any  representation  or  warranty  of  Borrower,  any
         Indemnitor  or any  person  guaranteeing  payment  of the  Debt  or any
         portion  thereof or performance by Borrower of any of the terms of this
         Security  Instrument (a "Guarantor"),  or any member,  general partner,
         principal or beneficial  owner of any of the foregoing,  made herein or
         in the Environmental  Indemnity (defined below) or any guaranty,  or in
         any  certificate,  report,  financial  statement or other instrument or
         document furnished to Lender shall have been false or misleading in any
         material respect when made;

                  (f)      if (i) Borrower or any managing member or general 
         partner of Borrower, or any Guarantor or Indemnitor shall commence any
         case, proceeding or other action (A)

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         under any  existing  or future  law of any  jurisdiction,  domestic  or
         foreign,   relating   to   bankruptcy,   insolvency,    reorganization,
         conservatorship  or relief  of  debtors,  seeking  to have an order for
         relief  entered  with  respect  to it, or seeking  to  adjudicate  it a
         bankrupt  or  insolvent,   or  seeking   reorganization,   arrangement,
         adjustment, winding-up, liquidation,  dissolution, composition or other
         relief with respect to it or its debts, or (B) seeking appointment of a
         receiver, trustee, custodian, conservator or other similar official for
         it or for all or any substantial part of its assets, or the Borrower or
         any managing member or general partner of Borrower, or any Guarantor or
         Indemnitor  shall  make a general  assignment  for the  benefit  of its
         creditors;  or (ii) there shall be  commenced  against  Borrower or any
         managing  member or general  partner of Borrower,  or any  Guarantor or
         Indemnitor any case, proceeding or other action of a nature referred to
         in clause  (i) above  which  (A)  results  in the entry of an order for
         relief  or  any  such   adjudication  or  appointment  or  (B)  remains
         undismissed,  undischarged or unbonded for a period of sixty (60) days;
         or (iii) there shall be commenced  against the Borrower or any managing
         member or general  partner of Borrower,  or any Guarantor or Indemnitor
         any case,  proceeding or other action seeking  issuance of a warrant of
         attachment,  execution, distraint or similar process against all or any
         substantial  part of its assets which results in the entry of any order
         for any such relief which shall not have been vacated,  discharged,  or
         stayed or bonded  pending  appeal within sixty (60) days from the entry
         thereof; or (iv) the Borrower or any managing member or general partner
         of Borrower,  or any Guarantor or  Indemnitor  shall take any action in
         furtherance   of,  or  indicating  its  consent  to,  approval  of,  or
         acquiescence  in,  any of the acts set forth in clause  (i),  (ii),  or
         (iii)  above;  or (v) the  Borrower or any  managing  member or general
         partner of Borrower,  or any  Guarantor or Indemnitor  shall  generally
         not, or shall be unable to, or shall admit in writing its inability to,
         pay its debts as they become due;

                  (g) if Borrower shall be in default under any other  mortgage,
         deed of trust, deed to secure debt or other security agreement covering
         any part of the  Property  whether it be  superior or junior in lien to
         this Security Instrument;

                  (h)  if  the  Property  becomes  subject  to  any  mechanic's,
         materialman's  or other lien  other  than a lien for local real  estate
         taxes  and  assessments  not then due and  payable  and the lien  shall
         remain undischarged of record (by payment,  bonding or otherwise) for a
         period of thirty (30) days;

                  (i) if any federal  tax lien is filed  against  Borrower,  any
         member or general partner of Borrower, any Guarantor, any Indemnitor or
         the Property and same is not  discharged  of record  within thirty (30)
         days after same is filed;

                  (j)      if any condemnation or eminent domain proceeding has 
         been concluded which renders the use or occupancy of the Property 
         economically unfeasible;

                  (k) if (i) Borrower  fails to timely  provide  Lender with the
         written  certification  and evidence  referred to in Section hereof, or
         (ii) Borrower  consummates a transaction which would cause the Security
         Instrument  or  Lender's  exercise  of its rights  under this  Security
         Instrument,  the Note or the Other  Security  Documents to constitute a
         nonexempt  prohibited  transaction under ERISA or result in a violation
         of a state statute

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         regulating governmental plans, subjecting Lender to liability for a 
         violation of ERISA or a state statute;

                  (l) if Borrower shall fail to reimburse Lender on demand, with
         interest  calculated at the Default Rate, for all Insurance Premiums or
         Taxes,  together with interest and penalties  imposed thereon,  paid by
         Lender pursuant to this Security Instrument;

                  (m) if  Borrower  shall fail to deliver to Lender,  within ten
         (10) days after request by Lender, the estoppel  certificates  required
         pursuant to the terms of Subsections (a) and (c);

                  (n) if  Borrower  shall fail to deliver to Lender,  within ten
         (10) days after  request  by  Lender,  the  statements  referred  to in
         Section in accordance with the terms thereof;

                  (o) if any default  occurs  under that  certain  environmental
         indemnity  agreement  dated the date hereof given by Borrower (at times
         hereinafter   referred   to  as   "Indemnitor(s)")   to   Lender   (the
         "Environmental   Indemnity")  and  such  default  continues  after  the
         expiration of applicable notice and grace periods, if any;

                  (p) if any default  occurs  under any  guaranty  or  indemnity
         executed in connection  herewith and such default  continues  after the
         expiration of applicable grace periods, if any; or

                  (q) if for more than ten (10) days after  notice from  Lender,
         Borrower shall continue to be in default under any other term, covenant
         or  condition  of the  Note,  this  Security  Instrument  or the  Other
         Security Documents in the case of any default which can be cured by the
         payment of a sum of money or for thirty  (30) days  after  notice  from
         Lender in the case of any other default,  provided that if such default
         cannot  reasonably  be cured  within  such  thirty  (30) day period and
         Borrower  shall have  commenced to cure such default within such thirty
         (30) day period and thereafter diligently and expeditiously proceeds to
         cure the same,  such  thirty (30) day period  shall be extended  for so
         long as it shall  require  Borrower in the exercise of due diligence to
         cure such default,  it being agreed that no such extension shall be for
         a period in excess of sixty (60) days.

                  Section 10.2 LATE PAYMENT CHARGE.  If any monthly  installment
of  principal  and  interest is not paid prior to the tenth (10th) day after the
date on which it is due,  Borrower  shall  pay to Lender  upon  demand an amount
equal  to the  lesser  of  five  percent  (5%)  of such  unpaid  portion  of the
outstanding  monthly  installment  of  principal  and  interest  then due or the
maximum amount  permitted by applicable  law, to defray the expense  incurred by
Lender in handling and  processing  such  delinquent  payment and to  compensate
Lender for the loss of the use of such delinquent payment, and such amount shall
be secured by this Security Instrument and the Other Security Documents.

                  Section 10.3      DEFAULT INTEREST.  Borrower will pay, from 
the date of an Event of Default through the earlier of the date upon which the 
Event of Default is cured or the date

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upon which the Debt is paid in full, interest on the unpaid principal balance of
the Note at a per annum rate equal to the lesser of (a) five  percent  (5%) plus
the  Applicable  Interest  Rate (as  defined in the Note),  and (b) the  maximum
interest  rate which  Borrower  may by law pay or Lender may charge and  collect
(the "Default Rate").

                        Article 11 - RIGHTS AND REMEDIES

                  Section 11.1  REMEDIES.  Upon the  occurrence  of any Event of
Default,  Borrower  agrees that Lender may take such action,  without  notice or
demand, as it deems advisable to protect and enforce its rights against Borrower
and in and to the  Property,  including,  but  not  limited  to,  the  following
actions,  each of which may be pursued  concurrently or otherwise,  at such time
and in such  order as Lender  may  determine,  in its sole  discretion,  without
impairing or otherwise affecting the other rights and remedies of Lender:

    (a) declare the entire unpaid Debt to be immediately due and payable;

    (b)  institute  proceedings,  judicial or  otherwise,  for the
        complete  foreclosure of this Security  Instrument under any applicable
        provision of law in which case the Property or any interest therein may
        be sold for cash or upon  credit in one or more  parcels  or in several
        interests or portions and in any order or manner;

    (c)  with  or  without  entry,  to the  extent  permitted  and
        pursuant  to the  procedures  provided  by  applicable  law,  institute
        proceedings for the partial foreclosure of this Security Instrument for
        the portion of the Debt then due and payable, subject to the continuing
        lien and security interest of this Security  Instrument for the balance
        of the Debt not then due, unimpaired and without loss of priority;

    (d) sell  for cash or upon  credit  the  Property  or any part
        thereof and all estate,  claim,  demand,  right,  title and interest of
        Borrower therein and rights of redemption thereof, pursuant to power of
        sale or otherwise, at one or more sales, as an entity or in parcels, at
        such time and place,  upon such terms and after such notice  thereof as
        may be required or permitted by law;

    (e)  institute an action, suit or proceeding in equity for the specific
        performance of any covenant, condition or agreement contained herein, 
        in the Note or in the Other Security Documents;

     (f) recover judgment on the Note either before, during or after any
         proceedings for the enforcement of this Security Instrument or the
         Other Security Documents;

     (g)  apply  for  the  appointment  of  a  receiver,   trustee,
         liquidator or conservator  of the Property,  without notice and without
         regard for the adequacy of the security for the Debt and without regard
         for the  solvency of  Borrower,  any  Guarantor,  Indemnitor  or of any
         person, firm or other entity liable for the payment of the Debt;


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                  (h) subject to any  applicable  law,  the  license  granted to
         Borrower  under Section shall  automatically  be revoked and Lender may
         enter into or upon the  Property,  either  personally or by its agents,
         nominees  or  attorneys  and  dispossess  Borrower  and its  agents and
         servants  therefrom,   without  liability  for  trespass,   damages  or
         otherwise  and  exclude  Borrower  and its  agents or  servants  wholly
         therefrom,  and take  possession  of all books,  records  and  accounts
         relating  thereto and Borrower  agrees to surrender  possession  of the
         Property and of such books, records and accounts to Lender upon demand,
         and thereupon Lender may (i) use,  operate,  manage,  control,  insure,
         maintain, repair, restore and otherwise deal with all and every part of
         the  Property  and conduct the  business  thereat;  (ii)  complete  any
         construction  on the  Property in such manner and form as Lender  deems
         advisable; (iii) make alterations,  additions,  renewals,  replacements
         and  improvements  to or on the Property;  (iv) exercise all rights and
         powers of Borrower with respect to the Property, whether in the name of
         Borrower or  otherwise,  including,  without  limitation,  the right to
         make, cancel,  enforce or modify Leases,  obtain and evict tenants, and
         demand,  sue for,  collect and receive  all Rents of the  Property  and
         every part thereof;  (v) require  Borrower to pay monthly in advance to
         Lender,  or any receiver  appointed to collect the Rents,  the fair and
         reasonable  rental value for the use and occupation of such part of the
         Property as may be  occupied  by  Borrower;  (vi)  require  Borrower to
         vacate and  surrender  possession  of the Property to Lender or to such
         receiver  and, in default  thereof,  Borrower may be evicted by summary
         proceedings  or  otherwise;  and  (vii)  apply  the  receipts  from the
         Property  to the  payment  of the Debt,  in such  order,  priority  and
         proportions  as Lender shall deem  appropriate  in its sole  discretion
         after deducting therefrom all expenses (including reasonable attorneys'
         fees)  incurred in  connection  with the aforesaid  operations  and all
         amounts necessary to pay the Taxes, Other Charges,  insurance and other
         expenses  in  connection  with  the  Property,  as  well  as  just  and
         reasonable compensation for the services of Lender, its counsel, agents
         and employees;

                  (i)  exercise  any and all  rights and  remedies  granted to a
         secured  party  upon  default  under  the  Uniform   Commercial   Code,
         including,  without  limiting the generality of the foregoing:  (i) the
         right to take possession of the Personal  Property or any part thereof,
         and to take such other  measures as Lender may deem  necessary  for the
         care,  protection and preservation of the Personal  Property,  and (ii)
         request  Borrower at its expense to assemble the Personal  Property and
         make it available to Lender at a convenient place acceptable to Lender.
         Any notice of sale, disposition or other intended action by Lender with
         respect to the Personal  Property sent to Borrower in  accordance  with
         the  provisions  hereof at least  five (5) days  prior to such  action,
         shall constitute commercially reasonable notice to Borrower;

                  (j) apply any sums then  deposited  in the Escrow Fund and any
         other sums held in escrow or otherwise by Lender in accordance with the
         terms of this Security Instrument or any Other Security Document to the
         payment  of the  following  items  in  any  order  in its  uncontrolled
         discretion:

                        (i)         Taxes and Other Charges;

                       (ii)         Insurance Premiums;

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         (iii)    Interest on the unpaid principal balance of the Note;
 
         (iv)     Amortization of the unpaid principal balance of the Note;

          (v)     All other sums payable  pursuant to the Note,  this
                  Security   Instrument  and  the  Other   Security   Documents,
                  including without limitation  advances made by Lender pursuant
                  to the terms of this Security Instrument;

    (k)  surrender  the  Policies  maintained  pursuant to Article
         hereof,  collect the unearned Insurance Premiums and apply such sums as
         a credit on the Debt in such  priority and  proportion as Lender in its
         discretion  shall deem proper,  and in connection  therewith,  Borrower
         hereby appoints Lender as agent and attorney-in-fact  (which is coupled
         with an interest and is therefore  irrevocable) for Borrower to collect
         such Insurance Premiums;

    (l)  pursue such other remedies as Lender may have under applicable law; or

    (m)  apply  the  undisbursed   balance  of  any  Net  Proceeds
         Deficiency  deposit,  together with interest thereon, to the payment of
         the Debt in such order,  priority and  proportions as Lender shall deem
         to be appropriate in its discretion.

In the event of a sale, by  foreclosure,  power of sale,  or otherwise,  of less
than all of the Property,  this Security Instrument shall continue as a lien and
security  interest  on the  remaining  portion of the  Property  unimpaired  and
without loss of priority.  Notwithstanding the provisions of this Section to the
contrary,  if any  Event  of  Default  as  described  in  clause  (i) or (ii) of
Subsection (f) shall occur,  the entire unpaid Debt shall be  automatically  due
and payable, without any further notice, demand or other action by Lender.

                  Section  11.2  APPLICATION  OF PROCEEDS.  The purchase  money,
proceeds and avails of any disposition of the Property,  or any part thereof, or
any  other  sums  collected  by  Lender  pursuant  to the  Note,  this  Security
Instrument  or the Other  Security  Documents,  may be  applied by Lender to the
payment of the Debt in such priority and proportions as Lender in its discretion
shall deem proper.

                  Section 11.3 RIGHT TO CURE  DEFAULTS.  Upon the  occurrence of
any Event of Default  (unless  such  Event of  Default  shall have been cured by
Borrower and such cure has been accepted by Lender) or if Borrower fails to make
any payment or to do any act as herein  provided,  Lender  may,  but without any
obligation  to do so and  without  notice to or demand on  Borrower  and without
releasing  Borrower from any obligation  hereunder,  make or do the same in such
manner and to such extent as Lender may deem  necessary  to protect the security
hereof.  Lender is authorized to enter upon the Property for such  purposes,  or
appear in, defend,  or bring any action or proceeding to protect its interest in
the Property or to foreclose  this Security  Instrument or collect the Debt, and
the cost and expense thereof (including reasonable attorneys' fees to the extent
permitted by law), with interest as provided in this Section , shall  constitute
a portion of the Debt and shall be due and  payable to Lender upon  demand.  All
such costs and expenses incurred by Lender in remedying such Event of Default or
such failed payment or act or in appearing in,  defending,  or bringing any such
action or proceeding shall

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bear interest at the Default Rate,  for the period after notice from Lender that
such cost or expense  was  incurred  to the date of payment to Lender.  All such
costs and expenses incurred by Lender together with interest thereon  calculated
at the Default  Rate shall be deemed to  constitute a portion of the Debt and be
secured by this Security  Instrument and the Other Security  Documents and shall
be immediately due and payable upon demand by Lender therefor.

                  Section 11.4 ACTIONS AND PROCEEDINGS.  Lender has the right to
appear in and  defend  any  action or  proceeding  brought  with  respect to the
Property  and to bring any  action or  proceeding,  in the name and on behalf of
Borrower, which Lender, in its discretion,  decides should be brought to protect
its interest in the Property.

                  Section  11.5  RECOVERY OF SUMS  REQUIRED  TO BE PAID.  Lender
shall have the right from time to time to take action to recover any sum or sums
which  constitute a part of the Debt as the same become due,  without  regard to
whether or not the balance of the Debt shall be due,  and without  prejudice  to
the right of Lender  thereafter to bring an action of foreclosure,  or any other
action,  for a default or defaults by Borrower existing at the time such earlier
action was commenced.

                  Section 11.6  EXAMINATION  OF BOOKS AND RECORDS.  Lender,  its
agents,  accountants  and attorneys shall have the right to examine the records,
books,  management  and other papers of  Borrower,  Borrower's  principals,  any
tenant under any Lease and any guarantor of any tenant's  obligations  or of any
Guarantor or Indemnitor  which reflect upon their  financial  condition,  at the
Property or at any office  regularly  maintained by Borrower,  its affiliates or
any Guarantor or Indemnitor where the books and records are located.  Lender and
its agents shall have the right to make copies and extracts  from the  foregoing
records and other  papers.  In addition,  Lender,  its agents,  accountants  and
attorneys  shall  have the right to examine  and audit the books and  records of
Borrower, Borrower's principals, any tenant under any Lease and any guarantor of
any tenant's  obligations  or of any Guarantor or  Indemnitor  pertaining to the
income,  expenses and operation of the Property during reasonable business hours
at any office of Borrower, Borrower's principals, any tenant under any Lease and
any guarantor of any tenant's  obligations or any Guarantor or Indemnitor  where
the books and records are located.

                  Section 11.7 OTHER  RIGHTS,  ETC. (a) The failure of Lender to
insist upon strict  performance  of any term hereof  shall not be deemed to be a
waiver of any term of this Security  Instrument.  Borrower shall not be relieved
of  Borrower's  obligations  hereunder by reason of (i) the failure of Lender to
comply with any request of Borrower, any Guarantor or any Indemnitor to take any
action to foreclose  this Security  Instrument  or otherwise  enforce any of the
provisions  hereof  or of the Note or the  Other  Security  Documents,  (ii) the
release, regardless of consideration,  of the whole or any part of the Property,
or of any  person  liable  for the Debt or any  portion  thereof,  or (iii)  any
agreement or  stipulation  by Lender  extending the time of payment or otherwise
modifying or  supplementing  the terms of the Note, this Security  Instrument or
the Other Security Documents.

                  (b) It is  agreed  that  the  risk of loss  or  damage  to the
Property is on  Borrower,  and Lender  shall have no  liability  whatsoever  for
decline in value of the Property,  for failure to maintain the Policies,  or for
failure to determine  whether insurance in force is adequate as to the amount of
risks insured. Possession by Lender shall not be deemed an election of judicial

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relief,  if any such  possession  is requested or obtained,  with respect to any
Property or collateral not in Lender's possession.

                  (c) Lender may resort for the payment of the Debt to any other
security held by Lender in such order and manner as Lender,  in its  discretion,
may elect.  Lender may take action to recover the Debt, or any portion  thereof,
or to enforce  any  covenant  hereof  without  prejudice  to the right of Lender
thereafter  to foreclose  this Security  Instrument.  The rights of Lender under
this Security  Instrument  shall be separate,  distinct and  cumulative and none
shall be given effect to the exclusion of the others.  No act of Lender shall be
construed  as an  election  to  proceed  under any one  provision  herein to the
exclusion of any other provision. Lender shall not be limited exclusively to the
rights and  remedies  herein  stated but shall be  entitled  to every  right and
remedy now or hereafter afforded at law or in equity.

                  Section  11.8 RIGHT TO RELEASE  ANY  PORTION OF THE  PROPERTY.
Lender may release any portion of the Property for such  consideration as Lender
may require without,  as to the remainder of the Property,  in any way impairing
or affecting the lien or priority of this Security Instrument,  or improving the
position of any  subordinate  lienholder  with  respect  thereto,  except to the
extent  that the  obligations  hereunder  shall have been  reduced by the actual
monetary  consideration,  if any,  received by Lender for such release,  and may
accept by assignment, pledge or otherwise any other property in place thereof as
Lender  may  require  without  being  accountable  for so  doing  to  any  other
lienholder.  This  Security  Instrument  shall  continue as a lien and  security
interest in the remaining portion of the Property.

                  Section  11.9  VIOLATION  OF LAWS.  If the  Property is not in
compliance with Applicable Laws, Lender may impose additional  requirements upon
Borrower in connection herewith including, without limitation, monetary reserves
or financial equivalents.

                  Section 11.10 RECOURSE AND CHOICE OF REMEDIES. Notwithstanding
any other  provision of this Security  Instrument,  including but not limited to
Article 15 hereof,  Lender and other  Indemnified  Parties  (defined  in Section
below) are  entitled to enforce  the  obligations  of  Borrower,  Guarantor  and
Indemnitor  contained in Sections , and without first resorting to or exhausting
any security or collateral and without first having  recourse to the Note or any
of the  Property,  through  foreclosure  or  acceptance  of a deed  in  lieu  of
foreclosure or otherwise, and in the event Lender commences a foreclosure action
against the  Property,  Lender is entitled to pursue a deficiency  judgment with
respect to such obligations  against Borrower,  any Guarantor and/or Indemnitor.
The  provisions  of  Sections  ,  and  are  exceptions  to any  non-recourse  or
exculpation  provisions  in the  Note,  this  Security  Instrument  or the Other
Security  Documents,  and  Borrower,  Guarantor  and  Indemnitor  are  fully and
personally  liable  for the  obligations  pursuant  to  Subsections  , and . The
liability of Borrower,  Guarantor and  Indemnitor is not limited to the original
principal  amount of the Note.  Notwithstanding  the  foregoing,  nothing herein
shall  inhibit or prevent  Lender from  foreclosing  pursuant  to this  Security
Instrument  or  exercising  any other rights and remedies  pursuant to the Note,
this   Security   Instrument   and  the  Other   Security   Documents,   whether
simultaneously with foreclosure proceedings or in any other sequence. A separate
action or actions may be brought and prosecuted against Borrower, whether or not
action is brought against any other person or entity or whether or not any other
person or entity is joined in the action or actions.  In addition,  Lender shall
have the right but not the obligation to join and

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<PAGE>



participate  in, as a party if it so  elects,  any  administrative  or  judicial
proceedings  or actions  initiated in  connection  with any matter  addressed in
Article or Section .

                  Section 11.11     RIGHT OF ENTRY.  Lender and its agents shall
have the right to enter and inspect the Property at all reasonable times.


                       Article 12 - ENVIRONMENTAL HAZARDS

                  Section 12.1 ENVIRONMENTAL  REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES. To
the best of Borrower's knowledge after due inquiry and investigation:  (a) there
are no Hazardous Substances (defined below) or underground storage tanks in, on,
or under  the  Property,  except  those  that are  both (i) in  compliance  with
Environmental  Laws (defined below) and with permits issued pursuant thereto and
(ii)  fully  disclosed  to Lender in writing  pursuant  to the  written  reports
resulting from the environmental assessments of the Property delivered to Lender
(the  "Environmental  Report");  (b) there are no past,  present  or  threatened
Releases  (defined  below) of  Hazardous  Substances  in, on,  under or from the
Property except as described in the Environmental Report; (c) there is no threat
of any Release of  Hazardous  Substances  migrating  to the  Property  except as
described  in  the  Environmental  Report;  (d)  there  is no  past  or  present
non-compliance with Environmental Laws, or with permits issued pursuant thereto,
in connection with the Property except as described in the Environmental Report;
(e) except as expressly disclosed in the Environmental Report, Borrower does not
know of, and has not received, any written or oral notice or other communication
from any person or entity  (including but not limited to a governmental  entity)
relating to Hazardous  Substances or Remediation  (defined  below)  thereof,  of
possible  liability of any person or entity pursuant to any  Environmental  Law,
other environmental conditions in connection with the Property, or any actual or
potential  administrative or judicial  proceedings in connection with any of the
foregoing;  and (f) Borrower has  truthfully  and fully  provided to Lender,  in
writing,  any and all  information  relating to conditions in, on, under or from
the Property that is known to Borrower and that is contained in Borrower's files
and  records,  including  but not limited to any reports  relating to  Hazardous
Substances  in,  on,  under or from the  Property  and/or  to the  environmental
condition  of the  Property.  "Environmental  Law" means any  present and future
federal, state and local laws, statutes,  ordinances, rules, regulations and the
like,  as well as common law,  relating  to  protection  of human  health or the
environment,  relating to Hazardous  Substances,  relating to  liability  for or
costs of  Remediation  or  prevention  of Releases of  Hazardous  Substances  or
relating to liability for or costs of other actual or threatened danger to human
health or the environment.  "Environmental Law" includes, but is not limited to,
the following statutes,  as amended,  any successor thereto, and any regulations
promulgated  pursuant  thereto,  and any  state or local  statutes,  ordinances,
rules,  regulations and the like addressing  similar issues:  the  Comprehensive
Environmental  Response,  Compensation and Liability Act; the Emergency Planning
and Community  Right-to-Know Act; the Hazardous  Substances  Transportation Act;
the  Resource  Conservation  and  Recovery  Act  (including  but not  limited to
Subtitle I relating to underground storage tanks); the Solid Waste Disposal Act;
the Clean Water Act;  the Clean Air Act; the Toxic  Substances  Control Act; the
Safe  Drinking  Water Act; the  Occupational  Safety and Health Act; the Federal
Water Pollution Control Act; the Federal Insecticide,  Fungicide and Rodenticide
Act; the Endangered Species Act; the National  Environmental Policy Act; and the
River and Harbors Appropriation Act.  "Environmental Law" also includes,  but is
not limited

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to, any present and future federal, state and local laws, statutes,  ordinances,
rules, regulations and the like, as well as common law: conditioning transfer of
property  upon a  negative  declaration  or  other  approval  of a  governmental
authority of the environmental condition of the property; requiring notification
or  disclosure  of  Releases  of  Hazardous  Substances  or other  environmental
condition  of the  Property to any  governmental  authority  or other  person or
entity,  whether or not in  connection  with transfer of title to or interest in
property;  imposing  conditions or  requirements  in connection  with permits or
other authorization for lawful activity; relating to nuisance, trespass or other
causes of action  related to the  Property;  and  relating  to  wrongful  death,
personal  injury,  or property or other damage in  connection  with any physical
condition or use of the  Property.  "Hazardous  Substances"  include but are not
limited  to any and all  substances  (whether  solid,  liquid  or gas)  defined,
listed,  or otherwise  classified as  pollutants,  hazardous  wastes,  hazardous
substances, hazardous materials, extremely hazardous wastes, or words of similar
meaning or regulatory effect under any present or future  Environmental  Laws or
that may have a negative  impact on human health or the  environment,  including
but  not  limited  to   petroleum   and   petroleum   products,   asbestos   and
asbestos-containing   materials,   polychlorinated   biphenyls,   lead,   radon,
radioactive  materials,  flammables and  explosives.  "Release" of any Hazardous
Substance  includes  but is not  limited  to any  release,  deposit,  discharge,
emission, leaking, spilling, seeping,  migrating,  injecting,  pumping, pouring,
emptying,   escaping,   dumping,   disposing  or  other  movement  of  Hazardous
Substances. "Remediation" includes but is not limited to any response, remedial,
removal, or corrective action, any activity to cleanup, detoxify, decontaminate,
contain or otherwise remediate any Hazardous Substance,  any actions to prevent,
cure or mitigate any Release of any  Hazardous  Substance,  any action to comply
with any  Environmental  Laws or with any permits issued pursuant  thereto,  any
inspection,  investigation,  study, monitoring,  assessment, audit, sampling and
testing,  laboratory or other analysis,  or evaluation relating to any Hazardous
Substances or to anything referred to in Article .

                  Section 12.2 ENVIRONMENTAL  COVENANTS.  Borrower covenants and
agrees  that:  (a) all uses and  operations  on or of the  Property,  whether by
Borrower  or any  other  person  or  entity,  shall  be in  compliance  with all
Environmental  Laws and permits issued pursuant  thereto;  (b) there shall be no
Releases of Hazardous  Substances in, on, under or from the Property;  (c) there
shall be no Hazardous  Substances  in, on, or under the  Property,  except those
that are both (i) in  compliance  with all  Environmental  Laws and with permits
issued  pursuant  thereto and (ii) fully  disclosed  to Lender in  writing;  (d)
Borrower  shall  keep  the  Property  free  and  clear of all  liens  and  other
encumbrances  imposed pursuant to any Environmental  Law, whether due to any act
or  omission  of  Borrower  or any other  person or entity  (the  "Environmental
Liens");  (e)  Borrower  shall,  at  its  sole  cost  and  expense,   fully  and
expeditiously  cooperate in all activities pursuant to Section below,  including
but not limited to providing all relevant  information and making  knowledgeable
persons  available  for  interviews;  (f) Borrower  shall,  at its sole cost and
expense,  perform any  environmental  site assessment or other  investigation of
environmental  conditions  in  connection  with the  Property,  pursuant  to any
reasonable  written  request of Lender  (including  but not limited to sampling,
testing and analysis of soil, water, air, building materials and other materials
and substances whether solid,  liquid or gas), and share with Lender the reports
and other results  thereof,  and Lender and other  Indemnified  Parties shall be
entitled to rely on such reports and other results thereof;  (g) Borrower shall,
at its sole cost and expense,  comply with all  reasonable  written  requests of
Lender to (i) reasonably effectuate  Remediation of any condition (including but
not limited to

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a Release of a Hazardous  Substance)  in, on, under or from the  Property;  (ii)
comply with any  Environmental  Law;  (iii) comply with any  directive  from any
governmental  authority;  and (iv) take any other reasonable action necessary or
appropriate  for  protection  of human health or the  environment;  (h) Borrower
shall not do or allow any  tenant or other  user of the  Property  to do any act
that materially increases the dangers to human health or the environment,  poses
an  unreasonable  risk of harm to any  person or entity  (whether  on or off the
Property),  impairs or may impair the value of the Property,  is contrary to any
requirement  of  any  insurer,   constitutes  a  public  or  private   nuisance,
constitutes  waste, or violates any covenant,  condition,  agreement or easement
applicable to the Property;  and (i) Borrower shall immediately notify Lender in
writing of (A) any  presence  or Releases or  threatened  Releases of  Hazardous
Substances  in, on,  under,  from or  migrating  towards the  Property;  (B) any
non-compliance  with any Environmental  Laws related in any way to the Property;
(C) any actual or  potential  Environmental  Lien;  (D) any required or proposed
Remediation of environmental  conditions  relating to the Property;  and (E) any
written or oral notice or other  communication which Borrower becomes aware from
any source  whatsoever  (including  but not  limited to a  governmental  entity)
relating in any way to Hazardous  Substances or  Remediation  thereof,  possible
liability  of any person or entity  pursuant  to any  Environmental  Law,  other
environmental  conditions  in  connection  with the  Property,  or any actual or
potential  administrative  or judicial  proceedings in connection  with anything
referred to in this Article . Any failure of Borrower to perform its obligations
pursuant to this Section
 shall constitute waste with respect to the Property.

                  Section 12.3 LENDER'S  RIGHTS.  Lender and any other person or
entity  designated by Lender,  including  but not limited to any  receiver,  any
representative of a governmental entity, and any environmental consultant, shall
have the  right,  but not the  obligation,  to enter  upon the  Property  at all
reasonable times to assess any and all aspects of the environmental condition of
the  Property  and  its  use,  including  but  not  limited  to  conducting  any
environmental  assessment  or audit (the scope of which shall be  determined  in
Lender's sole and absolute  discretion) and taking samples of soil,  groundwater
or other  water,  air, or building  materials,  and  conducting  other  invasive
testing. Borrower shall cooperate with and provide access to Lender and any such
person or entity designated by Lender.


                       Article 13 - INDEMNIFICATION

                  Section 13.1 GENERAL  INDEMNIFICATION.  Borrower shall, at its
sole cost and expense, protect, defend, indemnify, release and hold harmless the
Indemnified  Parties  from and against any and all  claims,  suits,  liabilities
(including,  without  limitation,  strict  liabilities),  actions,  proceedings,
obligations, debts, damages, losses, costs, expenses, fines, penalties, charges,
fees, expenses, judgments, awards, amounts paid in settlement, punitive damages,
foreseeable and unforeseeable  consequential damages, of whatever kind or nature
(including  but not  limited to  reasonable  attorneys'  fees and other costs of
defense)  (the  "Losses")  imposed  upon or incurred by or asserted  against any
Indemnified  Parties  and  directly or  indirectly  arising out of or in any way
relating to any one or more of the  following:  (a)  ownership of this  Security
Instrument,  the Property or any interest  therein or receipt of any Rents;  (b)
any amendment to, or  restructuring  of, the Debt,  and the Note,  this Security
Instrument,  or any Other Security Documents; (c) any and all lawful action that
may be taken by Lender in connection  with the  enforcement of the provisions of
this Security Instrument or the Note or any of the Other

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Security Documents,  whether or not suit is filed in connection with same, or in
connection  with  Borrower,  any  Guarantor  or  Indemnitor  and/or any  member,
partner,  joint venturer or shareholder  thereof becoming a party to a voluntary
or involuntary  federal or state bankruptcy,  insolvency or similar  proceeding;
(d) any accident, injury to or death of persons or loss of or damage to property
occurring  in, on or about the Property or any part thereof or on the  adjoining
sidewalks,  curbs, adjacent property or adjacent parking areas, streets or ways;
(e) any use,  nonuse  or  condition  in, on or about  the  Property  or any part
thereof or on the  adjoining  sidewalks,  curbs,  adjacent  property or adjacent
parking  areas,  streets or ways;  (f) any  failure on the part of  Borrower  to
perform or be in compliance  with any of the terms of this Security  Instrument;
(g)  performance  of any labor or services or the furnishing of any materials or
other  property in respect of the Property or any part thereof;  (h) the failure
of any person to file timely with the Internal  Revenue Service an accurate Form
1099-B, Statement for Recipients of Proceeds from Real Estate, Broker and Barter
Exchange  Transactions,  which may be required in  connection  with the Security
Instrument,  or to supply a copy thereof in a timely fashion to the recipient of
the  proceeds  of  the  transaction  in  connection  with  which  this  Security
Instrument is made; (i) any failure of the Property to be in compliance with any
Applicable Laws; (j) the enforcement by any Indemnified  Party of the provisions
of this  Article ; (k) any and all claims and  demands  whatsoever  which may be
asserted against Lender by reason of any alleged  obligations or undertakings on
its part to perform or  discharge  any of the terms,  covenants,  or  agreements
contained in any Lease;  (l) the payment of any commission,  charge or brokerage
fee to anyone  which may be payable in  connection  with the funding of the Loan
evidenced  by the Note  and  secured  by this  Security  Instrument;  or (m) any
misrepresentation  made by Borrower  in this  Security  Instrument  or any Other
Security Document. Any amounts payable to Lender by reason of the application of
this Section shall become immediately due and payable and shall bear interest at
the Default Rate from the date loss or damage is sustained by Lender until paid.
For purposes of this Article , the term  "Indemnified  Parties" means Lender and
any person or entity who is or will have been involved in the origination of the
Loan, any person or entity who is or will have been involved in the servicing of
the Loan,  any  person or entity in whose name the  encumbrance  created by this
Security Instrument is or will have been recorded,  persons and entities who may
hold or  acquire  or will  have  held a full or  partial  interest  in the  Loan
(including,  but not limited  to,  Investors  or  prospective  Investors  in the
Securities,  as well as custodians,  trustees and other  fiduciaries who hold or
have  held a full or  partial  interest  in the  Loan for the  benefit  of third
parties) as well as the respective directors, officers, shareholders,  partners,
members,   employees,    agents,   servants,    representatives,    contractors,
subcontractors,  affiliates, subsidiaries,  participants, successors and assigns
of any and all of the foregoing  (including  but not limited to any other person
or entity who holds or acquires or will have held a participation  or other full
or partial interest in the Loan or the Property,  whether during the term of the
Loan or as a part of or following a foreclosure of the Loan and  including,  but
not limited to, any successors by merger, consolidation or acquisition of all or
a substantial portion of Lender's assets and business).

                  Section 13.2 MORTGAGE AND/OR  INTANGIBLE TAX.  Borrower shall,
at its sole cost and  expense,  protect,  defend,  indemnify,  release  and hold
harmless the  Indemnified  Parties  from and against any and all Losses  imposed
upon or incurred by or asserted against any Indemnified  Parties and directly or
indirectly arising out of or in any way relating to any tax on the making and/or
recording of this  Security  Instrument,  the Note or any of the Other  Security
Documents.

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                  Section 13.3 ERISA  INDEMNIFICATION.  Borrower  shall,  at its
sole cost and expense, protect, defend, indemnify, release and hold harmless the
Indemnified  Parties  from and  against any and all Losses  (including,  without
limitation,  reasonable attorneys' fees and costs incurred in the investigation,
defense,  and  settlement  of  Losses  incurred  in  correcting  any  prohibited
transaction or in the sale of a prohibited loan, and in obtaining any individual
prohibited  transaction  exemption under ERISA that may be required, in Lender's
sole discretion) that Lender may incur, directly or indirectly, as a result of a
default under Sections or or Subsection (p).

                  Section 13.4 ENVIRONMENTAL INDEMNIFICATION. Borrower shall, at
its sole cost and expense, protect, defend, indemnify, release and hold harmless
the  Indemnified  Parties  from and  against  any and all  Losses  and  costs of
Remediation   (whether  or  not   performed   voluntarily),   engineers'   fees,
environmental  consultants' fees, and costs of investigation  (including but not
limited to  sampling,  testing,  and  analysis  of soil,  water,  air,  building
materials  and other  materials and  substances  whether  solid,  liquid or gas)
imposed upon or incurred by or asserted  against any  Indemnified  Parties,  and
directly or indirectly  arising out of or in any way relating to any one or more
of the following: (a) any presence of any Hazardous Substances in, on, above, or
under the Property;  (b) any past,  present or  threatened  Release of Hazardous
Substances  in, on,  above,  under or from the  Property;  (c) any  activity  by
Borrower,  any person or entity  affiliated with Borrower or any tenant or other
user of the Property in connection with any actual,  proposed or threatened use,
treatment,   storage,   holding,   existence,   disposition  or  other  Release,
generation,   production,   manufacturing,    processing,   refining,   control,
management,  abatement, removal, handling, transfer or transportation to or from
the Property of any Hazardous  Substances  at any time located in, under,  on or
above  the  Property;  (d) any  activity  by  Borrower,  any  person  or  entity
affiliated  with  Borrower  or any  tenant  or  other  user of the  Property  in
connection with any actual or proposed  Remediation of any Hazardous  Substances
at any time located in,  under,  on or above the  Property,  whether or not such
Remediation is voluntary or pursuant to court or administrative order, including
but not limited to any removal,  remedial or  corrective  action;  (e) any past,
present or threatened non-compliance or violations of any Environmental Laws (or
permits  issued  pursuant  to any  Environmental  Law) in  connection  with  the
Property  or  operations  thereon,  including  but not limited to any failure by
Borrower,  any person or entity  affiliated with Borrower or any tenant or other
user of the Property to comply with any order of any  governmental  authority in
connection with any Environmental Laws; (f) the imposition,  recording or filing
or the  threatened  imposition,  recording or filing of any  Environmental  Lien
encumbering  the Property;  (g) any  administrative  processes or proceedings or
judicial  proceedings in any way connected with any matter  addressed in Article
and this Section ; (h) any past, present or threatened injury to, destruction of
or loss of natural  resources in any way connected with the Property,  including
but not limited to costs to investigate  and assess such injury,  destruction or
loss;  (i) any acts of Borrower or other users of the Property in arranging  for
disposal or  treatment,  or  arranging  with a  transporter  for  transport  for
disposal or  treatment,  of  Hazardous  Substances  owned or  possessed  by such
Borrower  or other  users,  at any  facility  or  incineration  vessel  owned or
operated by another  person or entity and containing  such or similar  Hazardous
Substances;  (j) any  acts of  Borrower  or  other  users  of the  Property,  in
accepting  any  Hazardous  Substances  for  transport  to disposal or  treatment
facilities,  incineration  vessels or sites  selected  by Borrower or such other
users, from which there is a Release,  or a threatened  Release of any Hazardous
Substance which causes the incurrence of costs for Remediation; (k) any personal
injury, wrongful death, or property

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damage  arising  under  any  statutory  or  common  law or tort  law  theory  in
connection with Hazardous  Materials or any Environmental Law, including but not
limited to damages  assessed for the maintenance of a private or public nuisance
or for the  conducting  of an  abnormally  dangerous  activity  on or  near  the
Property;  and (l) any  misrepresentation or inaccuracy in any representation or
warranty  or  material  breach or  failure  to perform  any  covenants  or other
obligations pursuant to Article .

                  Section  13.5 DUTY TO DEFEND;  ATTORNEYS'  FEES AND OTHER FEES
AND EXPENSES.  Upon written  request by any  Indemnified  Party,  Borrower shall
defend such  Indemnified  Party (if requested by any  Indemnified  Party, in the
name of the Indemnified Party) by attorneys and other professionals  approved by
the Indemnified Parties.  Notwithstanding the foregoing, any Indemnified Parties
may, in their sole and absolute discretion, engage their own attorneys and other
professionals  to defend or  assist  them,  and,  at the  option of  Indemnified
Parties,  their  attorneys  shall  act as  co-counsel  in  connection  with  the
resolution of any claim or  proceeding.  Upon demand,  Borrower shall pay or, in
the sole and absolute  discretion of the  Indemnified  Parties,  reimburse,  the
Indemnified  Parties for the payment of  reasonable  fees and  disbursements  of
attorneys,   engineers,   environmental  consultants,   laboratories  and  other
professionals in connection therewith.


                          Article 14 - WAIVERS

                  Section 14.1 WAIVER OF  COUNTERCLAIM.  Borrower  hereby waives
the  right to  assert a  counterclaim,  other  than a  mandatory  or  compulsory
counterclaim,  in any action or proceeding  brought against it by Lender arising
out of or in any way connected with this Security  Instrument,  the Note, any of
the Other Security Documents, or the Obligations.

                  Section 14.2  MARSHALLING  AND OTHER MATTERS.  Borrower hereby
waives,  to the  extent  permitted  by law,  the  benefit  of all  appraisement,
valuation,  stay, extension,  reinstatement and redemption laws now or hereafter
in force and all rights of marshalling in the event of any sale hereunder of the
Property or any part thereof or any interest therein.  Further,  Borrower hereby
expressly  waives any and all rights of redemption  from sale under any order or
decree of foreclosure of this Security Instrument on behalf of Borrower,  and on
behalf  of each and  every  person  acquiring  any  interest  in or title to the
Property subsequent to the date of this Security Instrument and on behalf of all
persons to the extent permitted by applicable law.

                  Section 14.3 WAIVER OF NOTICE.  Borrower shall not be entitled
to any  notices of any nature  whatsoever  from Lender  except  with  respect to
matters for which this Security  Instrument  specifically and expressly provides
for the  giving of notice by Lender to  Borrower  and  except  with  respect  to
matters for which  Lender is  required by  applicable  law to give  notice,  and
Borrower  hereby  expressly  waives the right to receive  any notice from Lender
with  respect  to any  matter  for  which  this  Security  Instrument  does  not
specifically  and  expressly  provide  for the  giving  of  notice  by Lender to
Borrower.

                  Section 14.4 WAIVER OF STATUTE OF LIMITATIONS. Borrower hereby
expressly  waives and  releases  to the fullest  extent  permitted  by law,  the
pleading  of any statute of  limitations  as a defense to payment of the Debt or
performance of its Other Obligations.

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                  Section 14.5 SOLE DISCRETION OF LENDER.  Wherever  pursuant to
this Security  Instrument (a) Lender  exercises any right given to it to approve
or disapprove,  (b) any arrangement or term is to be satisfactory to Lender,  or
(c) any other decision or determination is to be made by Lender, the decision of
Lender to approve or disapprove,  all decisions that  arrangements  or terms are
satisfactory or not satisfactory and all other decisions and determinations made
by Lender,  shall be in the sole and absolute  discretion of Lender and shall be
final and  conclusive,  except as may be otherwise  expressly  and  specifically
provided herein.

                  Section 14.6      SURVIVAL.  The indemnifications made 
pursuant to Subsections  and and the representations and warranties, covenants,
and other obligations arising under Article , shall continue  indefinitely  in 
full force and effect and shall survive  and  shall  in no  way  be  impaired
by:  any  satisfaction  or  other termination of this Security Instrument, any 
assignment or other transfer of all or any portion of this Security  Instrument
or Lender's interest in the Property (but, in such case, shall benefit both  
Indemnified  Parties and any assignee or transferee), any exercise  of Lender's
rights and  remedies  pursuant  hereto including  but not limited to  
foreclosure  or  acceptance  of a deed in lieu of foreclosure, any exercise of 
any rights and remedies pursuant to the Note or any of the Other  
Security  Documents,  any  transfer  of all or any  portion of the 
Property  (whether by Borrower or by Lender following  foreclosure or acceptance
of a deed in lieu of  foreclosure  or at any other time),  any amendment to this
Security  Instrument,  the Note or the Other Security Documents,  and any act or
omission that might otherwise be construed as a release or discharge of Borrower
from the obligations pursuant hereto.


                  SECTION 14.7      WAIVER OF TRIAL BY JURY.  BORROWER
                                    -----------------------           
HEREBY WAIVES, TO THE FULLEST EXTENT PERMITTED BY LAW, THE RIGHT
TO TRIAL BY JURY IN ANY ACTION, PROCEEDING OR COUNTERCLAIM,
WHETHER IN CONTRACT, TORT OR OTHERWISE, RELATING DIRECTLY OR
INDIRECTLY TO THE LOAN EVIDENCED BY THE NOTE, THE APPLICATION FOR
THE LOAN EVIDENCED BY THE NOTE, THE NOTE, THIS SECURITY
INSTRUMENT OR THE OTHER SECURITY DOCUMENTS OR ANY ACTS OR
OMISSIONS OF LENDER, ITS OFFICERS, EMPLOYEES, DIRECTORS OR AGENTS
IN CONNECTION THEREWITH.


                       Article 15 - EXCULPATION

                  Section 15.1 EXCULPATION. Except as otherwise provided, Lender
shall not  enforce  the  liability  and  obligation  of  Borrower to perform and
observe the obligations contained in the Note or this Security Instrument by any
action or proceeding  wherein a money judgment shall be sought against Borrower,
except  that  Lender  may  bring  a  foreclosure  action,  action  for  specific
performance  or other  appropriate  action or  proceeding  to  enable  Lender to
enforce and realize upon this Security Instrument, the Other Security Documents,
and the interest in the Property,  the Rents and any other  collateral  given to
Lender created by this Security  Instrument  and the Other  Security  Documents;
provided,  however,  that any  judgment  in any  action or  proceeding  shall be
enforceable  against  Borrower only to the extent of Borrower's  interest in the
Property,  in the Rents and in any other collateral given to Lender.  Lender, by
accepting  the Note and this  Security  Instrument,  agrees  that it shall  not,
except as otherwise provided in

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Section , sue for, seek or demand any deficiency  judgment  against  Borrower in
any action or proceeding,  under or by reason of or under or in connection  with
the Note, the Other Security Documents or this Security Instrument.

                  Section 15.2 RESERVATION OF CERTAIN RIGHTS.  The provisions of
Section 15.1 shall not (a)  constitute a waiver,  release or  impairment  of any
obligation  evidenced or secured by the Note,  the Other  Security  Documents or
this Security  Instrument;  (b) impair the right of Lender to name Borrower as a
party  defendant in any action or suit for judicial  foreclosure  and sale under
this  Security  Instrument;  (c) affect the  validity or  enforceability  of any
indemnity,  guaranty, master lease or similar instrument made in connection with
the Note, this Security Instrument,  or the Other Security Documents; (d) impair
the right of Lender to obtain  the  appointment  of a  receiver;  (e) impair the
enforcement  of the  Assignment  of Leases  and  Rents  executed  in  connection
herewith;  or (f)  impair  the right of  Lender to  enforce  the  provisions  of
Sections , , and of this Security Instrument.

                  Section 15.3  EXCEPTIONS TO EXCULPATION.  Notwithstanding  the
provisions of this Article to the contrary,  Borrower shall be personally liable
to  Lender  for  the  Losses  it  incurs  due  to:  (i)  fraud  or   intentional
misrepresentation    by   Borrower;    (ii)   Borrower's    misapplication    or
misappropriation  of Rents received by Borrower after the occurrence of an Event
of Default;  (iii) Borrower's  misappropriation  of tenant security  deposits or
Rents collected in advance;  (iv) the misapplication or the  misappropriation of
insurance proceeds or condemnation  awards; (v) Borrower's failure to pay Taxes,
Other  Charges  (except to the extent that sums  sufficient  to pay such amounts
have been deposited in escrow with Lender pursuant to the terms of this Security
Instrument),  charges for labor or  materials  or other  charges that can create
liens on the Property;  (vi) Borrower's failure to return or to reimburse Lender
for all  Personal  Property  taken from the Property by or on behalf of Borrower
and not replaced with  Personal  Property of the same utility and of the same or
greater  value;  (vii)  any act of  actual  waste  or  arson  by  Borrower,  any
principal,  affiliate, member or general partner thereof or by any Indemnitor or
Guarantor;  (viii) any fees or  commissions  paid by Borrower to any  principal,
affiliate,  member or general  partner of Borrower,  Indemnitor  or Guarantor in
violation  of the  terms of the  Note,  this  Security  Instrument  or the Other
Security Documents;  or (ix) Borrower's failure to comply with the provisions of
Sections , , and of this Security Instrument.

                  Section 15.4  RECOURSE.  Notwithstanding  the  foregoing,  the
agreement  of Lender not to pursue  recourse  liability  as set forth in Section
15.1  above  SHALL  BECOME  NULL AND VOID and shall be of no  further  force and
effect after the occurrence of an Event of Default relating to the breach of any
covenant  in the  Note,  this  Security  Instrument  or any  of the  Other  Loan
Documents relating to Borrower's default under Sections (for ten (10) days after
notice  by  Lender),  , or 8.1,  8.2,  8.3 or , or in the  event of  Principal's
default under Section 4.3 of this Security Instrument, or if the Property or any
part thereof  shall become an asset in (i) a voluntary  bankruptcy or insolvency
proceeding,  or (ii) an involuntary bankruptcy or insolvency proceeding which is
not dismissed within ninety (90) days of filing.

                  Section 15.5 BANKRUPTCY CLAIMS. Nothing herein shall be deemed
to be a waiver of any right which Lender may have under Sections 506(a), 506(b),
1111(b) or any other provisions of the U.S.  Bankruptcy Code to file a claim for
the full amount of the Debt secured by this  Security  Instrument  or to require
that all collateral shall continue to secure all of the Debt

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owing to Lender in accordance  with the Note,  this Security  Instrument and the
Other Security Documents.


                       Article 16 - NOTICES

                  Section   16.1   NOTICES.   All   notices  or  other   written
communications  hereunder  shall be deemed to have been properly  given (i) upon
delivery,  if  delivered  in person or by  facsimile  transmission  with receipt
acknowledged by the recipient thereof and confirmed by telephone by sender, (ii)
one (1) Business Day (defined  below) after having been  deposited for overnight
delivery  with any  reputable  overnight  courier  service,  or (iii)  three (3)
Business Days after having been deposited in any post office or mail  depository
regularly  maintained  by the U.S.  Postal  Service  and sent by  registered  or
certified mail, postage prepaid, return receipt requested, addressed as follows:

If to Borrower:                     JBAK Canton Realty, Inc.
                                    555 Turnpike Street
                                    Canton, Massachusetts 02021
                                    Attention: Philip G. Rosenberg
                                    Facsimile No.: (617) 821-0614


With a copy to:                     J. Baker, Inc.
                                    Legal Department
                                    555 Turnpike Street
                                    Canton, Massachusetts 02021
                                    Attention: Barry Barth, Esq.
                                    Facsimile No.: (617) 821-0614

If to Lender:                       The Chase Manhattan Bank
                                    c/o Chase Commercial Mortgage Banking Corp.
                                    Servicing Department
                                    380 Madison Avenue
                                    11th Floor
                                    New York, New York  10017
                                    Attention: Ms. Janice Smith
                                    Facsimile No.: (212) 622-3553

                                            and

                                    The Chase Manhattan Bank
                                    Legal Department
                                    270 Park Avenue
                                    39th Floor
                                    New York, New York  10017
                                    Attention: Ronald A. Wilcox, Esq.
                                    Facsimile No.: (212) 270-2934

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With a copy to:                     Thacher Proffitt & Wood
                                    Two World Trade Center
                                    New York, New York  10048
                                    Attention: Joseph Philip Forte, Esq.
                                    Facsimile No.: (212) 912-7751

or addressed as such party may from time to time  designate by written notice to
the other parties.

                  Either party by notice to the other may  designate  additional
or different addresses for subsequent notices or communications.

                  For purposes of this  Subsection,  "Business Day" shall mean a
day on which  commercial banks are not authorized or required by law to close in
New York, New York.


                      Article 17 - SERVICE OF PROCESS

                  Section 17.1      CONSENT TO SERVICE.

                  (a) Borrower will maintain a place of business or an agent for
         service  of  process in New York,  New York or  Massachusetts  and give
         prompt notice to Lender of the address of such place of business and of
         the name and address of any new agent  appointed by it, as appropriate.
         Borrower  further  agrees  that the failure of its agent for service of
         process to give it notice of any service of process  will not impair or
         affect the validity of such service or of any judgment  based  thereon.
         If, despite the foregoing, there is for any reason no agent for service
         of process of Borrower  available to be served,  and if it at that time
         has no place of business in New York, New York or  Massachusetts,  then
         Borrower  irrevocably  consents to service of process by  registered or
         certified  mail,  postage  prepaid,  to it at its  address  given in or
         pursuant to the first paragraph hereof.

                  (b)  Borrower   initially   and   irrevocably   designates  CT
         Corporation System, with offices on the date hereof at 2 Oliver Street,
         Boston,  Massachusetts  02109, to receive for and on behalf of Borrower
         service of  process  in  Massachusetts  with  respect to this  Security
         Instrument.

                  Section 17.2 SUBMISSION TO  JURISDICTION.  With respect to any
claim or  action  arising  hereunder  or under  the Note or the  Other  Security
Documents,  Borrower (a) irrevocably submits to the nonexclusive jurisdiction of
the courts of the State of New York and the United States District Court located
in the Borough of Manhattan in New York, New York, and appellate courts from any
thereof,  and (b) irrevocably waives any objection which it may have at any time
to the  laying on venue of any  suit,  action or  proceeding  arising  out of or
relating to this  Security  Instrument  brought in any such  court,  irrevocably
waives any claim that any such suit,  action or  proceeding  brought in any such
court has been brought in an inconvenient forum.


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                  Section  17.3  JURISDICTION  NOT  EXCLUSIVE.  Nothing  in this
Security Instrument will be deemed to preclude Lender from bringing an action or
proceeding with respect hereto in any other jurisdiction.


                       Article 18 - APPLICABLE LAW

                  Section 18.1 CHOICE OF LAW. THIS SECURITY  INSTRUMENT SHALL BE
DEEMED TO BE A CONTRACT  ENTERED  INTO  PURSUANT TO THE LAWS OF THE STATE OF NEW
YORK AND SHALL IN ALL RESPECTS BE GOVERNED,  CONSTRUED,  APPLIED AND ENFORCED IN
ACCORDANCE WITH THE LAWS OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK,  PROVIDED HOWEVER,  THAT WITH
RESPECT TO THE CREATION,  PERFECTION,  PRIORITY AND  ENFORCEMENT  OF THE LIEN OF
THIS SECURITY  INSTRUMENT,  AND THE DETERMINATION OF DEFICIENCY  JUDGMENTS,  THE
LAWS OF THE STATE WHERE THE PROPERTY IS LOCATED SHALL APPLY.

                  Section 18.2 USURY LAWS. This Security Instrument and the Note
are subject to the express condition that at no time shall Borrower be obligated
or required to pay interest on the Debt at a rate which could subject the holder
of the Note to either civil or criminal liability as a result of being in excess
of the maximum  interest rate which  Borrower is permitted by applicable  law to
contract or agree to pay.  If by the terms of this  Security  Instrument  or the
Note,  Borrower is at any time required or obligated to pay interest on the Debt
at a rate in  excess  of such  maximum  rate,  the rate of  interest  under  the
Security  Instrument and the Note shall be deemed to be  immediately  reduced to
such  maximum rate and the  interest  payable  shall be computed at such maximum
rate and all prior  interest  payments in excess of such  maximum  rate shall be
applied and shall be deemed to have been  payments in reduction of the principal
balance  of the Note.  All sums paid or agreed to be paid to Lender for the use,
forbearance,  or  detention  of the  Debt  shall,  to the  extent  permitted  by
applicable law, be amortized,  prorated,  allocated,  and spread  throughout the
full stated term of the Note until payment in full so that the rate or amount of
interest  on  account of the Debt does not exceed  the  maximum  lawful  rate of
interest  from time to time in effect and  applicable to the Debt for so long as
the Debt is outstanding.

                  Section 18.3 PROVISIONS SUBJECT TO APPLICABLE LAW. All rights,
powers and remedies  provided in this Security  Instrument may be exercised only
to the  extent  that the  exercise  thereof  does  not  violate  any  applicable
provisions of law and are intended to be limited to the extent necessary so that
they will not render this  Security  Instrument  invalid,  unenforceable  or not
entitled  to be  recorded,  registered  or filed  under  the  provisions  of any
applicable  law.  If any term of this  Security  Instrument  or any  application
thereof  shall be invalid  or  unenforceable,  the  remainder  of this  Security
Instrument and any other application of the term shall not be affected thereby.


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                                                      - 54 -

<PAGE>



                      Article 19 - SECONDARY MARKET

                  Section 19.1 TRANSFER OF LOAN.  Lender may, at any time, sell,
transfer or assign the Note,  this Security  Instrument  and the Other  Security
Documents,  and any or all  servicing  rights  with  respect  thereto,  or grant
participations  therein or issue  mortgage  pass-through  certificates  or other
securities  evidencing  a  beneficial  interest  in a rated  or  unrated  public
offering or private  placement  (the  "Securities").  Lender may forward to each
purchaser,  transferee,  assignee,  servicer,  participant,  or investor in such
Securities  (collectively,  the  "Investor")  or any Rating  Agency  rating such
Securities and each prospective  Investor,  all documents and information  which
Lender now has or may  hereafter  acquire  relating to the Debt and to Borrower,
any  Guarantor,  any  Indemnitor(s)  and  the  Property,  whether  furnished  by
Borrower,  any Guarantor,  any Indemnitor(s) or otherwise,  as Lender determines
necessary or desirable.  Borrower,  any Guarantor  and any  Indemnitor  agree to
cooperate  with Lender in connection  with any transfer  made or any  Securities
created pursuant to this Section, including, without limitation, the delivery of
an estoppel certificate required in accordance with Subsection 7.4(c) hereof and
such other  documents as may be reasonably  requested by Lender.  Borrower shall
also furnish and Borrower,  any Guarantor and any  Indemnitor  consent to Lender
furnishing to such Investors or such prospective Investors or such Rating Agency
any and all  information  concerning  the  Property,  the Leases,  the financial
condition of Borrower,  any Guarantor and any  Indemnitor as may be requested by
Lender,  any  Investor,  any  prospective  Investor  or  any  Rating  Agency  in
connection with any sale, transfer or participation interest.


                          Article 20 - COSTS

                  Section  20.1  PERFORMANCE  AT  BORROWER'S  EXPENSE.  Borrower
acknowledges  and  confirms  that Lender  shall  impose  certain  administrative
processing and/or commitment fees in connection with (a) the extension, renewal,
modification,  amendment  and  termination  of the  Loan,  (b)  the  release  or
substitution of collateral therefor, (c) obtaining certain consents, waivers and
approvals  with  respect  to the  Property,  or (d) the  review  of any Lease or
proposed   Lease  or  the   preparation   or   review   of  any   subordination,
non-disturbance agreement (the occurrence of any of the above shall be called an
"Event").   Borrower  further   acknowledges  and  confirms  that  it  shall  be
responsible  for the payment of all costs of  reappraisal of the Property or any
part thereof, whether required by law, regulation, Lender or any governmental or
quasi-governmental  authority.  Borrower hereby  acknowledges and agrees to pay,
immediately, with or without demand, all such fees (as the same may be increased
or decreased from time to time),  and any  additional  fees of a similar type or
nature which may be imposed by Lender from time to time,  upon the occurrence of
any Event or otherwise. Wherever it is provided for herein that Borrower pay any
costs and expenses,  such costs and expenses shall  include,  but not be limited
to, all legal fees and disbursements of Lender, whether with respect to retained
firms, the reimbursement for the expenses of in-house staff or otherwise.

                  Section 20.2  ATTORNEY'S  FEES FOR  ENFORCEMENT.  (a) Borrower
shall  pay all  legal  fees  incurred  by  Lender  in  connection  with  (i) the
preparation  of the  Note,  this  Security  Instrument  and the  Other  Security
Documents and (ii) the items set forth in Section above,  and (b) Borrower shall
pay to Lender on demand  any and all  expenses,  including  legal  expenses  and
attorneys'  fees,  incurred or paid by Lender in protecting  its interest in the
Property or

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<PAGE>



Personal  Property or in collecting any amount payable hereunder or in enforcing
its rights hereunder with respect to the Property or Personal Property,  whether
or not any legal proceeding is commenced  hereunder or thereunder and whether or
not any  default or Event of  Default  shall have  occurred  and is  continuing,
together  with  interest  thereon  at the  Default  Rate  from the date  paid or
incurred by Lender until such expenses are paid by Borrower.


                       Article 21 - DEFINITIONS

                  Section 21.1 GENERAL  DEFINITIONS.  Unless the context clearly
indicates a contrary intent or unless  otherwise  specifically  provided herein,
words used in this Security  Instrument may be used  interchangeably in singular
or  plural  form and the word  "Borrower"  shall  mean  "each  Borrower  and any
subsequent  owner or owners of the  Property or any part thereof or any interest
therein," the word "Lender" shall mean "Lender and any subsequent  holder of the
Note,"  the  word  "Note"  shall  mean  "the  Note  and any  other  evidence  of
indebtedness  secured by this  Security  Instrument,"  the word  "person"  shall
include an individual,  corporation,  partnership,  limited  liability  company,
trust, unincorporated association,  government,  governmental authority, and any
other entity,  the word "Property" shall include any portion of the Property and
any interest therein, and the phrases "attorneys' fees" and "counsel fees" shall
include any and all attorneys',  paralegal and law clerk fees and disbursements,
including,  but not limited to, fees and  disbursements at the pre-trial,  trial
and appellate  levels  incurred or paid by Lender in protecting  its interest in
the Property, the Leases and the Rents and enforcing its rights hereunder.


                Article 22 - MISCELLANEOUS PROVISIONS

                  Section 22.1 NO ORAL CHANGE. This Security Instrument, and any
provisions  hereof, may not be modified,  amended,  waived,  extended,  changed,
discharged or  terminated  orally or by any act or failure to act on the part of
Borrower  or Lender,  but only by an  agreement  in writing  signed by the party
against whom  enforcement of any  modification,  amendment,  waiver,  extension,
change, discharge or termination is sought.

                  Section 22.2 LIABILITY.  If Borrower consists of more than one
person,  the obligations and liabilities of each such person  hereunder shall be
joint and several.  This Security  Instrument shall be binding upon and inure to
the benefit of Borrower and Lender and their  respective  successors and assigns
forever.

                  Section 22.3 INAPPLICABLE PROVISIONS. If any term, covenant or
condition of the Note or this Security Instrument is held to be invalid, illegal
or unenforceable in any respect,  the Note and this Security Instrument shall be
construed without such provision.

                  Section  22.4  HEADINGS,  ETC.  The  headings  and captions of
various  Sections of this Security  Instrument are for  convenience of reference
only and are not to be construed as defining or limiting,  in any way, the scope
or intent of the provisions hereof.


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                                                      - 56 -

<PAGE>



                  Section 22.5 DUPLICATE ORIGINALS;  COUNTERPARTS. This Security
Instrument  may be  executed  in any  number  of  duplicate  originals  and each
duplicate original shall be deemed to be an original.  This Security  Instrument
may be executed in several  counterparts,  each of which  counterparts  shall be
deemed an original  instrument  and all of which  together  shall  constitute  a
single  Security  Instrument.  The failure of any party  hereto to execute  this
Security  Instrument,  or any  counterpart  hereof,  shall not relieve the other
signatories from their obligations hereunder.

                  Section  22.6  NUMBER AND  GENDER.  Whenever  the  context may
require,  any pronouns  used herein shall include the  corresponding  masculine,
feminine or neuter  forms,  and the singular  form of nouns and  pronouns  shall
include the plural and vice versa.

                  Section 22.7 SUBROGATION. If any or all of the proceeds of the
Note have been used to extinguish,  extend or renew any indebtedness  heretofore
existing against the Property,  then, to the extent of the funds so used, Lender
shall be subrogated to all of the rights,  claims,  liens, titles, and interests
existing against the Property  heretofore held by, or in favor of, the holder of
such indebtedness and such former rights,  claims, liens, titles, and interests,
if any,  are not waived but  rather  are  continued  in full force and effect in
favor of Lender  and are  merged  with the lien and  security  interest  created
herein as cumulative security for the repayment of the Debt, the performance and
discharge  of  Borrower's  obligations  hereunder,  under the Note and the Other
Security Documents and the performance and discharge of the Other Obligations.


             Article 23 - SPECIAL MASSACHUSETTS PROVISIONS

                  Section 23.1 In the event of any  inconsistencies  between the
terms and  conditions  of this Article 23 and the terms and  conditions  of this
Security  Instrument,  the terms and conditions of this Article 23 shall control
and be binding.

                  Section 23.2 The paragraph  following  the word  "RECITALS" is
hereby deleted and the following paragraph is substituted therefor:

                           For  Consideration  Paid, to secure the payment of an
                  indebtedness  in the  principal  sum of FIFTEEN  MILLION  FIVE
                  HUNDRED THOUSAND AND 00/100 DOLLARS ($15,500,000) lawful money
                  of the  United  States of  America,  to be paid with  interest
                  according  to a certain  note  dated the date  hereof  made by
                  Borrower to Lender (the note,  together  with all  extensions,
                  renewals   or   modifications    thereof   being   hereinafter
                  collectively  called  the  "Note"),  Borrower  has  mortgaged,
                  given, granted, bargained, sold, aliened, enfeoffed, conveyed,
                  confirmed,  pledged,  assigned and  hypothecated  and by these
                  presents does mortgage,  give,  grant,  bargain,  sell, alien,
                  enfeoff,  convey, confirm, pledge, assign and hypothecate unto
                  Lender  WITH  MORTGAGE   COVENANTS,   the  Property  (as  more
                  particularly described in Section 1.1 below);


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                                             - 57 -

<PAGE>



                  Section 23.3 The words "with covenants" are hereby added after
the word  "Lender"  contained  in the  second  line of Article  1,  Section  1.1
entitled "Property Mortgaged."

                  Section 23.4 The words "located in the Town of Canton,  County
of Norfolk,  and Commonwealth of  Massachusetts  and" are hereby added after the
words "real property" in Article 1, Section 1.1(a) entitled "Land."

                  Section 23.5              Intentionally Omitted

                  Section  23.6 The words "fire pipe  charges"  are hereby added
following  the words  "governmental  impositions"  in Article 3, Section  3.4(a)
entitled "Payment of Taxes, Etc."

                  Section 23.7 The third  sentence of Article 3, Section  3.7(a)
entitled  "Leases  and  Rents" is  deleted  in its  entirety  and the  following
sentence is substituted therefor:

                           All Leases shall provide that they are subordinate or
                  superior to this Security Instrument as Lender elects and that
                  the Lessee agrees to attorn to the Lender.

                  Section 23.8 The word "right" in the first sentence of Article
5, Section 5.1 entitled  "Warranty of Title" is hereby deleted and the following
words are substituted therefor:

                  full power, authority and right to execute, deliver and 
                  perform its obligations under this Security Instrument and

                  Section  23.9 The  following  words are hereby added after the
words  "environmental  laws"  found in the third line of  Article 5,  Subsection
5.6(c): "subdivision control laws, rent control and condominium control laws."

                  Section 23.10 The following  words are hereby added to the end
of Article 10, Section 10.3 entitled "Default Interest":

                  and (c) Lender  shall  have the  STATUTORY  POWER OF SALE,  as
                  hereinafter  provided.  If the rate  specified in the previous
                  sentence is above the maximum  rate  permitted  by  applicable
                  law, the Default  Rate shall be the maximum rate  permitted by
                  applicable law.

                  Section  23.11 The  following  language is hereby added to the
end of the third  sentence of Article 12,  Section 12.1 entitled  "Environmental
Representations and Warranties":

     M.G.L. c. 21 (Massachusetts Clean Waters Act; Scenic Rivers Act), M.G.L. c.
     21C (Massachusetts Hazardous Waste Management Act), M.G.L. c. 21E
     (Massachusetts Oil and Hazardous Materials Release Prevention and Response
     Act), M.G.L. c. 130 (Massachusetts Coastal Zone Management Act), M.G.L. c.

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                                                      - 58 -

<PAGE>



     131 (Massachusetts Wetland Protection Act), M.G.L. c. 30 (Massachusetts
     Environmental Policy Act), M.G.L. c. 91 (waterways, licensing), M.G.L. c. 
     111 (air pollution); and in each case all regulations promulgated 
     thereunder.

                  Section 23.12 The word "INTERNAL" is hereby added  immediately
before the word "LAWS"  wherever the word "LAWS"  appears in Article 18, Section
18.1 entitled "CHOICE OF LAW."

                  Section 23.13 The words "including,  without  limitation,  any
subsequent  owner or owners of the equity of  redemption  in the  Property"  are
hereby added  following the words "or any part thereof or any interest  therein"
in  the  first   sentence  of  Article  21,   Section  21.1  entitled   "General
Definitions".

                  Section  23.14   Statutory   Power  of  Sale.   This  Security
Instrument is upon the STATUTORY  CONDITION and upon the further  condition that
all  covenants  and  agreements  of the Security  Instrument  in the Note,  this
Security  Instrument  and  the  Other  Security  Documents,  and  in  all  other
mortgages, debts and obligations of or from Borrower to or for benefit of Lender
shall be kept and fully performed and upon any breach of same, Lender shall have
the STATUTORY POWER OF SALE and any other powers given by statute.





























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                                                      - 59 -

<PAGE>



                  IN WITNESS WHEREOF, THIS SECURITY INSTRUMENT has been executed
by Borrower the day and year first above written.


                                           JBAK CANTON REALTY, INC., a
                                           Massachusetts corporation

                                           By:      /s/Alan I. Weinstein
                                           Name: Alan I. Weinstein
                                           Title: President





































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                                                      - 60 -

<PAGE>





                                                 ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS


STATE OF MASSACHUSETTS                               )
                                                     ).ss:
COUNTY OF NORFOLK                                    )

         On  this  27th  day of  December,  1996,  before  me  appeared  Alan I.
Weinstein,  to me personally  known, who being by me duly sworn, did say that he
is the President of JBAK CANTON REALTY, INC., a Massachusetts  corporation,  and
that said  instrument was signed on behalf of said  corporation and said Alan I.
Weinstein  acknowledged  said  instrument  to be the  free  act and deed of said
corporation.



                                            /s/Evelyn S. Clegg
                                            Notary Public

                                            My Commission Expires:
                                            5/24/2002



























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<PAGE>




                               EXHIBIT A

                         (Description of Land)

                  ALL of that  certain  lot,  piece or parcel of land,  with the
buildings and improvements thereon, situate, lying and being










































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<PAGE>
                              TABLE OF CONTENTS
<TABLE>
    <S>                                                                                                       <C>
                                                                                                              Page

    Article 1 - GRANTS OF SECURITY............................................................................- 1 -
         Section 1.1           PROPERTY MORTGAGED.............................................................- 1 -
                               ------------------
         Section 1.2           ASSIGNMENT OF RENTS............................................................- 3 -
                               -------------------
         Section 1.3           SECURITY AGREEMENT.............................................................- 4 -
                               ------------------
         Section 1.4           PLEDGE OF MONIES HELD..........................................................- 4 -
                               ---------------------

                                     Article 2 - DEBT AND OBLIGATIONS SECURED.................................- 4 -
         Section 2.1           DEBT...........................................................................- 4 -
                               ----
         Section 2.2           OTHER OBLIGATIONS..............................................................- 5 -
                               -----------------
         Section 2.3           DEBT AND OTHER OBLIGATIONS.....................................................- 5 -
                               --------------------------
         Section 2.4           PAYMENTS.......................................................................- 5 -
                               --------

    Article 3 - BORROWER COVENANTS............................................................................- 6 -
         Section 3.1           PAYMENT OF DEBT................................................................- 6 -
                               ---------------
         Section 3.2           INCORPORATION BY REFERENCE.....................................................- 6 -
                               --------------------------
         Section 3.3           INSURANCE......................................................................- 6 -
                               ---------
         Section 3.4           PAYMENT OF TAXES, ETC.........................................................- 10 -
                               ---------------------
         Section 3.5           ESCROW FUND...................................................................- 11 -
                               -----------
         Section 3.6           CONDEMNATION..................................................................- 11 -
                               ------------
         Section 3.7           LEASES AND RENTS..............................................................- 12 -
                               ----------------
         Section 3.8           MAINTENANCE OF PROPERTY.......................................................- 14 -
                               -----------------------
         Section 3.9           WASTE.........................................................................- 14 -
                               -----
         Section 3.10          COMPLIANCE WITH LAWS..........................................................- 14 -
                               --------------------
         Section 3.11          BOOKS AND RECORDS.............................................................- 15 -
                               -----------------
         Section 3.12          PAYMENT FOR LABOR AND MATERIALS...............................................- 16 -
                               -------------------------------
         Section 3.13          PERFORMANCE OF OTHER AGREEMENTS...............................................- 17 -
                               -------------------------------

    Article 4 - SPECIAL COVENANTS............................................................................- 17 -
         Section 4.1           PROPERTY USE..................................................................- 17 -
                               ------------
         Section 4.2           ERISA.........................................................................- 17 -
                               -----
         Section 4.3           SINGLE PURPOSE ENTITY.........................................................- 18 -
                               ---------------------
         Section 4.4           RESTORATION...................................................................- 20 -
                               -----------

                                    Article 5 - REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES...............................- 24 -
         Section 5.1           WARRANTY OF TITLE.............................................................- 24 -
                               -----------------
         Section 5.2           AUTHORITY.....................................................................- 24 -
                               ---------
         Section 5.3           LEGAL STATUS AND AUTHORITY....................................................- 24 -
                               --------------------------
         Section 5.4           VALIDITY OF DOCUMENTS.........................................................- 25 -
                               ---------------------
         Section 5.5           LITIGATION....................................................................- 25 -
                               ----------
         Section 5.6           STATUS OF PROPERTY............................................................- 25 -
                               ------------------
         Section 5.7           NO FOREIGN PERSON.............................................................- 26 -
                               -----------------
         Section 5.8           SEPARATE TAX LOT..............................................................- 26 -
                               ----------------
         Section 5.9           ERISA COMPLIANCE..............................................................- 26 -
                               ----------------

                                                  -i-

<PAGE>
         Section 5.10          LEASES........................................................................- 27 -
                               ------
         Section 5.11          FINANCIAL CONDITION...........................................................- 27 -
                               -------------------
         Section 5.12          BUSINESS PURPOSES.............................................................- 27 -
                               -----------------
         Section 5.13          TAXES.........................................................................- 27 -
                               -----
         Section 5.14          MAILING ADDRESS...............................................................- 28 -
                               ---------------
         Section 5.15          NO CHANGE IN FACTS OR CIRCUMSTANCES...........................................- 28 -
                               -----------------------------------
         Section 5.16          DISCLOSURE....................................................................- 28 -
                               ----------
         Section 5.17          THIRD PARTY REPRESENTATIONS...................................................- 28 -
                               ---------------------------
         Section 5.18          ILLEGAL ACTIVITY..............................................................- 28 -
                               ----------------
         Section 5.19          CONTRACTS.....................................................................- 28 -
                               ---------

  Article 6 - OBLIGATIONS AND RELIANCES......................................................................- 28 -
         Section 6.1           RELATIONSHIP OF BORROWER AND LENDER...........................................- 28 -
                               -----------------------------------
         Section 6.2           NO RELIANCE ON LENDER.........................................................- 28 -
                               ---------------------
         Section 6.3           NO LENDER OBLIGATIONS.........................................................- 29 -
                               ---------------------
         Section 6.4           RELIANCE......................................................................- 29 -
                               --------

    Article 7 - FURTHER ASSURANCES...........................................................................- 29 -
         Section 7.1           RECORDING OF SECURITY INSTRUMENT, ETC.........................................- 29 -
                               -------------------------------------
         Section 7.2           FURTHER ACTS, ETC.............................................................- 30 -
                               -----------------
         Section 7.3           CHANGES IN TAX, DEBT CREDIT AND DOCUMENTARY STAMP
                               -------------------------------------------------
                               LAWS..........................................................................- 30 -
         Section 7.4           ESTOPPEL CERTIFICATES.........................................................- 31 -
                               ---------------------
         Section 7.5           FLOOD INSURANCE...............................................................- 31 -
                               ---------------
         Section 7.6           SPLITTING OF SECURITY INSTRUMENT..............................................- 31 -
                               --------------------------------
         Section 7.7           REPLACEMENT DOCUMENTS.........................................................- 32 -
                               ---------------------

   Article 8 - DUE ON SALE/ENCUMBRANCE.......................................................................- 32 -
         Section 8.1           LENDER RELIANCE...............................................................- 32 -
                               ---------------
         Section 8.2           NO SALE/ENCUMBRANCE...........................................................- 32 -
                               -------------------
         Section 8.3           SALE/ENCUMBRANCE DEFINED......................................................- 32 -
                               ------------------------
         Section 8.4           LENDER'S RIGHTS...............................................................- 33 -
                               ---------------
         Section 8.5           ONE-TIME TRANSFER. ...........................................................- 33 -
                               -----------------

      Article 9 - PREPAYMENT.................................................................................- 35 -
         Section 9.1           PREPAYMENT BEFORE EVENT OF DEFAULT............................................- 35 -
                               ----------------------------------
         Section 9.2           PREPAYMENT ON CASUALTY OR CONDEMNATION........................................- 35 -
                               --------------------------------------
         Section 9.3           PREPAYMENT AFTER EVENT OF DEFAULT.............................................- 35 -
                               ---------------------------------

      Article 10 - DEFAULT...................................................................................- 36 -
         Section 10.1          EVENTS OF DEFAULT.............................................................- 36 -
                               -----------------
         Section 10.2          LATE PAYMENT CHARGE...........................................................- 38 -
                               -------------------
         Section 10.3          DEFAULT INTEREST..............................................................- 38 -
                               ----------------

   Article 11 - RIGHTS AND REMEDIES..........................................................................- 39 -
         Section 11.1          REMEDIES......................................................................- 39 -
                               --------
         Section 11.2          APPLICATION OF PROCEEDS.......................................................- 41 -
                               -----------------------

                                                   -ii-

<PAGE>
         Section 11.3          RIGHT TO CURE DEFAULTS........................................................- 41 -
                               ----------------------
         Section 11.4          ACTIONS AND PROCEEDINGS.......................................................- 42 -
                               -----------------------
         Section 11.5          RECOVERY OF SUMS REQUIRED TO BE PAID..........................................- 42 -
                               ------------------------------------
         Section 11.6          EXAMINATION OF BOOKS AND RECORDS..............................................- 42 -
                               --------------------------------
         Section 11.7          OTHER RIGHTS, ETC.............................................................- 42 -
                               -----------------
         Section 11.8          RIGHT TO RELEASE ANY PORTION OF THE PROPERTY..................................- 43 -
                               --------------------------------------------
         Section 11.9          VIOLATION OF LAWS.............................................................- 43 -
                               -----------------
         Section 11.10         RECOURSE AND CHOICE OF REMEDIES...............................................- 43 -
                               -------------------------------
         Section 11.11         RIGHT OF ENTRY................................................................- 44 -
                               --------------

   Article 12 - ENVIRONMENTAL HAZARDS........................................................................- 44 -
         Section 12.1          ENVIRONMENTAL REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES..................................- 44 -
                               --------------------------------------------
         Section 12.2          ENVIRONMENTAL COVENANTS.......................................................- 45 -
                               -----------------------
         Section 12.3          LENDER'S RIGHTS...............................................................- 46 -
                               ---------------

    Article 13 - INDEMNIFICATION.............................................................................- 46 -
         Section 13.1          GENERAL INDEMNIFICATION.......................................................- 46 -
                               -----------------------
         Section 13.2          MORTGAGE AND/OR INTANGIBLE TAX................................................- 47 -
                               ------------------------------
         Section 13.3          ERISA INDEMNIFICATION.........................................................- 47 -
                               ---------------------
         Section 13.4          ENVIRONMENTAL INDEMNIFICATION.................................................- 48 -
                               -----------------------------
         Section 13.5          DUTY TO DEFEND; ATTORNEYS' FEES AND OTHER FEES AND
                               --------------------------------------------------
                               EXPENSES......................................................................- 49 -

      Article 14 - WAIVERS...................................................................................- 49 -
         Section 14.1          WAIVER OF COUNTERCLAIM........................................................- 49 -
                               ----------------------
         Section 14.2          MARSHALLING AND OTHER MATTERS.................................................- 49 -
                               -----------------------------
         Section 14.3          WAIVER OF NOTICE..............................................................- 49 -
                               ----------------
         Section 14.4          WAIVER OF STATUTE OF LIMITATIONS..............................................- 49 -
                               --------------------------------
         Section 14.5          SOLE DISCRETION OF LENDER.....................................................- 49 -
                               -------------------------
         Section 14.6          SURVIVAL......................................................................- 50 -
                               --------
         SECTION 14.7          WAIVER OF TRIAL BY JURY.......................................................- 50 -
                               -----------------------

     Article 15 - EXCULPATION................................................................................- 50 -
         Section 15.1          EXCULPATION...................................................................- 50 -
                               -----------
         Section 15.2          RESERVATION OF CERTAIN RIGHTS.................................................- 51 -
                               -----------------------------
         Section 15.3          EXCEPTIONS TO EXCULPATION.....................................................- 51 -
                               -------------------------
         Section 15.4          RECOURSE......................................................................- 51 -
                               --------
         Section 15.5          BANKRUPTCY CLAIMS.............................................................- 51 -
                               -----------------

      Article 16 - NOTICES...................................................................................- 52 -
         Section 16.1          NOTICES.......................................................................- 52 -
                               -------

    Article 17 - SERVICE OF PROCESS..........................................................................- 53 -
         Section 17.1          CONSENT TO SERVICE............................................................- 53 -
                               ------------------
         Section 17.2          SUBMISSION TO JURISDICTION....................................................- 53 -
                               --------------------------
         Section 17.3          JURISDICTION NOT EXCLUSIVE....................................................- 54 -
                               --------------------------

                                                  -iii-

<PAGE>
     Article 18 - APPLICABLE LAW.............................................................................- 54 -
         Section 18.1          CHOICE OF LAW.................................................................- 54 -
                               -------------
         Section 18.2          USURY LAWS....................................................................- 54 -
                               ----------
         Section 18.3          PROVISIONS SUBJECT TO APPLICABLE LAW..........................................- 54 -
                               ------------------------------------

    Article 19 - SECONDARY MARKET............................................................................- 55 -
         Section 19.1          TRANSFER OF LOAN..............................................................- 55 -
                               ----------------

       Article 20 - COSTS....................................................................................- 55 -
         Section 20.1          PERFORMANCE AT BORROWER'S EXPENSE.............................................- 55 -
                               ---------------------------------
         Section 20.2          ATTORNEY'S FEES FOR ENFORCEMENT...............................................- 55 -
                               -------------------------------

     Article 21 - DEFINITIONS................................................................................- 56 -
         Section 21.1          GENERAL DEFINITIONS...........................................................- 56 -
                               -------------------

  Article 22 - MISCELLANEOUS PROVISIONS......................................................................- 56 -
         Section 22.1          NO ORAL CHANGE................................................................- 56 -
                               --------------
         Section 22.2          LIABILITY.....................................................................- 56 -
                               ---------
         Section 22.3          INAPPLICABLE PROVISIONS.......................................................- 56 -
                               -----------------------
         Section 22.4          HEADINGS, ETC.................................................................- 56 -
                               -------------
         Section 22.5          DUPLICATE ORIGINALS; COUNTERPARTS.............................................- 57 -
                               ---------------------------------
         Section 22.6          NUMBER AND GENDER.............................................................- 57 -
                               -----------------
         Section 22.7          SUBROGATION...................................................................- 57 -
                               -----------

      Article 23 - SPECIAL ..................................................................................- 57 -
         Section 23.1........................................................................................- 57 -
         Section 23.2........................................................................................- 57 -
         Section 23.3........................................................................................- 58 -
         Section 23.4........................................................................................- 58 -
         Section 23.5........................................................................................- 58 -
         Section 23.6........................................................................................- 58 -
         Section 23.7........................................................................................- 58 -
         Section 23.8........................................................................................- 58 -
         Section 23.9........................................................................................- 58 -
         Section 23.10.......................................................................................- 58 -
         Section 23.11.......................................................................................- 58 -
         Section 23.12.......................................................................................- 59 -
         Section 23.13.......................................................................................- 59 -
         Section 23.14              Statutory Power of Sale..................................................- 59 -
         DEFINITIONS............................................................................................-v-

</TABLE>
                                 -iv-

<PAGE>




                                DEFINITIONS

         The terms set forth below are defined in the following Sections of this
         Security Instrument:


          (a)      Additional Reserve:  Article 3, Subsection 3.7(d);
                   ------------------
          (b)      Applicable Laws:  Article 3, Subsection 3.10(a);
                   ---------------
          (c)      Attorneys' Fees/Counsel Fees:  Article 21, Section 21.1;
                   ----------------------------
          (d)      Bankruptcy Code:  Article 1, Subsection 1.1(f);
                   ---------------
          (e)      Borrower:  Preamble and Article 21, Section 21.1;
                   --------
          (f)      Business Day:  Article 16, Section 16.1;
                   ------------
          (g)      Condemnation Proceeds:  Article 4, Subsection 4.4(b)(ii);
                   ---------------------
          (h)      Debt:  Article 2, Section 2.1;
                   ----
          (i)      Default Prepayment:  Article 9, Section 9.3;
                   ------------------
          (j)      Default Rate:  Article 10, Section 10.3;
                   ------------
          (k)      Environmental Indemnity:  Article 10, Subsection 10.1(q);
                   -----------------------
          (l)      Environmental Law:  Article 12, Section 12.1;
                   -----------------
          (m)      Environmental Liens:  Article 12, Subsection 12.2(d);
                   -------------------
          (n)      Environmental Report: Article 12, Subsection 12.1(a)
                   --------------------
          (o)      ERISA:  Article 4, Subsection 4.2(a);
                   -----
          (p)      Escrow Fund:  Article 3, Section 3.5;
                   -----------
          (q)      Event:  Article 20, Section 20.1;
                   -----
          (r)      Event of Default:  Article 10, Section 10.1;
                   ----------------
          (s)      Flood Insurance Acts:  Article 3, Subsection 3.3(a)(vii);
                   --------------------
          (t)      Full Replacement Cost:  Article 3, Subsection 3.3(a)(i)(A);
                   ---------------------
          (u)      GAAP:  Article 3, Subsection 3.11(a);
                   ----

[NY01:247789.4]  86000-00376  12/23/96 4:57pm
                                                        -v-

<PAGE>



          (v)      Guarantor:  Article 10, Subsection 10.1(e);
                   ---------
          (w)      Hazardous Substances:  Article 12, Section 12.1;
                   --------------------
          (x)      Improvements:  Article 1, Subsection 1.1(c);
                   ------------
          (y)      Indemnified Parties:  Article 13, Section 13.1;
                   -------------------
          (z)      Indemnitor(s):  Article 10, Subsection 10.1(o);
                   -------------
          (aa)     Insurance Premiums:  Article 3, Subsection 3.3(b);
                   ------------------
          (ab)     Insurance Proceeds:  Article 4, Subsection 4.4(b);
                   ------------------
          (ac)     Investor:  Article 19, Section 19.1;
                   --------
          (ad)     J. Baker Lease: Article 5, Section 5.10;
                   --------------
          (ae)     Land:  Article 1, Subsection 1.1(a);
                   ----
          (af)     Lease Guaranty:  Article 3, Subsection 3.7(a);
                   --------------
          (ag)     Leases:  Article 1, Subsection 1.1(f);
                   ------
          (ah)     Lender:  Preamble and Article 21, Section 21.1;
                   ------
          (ai)     Loan:  Article 5, Subsection 5.12;
                   ----
          (aj)     Loan Application:  Article 5, Section 5.15;
                   ----------------
          (ak)     Losses:  Article 13, Section 13.1;
                   ------
          (al)     Net Proceeds:  Article 4, Subsection 4.4(b);
                   ------------
          (am)     Net Proceeds Deficiency:  Article 4, Subsection 4.4(b)(vi);
                   -----------------------
          (an)     Note:  Recitals and Article 21, Section 21.1;
                   ----
          (ao)     Obligations:  Article 2, Section 2.3;
                   -----------
          (ap)     Other Charges:  Article 3, Subsection 3.4(a);
                   -------------
          (aq)     Other Obligations:  Article 2, Section 2.2;
                   -----------------
          (ar)     Other Security Documents:  Article 3, Section 3.2;
                   ------------------------
          (as)     Permitted Exceptions:  Article 5, Section 5.1;
                   --------------------


                                                       -vi-

<PAGE>


         (at)     Person:  Article 21, Section 21.1;
                  ------
         (au)     Personal Property:  Article 1, Subsection 1.1(e);
                   -----------------
         (av)     Policies/Policy:  Article 3, Subsection 3.3(b);
                  ---------------
         (aw)     Property:  Article 1, Section 1.1 and Article 21, Section 
                  ---------
                  21.1;
         (ax)     Qualified Insurer:  Article 3, Subsection 3.3(b);
                  -----------------
         (ay)     Rating Agency:  Article 3, Subsection 3.3(b);
                  -------------
         (az)     Related Entities:  Article 8, Subsection 8.5(c)(E);
                  ----------------
         (ba)     Release:  Article 12, Section 12.1;
                  -------
         (bb)     Remediation:  Article 12, Section 12.1;
                  -----------
         (bc)     Rents:  Article 1, Subsection 1.1(f);
                  -----
         (bd)     Restoration:  Article 3, Subsection 3.3(h);
                  -----------
         (be)     Restoration Consultant:  Article 4, Subsection 4.4(b)(iii);
                  ----------------------
         (bf)     Restoration Retainage:  Article 4, Subsection 4.4(b)(iv);
                  ---------------------
         (bg)     Securities:  Article 19, Section 19.1;
                  ----------
         (bh)     Security Deposits:  Article 3, Subsection 3.7(c);
                  -----------------
         (bi)     Security Instrument:  Preamble;
                  -------------------
         (bj)     Taxes:  Article 3, Subsection 3.4(a);
                  -----
         (bk)     Tenant's Transferee:  Article 3, Subsection 3.7(d);
                  -------------------
         (bl)     Transferee:  Article 8, Subsection 8.5(c)(C);
                  ----------
         (bm)     Transferee's Principals:  Article 8, Subsection 8.5(c)(C);
                  -----------------------
         (bn)     Uniform Commercial Code:  Article 1, Subsection 1.1(e)
                  -----------------------

                                                       -vii-


<PAGE>

                              EXHIBIT 11
                     J. BAKER, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
           Computation of Primary and Fully Diluted Earnings Per Share*

<TABLE>
<S>                                                      <C>                    <C>              <C>                 <C>          
                                                                       Quarter Ended                       Year Ended
                                                            February 1,          February 3,        February 1,        February 3,
                                                              1997                  1996              1997                1996
                                                            --------              --------          --------            ------

PRIMARY:

Net Earnings                                             $(115,157,548)         $   690,603      $(111,427,903)      $(38,602,114)
                                                         =============          ===========      =============       ============


Weighted average number of common
     shares outstanding                                     13,892,397           13,872,378         13,887,544         13,858,273
                                                           ===========          ===========        ===========        ===========


Earnings (Loss) Per Share                                      $(8.290)             $0.0498            $(8.024)           $(2.790)
                                                          ============          ===========       ============       ============


ASSUMING FULL DILUTION:

Net Earnings (Loss) 1                                    $(115,157,548)          $  690,603      $(111,427,403)      $(38,602,114)
                                                         =============           ==========      =============       ============

Weighted average number of common
    shares outstanding                                      13,892,397           13,872,378         13,887,544         13,858,273

Dilutive effect of outstanding stock options
    and warrants                                                10,935                4,927             13,089             47,272
Dilutive effect of convertible subordin ated debt                    -                    -                  -                  -
                                                         -------------          -----------      -------------       -----------

Weighted average number of common
    shares as adjusted                                      13,903,332           13,877,305         13,900,633         13,905,545
                                                           ===========          ===========        ===========         ==========

Earnings (Loss) Per Share                                      $(8.283)              $0.005            $(8.016)           $(2.776)
                                                         =============          ===========       ============        ===========

</TABLE>

1  For the  purpose of  calculating  fully  diluted  earnings  per share for the
   quarter and year ended January 28, 1995, the conversion of the 7% convertible
   debt results in an after tax benefit from reduced interest expense.

* This calculation is submitted in accordance with Item 601(b)(11) of Regulation
S-K.






<PAGE>


                              EXHIBIT 12
                     J. BAKER, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
            Computation of Ratio of Earnings to Fixed Charges
                       (Dollars in thousands)



<TABLE>
<S>                                                <C>            <C>             <C>              <C>              <C>           
                                                                              Fiscal Years Ended
                                                   ----------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                   January 30,    January 29,     January 28,      February 3,      February 1,
                                                      1993           1994            1995             1996*            1997**
                                                   ----------     ----------      ----------       ----------       ---------
Historical ratio of earnings to fixed charges

Earnings (loss) from continuing operations
   before taxes and extraordinary item per
   consolidated statements of earnings                $21,076        $36,424         $36,899        $(64,425)       $(157,274)

Add:
   Portion of rents representative of the
     interest factor                                    6,564         15,227          17,593          17,316           16,283
   Interest on indebtedness including the
     amortization of debt expense and
     detachable warrant value(1)                        8,211          8,146           9,735          10,983           13,056
                                                      -------        -------         -------         -------          -------

Earnings (loss) before fixed charges,
     as adjusted                                      $35,851        $59,797         $64,227        $(36,126)       $(127,935)
                                                       ======         ======          ======         =======         ========

Fixed charges
   Interest on indebtedness including the
     amortization of debt expense and
     detachable warrant value (1)                    $  8,211      $   8,146        $  9,735        $ 10,983         $ 13,056
                                                      -------       --------         -------         -------          -------
Rents                                                $ 19,691       $ 45,680        $ 52,780        $ 51,948         $ 48,850
   Portion of rents representative of
     the interest factor (2)                         $  6,564       $ 15,227        $ 17,593        $ 17,316         $ 16,283
                                                      -------        -------         -------         -------          -------
   Fixed charges (1) + (2)                           $ 14,775       $ 23,373        $ 27,328        $ 28,299         $ 29,339
                                                      =======        =======         =======         =======          =======

Ratio of earnings (loss) to fixed charges                2.43x          2.56x           2.35x          (1.28)x          (4.36)x
                                                      =======        =======         =======         =======          =======
</TABLE>


(*)  1996 reflects the impact of restructuring charges of $69,300,000.
(**) 1997 reflects the impact of restructuring and other non-recurring charges 
     of $122,309,000.



<PAGE>





                              EXHIBIT 21

                   SUBSIDIARIES OF THE REGISTRANT


<TABLE>
<S>                                         <C>                                <C>
                                            State or other
                                            Jurisdiction                       Name under which
Name                                        of Incorporation                   Business is done
- --------------------------                  ---------------------              -----------------

JBAK Canton Realty, Inc.                    Massachusetts                      JBAK Canton Realty, Inc.

JBI, Inc.                                   Massachusetts                      JBI, Inc.
                                                                               J. Baker, Inc.
                                                                               Parade of Shoes
                                                                               Shoe Corporation of America


JBI Holding Company, Inc.*                  Delaware                           JBI Holding Company, Inc.


Morse Shoe, Inc.*                           Delaware                           Morse Shoe, Inc.


Spencer Companies, Inc.                     Massachusetts                      Spencer Companies, Inc.


The Casual Male, Inc.                       Massachusetts                      Casual Male Big & Tall

TCM Holding Company, Inc.**                 Delaware                           TCM Holding Company, Inc.

TCMB&T, Inc.                                Massachusetts                      Casual Male Big & Tall

WGS Corp.                                   Massachusetts                      Work 'n Gear

</TABLE>



*  Subsidiaries of JBI, Inc.
** Subsidiary of The Casual Male, Inc.




<PAGE>


                             EXHIBIT 23


                   INDEPENDENT AUDITORS' CONSENT





The Board of Directors
J. Baker, Inc.


We consent to the incorporation by reference in Registration Statements of J. 
Baker, Inc. on Form S-8 No. 33-10385, No. 33-20302, No. 33-39425, No. 33-59786, 
No. 33-59788, No. 33-59790 and No. 33-60605, and on Form S-3 No. 33-51645 and 
No. 333-2797 of our report dated March 20, 1997 appearing in the Annual Report 
on Form 10-K of J. Baker, Inc. for the year ended February 1, 1997.




                                                /s/ KPMG Peat Marwick LLP
                                                KPMG PEAT MARWICK LLP





Boston, Massachusetts
April 29, 1997


<TABLE> <S> <C>

<ARTICLE> 5
<LEGEND>
THIS SCHEDULE CONTAINS SUMMARY FINANCIAL INFORMATION EXTRACTED FROM THE
FINANCIAL STATEMENTS OF J. BAKER, INC. FOR THE YEAR ENDED FEBRUARY 1, 1997 AND
IS QUALIFIED IN ITS ENTIRETY BY REFERENCE TO SUCH FINANCIAL STATEMENTS.
</LEGEND>
       
<S>                             <C>
<PERIOD-TYPE>                   12-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                          FEB-01-1997
<PERIOD-END>                               FEB-01-1997
<CASH>                                       3,969,116
<SECURITIES>                                         0
<RECEIVABLES>                               21,796,137
<ALLOWANCES>                                 5,286,617
<INVENTORY>                                146,045,496
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                           272,358,747
<PP&E>                                     116,686,446
<DEPRECIATION>                              40,032,801
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                             382,520,803
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                       90,236,386
<BONDS>                                    214,092,084
                                0
                                          0
<COMMON>                                     6,946,199
<OTHER-SE>                                  65,043,061
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>               382,520,803
<SALES>                                    897,491,941
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                           897,491,941
<CGS>                                      542,246,938
<TOTAL-COSTS>                              542,246,938
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                                     0
<LOSS-PROVISION>                                     0
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                          12,802,377
<INCOME-PRETAX>                          (157,273,903)
<INCOME-TAX>                              (45,846,000)
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                      (111,427,903)
<DISCONTINUED>                                       0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                      0
<CHANGES>                                            0
<NET-INCOME>                             (111,427,903)
<EPS-PRIMARY>                                   (8.02)
<EPS-DILUTED>                                   (8.02)
        


<PAGE>



</TABLE>


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