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UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
WASHINGTON, D. C. 20549
FORM 10-K
[X] ANNUAL REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE
ACT OF 1934
For the fiscal year ended June 30, 1999
or
[ ] TRANSITION REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES
EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934
For the transition period from to
Commission file number 1-9169
BERNARD CHAUS, INC.
(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)
New York 13-2807386
(State or other jurisdiction of (I.R.S. Employer Identification No.)
incorporation or organization)
1410 Broadway, New York, New York 10018
(Address of principal executive offices) (Zip Code)
Registrant's telephone number, including area code
(212) 354-1280
SECURITIES REGISTERED PURSUANT TO SECTION 12(B) OF THE ACT:
Title of each class Name of each exchange on which registered
------------------- -----------------------------------------
Common Stock, $0.01 par value New York Stock Exchange
SECURITIES REGISTERED PURSUANT TO SECTION 12(G) OF THE ACT: None
Indicate by check mark whether 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 [ ]
Indicate by check mark if disclosure of delinquent filers pursuant to Item
405 of Regulation S-K (Section 229.405 of this chapter) is not contained herein,
and will not be contained, to the best of 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. [ ]
The aggregate market value of the voting stock held by non-affiliates of
the registrant on September 7, 1999 was $23,769,000.
Indicate the number of shares outstanding of each of the registrant's
classes of common stock, as of the latest practicable date.
Date Class Shares Outstanding
---- ----- ------------------
September 7, 1999 Common Stock, $0.01 par value 27,115,907
LOCATION IN FORM 10-K IN
DOCUMENTS INCORPORATED BY REFERENCE WHICH INCORPORATED
----------------------------------- ------------------
Portions of registrant's Proxy Statement for the Annual Part III
Meeting of Stockholders to be held November 17, 1999.
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PART I
ITEM 1. BUSINESS.
GENERAL
Bernard Chaus, Inc. (the "Company" or "Chaus") designs, arranges for the
manufacture of and markets an extensive range of women's career and casual
sportswear principally under the JOSEPHINE CHAUS(Registered Trademark)
COLLECTION, JOSEPHINE CHAUS(Registered Trademark) STUDIO, JOSEPHINE
CHAUS(Registered Trademark) ESSENTIALS and JOSEPHINE CHAUS(Registered Trademark)
SPORT trademarks. The Company's products are sold nationwide through department
store chains, specialty retailers and other retail outlets. The Company has
positioned its Chaus product line into the opening price points of the "better"
category. Effective in October 1998, the Company and Nautica Apparel Inc. agreed
to terminate the license agreement pursuant to which the Company had
manufactured and marketed a women's apparel line under the Nautica brand name.
In February 1999 the Company announced the introduction of two new brand
names, Josephine Chaus Studio and Josephine Chaus Essentials, as part of an
effort to better serve the lifestyle needs of women today. In addition, the
Company announced the relaunch of its highly successful Chaus career sportswear
and Chaus Sport casual sportswear businesses under the brand names Josephine
Chaus Collection and Josephine Chaus Sport, respectively. The new lines began
shipping in June 1999 to department stores for the Fall 1999 season.
PRODUCTS
The Company markets its products as coordinated groups of jackets, skirts,
pants, blouses, sweaters and related accessories principally under the following
brand names that also include products for women and petites:
JOSEPHINE CHAUS COLLECTION (formerly Chaus) - a collection of better tailored
career clothing that includes tailored suits, dresses, jackets, skirts and
pants.
JOSEPHINE CHAUS STUDIO - a new line of better sportswear featuring contemporary
styling and offering a more casual approach to traditional career dressing.
JOSEPHINE CHAUS ESSENTIALS - a new line of better sportswear separates, also
designed with a contemporary approach. This new line includes jackets, skirts,
pants, blouses and sweaters to be mixed and matched.
JOSEPHINE CHAUS SPORT (formerly Chaus Sport) - designed for more relaxed
dressing. This line includes casual tops, sweaters, pants, skirts, shorts and
other items for "true weekend" wear.
The above products, while sold as separates, are coordinated by styles,
color schemes and fabrics and are designed to be merchandised and worn together.
The Company believes that the target consumers for its products are women aged
24 to 64.
Women's apparel is generally divided into five price categories, namely
(listed from lowest to highest) "mass merchandise", "moderate", "better",
"bridge" and "designer". These categories are distinguished principally by
differences in price and, as a general matter, by differences in quality. The
Company has positioned its Chaus product line into the opening price points of
the "better" category.
During fiscal 1999, the suggested retail prices of the Company's Chaus
products ranged between $24.00 and $280.00. The Company's jackets ranged in
price between $120.00 and $280.00, its blouses and sweaters ranged in price
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between $40.00 and $140.00, its skirts and pants ranged in price between $28.00
and $120.00, and its knit tops and bottoms ranged in price between $24.00 and
$120.00.
The following table sets forth a breakdown by percentage of the Company's
net sales by brand for fiscal 1997 through fiscal 1999:
Fiscal Year Ended June 30,
1999 1998 1997
---- ---- ----
Josephine Chaus Collection (1) 41% 39% 37%
Josephine Chaus Woman Collection (1) 14 12 11
Josephine Chaus Petite Collection (1) 13 10 6
Josephine Chaus Sport (1) 27 29 30
Josephine Chaus Essentials (1) 0 0 0
Josephine Chaus Studio (1) 2 0 0
Nautica 2 8 15
Other (2) 1 2 1
----- ----- -----
Total 100% 100% 100%
(1) Josephine Chaus Collection and Josephine Chaus Sport were formerly Chaus
Collection and Chaus Sport, respectively. The Josephine Chaus trade names
began shipping in June 1999 to department stores for the Fall 1999 season.
(2) Outlet stores offset by intercompany elimination
- --------------
LICENSE AGREEMENT WITH NAUTICA
In September 1995 the Company entered into a license agreement (the
"Nautica License Agreement") with Nautica Apparel Inc. ("Nautica"), a leading
name in men's apparel, pursuant to which the Company obtained an exclusive
license to design, contract for the manufacture of and market a new women's
apparel line under the Nautica brand name. Effective October 1998, the Company
and Nautica agreed to terminate the Nautica License Agreement.
CUSTOMERS
The Company's products are sold nationwide in an estimated 1,500 individual
stores operated by approximately 100 department store chains, specialty
retailers and other retail outlets. The Company does not have any long-term
commitments or contracts with any of its customers.
The Company extends credit to its customers based upon an evaluation of the
customer's financial condition and credit history and generally does not require
collateral. The Company has historically incurred minimal credit losses. At June
30, 1999 and 1998, approximately 87% of the Company's accounts receivable were
due from department store customers owned by four single corporate entities.
During fiscal 1999 and fiscal 1998, approximately 82% of the Company's net sales
were made to department store customers owned by four single corporate entities,
as compared to 63% in fiscal 1997. Sales to Dillard's Department Stores
accounted for 40% of net sales in fiscal 1999, 43% in fiscal 1998 and 33% in
fiscal 1997. Sales to the May Department Stores Company accounted for
approximately 28% of the Company's net sales in fiscal 1999, 29% in fiscal 1998
and 16% in fiscal 1997. Sales to Federated Department Stores accounted for
approximately 7% in fiscal 1999 and fiscal 1998, and 8% in fiscal 1997. Sales to
TJX Companies, Inc. accounted for approximately 7% of net sales in fiscal 1999,
3% in fiscal 1998 and 6% in fiscal 1997. As a result of the Company's dependence
on its major customers, such customers may have the ability to influence the
Company's business decisions. The
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loss of or significant decrease in business from any of its major customers
would have a material adverse effect on the Company's financial position and
results of operations.
SALES AND MARKETING
The Company's selling operation is highly centralized. Sales to the
Company's department and specialty store customers are made primarily through
the Company's New York City showrooms. As of June 30, 1999, the Company had an
in-house sales force of 21, all of whom are located in the New York City
showrooms. Senior management, principally Josephine Chaus, Chairwoman of the
Board, Chief Executive Officer and principal stockholder of the Company actively
participates in the planning of the Company's marketing and selling efforts. The
Company does not employ independent sales representatives or operate regional
sales offices, but it does participate in various regional merchandise marts.
This sales structure enables management to control the Company's selling
operation more effectively, to limit travel expenses, as well as to deal
directly with, and be readily accessible to, major customers.
Products are marketed to department and specialty store customers during
"market weeks," generally four to five months in advance of each of the
Company's selling seasons. The Company assists its customers in allocating their
purchasing budgets among the items in the various product lines to enable
consumers to view the full range of the Company's offerings in each collection.
During the course of the retail selling seasons, the Company monitors its
product sell-through at retail in order to directly assess consumer response to
its products.
The Company emphasizes the development of long-term customer relationships
by consulting with its customers concerning the style and coordination of
clothing purchased by the store, optimal delivery schedules, floor presentation,
pricing and other merchandising considerations. Frequent communications between
the Company's senior management and other sales personnel and their counterparts
at various levels in the buying organizations of the Company's customers is an
essential element of the Company's marketing and sales efforts. These contacts
allow the Company to closely monitor retail sales volume to maximize sales at
acceptable profit margins for both the Company and its customers. The Company's
marketing efforts attempt to build upon the success of prior selling seasons to
encourage existing customers to devote greater selling space to the Company's
product lines and to penetrate additional individual stores within the Company's
existing customers. The Company's largest customers discuss with the Company
retail trends and their plans regarding their anticipated levels of total
purchases of Company products for future seasons. These discussions are intended
to assist the Company in planning the production and timely delivery of its
products.
DESIGN
The Company's products and certain of the fabrics from which they are made
are designed by an in-house staff of fashion designers. The 17 person design
staff, headed by Judith Leech, monitors current fashion trends and changes in
consumer preferences. Ms. Chaus, who is instrumental in the design function,
meets regularly with the design staff to create, develop and coordinate the
seasonal collections. The Company believes that its design staff is well
regarded for its distinctive styling and its ability to contemporize fashion
classics. Emphasis is placed on the coordination of outfits and quality of
fabrics to encourage the purchase of more than one garment.
MANUFACTURING AND DISTRIBUTION
The Company does not own any manufacturing facilities; all of its products
are manufactured in accordance with its design specifications and production
schedules through arrangements with independent manufacturers. The Company
believes that outsourcing its manufacturing maximizes its flexibility while
avoiding significant capital expenditures, work-in-process buildup and the costs
of a large workforce. A substantial amount (approximately 85%) of its product is
manufactured by approximately 25 key independent suppliers located primarily in
South Korea, Hong Kong, Taiwan, China, Indonesia and elsewhere in the Far East.
Approximately 15% of the Company's products are manufactured in the
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United States and the Caribbean Basin. No contractual obligations exist between
the Company and its manufacturers except on an order-by-order basis. During
fiscal 1999, the Company purchased approximately 54% of its finished goods from
its ten largest manufacturers, including approximately 10% of its purchases from
its largest manufacturer. Contracting with foreign manufacturers enables the
Company to take advantage of prevailing lower labor rates and to use a skilled
labor force to produce high quality products.
Generally, each manufacturer agrees to produce finished garments on the
basis of purchase orders from the Company, specifying the price and quantity of
items to be produced and supported by a letter of credit naming the manufacturer
as beneficiary to secure payment for the finished garments.
The Company's technical production support staff, located in New York City,
produces patterns, prepares production samples from the patterns for
modification and approval by the Company's design staff, and marks and grades
the patterns in anticipation of production. While the factories have the
capability to perform these services, the Company believes that its personnel
can best express its design concepts and efficiently supervise production to
better ensure that a quality product is produced. Once production fabric is
shipped to them, the manufacturers produce finished garments in accordance with
the production samples and obtain necessary quota allocations and other
requisite customs clearances. Branch offices of the Company's subsidiaries in
Korea, Taiwan and Hong Kong monitor production at each manufacturing facility to
control quality, compliance with the Company's specifications and timely
delivery of finished garments, and arrange for the shipment of finished products
to the Company's New Jersey distribution center. Almost all finished goods are
shipped to the Company's New Jersey distribution center for final inspection,
assembly into collections, allocation and shipment to customers.
The Company believes that the number and geographical diversity of its
manufacturing sources minimize the risk of adverse consequences that would
result from termination of its relationship with any of its larger
manufacturers. The Company also believes that it would have the ability to
develop, over a reasonable period of time, adequate alternate manufacturing
sources should any of its existing arrangements terminate. However, should any
substantial number of such manufacturers become unable or unwilling to continue
to produce apparel for the Company or to meet their delivery schedules, or if
the Company's present relationships with such manufacturers were otherwise
materially adversely affected, there can be no assurance that the Company would
find alternate manufacturers of finished goods on satisfactory terms to permit
the Company to meet its commitments to its customers on a timely basis. In such
event, the Company's operations could be materially disrupted, especially over
the short-term. The Company believes that relationships with its major
manufacturers are satisfactory.
The Company uses a broad range of fabrics in the production of its
clothing, consisting of synthetic fibers (including polyester and acrylic),
natural fibers (including cotton and wool), and blends of natural and synthetic
fibers. The Company does not have any formal, long-term arrangements with any
fabric or other raw material supplier. During fiscal 1999, virtually all of the
fabrics used in the Company's products manufactured in the Far East were ordered
from the Company's five largest suppliers in the Far East, which are located in
Japan, Taiwan, Hong Kong and Korea, and virtually all of the fabric used in the
Company's products manufactured in the United States and the Caribbean Basin
were ordered by three major suppliers from these regions. The Company selects
the fabrics to be purchased, which are generally produced for it in accordance
with its own specifications. To date, the Company has not experienced any
significant difficulty in obtaining fabrics or other raw materials and considers
its sources of supply to be adequate.
The Company operates under substantial time constraints in producing each
of its collections. Orders from the Company's customers generally precede the
related shipping period by up to five months. However, proposed production
budgets are prepared substantially in advance of the Company's initial
commitments for each collection. In order to make timely delivery of merchandise
which reflects current style trends and tastes, the Company attempts to schedule
a substantial portion of its fabric and manufacturing commitments relatively
late in a production cycle. However, in order to secure adequate amounts of
quality raw materials, especially greige (i.e., "undyed") goods, the Company
must make
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substantial advance commitments to suppliers of such goods, often as much as
seven months prior to the receipt of firm orders from customers for the related
merchandise. Many of these early commitments are made subject to changes in
colors, assortments and/or delivery dates.
IMPORTS AND IMPORT RESTRICTIONS
The Company's arrangements with its manufacturers and suppliers are subject
to the risks attendant to doing business abroad, including the availability of
quota and other requisite customs clearances, the imposition of export duties,
political and social instability, currency revaluations, and restrictions on the
transfer of funds. Bilateral agreements between exporting countries, including
those from which the Company imports substantially all of its products, and the
United States' imposition of quotas, limits the amount of certain categories of
merchandise, including substantially all categories of merchandise manufactured
for the Company, that may be imported into the United States. Furthermore, the
majority of such agreements contain "consultation clauses" which allow the
United States to impose at any time restraints on the importation of categories
of merchandise which, under the terms of the agreements, are not subject to
specified limits. The bilateral agreements through which quotas are imposed have
been negotiated under the framework established by the Arrangement Regarding
International Trade in Textiles, known as the Multifiber Arrangement ("MFA")
which has been in effect since 1974. The United States has concluded
international negotiations known as the "Uruguay Round" in which a variety of
trade matters were reviewed and modified. Quotas established under the MFA will
be gradually phased out over a ten year transition period, after which the
textile and clothing trade will be fully integrated into the General Agreement
on Trade and Tariffs ("GATT") and will be subject to the same disciplines as
other sections. The GATT agreement provides for expanded trade, improved market
access, lower tariffs and improved safeguard mechanisms.
The United States and the countries in which the Company's products are
manufactured may, from time to time, impose new quotas, duties, tariffs or other
restrictions, or adversely adjust presently prevailing quotas, duty or tariff
levels, with the result that the Company's operations and its ability to
continue to import products at current or increased levels could be adversely
affected. The Company cannot now predict the likelihood or frequency of any such
events occurring. The Company monitors duty, tariff and quota-related
developments, and seeks continually to minimize its potential exposure to
quota-related risks through, among other measures, geographical diversification
of its manufacturing sources, allocation of production of merchandise categories
where more quota is available and shifts of production among countries and
manufacturers. The expansion in the past few years of the Company's varied
manufacturing sources and the variety of countries in which it has potential
manufacturing arrangements, although not the result of specific import
restrictions, have had the result of reducing the potential adverse effect of
any increase in such restrictions. In addition, substantially all of the
Company's products are subject to United States customs duties.
RETAIL OUTLET STORES
The Company closed all of its retail outlet stores (other than the retail
outlet located at the Company's Secaucus facility, the space for which is leased
by the Company as part of its warehouse lease) during fiscal 1998 and does not
intend to open any new stores in the foreseeable future.
BACKLOG
As of September 10, 1999 and 1998, the Company's order book reflected
unfilled customer orders for approximately $62.0 and $63.0 million of
merchandise, respectively. Order book data at any date are materially affected
by the timing of the initial showing of collections to the trade, as well as by
the timing of recording of orders and of shipments. The order book represents
customer orders prior to discounts. The Company does not believe that
cancellations, rejections or returns will materially reduce the amount of sales
realized from such backlog.
TRADEMARKS
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CHAUS(Registered Trademark), CHAUS SPORT(Registered Trademark), CHAUS
WOMAN(Registered Trademark) and MS. CHAUS(Registered Trademark) are registered
trademarks of the Company in the United States for use on ladies' garments.
These trademarks are renewable in the years 2004, 2008, 2002, 2004 and 2005,
respectively. JOSEPHINE(Registered Trademark) is also a registered trademark of
the Company in the United States, renewable in the year 2001, for use on ladies'
blouses and sweaters. The Company has pending applications to register J. CHAUS
and JOSEPHINE CHAUS for ladies garments. The Company considers its trademarks to
be strong and highly recognized, and to have significant value in the marketing
of its products. See "License Agreement with Nautica" for certain information
concerning the Company's Nautica License Agreement.
The Company has also registered its CHAUS(Registered Trademark), CHAUS
SPORT(Registered Trademark), CHAUS WOMAN(Registered Trademark), JOSEPHINE
CHAUS(Registered Trademark) and JOSEPHINE(Registered Trademark) marks for
women's apparel in certain foreign countries and has legal trademark rights in
certain foreign countries for selected women's accessories including handbags,
small leather goods and footwear. The Company has pending applications to
register CHAUS and JOSEPHINE CHAUS in the European Economic Community covering
clothing, accessories and cosmetics.
COMPETITION
The women's apparel industry is highly competitive, both within the United
States and abroad. The Company competes with many apparel companies, some of
which are larger, and have better established brand names and greater resources
than the Company. In some cases the Company also competes with private-label
brands of its department store customers.
The Company believes that an ability to effectively anticipate, gauge and
respond to changing consumer demand and taste relatively far in advance, as well
as an ability to operate within substantial production and delivery constraints
(including obtaining necessary quota allocations), is necessary to compete
successfully in the women's apparel industry. Consumer and customer acceptance
and support, which depend primarily upon styling, pricing, quality (both in
material and production), and product identity, are also important aspects of
competition in this industry. The Company believes that its success will depend
upon its ability to remain competitive in these areas.
Furthermore, the Company's traditional department store customers, which
account for a substantial portion of the Company's business, encounter intense
competition from so-called "off-price" and discount retailers, mass
merchandisers and specialty stores. The Company believes that its ability to
increase its present levels of sales will depend on such customers' ability to
maintain their competitive position and the Company's ability to increase its
market share of sales to department stores.
EMPLOYEES
At June 30, 1999, the Company employed 306 employees as compared with 334
employees at June 30, 1998. This total includes 64 in managerial and
administrative positions, approximately 91 in design, production and production
administration, 27 in marketing, merchandising and sales and 69 in distribution.
Of the Company's total employees, 55 were located in the Far East. The Company
is a party to a collective bargaining agreement with the Amalgamated Workers
Union, Local 88, covering 94 full-time employees. This agreement, which has been
recently renegotiated, expires August 31, 2003.
The Company considers its relations with its employees to be satisfactory
and has not experienced any business interruptions as a result of labor
disagreements with its employees.
EXECUTIVE OFFICERS
The executive officers of the Company are:
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NAME AGE POSITION
Josephine Chaus 48 Chairwoman of the Board and Chief Executive Officer
Stuart S. Levy 57 Chief Financial Officer and Secretary
Executive officers serve at the discretion of the Board of Directors.
Josephine Chaus has been an employee of the Company in various capacities
since its inception. She has been a director of the Company since 1977,
President from 1980 through February 1993, Chief Executive Officer from July
1991 through September 1994 and again since December 1998, Chairwoman of the
Board since 1991 and member of the Office of the Chairman since September 1994.
Stuart S. Levy joined the Company as Chief Financial Officer on September
8, 1998. He was Vice President, Finance and the Chief Financial Officer of
Donnkenny, Inc., a publicly held company engaged in the manufacturing and
importing of women's apparel, from 1996 to 1998. From January 1993 to July 1996,
Mr. Levy was Vice President, Finance and Chief Financial Officer of Xpedite
Systems, Inc., a publicly-held provider of enhanced fax services. From August
1996 through October 1996, Mr. Levy provided services to Xpedite Systems, Inc.,
in connection with the completion and integration of international acquisitions.
On December 21, 1998, the Company announced the termination of Andrew
Grossman, the Company's President and Chief Executive Officer. Effective as of
such date, Ms. Chaus re-assumed the position of Chief Executive Officer of the
Company.
ITEM 2. PROPERTIES.
The Company's principal executive offices are located at 1410 Broadway in
New York City, where the Company leases approximately 23,000 square feet. These
facilities also house the Company's showrooms and its sales, design, production
and merchandising staffs. This space is occupied under a lease expiring in April
2000. Net base rental expense aggregated approximately $0.8 million in fiscal
1999 and $0.7 million in fiscal 1998 and 1997. The Company is in the process of
relocating its executive offices, showrooms, and sales, design, production and
merchandising staffs to a new location at 530 Seventh Avenue under a lease
beginning June 1, 1999. Improvements are currently being made to the new space
and the Company expects to occupy the new space by the end of 1999. The lease
for this facility expires May 2009.
The Company also leases approximately 19,000 square feet of space at 520
Eighth Avenue in New York City, which houses its technical production support
facilities (including its sample and pattern makers). Net base rental expense
for this space aggregated approximately $0.2 million in each of fiscal 1999,
1998 and 1997. The lease for this facility expires in January 2000.
The Company's distribution centers are located in Secaucus, New Jersey
where the Company leases approximately 275,000 square feet. This facility also
houses the Company's administrative and finance personnel, its computer
operations, and one retail outlet store. This space is occupied under a lease
expiring June 30, 2004. Base rental expense for the Secaucus facilities
aggregated approximately $1.1 million in fiscal 1999 and 1998, and $1.3 million
in fiscal 1997.
Office locations are also leased in Hong Kong, Korea and Taiwan, with
annual aggregate rental expense of approximately $0.1 million for fiscal 1999,
$0.2 million for fiscal 1998 and $0.3 million for fiscal 1997.
In prior years the Company leased space for its outlet stores operation,
with the average store utilizing approximately 3,000 square feet in fiscal 1997.
The Company closed all of its retail outlet stores (other than the retail
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outlet store located at the Company's Secaucus facility, the space for which is
leased by the Company as part of its warehouse lease) during fiscal 1998. The
annual aggregate base rental expense for the outlet stores was approximately
$0.7 million for fiscal 1998 and $1.7 million for fiscal 1997.
ITEM 3. LEGAL PROCEEDINGS.
Without admitting any liability, the Company settled an action in July 1998
brought by the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission on behalf of three former
patternmakers, each of whom was terminated by the Company in late 1995. The
amount of the settlement was not material and was provided for in selling,
general and administrative expenses in the fiscal 1997 financial statements.
By Demand for Arbitration filed on June 9, 1999, the former chief executive
officer of the Company, Andrew Grossman, commenced an arbitration before the
American Arbitration Association in New York alleging breach of his employment
contract. Specifically, Mr. Grossman seeks severance and non-competition
payments for the period April 1, 1999 through September 1, 2000, and his costs,
in an amount allegedly in excess of $1,000,000. The Company has served an answer
dated July 2, 1999 that denies Mr. Grossman's claims on the grounds that (i) he
is not entitled to any further severance and non-competition payments, because,
among other things, he is now chief operating officer of another women's apparel
company; and (ii) even if any such severance and non-competition payments were
due, they are subject to set-off by Mr. Grossman's post-severance salary and
bonuses, pursuant to his employment agreement with Giorgio Armani. The parties
have each appointed an arbitrator and are in the process of selecting a third
and neutral arbitrator. The Company believes that its defenses are meritorious
and intends to vigorously defend this action.
There are no other material pending legal proceedings to which the Company
is a party or to which any of its properties is subject.
ITEM 4. SUBMISSION OF MATTERS TO A VOTE OF SECURITY HOLDERS.
None.
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PART II
ITEM 5. MARKET FOR THE REGISTRANT'S EQUITY AND RELATED STOCKHOLDER MATTERS.
The Common Stock is traded on the New York Stock Exchange ("NYSE") under
the symbol "CHS." The following table sets forth for each of the Company's
fiscal periods indicated the high and low sales prices for the Common Stock as
reported on the NYSE.
HIGH LOW
---- ---
Fiscal 1998
First Quarter........................... $21.250 $8.125
Second Quarter.......................... 11.250 6.250
Third Quarter........................... 5.250 1.625
Fourth Quarter.......................... 5.750 3.348
FISCAL 1999
First Quarter........................... $3.875 $2.625
Second Quarter.......................... 4.125 2.188
Third Quarter........................... 2.625 1.688
Fourth Quarter.......................... 3.313 1.875
All share and per share data reflect the 1 for 10 reverse stock split, which was
effected December 9, 1997.
As of September 7, 1999, the Company had approximately 432 stockholders of
record.
The Company has not declared or paid cash dividends or made other
distributions on its Common Stock since prior to its 1986 initial public
offering. The payment of dividends, if any, in the future is within the
discretion of the Board of Directors and will depend on the Company's earnings,
its capital requirements and financial condition. It is the present intention of
the Board of Directors to retain all earnings, if any, for use in the Company's
business operations and, accordingly, the Board of Directors does not expect to
declare or pay any dividends in the foreseeable future. In addition, the New
Financing Agreement prohibits the Company from declaring dividends or making
other distributions on its capital stock, subject to certain exceptions. See
"Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of
Operations -- Financial Condition, Liquidity and Capital Resources."
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ITEM 6. SELECTED FINANCIAL DATA.
The following financial information is qualified by reference to, and
should be read in conjunction with, the Financial Statements of the Company and
the notes thereto, as well as Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial
Condition and Results of Operations contained elsewhere herein.
STATEMENT OF OPERATIONS DATA:
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
FISCAL YEAR ENDED JUNE 30,
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------
1999 1998 1997 1996 1995
---- ---- ---- ---- ----
(IN THOUSANDS, EXCEPT PER SHARE AMOUNTS)
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C>
Net sales $ 187,875 $ 191,546 $ 160,100 $ 170,575 $ 181,697
Cost of goods sold 137,958 142,175 125,422(4) 147,994 149,097
----------- ----------- -------------- ------------- --------------
Gross profit 49,917 49,371 34,678 22,581 32,600
Selling, general and administrative expenses 36,512 38,462 40,924 40,162 44,794
Restructuring expenses -- -- 2,250(3) -- 1,200(1)
Unusual expenses -- -- -- -- 8,333(2)
Interest expense, net 2,360 6,353 7,917 6,504 5,885
----------- ----------- -------------- ------------- --------------
Income (loss) before income tax provision $ 11,045 4,556 (16,413) (24,085) (27,612)
Income tax provision 200 245 50 301 301
----------- ----------- -------------- ------------- --------------
Net income (loss) $ 10,845 $ 4,311 $ (16,463) $ (24,386) $ (27,913)
=========== =========== ============== ============= ==============
Basic earnings (loss) per share (5) $ 0.40 $ 0.28 $ (2.46) $ (3.91) $ (5.17)
=========== =========== ============== ============= ==============
Diluted earnings (loss) per share (6) $ 0.40 $ 0.28 $ (2.46) $ (3.91) $ (5.17)
=========== =========== ============== ============= ==============
Weighted average number of common shares
outstanding - basic (7) 27,116 15,296 6,687 6,239 5,399
=========== =========== ============== ============= ==============
Weighted average number of common and common
equivalent shares outstanding - diluted (7) 27,191 15,296 6,687 6,239 5,399
=========== =========== ============== ============= ==============
</TABLE>
BALANCE SHEET DATA
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
AS OF JUNE 30,
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------
1999 1998 1997 1996 1995
---- ---- ---- ---- ----
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C>
Working capital (deficiency) $ 29,330 $ 18,679 $ (32,729) $ (19,483) $ (13,914)
Total assets 53,484 39,012 34,138 32,742 28,660
Short-term debt, including current portion of
long-term debt 1,000 1,000 37,756 26,077 18,698
Long-term debt 12,500 13,500 26,374 23,588 21,066
Stockholders' equity (deficiency) 17,860 7,015 (57,060) (40,610) (32,379)
</TABLE>
(1) Includes, in fiscal 1995, $1.2 million of employee severance.
(2) Includes, in fiscal 1995, $7.8 million primarily relating to the costs
associated with the signing of the Company's Chief Executive Officer and
$0.5 million related to certain legal matters
(3) The Company recorded a $2.3 million restructuring charge in the fourth
quarter of fiscal 1997 for costs to be incurred in connection with the
Restructuring, which was announced in June 1997. The costs incurred relate
to the closing of the Company's outlet stores (such as professional fees,
lease termination expenses, and write-off of fixed assets), in addition to
professional fees and other expenses associated with the implementation of
the Company's restructuring program which was completed on January 29,
1998. Refer to Note 7 to the Consolidated Financial Statements.
(4) Includes $1.1 million for liquidation of inventory as a result of closing
the Company's outlet stores.
(5) Computed by dividing the applicable net income by the weighted average
number of shares of common stock outstanding during the years.
(6) Computed by dividing the applicable net income by the weighted average
number of common shares outstanding and common stock equivalents
outstanding during the years.
(7) All share data reflects the 1 for 10 reverse stock split which was effected
December 9, 1997 and reflects the retroactive adjustment for the bonus
element of the Rights Offering, which was consummated on January 26, 1998.
ITEM 7. DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION
11
<PAGE>
AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS.
RESULTS OF OPERATIONS
The following table sets forth, for the years indicated, certain items
expressed as a percentage of net sales.
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
Fiscal Year Ended June 30,
--------------------------------------
1999 1998 1997
---- ---- ----
<S> <C> <C> <C>
Net Sales 100.0% 100.0% 100.0%
Gross profit 26.6 25.8 21.7
Selling, general and administrative expenses 19.4 20.0 25.6
Restructuring expenses -- -- 1.4
Interest expense 1.3 3.3 5.0
Net income (loss) 5.8 2.3 (10.3)
</TABLE>
Fiscal 1999 Compared to Fiscal 1998
In fiscal 1999, net sales decreased by $3.7 million, or 1.9%, compared to
the prior year. The decrease in net sales was primarily due to a decrease in
sales of the Company's retail outlet stores ($10.7 million) resulting from the
closing of all but one of the Company's retail outlet stores in January 1998 and
a decrease in sales associated with the Company's Nautica licensed product line
($10.8 million) which was terminated in October 1998. These decreases were
offset in large part by increased sales of the Company's Chaus product lines
through department store channels, which increased $17.8 million as a result of
an increase in units shipped. Average selling prices of the Chaus product lines
decreased in the fiscal year as compared to last fiscal year, primarily as a
result of lower product costs. These lower product costs were reflected in lower
average selling prices while maintaining the Chaus product lines' gross profit
margins.
Gross profit as a percentage of net sales was 26.6% as compared to 25.8% in
the prior year. This increase was primarily due to the elimination of the
Company's retail outlet stores in January 1998 and the termination of the
Nautica License Agreement in October 1998, both of which carried lower gross
profit margins than sales of the Company's Chaus product lines sold through
department store channels and, to a lesser extent, improved gross profit margin
for the Chaus product lines.
Selling, general and administrative expenses ("SG&A") decreased by $2.0
million compared to the prior year. This decrease was primarily due to the
termination of the Nautica licensed product line during the second quarter of
fiscal 1999 ($3.2 million) and the closing of all but one of the Company's
retail outlet stores in January 1998 ($2.7 million). These decreases were
partially offset by an increase in operating expenses ($3.9 million) primarily
related to the increase in sales of the Company's Chaus product lines sold
through department store channels and expenses incurred in support of sales
growth planned for fiscal year 2000. SG&A expenses as a percentage of net sales
decreased from 20.0% in fiscal 1998 to 19.4% in fiscal 1999. This decrease was
primarily due to the elimination of the Company's retail outlet stores which
carried a higher SG&A expense as a percentage of net sales.
In connection with the termination of employment of the Company's former
Chief Executive Officer, Andrew Grossman, the Company became obligated to pay up
to $1.66 million over a period of 20 months in consideration of Mr. Grossman's
agreement not to compete for twelve months. Such amounts are charged to expense
ratably over the twelve-month non-competition period. In addition, the Company
became obligated to make bonus payments in an amount equal to 2 1/2% of net
profits for fiscal years 1999 and 2000, and the pro rated portion of fiscal year
2001 (i.e. 1/6 of such year). Such bonus payments are being expensed over the
respective fiscal years. The Company continued such payments until April 1999
when Mr. Grossman commenced employment with another company. The Company is
12
<PAGE>
currently involved in an arbitration proceeding with Mr. Grossman in connection
with a dispute as to the amount, if any, of the remaining payments due to Mr.
Grossman. The Company is seeking a determination in such proceedings that Mr.
Grossman is not entitled to any further payments by reason of his having taken a
position with another women's apparel company and that, even if payments are
due, they are subject to offset by an amount equal to his post-severance salary
and bonus. See "Item 3. Legal Proceedings".
Interest expense decreased by $4.0 million as compared to the prior year as
a result of the conversion of subordinated debt to equity in connection with the
Company's Restructuring which was completed on January 29, 1998. To a lesser
extent, decreases in bank borrowings and lower interest rates on bank borrowings
also contributed to the decrease in interest expense.
Net income increased $6.5 million for fiscal 1999, up 152% over the prior
year. This includes a net loss of $2.9 million, or $0.11 per diluted share,
associated with the licensed Nautica business which was discontinued in the
second quarter of fiscal 1999.
Fiscal 1998 Compared to Fiscal 1997
In fiscal 1998, net sales increased by $31.4 million, or 19.6%, compared to
the prior year. The increase in net sales was primarily due to increased sales
at regular and incentive prices of the Company's Chaus product lines partially
offset by a decrease in sales associated with the Company's Nautica licensed
product line and lower retail store sales. Retail store sales decreased as a
result of the liquidation of the Company's retail outlet stores during the
second quarter of fiscal 1998. In fiscal 1998, exclusive of sales associated
with the retail outlet stores, units shipped increased by 11.6% with a 14.3%
increase in average selling prices from the prior year. The increase in average
selling prices resulted from the Company's ability to increase its selling price
per unit and decrease its sales to off-price customers.
Gross profit as a percentage of net sales was 25.8% as compared to 21.7% in
the previous year. The increase in gross profit as a percentage of net sales was
primarily due to improved gross margins on the Company's Chaus product lines,
partially offset by a decrease in gross margins associated with the Company's
Nautica licensed product line.
SG&A expenses decreased by $2.5 million compared to the prior year.
Approximately $2.2 million of this decrease was attributable to the closing of
the Company's retail outlet stores in January 1998. SG&A expenses as a percent
of net sales decreased from 25.6% in fiscal 1997 to 20.0% in fiscal 1998. The
decrease in SG&A expenses as a percent of net sales was primarily the result of
the Company's ability to keep its expenses, exclusive of the retail operations,
relatively constant as its net sales, exclusive of the retail operations,
increased.
The Company recorded a $2.3 million restructuring charge in the fourth
quarter of fiscal 1997 for costs to be incurred in connection with the Company's
restructuring program, which was announced in June 1997. The costs incurred
relate to the closing of the Company's outlet stores (such as professional fees,
lease termination expenses and write-off of fixed assets), in addition to
professional fees and other expenses associated with the implementation of the
Company's restructuring program. In addition, the Company recorded a $1.1
million charge to cost of goods sold related to the liquidation of the retail
outlet store inventory. The restructuring was completed in the third quarter of
fiscal 1998.
At the end of fiscal 1997, the remaining balance of the restructuring
reserve was $1.9 million. During fiscal 1998, $1.9 million was charged against
such remaining reserve, consisting of outlet store closing costs and
professional fees related to the Company's restructuring. Costs relating to the
liquidation of the retail outlet store inventory totaled $1.2 million, of which
$1.1 million was provided for in fiscal 1997.
13
<PAGE>
Interest expense decreased by $1.6 million as compared to the prior year as
a result of the conversion of subordinated debt to equity in connection with the
Company's Restructuring which was completed on January 29, 1998.
Net income was $4.3 million as compared to a loss of $16.5 million in the
prior year. The increase in net income of $20.8 million is due to the
improvements in operations as discussed above.
FINANCIAL CONDITION, LIQUIDITY AND CAPITAL RESOURCES
General
Net cash provided by operating activities was $5.6 million for fiscal 1999
as compared to net cash used in operating activities of $5.8 million for fiscal
1998 and $11.0 million in fiscal 1997. Net cash provided by operating activities
for fiscal 1999 resulted primarily from net income of $10.8 million, increases
in accounts payable of $4.5 million, partially offset by an increase in accounts
receivable of $9.6 million.
Historically, the Company has not required major capital expenditures. In
fiscal 1999 and 1998, purchases of fixed assets were $0.2 and $0.3 million,
respectively, consisting primarily of purchases of computer hardware and
software systems. In fiscal 1999 and 1998, the Company incurred expenditures of
$0.1 million and $0.4 million, respectively, for "in store" fixtures and signs
purchased in connection with the Company's Nautica licensed product line. In
fiscal 2000, the Company anticipates capital expenditures of approximately $3.5
million consisting primarily of leasehold improvements and furniture and fixture
expenditures for the new 530 Seventh Avenue facility, computer hardware and
software for the Company's New Jersey warehouse facility and expenditures
related to PC hardware and software upgrades.
Financing Agreement
The Company and BNY Financial Corporation ("BNYF"), a wholly owned
subsidiary of General Motors Acceptance Corp. ("GMAC") entered into a financing
agreement in July 1991, which was amended and restated on several occasions. See
Note 6 to Consolidated Financial Statements.
On October 10, 1997, the Company and BNYF entered into a new revolving
credit facility (the "New Revolving Facility") and a new term loan facility (the
"New Term Loan" and, together with the new revolving Facility, the "New
Financing Agreement"). The New Financing Agreement consisted of two facilities:
(i) the New Revolving Facility which was a $66.0 million five-year revolving
credit line with a $20.0 million sublimit for letters of credit, and (ii) the
New Term Loan which was a $15.0 million term loan facility. On June 3, 1998, the
Company and BNYF amended the New Revolving Facility to provide for a $45.5
million five-year revolving credit line with $34.0 million sublimit for letters
of credit and amended the New Term Loan to provide for a $14.5 million term loan
facility. Each facility matures on December 31, 2002. See Note 6 to Consolidated
Financial Statements. At June 30, 1999, the Company had availability of
approximately $8.8 million (inclusive of overadvance availability) under the New
Financing Agreement.
The New Financing Agreement contains financial covenants requiring, among
other things, the maintenance of minimum levels of tangible net worth, working
capital and minimum permitted profit (maximum permitted loss). The New Financing
Agreement also contains certain restrictive covenants which, among other things,
limits the Company's ability to incur additional indebtedness or liens and to
pay dividends.
Future Financing Requirements
14
<PAGE>
At June 30, 1999, the Company had working capital of $29.3 million. The
Company's business plan requires the availability of sufficient cash flow and
borrowing capacity to finance its product lines. The Company expects to satisfy
such requirements through cash flow from operations and borrowings under the New
Financing Agreement. The Company believes that it has adequate resources to meet
its needs for the foreseeable future.
The foregoing discussion contains forward-looking statements which are
based upon current expectations and involve a number of uncertainties, including
the Company's ability to maintain its borrowing capabilities under the New
Financing Agreement, retail market conditions, and consumer acceptance of the
Company's products.
INFLATION
The Company does not believe that the relatively moderate rates of
inflation which recently have been experienced in the United States, where it
competes, have had a significant effect on its net sales or profitability.
SEASONALITY
Historically, the Company's sales and operating results fluctuate by
quarter, with the greatest sales occurring in the Company's first and third
fiscal quarters. It is in these quarters that the Company's Fall and Spring
product lines, which traditionally have had the highest volume of net sales, are
shipped to customers, with revenues generally being recognized at the time of
shipment. As a result, the Company experiences significant variability in its
quarterly results and working capital requirements. Moreover, delays in shipping
can cause revenues to be recognized in a later quarter, resulting in further
variability in such quarterly results.
NEW ACCOUNTING PRONOUNCEMENTS
During fiscal 1999, the Company adopted Statement of Financial Accounting
Standards ("SFAS") No. 130, Reporting Comprehensive Income. SFAS 130 establishes
standards for reporting comprehensive income and its components in a full set of
general-purpose financial statements. This Statement requires that an enterprise
(a) classify items of other comprehensive income by their nature in a financial
statement, and (b) display the accumulated balance of other comprehensive income
separately from retained earnings and additional paid-in capital in the equity
section of a statement of financial position. Currently, the Company has no
items of other comprehensive income.
The Company adopted SFAS No. 131, Disclosures about Segments of an
Enterprise and Related Information during the year ending June 30, 1999. The
Statement establishes standards for the way that public business enterprises
report information about operating segments in annual financial statements and
requires that those enterprises report selected information about operating
segments in interim financial reports issued to shareholders. It also
establishes standards for related disclosures about products and services,
geographic areas, and major customers. This Statement supersedes Financial
Accounting Standards Board ("FASB") Statement No. 14 Financial Reporting for
Segments of a Business Enterprise, but retains the requirement to report
information about major customers. In accordance with SFAS No. 131, the Company
currently operates in one business segment.
In June 1998, the FASB issued SFAS No. 133, Accounting for Derivative
Instruments and Hedging Activities. The statement establishes accounting and
reporting standards requiring that derivative instruments (including certain
derivative instruments embedded in other contracts) be recorded in the balance
sheet as either an asset or liability measured at fair value. The statement
requires that changes in a derivative's fair value be recognized currently in
earnings unless specific hedge accounting criteria are met. Special accounting
for qualifying hedges allows a derivative's gains and losses to offset related
results on the hedged item in the income statement and requires that a company
formally document, designate and assess the effectiveness of transactions that
receive hedge accounting. SFAS No. 133 is effective for fiscal years beginning
after June 15, 1999; however, it may be adopted earlier. It cannot be applied
retroactively to financial statements of prior periods. The Company currently
has no derivative financial instruments.
15
<PAGE>
YEAR 2000 COMPLIANCE
The Company has prepared a plan to become Year 2000 compliant. Pursuant to
the Company's Year 2000 Plan, major segments (approximately 95%) of the
Company's information technology ("IT") and non-IT systems have been upgraded
and tested for Year 2000 compliance. With the exception of the telephone
switches, the Company anticipates that the remaining IT and non-IT systems will
be upgraded and tested to be Year 2000 compliant by October 15, 1999. The
Company has a contingency plan in place applicable to the telephone switches to
limit the effect of any Year 2000 issues. The telephone switches are planned to
be replaced with a Year 2000 compliant system in December 1999 in conjunction
with the Company's relocation to its new facility at 530 Seventh Avenue. Given
that the Company expects to be Year 2000 compliant on all other systems by
October 15, 1999, the Company has not prepared a contingency plan for the other
systems and does not currently believe that a contingency plan is necessary. The
total costs of these system upgrades are projected to approximate $0.5 million.
As of June 30, 1999, the Company has incurred approximately $0.2 million of
these costs. The remaining costs will be funded out of existing cash flows from
operations.
In some cases, the Company's computer systems are linked to its major
customers. The Company has had correspondence with its customers regarding Year
2000 compliance. Although certain customers have not responded, the Company's
major customers have advised the Company that they generally comply with VICS
(Voluntary Interindustry Commerce Standards) standards. VICS establishes
standards that simplify the flow of product and information in the general
merchandise retail industry for retailers and suppliers alike. The Company is
compliant with VICS Year 2000 Electronic Data Interchange standards and has
completed testing with its major customers. The Company has virtually no
computer interfaces with its vendors; however, it does not know the extent to
which its vendors or its customers would be impaired by their own Year 2000
issues and the impact of such impairment on the Company. The costs of assessing
compliance have been minimal. Although the Company believes it is adequately
addressing its Year 2000 issues, the failure to correct a material Year 2000
problem or the failure of a customer or vendor to achieve compliance could
result in an interruption in, or a failure of, certain normal business
activities or operations. Such failure could materially adversely affect the
Company's results of operations, liquidity and financial condition.
ITEM 7A. QUANTITATIVE AND QUALITATIVE DISCLOSURES ABOUT MARKET RISK.
Not applicable.
ITEM 8. FINANCIAL STATEMENTS AND SUPPLEMENTARY DATA.
The financial statements are included herein commencing on page F-1.
ITEM 9. CHANGES IN AND DISAGREEMENTS WITH ACCOUNTANTS ON ACCOUNTING AND
FINANCIAL DISCLOSURE
None.
PART III
ITEM 10. DIRECTORS AND EXECUTIVE OFFICERS OF THE REGISTRANT.
Information with respect to the executive officers of the Company is set
forth in Part I of this Annual Report on Form 10-K.
16
<PAGE>
Description
Information with respect to the directors of the Company is incorporated by
reference to the information to be set forth under the heading "Election of
Directors" in the Company's definitive proxy statement relating to its 1999
Annual Meeting of Stockholders to be filed pursuant to Regulation 14A (the
"Company's 1999 Proxy Statement").
ITEM 11. EXECUTIVE COMPENSATION.
Information called for by Item 11 is incorporated by reference to the
information to be set forth under the heading "Executive Compensation" in the
Company's 1999 Proxy Statement.
ITEM 12. SECURITY OWNERSHIP OF CERTAIN BENEFICIAL OWNERS AND MANAGEMENT.
Information called for by Item 12 is incorporated by reference to the
information to be set forth under the heading "Security Ownership of Certain
Beneficial Owners and Management" in the Company's 1999 Proxy Statement.
ITEM 13. CERTAIN RELATIONSHIPS AND RELATED TRANSACTIONS.
Information called for by Item 13 is incorporated by reference to the
information to be set forth under the headings "Executive Compensation" and
"Certain Transactions" in the Company's 1999 Proxy Statement.
PART IV
ITEM 14. EXHIBITS, FINANCIAL STATEMENT SCHEDULES, AND REPORTS ON FORM 8-K.
(a) Financial Statements and Financial Statement Schedule: See List of
Financial Statements and Financial Statement Schedule on page F-1.
(b) The Company did not file a Form 8-K during the last quarter of its
fiscal year ended June 30, 1999.
3.1 Restated Certificate of Incorporation (the "Restated Certificate") of the
Company incorporated by reference to Exhibit 3.1 of the Company's
Registration Statement on Form S-1, Registration No. 33-5954 (the "1986
Registration Statement").
3.2 Amendment dated November 18, 1987 to the Restated Certificate incorporated
by reference to Exhibit 3.11 of the Company's Registration Statement on
Form S-2, Registration No. 33-63317 (the "1995 Registration Statement").
3.3 Amendment dated November 15, 1995 to the Restated Certificate (incorporated
by reference to Exhibit 3.12 of Amendment No. 1 to the 1995 Registration
Statement).
17
<PAGE>
Description
3.4 Amendment dated December 9, 1998 to the Restated Certificate
(incorporated by reference to Exhibit 3.13 of the Company's Form 10-K
for the year ended June 30, 1998 (the "1998 Form 10-K").
3.5 By-Laws of the Company, as amended (incorporated by reference to exhibit
3.1 of the Company's Form 10-Q for the quarter ended December 31, 1987).
3.6 Amendment dated September 13, 1994 to the By-Laws (incorporated by
reference to Exhibit 10.105 of the Company's Form 10-Q for the quarter
ended September 30, 1994).
10.9 Agreement dated December 3, 1990 among the Company, Bernard Chaus,
Josephine Chaus and National Union Fire Insurance Company of Pittsburgh,
PA, the Company's directors and officers liability carrier (incorporated
by reference to Exhibit 10.31 of the Company's Form 10-Q for the quarter
ended December 31, 1990)
+10.10 Employment Agreement, dated July 1, 1991, between the Company and
Josephine Chaus (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.39 of the
Company's Form 10-K for the year ended June 30, 1991).
+10.11 Employment Agreement, dated September 1, 1994, between the Company and
Andrew Grossman (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.90 of the
Company's Form 10-K for the year ended June 30, 1994).
10.47 License Agreement dated as of September 6, 1995 between the Company and
Nautica Apparel Inc. (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.61 of the
1995 Registration Statement, confidential portions of which have been
omitted and filed separately with the Commission subject to an order
granting confidential treatment).
10.55 Lease dated June 12, 1996 between the Company and L. H. Charney
Associates, relating to the Company's facility at 1410 Broadway, New
York, New York (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.66 of the
Company's Form 10-K for the year ended June 30, 1996).
10.68 Second Restated and Amended Financing Agreement dated as of October 10,
1997, between the Company and BNY Financial Corp. (incorporated by
reference to Exhibit 10.79 of the Company's Form 10-K for the year ended
June 30, 1997).
10.69 Agreement dated October 10, 1997, between the Company and BNY Financial
Corp. issuing 125,000 warrants to purchase Common Stock of the Company
(incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.80 of the Company's Form 10-Q
for the quarter ended September 30, 1997).
10.70 Agreement dated October 10, 1997, between the Company and BNY Financial
Corp. issuing 375,000 warrants to purchase Common Stock of the Company
(incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.81 of the Company's Form 10-Q
for the quarter ended September 30, 1997).
+10.71 Executive Employment Agreement dated October 28, 1997, between the
Company and Lynn Buechner (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.82 of
the Company's Form 10-Q for the quarter ended September 30, 1997).
18
<PAGE>
Description
10.72 Letter Agreement dated December 9, 1997 between Josephine Chaus and the
Company (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.83 of the Company's
Form 10-Q for the quarter ended December 31, 1997).
10.73 Cash Collateral Deposit Release Letter Agreement dated as of January 29,
1998 Agreement among Josephine Chaus, the Company and BNY Financial
Corporation (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.84 of the Company's
Form 10-Q for the quarter ended December 31, 1997).
10.74 Subrogated Subordinated Promissory Note dated as of January 29, 1998
from the Company to Josephine Chaus in the principal amount of $12.5
million (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.85 of the Company's
Form 10-Q for the quarter ended December 31, 1997).
10.75 Conversion Agreement dated as of January 29, 1998 between Josephine
Chaus and the Company (incorporated by to reference Exhibit 10.86 of the
Company's Form 10-Q for the quarter ended December 31, 1997).
+10.76 Letter Agreement between the Company and Andrew Grossman dated as of
January 1, 1998 (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.76 of the
Company's 1998 Form 10-K).
+10.77 1998 Stock Option Plan, including form of related stock option agreement
(incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.77 of the Company's 1998 Form
10-K).
10.78 Amendment No. 1 dated June 3, 1998 to the Second Restated and Amended
Financing Agreement (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.78 of the
Company's 1998 Form 10-K).
+10.79 Letter Agreement between the Company and Stuart S. Levy dated as of July
22, 1998 (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.79 of the Company's
1998 Form 10-K).
+*10.80 Letter Agreement between the Company and Stuart S. Levy dated February
23, 1999.
*10.81 Collective Bargaining Agreement between the Company and Amalgamated
Workers Union, Local 88 effective as of September 1, 1999.
*10.82 Lease between the Company and Adler Realty Company, dated June 1, 1999
with respect to the Company's executive offices and showroom at
530 Seventh Avenue, New York City.
21 List of Subsidiaries of the Company (incorporated by reference to
Exhibit 21 of the Company's 1998 10-K).
*23 Consent of Deloitte & Touche LLP dated September 24, 1999.
*27 Financial Data Schedule.
+ Management agreement or compensatory plan or arrangement required to be filed
as an exhibit.
* Filed herewith.
19
<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 Annual Report on Form 10-K to
be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly authorized, on
September 21, 1999.
BERNARD CHAUS, INC.
By: /s/ Josephine Chaus
--------------------
Josephine Chaus
Chairwoman of the Board and
Chief Executive Officer
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, this Annual
Report on Form 10-K has been signed below by the following persons on behalf of
the registrant and in the capacities indicated.
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
SIGNATURE TITLE DATE
- --------- ----- ----
<S> <C> <C>
/s/ Josephine Chaus Chairwoman of the Board and September 21, 1999
- ----------------------------- Chief Executive Officer
Josephine Chaus
/s/ Stuart S. Levy Chief Financial Officer and Secretary September 21, 1999
- ----------------------------- (Principal Financial and Accounting Officer)
Stuart S. Levy
/s/ Philip G. Barach Director September 21, 1999
- -----------------------------
Philip G. Barach
/s/ Nicholas DiPaolo Director September 21, 1999
- -----------------------------
Nicholas DiPaolo
/s/ Terri Kabachnick Director September 21, 1999
- -----------------------------
Terri Kabachnick
/s/ S. Lee Kling Director September 21, 1999
- -----------------------------
S. Lee Kling
/s/ Harvey M. Krueger Director September 21, 1999
- -----------------------------
Harvey M. Krueger
</TABLE>
20
<PAGE>
BERNARD CHAUS, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
INDEX TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS AND FINANCIAL STATEMENT SCHEDULE
The following consolidated financial statements of Bernard Chaus, Inc. and
subsidiaries are included in Item 8:
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
<S> <C>
Report of Independent Auditors..........................................................F-2
Consolidated Balance Sheets -- June 30, 1999 and 1998 ..................................F-3
Consolidated Statements of Operations -- Years Ended June 30, 1999, 1998 and 1997.......F-4
Consolidated Statements of Stockholders' Equity (Deficiency) --
Years Ended June 30, 1999, 1998 and 1997.............................................F-5
Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows -- Years Ended June 30, 1999, 1998 and 1997.......F-6
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements..............................................F-7
The following consolidated financial statement schedule of Bernard Chaus, Inc.
and subsidiaries is included in Item 14(a)(2):
Schedule II -- Valuation and Qualifying Accounts......................................S-1
</TABLE>
The other schedules for which provision is made in the applicable
accounting regulation of the Securities and Exchange Commission are not required
under the related instructions or are inapplicable and, therefore, have been
omitted.
F-1
<PAGE>
REPORT OF INDEPENDENT AUDITORS
To the Board of Directors and Stockholders of
Bernard Chaus, Inc.
New York, New York
We have audited the accompanying consolidated balance sheets of Bernard Chaus,
Inc. and subsidiaries as of June 30, 1999 and June 30, 1998 and the related
consolidated statements of operations, stockholders' equity/(deficiency), and
cash flows for each of the three years in the period ended June 30, 1999. Our
audits also included the financial statement schedule listed in the Index at
item 14(a)(2). These financial statements and financial statement schedule are
the responsibility of the Company's management. Our responsibility is to express
an opinion on these financial statements and financial statement schedule 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, such consolidated financial statements present fairly, in all
material respects, the financial position of Bernard Chaus, Inc. and
subsidiaries at June 30, 1999 and June 30, 1998, and the results of their
operations and their cash flows for each of the three years in the period ended
June 30, 1999 in conformity with generally accepted accounting principles. Also,
in our opinion, such financial statement schedule, when considered in relation
to the basic consolidated financial statements taken as a whole, presents fairly
in all material respects the information set forth therein.
/s/ Deloitte & Touche LLP
New York, New York
August 30, 1999
F-2
<PAGE>
BERNARD CHAUS, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS
(In thousands, except number of shares)
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
June 30, June 30,
1999 1998
---------------- ----------------
<S> <C> <C>
ASSETS
Current Assets
Cash and cash equivalents $ 6,208 $ 2,039
Accounts receivable 26,756 17,289
Inventories 18,806 17,486
Prepaid expenses 684 362
---------------- ----------------
Total current assets 52,454 37,176
Fixed assets - net 760 960
Other assets 270 876
---------------- ----------------
$ 53,484 $ 39,012
================ ================
LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY
Current Liabilities
Accounts payable $ 17,499 $ 13,005
Accrued expenses 4,625 4,492
Term loan - current 1,000 1,000
---------------- ----------------
Total current liabilities 23,124 18,497
Term loan 12,500 13,500
---------------- ----------------
35,624 31,997
STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY
Preferred stock, $.01 par value, authorized shares - 1,000,000;
outstanding shares - none
Common stock, $.01 par value, authorized shares - 50,000,000; 272 272
issued shares - 27,178,177 at June 30, 1999 and 1998
Additional paid-in capital 125,224 125,224
Deficit (106,156) (117,001)
Less: Treasury stock at cost - 62,270 shares at June 30, 1999 and 1998 (1,480) (1,480)
---------------- ----------------
Total stockholders' equity 17,860 7,015
---------------- ----------------
$ 53,484 $ 39,012
================ ================
</TABLE>
See accompanying notes to consolidated financial statements
F-3
<PAGE>
BERNARD CHAUS, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS
(In thousands, except number of shares and per share amounts)
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
Fiscal Year Ended June 30,
----------------------------------------
1999 1998 1997
----------- ----------- -----------
<S> <C> <C> <C>
Net sales $ 187,875 $ 191,546 $ 160,100
Cost of goods sold 137,958 142,175 125,422
----------- ----------- -----------
Gross profit 49,917 49,371 34,678
Selling, general and administrative expenses 36,512 38,462 40,924
Restructuring expenses -- -- 2,250
----------- ----------- -----------
13,405 10,909 (8,496)
Interest expense, net 2,360 6,353 7,917
----------- ----------- -----------
Income (loss) before provision for income taxes 11,045 4,556 (16,413)
Provision for income taxes 200 245 50
----------- ----------- -----------
Net income (loss) $ 10,845 $ 4,311 $ (16,463)
=========== =========== ===========
Basic earnings (loss) per share $ 0.40 $ 0.28 $ (2.46)
=========== =========== ===========
Diluted earnings (loss) per share $ 0.40 $ 0.28 $ (2.46)
=========== =========== ===========
Weighted average number of common shares
outstanding - basic
27,116,000 15,296,000 6,687,000
=========== =========== ===========
Weighted average number of common and common
equivalent shares outstanding - diluted 27,191,000 15,296,000 6,687,000
=========== =========== ===========
</TABLE>
See accompanying notes to consolidated financial statements
F-4
<PAGE>
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
BERNARD CHAUS, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY/(DEFICIENCY)
(In thousands, except number of shares)
Common Stock Treasury Stock
--------------------------- ---------------------------
Additional
Number Of Paid-in Number
Shares Amount Capital Deficit of Shares Amount Total
------------ ------------ ------------ ------------ ------------ ------------ ------------
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C>
Balance at July 1, 1996 26,893,724 $ 269 $ 65,450 $ (104,849) 622,700 $ (1,480) $ (40,610)
Net loss (16,463) (16,463)
Exercise of stock options 6,250 -- 13 13
------------ ------------ ------------ ------------ ------------ ------------ ------------
Balance at June 30, 1997 26,899,974 269 65,463 (121,312) 622,700 (1,480) (57,060)
Net income 4,311 4,311
Exchange of notes for
common stock 10,510,910 105 40,520 -- -- -- 40,625
Net proceeds from issuance
of common stock 13,977,270 140 18,861 -- -- -- 19,001
Issuance of warrants -- -- 138 -- -- -- 138
Reverse stock split (24,209,977) (242) 242 -- (560,430) -- --
------------ ------------ ------------ ------------ ------------ ------------ ------------
Balance at July 1, 1998 27,178,177 272 125,224 (117,001) 62,270 (1,480) 7,015
Net income 10,845 10,845
------------ ------------ ------------ ------------ ------------ ------------ ------------
Balance at June 30, 1999 27,178,177 $ 272 $ 125,224 $ (106,156) 62,270 $ (1,480) $ 17,860
============ ============ ============ ============ ============ ============ ============
See accompanying notes to consolidated financial statements
</TABLE>
F-5
<PAGE>
BERNARD CHAUS, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS
(In thousands)
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
Year Ended June 30,
---------------------------------------
1999 1998 1997
--------- --------- ---------
<S> <C> <C> <C>
OPERATING ACTIVITIES
Net income (loss) $ 10,845 $ 4,311 $ (16,463)
Adjustments to reconcile net income (loss) to net cash
provided by (used in) operating activities:
Depreciation and amortization 1,280 630 865
Provision for losses (recovery) on accounts receivable 138 (65) (20)
Deferred interest on subordinated promissory notes -- 1,751 2,786
Non-cash interest expense 30 27 --
Changes in operating assets and liabilities:
Accounts receivable (9,605) (9,773) 564
Inventories (1,320) 6,260 (2,490)
Prepaid expenses and other assets (435) 432 372
Accounts payable 4,494 (6,820) 2,390
Accrued expenses 133 (901) (663)
Accrued restructuring expenses -- (1,619) 1,654
--------- --------- ---------
Net Cash Provided By (Used In) Operating Activities 5,560 (5,767) (11,005)
--------- --------- ---------
INVESTING ACTIVITIES
Purchases of fixed assets (247) (348) (186)
Purchases of other assets (144) (421) (418)
--------- --------- ---------
Net Cash Used In Investing Activities (391) (769) (604)
--------- --------- ---------
FINANCING ACTIVITIES
Net proceeds (payments) on short-term bank borrowings -- (25,256) 11,679
Net proceeds from issuance of term loan -- 15,000 --
Principal payments on term loan (1,000) (500) --
Net proceeds from issuance of stock -- 19,001 --
Net proceeds from exercise of options -- -- 13
--------- --------- ---------
Net Cash (Used In) Provided By Financing Activities (1,000) 8,245 11,692
--------- --------- ---------
Increase in Cash and Cash Equivalents 4,169 1,709 83
Cash and Cash Equivalents, Beginning of Year 2,039 330 247
--------- --------- ---------
Cash and Cash Equivalents, End of Year $ 6,208 $ 2,039 $ 330
========= ========= =========
Cash paid for:
Taxes $ 336 $ 8 $ 13
Interest $ 2,167 $ 4,670 $ 4,822
Supplemental schedule of non-cash financing activities:
Bank debt assumed by principal stockholder and converted
to subordinated promissory notes -- $ 12,500 --
Exchange of subordinated promissory notes for common stock -- $ 40,625 --
Issuance of warrants related to new financing agreement -- $ 138 --
</TABLE>
See accompanying notes to consolidated financial statements
F-6
<PAGE>
BERNARD CHAUS, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
1. BUSINESS
Bernard Chaus, Inc. (the "Company" or "Chaus") designs, arranges for the
manufacture of and markets an extensive range of women's career and casual
sportswear principally under the JOSEPHINE CHAUS(Registered Trademark)
COLLECTION, JOSEPHINE CHAUS(Registered Trademark) STUDIO, JOSEPHINE
CHAUS(Registered Trademark) ESSENTIALS, and JOSEPHINE CHAUS(Registered
Trademark) SPORT trademarks. The Company's products are sold nationwide through
department store chains, specialty retailers and other retail outlets.
2. SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES
Principles of Consolidation:
The consolidated financial statements include the accounts of the Company
and its subsidiaries. Material intercompany accounts and transactions have been
eliminated.
Use of Estimates:
The preparation of 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 during the
reporting period. Actual results could differ from those estimates.
Earnings Per Share:
All share and per share data reflects the 1 for 10 reverse stock split
which was effected December 9, 1997. Basic earnings per share has been computed
by dividing the applicable net income by the weighted average number of common
shares outstanding. Diluted earnings per share has been computed by dividing the
applicable net income by the weighted average number of common shares
outstanding and common stock equivalents. The calculation of basic and diluted
earnings per share for fiscal 1998 reflects the retroactive adjustment for the
bonus element of the Rights Offering, which was consummated on January 26, 1998.
At June 30, 1999, 1998 and 1997, 1,237,000, 2,779,000 and 7,673,000 common stock
equivalents, respectively, were not included in the computation of earnings per
share as they were antidilutive.
Revenue Recognition
Revenues are recorded at the time merchandise is shipped, and with regard
to the outlet store at the time when goods are sold to the customer.
Credit Terms:
The Company extends credit to its customers based upon an evaluation of the
customer's financial condition and credit history and generally does not require
collateral. The Company has historically incurred minimal credit losses. At June
30, 1999 and 1998, approximately 87% of the Company's accounts receivable were
due from department store customers owned by four single corporate entities.
During fiscal 1999 and fiscal 1998, approximately 82% of the Company's net sales
were made to department store customers owned by four single corporate entities,
as compared to 63% in fiscal 1997. Sales to Dillard's Department Stores
accounted for 40% of net sales in fiscal 1999, 43% in fiscal 1998 and 33% in
fiscal 1997. Sales to The May Department Stores Company accounted for
approximately 28% of the Company's net sales in fiscal 1999, 29% in fiscal 1998
and 16% in fiscal 1997. Sales to Federated Department Stores accounted for
approximately 7% of net sales in fiscal 1999 and fiscal 1998, and 8% in fiscal
1997. Sales to TJX Companies, Inc. accounted for approximately 7% of net sales
in fiscal 1999, 3% in fiscal 1998 and 6% in fiscal 1997. The
F-7
<PAGE>
percentages of net sales are based upon stores owned by the four corporate
entities at the end of fiscal 1999. As a result of the Company's dependence on
its major customers, they may have the ability to influence the Company's
business decisions. The loss of or significant decrease in business from any of
its major customers would have a material adverse effect on the Company's
financial position and results of operations. As of June 30, 1999 and June 30,
1998, Accounts Receivable was net of allowances of $1.6 million and $3.2
million, respectively.
Cash Equivalents:
Cash equivalents are short-term, highly liquid investments purchased with
an original maturity of three months or less.
Inventories:
Inventories are stated at the lower of cost, using the first-in, first-out
method, or market.
Fixed Assets:
Furniture and equipment are depreciated principally using the straight-line
method over eight years. Leasehold improvements are amortized using the
straight-line method over either the term of the lease or the estimated useful
life of the improvement, whichever period is shorter. Computer software is
depreciated using the straight-line method over three years.
Foreign Currency Transactions:
The Company negotiates substantially all of its purchase orders with
foreign manufacturers in United States dollars. The Company considers the United
States dollar to be the functional currency of its overseas subsidiaries. All
foreign currency gains and losses are recorded in the Consolidated Statement of
Operations.
Income Taxes:
The Company records income taxes in accordance with Financial Accounting
Standards Board Statement SFAS No. 109, "Accounting for Income Taxes". Under
this method, deferred tax assets and liabilities are determined based on
differences between financial reporting and tax bases of assets and liabilities
and are measured using enacted tax rates and laws that will be in effect when
the differences are expected to enter into the determination of taxable income
(loss). The Company records a valuation allowance to reduce its deferred tax
assets to that amount which it believes will more likely than not be realized.
Fair Value of Financial Instruments:
For financial instruments, including cash and cash equivalents, accounts
receivable and payable, accruals and term loans, it was assumed that the
carrying amounts approximated fair value due to their short maturity or variable
interest rate.
Comprehensive Income:
The Company adopted Statement of Financial Accounting Standard ("SFAS") No.
130, Reporting Comprehensive Income during the current fiscal year. SFAS 130
establishes standards for reporting comprehensive income and its components in
financial statements. Currently, the Company has no items of other comprehensive
income.
Business Segment Reporting:
F-8
<PAGE>
The Company adopted SFAS No. 131, Disclosures about Segments of an
Enterprise and Related Information during the year ending June 30, 1999. The
Statement establishes standards for the way that public business enterprises
report information about operating segments in annual financial statements and
requires that those enterprises report selected information about operating
segments in interim financial reports issued to shareholders. It also
establishes standards for related disclosures about products and services,
geographic areas, and major customers. This Statement supersedes Financial
Accounting Standards Board ("FASB") Statement No. 14 Financial Reporting for
Segments of a Business Enterprise, but retains the requirement to report
information about major customers. In accordance with SFAS No. 131, the Company
currently operates in one business segment.
New Accounting Pronouncements:
In June 1998, the FASB issued SFAS No. 133, Accounting for Derivative
Instruments and Hedging Activities. The statement establishes accounting and
reporting standards requiring that derivative instruments (including certain
derivative instruments embedded in other contracts) be recorded in the balance
sheet as either an asset or liability measured at fair value. The statement
requires that changes in a derivative's fair value be recognized currently in
earnings unless specific hedge accounting criteria are met. Special accounting
for qualifying hedges allows a derivative's gains and losses to offset related
results on the hedged item in the income statement and requires that a company
formally document, designate and assess the effectiveness of transactions that
receive hedge accounting. SFAS No. 133 is effective for fiscal years beginning
after June 15, 1999; however, it may be adopted earlier. It cannot be applied
retroactively to financial statements of prior periods. The Company currently
has no derivative financial instruments.
3. INVENTORIES
June 30, 1999 June 30, 1998
------------- -------------
(In thousands)
Finished goods $15,512 $12,278
Work-in-process 1,000 3,051
Raw materials 2,294 2,157
----------- ------------
$18,806 $17,486
=========== ============
Inventories include merchandise in transit (principally finished goods) of
approximately $10.6 million at June 30, 1999 and $7.2 million at June 30, 1998.
4. FIXED ASSETS
June 30, 1999 June 30, 1998
------------- -------------
(In thousands)
Furniture and equipment $10,456 $10,233
Leasehold improvements 6,507 6,501
----------- -----------
16,963 16,734
Less accumulated depreciation and amortization 16,203 15,774
----------- -----------
$ 760 $ 960
=========== ===========
F-9
<PAGE>
5. INCOME TAXES
Significant components of the Company's net deferred tax assets are as follows:
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
June 30, June 30,
1999 1998
-------------- --------------
(In thousands)
<S> <C> <C>
Deferred tax assets:
Net federal, state and local operating loss carryforwards $ 37,200 $ 40,100
Costs capitalized to inventory for tax purposes 1,100 1,000
Accrued interest, subordinated debt/warrants -- 4,900
Book over tax depreciation 2,300 2,200
Sales allowances not currently deductible 1,000 3,500
Reserves and other items not currently deductible 1,800 1,500
-------------- --------------
43,400 53,200
Valuation allowance for deferred tax assets (43,400) (53,200)
-------------- --------------
Net deferred tax asset $ 0 $ 0
============== ==============
</TABLE>
There was a change in the valuation allowance of $9.8 million.
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
Fiscal Year Ended June 30,
1999 1998 1997
------------- --------------- -------------
(In thousands)
<S> <C> <C> <C>
Expense (benefit) for federal income taxes at the statutory
rate of 35.0% $ 3,866 $ 1,542 $ (5,694)
State and local income taxes net of federal tax benefit 0 95 50
Other 43 51 51
------------- --------------- -------------
Effects of unrecognized federal tax loss carryforwards (3,709) (1,443) 5,643
Provision for income taxes $ 200 $ 245 $ 50
============= =============== =============
</TABLE>
At June 30, 1999, the Company has a federal net operating loss carryforward for
income tax purposes of approximately $ 88.7 million, which will expire between
2008 and 2012.
F-10
<PAGE>
6. FINANCING AGREEMENTS
The Company and BNY Financial Corporation ("BNYF"), a wholly owned
subsidiary of General Motors Acceptance Corp. ("GMAC") entered into a financing
agreement in July 1991, which was amended and restated on several occasions.
On October 10, 1997, the Company and BNYF entered into a new revolving
credit facility (the "New Revolving Facility") and a new term loan facility (the
"New term Loan" and, together with the new revolving Facility, the "New
Financing Agreement"). The New Financing Agreement consisted of two facilities:
(i) the New Revolving Facility which was a $66.0 million five-year revolving
credit line with a $20.0 million sublimit for letters of credit, and (ii) the
New Term Loan which was a $15.0 million term loan facility. On June 3, 1998, the
Company and BNYF amended the New Revolving Facility to provide for a $45.5
million five-year revolving credit line with $34.0 million sublimit for letters
of credit and amended the New Term Loan to provide for a $14.5 million term loan
facility. Each facility matures on December 31, 2002. At June 30, 1999, the
Company had availability of approximately $8.8 million (inclusive of overadvance
availability) under the New Financing Agreement.
Interest on the New Revolving Facility accrues at 1/2 of 1% above the Prime
Rate (7.75% at June 30, 1999) and is payable on a monthly basis, in arrears.
Interest on the New Term Loan accrues at an interest rate ranging from 1/2 of 1%
above the Prime Rate to 1 1/2% above the Prime Rate, which interest rate will be
determined, from time to time, based upon the Company's availability under the
New Revolving Facility. With the exception of warrants issued to BNYF (as
discussed below), the Company's execution of the New Financing Agreement did not
require the payment of any commitment, closing, administration or facility fees.
The New Financing Agreement provides for a fee of .375% on the unused portion of
the line and letter of credit fees equal to .125% of the outstanding letter of
credit balance. As part of the New Financing Agreement, BNYF's existing warrants
were extinguished, and BNYF received new warrants (the "BNYF Warrants") to
purchase an aggregate of 162,500 shares of the Company's Common Stock. The
issuance of the BNYF Warrants was recorded in the third quarter of fiscal 1998
at a value of $0.1 million and was included as an increase in additional paid-in
capital and will be charged to interest expense over the term of the New
Financing Agreement.
Amortization payments in the amount of $250,000 are payable quarterly in
arrears in connection with the New Term Loan. Four amortization payments have
been made resulting in a balance of $13.5 million at June 30, 1999. A balloon
payment in the amount of $10.25 million is due on December 31, 2002. In the
event of the earlier termination by the Company of the New Financing Agreement,
the Company will be liable for termination fees initially equal to $2.8 million,
and declining to $2.2 million after October 8, 2000. The Company's obligations
under the New Financing Agreement are secured by a first priority lien on
substantially all of the Company's assets, including the Company's accounts
receivable, inventory and trademarks.
The New Financing Agreement contains financial covenants requiring, among
other things, the maintenance of minimum levels of tangible net worth, working
capital and minimum permitted profit (maximum permitted loss). The New Financing
Agreement also contains certain restrictive covenants which, among other things,
limits the Company's ability to incur additional indebtedness or liens and to
pay dividends.
7. RESTRUCTURING
In June 1997, the Company announced a proposed restructuring program to be
implemented by the Company. In September 1997, the disinterested members of the
Board of Directors of the Company unanimously approved the Restructuring which
provided for the following: (i) the Company would raise, through an offer of
rights to subscribe ("Rights"), up to $20.0 million, but not less than $12.5
million, of equity through a rights offering to all shares of Common Stock of
the Company (the "Rights Offering") of up to 13,977,270 shares of Common Stock
of the Company (on a post stock split basis); (ii) the conversion of
approximately $40.6 million of the Company's indebtedness
F-11
<PAGE>
to Ms. Chaus, consisting of $28.1 million of then existing subordinated
indebtedness (including accrued interest through January 28, 1998) and $12.5
million of additional indebtedness owed to Ms. Chaus, into 10,510,910 shares of
Common Stock of the Company; (iii) entering into the New Financing Agreement;
(iv) the implementation of a reverse stock split of the Company's Common Stock
such that every ten (10) shares of Common Stock would be converted into one (1)
share of Common Stock; and (v) the liquidation of the Company's retail outlet
stores. On October 10, 1997, the Company entered into the New Financing
Agreement referred to in (iii) above. On December 9, 1997, the reverse stock
split described in (iv) above became effective. By mid-January 1998, the Company
closed all of its retail outlet stores as referenced in (v) above. On January
26, 1998, the Rights Offering described in (i) above was consummated. On January
29, 1998, the conversion of indebtedness into equity described in (ii) above was
completed.
8. EMPLOYEE BENEFIT PLANS
Pension Plan:
Pursuant to a collective bargaining agreement, all of the Company's union
employees are covered by a defined benefit pension plan. Pension expense
amounted to approximately $122,000, $40,000 and $69,000 in fiscal 1999, 1998 and
1997, respectively. As of December 31, 1998, the actuarial present value of the
accumulated vested and non-vested plan benefits amounted to $0.6 million and net
assets available for benefits amounted to $0.8 million. Actuarial assumptions
related to weighted average interest rate were 8.5% for 1999, 1998 and 1997.
Savings Plan:
The Company has a savings plan (the "Savings Plan") under which eligible
employees may contribute a percentage of their compensation and the Company
(subject to certain limitations) will match 50% of the employee's contribution.
Company contributions will be invested half in the Common Stock of the Company
and half in investment funds selected by the participant and are subject to
vesting provisions of the Savings Plan. Expense under the Savings Plan was
approximately $0.1 in fiscal 1999, $0.2 in each of fiscal 1998 and 1997. An
aggregate of 10,000 shares of Common Stock has been reserved for issuance under
the Savings Plan.
Stock Option Plan:
On February 23,1998, the Company cancelled all options granted under the
Company's 1986 stock option plan and reissued the holders of such options with
an equivalent number of options (at fair market value) under the Company's 1998
Stock Option Plan (the "Option Plan"). Pursuant to the Option Plan, the Company
may grant to eligible individuals incentive stock options, as defined in the
Internal Revenue Code, and non-incentive stock options. Under the Option Plan,
2,711,591 shares of Common Stock were reserved for issuance. No stock options
may be granted subsequent to November 2007 and the exercise price may not be
less than 100% of the fair market value on the date of grant for incentive stock
options.
Grossman Option Plan:
At the annual meeting of stockholders in November 1994, the stockholders
approved the issuance of options for the Company's Chief Executive Officer (the
"Grossman Option Plan") to purchase 300,000 shares of Common Stock (the "1994
Options"). Of this amount, 150,000 options were granted, at fair market value,
in September 1994, and the balance were granted in September 1995, at fair
market value, in connection with the extension of the term of his employment
agreement. In connection with the Restructuring, the 1994 Options were cancelled
and as part of Mr. Grossman's amended employment agreement, 1,375,157 additional
options were granted under the Company's Option
F-12
<PAGE>
Plan in February 1998. See Note 9. In connection with the termination of
employment of Mr. Grossman, all of the foregoing options were cancelled
effective June 21, 1999.
Total Options Reserved for Issuance
At June 30, 1999, a total of approximately 2,721,591 shares of Common Stock
were reserved for issuance under the Stock Option Plan and the Savings Plan.
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
Non-Incentive Stock Options
-------------------------------------------------------
Weighted
Number Exercise Average
of Shares Price Range Exercise Price
------------- --------------------- --------------
<S> <C> <C> <C>
Outstanding at July 1, 1996 417,302 $18.75 - $56.25 $38.34
Options granted 9,500 $23.75 - $31.25 $30.07
Options canceled (6,701) $20.00 - $48.80 $26.02
Options exercised (625) $20.00 - $20.00 $20.00
-------------
Outstanding at June 30, 1997
419,476 $18.75 - $56.25 $38.40
Options granted 2,616,407 $ 3.11 - $3.11 $ 3.11
Options canceled (419,476) $18.75 - $56.25 $38.40
-------------
Outstanding at June 30, 1998 2,616,407 $ 3.11 - $ 3.11 $ 3.11
Options granted 775,000 $ 2.13 - $ 3.50 $ 2.20
Options canceled (1,557,069) $ 3.11 - $ 3.11 $ 3.11
-------------
Outstanding at June 30, 1999 1,834,338 $ 2.13 - $ 3.50 $ 2.73
============= =============== ==========
</TABLE>
Certain stock options issued on February 11, 1999 (700,000) are fully
exercisable on June 30, 2000. All other outstanding stock options are
exercisable over four years in annual 25% increments. As of June 30, 1999
options to purchase approximately 285,000 shares were exercisable.
Stock Based Compensation:
All stock options are granted at fair market value of the Common Stock at
grant date. The weighted average fair value of stock options granted during
1999, 1998 and 1997 was $2.04, $2.76 and $19.30 respectively. The fair value of
each option is estimated on the date of grant using the Black-Scholes option
pricing model with the following weighted average assumptions used for the
grants: risk-free interest rate of 5.59%, 5.49% and 6.38% in 1999, 1998 and 1997
respectively; expected dividend yield of 0% in 1999, 1998 and 1997; expected
life of 2.33, 2.40 and 3.05 years in 1999, 1998 and 1997, respectively; and
expected volatility of 232.13%, 237.06% and 97.25% in 1999, 1998 and 1997,
respectively. The outstanding stock options have a weighted average contractual
life of 8.98 years, 9.60 years and 7.68 years in 1999, 1998 and 1997,
respectively. The number of stock options exercisable at June 30, 1999, 1998 and
1997 were 285,000, 714,000 and 350,000, respectively.
The Company accounts for the stock option plans in accordance with the
Accounting Principles Board Opinion No. 25, under which no compensation cost is
recognized for stock option awards. Had compensation cost been determined
consistent with Statement of Financial Accounting Standard No. 123, "Accounting
for Stock-Based Compensation" ("SFAS 123"), the Company's pro forma net income
(loss) for 1999, 1998 and 1997 would have been $8,564, $2,318 and ($19,658),
respectively. The Company's pro forma net income (loss) per share for 1999, 1998
and 1997 would have been $0.31, $0.15 and ($2.94), respectively. Because the
SFAS 123 method of accounting has not been
F-13
<PAGE>
applied to options granted prior to 1995, the resulting pro forma compensation
cost may not be representative of that to be expected in future years.
9. COMMITMENTS, CONTINGENCIES AND OTHER MATTERS
Lease Obligations:
The Company leases showroom, distribution and office facilities, and
equipment under various noncancellable operating lease agreements which expire
through 2009. Rental expense for the years ended June 30, 1999, 1998 and 1997
was approximately $2.4 million, $3.2 million and $4.7 million, respectively.
The minimum aggregate rental commitments at June 30, 1999 are as follows
(in thousands):
Fiscal year ending:
2000................................ $ 2,339
2001................................ 2,007
2002................................ 1,928
Subsequent to 2002.................. 8,291
--------
$ 14,565
========
Letters of Credit:
The Company is contingently liable under letters of credit issued by banks
to cover contractual commitments for merchandise purchases of approximately
$25.6 million at June 30, 1999.
Litigation:
Without admitting any liability, the Company settled, in July 1998, an
action brought by the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission on behalf of three
former patternmakers, each of whom was terminated by the Company in late 1995.
The amount of the settlement was not material and was provided for in fiscal
1997.
The Company is also involved in various other legal proceedings arising out
of the conduct of its business. The Company believes that the eventual outcome
of the proceedings referred to above will not have a material adverse effect on
the Company's financial condition or results of operations.
Employment Agreement:
In connection with the termination of employment of the Company's former Chief
Executive Officer, Andrew Grossman, the Company became obligated to pay up to
$1.66 million over a period of 20 months in consideration of Mr. Grossman's
agreement not to compete for twelve months. Such amounts are charged to expense
ratably over the twelve-month non-competition period. In addition, the Company
became obligated to make bonus payments in an amount equal to 2 1/2 % of net
profits for fiscal years 1999 and 2000, and the pro rated portion of fiscal year
2001 (i.e. 1/6 of such year). Such bonus payments are being expensed over the
respective fiscal years. The Company continued such payments until April 1999
when Mr. Grossman commenced employment with another company. The Company is
currently involved in an arbitration proceeding with Mr. Grossman in connection
with a dispute as to the amount, if any, of the remaining payments due to Mr.
Grossman. The Company is seeking a determination in such proceedings that Mr.
Grossman is not entitled to any further payments by reason of his having taken a
position with another women's apparel company and that, even if payments are
due, they are subject to offset by an amount equal to his post-severance salary
and bonus. See "Item
F-14
<PAGE>
3. Legal Proceedings".
Nautica License Agreement:
On October 23, 1998, the Company discontinued its license agreement with
Nautica Enterprises, Inc. under which it had an exclusive license to
manufacture, market, distribute and sell licensed product for women under the
Nautica brand name.
F-15
<PAGE>
SCHEDULE II
BERNARD CHAUS, INC. & SUBSIDIARIES
VALUATION AND QUALIFYING ACCOUNTS
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
Additions
Balance at Charged to
Beginning Costs and Balance at
Description of Year Expenses Deductions End of Year
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C>
Year ended June 30, 1999
Allowance for doubtful accounts $ 368 $ 68 $ 70 (1) $ 366
-------- -------- -------- --------
Reserve for customer allowances and deductions $ 2,834 $ 12,074 $ 13,663 (2) $ 1,245
-------- -------- -------- --------
Year ended June 30, 1998
Allowance for doubtful accounts $ 341 $ (65) $ (92)(1) $ 368
-------- -------- -------- --------
Reserve for customer allowances and deductions $ 1,751 $ 8,054 $ 6,971 (2) $ 2,834
-------- -------- -------- --------
Accrued restructuring expenses $ 1,850 $ -- $ 1,850 (3) $ --
-------- -------- -------- --------
Year ended June 30, 1997
Allowance for doubtful accounts $ 378 $ (20) $ 17 (1) $ 341
-------- -------- -------- --------
Reserve for customer allowances and deductions $ 2,576 $ 3,723 $ 4,548 (2) $ 1,751
-------- -------- -------- --------
Accrued restructuring expenses $ 196 $ 1,850 $ 196 (3) $ 1,850
-------- -------- -------- --------
</TABLE>
- -------------
(1) Uncollectible accounts written off
(2) Allowances charged to reserve and granted to customers
(3) Expenses charged to reserve
S-1
<PAGE>
BERNARD CHAUS, INC.
1410 Broadway
New York, New York 10018
February 23, 1999
Stuart S. Levy
12 Brittany Road
Montville, New Jersey 07045
Dear Stuart:
This letter agreement (this "Amendment") will supplement the terms of
your employment by Bernard Chaus, Inc. (the "Company"), as set forth in that
certain letter agreement dated July 22, 1998 between you ("Employee") and the
Company (the "Original Agreement").
1. Bonus. A bonus pool shall be established for fiscal years 1999 and
2000 for the benefit of [certain other individuals identified in comparable
letters] and Stuart Levy, which shall be allocated among such four employees in
the sole discretion of the Compensation Committee of the Board of Directors of
the Company (the "Committee"). The bonus pool shall be equal to five percent
(5%) of the Company's Annual Net Profits for each of the fiscal years ended June
30, 1999 and June 30, 2000. Within ninety (90) days after the end of each of
fiscal years 1999 and 2000, Employee shall be paid a bonus ("Bonus") equal to
the portion of the bonus pool allocated to Employee by the Committee, which
shall in no event be less than $50,000. For purposes of this Amendment, "Annual
Net Profits" shall mean the net income of the Company for any fiscal year as
reflected on the audited financial statements of the Company for such fiscal
year prepared in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles. The
Bonus for a fiscal year shall be payable to Employee promptly following the
completion of the audit for that fiscal year but only if Employee was employed
by the Company on the last day of such fiscal year.
2. Options. Effective on the execution of this Amendment, the Company
shall grant the Employee options to purchase an aggregate of 100,000 shares (the
"New Options") of the Company's common stock at an exercise price of $2.125
(i.e., the closing sales price on the New York Stock Exchange on February 11,
1999, the date of approval by the Committee). The grant of the New Options is
subject to shareholder approval at the next annual meeting of stockholders of
the Company (unless shares become available under the Company's stock option
plan prior to such time and the Company determines that shareholder approval is
not required). The New Options shall vest in full on June 30, 2000. In the event
of your termination of employment for any reason after June 30, 2000, other than
a Change in Control (as defined in the Company's 1998 Stock Option Plan), any
unvested options held by you shall be forfeited and you shall have thirty (30)
days from the termination date to exercise vested options, including the New
Options.
<PAGE>
February 23, 1999
Page 2
The New Options shall vest immediately upon a Change in Control. The New Options
shall otherwise be subject to the terms of the Company's 1998 Stock Option Plan.
3. Miscellaneous.
(a) This Amendment and the Original Agreement constitute the entire
agreement between the Company and Employee with respect to Employee's employment
by the Company. Except as expressly modified hereby, the Original Agreement
shall remain in full force and effect.
(b) This Agreement shall be governed by, and construed in accordance
with, the laws of the State of New York without giving effect to the principles
of conflicts of laws thereof.
(c) The waiver by either party of the breach of any provision of
this Agreement by the other party shall not operate or be construed as a waiver
of any subsequent breach of such other party.
Please indicate your acceptance with the terms of this Amendment by
your signature below, at which time it shall become effective.
Sincerely,
Josephine Chaus
Accepted and agreed to:
- ----------------------------------
Stuart S. Levy
<PAGE>
AMALGAMATED WORKERS UNION LOCAL 88
RWDSU. AFL-CIO
COLLECTIVE BARGAINING AGREEMENT
This Agreement effective from the 1st day of September 1999, by and
between Amalgamated Workers Union Local 88, RWDSU, AFL-CIO, located at 2366
Flatbush Avenue, Borough of Brooklyn, City and State of New York, (hereinafter
referred to as "UNION") and BERNARD CHAUS, INC., with a principal place of
business at 1410 Broadway, New York, New York (hereinafter referred to as the
"COMPANY").
W I T N E S S E T H:
Whereas, it is the intent and purpose of the parties to promote and
improve the industrial and economic relations between the Company, its employees
and the Union, to establish a basic understanding relative to rates of pay,
hours of work, and other conditions of employment and to provide means for the
amicable adjustment of all disputes and grievances:
NOW, THEREFORE, the parties hereto agree as follows:
ARTICLE 1
RECOGNITION
The Company recognizes and acknowledges the Union as the sole and
exclusive collective bargaining agent for all of its warehouse and distribution
employees, van drivers, porters, messengers, maintenance employees, warehouse
quality control employees, account payable, accounts receivable employees
located at its production facility at 800 Secaucus Road, Secaucus, New Jersey
07094; excluding all salaried employees, confidential employees, computer
department employees, allocation department employees, outlet store employees,
security employees, working foremen, foremen, managers, designers, executives,
all sales persons and supervisory employees. The Company further recognizes and
acknowledges the Union as the sole and exclusive collective bargaining agent for
all its sample room and maintenance employees located at its production facility
at 520 Eighth Ave New York, New York 10018, excluding all salaried employees,
pattern makers, Sketchers, fitters, drapers, computer department employees,
scheduling department employees, working foremen, foremen, sales persons,
confidential employees, supervisory employees, and textile studio employees.
<PAGE>
ARTICLE 2
UNION SECURITY
2.1 It shall be a condition of employment that all employees of the
Company covered by this Agreement who are members of the Union in good standing
on the effective date of this Agreement shall remain members in good standing;
and all employees covered by this Agreement who are not Union members and are
hired on or after the execution date of this agreement shall on the first of the
month following the thirtieth (30th) calendar day of such employment become and
remain members in good standing with the Union. Good standing with the Union
will be defined in accordance with applicable National Labor Relations Board and
Federal case law.
2.2 The Company shall notify the Union of all new employees hired
within one week following their first day of employment. New employees shall be
employed on a probationary period until the first day of the month following the
first sixty (60) calendar days of the individual's employment with the Company.
During or at the end of the probationary period, the Employer may discharge such
employee for any reason, at any time, which need not be stated by the Employer.
Such discharge shall not be subject to the grievance/arbitration provisions of
this Agreement. If an employee is discharged during his/her probationary period
and is then subsequently hired again, such rehiring shall be considered a new
hiring and no credit will be given for time worked during the previous
probationary period. Upon successful completion of the probationary period, the
employee will become a regular bargaining unit employee subject to the terms of
this Agreement with his/her seniority measured back to the first day of
employment. Employees are not eligible to receive any benefits during their
probationary period except as otherwise indicated by any specific term of the
Agreement.
2.3 The Union shall indemnify, defend and save the Employer harmless
against any and all demands, suits or other forms of liability that shall arise
out of or by reason of discharging any employee requested or required by the
Union as a result of this Article.
ARTICLE 3
HOURS OF WORK AND WAGES
3.1 All bargaining unit employees will work a regular forty (40) hour
work week divided into five (5) days Monday through Friday of eight hours per
day plus a thirty (30) minute unpaid meal period. Time and one-half shall be
paid after forty (40) hours of work in a week. Time and one-half shall be paid
for work done on Saturdays. Double time shall be paid for work on Sundays if the
employee works the day before and the day after. Time and one-half, plus holiday
pay at regular pay, shall be paid for work on the paid holidays hereinafter
listed.
3.2 Overtime may be offered to employees on a daily or weekend basis.
Employees
2
<PAGE>
may be required to work overtime as needed. Continued failure to work overtime
as required will result in disciplinary action. Employees will be offered
available overtime based on qualification and seniority, especially in the Q.C.
area. Employees will be offered training in specialized areas such as Q.C. so
that they can be certified to work overtime there, even though it is not their
regular work area.
In order to be eligible to work available overtime on weekends, the
employee must have worked at least two (2) days of daily overtime in the work
week until at least 8:00 p.m. each day. Failure to do so may disqualify the
employee from working weekend overtime at the sole discretion of the employer.
If there are more qualified employees than needed to work weekend overtime,
employees will be offered weekend overtime work on a seniority basis (i.e.
needed employees will then be drawn from a pool of employees, who worked at
least two (2) days of overtime until 8:00 p.m., by seniority and ability to do
the job.) Employees who are selected to work weekend overtime must work the full
weekend shift unless they are excused from doing so by management on a case by
case basis for exceptional reason or cause. Any excuse from working the full
overtime shift may not be used as precedent in any future situations that may
arise.
ARTICLE 4
HOLIDAYS
4.1 The following days shall be deemed holidays under this Agreement
with pay for such day at the employee's average straight time hourly earnings
for the week in which the holiday occurs, except when an employee is absent from
work the day preceding or following the holiday without acceptable excuse,
holiday pay will not be granted.
NEW YEAR'S DAY LABOR DAY
PRESIDENTS DAY THANKSGIVING DAY
MEMORIAL DAY DAY AFTER THANKSGIVING DAY
INDEPENDENCE DAY CHRISTMAS DAY
TWO FLOATING HOLIDAYS ANNUALLY - which can be taken after a two (2) weeks notice
is given to the Company. These holidays may not be taken consecutively, or on a
normal workday immediately preceding or following another Holiday.
EMPLOYEE'S OWN BIRTHDAY - it is agreed if it falls on a weekend or holiday that
it may be taken at any time during the week in which it falls.
3
<PAGE>
4.2 Should any of the aforementioned holidays occur on Sunday, it
shall be celebrated on the following Monday. Should any holiday listed above
occur on a Saturday, it shall be celebrated on the preceding Friday.
4.3 Should any of the aforementioned holidays fall within the
probation period referred to in Subsection 2.1 the employee shall receive pay
for such holiday after the probationary period has been satisfactorily
completed. All laid-off employees shall receive holiday pay for the
aforementioned holidays if they have worked at any time within thirty (30) days
preceding the holiday, except employees laid off for just cause.
ARTICLE 5
VACATION
5.1 The Company shall grant to all of its employees during each
anniversary year vacations as follows:
AFTER 1 YEAR 2 Weeks *
*One (1) week shall be available after six (6) months of consecutive employment.
AFTER 3 YEARS of employment the employee shall begin accumulating
vacation at the rate of 1 week every 4 months This accumulation occurs during
the fourth (4th) year of employment.
AFTER 10 YEARS of employment the employee shall begin accumulating
vacation at the rate of 1 week every 3 months. This accumulation occurs during
the eleventh (11th) year of employment.
AFTER 15 YEARS of employment the employee shall begin accumulating
vacation at the rate of 1 week every ten and one-half (10 1/2) weeks. This
accumulation occurs during the sixteenth (16th) year of employment.
5.2 Vacation money shall be paid immediately before the employee
leaves for his vacation period; the vacation period shall be designated by the
Company at the Company's discretion, at least four (4) weeks prior to the time
it commences. Holidays falling during the vacation period shall be paid for, in
addition to the vacation pay. The Company may schedule a vacation shutdown
period, and all employees will be required to take their vacation during such
period.
5.3 Employees laid-off, discharged or quitting prior to the vacation
period shall be paid vacation monies on a pro-rata basis at the time such
employment is terminated. Should the laid-off employees be recalled, then, at
the time of vacation period, they shall receive the balance of vacation pay due
them. Lay-off time, up to a maximum of two (2) months in any anniversary
4
<PAGE>
year, shall be credited as time worked for vacation purposes. In event of the
death of any employee covered by this Agreement, vacation monies due, on a
pro-rata basis, shall be paid to the designated beneficiary. Vacation time may
not be banked from year to year.
The Employer will provide eight (8) vacation slots per year where
an employee could take three (3) consecutive weeks of vacation. Employees will
not be able to select three (3) week vacations slots during the months of March,
June, September and December. Employees will be offered this opportunity in
descending order of seniority over the life of the contract among employees who
are eligible to receive three (3) weeks of vacation. Once an employee is offered
one of those special vacation slots and either refuses it or accepts it, he/she
will be moved to the bottom of the seniority list.
It is the intention of the company to normally close the Distribution
Center for the first week of July, and employees may take available vacation at
that time. However, based on business and operational needs, the Company - at
its sole discretion - may decide to remain open or to be open on a limited basis
during that week. The company will try to give reasonable notice to the Union
and employees if it decides NOT to close or to remain partially open during that
week.
ARTICLE 6
WAGE INCREASE
All Bargaining Unit employees who have completed their probationary
period at the time of an increase, shall receive increases based on the
following schedule:
September 1, 1999 - Fifty (0.50) cents per hour increase.
January 1, 2000 - Fifty (0.50) cents per hour increase.
September 1, 2000 - Three (3%) percent per hour increase.
September 1, 2001 - Three (3%) percent per hour increase.
September 1, 2002 - Three (3%) percent per hour increase.
Upon a new employee's entry into the Union, the employee shall receive a
five (5%) wage increase.
Nothing in this Agreement shall preclude the Company from giving merit
increases to individual employees.
5
<PAGE>
ARTICLE 7
DISCHARGE CLAUSE
7.1 The Employer shall have the right to discipline/ discharge
employees for Just cause. Discipline steps normally provided will be:
Written Warnings (2)
Unpaid Suspension Cup to one (1) week]
Discharge
The Employer shall have the right to advance the level of discipline to whatever
step it believes is appropriate under the circumstances up to and including
immediate discharge. It may also utilize an unpaid investigatory suspension
whenever it believes it is necessary in order to take proper action with regard
to an employee. If an employee is not disciplined as a result of the
investigation, the employee will be paid for time lost without pay an a result
of the investigation.
7.2 Any disciplinary action or measure imposed by the Company on a
non-probationary employee, which cannot be adjusted between the parties, may be
processed as a grievance through the regular grievance process but directly at
step three (3) and then through Arbitration. However, the Union must raise the
issue through the grievance process no later than ton (10) days from the date of
disciplinary action. The failure to discipline or discharge in any particular
instance shall not be deemed to be a waiver of the Employer's right with respect
to future or other instances involving the same or different employees.
7.3 The Employer shall have the right to establish and enforce
reasonable rules of conduct and to discipline employees for violations of same.
Such reasons for discipline/discharge may include but are not limited to:
dishonesty, theft, possession, sale or being under the influence of illegal or
controlled substances drugs or alcohol on Company premises; assault; refusal to
work; failure to perform the assigned work satisfactorily; insubordination;
chronic lateness and chronic absenteeism; refusal to work overtime contrary to
the terms of the contract; destruction of Company property; fighting, etc.
7.4 Disciplinary actions shall be removed from employees Active File
after they are thirty (30) months old.
6
<PAGE>
ARTICLE 8
SENIORITY PROVISIONS
8.1 Seniority shall be plant wide by classification, and the
principle thereof shall be applied by the Company when it determined ability is
equal to lay-offs and rehiring. The Company shall furnish the Union a seniority
list within ten (10) days from the date of this executed Agreement.
ARTICLE 9
DISCRIMINATION
9.1 There shall be no discrimination of any kind against any member
of the Union, for Union activity, race, color, creed, sex, age, or nationality.
ARTICLE 10
MILITARY SERVICE
10.1 All military leaves shall be as provided by the Military Act or
other legislation governing same, except that in any event, employees shall be
restored to their former positions at the prevailing rate of pay, on the basis
of seniority, the time spent in military service considered as time actually
employed by the Company. Reinstatement, however, must be applied for within
ninety (90) days after receiving an honorable discharge, and the applicant must
be physically and mentally able to do the work.
ARTICLE 11
SHOP STEWARD
11.1 The Union shall have the right to designate a Shop Steward in
each plant covered by this Agreement. The Union must notify the Employer in
writing when an individual is either appointed to or removed from a Shop Steward
position. Properly designated Stewards shall have the right to take up with an
authorized representative of the Company, at times which are mutually agreed,
all grievances arising out of this Agreement. Shop Steward will have no
authority of any kind except that given them under this Agreement, and no Shop
Steward will engage in any conduct which interferes with or impedes the normal
work or encourage employees to do the same.
7
<PAGE>
ARTICLE 12
REDUCTION OF WAGES RATES
12.1 Nothing in any provision of this Agreement shall be so construed,
anything to the contrary not withstanding as to effect reduction in the wage
rate of any worker.
ARTICLE 13
CHECK - OFF
13.1 The Company agrees to deduct from the salary of any present or
future employee covered by this Agreement, as directed by the Union, the amount
of dues and initiation fees the employee is required to pay to the Union. As to
new employees, the Company will deduct from their salaries such amounts as the
Union will bill the Company for the purposes hereinabove specified.
13.2 Once a month, within one week after the last day of the preceding
month the Company will deliver the money's billed and required to be deducted
during the preceding month to a duly authorized representative designated by the
Union for the purposes. The Union agrees that it will file with the Company
written authorizations for such deductions, which shall comply with the law.
13.3 The Union shall indemnify, defend and save the Employer harmless
against any and all claims, demands, suits or other forms of liability that may
arise out of or by reason of action taken by the Employer in reliance upon this
article or payroll deduction cards.
ARTICLE 14
GRIEVANCE PROCEDURE
14.1 Any and all complaints, disputes and grievances or differences
arising under and during the term of this Agreement, between the Company and
employees in the bargaining unit, and/or the Union, with respect to wages, hours
of work, and conditions of employment, shall be handled in accordance with the
following procedure:
1) The grievance shall be discussed, within five (5) working days of
the occurrence thereof, by the employee involved, with his
immediate supervisor, in an attempt to settle the matter. The
Union Steward may or may not be present, at the election of the
aggrieved, and said steward. The supervisor involved shall give
an oral answer with respect to the grievance immediately, if
possible, but not later than three (3) working days following the
discussion. If the oral answer given by the supervisor does not
settle the issue, then the employee and/or the Union Steward may
8
<PAGE>
proceed with the next grievance step.
2) Within three (3) working days following receipt of the oral
answer provided for in step 1, the chief Union Steward and
aggrieved employees may present the grievance in writing
(specifying the provision of the contract allegedly violated), to
the appropriate department or plant manager or his designated
representative, with a copy to the Union business representative.
The manager shall then meet with the aggrieved employee and the
chief Union Steward within three (3) working days following his
receipt of the written grievance and shall attempt to settle the
matter. If settlement is reached, the matter shall be considered
closed. If the grievance is not settled, a written and signed
decision setting forth the manager's position, and the reason
therefore, shall be submitted by the manager to the chief Union
Steward and the aggrieved employee within three (3) working days
following said meeting. If the grievance is not settled at this
step, then.
3) Within seven (7) working days following receipt of the managers's
written decision, the business representative of the Union and a
designated representative of the Company shall meet at a mutually
convenient time and place and attempt to settle the grievance. If
a settlement is reached, it shall be reduced to writing and
signed by both of said representatives.
4) In the event that any complaints, claims, disputes, or
differences are not settled in accordance with the foregoing
steps, the same may be submitted to arbitration in accordance
with the Article covering that subject.
ARBITRATION
14.2 Only those grievances or disputes, between the Company and the
employees and/or the Union, which involve an alleged violation of a provision of
this Agreement or an allegation that it has not been properly interpreted or
applied, may be carried beyond the grievance procedure into arbitration under
the section. Either the union or the company may request arbitration of a
grievance or dispute, in writing, at any time during a period of seven (7)
calendar days following the meeting under step (3) three of the Grievance
Article. Upon such timely request, the arbitration shall proceed as follows:
The Company and the Union shall confer and discuss the selection of a
neutral arbitrator, and if they cannot agree upon an individual, they shall
submit the matter to the New Jersey State Board of Mediation for cases arising
in the New Jersey location and to either the American Arbitration Association or
the New York State Employment Relations Board (by agreement between the parties)
for cases arising in the New York location, for selection of an arbitrator in
accordance with the Rules of the Board or Association as appropriate. Only the
Union or Company may bring a matter to arbitration.
9
<PAGE>
14.3 Time shall be considered to be of the essence for the purpose of
this Article. If a grievance is not timely filed under Section 14.1, it shall be
considered to be waived. If the Union fails to timely move the grievance to the
next procedural step, it shall be deemed to be settled with the disposition at
the previous step. If the Employer fails to respond within the time limits
provided, the grievance shall automatically move to the next step. The time
limits set out in this Agreement may be extended by mutual agreement of the
parties.
ARTICLE 15
MANAGEMENT RIGHTS
15.1 The parties agree that the Company retains the exclusive right to
manage its operations and work force, except to the extent that such right is
explicitly limited by the provisions of this Agreement. The Union recognizes
that the Company's rights include, but are not limited to, the right to manage
its business; direct, select, decrease and increase the workforce, including
hiring, promotion, demotion, transfer within and between classifications,
suspensions, discharge or layoff; the right to make all plans and decisions on
all matters involving the products to be manufactured and shipped; where such
products are to be manufactured, the location of operations, the extent to which
the facilities of any department thereof shall be operated; additions thereto,
removal of equipment, outside purchases of products or services, the scheduling
of operations, means and processes of manufacturing; the materials to be used;
the right to introduce new and improved methods and facilities and to change
existing methods and facilities; to maintain discipline and efficiency of
employees; to institute continue, audit, modify or discontinue incentive wage
systems; to prescribe plant rules and regulations; to establish and change
production and quality standards; to determine the qualifications of employees;
to regulate quality; to schedule overtime, and to run the plant efficiently. The
Company agrees that in the exercise of these rights it shall observe in
provisions of this Agreement that such rights shall not be used for the purpose
of discriminating against any employees.
15.2 The Employer has the right to create and staff alternate work
shifts and to discontinue such alternate work shifts at its discretion including
the right to limit the number of employees who can transfer from the first shift
to avoid interference with the smooth operation of the Company. Employer-
initiated second shift changes will require a ten percent (10%) pay
differential. Employee-initiated shift changes require no pay differential.
ARTICLE 16
REST PERIODS AND WASHUP PERIODS
16.1 Each employee shall be allowed at least twenty (20) minutes rest
period per working day divided as follows: ten (10) minutes during the first
four (4) hours of working time and ten (10) minutes during the next four (4)
hours of working time.
10
<PAGE>
ARTICLE 17
BULLETIN BOARDS AND VISITATION
17.1 The Company agrees to allow the Union the use of a sufficient
number of bulletin boards in the shop to be used exclusively for Union notices;
and to grant admission to the employment site by representatives of the Union to
discharge their duties as such.
ARTICLE 18
SAFETY PROVISIONS AND PAY FOR TIME LOST
18.1 The Company will make reasonable provision for the safety and
health of its employees, and shall comply with all Federal, State and Municipal
requirements for safeguards and cleanliness.
ARTICLE 19
SICK LEAVE
19.1 Paid sick days shall be earned at a rate of one (1) day every two
(2) months worked to a maximum of six (6) sick days per anniversary year. An
employee begins to accrue sick days in his first year of employment upon
completion of his/her probationary period; however, the employee will earn one
day in the first month worked following completion of his /her probationary
period [thereafter the employee earns one (1) day for each two (2) months worked
as set out above].
19.2 Sick days may be used as earned and will be paid to employees at
the wage rate being paid to employees at the time of use. All earned but unused
sick leave will be paid to the employee two weeks prior to the employee's
anniversary date. Employees who leave the employ of the Company for any reason
other than discharge for cause will be paid their earned sick leave as of the
date of separation. Actual payment will be made in the next paycheck.
ARTICLE 20
CONTINUITY FOR OPERATIONS
20.1 The Union agrees that neither it nor any of the employees in the
bargaining unit covered by this agreement will collectively, concertedly or
individually participate or assist in any slowdown, strike or any other form of
work interruption during the term of this Agreement. If any slowdown, strike, or
any other form of work interruption should occur, The Union agrees that it will
take immediate and affirmative action to effect termination of all activities
which constitute a violation of this Article.
11
<PAGE>
20.2 The Company agrees that there will be no lockout during the term
of this Agreement.
ARTICLE 21
CALL IN PAY
21.1 When there is no work on the next regular work day for regular
employees, they must be notified not later than their completion of their shift
on the previous work day. All regular employees not so notified shall be
provided with at least four (4) hours work or receive the pay equivalent thereof
at their regular rate of pay, if they report for work an usual. However, nothing
herein shall be construed to guarantee a minimum number of hours of work.
ARTICLE 22
JURY DUTY
22.1 Employees serving on jury duty, who provide proof thereof, shall
be paid the difference between their regular pay for a period not to exceed two
(2) weeks.
ARTICLE 23
BEREAVEMENT
23.1 In case of a death in the immediate family (defined as spouse,
child, parent, brother, sister, grandparent, father-in-law or mother-in-law),
the Employee shall be entitled to up to three (3) consecutive days of paid leave
of absence, the last day of which shall be for attending the funeral and will be
paid for those work days falling within such leave. The Company may require
proof of death and/or the relationship to the deceased at its discretion.
ARTICLE 24
WELFARE CLAUSE
24.1 The Company will continue making monthly premium payments to the
Union Welfare Fund for group insurance coverage for current union members and
their dependents. Increases shall be capped as follows:
Year 1 5%
Year 2 7%
Year 3 7%
Year 4 7%
12
<PAGE>
24.2 New employees will be eligible for coverage on the first day of
the month after completion of ninety (90) days of service as a Union member.
24.3 Employees will contribute fifteen dollars ($15.00) per month for
single coverage and twenty dollars ($20.00) per month for family coverage.
24.4 The Company shall have the right to substitute other coverage in
place of the Union Welfare plan, provided such insurance is comparable to the
coverage provided under the current Union Welfare Plan. In such case the Company
shall have no further liability to the Union Welfare Fund other than unpaid
monthly premiums due to the Union Welfare Plan when it was in place prior to the
Company's substitution of other insurance coverage.
24.5 The Company and Union agree that the sole responsibility of the
Company with regard to the benefits to be provided by the Union Welfare Fund is
to make the contributions required this article. and the Union holds and saves
the Employer harmless against any and all claims made against it under this
article.
ARTICLE 25
PENSION PLAN
25.1 The Company shall continue the Pension plan instituted on January
1, 1985 for the benefit of all bargaining unit employees and continue such plan
through the term of this Agreement. The Plan shall provide a benefit at age
sixty-five (65) vesting upon completion of five years of service. The benefit
monthly factor shall have the following schedule: Eight dollars ($8.00) per year
of credited service subsequent to January 1, 1985.
Nine ($9.00) dollars per year of credited service provided on or after January
1, 1988.
Thirteen dollars and fifty cents ($13.50) per year of credited service provided
on or after September 1, 1998.
Fifteen dollars ($15.00) per year of credited service provided on or after
September 1, 1999.
Sixteen dollars ($16.00) per year of credited service provided on or after
September 1, 2000.
Seventeen dollars ($17.00) per year of credited service provided on or after
September 1, 2001
Eighteen dollars ($18.00) per year of credited service provided on or after
September 1, 2002
13
<PAGE>
All employees hired on or after January 1, 1991 will be subject to a one year
eligibility service requirement with retroactive service accrual to date of hire
following entry into the plan.
ARTICLE 26
SAVINGS CLAUSE
26.1 Should any part of this Agreement or any portion therein
contained be rendered or declared illegal or unenforceable by a Court of
competent jurisdiction, or by the decision of any authorized governmental
agency, such validation of such portions thereof, in the event of such
occurrence, the parties agree to meet immediately, and, if possible, to
negotiate substitute provisions for such parts or portions rendered or declared
or illegal or invalid.
ARTICLE 27
COMPLETE AGREEMENT
27.1 This Agreement constitutes the entire contract between the
Company and the Union and settles all demands and issues with respect to all
matters subject to collective bargaining. Therefore, both the Company and the
Union, for the duration of this Agreement, waive the right, and each agrees that
the other shall not be obligated to bargain collectively with respect to any
subject or matter which is subject to collective bargaining, whether or not such
subject or matter is specifically referred to herein. Changes or amendments to
the terms of this Agreement may be made if mutually agreed to by the Company and
the Union, reduced to writing, and executed in the same manner as this
Agreement.
ARTICLE 28
PERSONAL DAYS
28.1 Employees may take one non-paid personal day during each
anniversary year. A two (2) week notice will be required before permission may
be granted by the Company.
ARTICLE 29
CREDIT UNION
29.1 The Company will make best effort to maintain a credit union for
the bargaining unit employees.
14
<PAGE>
ARTICLE 30
EXPIRATION
This Agreement shall expire on the 31st of August, 2003. It shall be
automatically renewed from year to year thereafter, unless modified or
terminated by either party giving to the other party not less than sixty (60)
days written notice, by registered or certified mail, prior to the next
termination date, of its desire to modify or terminate this Agreement. Should
said sixty (60) days notice be given, joint conference between the parties shall
commence at least thirty (30) days before the termination date for negotiation
purposes.
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties hereto have set their hands and seals
the of September 1999
BERNARD CHAUS. INC. AMALGAMATED WORKER UNION
LOCAL 88 RWDSU AFL-CLO
BY BY
---------------------------(L.S.) ---------------------------(L.S.)
- -------------------------------- --------------------------------
TITLE TITLE
15
<PAGE>
THIS LEASE Made as of the 1st day of June, 1999 between Adler Realty
Company 530, a New York Corporation, hereinafter referred to as LANDLORD, and
Bernard Chaus, Inc., hereinafter jointly, severally and collectively referred to
as TENANT.
WITNESSETH, that the Landlord hereby leases to the Tenant, and the
Tenant hereby hires and takes from the Landlord the seventeenth (17th) floor as
presently divided (excluding superintendent's office and mechanical areas) and
the eighteenth (18th) floor as presently divided, as shown on the floor plans
annexed hereto and made a part hereof, excluding in each instance the areas
marked "building space"; together with the "Supplemental Premises" from and
after the "Supplemental Premises Commencement Date" (each as defined in Article
73), in the building known as 530 Seventh Avenue in the Borough of Manhattan,
City of New York, to be used and occupied only for the manufacture (up to 25%)
and sale at wholesale of better grade designer dresses and women's sportswear
and, so long as a majority of the demised premises are utilized for the
foregoing, a portion of the demised premises may be utilized for the sale at
wholesale of women's accessories, and for better grade men's and children's
wear, all of the foregoing under the "Chaus" label, and related office use of
less than 40% of said space within the meaning of the New York City High-Rise
Office Building Code (Local Law 5 1973), the New York City Building Code and any
and all related New York City Administrative Directives, and for no other
purpose for a term of ten (10) years to commence June 1, 1999 and to end on May
31, 2009, unless sooner terminated as hereinafter provided, at the ANNUAL RENT
of [See Rider] which Tenant agrees to pay in lawful money of the United States,
which shall be legal tender in payment of all debts and dues, public and
private, at the time of payment in equal monthly installments of [See Rider] in
advance on the lst day of each month during said term at the office of the
Landlord or such other place as Landlord may designate without any set-off or
deduction, except that Tenant shall pay the first monthly installment on the
execution hereof (unless this lease be a renewal) together with the security
provided for in Paragraph Thirty-Seventh hereof.
THE TENANT COVENANTS:
FIRST: -- That the Tenant will pay the rent and additional rent as above
and hereinafter provided.
SECOND: -- That, throughout said term, the Tenant will take good care of
the demised premises and all parts thereof, including all items of personalty
fixtures and appurtenances and any alterations, additions and improvements made
thereto: will make all repairs, at its sole cost and expense, in and about the
same as may be necessary to preserve them in good order and condition, which
repairs shall be, in quality and class, equal to the original work and materials
and promptly pay the cost and expense of such repairs. All damage or injury to
the demised premises and to its fixtures, appurtenances and equipment or to the
building of which the same form a part or to its fixtures, appurtenances and
equipment caused by Tenant moving property in or out of the building or by
installation or removal of furniture, fixtures or other property, or resulting
from fire, explosion, air-conditioning unit or system, short circuits, flow or
leakage of water, steam, illuminating gas, sewer gas, sewerage or odors or by
frost or by bursting or leaking of pipes or plumbing works or gas,
<PAGE>
or from any other cause of any other kind or nature whatsoever due to
carelessness, omission, neglect, improper conduct or other cause of Tenant, its
servants, employees, agents, visitors or licensees shall be repaired, restored
or replaced promptly by Tenant at its sole cost and expense to the [2.1]
satisfaction of Landlord. Tenant will suffer no waste or injury; will give
prompt notice to the Landlord of any fire that may occur; execute and comply at
the sole cost and expense of the Tenant with any and all laws, rules, orders,
ordinances, requirements and regulations at any time issued or in force
(excluding those requiring structural alterations other than structural
alterations caused or required by reason of Tenant's acts or use of the demised
premises, applicable to the demised premises or to the Tenant's occupation
thereof, of the Borough, City, County, State and Federal Governments, and of
each and every department, bureau, board, division and official thereof, and of
the New York Board of Fire Underwriters or similar organization: suffer the
Landlord to make repairs and improvements to all parts of the building, and its
appurtenances or fixtures, and to comply with all orders and requirements of
governmental authority applicable to said building and/or any part thereof or to
any occupation thereof, after default by the Tenant in failing to make said
repairs but this shall not obligate Landlord to make such repairs; and forever
indemnify and save harmless the Landlord from and against any and all liability,
penalties, damages, expenses and judgments arising from injury during said term
to person or property of any nature, or occasioned wholly or in part by any act
or acts, omission or omissions of the Tenant, or of the employees, guests,
agents, invitees, licensees, assigns or undertenants of the Tenant and/or also
for any matter or thing growing out of the occupation of the demised premises or
of the street, halls, lavatories, stairs, sidewalks or vaults adjacent thereto.
2.2
THIRD: -- That the Tenant will not disfigure or deface any part of the
building or suffer the same to be done, except as far as may be necessary to
affix such trade fixtures as are herein consented to by the Landlord; Tenant
will not bring into the demised premises or install therein any equipment,
machinery, safes, fixtures, bulky matter or appliances of any nature or kind
whatsoever without Landlord's consent in writing first had and obtained; the
Tenant will not obstruct or permit the obstruction of the light, halls, areas,
roof, stairs, stairways, entrances or the street or sidewalk adjacent thereto,
will not do anything, or suffer anything to be done upon the demised premises
which will increase the rate of fire insurance upon the building or any of its
contents, or be liable to cause structural injury to said building; will not
permit the accumulation of waste or refuse matter and will not permit the water
and wash closets and other plumbing fixtures to be used for any purposes other
than those for which they were designed or constructed and no sweepings,
rubbish, rags, acids or other substances shall be deposited therein; [3.1] will
not, without written consent of the Landlord first obtained in each case, which
consent may be arbitrarily withheld, either sell assign, mortgage, pledge,
encumber or transfer this lease, underlet the demised premises or any part
thereof, permit the same or any part thereof to be occupied by anybody other
than the Tenant and the Tenant's employees; any transfer or issuance of shares
of stock of the named Tenant, or of any corporation which hereafter becomes
Tenant, which changes the ownership of the present shareholders of Tenant, or
any transfer of partnership interests or additions of any partners to Tenant,
shall be deemed a transfer of this lease for the purposes of this clause; make
any alterations or repairs in the demised premises, use the derailed premises or
any part thereof for any purpose other than the one first above stipulated; as a
condition of any such consent by Landlord to any such alterations.
<PAGE>
Landlord may impose such requirements regarding review and approval of plans,
architects, contractors and the obtaining of such permits, licenses, insurance,
completion and payment bonds or the like as Landlord deems necessary, nor will
Tenant use the demised premises or any part thereof for any purpose deemed extra
hazardous on account of fire risk, nor in violation of any law or ordinance or
requirement of any governmental authority. Tenant will not, under any
conditions, cause or permit an auction, fire, going out of business or similar
sale of any kind, nature or description to be conducted in the demised premises
without Landlord's consent in writing first had and obtained. Tenant shall not
place a load upon any floor of the demised premises exceeding the floor load per
square foot area which such floor was designed to carry and which is allowed by
law. Tenant will not bring, keep or store on the demised premises any
inflammable, combustible or explosive fluid, material or substance. Tenant will
not clean, nor require, permit, suffer or allow any window in the damaged
premises to be cleaned, from the outside in violation of Section 202 of the
Labor Law or of the rules of the Board of Standards and Appeals, or of any other
board or body having or asserting jurisdiction.
IT IS MUTUALLY COVENANTED AND AGREED, THAT
FOURTH: -- (a) If the demised premises or any part thereof shall be
damaged by fire or other casualty, this lease shall continue in full force and
effect except as hereinafter set forth; (b) If the demised premises are
partially damaged or rendered unusable [4.1] by fire or other casualty, the
damages thereto shall be repaired by and at the expense of Landlord and the
rent, until such repair shall be substantially completed, shall be apportioned
from the day following the casualty according to the part of the Premises which
is usable; (c) If the demised premises are totally damaged or rendered wholly
unusable [4.1] by fire or other casualty, then the rent shall be proportionately
paid up to the time of the casualty and thenceforth shall cease until the date
when the premises shall have been repaired and restored by Landlord, subject to
Landlord's right to elect not to restore the same as hereinafter provided; (d)
If the demised premises are rendered wholly unusable [4.1] or (whether or not
the demised premises are damaged in whole or in part) if the building shall be
so damaged that Landlord shall decide to demolish it or to rebuild it or if more
than 50% of the building shall be so damaged and Landlord shall decide not to
repair or restore same, then, in any of such events, Landlord may elect to
terminate this lease by written notice to Tenant given within 90 days after such
fire or casualty specifying a date for the expiration of the lease, which date
shall not be more than 60 days after the giving of such notice, and upon the
date specified in such notice the term of this lease shall expire as fully and
completely as if such date were the date set forth above for the termination of
this lease and Tenant shall forthwith quit, surrender and vacate the premises
without prejudice, however, to Landlord's rights and remedies against Tenant
under the lease provisions in effect prior to such termination, an any rent
owing shall be paid up to such date and any payments of rent made by Tenant
which were on account of any period subsequent to such date shall be [4.2]
returned to Tenant. Unless Landlord shall serve a termination notice as provided
for herein, Landlord shall make the repairs and restorations under the
conditions of (b) and (c) hereof, with all reasonable expedition subject to
delays due to adjustment of insurance claims, labor troubles and causes beyond
Landlord's control; (e) nothing contained hereinabove shall relieve Tenant from
liability that may exist as a result of damage from fire or other casualty; (f)
Tenant hereby waives
<PAGE>
the provisions of Section 227 of the Real Property Law or any statute enacted in
place thereof and agrees that the provisions of this paragraph shall govern and
control in lieu thereof. 4.3, 4.4.
FIFTH: -- If either the building or a portion thereof in which the
demised premises are located, or if the demised premises themselves or any part
thereof, or if the Tenant's leasehold interest be taken by virtue of eminent
domain, or for any public or quasi-public improvement, this lease shall, at the
option of the Landlord, expire ten days after notice to the Tenant and rent
shall be paid pro-rata to such termination date and Tenant shall have no right
or claim to any part of the award.
SIXTH: -- If, before the commencement of the term, the Tenant shall make
default with respect to any other lease between the Landlord and the Tenant, or
if a case in bankruptcy or under the laws of any state naming Tenant as the
debtor shall be commenced, or if the Tenant shall make an assignment or any
other arrangement for the benefit of creditors under any state statute, or if a
receiver, liquidator, assignee, trustee, custodian, sequestrator (or other
similar official) be appointed for the Tenant or for any substantial part of
Tenant's property, or if this lease or the estate of the Tenant hereunder be
transferred or pass to or devolve upon any other person, firm. partnership,
association, or corporation, except by will or intestacy, [6.1] this lease shall
thereby, at the option of the Landlord, be terminated. and in that case, neither
the Tenant nor anybody claiming under the Tenant shall be entitled to go into
possession of the demised premises. If after the commencement of the term, any
of the events mentioned above in this subdivision shall occur, or if any levy or
attachment shall be made on or of the tangible personal property of the Tenant
at the demised premises, and such levy or attachment is not removed within [6.2]
days after it is made or levied, or it the Tenant shall make default in
fulfilling any of the covenants of this lease, other than the covenants for the
payment of rent or "additional rent", or if the demised premises remains or
becomes vacant [6.3] or deserted, the Landlord may give to the Tenant ten days'
notice of intention to end the term of this lease, and thereupon, at the
expiration of said ten days (if said condition, which was the basis of said
notice, shall continue to exist) the term under this lease shall expire as fully
and completely as if that day were the date herein definitely fixed for the
expiration of the term and the Tenant will then quit and surrender the demised
premises to the Landlord, but the Tenant shall remain liable as hereinafter
provided.
Notwithstanding anything printed or typed elsewhere contained in this
lease, if by reason of any present or future cause or thing whatsoever
(including, without limitation, by reason of any statute, ordinance, judgment,
decree, court order, or governmental rule or regulation) the Tenant shall not be
required to pay to the Landlord the full amount of rent and additional rent
reserved hereunder, then the Landlord, at his unrestricted option, may give the
Tenant not less than five days' notice of intention to end this lease and the
term hereof, and thereupon, on the date specified in said notice, this lease and
the term hereof shall expire as fully and completely as if that date were the
date herein originally fixed for the expiration of this lease and the term
hereof.
If any installment of rent or additional rent due under this lease is
not paid within five (5) days of the date the same is due, Tenant shall pay to
Landlord as a "late charge" for the cost of
<PAGE>
administration and damages an amount equal to four per cent (4%) of the amount
which has not been paid on time. If Tenant fails to pay the rent and additional
rent due and payable under this lease within five (5) days after its due date
for a period of three consecutive months or for any period of four months in any
one calendar year, then the next such late payment of rent or additional rent by
Tenant under this lease shall constitute a material default by Tenant under this
lease for which default Landlord may terminate this lease without service of any
default notice or conditional limitation notice and Tenant shall not have the
right to pay or cure such late payment of rent or additional rent or be entitled
to a right to pay or cure by application to any court having jurisdiction
thereof.
If the Tenant shall make default in the payment of the rent reserved
hereunder, or any item of "additional rent" herein mentioned, or any part of
either, or in making any other payment herein provided for, [6.4] or if the
notice last above provided for shall have been given and if the condition which
was the basis of said notice shall exist at the expiration of said ten days
period, the Landlord may immediately, or at any time thereafter, re-enter the
demised premises and remove all persons and all or any property therefrom either
by summary dispossess proceedings, or by any suitable action or proceeding at
law, or otherwise, [6.5] without being liable to indictment, prosecution or
damages therefor, and repossess and enjoy said premises, together with all
additions, alterations and improvements. In case of any such default, re-entry,
expiration and/or dispossess by summary proceedings or otherwise, (a) the rent
shall become due thereupon and be paid up to the time of such re-entry,
dispossess and/or expiration, together with such expenses as Landlord may [6.6]
incur for 6.7 legal expenses, attorneys' fees, brokerage, and or putting the
demised premises in good order, or for preparing the same for re-rental; (b)
Landlord may, but shall not be under any obligation to, re-let the premises or
any part of parts thereof, either in the name of Landlord or otherwise, for a
term or terms, which may at Landlord's option be less than or exceed the period
which would otherwise have constituted the balance of the term of this lease and
may grant concessions or free rent; and or (c) Tenant or the legal
representatives of Tenant shall also pay Landlord as liquidated damages for the
failure of Tenant to observe and perform said Tenant's covenants herein
contained, any deficiency between the rent hereby reserved and/or covenanted to
be paid and the net amount, if any, of the rents collected on account of the
lease or leases of the demised premises for each month of the period which would
otherwise have constituted the balance of the term of this lease. The failure or
refusal of Landlord to re-let the premises or any part or parts thereof shall
not release or affect Tenant's liability for damages. In computing such
liquidated damages there shall be added to the said deficiency such expenses as
Landlord may incur in connection with re-letting, such as legal expenses,
attorneys' fees, brokerage and for keeping the demised premises in good order or
for preparing the same for re-letting. Any such liquidated damages shall be paid
in monthly installments by Tenant on the rent day specified in the lease and any
suit brought to collect the amount of the deficiency for any month shall not
prejudice in any way the rights of Landlord to collect the deficiency for any
subsequent month by a similar proceeding. Landlord at Landlord's option may make
such alterations, repairs, replacements and or decorations in the demised
premises as Landlord in Landlord's sole judgment considers advisable and
necessary for the purpose of re-letting the demised premises; and the making of
such alterations and/or decorations shall not operate or be construed to release
Tenant from liability hereunder as aforesaid. Landlord shall in no event be
<PAGE>
liable in any way whatsoever for failure to re-let the demised premises, or in
the event that the demised premises are re-let, for failure to collect the rent
thereof under such re-letting. In the event of a breach or threatened breach by
Tenant of any of the covenants or provisions hereof, Landlord shall have the
right of injunction and the right to invoke any remedy allowed at law or in
equity as if re-entry, summary proceedings and other remedies were not herein
provided for. Mention in this lease of any particular remedy shall not preclude
Landlord from any other remedy, in law or in equity. Tenant hereby expressly
waives any and all rights of redemption granted by or under any present or
future laws in the event of Tenant being evicted or dispossessed for any cause,
or in the event of Landlord obtaining possession of the demised premises, by
reason of the violation by Tenant of any of the covenants and conditions of this
lease, or otherwise. The word "re-enter" as used in this lease is not restricted
to its technical legal meaning.
It is stipulated and agreed that in the event of the termination of this
lease pursuant to Paragraph Sixth hereof, Landlord shall forthwith,
notwithstanding any other provisions of this lease to the contrary, be entitled
to recover from Tenant as and for liquidated damages an amount equal to the
difference between the rent reserved hereunder for the unexpired portion of the
term demised and the then fair and reasonable rental value of the demised
premises for the same period. In the computation of such damages, the difference
between any installment of rent becoming due hereunder after the date of
termination and the fair and reasonable rental value of the demised premises for
the period for which such installment was payable shall be discounted to the
date of termination at the rate of four percent (4%) per annum. If such premises
or any part thereof be re-let by the Landlord for the unexpired term of said
lease, or any part thereof, for presentation of proof of such liquidated damages
to any court, commission or tribunal, the amount of rent reserved upon such
re-letting shall be prima facie to be the fair and reasonable rental value for
the part or the whole of the premises so re-let during the term of the
re-letting. Nothing herein contained shall limit or prejudice the right of the
Landlord to prove for and obtain as liquidated damages governing the proceedings
in which, such damages are to be proved, whether or not such amount be greater,
equal to, or less than the amount of the difference referred to above. In
addition to any remedies herein or by law provided, Landlord may retain as
liquidated damages any rent, security, deposit or monies received hereunder.
SEVENTH: - If the Tenant shall make default in the performance of any
covenant herein contained, the Landlord may, [7.1] at his option, immediately,
or at any time thereafter, without notice, perform the same for the account of
the Tenant. If Landlord expends any funds in curing such default of Tenant, such
sum shall become due and payable by Tenant to Landlord as additional rent
hereunder, together with interest on such amount from the date of expenditure to
the date of payment at the rate of 2% per annum in excess of the then announced
"prime rate" of The Chase Manhattan Bank, N.A. If a notice of Mechanics lien be
filed against the demised premises, or against premises of which the demised
premises are part, for, or purporting to be for, labor or material alleged to
have been furnished, or to be furnished to or for the Tenant at the demised
premises, and if the Tenant shall fail to take such action as shall cause such
lien to be discharged within [7.2] days after the filing of such notice, the
Landlord may pay the amount of such lien or discharge the same by deposit or by
bonding proceedings, and in the event of such deposit or
<PAGE>
bonding proceedings, the Landlord may require the lienor to prosecute an
appropriate action to enforce the lienor's claim. In such case, the Landlord may
pay any judgment recovered on such claim. Any amount paid or expense incurred by
the Landlord, as in this subdivision of this lease provided, and any amount as
to which the Tenant shall at any time be in default for or in respect to the use
of water or electric current or any other charges, and any expense incurred or
sum of money paid by the Landlord by reason of the failure of the Tenant to
comply with any provision hereof, or in defending any such action or proceeding
including but not limited to attorneys' fees, filing fees, and bond premiums and
any fine or penalty imposed on the Landlord shall be deemed to be "additional
rent" for the demised premises, and shall be due and payable by the Tenant to
the Landlord on the first day of the next following month, or, at the option of
the Landlord, on the first day of any succeeding month. The receipt by the
Landlord of any installment of regular stipulated rent hereunder or any
"additional rent" shall not be a waiver of any other "additional rent" then due,
and the Landlord shall have the right to add such additional rent to any
installment of rent subsequently becoming due or to collect the same rent on the
first day of any subsequent month. It is expressly agreed and understood that,
upon the failure of Tenant to pay any installment, or installments, of rent, as
and when the same shall be, or become due, the full amount of all rent and
"additional rent" thereafter to become due and payable hereunder shall forthwith
become due and payable, anything to the contrary hereof notwithstanding.
EIGHTH: - The failure of the Landlord to seek redress or to insist, in
any one or more instances, upon a strict performance of any of the terms,
covenants or conditions of this lease, or any rules and regulations set forth or
hereafter adopted, or to exercise any option herein contained, shall not be
construed as a waiver or a relinquishment for the future, of such term, covenant
or condition or option or rule or regulation but the same shall continue and
remain in full force and effect. The receipt by the Landlord of rent, with
knowledge of the breach of any term, covenant or condition hereof or of any rule
or regulation, shall not be deemed a waiver of such breach and no waiver by the
Landlord of any provision hereof shall be deemed to have been made unless
expressed in writing and signed by the Landlord as herein provided. No payment
by Tenant or receipt by Landlord of a lesser amount than the monthly rent herein
stipulated shall be deemed to be other than on account of the earliest
stipulated rent.
No act or thing done by Landlord or Landlord's agents during the term
hereby demised shall be deemed an acceptance of a surrender of said premises and
no agreement to accept such surrender shall be valid unless in writing and
signed by the Landlord as herein provided. No employees of Landlord or of
Landlord's agents shall have any power to accept the keys of said premises prior
to the termination of the lease. The delivery of keys to any employer of
Landlord or Landlord's agents shall not operate as a termination of this lease.
NINTH: - If this lease be assigned, or if the demised premises or any
part thereof be underlet or occupied by anybody other than the Tenant, the
Landlord may, after default by the Tenant, collect rent from the assignee,
under-tenant or occupant, and apply the net amount collected to the rent herein
reserved, and such collection shall not be deemed either a waiver of the
covenant herein against assignment and underletting, or the acceptance of the
assignee, under-tenant or occupant as
<PAGE>
tenant, or a release of the Tenant from the further performance by the Tenant of
the covenants herein contained on the part of the Tenant.
Any assignee of this lease shall, by accepting an assignment thereof,
become liable as tenant for the full term of the lease then remaining as fully
as if he were named herein as tenant and shall conclusively be deemed and
presumed to have assumed this lease and all the terms, covenants and conditions
thereof, as if he were joined therein originally as a tenant with the present
tenant.
TENTH: - This lease shall be subject and subordinate at all times, to
all present or future ground or underlying leases and to all mortgages which may
now or hereafter affect such leases and to the lien of any mortgage now on the
real property of which the demised premises form a part, and to all advances
made or hereafter to be made upon the security thereof, and subject and
subordinate to the lien of any mortgage or mortgages which at any time hereafter
may be made a lien upon the real property of which the demised premises form a
part and to all renewals, modifications, consolidations, replacements and
extensions of any of the foregoing. Tenant shall give notice of any default or
alleged default by Landlord under this lease to the holder of any such superior
mortgage or ground or underlying lease and Tenant shall not terminate or attempt
to terminate this lease without first giving such mortgagee or ground or
underlying lessor the opportunity to cure any such default or alleged default by
Landlord. The recording of any such mortgage or mortgages, ground or underlying
leases shall automatically give to such mortgage or mortgages, ground or
underlying leases priority in lien and superiority over the lien, if any, of
this lease. The Tenant will, on demand, forthwith execute and deliver such
further instrument or instruments subordinating this lease to the lien of any
such mortgage or mortgages, ground or underlying leases as shall be desired by
any mortgagee or proposed mortgagee or lessee. The Tenant hereby appoints the
Landlord the attorney-in-fact of the Tenant, irrevocable, to execute and deliver
any such instrument or instruments for the Tenant.
(See Paragraph 68.B)
ELEVENTH: - All alterations, improvements, decorations, installations
and additions made by the Tenant to or upon the demised premises, except trade
fixtures, shall, when made, at once be deemed to be attached to the freehold,
and become the property of the Landlord, and at the end or other expiration of
the term or any renewal, shall be surrendered to the Landlord in as good order
and condition as they were when installed, reasonable wear and damage by the
elements excepted. However, should the Landlord elect to surrender to Tenant any
of the aforementioned items, it shall do so by notice in writing sent to Tenant
at least thirty (30) days prior to the expiration of the term or any renewal
term of this lease, whereupon said specified items become the property of Tenant
and shall be removed by Tenant and Tenant shall restore the premises to the
original condition, at its own cost and expense, prior to the expiration of the
term.
TWELFTH: - No sooner than June 1st nor later than June 30th, immediately
prior to the expiration of the term of this lease, Tenant shall notify Landlord
in writing, by certified or registered mail, either that Tenant will surrender
the demised premises at the end of the term or that Tenant is desirous of
negotiating a new lease for the demised premises for a period to commence
immediately
<PAGE>
upon the expiration of the term of the within lease. If Tenant gives Landlord
notice that it is desirous of negotiating a new or renewal lease, same shall be
evidence only of Tenant's desire to so negotiate and shall not in any way
constitute a binding lease, offer to lease or other binding agreement or
agreement to agree between Landlord and Tenant but shall merely serve as a
device for notification to Landlord of Tenant's desire at that time; neither
party shall be bound by same and neither party shall be bound to negotiate,
discuss or otherwise enter into any new lease or renewal lease unless both such
parties express the desire to do so and consent to a new lease or renewal lease
on terms and conditions satisfactory to each of them. Upon failure of Tenant to
give such notice as herein provided, Landlord shall have the option of either
(a) renewing this lease for a further period of one year by a notice in writing
to that effect served by Landlord upon Tenant by certified or registered mail on
or before November 30th prior to the expiration of the term of this lease at the
same rent and additional rent as payable during the last lease year of the term
of this lease or (b) treating the tenancy as a month-to-month tenancy terminable
on 30 days written notice from either party to the other at a monthly rental and
additional rental equal to twice the monthly installment of rent and additional
rent payable during the last month of the term of this lease but otherwise
subject to all other terms, covenants and conditions of this lease insofar as
the same may be applicable to a month-to-month tenancy.
THIRTEENTH: - As a consideration for the making of this lease, the
Landlord, its agents, servants and/or employees, shall not be liable for any
failure of city water supply or otherwise, or electrical current, nor for injury
or damage to property or person caused by other tenants or persons in said
building, or by any other person or caused by or resulting from fire, explosion,
falling plaster, steam, electricity, gas, water, rain, ice or snow or leaks from
or into any part of said building, or from the breakage, leakage, obstruction or
other defect of the pipes, appliances, wiring, lighting or plumbing fixtures or
works of the same, the condition of said premises or any part thereof, or
through the elevator, if any, or from the roof, street or sub-surface, or from
any other source or cause whatsoever, whether the said damage or injury shall be
caused by or be due to the negligence of the Landlord, the Landlord's agents,
servants, and/or employees or not, nor for interference with light or other
incorporeal hereditaments, and if at any time any windows of the demised
premises are temporarily closed, darkened or bricked up for any reason
whatsoever including, but not limited to, Landlord own cause. Landlord shall not
be liable for any damage Tenant may sustain thereto, and Tenant shall not be
entitled to any compensation therefor nor abatement of rent nor shall the same
release Tenant from its obligations thereunder not constitute an eviction, nor
shall the Landlord be liable for any defect in the building or any appurtenance
thereof latent or otherwise.
FOURTEENTH: - This lease and the obligation of Tenant to pay rent
hereunder and perform all of the other covenants and agreements on the part of
Tenant to be performed shall in nowise be affected, impaired or excused nor
shall there by any diminution or abatement of rent nor any compensation for
damages claimed or allowed to Tenant for inconvenience or discomfort because
Landlord is unable to supply or is delayed in supplying any service, expressly
or impliedly, to be supplied or due to the Landlord's making, inability to make
or delay in making any repairs, replacements, alterations or additions to the
building or any part thereof, including but not limited to machinery,
appurtenances or appliances, or because the Landlord is unable to supply or is
delayed
<PAGE>
in supplying any equipment or fixtures or arising out of the interruption or
curtailment of elevator service, heat, electricity, water or other supply of any
kind or nature or any other service to be furnished nor for any space taken to
comply with any law, order, ordinance, rule or regulation of any governmental
authority or to permit the "shoring of walls" as in this lease provided. In
respect to the various "services," if any, herein expressly or impliedly, agreed
to be furnished by Landlord to Tenant, Landlord shall have no responsibility or
liability for failure to supply the same during any of the aforesaid periods or
when any of the aforesaid conditions prevail or when prevented from so doing by
strikes, accidents, inability to secure supplies or labor for the maintenance of
such "services" or if Landlord is prevented or delayed from so doing by reason
of governmental preemption in connection with any emergency declared by the
President of the United States or the Governor of the State of New York or any
other authorized governmental officer in connection with any rule, order or
regulation issued by any federal, state or municipal department, or subdivision
thereof, or any governmental agency or any other cause beyond Landlord's
control. No such interruption or curtailment or inability to furnish any such
"services" shall be deemed a constructive eviction. The Landlord shall not be
required to furnish and the Tenant shall not be entitled to receive, any such
"services" during the period wherein Tenant shall be in default [14.1] in
respect to the payment of rent, additional rent or any other covenant, condition
or provision of this lease on the Tenant's part to be observed or performed.
FIFTEENTH: - The Landlord may prohibit, prescribe and regulate the
placing of safes, machinery equipment, quantities of merchandise and other
things. The Landlord may also prescribe and regulate when and which elevator and
entrance shall be used by the Tenant's agents, servants and/or employees, and
for the Tenant's receiving and shipping. The Landlord may from time make such
other and further rules and regulations as he, in his sole judgment and
discretion, may deem necessary or desirable for the safety, care or cleanliness
of the building and for the preservation of good order therein or for any other
reason whatsoever. The Tenant covenants and agrees that it, its agents, servants
and/or employees will observe, abide by and conform to all such rules and
regulations. Nothing in this lease contained shall be construed to impose upon
Landlord any duty or obligation to enforce the Rules and Regulations or terms ,
covenants or conditions in any other lease, as against any other tenant and
Landlord shall not be liable to Tenant for violation of the same by any other
tenant, its servants, employees, agents, visitors or licensees. 15.1
SIXTEENTH: - In the event that an excavation shall be made for building
or purposes upon land adjacent to the building of which the demised premises
form a part, or shall be contemplated to be made, the Tenant shall, at
landlord's option, afford to the person or persons causing or to cause such
excavation, license to enter upon the demised premises for the purpose of doing
such work as said person or persons shall deem to be necessary to preserve the
wall or walls, or any portion thereof, or any structure or structures, or any
portion thereof, of the building of which the demised premises form a part, from
injury and to support the same proper foundations. 16.1
SEVENTEENTH: - No vaults, vault space or space not within the property
line is leased hereunder, anything contained in or indicated on any sketch,
blueprint or plan, or anything contained elsewhere in this lease to the contrary
notwithstanding Landlord makes no representation as to the
<PAGE>
location of the property line of the building. All vaults and vault space and
all space not within the property line of the building, which Tenant may be
permitted to use and or occupy, is to e used and or occupied under a revocable
license, and if any such license be revoked, or if the amount of such space be
diminished or required by any Federal, State, Municipal Authority or Public
Utility, Landlord shall not be subject to any liability nor shall Tenant be
entitled to any compensation or diminution or abatement of rent, nor shall such
revocation, diminution or requisition be deemed constructive or actual eviction.
Any fee, license charge, tax or any other levy made by municipal authorities for
such vault space shall be paid by Tenant.
EIGHTEENTH: - During the seven months prior to the expiration of the
term hereby granted, applicants shall be admitted at all reasonable hours of the
day to view the premises until rented.
The Landlord and the Landlord's designees, agents, servants and/or
employees shall be permitted, without hindrance or molestation, at any time
during the term of this lease to visit and examine the demised premises at any
reasonable hour of the day for any purpose whatsoever, and workmen may enter at
any time when authorized by the Landlord or the Landlord's agents, servants
and/or employees to make or facilitate, repairs, additions, alterations,
improvements or replacements in any part of the building of which the demised
premises form a part, [18.1] and if the said Tenant shall not personally present
to open and permit an entry into said premises, at any time, when for any reason
an entry therein shall be necessary or permissible hereunder, the Landlord or
the Landlord's agents, servants and/or employees may forcibly enter the same
without rendering the Landlord or such agents, servants and/or employees liable
to claim or cause of action for damages by reason thereof (if during such entry
the landlord shall accord reasonable care to the Tenant's property), and without
in any manner affecting Tenant's obligations and covenants under this lease; it
is, however, expressly understood that the right and authority hereby reserved,
does not impose nor does the Landlord assume, by reason thereof, any
responsibility or liability whatsoever for the care or supervision of said
premises, or any of the pipes, fixtures, appliances or appurtenances therein
contained or therewith in any manner connected. Landlord shall also have the
right at any time, without the same constituting an actual or constructive
eviction and without incurring any liability to Tenant therefor, to change the
arrangement and/or location of [18.2] entrances or passageways, doors and
doorways, and corridors, elevators, stairs, toilets, or other public parts of
the building and to change the name, number or designation by which the building
is commonly known.
NINETEENTH: - [19.1] Upon the expiration or other termination of the
term of this lease, Tenant agrees to quit and surrender the demised premises
broom clean and to leave the same and all alterations, additions and
improvements thereto in good order, repair and condition, [19.2] and, except as
herein provided, Tenant shall remove all of its property. Tenant's obligation to
observe or perform this covenant shall survive the expiration or other
termination of the term of this lease. If the last day of the term of this lease
or any renewal thereof falls on a Sunday, this lease shall expire on the
business day immediately preceding. If Landlord elects to treat Tenant as a
hold-over for a further term of one year, any concession of rent or agreement in
respect of decorations or the like in the initial term shall not apply to such
hold-over term or terms.
<PAGE>
TWENTIETH: - The taking possession of the demised premises by Tenant
shall be conclusive evidence as against Tenant that the premises were in good
and satisfactory condition at the time such possession was taken and that Tenant
has accepted the demised premises in its then "as-is" condition without the
requirement of any work or alterations of any nature to be performed by Landlord
therein. No representations, promises or assurances, except such as are
specified or endorsed herein, in writing, have been made on the part of
Landlord, prior to or at the execution of this lease with respect to the order,
repair or condition of the premises let or the building or premises of which it
forms a part and any and all prior agreements between Landlord and Tenant with
respect to the demised premises are deemed merged into, and replaced by, the
terms and provisions of this lease. Landlord is not bound by them or by any
other representations, promises or assurances not herein specifically contained,
unless same are contained in a written agreement signed by Landlord, and Tenant
will make no claim on account of any representations, promises or assurances
whatsoever, whether made by any Landlord, and Tenant will make no claim on
account of any representations, promises or assurances whatsoever, whether made
by any renting agent, broker, officer or other representative of Landlord or
Landlord's predecessor, or which may be contained in any circular, prospectus or
advertisement relating to the premises, or otherwise, unless the same is
specifically set forth in this lease.
TWENTY-FIRST: - If the Tenant shall at any time be in default hereunder,
and if the Landlord shall institute an action or summary proceedings against the
Tenant based upon such default, or if Landlord shall be compelled to institute
or defend any action or proceeding brought about, caused by or related to such
default, or if Landlord shall file a complaint or application, or is required to
respond to any proceeding or application, in a case in bankruptcy or under the
laws of any state naming Tenant as the debtor, then the Tenant will reimburse
the Landlord for the expense of [21.1] attorneys' fees and disbursements thereby
incurred by the Landlord, so far as the same are reasonable in amount. Also, so
long as the Tenant shall be a tenant hereunder, the amount of such expenses
shall be deemed to be additional rent hereunder, and shall be due from the
Tenant to the Landlord on the first day of the month following the incurring of
such respective expenses.
TWENTY-SECOND: - This lease, and every covenant, condition and provision
hereof, shall bind, inure to and run in favor of the Landlord and the Tenant and
their respective heirs, distributees, executors, administrators, legal
representatives, successors and, except as otherwise provided in this lease,
their assigns.
TWENTY-THIRD: - Any provision in the printed or typed portions of this
lease to the contrary notwithstanding, the Landlord shall not be responsible to
the Tenant, nor shall it constitute an eviction (constructive or otherwise), nor
shall the Tenant be entitled to any abatement, reduction or apportionment of
rent, if the utilization of air-conditioning or air-cooling systems or equipment
now or hereafter installed in the demised premises or in or on the building of
which the demised premises form a part, which the Tenant is by any provision of
this lease or of any other agreement between Landlord and Tenant authorized to
use, is curtailed, stopped or discontinued by reason of the enforcement (actual
or threatened) of any present or future federal, state or municipal law,
ordinance or regulation; and the Landlord shall be under no obligation to change
or alter air-
<PAGE>
conditioning or air-cooling systems or equipment now or hereafter installed in
the demised premises or to install any new equipment or devices to make the
continued use of such existing or future systems or equipment possible or
lawful.
TWENTY-FOURTH: - 24.1
THE TENANT FURTHER COVENANTS
TWENTY-FIFTH: -
If the demised premises or any part thereof do not consist of a store or
a first floor or any part thereof, Landlord may replace, at the expense of
Tenant, any and all windows and any other glass damaged or broken from any cause
whatsoever in and about the demised premises.
TWENTY-SIXTH: - If by reason of the conduct upon the demised premises of
a business not herein permitted, or if by reason of the improper or careless
conduct of any business upon or use of the demised premises the fire insurance
rate during the term, or any extended term of this lease shall at any time be
higher than it otherwise would be, the Tenant will reimburse the Landlord, as
additional rent hereunder, for that part of all fire insurance premiums paid out
by the Landlord which shall have been charged because of the conduct of such
business not so permitted and/or because of the improper or careless conduct of
any business upon or use of the demised premises, and will make such
reimbursement upon the first day of the month following such outlay by the
Landlord; but this covenant shall not apply to a premium covering any period
beyond the expiration date of this lease, or such further expiration date if the
lease be extended, except that if the premium covers a period of time both
within and beyond the expiration date of the term or extended term of the lease,
a pro-rata adjustment thereof shall be made. In any action or proceeding wherein
the Landlord and Tenant are parties, a schedule or "make-up" of rates for the
building on the demised premises, purporting to have been issued by New York
Fire Insurance Exchange, or other body making fire insurance rates for the
demised premises, shall be prima facie evidence of the facts therein stated and
of the several items and charges included in the fire insurance rate than
applicable to the demised premises.
TWENTY-SEVENTH: - The Tenant will not erect, exhibit or inscribe any
signs, signals or advertisements on any part of the outside or inside of the
demised premises or building in which the demised premises are located unless
and until the style, size and location thereof having been first approved by the
Landlord in writing, which said approval may be revoked at any time by Landlord
upon five (5) days' notice in writing to Tenant requesting Tenant to remove
same. If said sign, signal or advertisement be not removed by Tenant at the end
of said five (5) day period, Landlord may remove the same and charge the cost of
so doing and any restoration charges resulting from said removal to the Tenant
as part of the rent due and/or to become due under this lease. If any sign,
signal or advertisement be erected or inscribed without such approval, Landlord
may remove same without notice to Tenant and charge the cost of so doing and any
restoration charges resulting from the removal thereof to the Tenant as part of
the rent due and/or to become due under this lease. In no event shall the Tenant
obstruct or permit the erection of any sky signs, roof or wall signs, and the
<PAGE>
Landlord reserves the exclusive right to the use of the roof and walls for sign
purposes, and Tenant agrees to permit the Landlord, his agents, servants and/or
employees or workmen to enter into the demised premises in order to reach the
roof and walls. 27.1
TWENTY-EIGHTH: - The Tenant will permit the Landlord to erect, use and
maintain pipes, conduits and ducts in the demised premises and to all the floors
above and below, and will permit the Landlord, his agents, servants, employees,
contractors, or workmen to enter upon the demised premises to make such repairs,
improvements, alterations, replacements and additions to, or on the building or
any part, or to any appurtenance, pipe, conduit, duct or fixture thereof as the
Landlord may, in his sole discretion desire. 28.1
TWENTY-NINTH: - If a separate water meter be installed for the demised
premises or any part thereof, the Tenant will, at its own cost and expense, keep
the same in good order and repair, replace the same when necessary, and pay the
charges made by the municipality for or in respect to the use, maintenance,
supply or consumption of water, sewer rent, levy or any other charge therefor
assessed or imposed as and when bills therefor are rendered. If the demised
premises, or any part thereof, be supplied with water through a meter which
supplies other premises, the Tenant will pay to the Landlord, as and when bills
are rendered therefor, the Tenant's proportionate part of the all charges which
the municipality shall make for all water consumed through said meter, as
indicated by said meter and any sewer rent, levy, tax or other charge assessed
or imposed for the use, maintenance or supply of water. Such proportionate part
shall be fixed by apportioning the respective charge according to the floor area
against all of the rentable floor area in the building. A bill or notice by any
public authority for any of the foregoing shall be conclusive evidence of the
amount due and for the basis of calculation of the amount to be paid by the
Tenant under the provisions of this paragraph.
THIRTIETH: - Tenant agrees that the Tenant will purchase from the
Landlord all electric current that the Tenant requires at the demised premises
and will pay the Landlord for the same as the amount of consumption shall
[30.1]. Tenant shall be responsible for making any repairs or replacements to
any submeter servicing the demised premises. Where more than one meter measures
the service of Tenant in the building, the service rendered through each meter
may be computed and billed separately in accordance with the rates herein.
The Tenant hereby promises and agrees to pay the bills for light and
power and use of meters upon presentation, and the Landlord reserves the right,
without further notice and without releasing the Tenant from any liability
whatsoever, and without incurring any liability whatsoever as to damages, in the
event said bills are not paid by the Tenant within [30.2] days from
presentation, to cut off the said electric current.
Tenant agrees that at all times its use of electrical current shall
never exceed the capacity of such feeders or the risers or wiring installations
in the building as Tenant is using at the time of execution of this lease.
Tenant shall make no substitutions for, alterations in, or additions to its
electrical equipment and/or appliances in use at the time of the execution of
this lease, or install any
<PAGE>
equipment which is not customary in other similar spaces in the building,
without the prior written consent in each instance of Landlord. If in Landlord's
reasonable opinion Tenant is exceeding the electrical usage of such feeders or
risers or wiring installations, Tenant shall upon notice from Landlord either
reduce Tenant's electrical usage so that such capacity is not being exceeded or
pay Tenant's fair allocable share of the cost of installation and maintenance of
the feeders, risers or wiring installations which in Landlord's reasonable
opinion are needed in order to prevent a possible overload, whether the same had
been previously installed or is specifically installed for the use of such
Tenant, as well as Tenant's pro rata share of the cost of all other equipment
proper and necessary in connection with the supplying of such electricity. Bills
therefor shall be rendered at such time as Landlord may elect and the amount
thereof shall be paid by Tenant, as additional rent, at the same time as the
next monthly rent payment.*
If, for any reason , sub-metering shall be discontinued by the Landlord,
Tenant agrees to accept electricity from the Landlord on a rent inclusion basis,
the additional rent to be in an annual amount equal to the electricity charge
for the full twelve month period immediately preceding the date when Tenant is
notified Landlord wishes to go on a rent inclusion basis adjusted to the current
rate. Such additional annual sum is to be payable in equal monthly installments
in advance and to become part of the rent charge. Such additional annual sum
shall further be increased by the percentage of any increase in charges or costs
to Landlord including, but not limited to, energy charges, demand charges, fuel
adjustment charges, rate adjustment charges, sales taxes, etc. with respect to
the electricity charges payable for the building occurring after the date of the
commencement of Tenant's payment for electricity charges on a rent inclusion
basis, any such increases to be payable in equal monthly installments togther
with such payments of such "rent inclusion" sums for electricity. Tenant further
agrees that he will execute any documents in modification of the lease as
requested by Landlord pertaining to this rent inclusion basis provided that the
documents requested reflect the substance of the above understanding.
Landlord may discontinue any of the aforesaid services upon thirty (30)
days' notice without being liable to Tenant therefor or without in any way
affecting this lease or the liability of Tenant hereunder or causing a
diminution of rent and the same shall not be deemed to be a lessening or
diminution of services within the meaning of any law, rule or regulation now or
hereafter enacted, promulgated or issues, except that where Tenant has been on a
rent inclusion basis with respect to electricity, there shall be a reduction of
rent thereafter to the extent that there has been included in the rent a charge
for electricity. In the event Landlord gives notice of discontinuance, Landlord
shall permit Tenant to furnish and install, at Tenant's own cost and expense,
all installations required to receive such service direct from said public
utility corporation and [30.3] permit Landlord's wire and conduits, to the
extent available, suitable and safely capable, to be used for such purpose. 30.4
- ----------
*be the Con Edison service classification number four (rate 1) plus 10%.
<PAGE>
Landlord shall not in anyway be liable or responsible to Tenant for any
loss or damage or expense which Tenant may sustain on incur if either the
quantity or character of electric service is charged or is no longer available
or suitable for Tenant's requirements.
If any tax is imposed upon the Landlord's receipts from the sale or
resale of electrical energy to Tenant (whether Tenant is paying on a submeter
basis or on a rent inclusion basis) by any federal, state, or municipal
authority, Tenant covenants and agrees that, where permitted by law, Tenant's
pro-rated share of such taxes shall be passed on to, and included in the bill
of, and paid by, Tenant to Landlord.
THIRTY-FIRST: - If there now is or shall be installed in said building a
"sprinkler system" the Tenant agrees to keep the appliances thereto in the
demised premises in good repair and in good working conditions, and if the New
York Board of Fire Underwriters or the New York Fire Insurance Exchange or
Bureau, Department or Official of the City or State government, require or
recommend that any changes, modifications, alterations, replacements, or
additional sprinkler heads or other equipment be made or supplied by reason of
the Tenant's business, or the location of partitions, trade fixtures, or other
contents of the demised premises or if such changes, modifications, alterations,
replacements, additional sprinkler heads or other equipment in the demised
premises are necessary to prevent the imposition of any penalty or charge
against the full allowances for a sprinkler system in the fire insurance rate as
fixed by said Exchange , or by any Fire Insurance Company, the Tenant will at
the Tenant's own cost and expense, promptly make and supply such changes,
modifications, alterations, replacements, additional sprinkler heads or other
equipment.
THIRTY-SECOND: - The Landlord, his agents, servants and/or employees,
shall have the sole right, at his option, to designate and appoint the concerns
that are to furnish, at the expense of Tenant, the expressman for trucking
purposes, the removal of all paper and rubbish. The Landlord, his agents,
servants and/or employees, shall not be liable to the Tenant, his agents,
servants, employees or invitees for any breach of contract, misconduct or
negligence of the concerns, if any, so designated or of the latter's agents,
servants and/or employees. It is further agreed and guaranteed by the Tenant
that for any work or service to be done by or for the Tenant, only union labor
is to be employed.
THIRTY-THIRD: - In case of any damage or injury to the said premises or
any part of the building in which the demised premises are situated, of any kind
whatsoever, said damage or injury being caused by the carelessness, negligence
or improper conduct on the part of the said Tenant, his agents, guests,
invitees, or employees, then the said Tenant shall cause the said damage or
injury to be repaired as speedily as possible at his own cost and expense, and
in the event Tenant fails to do so, Landlord may [33.1] but shall not be obliged
to, perform the same for and on account of the Tenant, and all costs, charges,
and expenses incurred by Landlord therefor shall be collectible from Tenant as
additional rent or otherwise and shall be paid by Tenant to Landlord within five
(5) days after rendition of a bill or statement from Landlord or may be added by
Landlord to any ensuing month's rent.
<PAGE>
THIRTY-FOURTH: - Notwithstanding any provision of law to the contrary,
the parties hereto agree that it the premises be not completed or if the
Landlord is unable to give possession of the demised premises on the date of the
commencement of the term hereof by reason of the holding over or retention of
the possession by any tenant, tenants or occupant or for any other reason so
that the Tenant is unable to take possession of the space hereby leased on the
date upon which the term hereby demised is to begin, the rent under this lease
shall not commence until permission is given to Tenant to enter into the
possession of the demised premises whereupon this lease and the covenants,
conditions and agreements herein contained shall be given full force and effect.
The failure on the part of Landlord to give possession on the date of the
commencement of the term shall in nowise affect the validity of this lease or
the obligations of Tenant hereunder nor shall same be construed in any wise to
extend the term of this lease. Landlord shall not be subject to any liability
for the failure to give possession on the date of the commencement of the term
of this lease.
Tenant expressly agrees that under no circumstances whatsoever, whether
by reason of Section 223A of the Real Property Law of the State of New York or
otherwise, shall there be implied in this lease a condition that the Landlord
will deliver possession of the premises at the beginning of the term but, on the
contrary, there is no such implication herein. 34.1
THIRTY-FIFTH: - If the demised premises shall be sublet in whole or in
part by the Tenant, or any successors in interest of Tenant (or the heirs,
administrators or assigns of the Tenant), the Tenant (and/or the heirs,
administrators, successors, or assigns of such Tenant) will on demand of any
Landlord, or owner, furnish and supply, in writing, within [35.1] days after
such demand, a detailed, accurate and truthful itemized list, showing the names
of any and all such sub-tenants, the terms of all such sub-tenancies, the
amounts of rent paid and/or to be paid by any and all such subtenants, the date
of the termination of any and all leases or tenancies given to or made with any
and all such sub-tenants and any all other information which any Landlord may
[35.2] request. This provision, however, shall not be construed to be a consent
to any sub-letting, or a waiver of the covenant against sub-letting, contained
in this lease. A violation of the provisions of this paragraph shall be deemed a
breach of the lease in its entirety and upon failure of the Tenant or any
successors in interest, assignee, executor or administrator to supply and
furnish the aforesaid accurate written list within such [35.1] days, shall be
deemed a violation of a condition entitling the Landlord to terminate this lease
on ten days' notice as provided in Paragraph "Sixth" herein and as if no other
period or time were mentioned herein.
THIRTY-SIXTH: - The Tenant agrees that whenever any alterations,
additions, improvements, changes or repairs to the said premises are consented
to by the Landlord, or in the moving of merchandise, fixtures or equipment into
the said building, or moving the same therefrom, only such labor, acceptable to
Landlord and under agreement with the Building Trades Employers Association of
New York City, or which shall not cause strikes or labor troubles with other
employees of the building, and which have the same or similar labor union
affiliations as those employed by the Landlord or the Landlord's contractors
shall be employed. The Tenant further agrees that no machinery shall be directly
affixed to the floor. In the installation of all machinery, the Tenant must use
cork or rubber blocks or other devices all [36.1] approved by the Landlord, so
<PAGE>
as to prevent unnecessary vibration, and the Tenant further covenants and agrees
to comply with all of the Landlord's rules and regulations appertaining to the
installation of the Tenant's machinery and equipment.
THIRTY-SEVENTH: - The Tenant hereby deposits with the Landlord the sum
of $167,416.71 (plus accumulated interest thereon, if any, if this lease be a
renewal) as security for the faithful performance on the part of the Tenant of
all the terms, covenants and conditions of this lease which sum is to remain in
the possession of the Landlord until the expiration of the full period and term
of this lease to wit: May 31, 2009 and then to be [37.1] returned to the Tenant
if an upon condition that all of said terms, covenants and conditions have been
fully complied with, but said deposit and any interest thereon or such part
thereof as may be necessary may be applied by the Landlord towards the payment
of any rents or additional rents or any expenses or damages suffered or
sustained by it on account of the default of the Tenant in any of the covenants
or agreements herein contained. Landlord shall not be required to deposit said
security in an interest-bearing account. The Tenant hereby consents to the
transfer or payment of said security by the Landlord or any successor Landlord
to the future purchaser of Lessee of said building, and upon such transfer or
payment the Landlord's liability or responsibility for the return of such
security shall cease, and Tenant agrees to look to the new Landlord or Lessee
solely for the return of said security. If the Landlord shall pay or be liable
to pay any sums of money whatsoever or to do any act requiring the payment of
money, or if any fine or penalty be assessed against the Landlord or any owner
of the premises by reason of the Tenant failing to perform any of the terms,
covenants or conditions of this lease on his part to be kept and performed, said
sums of money together with all interest, costs, expenses, fees and damages
shall be added to the rent becoming due on the first day of the month succeeding
such payment or liability, and shall be collected and enforced as such rent and
the security may be applied toward payment of same. In the event of bankruptcy
of the Tenant, such security shall be deemed to be and is hereby assigned to the
Landlord who may be the owner at the time, or the Lessee of the building,
bankruptcy of the Tenant being regarded as a breach of this lease by the Tenant.
In the event that the Tenant should breach this lease in its entirety, then and
in such event said deposit or security shall belong to the Landlord or Lessee
aforesaid and is hereby assigned to the Landlord or Lessee as liquidated damages
and not as a penalty, it being impossible to exactly ascertain the damages which
such breach may entail. The right to retain the security shall survive summary
proceedings or other ouster of the Tenant. In the event that Tenant should take
the benefit of any insolvency or bankruptcy act, or should abandon, desert, or
give up possession of said premises and/or in the event that the Tenant should
be dispossessed or ousted by ejectment or summary or dispossess proceedings, or
other court action or proceedings, or order, the same shall be regarded and is
hereby declared to be a breach of this lease in its entirety. Tenant covenants
that it will not transfer, assign, mortgage, pledge, hypothecate or in any
manner encumber said security, and any such transfer, assignment, mortgage,
pledge or hypothecation shall be void as against Landlord, or Lessee aforesaid.
[37.2]
THIRTY-EIGHTH: - The Landlord reserves the right to request the Tenant
and the Tenant agrees when so requested, to cause his factory help to use the
service elevators maintained in the building instead of the passenger elevators.
<PAGE>
THIRTY-NINTH: - Tenant will not at any time use or occupy the demised
premises in violation of the certificate of occupancy issued for the building of
which the demised premises form a part, and in the event that any department of
the City or State of New York shall hereafter at any time contend and/or declare
by notice, violation, order or in any other manner whatsoever that the premises
hereby demised are used for a purpose which is a violation of such certificate
of occupancy, Tenant shall, upon five (5) days' written notice from Landlord,
immediately discontinue such use of said premises. Failure by Tenant to
discontinue such use after such notice shall be considered a default in the
fulfillment of a covenant of this lease and Landlord shall have the right to
terminate this lease immediately, and in addition thereto shall have the right
to exercise any and all rights and privileges and remedies given to Landlord by
and pursuant to the provisions of this lease. The statement in this lease of the
nature of the business to be conducted by Tenant in the demised premises shall
not be deemed or construed to constitute a representation or guaranty by
Landlord that such business may be conducted in the demised premises, is lawful
or permissible under the certificate of occupancy issued for the building of
which the demised the demised premises form a part, or otherwise permitted by
law. If alterations or additions, including but not limited to a sprinkler
system, are needed to permit lawful conduct of Tenant's business or to comply
with the certificate of occupancy, the same shall be made by and at the sole
expense of Tenant and after the necessary consent has been obtained from the
Landlord in compliance with Paragraph "Third."
FORTIETH: - Except as otherwise in this lease provided, a bill,
statement, notice or communication which Landlord or Landlord's agent may desire
or be required to give to Tenant, shall be deemed sufficiently given or rendered
if, in writing, delivered to Tenant personally or sent by registered or
certified mail addressed to Tenant at the building of which the demised premises
form a part or at the last known residence address or business address of Tenant
or left at any of the aforesaid premises addressed to Tenant, and the time of
the rendition of such bill or statement and of the giving of such notice or
communication shall be deemed to be the time when the same is delivered to
Tenant, mailed, or left at the premises as herein provided. Any notice by Tenant
to Landlord must be served by registered mail addressed to Landlord at the
address first hereinabove given or at such other address as Landlord shall
designated by written notice. [40.1]
FORTY-FIRST: - The Tenant further agrees to pay to the Landlord,
whenever called upon, the sum of Two Hundred ($200) Dollars a month as his
proportionate share of the total annual cost of the maintenance of the automatic
fire alarm and/or sprinkler system now installed in the premises and the Tenant
further agrees to pay monthly to the Landlord for the use of the electric
current consumed in the lighting of the freight and passenger hallways and
lavatories on said floor, if the Tenant occupies the entire floor or is the only
tenant on said floor, and to pay therefor at the same rates as for electric
current consumed in his own rented space; and if such amounts are not so paid,
the Landlord may add the said amounts to the rent due or to become due and the
Landlord shall be entitled to collect them as additional rent under this lease
and shall have all the remedies against the Tenant which apply to unpaid rent;
and the Tenant further agrees to maintain, take care of and keep in good repair
cleaned and lighted, said lavatories, their equipment and appointments, the
freight and passenger hallways, their equipment and appointments, at this own
cost and expense, either wholly,
<PAGE>
if the Tenant occupies the entire floor or is the only tenant on the floor, or
jointly with any other tenant or tenants on the floor.
FORTY-FOURTH: - It is mutually agreed by and between Landlord and Tenant
that in any action or proceeding or counterclaim brought by either of the
parties hereto against the other on any matters whatsoever arising out of,
under, by virtue of the terms of this lease or in any way connected with this
lease, the relationship of Landlord and Tenant. Tenant's use or occupancy of
said premises, and or any claim of injury or damage, and any emergency,
statutory or any other statutory remedy, the respective parties hereto shall and
they hereby do waive trial by jury. In the event Landlord commences any summary
proceeding or action for non-payment of rent, Tenant covenants and agrees that
it will not interpose, by consolidation of action or otherwise, any counterclaim
or other claim seeking affirmative relief of whatsoever nature or description in
any such proceeding. 44.1
FORTY-FIFTH: - In any term, covenant, condition or provision of this
lease or the application thereto to any person or circumstance shall, to any
extent be invalid or unenforceable, the remainder of this lease, or the
application of such term or provision to persons or circumstances other than
those as to which it is held invalid or unenforceable, shall not be affected
thereby, and each term, covenant, condition and provision of this lease shall be
valid and be enforced to the fullest extent permitted by law.
FORTY-SIXTH: - As a further inducement to the Landlord to sign the
within lease, the Tenant hereby waives any and all rights which he may have to
terminate this lease under and pursuant to the Solders' and Sailors' Civil
Relief Act as the same may now be in force and as the same may be hereafter
modified, amended or superseded.
FORTY-SEVENTH: - The captions are inserted only as a matter of
convenience for reference and in no way define, limit or describe the scope of
this lease nor the intent of any provisions hereof.
FORTY-EIGHTH: - The term "Landlord" as used in this lease means only the
owner or the mortgagee in possession for the time being of the land and building
(or the owner of a lease of the building or of the land and building) of which
the demised premiss form a part, so that in the event of any sale or sales of
said land and building or of said lease, or in the event of a lease of said
building, or of the land and building, the said Landlord shall be and hereby is
entirely freed and relieved of all covenants and obligations of Landlord
hereunder, and it shall be deemed and construed without further agreement
between the parties or their successors in interest, or between the parties and
the purchaser, at any such sale or the said lessee of the building, or of the
land and building, that the purchaser or the lessee of the building has assumed
and agreed to carry out any and all covenants and obligations of Landlord
hereunder. The words "re-enter" and "re-entry" as used in this lease are not
restricted to their technical legal meaning. The term "business days" as used in
this lease shall exclude Saturdays (except such portion thereto as is covered by
the insertion of specific hours herein), Sundays and all days observed by the
State or Federal Government as legal
<PAGE>
holidays and those designated as holidays by the applicable building service
union employees service contract.
FORTY-NINTH: - Prior to entering the demised premises, Tenant covenants
to secure and maintain at its sole cost and expense continuously throughout the
term the following:
1. Comprehensive General Liability Insurance on an occurrence basis
covering bodily injury or death and property damage occurring in, on or about
the demised premises or any appurtenances thereto, in an amount not less than
One Million ($1,000,000) Dollars combined single limit. Such policy shall
include, but not be limited to, coverage for all operations of Tenant, Tenant's
contractors and subcontractors, including contractual liability, completed
operations liability and contingent or protective liability, and excluding any
employee exclusion provision.
2. Fire Insurance, with extended coverage and vandalism and malicious
mischief endorsement, in amounts adequate to cover the full replacement value of
all of Tenant's improvements, trade fixtures, contents and signs on the demised
premises in the event of fire or other casualty.
3. At all times during any period of construction of any permitted
Tenant's work, Tenant shall cause its contractors and subcontractors to maintain
in effect statutory Worker's Compensation and Disability Insurance and
Employer's Liability Insurance in limits of not less than $100,000; and Tenant
shall cause its contractors and subcontractors to provide Landlord with
certificates of insurance showing that such coverages are in force.
All insurance policies to be procured by Tenant in compliance with the
requirements of this lease shall be issued in the name and for the benefit of
Tenant, and shall name Landlord and its designees as additional insureds, by one
or more responsible insurance companies satisfactory to Landlord and licensed to
do business in the State of New York; and, at Tenant's option, such insurance
may be carried under a blanket policy covering the demised premises and any
other of Tenant's locations. Each of such policies shall contain the following
endorsements: (1) that such policy may not be canceled or amended with respect
to Landlord or any of its designees, except upon thirty (30) days' prior written
notice to Landlord and such designees sent by certified or registered mail; (2)
that Tenant shall be solely responsible for the payment of all premiums under
such policy and that Landlord and its designees shall have no obligation for the
payment thereof; and (3) an express waiver of any right of subrogation by the
insurance company against Landlord. Tenant hereby expressly waiving any such
right of subrogation for any reason or occurrence whatsoever. Tenant agrees to
deliver to Landlord, certificates or memoranda of insurance of all policies of
insurance to be procured by Tenant within fifteen (15) days of the inception of
such policies and, at least fifteen (15) days prior to the expiration of any
such policy, Tenant shall deliver to Landlord certificates or memoranda of
insurance evidencing the renewal thereof. Tenant agrees that its fire insurance
policies for its contents, furniture, furnishings, fixtures and other property
removable by Tenant under the provisions of this lease shall include appropriate
clauses pursuant to which the insurance carriers (a) waive all rights of
subrogation against Landlord with respect to losses payable
<PAGE>
under such policies and/or (b) agree that such policies shall not be invalidated
should the insured waive in writing prior to a loss any or all right of recovery
against any party for losses covered by such policies. If Tenant, at any time,
is unable to obtain such inclusion of either of the clauses described in the
preceding sentence, Tenant shall have Landlord named in such policies as one of
the insured. If Landlord shall be named as one of the insured in accordance with
the foregoing provisions, Landlord shall promptly endorse to the order of
Tenant, without recourse, any check, draft, or order for the payment of money
representing the proceeds of any such policy or representing any other payment
growing out of or connected with said policies, and Landlord does hereby
irrevocably waive any and all rights in and to such proceeds and payments,
provided, however, that Tenant's right of full recovery under its aforesaid
policies is not thereby prejudiced or otherwise adversely affected. Tenant
hereby waives any and all right of recovery which it might otherwise have
against Landlord, its agents and employees, for loss or damage to Tenant's
contents, furniture, furnishings, fixtures and other property removable by
Tenant under the provisions of this lease to the extent that the same is
recoverable by Tenant's insurance, notwithstanding that such loss or damage may
result from the negligence or fault of Landlord, its agents or employees. Tenant
agrees to advise Landlord promptly as to the coverage or language of the clauses
included in its insurance policies pursuant to this Article. Tenant also agrees
to notify Landlord promptly of any cancellation or change of the terms of any
such policy which would affect such clauses or naming. 49.1
FIFTIETH: - The air-conditioning unit presently on the demised premises
is acknowledged to be the property of the Landlord/Tenant. Landlord shall not be
liable for the maintenance or repair thereof nor for any damage or injury the
said air-conditioning unit or its operation may cause to the Tenant, Tenant's
property or to any other person, firm or corporation. So long as said
air-conditioning unit may lawfully be maintained and used by the Tenant, the
Tenant agrees at all times to keep the same including, but not limited to,
pipes, valves, ducts, conduits and air-conditioning unit or units servicing
Tenant's premises in good operating condition and repair and the Tenant shall be
responsible for any damage or injury that may occur through its use of said
air-conditioning unit or units and systems to any person or property. Tenant
also agrees to pay for the use of all water and electric current consumed in
connection with the maintenance and operation of said air-conditioning system as
and when bills therefor are rendered. Landlord does not warrant the Tenant's
right to continue to use such air-conditioning unit or units on the demised
premises if such use be prohibited or restricted by any governmental agency,
directly or indirectly.
In the event Landlord operates a water recirculating system (hereinafter
called "recirculator"), and provided that Tenant has complied with all the
terms, provisions and covenants of this lease on its part to be observed or
performed, said recirculator will be operated during summer months only and then
on business days from 8:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. and on Saturdays from 8:00 a.m. to
2:00 p.m. However, there shall be no obligation on the part of Landlord to
furnish same nor shall there be any liability on the part of Landlord for
failure to supply recirculating water.
<PAGE>
FIFTY-FIRST: -
Tenant covenants and agrees to pay as additional rent an amount equal to
6.485% of any increase in the real estate taxes, charges, assessments, levies,
water charges, sewer rents, or any other taxes or charges substituted in lieu or
in place thereof (collectively called the "real estate taxes"), assessed, levied
or imposed against the land and building of which the demised premises form a
part for each "lease year" (or proportionate part of a lease year) during the
term of this lease commencing with the date of the commencement of this lease
(whether or not such lease year coincides with the tax year of the taxing
authority fixing, assessing or levying such taxes or charges) over and above the
amount of the real estate taxes or charges payable in the 9/2000 (hereinafter
referred to as "base year") as the same may ultimately be reduced (by reason of
tax certiorari or similar proceeding or otherwise) whether the increase results
from a higher tax rate or an increase in the assessed valuation of the land and
building of which the demised premises form a part, or for any other reason
whatsoever.
Such additional rental shall be paid in each and every year during the
term of this lease and the amount thereof shall be paid as and when the same is
demanded by Landlord in writing. Landlord may calculate the amount of such
payments on an estimated basis for any portion of such lease year occurring
prior to the time that the actual amount of said taxes and charges with respect
to such lease year become known, and thereafter Landlord shall furnish Tenant
with a statement [51.1] setting forth the amount os aid taxes and charges
payable in the base year, the amount thereof payable in the lease year, the
Tenant's proportionate share of the increase, if any, thereof, and the estimated
amount, if any, of Tenant's share of such increase which Tenant may have
theretofore paid on account to Landlord. Insofar as any period during the term
of this lease represents a period which is not a full lease year, there shall be
a proportionate adjustment in the increase provided for herein. Should Landlord
procure a refund of the aforementioned real estate taxes for any period of time
subsequent to the commencement date of this lease, Tenant shall be entitled to a
proportionate credit equal to 6.485% of the "refund" received by Landlord less
all expenditures paid or incurred for legal fees, expert opinion and all other
expenses necessary to obtain the tax refund. [51.2] In no event shall any credit
be given to Tenant for any lease year in which no payment of additional rent has
been made by him as in this Article provided, nor shall the proportionate credit
ever exceed the overage paid by the Tenant for any given lease year, nor shall
Tenant be entitled to any credit in the event the real estate taxes or charges
or any other taxes or charges substituted in lieu or in place thereof, assessed,
levied or imposed against the land or buildings of which the demised premises
form a part, are less than those of the base year. [51.3]
"Lease year" as used in this Article shall mean a period of one year
commencing with the date of the commencement of this lease and each successive
year thereafter when the lease commences on February 1; or on the February 1
preceding the date of the commencement of this lease when lease commences on a
date other than February 1.
Payments shall be made pursuant to this Article notwithstanding the fact
that such payments may be due for statements furnished after the expiration or
termination of this lease and Tenant's obligations under this Article shall
survive such expiration or termination. Any sum payable hereunder by Tenant
shall be due and payable within [51.4] days after notice is given to Tenant and
<PAGE>
each such notice shall be conclusive and binding upon Tenant unless Tenant
disputes such notice within 30 days after its receipt of such notice; in the
event of any such dispute, and pending the determination of such dispute, Tenant
shall pay additional rent in accordance with Landlord's notice without reduction
and without prejudice to Tenant's position in such dispute.
FIFTY-SECOND: - Neither Landlord nor any agents or employees of Landlord
shall be liable to Tenant or any other occupant of the demised premises, for any
damage to, or loss (by theft or otherwise) of any property of Tenant or of any
other person irrespective of the cause of such injury, damage or loss (including
the acts or negligence of any tenant or of any owners or occupants of adjacent
or neighboring property or caused by operations in construction of any private,
public or quasi-public work) unless due to the negligence of Landlord or
Landlord's agents or employees without contributory negligence on the part of
Tenant or any other person, it being understood that no property, other than
such as might normally be brought upon or kept in the demised premises as
incidental to the reasonable use of the demised premises for the purposes herein
permitted, will be brought upon or be kept in the demised premises; provided,
however, that even if due to any such negligence of Landlord or Landlord's
agents or employees, Tenant waives, to the full extent permitted by law, any
claim for consequential damages in connection therewith. Any employee of
Landlord to whom any property shall be entrusted by or on behalf of Tenant shall
be deemed to be acting as Tenant's agent with respect to such property, and
neither Landlord nor Landlord's agents or employees shall be liable for any loss
of or damage to any such property by theft or otherwise.
FIFTY-THIRD: - If, at any time during the term of this lease or any
extension or renewal thereof, Landlord expends any sums for alterations or
improvements to said building, which alterations or improvements are made in
order to comply with any applicable law, ordinance or governmental regulation,
Tenant shall pay to Landlord, as additional rent, the same percentage of such
cost as is set forth in the provision of this lease which requires Tenant to pay
increases in real estate taxes, within ten (10) days after demand therefor. If,
however, the cost of such alteration or improvement may be amortized over a
period of time in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles,
Tenant shall pay to Landlord, as additional rent, during each year in which
occurs any part of the lease term or any extension or renewal thereof, the
above-stated percentage of the annual amortization (reasonably determined by
Landlord on a straight-line basis over an appropriate period not to exceed 10
years, with interest calculated at an annual rate of 1% above the prime rate in
effect at the time Landlord makes such expenditure) of the cost of such
alteration or improvement. Notwithstanding the foregoing, Tenant shall pay, and
be responsible for, the cost of compliance with any and all laws, ordinances or
government regulations imposed with respect to alterations or improvements to be
made within the demised premises (including, but not limited to, any
requirements relating to asbestos or other hazardous or toxic waste within the
demised premises or the walls, ceilings or floors therein and with respect to
compliance with any fire department rules or regulations relating to the use and
occupancy of the demised premises. For the purposes of this Article, the cost of
any such alteration or improvement shall be deemed to include the cost of
preparing any necessary plans and the fees for filing such plans. The term "law,
ordinance or governmental regulation," as used in this Article, shall mean all
laws, statutes and ordinances, including building codes and zoning regulations
and ordinances; and the orders, rules, regulations,
<PAGE>
directives and requirements of all federal, state, county, city and borough
departments, bureaus, boards, agencies, offices, commissions and other
subdivisions thereof, or of any official thereof, or of any other governmental,
public or quasi-public authority, whether now or hereafter in force, which may
be applicable to said building, or any part thereof, or the sidewalks, curbs or
areas adjacent thereto.
FIFTY-FOURTH: - Tenant shall indemnify Landlord against and save it
harmless from any liability, cost or expense, including but not limited to
reasonable attorneys' fees in connection with any and all claims made on behalf
of or by any person, firm, or corporation for bodily injury or death or property
damage arising (a) from the use or management by Tenant of the demised premises,
or from any work or thing whatsoever done or omitted to be done thereat by
Tenant, its agents, contractors, or employees or from any accident thereat, and
(b) from any breach or default by Tenant of and under any of the terms,
covenants, and conditions of this Lease.
FIFTY-FIFTH: - Tenant represents to Landlord that Tenant has dealt with
no broker in connection with this lease transaction other than the broker, if
any, named at the end of this Article (the "Broker"). Tenant agrees to forever
hold harmless and indemnify Landlord, its officers, directors, employees,
consultants, agents, and Landlord's and their respective successors and assigns
from and against any and all liabilities and expenses (including reasonable
attorneys' fees) in connection with any claim for commission, compensation or
otherwise in connection with the bringing about of this lease transaction and/or
the consummation thereof, which may be made by any person, firm, or corporation
other than the Broker. Landlord agrees to timely pay the Broker whatever
commissions may be owed to it with respect to this transaction pursuant to
separate agreement between such party and the Broker. The provisions of this
Article shall survive the expiration or termination of the term. The name of the
Broker is Insignia/ESG. 55.1
FIFTY-SIXTH: - Either party shall, at any time and from time to time,
but not more than once per year unless there be more frequent sales, ground
leases or financing of the building, within [56.1] days after written demand
therefor, execute, acknowledge, and deliver to the other a statement, in
writing, addressed to the other (and such other person or parties as the other
shall require), certifying that this lease is in full force and effect and is
unmodified (or, if there have been modifications, specifying same) and setting
forth the dates to which rental and other charges payable hereunder have been
paid and stating that the other is not in default in the performance of any of
the covenants or agreements on its part to be performed hereunder (or, if that
is not the case, specifying each particular in which the party giving the
statement alleges that the other is in default) and certifying as to such other
items in respect of this lease as either party may reasonably require.
FIFTY-SEVENTH: - Anything contained in this lease to the contrary
notwithstanding, Tenant agrees that Landlord shall be under no personal
liability with respect to any of the provisions or agreements of this lease, and
if Landlord is in breach or default with respect to its obligations under this
lease, Tenant shall look solely to the equity of Landlord in the demised
premises and the building of which it is a part for the satisfaction of Tenant's
remedies and in no event shall Tenant
<PAGE>
attempt to secure any personal or money judgment against Landlord by reason of
such default of Landlord.
FIFTY-EIGHTH: - Tenant shall not record or attempt to record or in any
way permit the recording of this lease, any memorandum of this lease, any
assignment of this lease, any sublease of the demised premises or any other
instrument relative to this lease.
FIFTY-NINTH: - The submission of this lease for examination or for
execution by Tenant does not constitute a reservation of or option for the
demised premises and this lease and the terms, conditions and provisions thereof
shall be binding on the part of the Landlord and becomes effective as a lease
only upon execution and delivery thereof by both Landlord and Tenant and the
execution of and delivery to Landlord of any guaranty of Tenant's obligations
required in connection with this lease.
See Floor plans for 17th and 18th floor, rider containing paragraphs Sixtieth to
Seventy-Fifth and Inserts to Lease attached hereto and made a part hereof.
INITIAL
<PAGE>
RIDER TO LEASE, DATED JUNE 1, 1999
BETWEEN ADLER REALTY COMPANY 530, AS LANDLORD,
AND BERNARD CHAUS, INC., AS TENANT
SIXTIETH: Subordination and Attornment.
In the event that a mortgagee under any mortgage affecting the Premises
or its nominee or designee becomes the Landlord under this Lease, the Lease
shall not automatically terminate and the Tenant shall, upon request, attorn to
and recognize such mortgagee or its nominee or designee as Landlord under this
Lease. The provisions of this paragraph shall be self-operative and no further
instrument shall be necessary to effect the attornment and recognition so
requested. Nevertheless, in confirmation of such attornment and recognition,
Tenant shall promptly execute and acknowledge any instrument or certificate that
such mortgagee or its nominee or designee may from time to time request. Tenant
hereby constitutes and appoints Landlord as Tenant's attorney-in-fact to execute
any such instrument(s) or certificate(s) for and on behalf of Tenant. Without
limiting the generality of the foregoing, so long as any mortgage affecting the
Premises shall remain unsatisfied of record, unless the mortgagee thereunder
shall otherwise consent in an instrument executed in recordable form, the
interest of Landlord in the Building and Tenant's leasehold estate created under
this Lease shall not merge, but shall always be kept. separate and distinct,
notwithstanding the union of such interests in Landlord or Tenant or any third
party by purchase or otherwise.
SIXTY-SECOND: Air-Conditioning. Supplementing Article Fiftieth (50th),
the demised premises shall be served by water cooled air conditioning units as
provided elsewhere in this Lease, and Tenant agrees to pay the sum of Two
Hundred Forty Dollars ($240.00) per refrigeration ton per year on or before
April Ist of each year for each calendar year during the term hereof in
consideration of Landlord's operating its rooftop water recirculating plant.
Tenant also agrees to have all of its air conditioning units serviced
immediately prior to April 1st of each calendar year. If Tenant fails to
properly maintain the air conditioning units by April 1st of each year, Landlord
without limiting any of its other remedies may have said units serviced and
repaired at Tenant's sole cost and expense. The Landlord shall have all the
rights and remedies to enforce the payment of above said sums as it now has
under this Lease, or otherwise, for the enforcement of the payment of rent for
the use and occupancy of the Demised Premises herein. Landlord agrees that
during the term hereof such water shall be available to Tenant twenty-four (24)
hours per day, subject to stoppages for holidays, maintenance, repair and
replacement, and for causes beyond the reasonable control of Landlord.
SIXTY-THIRD: Annual Base Rental. The annual base rental shall be Six
Hundred Sixty-nine Thousand Six Hundred Sixty-seven ($669,667.00) Dollars for
the period from June 1, 1999 through May 31, 2000; Six Hundred Eighty-nine
Thousand Seven Hundred Fifty-seven ($689,757.00) Dollars for the period from
June 1, 2000 through May 31, 2001; Seven Hundred Ten Thousand Four Hundred Fifty
($710,450.00) Dollars for the period from June 1, 2001 through May 31, 2002;
Seven Hundred Thirty-one Thousand Seven Hundred Sixty-three ($731,763.00)
Dollars for the period from June 1, 2002 through May 31, 2003; Seven Hundred
Fifty-three Thousand Seven Hundred Sixteen ($753,716.00) Dollars for the period
from June 1, 2003 through May 31, 2004; Eight Hundred
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Thirty-five Thousand Seven Hundred Seventy-nine ($835,779.00) Dollars for the
period from June 1, 2004 through May 31, 2005; Eight Hundred Sixty Thousand
Eight Hundred Fifty-two ($860,852.00) Dollars for the period from June 1, 2005
through May 31, 2006; Eight Hundred Eighty-six Thousand Six Hundred
Seventy-seven ($886,677.00) Dollars for the period from June 1, 2006 through May
31, 2007; Nine Hundred Thirteen Thousand Two Hundred Seventy-eight ($913,278.00)
Dollars for the period from June 1, 2007 through May 31, 2008; Nine Hundred
Forty Thousand Six Hundred Seventy-six ($940,676.00) Dollars for the period from
June 1, 2008 through May 31, 2009.
SIXTY-FOURTH: Rent Concession. Provided and so long as during the term
of this Lease Tenant shall not be in default beyond any applicable grace and/or
cure period (which default gives rise to commencement of a summary or plenary
proceeding), the annual base rental and escalations pursuant to paragraph
Fifty-First payable hereunder shall be abated for the months of June 1, 1999
through November 30, 1999 (each of said monthly rent concessions sometimes
referred to herein as "free rent"), subject to the provisions of paragraph
Seventy-Fourth.
SIXTY-FIFTH: Landlord at his sole cost and expense will complete the
following work:
- Demolish the 17th floor (the 18th floor having already been
demolished to Tenant's satisfaction other than the removal of the
interior demising studs which will be removed by June 1, 1999 );
as part of 17th floor demolition, demolish terrazzo floor and
leave level surface;
- Supply 2 twenty (20) ton water-cooled air conditioning units for
each of the 17th and 18th floors (installation of said units and
all ductwork and appurtenant systems to be at Tenant's expense).
Landlord, at Landlord's option, may, in lieu of delivery of said
units, give Tenant a credit in the sum of $50,000.00 to be
applied towards the first rental due under this Lease, after the
expiration of any free rent.
- Supply ACP-5 form; and
- fireproof any exposed structural steel.
SIXTY-SIXTH: Assignment and Subletting.
A. Tenant shall not assign this Lease or sublet any portion or
portions of the Premises, or allow the same to be used or occupied by others
without the prior written consent of Landlord, which consent may be withheld in
Landlord's sole discretion. Subject to the right of Landlord to terminate this
Lease and recapture the Premises and other terms and conditions as hereinafter
provided, Landlord shall not unreasonably withhold or delay its consent to
Tenant's request to (i) sublease the entire Premises for the balance of the term
then remaining, less the day of expiration; or one full floor thereof, for a
term not less than two (2) years, or, if shorter, the balance of the term of the
Lease (less the day of expiration); (ii) assign this Lease in connection with
the sale of all of Tenant's business and assets, including all of its interest
in and to this Lease in a bona fide transaction not intended to avoid the
general prohibitions against assignment contained in this Lease.
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B. 1. In the event Tenant desires to sublet the entire Premises or one
full floor thereof as aforesaid, or assign this Lease as aforesaid, and shall
have listed the same with a reputable broker for not less than twenty (20) days,
Tenant shall give notice thereof to Landlord, which notice shall be deemed an
offer to Landlord as provided in B.3 below.
B. 2. In any event, at any time Tenant enters into negotiation with a
proposed subtenant which negotiation results in a prospective sublease or
assignment in form and content acceptable to the parties, subject to Landlord's
review and approval, Tenant shall send notice to Landlord of such proposed
sublease or assignment, as the case may be, accompanied by (a) a conformed or
photostatic copy of the proposed sublease or assignment, as the case may be (the
effective or commencement date of which shall be not less than thirty (30) nor
more than one hundred eighty (180) days after the giving of such notice), (b) a
statement setting forth in reasonable detail the identity of the proposed
subtenant or assignee, as the case may be, and its principals if said subtenant
or assignee is a business entity), and (c) current financial information with
respect to said proposed subtenant or subtenant, including, without limitation,
its most recent financial report, balance sheet and accompanying profit and loss
statement prepared by an independent certified public accountant and financial
and character information concerning the principals of said proposed subtenant
or assignee if the same is a corporation or other business entity.
B. 3. Tenant's notice to Landlord as provided in paragraph B.1 above
shall be deemed an offer from Tenant to Landlord whereby Landlord may, at its
option, in the case of any such subletting, elect to: (1) terminate this Lease
in the event such subletting is for the balance of the term then remaining or
will end at any time within the last eighteen (18) months of the term of this
Lease, or (ii) elect to sublease or have Landlord's designee sublease the
demised premises from Tenant upon the terms and conditions hereinafter set
forth, if the subletting would end prior to said eighteen (18) month period. In
no event shall such rights apply to an assignment described in subparagraph
A(ii) above. Said options may be exercised by Landlord by notice to Tenant at
any time within twenty (20) days after such notice has been given by Tenant to
Landlord, and during such twenty (20) day period Tenant shall not sublet such
space to any person. If Landlord exercises its option to terminate this Lease,
then this Lease shall end and expire on the later of the date which is sixty
(60) days after Landlord's notice to Tenant that Landlord is electing to
terminate this Lease, or the date set forth in Tenant's notice to Landlord which
gave rise to Landlord's right of termination, and the fixed rent and additional
rent shall be paid and apportioned to such date. If Landlord exercises the
option to sublet the demised premises, such sublease to Landlord or its designee
(as subtenant) shall be at the rental rate of base rental and additional rent
then payable pursuant to this Lease, and such sublease:
(a) shall be upon the same terms and conditions as those
contained in this Lease (or the proposed sublease, as the case may be), except
such as are irrelevant or inapplicable and except as otherwise expressly set
forth to the contrary in this Section;
(b) shall give the sublessee the unqualified and restricted
right, without Tenant's permission, to assign such sublease or any interest
therein and/or to sublet the demised premises or parts of the demised
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premises and to make any and all changes, alterations, and improvements to the
demised premises, provided that Tenant shall have no liability for the acts or
omissions of such sublessee;
(c) Such sublease shall not commence or otherwise take effect
unless and until Tenant, at Tenant's sole cost and expense, shall cause the
subleased premises to be separately demised from the balance of the demised
premises in accordance with plans approved by Landlord, such approval not to be
unreasonably withheld or delayed, which plans shall include, without limitation,
the creation of a separate entrance thereto and the separation and furnishing of
electric and other utilities and air-conditioning to be provided to the
subleased premises, and compliance with all laws and requirements of any public
authorities relating to such separation and subletting;
Such sublease shall also provide that (1) the parties to such sublease expressly
negate any intention that any estate created under such sublease be merged with
any other estate held by either of said parties, (ii) any subletting by Landlord
or its designee (as the subtenant) may be for any purpose or purposes that
Landlord, in Landlord's uncontrolled discretion, shall deem suitable or
appropriate and (iii) that at the expiration of the term of such sublease,
Tenant will accept the demised premises in its then existing condition, subject
to making such repairs thereto as may be necessary to preserve the premises
demised by such sublease in good order and condition. If Landlord exercises its
option to sublet the demised premises, Landlord or its designee shall, however,
indemnify and save Tenant harmless from all obligations under this Lease as to
the demised premises during the period of time it is so sublet, it being agreed
that Tenant shall have no liability for the acts or omissions of such sublessee,
and Tenant shall have no obligation, at the expiration or earlier termination of
the term of this Lease, to remove any alteration, installation or improvement
made in the demised premises by Landlord or any designee thereof, except the
removal of such alterations, installation or improvements, as would have been
made by Tenant's proposed subtenant.
C. In the event Landlord does not exercise its option to terminate this
Lease or leaseback the demised premises pursuant to subparagraph B above,
Landlord's consent (which must be in writing and in form reasonably satisfactory
to Landlord) to a proposed sublease or an assignment of this Lease in connection
with the sale of all of Tenant's business and assets as aforesaid, including its
interest in this Lease, shall not be unreasonably withheld or delayed upon
condition that:
(i) Tenant shall have complied with the provisions of subparagraph B
above;
(ii) the proposed sublessee or assignee, as the case may be (and its
principals, if said sublessee is a corporation or other business entity) is a
reputable party of reasonable financial worth with respect to the
responsibilities and obligations of the tenant under this Lease (without regard
to Tenant's financial condition on the date of this Lease or the date of such
proposed subletting or assignment), and has furnished to Landlord financial
information and evidence of its experience in the ownership and operation of a
business of the type permitted hereunder reasonably satisfactory to Landlord;
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(iii) at the time of such proposed subletting and assignment, Tenant
is not then (i) in monetary breach or monetary default of this Lease, or (ii) in
non-monetary default of this Lease (unless with respect to such non-monetary
default only there remains a period for Tenant to cure the same);
(iv) said subtenant or assignee shall occupy the Premises and conduct
its business in accordance with the use permitted under this Lease and no other
use, and, in Landlord's reasonable opinion, the apparel to be sold by the
proposed subtenant shall be in keeping with the then standards for tenancies at
the building and Landlord's desired tenant mix, it being agreed that a firm
which offers goods which, in Landlord's reasonable opinion, are unfairly similar
to goods offered by another tenant at the building may be deemed violative of
Landlord's desired tenant mix. In connection with the issue of tenant-mix,
Tenant shall supply to Landlord, the stores in which such proposed sublessee or
assignee sells its goods, the manufacturers with whom it is grouped for sale in
such stores, and its general wholesale and retail pricing;
(v) In the case of subletting (as opposed to assignment in connection
with the sale of Tenant's business), Tenant shall demonstrate to Landlord's
reasonable satisfaction that Tenant's request to sublet the demised premises is
founded upon a material change in Tenant's financial position; and Tenant has
not, and is not intending, to relocate a portion of its business to other space
in the Borough of Manhattan (except if Tenant requires significant additional
space and Landlord is unable or unwilling to make comparable space available at
530 or 550 Seventh Avenue at then market rates therefor, for a term that would
be approximately the same as the term applicable to the other premises which
Tenant intends to lease;
(vi) Tenant shall pay to Landlord, as additional rent, an amount
equal to fifty (50%) percent of any rents, additional charges or other
considerations received by Tenant by the subtenant or assignee which, after
deducting any reasonable attorneys' fees, reasonable brokerage commission and
advertising fees paid by Tenant in connection with such sublease or assignment,
and any rent concession given to said sublessee, are in excess of the fixed rent
and additional rent payable during the balance of the term of this Lease, if an
assignment, or the balance of the term of the sublease, as the case may be.
Tenant and such sublessee or assignee shall each certify the amount of said
rental, charges and rent concessions, if any, in form reasonably satisfactory to
Landlord. The sums payable under this subdivision (vi) be paid by Tenant to
Landlord as and when received by Tenant;
(vii) (a) in the case of any subletting, prior to occupancy, Tenant
and its subtenant shall execute, acknowledge and deliver to Landlord, on form
reasonably acceptable to Landlord, a fully executed counterpart of a written
sublease, by the terms of which the sublease in all respects will be subject and
subordinate to all of the terms, covenants and conditions of this Lease and the
subtenant thereunder will agree to be bound by and to perform all of the terms,
covenants and conditions of this Lease on the Tenant's part to be performed,
except the payment of rents, charges and other sums reserved hereunder, which
Tenant shall continue to be obligated to pay and shall pay to Landlord; and (b)
in the case of any assignment, assignee shall be a corporation or other business
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entity organized under the laws of any State of the United States, and shall
expressly and unconditionally assume by written agreement in form reasonably
acceptable to Landlord to perform all of the obligations of the Tenant hereunder
to the same extent as if said assignee had originally executed and delivered
this Lease;
(viii) notwithstanding such subletting and/or assignment, Tenant will
acknowledge in writing, in form reasonably acceptable to Landlord, that,
notwithstanding such sublease and/or assignment and the consent of Landlord
thereto, Tenant will not be released or discharged from any liability whatsoever
under this Lease and will continue to be liable with the same force and effect
as though no sublease or assignment had been made;
(ix) Tenant shall reimburse Landlord for reasonable counsel fees and
other reasonable out-of-pocket expenses which Landlord may incur in connection
with said subletting or assignment, including the reasonable cost of
investigations as to the acceptability of the proposed subtenant or assignee,
and attorneys' fees paid in connection with Landlord's attorneys' review and/or
preparation of the form of each instrument or agreement concerning such
transaction;
(x) with respect to any such proposed subtenant, the same is not in
any manner an Affiliate of any other tenant or prospective tenant of the
buildings known as 530 and/or 550 Seventh Avenue (meaning, with respect to such
prospective tenant, such prospective tenant or Affiliate thereof shall not have
been engaged in lease negotiations with Landlord within four (4) months of the
date Tenant enters into negotiations with same); and
(xi) Tenant shall not have advertised or publicized in any way the
availability of the Premises without prior notice to and approval by Landlord,
it being agreed, however, that Landlord will not unreasonably withhold its
consent to the listing of the Premises for subletting with a reputable broker
selected by Tenant.
D. Notwithstanding the provisions of Article Third, Tenant may enter
into the following stock transactions, provided the same are not for the purpose
of avoiding the general prohibitions set forth in printed portion of this Lease:
(i) the regular transfer or issuance of listed shares of Tenant on the New York,
American or NASDAQ stock exchanges (each a "Recognized Exchange"); and/or (11)
upon at least ten (10) business days prior written notice to Landlord, the
transfer of shares of Tenant in connection with an acquisition of the shares of
Tenant and all of Tenant's assets by a company regularly traded on a Recognized
Exchange or in connection with a merger or consolidation of Tenant with any such
company traded on a Recognized Exchange, or the sale or merger of all or
substantially all of the assets of Tenant, including this Lease, to a "Successor
Corporation" (as defined below), provided (a) the combined tangible net worth of
Tenant and such acquiring or resulting entity or Successor Corporation shall be
not less than the greater of the tangible net worth of Tenant existing on the
date hereof or immediately prior to such transaction, computed in accordance
with generally accepted accounting principles and evidence thereof reasonably
satisfactory to Landlord is furnished prior to said transaction; (b) said
acquiring or resulting entity or Successor Corporation is a corporation
organized under the laws of any State of
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the United States; and (c) said acquiring or resulting entity or Successor
Corporation shall expressly and unconditionally assume by written agreement in
form reasonably acceptable to Landlord to perform all of the obligations of the
Tenant hereunder to the same extent as if such acquiring or resulting entity or
Successor Corporation had originally executed and delivered this Lease.
E. Further notwithstanding anything to the contrary contained
hereinabove or elsewhere in this Lease, Tenant may, upon not less than ten (10)
business days prior notice, and otherwise in compliance with the terms and
conditions generally applicable to sublettings, permit up to seventy-five (75%)
percent of the Premises to be utilized by an Affiliate, so long as the same
remains an Affiliate and so long as the use of the subleased premises shall be
in strict accordance with the permitted use under this Lease. Landlord's right
to recapture the Premises and/or to share in any excess rentals shall be
inapplicable to said Affiliate sublettings. "Affiliate" as used herein shall
mean any corporation, partnership or other business entity is controlled by
Tenant or the existing shareholders of Tenant, and the term "control" as used
with respect to any corporation, partnership or other business entity shall mean
the possession of the power to direct or cause the direction of the management
and policies of such corporation, partnership or other business entity, on a
daily basis, through the ownership of voting securities. As used in subdivision
D. above, "Successor corporation" shall mean (i) a corporation into which or
with which Tenant, its corporate or other successors or assigns, is merged or
consolidated, in accordance with applicable statutory provisions for the merger
or consolidation of corporations or other business entities, provided that by
operation of law or by effective provisions contained in the instruments of
merger or consolidation, the liabilities of the corporation, including this
Lease, are expressly assumed in writing by the corporation surviving such merger
or consolidation, or (ii) a corporation acquiring this Lease and the term hereby
demised, the good will and all or substantially all of the other property and
assets of Tenant, its corporate successors or assigns, or (iii) any corporate
successor to a Successor Corporation becoming such by either of the methods
described above in clauses (i) and (ii). The acquisition by Tenant, its
corporate successors or assigns, of all or substantially all of the assets,
together with the assumption of all or substantially all of the obligations and
liabilities of any corporation, including this Lease as aforesaid, shall be
deemed to be a merger of such corporation into Tenant for purpose of this
provision. A Successor Corporation shall, pursuant to this paragraph, have all
of the rights and obligations of Tenant hereunder.
F. In the event Landlord refuses to grant its consent to any proposed
subletting or assignment, and Tenant believes that Landlord has unreasonably
withheld its consent thereto or to a permitted assignment, Tenant's sole remedy
shall be to give notice (an "Arbitration Notice") to Landlord, within ten (10)
days after receipt of notice of Landlord's refusal, which notice shall set forth
Tenant's desire to have the issue of the reasonableness of Landlord's refusal
arbitrated in accordance with the following provisions:
1. Each Arbitration Notice sent by Tenant shall notify Landlord of
Tenant's desire to arbitrate as aforesaid, and shall state therein the name and
address of an impartial arbitrator (hereinafter defined) to act as arbitrator
hereunder. Within ten (10) days after the receipt of such notice, Landlord shall
give notice to Tenant stating the name and address of an impartial arbitrator
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to act as arbitrator hereunder. If within ten (10) days following the
appointment of the latter of said arbitrators, said two (2) arbitrators shall be
unable to agree in respect of said matter, the said arbitrators shall appoint by
instrument in writing, as third arbitrator, an impartial arbitrator, who shall
proceed with the two (2) arbitrators first appointed to determine the matter.
The written decision of any two (2) of the arbitrators so appointed shall be
binding and conclusive upon the parties hereto. If after the appointment of an
arbitrator the other party shall fall within the above-specified period of ten
(10) days to appoint an arbitrator, such appointment of an arbitrator as
arbitrator may be made in the manner hereinafter provided for the appointment of
a third arbitrator in the case where the two arbitrators chosen hereunder are
unable to agree upon such appointment. If the two (2) arbitrators aforesaid
shall be unable to agree within ten (10) days following the appointment of the
latter of said arbitrators upon both the matter in dispute and an arbitrator to
serve as the third arbitrator, then either party may apply to the American
Arbitration Association or any successor organization (or if such organizations
shall refuse to act, to a court of competent jurisdiction in the State of New
York) for the designation of such arbitrator. If any arbitrator, appointed as
aforesaid by either of the parties or by said organization (or court) or by the
other two (2) arbitrators so appointed shall die, be disqualified or
incapacitated or shall (for reasons beyond his/her control) fail to act before
such matter shall have been determined, a substitute arbitrator shall promptly
be appointed by the person or persons who appointed the arbitrator who shall
have died, become disqualified or incapacitated or who shall have failed to act
as aforesaid, and if a substitute arbitrator is not so named within ten (10)
days after such death, disqualification, incapacity or failure to act, such
substitute arbitrator shall be appointed in the matter aforesaid by application
to the American Arbitration Association.
2. Landlord shall pay the fees of the arbitrator appointed by Landlord,
and Tenant shall pay the fees of the arbitrator appointed by Tenant. The fees of
the third arbitrator (if any) shall be borne equally by the parties.
3. Landlord and Tenant shall each have the right to appear and be
represented by counsel before said arbitrators and to submit such data and
memoranda in support of their respective positions in the matter in dispute as
may be reasonably necessary or appropriate in the circumstances, it being agreed
that if a dispute as to whether such data or memoranda is reasonable arises, a
majority of the arbitrators are hereby authorized to resolve same.
4. The arbitrators shall be instructed to render a decision within sixty
(60) days of their appointment and the decision of the arbitrators shall be
binding upon the parties and judgment may be entered thereon in any court of
competent jurisdiction. In rendering their decision, the arbitrators shall have
no power to modify any of the provisions of this Lease, and the jurisdiction of
arbitrators is limited accordingly, it being specifically understood that the
scope of said arbitration shall be solely to consider whether Landlord's refusal
to consent to such proposed assignment or subletting, as the case may be, was
reasonable as aforesaid, and the only relief to which Tenant may be entitled is
a finding that such consent was unreasonably withheld and that Tenant's request
is deemed approved, subject to compliance with the other terms and conditions of
this Lease applicable to such assignment and subletting. In rendering their
decision, the arbitrators shall not add to, subtract from or otherwise modify
the provisions of the Lease, and shall not be entitled to consider any other
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disputes between the parties. In no event shall Landlord be liable to Tenant for
any claim for money damages (whether actual, consequential, punitive or
otherwise), or for costs or attorney's fees, nor shall Tenant claim any money
damages by way of set-off, counter-claim or defense.
5. The term "arbitrator" shall mean a person who shall have at least ten
(10) years continuous experience in the business of leasing, operating and/or
managing commercial office buildings in the Borough of Manhattan.
SIXTY-SEVENTH: Access to Building. Tenant shall have access to the
building and Landlord shall provide at least one elevator for passenger service
on a non-exclusive basis during non-business hours, so that Tenant may have
access to the demised premises 24 hours per day, 7 days-a-week. Tenant
acknowledges, however, that the foregoing, shall be subject to the rules and
regulations as may now or hereafter be in effect (including, without limitation
payment of any off- 1hours charges which may hereafter be customarily imposed by
Landlord in connection with the furnishing of any such services during
non-business hours), and subject to the other terms and conditions of this
Lease, including, without limitation, the provisions of this Lease regarding
interruptions or delays in services which shall likewise apply to such
non-business hours access, elevator and other services, if any. Tenant further
acknowledges that the doors to the building may be locked by Landlord during
non-business hours and that access may require, prior notice and/or ringing of a
doorbell and/or presentation of a pass issued by Landlord.
SIXTY-EIGHTH: ALTERATIONS.
A. Landlord agrees not to unreasonably withhold or delay its consent to
Tenant's initial alterations to the demised premises, provided the same would
not involve or affect structural portions of the building or adversely affect
any building systems or services. Landlord shall respond to Tenant's submittals
of its plans and specifications within ten (10) business days from the date
Tenant has furnished all of the supporting plans and specifications, and other
information and documentation, if any, reasonably required to be furnished in
connection therewith, subject, however, to the requirement, if any, for approval
or review by the holder(s) of any mortgage now or hereafter affecting the
demised premises. If Landlord denies approval it shall, to the extent reasonably
possible, list its objections. If Landlord does not respond within ten (10)
business days as aforesaid, Landlord shall be deemed to have consented to the
requests made in such notice to Landlord, provided that along with any such
request for consent the following specific language in bold capital letters
appears on the face page of Tenant's request notice: "WE HEREBY REQUEST YOUR
APPROVAL FOR THE PROPOSED ALTERATIONS DESCRIBED HEREIN. IN THE EVENT YOU DO NOT
RESPOND TO THIS REQUEST WITHIN TEN (10) BUSINESS DAYS FROM YOUR RECEIPT OF THIS
REQUEST, YOU WILL BE DEEMED TO HAVE CONSENTED." Tenant acknowledges that a
material inducement to Landlord for entering into this Lease is Tenant's lien
free completion of its initial alterations as per the approved plans and
specification, and, in the event of Tenant's failure to complete same, as a part
of Landlord's remedies under this Lease for such default, Tenant shall be liable
for damages equal to the cost of completing same.
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B. Landlord agrees that at the time it gives notice of its approval of
any alterations to be undertaken by Tenant, it will advise Tenant as to whether
it shall require the same to be removed upon termination of this Lease, provided
that at the time of Tenant's submittal of its request for such approval it shall
indicate in bold capital letters within and as a part of said request, the
following: "WE HEREBY REQUEST YOUR APPROVAL FOR CERTAIN ALTERATIONS AS DESCRIBED
HEREIN AND IN THE PLANS AND SPECIFICATIONS ANNEXED HERETO; PLEASE ADVISE US AT
THIS TIME AS TO WHETHER YOU WILL REQUIRE THAT ANY OF SAID ALTERATIONS BE REMOVED
AND THE PREMISES RESTORED TO THE CONDITION EXISTING PRIOR TO SAID PROPOSED
ALTERATION AT THE EXPIRATION OR SOONER TERMINATION OF THE LEASE. FAILURE TO
NOTIFY TENANT AS TO ANY ALTERATION WHICH MUST BE REMOVED WILL CONSTITUTE
LANDLORD'S AGREEMENT THAT SUCH ALTERATION MAY REMAIN UPON EXPIRATION OF THE
LEASE"; in the event Landlord does not detail in its response to Tenant's
request for approval the items, if any, that it requires be removed and Tenant
has properly made such request as detailed above, then Tenant shall not be
required to remove any of said alterations at the expiration of this Lease
unless detailed in Landlord's approval letter). Notwithstanding anything to the
contrary contained elsewhere herein, (i) Tenant shall not be required to, and
shall surrender at the end of the term, its initial alterations and improvements
to the demised premises and (ii) Tenant shall not, in any event, remove from the
demised premises any heating, electrical, plumbing and air-conditioning fixture
and equipment, or any lighting fixtures, including, without limitation, any
ceiling or wall track lighting and track lighting heads.
SIXTY NINTH: Miscellaneous.
A. Consents. In no event shall Tenant be entitled to make, nor shall
Tenant make, any claim, and Tenant hereby waives any claim, for money damages
(nor shall Tenant claim any money damages by way of set-off, counterclaim or
defense) based upon any claim or assertion by Tenant that Landlord has
unreasonably withheld or delayed its consent or approval to any request of
Tenant in such instances, if any, where Landlord is expressly required
hereunder, or under law, not to unreasonably withhold or delay such consent.
Tenant's sole remedy shall be an action or proceeding to enforce any such
provision, or for specific performance, injunction or declaratory judgment. With
respect to proposed assignment and sublettings, Tenant agrees that any dispute
with respect to Landlord's withholding of consent thereto shall be determined by
arbitration in accordance with Article Seventieth.
B. Replenishment of Security Deposit. If the security deposited under
this Lease is applied by Landlord on account of any default by Tenant under this
Lease, Tenant, within ten (10) days after demand by Landlord, shall deliver to
Landlord such cash amount (or such additional letter of credit, as the case may
be) as is necessary to restore the security to the full amount then required
under this Lease.
C. Mortgagee Approval; Request for Non-Disturbance. Tenant acknowledges
that this Lease is subject to the prior approval of Landlord's mortgagee.
Promptly upon execution and
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delivery of this Lease by Tenant, Landlord shall make request for such
mortgagee's approval. If such approval shall not have been received within
fifteen (15) business days of the date of such execution and delivery of this
Lease, Landlord or Tenant shall have the right to terminate this Lease upon five
(5) days notice to the other, whereupon this Lease shall be deemed of no force
and effect and the parties shall have no further liability to one another,
unless such approval is received within said five (5) day period, in which event
this Lease shall continue in full force and effect. As a part of such request
for approval, Landlord shall request of such mortgagee a nondisturbance
agreement in favor of Tenant and in form and substance customarily given by such
mortgagee. Nothing herein shall be deemed to require Landlord to make any
expenditure or incur any liability or obligation in connection with such request
or with respect to any such approval, and this Lease shall be unaffected by the
failure to obtain such agreement.
D. Freight Elevator. With respect to Tenant initial alterations and
move-in, Tenant shall have the right, subject to reasonable scheduling
procedures established by Landlord and the general needs of building occupants,
to make non-exclusive use of the freight elevator during the building's regular
business hours for no charge.
SEVENTIETH: Additional Space.
A. Provided that this Lease is then in full force and effect. Tenant is
not then (i) in monetary breach or monetary default of this Lease, or (ii) in
non-monetary default of this Lease (unless with respect to such non-monetary
default only there remains a period for Tenant to cure the same), and there
remains not less than four (4) years on the balance of the term of this Lease
(provided, however, said four (4) year requirement shall be reduced by the
period of delay, if any, in Landlord's delivery of possession of the Additional
Premises beyond the end of the sixth year of the term of this Lease), Landlord
agrees that:
(i) On the first occasion that vacant space becomes available on the
l9th floor which is not desired by any of the other tenants then occupying the
l9th Floor (or any Affiliate thereof, as defined in Article Sixty-Sixth),
Landlord shall offer to lease the same, or portion thereof which is not
otherwise taken by said 19th floor tenant or Affiliate (the " 19th Floor
Premises") to Tenant; and
(ii) If Tenant gives notice to Landlord on or before February 1, 2003
(time being of the essence with respect thereto) that Tenant desires to lease
additional space in the Building, then, between the date of Tenant's notice and
the end of the sixth year of the term of this Lease, Landlord shall offer to
Tenant space in the Building containing between 4,000 and 6,000 rentable square
feet (the "Additional Premises"), and, subject to Tenant's acceptance of the
"Offer Terms" (as defined below) in strict compliance with the provisions
hereof, Landlord shall deliver the Additional Premises to Tenant not later than
the end of the sixth year of the term of this Lease.
B. Tenant's right to receive an offer from Landlord (the "Offer Right")
with respect
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to the 19th Floor Premises and Additional Premises shall be exercisable in
accordance with and on the terms and conditions set forth below:
1. Prior to entering into an unconditional lease for the 19th Floor
Premises or Additional Premises, Landlord shall send written notice (hereinafter
referred to as the "Offer Notice") to Tenant setting forth the terms
(hereinafter referred to as the "Offer Terms"), including any work allowance
and/or rent credit, upon which Landlord is willing to lease said Premises. If
Tenant shall desire to accept the Offer Terms, Tenant shall send Landlord
written notice thereof (hereinafter referred to as an "Acceptance Notice") by
hand delivery and by Federal Express overnight courier, and delivered against
written receipt, on or before the fifteenth (15th) day next succeeding the day
upon which Landlord shall have sent the Offer Notice to Tenant, time being of
the essence with respect to delivery of each of said notices by said fifteenth
(15th) day.
2. If Tenant shall fail to send an Acceptance Notice within the time and
in the manner set forth in paragraph B.1 above, or Tenant shall amend, modify or
supplement any of the terms set forth in Landlord's Offer Notice, the Offer
Right shall be deemed waived, and shall thereupon cease and terminate and Tenant
shall thereafter have no further option to lease the 19th Floor Premises or
Additional Premises, as the case may be, and Landlord shall be free to proceed
with the leasing of same to any third party on rental terms which represent
payment to Landlord of not less than ninety (90%) percent of the amounts set
forth in the Offer Notice. If, following Landlord's notice to Tenant, and prior
to entering into any lease, the terms of any third party offer are revised to
terms which represent payment of less than said ninety (90%) percent, then prior
to leasing, said subject Premises upon such terms, Landlord shall send Tenant
written notice thereof setting forth all of the terms and conditions of said
revised offer (hereinafter referred to as "Landlord's Revised Notice"). Tenant
shall then have the option to lease said subject upon the terms set forth in the
Landlord's Revised Notice, which option shall be exercised by written notice to
that effect (herein also referred to as an "Acceptance Notice") given to the
Landlord within ten (10 days after delivery of Landlord's Revised Notice to
Tenant, time again being of the essence with respect to delivery of such notice
by said fifteenth (15th) day. If Tenant shall fail to exercise its option to
lease said Premises upon the terms set forth in Landlord's Revised Notice, then
Landlord shall be free to proceed with the leasing of said subject Premises, and
Tenant shall thereafter have no further option to lease said subject Premises
(i.e., the 19th Floor Premises or Additional Premises, as the case may be),
except Landlord, during the period ending at the expiration of the year of the
sixth year of the term of this Lease, shall be required to continue to re-offer
the Additional Premises to Tenant if Landlord does not meet the ninety (90%)
percent test set forth above.
3. If Tenant shall send an Acceptance Notice to Landlord in the time and
manner referred to above, the parties hereto shall promptly enter into a new
lease or an amendment of this Lease for the subject Premises containing all of
the terms, covenants and conditions provided in this lease except for any terms
specifically applicable to the Demised Premises (hereinafter referred to as the
"New Lease") and except that:
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(a) unless the Offer Terms provide to the contrary, Tenant shall
take possession of the subject Premises in its "as-is" condition, and Landlord
shall not be obligated to furnish any labor, materials or services to prepare
the same for the Tenant's occupancy nor make any contribution in lieu thereof;
(b) unless the Offer Terms provide to the contrary, any terms,
covenants, or conditions hereof that are expressly or by their nature
inapplicable to the subject Premises, including, without limitation, any
Landlord work or work allowance, any free rent, and this Article Seventieth,
shall be deleted from the New Lease; and
(c) the term of the New Lease shall expire upon the day
(hereinafter referred to as the "New Lease Expiration Date") the term of this
Lease shall cease or expire, and the term shall commence on the date set forth
in the offer notice, but in no event less sixty (60) days after the date of the
Acceptance Notice; and
(d) (i) the New Lease shall contain a provision stating that a
default by Tenant in the performance or observance of any obligations on
Tenant's part to be performed or observed under this lease shall be deemed to be
a default under the New Lease and (ii) this lease shall be modified to provide
that a default by Tenant in the performance or observance of any obligations on
Tenant's part to be performed or observed under the New Lease shall be deemed to
be a default under this lease.
SEVENTY-FIRST: Certificate of Occupancy; Violations. Landlord represents
that a true and complete copy of the certificate of occupancy for the Building
is annexed hereto as Exhibit A. In the event that any violation noted of record
and affecting the Building and/or the Demised Premises prevents the commencement
or completion of Tenant's initial alterations and preparation of the Demised
Premises ("Tenant's Work"), the sole liability of Landlord (and sole remedy of
Tenant) with respect thereto shall be for Landlord to utilize all reasonable
efforts to promptly and diligently effectuate the cure of such violation(s)
(without obligation to incur any overtime labor or similar special charges) and
the free rent period, if any, set forth in this Lease, shall be extended by one
(1) day for each day of such delay, provided, however, that no such extension
shall apply to any violation which would necessarily be remedied by the
completion of Tenant's Work without additional material cost, and provided
further, however, that Tenant shall have notified Landlord in writing, by hand
delivery and Federal Express overnight delivery (against receipt) as soon as
reasonably possible after Tenant's discovery of such violation or determination
that it affects Tenant's Work, including in such notice the nature of such
violation and the manner in which it is affecting Tenant's work, and shall have
cooperated with Landlord's reasonable requests to remedy same or the impact
thereof upon Tenant's Work. Such notice shall contain the following specific
language in bold capital letters on the face of the notice page: "TAKE NOTICE
THAT BY REASON OF THE VIOLATION DESCRIBED BELOW, TENANT'S WORK IS BEING DELAYED
AND UNLESS ACTION IS TAKEN IMMEDIATELY, TENANT WILL CONTEND THAT THE FREE RENT
PERIOD IS TO BE EXTENDED BY ONE (1) DAY FOR EACH DAY OF SUCH DELAY."
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SEVENTY-SECOND: Contractors. Landlord hereby agrees not to unreasonably
withhold or delay its consent to Tenant's selection of its architect and
contractors, provided that Tenant shall be obligated to utilize contractor's
approved by Landlord, in Landlord's sole discretion, with respect to sprinkler
and Class E work.
SEVENTY-THIRD: Supplemental Premises; Increase in Base Rental and
Increase in Tenant's Share. From and after the date (the "Supplemental Premises
Commencement Date") on which Landlord shall give notice to Tenant that
"Landlord's Supplemental Premises Work" (as defined below) has been completed,
the demised premises shall include the portion of the 17th and 18th floors shown
cross-hatched on the floor plans annexed hereto. The annual base rental with
respect to the Supplemental Premises shall be $63,210.36 for the period from the
Supplemental Premises Commencement Date to and including May 31, 2004, and
$68,822.00 for the period from June 1, 2004 to and including May 31, 2009. Said
rental shall be payable, in advance, in equal monthly installments, on the first
day of each month, together with the base rental for the balance of the demised
premises. In addition, from and after the Supplemental Premises Commencement
Date, Tenant's share as set forth in Article Fifty-First and elsewhere in this
Lease shall be increase from 6.485% to 7.097%. Provided and so long as during
the term of this Lease Tenant shall not be in default beyond any applicable
grace and/or cure period (which default gives rise to cornmencement of a summary
or plenary proceeding), the annual base rental and escalations payable hereunder
shall be abated for a period of six (6) months from the Supplemental Premises
Commencement Date. "Landlord's Supplemental Premises Work" shall mean (i)
demolition of the interior walls of the Supplemental Premises, (ii) the
lamination of the exterior walls, (iii) re-slabbing of the floors; and (iv) the
installation of sprinklers in the Supplemental Premises based upon said area
being open, it being agreed that any sprinkler modifications necessary by reason
of Tenant's alterations and improvements to the Supplemental Premises shall be
at Tenant's sole expense.
SEVENTY-FOURTH: Delay in Delivery of Possession and Effect on Free Rent. Tenant
acknowledges that the 17th floor portion of the demised premises is presently
occupied, and Landlord agrees to take all reasonable steps, including the
commencement of summary proceedings if said Tenant, does not vacate the 17th
floor on or before July 16, 1999. The free rent period shall be deemed to have
commenced with respect to the 18th floor premises as of June 1, 1999, since the
same are vacant and Landlord's Work with respect thereto has been completed,
provided, however, that if the 17th floor premises are not delivered on or
before July 16, 1999, the free rent period for the 18th floor premises shall be
tolled until the 17th floor portion of the demised premises are delivered. For
purposes of this paragraph, the aggregate free rent and base and additional
rental shall be deemed equally divided between the 17th and 18th floors. The
free rent with respect to the 17th floor portion of the demised premises shall
commence as of the delivery of possession thereof. By way of example, if the
17th floor premises were delivered on July 16, 1999, Tenant would have four and
one-half months of free rent remaining with respect to the 18th floor premises
and six months of free rent with respect to the 17th floor.
SEVENTY-FIFTH: Outside Date for Delivery of Possession. Notwithstanding anything
to the contrary contained elsewhere in this Lease, in the event that possession
of the entire demised
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premises shall not be delivered to Tenant on or before November 1, 1999, Tenant,
as its sole remedy, may elect to terminate this Lease upon ten (10) days notice
to Landlord, provided such notice is given on or before November 15, 1999,
failing which Tenant shall be deemed to have consented to an extension of the
aforesaid delivery date until December 31, 1999, at which point, if Tenant shall
fail to give notice to terminate on or before January 15, 2000, Tenant shall be
deemed to have consented to a further adjournment of the possession delivery
date until February 28, 2000, after which either party may terminate this Lease
upon ten (10) days prior notice to the other, and provided such possession shall
not be delivered within said ten (10) day period, this Lease shall be deemed
terminated and of no force and effect, and upon delivery to Tenant of any
amounts paid hereunder, the parties shall have no further liability to one
another.
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INSERTS TO LEASE BETWEEN
ADLER REALTY COMPANY 530, AS LANDLORD
AND
BERNARD CHAUS, INC., AS TENANT
2.1 reasonable
2.2 Landlord agrees that it shall be responsible for the repair of the
structural and public portions of the building. including the building
elevators, and for the repair of the common portions of the building's
electric, plumbing and heating systems to the exterior of the Premises
(or to the point they connect to any utility closet or meter serving
Premises if the same are located outside the Premises, and in no event
any branches thereof that exclusively serve the demised premises),
provided further, however, that in each instance Tenant shall be liable
to Landlord for the cost of any such repairs required by reason of the
negligence or willful acts of Tenant, its employees, agents, contractors
or invitees.
3.1 Except as may otherwise be expressly provided herein,
4.1 or inaccessible
4.2 promptly
4.3 Notwithstanding anything to the contrary contained hereinabove, if the
demised premises shall be substantially damaged and rendered wholly
untenantable or inaccessible in the last year of the term of this Lease,
or in the event the demised premises or the building are substantially
damaged by fire or other casualty at any time during the term of this
lease and the Demised Premises cannot be restored within nine (9) months
after receipt of Landlord's insurance proceeds, as reasonably estimated
by Landlord's architect or contractor, then and in any of such events,
Tenant shall have the right to terminate this lease upon written notice
to Landlord no later than thirty (30) days after the event giving rise
to such termination right, specifying a date not less than ten (10) days
therefrom for the expiration of the lease. In the event of such
termination, the rent and additional rent due under this lease shall be
due up to the date of such casualty and shall be abated for the period
from the date of such casualty to the date of termination.
Notwithstanding anything to the contrary contained elsewhere in this
Lease, Landlord shall not exercise its right to terminate this Lease in
the event of a casualty unless it is terminating at least 25% of the
other leases above the ground floor affected by such casualty or
terminating all of the leases covering the ground floor and second
floor.
4.4 In such instances where Landlord is required to restore the demised
premises, Landlord shall be required to restore the same to the
condition existing as of the date of delivery of the demised premises to
Tenant, it being agreed that Tenant shall be responsible for restoration
of all other leasehold improvements made by Tenant upon and following
the commencement
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of the Lease.
6.1 , or as otherwise permitted herein,
6.2 twenty (20)
6.3 for a period in excess of ninety (90) days,
6.4 and such monetary default is not remedied within ten (10) days after
notice from Landlord (provided, however, that no such notice shall be
required in the event of a deemed material default for repeated late
payment as provided in the immediately preceding paragraph)
6.5 without force
6.6 reasonably
6.7 reasonable
7.1 , after the expiration of any grace and/or cured period with respect to
such default (except in event of emergency)
7.2 twenty (20)
14.1 (after the expiration of any grace and/or cured period with respect to
such default)
15.1 Notwithstanding anything to the contrary contained hereinabove or
elsewhere in this Lease, Landlord agrees that in connection with all of
Landlord's rules and regulations now or hereafter promulgated, under
this paragraph Fifteenth or otherwise, to the extent that same are
enforced by Landlord the same shall not be selectively enforced against
Tenant. In addition, said rules and regulations shall not be promulgated
in a manner designed to selectively discriminate against Tenant or its
operations.
16.1 Whenever Landlord permits another party to enter the demised premises in
connection with such work, Landlord agrees, except in the event of
emergency, to give Tenant prior notice of such entry, and, to the extent
Landlord can enforce the same, Landlord shall require that such party
utilize reasonable efforts (not including the use of overtime labor or
other special charges), to minimize disruption of Tenant's business
operations.
18.1 Whenever Landlord enters the demised premises in connection with
alterations, improvements, repairs or otherwise, Landlord agrees, except
in the event of emergency, to give Tenant prior notice of such entry,
and, to the extent practicable Landlord shall utilize reasonable efforts
(not including the use of overtime labor or other special charges), to
minimize disruption of Tenant's business operations.
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18.2 common or shared (with Landlord or other occupants of the building)
19.1 Except as may otherwise be provided elsewhere in this Lease,
19.2 , reasonable wear and tear excepted,
21.1 reasonable
24.1 Subject to Landlord's review and approval of the unit, systems and
installation plans and specifications therefor, which approval shall not
be unreasonably withheld or delayed, Tenant shall be permitted to
install 2 twenty (20) ton water-cooled air-conditioning units on each of
the floors comprising the demised premises. Tenant acknowledges that
throughout the term of the Lease, Tenant, at Tenant's sole cost and
expense, shall be responsible for the maintenance, repair and
replacement of said units and system so as to maintain the same in good
working order.
27.1 Notwithstanding anything to the contrary contained hereinabove, Landlord
agrees that it shall not unreasonably withhold or delay its consent to
Tenant's placement of signs in the same areas, and of similar size and
type, as are maintained by the majority of other showroom tenants in the
building. Supplementing the foregoing, Tenant shall be entitled to 6
listings in the lobby directory, 4 listings on the wall of the elevator
cab, and 17th and 18th floor plates over the elevator door, on which
Tenant may list Bernard Chaus and 2 or 3 other listings as may
reasonably fit thereon.
28.1 Subject to reasonable rules and regulations now or hereafter promulgated
by Landlord and to reasonable availability of space as and when
requested (including consideration of future needs of Landlord and other
tenants of the building), Landlord agrees to provide Tenant with
reasonable access to existing shaftways in locations reasonably
determined by Landlord for the purpose of data and other communications
wiring or cabling.
30.1 shall be measured by submeters serving the demised premises (5 submeters
on the 17th floor and 3 submeters on the 18th floor), provided that the
amount charged to Tenant for such electricity shall be the same as if
all of Tenant's consumption were measured by one submeter.
30.2 twenty (20)
30.3 shall
30.4 Notwithstanding anything to the contrary contained hereinabove, Landlord
shall not change from the present electric submetering method except in
connection with a plan to do so with respect to a majority of the other
showroom tenants in the building.
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33.1 after twenty (20) days notice to Tenant (except in event of emergency)
and Tenant's failure to remedy same within such period.
34.1 See Article Seventy-Fifth.
35.1 ten (10)
35.1 reasonably
36.1 reasonably
37.1 promptly
37.2 A. Simultaneous with the execution of this Lease, Tenant has deposited
with Landlord, by cash or by letter of credit pursuant to subparagraph B
below, the sum of $167,416.71 (the "Security Deposit") as security for
the faithful performance and observance by Tenant of the terms
provisions, covenants and conditions of this Lease. It is agreed that in
the event Tenant defaults in respect of any of the terms, provisions,
covenants and conditions of this Lease, including, but not limited to,
the payment of annual rental or any additional rent, Landlord may use,
apply or retain the whole or any part of the Security Deposit to the
extent required for the payment thereof or any other sum as to which
Tenant is in default, including any damages or expenses incurred by
Landlord arising from any other default under this Lease. In the event
that Tenant shall fully and faithfully comply with all of the terms,
provisions, covenants and conditions of this Lease, the Security Deposit
shall be returned to Tenant within thirty (30) days after the expiration
date of this Lease and delivery of entire possession of the Demised
Premises to Landlord in the condition required by this Lease. In the
event of a sale of the Demised Premises or the Property, Landlord shall
have the right to transfer the Security Deposit to the vendee or lessee
and, upon the acceptance of and assumption of liability with respect to
such security by such vendee or lessee, Landlord shall be released by
Tenant from all liabilities for the return thereof Tenant covenants that
it will not assign or encumber or attempt to assign or encumber the
Security Deposit. In the event Landlord applies or retains any portion
or all of the security deposited, Tenant shall, within ten (10) days
after demand, restore the amount so applied or retained.
B. In lieu of a cash security deposit, Tenant may deliver a letter of
credit in the amount of $167,416.71, as security for its faithful
performance and observance by Tenant of the terms, provisions, covenants
and conditions of this Lease. Only a clean irrevocable and unconditional
letter of credit issued by and drawn upon a domestic commercial bank
under the supervision of the Superintendent of Banks of the State of New
York which is a member of the New York Cleaning House Association with
not less than twelve (12) offices for retail banking purposes in the
City and County of New York and having a tangible net worth of
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not less than Five Hundred Million ($500,000,000.00) Dollars (the
"Issuing Bank"), which letter of credit shall have a term of not less
than one (1) year, be in form and content satisfactory to Landlord, be
for the account of Landlord and be in the amount of $167,416.71, shall
be deemed acceptable to Landlord. The Issuing Bank shall pay to Landlord
or its duly authorized representative the face amount of the letter of
credit upon presentation of the letter of credit, a sight draft in the
amount of be drawn, and Landlord's statement that (i) Tenant is in
default of one or more of Tenant's obligations pursuant to a certain
lease for premises located at 530 Seventh Avenue, New York, New York, or
(ii) Landlord has not received a renewal letter of credit for an
additional one (1) year period commencing upon the expiration date of
the then existing letter of credit, at least thirty (30) days prior to
said expiration date. Said letter of credit shall expressly provide that
it shall be deemed automatically renewed without amendment, for
consecutive periods of one (1) year each thereafter during the term of
this Lease (and the last of said renewals shall extend to a date which
is not less than thirty (30) days after the expiration date of this
Lease), until the Issuing Bank sends written notice (the "Non-Renewal
Notice") to Tenant by certified mail, return receipt requested, not less
than sixty (60) days next preceding the expiration date of the existing
letter of credit that it elects not to have such letter of credit
renewed. Additionally, the letter of credit shall provide that Landlord
shall have the right, exercisable after receipt of the Non-Renewal
Notice, by site draft on the Issuing Bank, to receive the monies
represented by the existing letter of credit and hold said proceeds as a
cash Security Deposit. The letter of credit shall provide that it will
be honored by the Issuing Bank upon the delivery of Landlord's statement
without inquiry as to its accuracy and regardless of whether Tenant
disputes the contents of such statements. If as a result of application
of all or any part of the Security Deposit, the amount secured by the
letter of credit shall be less than the above required amount, Tenant
shall provide Landlord, within ten (10) days' after demand, additional
letter(s) of credit and/or cash in an amount equal to such deficiency.
Any failure or refusal by Tenant to timely make such submission shall be
deemed a material default by Tenant under this Lease equivalent to the
non-payment of rent. The letter of credit shall provide for language
wherein the face amount of the letter of credit shall be reduced on the
dates and to the amounts set forth below, provided and on condition that
on the applicable reduction dates Tenant is not then in default of this
Lease (without the benefit of any grace or cure period) and the Issuing
Bank has received written notice from Landlord of such non-default.
During the twenty (20) day period prior to each such reduction date,
Landlord agrees to furnish to Tenant a notice addressed to Tenant and
the Issuing Bank as to the default status of Tenant under the Lease
within ten (10) days after written demand from Tenant.
C. In the event of a sale of the land and the building or a leasing of
the building or any portion thereof of which the Demised Premises form a
part, Landlord shall have the right to transfer the cash security or
letter of credit, as the case may be, deposited hereunder to the vendee
or lessee, and Landlord shall thereupon be released by Tenant from all
liability for the return of such cash security or letter of credit. In
such event, Tenant agrees to look solely to the new owner for the return
of said cash security or letter of credit. It is agreed that the
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provisions hereof shall apply to every transfer or assignment made of
said cash security or letter of credit to a new owner.
D. Tenant covenants that it will not assign or encumber, or attempt to
assign or encumber, the monies or letter of credit deposited hereunder
as security, and that neither Landlord nor its successors or assigns
shall be bound by any such assignment, encumbrance, attempted
assignment, or attempted encumbrance.
E. In the event that at any time during the term of this Lease,
Landlord, in Landlord's reasonable opinion, believes (a) that the net
worth of the Issuing Bank shall be less than the minimum amount
specified in Section B hereof, or (b) that circumstances have occurred
indicating that the Issuing Bank may be incapable of, unable to, or
prohibited from honoring the then existing letter of credit (hereinafter
referred to as the "Existing L/C") in accordance with the terms thereof,
then, upon the happening of either of the foregoing, Landlord may send
written notice to Tenant (hereinafter referred to as the "Replacement
Notice") requiring Tenant within ten (10) days to replace the Existing
L/C with a new letter of credit (hereinafter referred to as the
"Replacement L/C") from an Issuing Bank meeting the qualification
described in Section B hereof. Upon receipt of a Replacement L/C meeting
the qualifications of Section B hereof, Landlord shall forthwith return
the Existing L/C to Tenant. In the event that (i) a Replacement L/C
meeting the qualifications of Section B hereof is not received by
Landlord within the time specified, or (ii) Landlord reasonably believes
an emergency exists, then in either event, the Existing L/C may be
presented for payment by Landlord and the proceeds thereof shall be held
by Landlord in accordance with Section A hereof, subject, however, to
Tenant's right, at any time thereafter prior to a Tenant's default
hereunder, to replace such cash security with a new letter of credit
meeting the qualifications of Section B hereof.
40.1 Supplementing Paragraph 40th, a copy of all notices of default shall be
required to be sent by Certified Mail, Return Receipt Requested to
Swidler Berlin Shereff Friedman, LLP, 919 Third Avenue, New, York, New
York 10022; Attention: Michael J. Shapiro, Esq. Notices given in the
manner permitted under this Article Fortieth, shall be' deemed given two
(2) days after the same are mailed.
44.1 provided, however, that the foregoing shall not be deemed to prohibit
Tenant from commencing a separate action against Landlord.
49.1 Notwithstanding anything to the contrary contained elsewhere herein,
each party hereby waives in its own behalf and in behalf of its
insurance carriers any and all subrogation rights against the other
party which might exist in the event of any payment or payments by any
insurance carrier under any fire, extended coverage or related insurance
policy applicable to the Demised Premises, to any of the fixtures and
property contained therein, or to the use and occupancy thereof,
provided such waiver does not invalidate any such insurance. Each party
agrees that its insurance policies aforesaid will include such a
provision so long as the same
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shall be obtainable without extra cost, or if extra cost shall be
charged therefor, so long as the party for whose benefit the clause or
endorsement is obtained shall pay such extra cost. If extra cost shall
be chargeable therefor, each party shall advise the other of the extra
cost, and the other party at its election may pay the same, but shall
not be obligated to do so. Landlord agrees that it shall carry casualty
insurance with respect to the Building in form and content reasonably
acceptable to Landlord or its mortgagee.
51.1 (and, after written notice from Tenant requesting same, a copy of the
tax bill received by Landlord from the taxing authority),
51.2 which obligation shall survive the expiration of this Lease.
51.3 As used herein, real estate taxes shall not include any real estate or
stock transfer tax or any inheritance, estate, succession, franchise, or
federal or state income tax.
51.4 ten (10)
55.1 Landlord covenants and agrees to indemnify, defend and hold Tenant
harmless from and against any claim by any broker or like person seeking
a commission in connection with this transaction by reason of the
actions of Landlord, provided Tenant has not had any contact with such
broker, other than Insignia/ESG. Landlord agrees to pay the brokerage
commission due to Insignia/ESG in connection with this transaction
pursuant to separate agreement.
56.1 ten (10)
22
<PAGE>
INDEPENDENT AUDITORS' CONSENT
We consent to the incorporation by reference in Registration Statement No.
333-56257 of Bernard Chaus, Inc. on Form S-8 of our report dated August 30,
1999, appearing in this Annual Report of Form 10-K of Bernard Chaus, Inc. for
the year ended June 30, 1999.
Deloitte & Touche LLP
New York, NY
September 24, 1999
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