STANDARD BRANDS PAINT CO
PRER14A, 1995-04-14
BUILDING MATERIALS, HARDWARE, GARDEN SUPPLY
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<PAGE>
                            SCHEDULE 14A INFORMATION

                  Proxy Statement Pursuant to Section 14(a) of
                      the Securities Exchange Act of 1934

    Filed by the Registrant /X/

    Check the appropriate box:
    /X/  Preliminary Proxy Statement
    / /  Definitive Proxy Statement
    / /  Definitive Additional Materials
    / /  Soliciting Material Pursuant to Section240.14a-11(c) or
         Section240.14a-12

                                STANDARD BRANDS PAINT COMPANY
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                (Name of Registrant as Specified In Its Charter)

                                STANDARD BRANDS PAINT COMPANY
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                   (Name of Person(s) Filing Proxy Statement)

Payment of Filing Fee (Check the appropriate box):

   
/ /  $125 per Exchange Act Rules 0-11(c)(1)(ii), 14a-6(i)(1), 14a-6(j)(2).
/ /  $500  per each  party to  the controversy  pursuant to  Exchange Act Rule
     14a-6(i)(3).
/ /  Fee  computed  on  table  below   per  Exchange  Act  Rules   14a-6(i)(4)
     and 0-11.
     1) Title of each class of securities to which transaction applies:
        ----------------------------------------------------------------------
     2) Aggregate number of securities to which transaction applies:
        ----------------------------------------------------------------------
     3) Per unit price or other underlying value of transaction computed
        pursuant to Exchange Act Rule 0-11:
        ----------------------------------------------------------------------
     4) Proposed maximum aggregate value of transaction:
        ----------------------------------------------------------------------

     / / Set  forth the amount on which the  filing fee is calculated and state
        how it was determined.

/X/  Check box if any part  of the fee is offset  as provided by Exchange  Act
     Rule  0-11(a)(2) and identify the filing for which the offsetting fee was
     paid previously. Identify the  previous filing by registration  statement
     number, or the Form or Schedule and the date of its filing.

     1) Amount Previously Paid:
        $125
        ----------------------------------------------------------------------
     2) Form, Schedule, or Registration Statement No.:
        Schedule 14A
        ----------------------------------------------------------------------
     3) Date Filed:
        February 23, 1995
        ----------------------------------------------------------------------

    
<PAGE>
                         STANDARD BRANDS PAINT COMPANY
                             4300 WEST 190TH STREET
                           TORRANCE, CALIFORNIA 90509

   
                                                                  April 25, 1995
    

Dear Stockholder:

   
    You  are cordially invited to attend  a Special Meeting of Stockholders (the
"Meeting") of Standard Brands  Paint Company (the "Company")  to be held on  May
16, 1995 at 10:00 a.m. at the offices of the Company.
    

    At  the Meeting,  stockholders will  be asked  to consider  and vote  upon a
proposal  to   approve   a  financial   restructuring   of  the   Company   (the
"Restructuring") pursuant to an Investment Agreement entered into by the Company
as of February 15, 1995. The principal elements of the Restructuring are:

         A.  Amendment to the Company's Restated Certificate of Incorporation to
    increase the  amount of  authorized capital  stock of  the Company,  and  to
    effect  a 1-for-10 reverse  stock split ("Reverse  Stock Split") pursuant to
    which each  stockholder will  hold  one share  of the  Company's  post-split
    shares for every ten shares presently held;

   
         B.  Sale to Corimon Corporation, a United States subsidiary of Corimon,
    S.A.C.A., a  Venezuelan multinational  retailer and  producer of  paint  and
    related products (collectively, "CRM"), of 15,700,496 newly issued shares of
    the   Company's  common  stock  ("Common   Stock"),  which  will  constitute
    approximately 76.1%  of  the Company's  outstanding  common stock,  for  $14
    million (such issuance is priced at $0.89 per share post-Reverse Stock Split
    or  $0.089 per share pre-Reverse Stock Split, and the $14 million to be paid
    by CRM was previously advanced in the form of an interim loan);
    

         C. Exchange of $16 million of the Company's outstanding debt (including
    approximately $2 million of  debt held by CRM)  into 2,242,928 newly  issued
    shares  of Common Stock (at the same price per share as the CRM shares under
    B above)  and 1,570,049  newly issued  shares of  8% cumulative  convertible
    redeemable  preferred stock  of the  Company ("Preferred  Stock") (priced at
    $8.92 per share of the Preferred Stock and including a conversion price  for
    the Common Stock of $1.11 per share);

   
         D.  Transfer of 15 of the Company's  real estate properties to the real
    estate liquidating trust established on July 12, 1994 ("Liquidating Property
    Trust"), in which the Company currently has a residual interest; release  of
    related  long-term debt; and sale of  the Company's residual interest in the
    Liquidating Property Trust to CRM and to FCI, KRI and the Insurance  Company
    Lenders  (as defined in  the Proxy Statement), for  an additional $2 million
    payable  by  CRM  and  in  consideration  of  their  participation  in   the
    Restructuring; in the aggregate as a result of the Restructuring, properties
    or  property  interests  having a  book  value  as of  January  29,  1995 of
    approximately $84 million  will be  disposed of and  consolidated long  term
    debt  of  approximately  $67  million  will  be  released.  The transactions
    described in this clause  D, as more fully  described elsewhere herein,  are
    herein sometimes called the "Property Transfers".
    

    The  Company's Board  of Directors  has carefully  considered the  terms and
conditions of the proposed Restructuring and believes that the Restructuring  is
in  the best interests  of and is fair  to all stockholders  of the Company. The
Argosy  Group  L.P.  was  engaged  by   the  Company  in  connection  with   the
Restructuring,  and has rendered its written opinion dated February 15, 1995, to
the Company's Board of  Directors, that, based upon  and subject to the  matters
stated  therein, as of the date of such opinion, the Restructuring is fair, from
a financial point of view, to the public stockholders of the Company. The  Board
of  Directors unanimously recommends  a vote FOR  the Restructuring. Pursuant to
the Investment  Agreement,  FCI, KRI  and  the Insurance  Company  Lenders,  who
collectively  hold  in  excess  of  50%  of  the  Company's  Common  Stock, have
irrevocably agreed and given proxies to CRM to vote for the Restructuring.

    We urge  you  to  read  the enclosed  Proxy  Statement  and  other  material
carefully and request that you complete and return the enclosed Proxy as soon as
possible. Your vote is important regardless of the number of shares you own.

                                          Sincerely yours,

                                          Ronald I. Scharman
                                          CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER
<PAGE>
                         STANDARD BRANDS PAINT COMPANY
                             4300 WEST 190TH STREET
                           TORRANCE, CALIFORNIA 90509

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

                   NOTICE OF SPECIAL MEETING OF STOCKHOLDERS
                             ---------------------

   
                                 April 25, 1995
    

To the Stockholders of
Standard Brands Paint Company

   
    Notice  is hereby given  that a Special Meeting  of Stockholders of Standard
Brands Paint Company (the "Company") will be held at the offices of the Company,
4300 West  190th Street,  Torrance, California  on May  16, 1995  at 10:00  a.m.
solely  to consider and act upon a proposal to approve a financial restructuring
of the Company (the "Restructuring") pursuant to an Investment Agreement entered
into by the  Company as of  February 15, 1995,  as more fully  described in  the
accompanying Proxy Statement.
    

   
    Only  shareholders of record on April 20, 1995 are entitled to notice of and
to vote at the Special Meeting or any adjournments thereof.
    

    Your attention is called to the Proxy Statement and accompanying Proxy Card.
You are requested, whether  or not you  plan to attend  the Special Meeting,  to
sign,  date and promptly return the enclosed Proxy Card in the envelope provided
for which no  postage must be  affixed if mailed  in the United  States. If  you
attend  the  Special Meeting,  you may  withdraw  your proxy  and vote  your own
shares.

                                          By Order of the Board of Directors
                                          Edward A. Drury
                                          SECRETARY
<PAGE>
                               TABLE OF CONTENTS

   
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                                                               PAGE
                                                                                                             ---------
<S>                                                                                                          <C>
VOTING SECURITIES..........................................................................................          5
SECURITY OWNERSHIP OF CERTAIN BENEFICIAL OWNERS AND
 MANAGEMENT................................................................................................          6
RESTRUCTURING PROPOSAL.....................................................................................          7
  General..................................................................................................          7
  Principal Elements of Restructuring......................................................................          7
RISK FACTORS...............................................................................................          8
  Effect on Stockholders' Rights...........................................................................          8
  Certain Effects of Failure to Consummate the Restructuring...............................................          8
  Common Stock Dilution....................................................................................          9
  No Assurances as to Success in Restructuring.............................................................         10
  Change in Control of the Company.........................................................................         10
  Interests of Certain Persons.............................................................................         11
  Trading Market for Common Stock..........................................................................         11
  No Dividends.............................................................................................         12
BACKGROUND OF RESTRUCTURING................................................................................         12
  1987 Recapitalization Plan...............................................................................         12
  Chapter 11 Filing and Plan Reorganization................................................................         13
  Events after Emergence from Chapter 11...................................................................         14
  Recent Developments......................................................................................         16
REASONS FOR THE RESTRUCTURING..............................................................................         16
  Results of Operations; Reduced Cash Flow.................................................................         16
  Leveraged Debt Structure; Loan Agreement Defaults........................................................         17
  Lack of Alternative Sources of Capital...................................................................         17
  Alliance with CRM........................................................................................         18
  Participation by Principal Stockholders and Creditors....................................................         18
  Alternative to Chapter 11 Reorganization or Liquidation..................................................         18
TERMS OF RESTRUCTURING.....................................................................................         20
  Interim Financing........................................................................................         20
  Reverse Stock Split......................................................................................         20
  Exchange of Interim Notes for Common Stock...............................................................         20
  Exchange of Outstanding Indebtedness for Common Stock and Preferred Stock................................         20
  Amendment to Restated Certificate of Incorporation.......................................................         21
  Amendment to the Company's Bylaws........................................................................         21
  Board Composition........................................................................................         21
  Information Concerning Newly Appointed Directors.........................................................         22
  Modifications to the Liquidating Property Trust..........................................................         23
  Transfer of Properties to the Liquidating Property Trust.................................................         23
  Transfer and Sale of Company's Residual Interest in the Liquidating Property Trust.......................         24
  Tax Treatment of Transfer of Properties to the Liquidating Property Trust................................         25
  Sale of Working Capital Notes............................................................................         25
  Governmental Approvals...................................................................................         26
PRO FORMA FINANCIAL STATEMENTS.............................................................................         27
BOARD OF DIRECTORS RECOMMENDATION..........................................................................         30
  Fairness Opinion.........................................................................................         30
  Liquidation Analysis.....................................................................................         31
</TABLE>
    

                                       2
<PAGE>
   
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                                                               PAGE
                                                                                                             ---------
<S>                                                                                                          <C>
DESCRIPTION OF CAPITAL STOCK...............................................................................         32
  Common Stock.............................................................................................         32
  Preferred Stock..........................................................................................         32
  Dividend Rights..........................................................................................         33
  Liquidation Rights.......................................................................................         33
  Optional Call and Redemption Rights......................................................................         33
  Mandatory Redemption.....................................................................................         33
  Conversion Rights........................................................................................         33
  Voting Rights............................................................................................         33
  Registration Rights......................................................................................         34
MATERIAL TRANSACTIONS WITH RELATED PARTIES.................................................................         34
  Consulting Arrangements..................................................................................         35
  Indemnification Agreements...............................................................................         35
THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS.....................................................................................         36
  Information Concerning Existing Directors................................................................         36
  Meetings, Organizations and Remuneration.................................................................         38
  Audit Committee..........................................................................................         38
  Compensation Committee...................................................................................         38
  Compensation Committee Interlocks And Insider Participation..............................................         38
  Executive Committee......................................................................................         39
MATTERS TO BE VOTED UPON...................................................................................         39
  No Other Matters.........................................................................................         39
ACCOUNTANTS................................................................................................         39
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION.....................................................................................         39
</TABLE>
    

   
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
EXHIBITS
- ------------
<S>           <C>        <C>                                                                                       <C>
Exhibit A        --      Investment Agreement (and Amendment No. 1 to Investment Agreement)......................     A-1
Exhibit B        --      Restated Certificate of Incorporation...................................................     B-1
Exhibit C        --      Amended and Restated Bylaws.............................................................     C-1
Exhibit D        --      Certificate of Designation..............................................................     D-1
Exhibit E        --      Opinion of The Argosy Group, L.P........................................................     E-1
Exhibit F        --      Selected Financial Data, Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and
                          Results of Operations and Audited Financial Statements for the fiscal year ended
                          January 29, 1995.......................................................................     F-1
</TABLE>
    

                                       3
<PAGE>
                         STANDARD BRANDS PAINT COMPANY
                             4300 WEST 190TH STREET
                           TORRANCE, CALIFORNIA 90509

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

   
                              PROXY STATEMENT FOR
                        SPECIAL MEETING OF STOCKHOLDERS
                            TO BE HELD MAY 16, 1995
    
                             ---------------------

   
    The  accompanying proxy is  solicited by the Board  of Directors of Standard
Brands Paint  Company  (the "Company"),  to  be used  at  a Special  Meeting  of
Stockholders  to  be held  on  May 16,  1995  and any  adjournment  thereof (the
"Meeting"). Shares represented  by valid proxies  in the enclosed  form will  be
voted  as specified if executed and received  in time for the Meeting. THE PROXY
IS REVOCABLE AT ANY TIME  PRIOR TO BEING VOTED  BY DELIVERING WRITTEN NOTICE  TO
THE  SECRETARY OF  THE CORPORATION  OR BY  ATTENDING THE  MEETING AND  VOTING IN
PERSON.
    

   
    The Meeting has been called for  the sole purpose of considering and  acting
upon  a  proposal  to approve  a  financial  restructuring of  the  Company (the
"Restructuring") pursuant to an Investment  Agreement, dated as of February  15,
1995   (the  "Investment  Agreement"),  among  Corimon,  S.A.C.A.  a  Venezuelan
multinational retailer and producer of paint and related products and its wholly
owned subsidiary Corimon Corporation  (collectively, "CRM"), Fidelity Capital  &
Income   Fund  ("FCI"),  Kodak  Retirement   Income  Plan  Trust  Fund  ("KRI"),
Transamerica  Life  Insurance  and   Annuity  Company  ("TLIAC"),   Transamerica
Occidental  Life  Insurance Company  ("TOLIC"),  Sun Life  Insurance  Company of
America ("SAFI"), Anchor National Life Insurance Co. ("ANLIC"), Standard  Brands
Paint  Collateral Trust  ("Grantor Trust")  (collectively, "Investors")  and the
Company (the  Investment  Agreement is  attached  hereto  as Exhibit  A  and  is
incorporated  herein by reference).  TLIAC, TOLIC, SAFI  and ANLIC are sometimes
collectively referred  to  as the  "Insurance  Company Lenders".  The  principal
elements of the Restructuring are:
    

         A.  Amendment to the Company's Restated Certificate of Incorporation to
    increase the  amount of  authorized capital  stock of  the Company,  and  to
    effect  a 1-for-10 reverse  stock split ("Reverse  Stock Split") pursuant to
    which each  stockholder will  hold  one share  of the  Company's  post-split
    shares for every ten shares presently held;

   
         B.  Sale  to CRM  of 15,700,496  newly issued  shares of  the Company's
    common stock ("Common Stock"), which will constitute approximately 76.1%  of
    the  Company's outstanding common  stock, for $14  million (such issuance is
    priced at  $0.89 per  share post-Reverse  Stock Split  or $0.089  per  share
    pre-Reverse  Stock  Split,  and  the  $14 million  to  be  paid  by  CRM was
    previously advanced in the form of an interim loan);
    

         C. Exchange of $16 million of the Company's outstanding debt (including
    approximately $2 million of  debt held by CRM)  into 2,242,928 newly  issued
    shares  of Common Stock (at the same price per share as the CRM shares under
    B above)  and 1,570,049  newly issued  shares of  8% cumulative  convertible
    redeemable  preferred stock  of the  Company ("Preferred  Stock") (priced at
    $8.92 per share of the Preferred Stock and including a conversion price  for
    the Common Stock of $1.11 per share);

         D.  Transfer of 15 of the Company's  real estate properties to the real
    estate liquidating trust established on July 12, 1994 ("Liquidating Property
    Trust"), in which the Company currently has a residual interest; release  of
    related  long-term debt; and sale of  the Company's residual interest in the
    Liquidating Property Trust to CRM and to FCI, KRI and the Insurance  Company

                                       4
<PAGE>
   
    Lenders, for an additional $2 million payable by CRM and in consideration of
    their  participation in the  Restructuring; in the aggregate  as a result of
    the Restructuring, properties or property  interests having a book value  as
    of  January 29, 1995  of approximately $84  million will be  disposed of and
    consolidated long term debt of  approximately $67 million will be  released.
    The  transactions  described  in  this clause  D,  as  more  fully described
    elsewhere herein, are herein sometimes called the "Property Transfers".
    

   
    As part of the  Investment Agreement, the parties  have agreed that, to  the
extent   not  already  performed,  all  the  transactions  contemplated  by  the
Investment  Agreement   must   occur   substantially   contemporaneously.   Such
transactions taken together will effectuate the Restructuring, and to the extent
required  to  be  approved  by  the  stockholders  of  the  Company  (whether by
applicable law or the Company's Restated Certificate of Incorporation, bylaws or
stock exchange  listing  agreement), must  all  be  approved in  order  for  the
Restructuring to be accomplished. The Company has therefore determined to embody
the  approval of the Restructuring in a  single proposal to stockholders, as set
forth under  "Matters  to  be  Voted Upon".  The  Restructuring  is  more  fully
described herein under "Terms of Restructuring".
    

   
    This Proxy Statement, the attached Notice and the accompanying form of proxy
are  first being  mailed to stockholders  of the  Company on or  about April 25,
1995. The  Company will  bear  all costs  associated  with the  preparation  and
mailing  of this Notice of Special Meeting, Proxy Statement and form of proxy as
well as the cost of solicitation of proxies. The solicitation will be  primarily
by  mail;  however,  officers and  regular  employees  of the  Company  may also
directly solicit proxies (but not  for additional compensation) by telephone  or
telegram.   Banks,  brokerage  houses  and  other  custodians  and  nominees  or
fiduciaries will be requested  to forward proxy  solicitation material to  their
principals and to obtain authorizations for the execution of proxies and will be
reimbursed for their reasonable expenses in doing so.
    

    No   person  is  authorized   to  give  any  information   or  to  make  any
representations other than those contained in this Proxy Statement and, if given
or made, such information must not be relied upon as having been authorized. The
next regular Annual Stockholders Meeting of the Company is expected to occur  in
July 1995.

                               VOTING SECURITIES

   
    Only  stockholders of record at the close of business on April 20, 1995, are
entitled to notice of and to vote at the Meeting, each share having one vote. In
situations where a stockholder  does not check and  return a proxy, the  Company
could  use the inaction  by such a  stockholder as a  defense against a possible
legal challenge to the Restructuring by the stockholder. On the record date  the
Company  had issued and outstanding 22,429,275 shares of Common Stock, par value
$.01 per share. With respect  to the proposal to  be voted on, stockholders  may
vote  in favor of the proposal, against the proposal or may abstain from voting.
Stockholders should specify their choices on  the enclosed form of proxy. If  no
specific  instructions are given with  respect to the matters  to be acted upon,
the shares represented by  a signed proxy will  be voted FOR the  Restructuring.
Stockholders  will  not  be  entitled  to  dissenters'  rights  as  part  of the
Restructuring. Approval of the Restructuring  will require the affirmative  vote
of  a  majority  of  the  shares  of Common  Stock  of  the  Company  issued and
outstanding. Abstentions  and broker  non-votes  will not  be included  in  vote
totals,  but are expected to have no effect on the outcome of the vote. FCI, KRI
and the Insurance Company Lenders presently own, in the aggregate, in excess  of
50% of the Company's voting stock and have granted irrevocable proxies to CRM as
part  of the Restructuring to vote in favor of the Restructuring and against any
proposals that would impede or delay the Restructuring.
    

                                       5
<PAGE>
         SECURITY OWNERSHIP OF CERTAIN BENEFICIAL OWNERS AND MANAGEMENT

    The following table indicates the number  of shares of the Company's  Common
Stock  beneficially owned as  of February 15,  1995 prior to  and without giving
effect to the Restructuring, by (i) all persons known to the Company to own more
than 5% thereof, (ii) all directors of the Company, and (iii) all directors  and
officers of the Company as a group:

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                           AMOUNT AND NATURE OF       PERCENT
NAME OF BENEFICIAL OWNER                                                   BENEFICIAL OWNERSHIP   OF COMMON STOCK
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------  --------------------  -----------------
<S>                                                                        <C>                   <C>
Fidelity Capital & Income Fund (1)
  82 Devonshire Street, F7E
  Boston, Massachusetts 02109                                                     7,630,307            34.06 %
Kodak Retirement Income Plan Trust Fund (1)
  c/o Fidelity Investments
  82 Devonshire Street, F7E
  Boston, Massachusetts 02109                                                     1,433,413             6.40 %
SunAmerica, Inc. ("SAI")(2)
  1999 Avenue of the Stars, Suite 3800
  Los Angeles, CA 90067                                                           1,305,700             5.82 %
Transamerica Occidental Life
  Insurance Company (3)
  1150 S. Olive Street
  Los Angeles, CA 90015                                                           2,139,940             9.54 %
Diane L. Ackerman
  1010 Fifth Avenue
  New York, New York                                                              1,260,000             5.62 %
Fletcher L. Byrom                                                                         --            --
Richard L. Boje                                                                       10,000           *
Robert N. Dangremond                                                                  10,000           *
Deborah Hicks Midanek                                                                 10,000           *
Blandina Cardenas Ramirez                                                             10,000           *
Ronald I. Scharman (4)                                                                40,000           *
William E. Yingling III                                                               10,000           *
All directors and officers as a group (10 persons)                                    92,260           *
<FN>
- ------------------------
* Less than 1% ownership.
(1)  Fidelity  Capital &  Income Fund  is a  portfolio of  an investment company
     registered under  Section 8  of  the Investment  Company  Act of  1940,  as
     amended.   Fidelity  Management  and   Research  Company,  a  Massachusetts
     corporation and an investment advisor  registered under Section 203 of  the
     Investment  Advisors  Act  of 1940  ("FMRC")  provides  investment advisory
     services to FCI, to  certain other registered  investment companies and  to
     certain  other funds that are generally  offered to United States groups of
     investors. Kodak Retirement Income Plan Trust Fund is an account managed by
     Fidelity Managemment Trust Company, a Massachusetts corporation and a  bank
     as  defined in Section 3(a)(6)  of the Securities Exchange  Act of 1934, as
     amended ("FMTC"). FMRC and FMTC are wholly owned subsidiaries of FMR Corp.,
     a Massachusetts corporation.
(2)  SunAmerica, Inc. is an affiliate of SAFI and ANLIC.
(3)  Transamerica  Occidental  Life  Insurance   Company  is  a  subsidiary   of
     Transamerica  Insurance Corporation of California  which is a subsidiary of
     Transamerica Corporation and is an affiliate of TLIAC.
(4)  Held by  Mr. Scharman's  spouse, Naomi  Kobayashi. Mr.  Scharman  possesses
     voting power over the shares held by his spouse.
</TABLE>

                                       6
<PAGE>
   
    As  of February 15, 1995, pursuant to the terms of the Investment Agreement,
Fletcher L.  Byrom and  Blandina Cardenas  Ramirez resigned  from the  Company's
Board  of Directors, and three representatives of CRM, Roland F. Breault, Thomas
A. White and Juan Gramage, were elected to the Company's Board of Directors,  by
the  other directors. Additionally, at the closing of the Restructuring which is
anticipated to occur promptly after the Meeting, the Board of Directors will  be
increased to ten persons and two other representatives of CRM, Arthur W. Broslat
and  Charles  Codrea, are  expected  to be  elected  to the  Company's  Board of
Directors by  the other  directors.  None of  Messrs. Breault,  Gramage,  White,
Broslat  or Codrea  own any  common stock  or other  securities of  the Company.
Additional information regarding  the present and  anticipated directors of  the
Company  is included elsewhere  herein. Additionally, the  Company will hold its
regular Annual Stockholders Meeting in July 1995 at which directors for the next
year will be elected.
    

                             RESTRUCTURING PROPOSAL

GENERAL

   
    At the  Meeting, stockholders  will be  asked to  consider and  vote upon  a
proposal   to  approve   the  financial   restructuring  of   the  Company  (the
"Restructuring") pursuant to an Investment Agreement entered into by the Company
as of  February 15,  1995 ("Investment  Agreement"). A  copy of  the  Investment
Agreement  is  attached  hereto as  Exhibit  A, accompanied  by  certain related
documents also attached hereto as Exhibits. The following description should  be
read  in conjunction with, and is qualified in its entirely by, reference to the
full text of the Investment Agreement and related Exhibits. Each stockholder  is
urged  to read with care the entire  Proxy Statement, including the Exhibits. It
is contemplated that the closing date ("Closing Date") of the Restructuring will
take place promptly  after the  Meeting, subject  to satisfaction  of any  other
conditions  precedent  to  the  Closing Date.  The  Company's  audited financial
statements and management's discussion  and analysis for  the fiscal year  ended
January  29, 1995 are  attached hereto as  Exhibit F and  incorporated herein by
reference.
    

    The Board of Directors of the Company unanimously approved the Restructuring
and  recommends  that  the   stockholders  vote  "FOR"   the  approval  of   the
Restructuring.  The Argosy Group  L.P. ("Argosy") was engaged  by the Company in
connection with the Restructuring,  and has rendered  its written opinion  dated
February  15, 1995, to  the Company's Board  of Directors, that,  based upon and
subject to the  matters stated  therein, as  of the  date of  such opinion,  the
Restructuring   is  fair,  from  a  financial  point  of  view,  to  the  public
stockholders of the Company. The public stockholders include the stockholders of
the Company other than FCI, KRI and the Insurance Company Lenders. See  "REASONS
FOR THE RESTRUCTURING," "RISK FACTORS," and "BOARD OF DIRECTORS RECOMMENDATION."

PRINCIPAL ELEMENTS OF RESTRUCTURING

    The principal elements of the Restructuring are:

         A.  Amendment to the Company's Restated Certificate of Incorporation to
    increase the  amount of  authorized capital  stock of  the Company,  and  to
    effect  a 1-for-10  Reverse Stock Split  pursuant to  which each stockholder
    will hold one share of the Company's post-split shares for every ten  shares
    presently held;

   
         B.  Sale  to CRM  of 15,700,496  newly issued  shares of  the Company's
    common stock ("Common Stock"), which will constitute approximately 76.1%  of
    the  Company's outstanding common  stock, for $14  million (such issuance is
    priced at  $0.89 per  share post-Reverse  Stock Split  or $0.089  per  share
    pre-Reverse  Stock  Split,  and  the  $14 million  to  be  paid  by  CRM was
    previously advanced in the form of an interim loan);
    

         C. Exchange of $16 million of the Company's outstanding debt (including
    approximately $2 million of  debt held by CRM)  into 2,242,928 newly  issued
    shares of Common Stock (at the same

                                       7
<PAGE>
    price  per share as the CRM shares under B above) and 1,570,049 newly issued
    shares of  8%  cumulative  convertible redeemable  preferred  stock  of  the
    Company  ("Preferred Stock")  (priced at  $8.92 per  share of  the Preferred
    Stock and including  a conversion price  for the Common  Stock of $1.11  per
    share);

   
         D.  Transfer  of 15  of  the Company's  real  estate properties  to the
    Liquidating Property Trust, in  which the Company  currently has a  residual
    interest;  release  of related  long-term debt;  and  sale of  the Company's
    residual interest in the Liquidating Property  Trust to CRM and to FCI,  KRI
    and  the Insurance Company Lenders, for  an additional $2 million payable by
    CRM and in consideration of their participation in the Restructuring; in the
    aggregate as a result of the Restructuring, properties or property interests
    having a book value as of January 29, 1995 of approximately $84 million will
    be disposed of and consolidated long term debt of approximately $67  million
    will be released. The transactions described in this clause D, as more fully
    described  elsewhere  herein,  are  herein  sometimes  called  the "Property
    Transfers".
    

   
    Pursuant to the Investment Agreement, CRM loaned $14 million to the  Company
at the signing of the Investment Agreement as of February 15, 1995 (the "Interim
Financing"). The loan made as part of the Interim Financing will be exchanged at
the  Closing Date for Common Stock.  The Interim Financing permitted the Company
to have access to the funds constituting the purchase price for the Common Stock
to be issued to CRM pursuant to the Investment Agreement during the period prior
to the Meeting and Closing Date. In  addition, as of April 7, 1995, pursuant  to
an  amendment to the  Investment Agreement and an  unsecured loan agreement, CRM
loaned $2 million to the Company. On the Closing Date the loan will be exchanged
as consideration for CRM's purchase from the Company of a 49% residual  interest
in  the  Liquidating  Property Trust.  See  "TERMS OF  RESTRUCTURING  -- Interim
Financing."
    

   
    As a result of the Restructuring,  the Company's financial position will  be
improved  by (1)  $16 million  of new  capital comprised  of $14  million of new
Common Stock and $2.0 million representing the purchase price from CRM for a 49%
residual interest in the  Liquidating Property Trust, (2)  $5.0 million under  a
working  capital facility with  FCI or an  affiliate and (3)  a reduction in the
Company's consolidated  indebtedness  by  an aggregate  of  approximately  $78.3
million  (in part paid for by the  issuance of additional shares of Common Stock
and  the  Preferred  Stock).  See  "PRO  FORMA  FINANCIAL  STATEMENTS."  Current
stockholders  (other  than parties  to  the Restructuring)  will  be immediately
diluted by the new issuances of Common Stock from their current 44% shareholding
to approximately 5% of the outstanding Common Stock, and upon conversion of  the
Preferred Stock into Common Stock, would be further diluted to approximately 3%.
See "RISK FACTORS -- Common Stock Dilution."
    

                                  RISK FACTORS

EFFECT ON STOCKHOLDERS' RIGHTS

    Upon  completion  of the  Restructuring,  the existing  stockholders  of the
Company other  than  FCI,  KRI  and  the  Insurance  Company  Lenders  will  own
approximately  3%  of the  outstanding  Common Stock  on  a fully  diluted basis
(including conversion of the Preferred  Stock). Approximately 53% of the  Common
Stock on a fully diluted basis will be held by CRM. Another approximately 43% of
the  Common Stock on  a fully diluted  basis will be  owned by FCI,  KRI and the
Insurance Company  Lenders.  CRM will  have  the power  to  elect seven  of  the
Company's  ten  directors, control  the affairs  of the  Company and  direct all
fundamental corporate  transactions.  The  Insurance  Company  Lenders  will  be
entitled  to appoint one director, but have  not exercised this right as part of
the Restructuring. Stockholders  will not  be entitled to  dissenters rights  as
part  of  the Restructuring.  See  "RISK FACTORS  --  Change in  Control  of the
Company."

   
CERTAIN EFFECTS OF FAILURE TO CONSUMMATE THE RESTRUCTURING
    

    Prior to February 15, 1995, the  Company was not in compliance with  various
provisions of its loan agreements and leases with the Insurance Company Lenders,
the Grantor Trust and the Liquidating

                                       8
<PAGE>
Property  Trust.  Because of  such  non-compliance, the  Company  faced possible
default and acceleration of  the amounts due or  the exercise of other  remedies
under such agreements. The Company was also over-advanced by approximately $1.75
million,  as  of February  15,  1995, under  its  working capital  facility with
Foothill Capital Corporation ("Foothill")  based on a  formula of inventory  and
accounts  receivable, and faces possible termination of, and acceleration of the
amounts due under, such facility. Unavailability under the Foothill facility and
poor liquidity have resulted in the delay of inventory shipments from  suppliers
who  are unwilling to extend credit  to the Company. Diminished inventory levels
coupled with  poor  fill rates  have  negatively impacted  the  Company's  sales
revenue,  thus making it  difficult to meet working  capital needs, satisfy debt
service requirements and maintain the Company's operations.

   
    While the foregoing defaults and non-compliance were waived or brought  into
compliance  as part of the Restructuring, if for any reason the Restructuring is
not consummated, then  the Interim  Financing and  the unsecured  loan from  CRM
would  immediately become due and  payable and all or  a substantial part of the
other indebtedness of the Company could be accelerated.
    

   
    Unless the Restructuring is consummated, the Company is likely to be  forced
to  reorganize  under  Chapter  11  of the  United  States  Bankruptcy  Code, or
liquidate under Chapter 7 of the United States Bankruptcy Code. Creditors of the
Company (including FCI, KRI, the Insurance Company Lenders or Foothill) may also
force the  Company into  bankruptcy. In  the  event of  bankruptcy, all  of  the
outstanding   indebtedness  under  the  Company's   loan  agreements  and  other
indebtedness, which aggregated in  excess of $100 million  at January 29,  1995,
and  $16 million of additional indebtedness to CRM incurred as Interim Financing
and an unsecured loan pending the Restructuring, see "TERMS OF RESTRUCTURING  --
Interim  Financing," would rank senior in right of payment to the holders of the
Company's Common Stock.  As a result,  the amount available  for payment to  the
holders  of the Common Stock  upon liquidation of the  Company would depend upon
the amount  that could  be  realized on  the assets  of  the Company  under  the
circumstances  of such liquidation. The Company believes  that in the event of a
liquidation in bankruptcy  the holders  of Common  Stock would  not receive  any
distributions  because the amount of existing prior claims substantially exceeds
the value likely to  be realized upon liquidation  of the Company's assets.  See
"REASONS  FOR THE RESTRUCTURING  -- Alternative to  Chapter 11 Reorganization or
Liquidation."
    

COMMON STOCK DILUTION
   
    Upon consummation of the Restructuring,  following the Reverse Stock  Split,
the  Company will  issue 18,392,008  shares of  Common Stock,  including 448,584
shares of Common Stock  to be issued to  the Company's investment advisors,  and
1,570,049  shares  of  Preferred  Stock.  On  a  fully-diluted  basis, including
conversion of the Preferred  Stock into Common Stock,  the number of shares  and
percentage  ownership of Common Stock prior to and after the consummation of the
Restructuring, based on information as to pre-Restructuring ownership of  Common
Stock as of February 15, 1995, would be as follows:
    

                           OWNERSHIP OF CAPITAL STOCK

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                 PRIOR TO RESTRUCTURING                            AFTER RESTRUCTURING
                 ----------------------  -----------------------------------------------------------------------
                  NUMBER OF                                           NEWLY ISSUED
                   COMMON                   NUMBER OF                   PREFERRED                       FULLY
    HOLDERS        SHARES         %       COMMON SHARES       %          SHARES       FULLY DILUTED   DILUTED %
- ---------------  -----------  ---------  ---------------  ---------  ---------------  -------------  -----------
<S>              <C>          <C>        <C>              <C>        <C>              <C>            <C>
CRM                        0      *          15,972,332        77.4       190,288        17,494,636       52.70
FCI                7,630,307      34.06       1,979,626         9.6       851,616         8,792,554       26.49
KRI                1,433,413       6.40         372,148         1.8       160,165         1,653,468        4.98
SAFI               1,305,700       5.82         261,992         1.3        91,995           997,952        3.00
TOLIC              2,139,940       9.54         345,416         1.7        91,995         1,081,376        3.26
TLIAC                      0      *             131,422         0.6        91,995           867,382        2.61
ANLIC                      0      *             131,422         0.6        91,995           867,382        2.61
Management            92,260      *               9,226       *                 0             9,226       *
<FN>
- ------------------------
* Less than 1% ownership
</TABLE>

                                       9
<PAGE>
    As  a result of  the Restructuring, the ownership  interest of the Company's
existing stockholders will be  substantially diluted. Existing stockholders  who
are  not parties to  the Restructuring will  own approximately 3%  of the Common
Stock on a fully diluted basis.

   
NO ASSURANCES AS TO SUCCESS IN RESTRUCTURING
    
   
    The Company has not been profitable for the past five fiscal years. For  the
year  ended January 29, 1995, the  Company reported consolidated losses of $48.0
million ($15.3  million  of  which  relates  to  the  Property  Transfers).  See
"BACKGROUND  OF  RESTRUCTURING  --  Recent Developments"  and  "REASONS  FOR THE
RESTRUCTURING."
    

   
    In addition, despite  the Company's  restructuring under Chapter  11 of  the
United  States Bankruptcy Code in 1993,  the Company's capital structure remains
highly leveraged. At January 29, 1995,  prior to the Restructuring, the  Company
had  over $100  million of  long and  short-term debt,  with an  average monthly
interest expense of approximately $858,000.
    

   
    The Restructuring is  designed to provide  new capital for  the Company  and
substantially  reduce  its outstanding  indebtedness. However,  additional lease
payments will  in part  offset reductions  in interest  payments. Following  the
Restructuring,  the Company will  be under new management  appointed by CRM. The
Company will not, however, be consolidated or merged with CRM, but will remain a
separate company. CRM intends to propose from time to time, and such  management
intends  to  implement,  various  strategic changes  to  the  operations  of the
Company. Such changes will  include increasing inventory  levels in the  stores,
refocusing  sale  strategies  and  increasing  advertising  and  other marketing
efforts. Any such operational changes will be proposed by CRM and implemented by
the Company  with  the intention  of  returning the  Company  to  profitability.
However,  there can be no assurances that  the Company will be successful in the
Restructuring or with any such  operational changes or that  it will be able  to
improve  its  sales or  reduce  its operating  expenses  in order  to  return to
profitability.
    

   
    Previously, the Company has not  been successful in its prior  restructuring
efforts. The three principal restructuring efforts were (i) the recapitalization
in  1987,  (ii)  the bankruptcy  in  1993  and (iii)  the  establishment  of the
Liquidating Property  Trust  in 1994.  See  "BACKGROUND OF  RESTRUCTURING."  The
Restructuring  is different from these three prior restructuring efforts in that
it involves a substantial equity investment by CRM, a multinational retailer and
producer of paint and related products.
    

   
    The inability of  the Company to  successfully effectuate the  Restructuring
and  any failure to effect substantial positive changes in the operations of the
Company  could  have  a  material  adverse   effect  on  the  Company  and   its
stockholders.
    

CHANGE IN CONTROL OF THE COMPANY

   
    The  consummation of the Restructuring will result in a change in control of
the Company. Immediately upon  consummation of the  Restructuring, CRM will  own
beneficially approximately 77% of the outstanding shares of the Company's Common
Stock,  and pursuant to  a stockholders' agreement between  CRM and the Company,
will have the power to designate seven of the ten directors of the Company.  CRM
will  have  the power  to  control the  affairs of  the  Company and  direct all
fundamental corporate transactions. The Company has been informed by CRM that it
has  no  current  intentions  with  respect  to  effecting  any  such  corporate
transactions  or any  other material transactions  with respect  to the Company.
However, there can be no assurances such transactions may not be effected in the
future. CRM,  FCI, KRI  and  the Insurance  Company  Lenders have  informed  the
Company  that they  are purchasing or  acquiring the Common  Stock and Preferred
Stock for investment, but that the disposition of such shares shall at all times
be within their control. In this regard, they have certain registration  rights.
See "SECURITY OWNERSHIP OF CERTAIN BENEFICIAL OWNERS AND MANAGEMENT", and "TERMS
OF RESTRUCTURING" and "DESCRIPTION OF COMMON STOCK -- Registration Rights."
    

                                       10
<PAGE>
INTERESTS OF CERTAIN PERSONS

   
    During  1994,  the Company  engaged  Libra Investments,  Inc.  ("Libra") and
Pinnacle Partners,  Inc.  ("Pinnacle")  to  act as  its  financial  advisors  in
connection  with the Company's search for  and negotiations with potential third
parties interested in  an investment,  purchase or  other financing  transaction
with  the Company. Michael Adams Zurawin is a principal of Pinnacle, and was for
a period of  time expected to  participate as  an investor in  the Company.  Mr.
Zurawin  is also a  principal of Adams Brush  Mfg. Co., Inc.,  a supplier of the
Company. Each of Pinnacle and Libra are to receive $750,000 for their  services.
Libra  has agreed to receive $350,000 of their compensation payable in cash over
time and $400,000 payable in 448,584 shares of Common Stock valued at $0.89  per
share (post Reverse Stock Split value).
    

    As  a result  of the  relationships with  the Restructuring  and the Company
described above, Libra and  Pinnacle may be  deemed to have  an interest in  the
Restructuring  and  the Company.  The Company  has  been and  is aware  of these
potential conflicts  of interest  and considered  these in  connection with  its
approval  of  the Restructuring.  The Board  of  Directors designated  a special
committee of independent directors for purposes of consideration and negotiation
of a transaction with CRM, FCI, KRI and the Insurance Company Lenders, and  that
committee  engaged Argosy as its independent  financial advisors for purposes of
consideration of  the  transaction.  Argosy  has issued  its  opinion  that  the
transaction  is fair to the public stockholders  of the Company from a financial
point of view. See "BOARD OF DIRECTORS RECOMMENDATION -- Fairness Opinion."

   
    Prior to the  Interim Financing, FCI  purchased from CRM  516,129 shares  of
Corimon  Corporation Series A  Exchangeable Preferred Stock  at $15.50 per share
and $9,939,175 principal amount of Corimon Corporation Put Notes due 2000 for an
aggregate purchase  price of  $17,939,175.  FCI currently  holds 34.06%  of  the
Company's  outstanding Common Stock.  Pursuant to the  Investment Agreement, CRM
purchased approximately $2 million of debt securities held by the Grantor  Trust
(as  described herein). The Grantor Trust  distributed the remaining $10 million
of debt held by the Grantor Trust to FCI and KRI. See "TERMS OF RESTRUCTURING --
Interim Financing."
    

TRADING MARKET FOR COMMON STOCK

    While the Company  intends to  maintain its listing  on the  New York  Stock
Exchange,  as a result of  the Reverse Stock Split  and the significant dilution
faced by the existing holders of Common Stock, there can be no assurance that an
active trading  market  for the  Common  Stock will  continue.  Accordingly,  no
assurances  can be  given that  a holder of  Common Stock  will be  able to sell
Common Stock in the future  or as to the price  at which the Common Stock  might
trade.   The  number  of   stockholders  before  the   Reverse  Stock  Split  is
approximately 2,830. After the Reverse  Stock Split, the number of  stockholders
is not expected to be significantly reduced.

                                       11
<PAGE>
    The  following table shows the high and  low sale prices of the Common Stock
for the periods  indicated as reported  on the NYSE  Composite Tape during  each
period.

   
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                                                    HIGH        LOW
                                                                                                  ---------  ---------
<S>                                                                                               <C>        <C>
Fiscal Year Ending January 28, 1996
  First Quarter (through April 13, 1995)........................................................  $     7/8  $   15/64
Fiscal Year Ended January 29, 1995
  First Quarter.................................................................................  $   2 3/8  $   1 3/4
  Second Quarter................................................................................          2      1 3/8
  Third Quarter.................................................................................      1 5/8          1
  Fourth Quarter................................................................................          1      13/64

Fiscal Year Ended January 30, 1994
  First Quarter.................................................................................  $   2 7/8  $   1 1/2
  Second Quarter................................................................................      4 7/8          2
  Third Quarter.................................................................................      3 5/8          2
  Fourth Quarter................................................................................      2 1/4      1 3/4

Fiscal Year Ended January 31, 1993
  First Quarter.................................................................................  $   2 3/8  $   1 1/2
  Second Quarter................................................................................      1 3/4        7/8
  Third Quarter.................................................................................      1 1/4          1
  Fourth Quarter................................................................................      1 7/8          1
</TABLE>
    

    The  Company announced the  Restructuring on February  17, 1995, although it
had previously  announced  that it  was  holding discussions,  and  had  reached
certain agreements in principle, with CRM regarding a possible restructuring. On
February  16,  1995, the  closing sale  price of  the Common  Stock on  the NYSE
Composite Tape was $ 3/4, and such price on February 9, 1995 (one week  earlier)
was $ 5/16.

NO DIVIDENDS

    The  Company  has  not paid  any  dividends  since October  1987.  After the
Restructuring, the Company will be prohibited from paying dividends by the terms
of the Preferred  Stock, unless  all accrued  dividends on  the Preferred  Stock
shall  have  been  paid and  the  full  dividend thereon  for  the  then current
quarter-yearly dividend period shall  have been paid or  declared and set  apart
for payment. Covenants in certain of the Company's loan agreements also prohibit
the  payment of dividends. Accordingly, the  Company does not anticipate that it
will pay any dividends on the Common Stock in the foreseeable future.

                          BACKGROUND OF RESTRUCTURING

1987 RECAPITALIZATION PLAN

    In 1987, the Company  implemented a recapitalization  pursuant to which  the
Company  repurchased 55% of the then  outstanding shares of the Company's Common
Stock ("1987  Recapitalization").  The  1987 Recapitalization  was  financed  by
approximately  $190 million  of new  debt and the  issuance of  $16.3 million of
Series B Preferred Stock.  The indebtedness incurred consisted  of (i) a  $132.5
million  loan  secured  by  substantially  all  of  the  Company's  real  estate
("Insurance Company Loan  Agreement") from the  Insurance Company Lenders,  (ii)
bank  ("Bank") financing for a $45 million  revolving line of credit and (iii) a
$15 million  loan  to the  Company's  Leveraged Employee  Stock  Ownership  Plan
("LESOP").

    The   Company  implemented  a   business  plan  concurrent   with  the  1987
Recapitalization  emphasizing  various  strategic   changes  to  the   Company's
operations.  During the 1988  and 1989 fiscal  years, however, extrinsic factors
dramatically  reduced   the  Company's   profitability.  Declines   in   housing

                                       12
<PAGE>
starts,  a  consumer  spending slowdown  in  several of  the  Company's markets,
defense  budget  reductions  and   increased  competition  from   warehouse-type
distributors  and large  home centers in  already saturated  markets resulted in
reduced sales and caused the Company to  reduce prices leading to an erosion  of
the Company's retail gross profit margins.

    As  the Company  continued to experience  reduced sales  and a deteriorating
financial condition, its  gross profit  margin continued  to erode  due to  poor
economic  conditions along  with promotional  pricing and  the need  for special
order merchandise  (dictated  by  tightening  liquidity).  The  Company  made  a
strategic  decision to refocus the marketing  and the merchandising strategy for
its retail stores  and return  to its  historical role  as a  retail center  for
paint.  In spite of  its efforts, high  levels of debt  service caused operating
losses of $10 million for the fiscal year ended January 27, 1991.

    In the first quarter  of fiscal 1991, the  Company's bank credit  facilities
were cancelled, resulting in a $5 million decrease in available working capital.
The  Company's trade  creditors, in  response, modified  their terms, restricted
credit, or limited  or withheld  merchandise shipments. As  a result,  inventory
levels  became  insufficient  to  sustain normal  operations.  In  addition, the
Company lacked liquid resources for debt service due to operational problems and
the depressed  economic  conditions.  In  May  1991,  unable  to  refinance  the
obligations  owed under the  bank facility, the  Company defaulted under certain
financial covenants with the Insurance Company Lenders. The Company restructured
its debt in the latter part of  May 1991 by amending the Insurance Company  Loan
Agreement   to  include  a  pledge  of  $1.2  million  in  value  of  previously
unencumbered and undeveloped real estate, and a preferred stock exchange of $7.9
million of  Series D  Preferred Stock  and $8.3  million of  Series E  Preferred
Stock.  The Bank  received additional  collateral in  the form  of the Company's
LESOP note  receivable  for the  LESOP  loan. Following  this  restructure,  the
Company  sought but was unable to obtain additional capital. For the fiscal year
ended January 26, 1992, the  Company reported a net loss  of $18 million and  an
operating loss of $26.7 million.

CHAPTER 11 FILING AND PLAN REORGANIZATION

   
    Unable  to  resolve its  financial problems,  the Company,  and four  of its
direct  and  indirect  wholly-owned   subsidiaries,  filed  separate   voluntary
petitions  under  Chapter 11  of the  United States  Bankruptcy Code,  11 U.S.C.
Section101 et seq., on  February 11, 1992, for  the purpose of implementing  the
operational  and financial restructuring of their  businesses. On March 3, 1993,
the Company, along with the other filed subsidiaries, filed their Fourth Amended
Joint Plan of  Reorganization (the  "Reorganization Plan")  with the  bankruptcy
court.  The Reorganization Plan was confirmed by the bankruptcy court on May 13,
1993 and became effective on June 14, 1993.
    

    The Reorganization Plan resulted in a recapitalization of the Company and  a
change  in  management  as  follows:  (i)  approximately  $29.6  million  of the
outstanding debt owed to FCI and KRI  as successor in interest to the Bank,  was
converted  into  approximately 50.5%  of  the Company's  issued  and outstanding
Common Stock  as of  the effective  date of  the Reorganization  Plan, (ii)  the
Insurance  Company Loan was amended ("Amended Insurance Company Loan") to extend
the maturity  date (on  a  principal amount  outstanding of  approximately  $117
million) and reduce the interest rate, (iii) unsecured priority claims were paid
in  cash in  full, (iv) $22  million of  unsecured claims were  paid through the
distribution of $8.9 million cash plus proceeds of up to $4.2 million from sales
of eight of  the Company's Colorado  real estate properties,  (v) the  Company's
existing  outstanding Series  D Preferred  Stock and  Series E  Preferred Stock,
including accrued but unpaid dividends (which was held by the Insurance  Company
Lenders)  was exchanged  for 24.5% of  the issued and  outstanding Common Stock,
(vi) all of the Common Stock held  by the Company's LESOP and its Payroll  Stock
Ownership  Plan ("PAYSOP") was distributed to plan participants, and (vii) a new
board of directors and senior management  team was elected. Existing holders  of
Common  Stock  retained  their  equity  interests,  with  the  exception  of all
interests arising under the Company's Rights Agreement, which was  extinguished.
Consequently,  prior holders of  the Company's Common  Stock including the LESOP
and PAYSOP  distributees,  collectively  retained  approximately  25.0%  of  the
Company's  total issued and outstanding  shares as of the  effective date of the
Reorganization Plan.

                                       13
<PAGE>
    The Reorganization Plan was  financed, in part, by  FCI and KRI through  the
purchase  of  a  $20 million  principal  amount secured  note  ("FCI/KRI Secured
Notes") from the Grantor Trust. The  FCI/KRI Secured Notes were secured  through
the  Grantor Trust  by the capital  stock of:  (i) a holding  company owning the
capital stock of The Art Store, (ii) a holding company owning the capital  stock
of  Zynolyte Products Company  ("Zynolyte"), and (iii)  a holding company owning
two real estate properties,  all of which capital  stock was transferred by  the
Company  to the Grantor Trust in consideration for the loan by the Grantor Trust
of all  of  the  proceeds  of  the  FCI/KRI  Secured  Notes  issuance  with  the
contemplation  that the capital  stock would be sold  to unrelated third parties
and the  proceeds from  such sales  used to  reduce the  indebtedness under  the
FCI/KRI Secured Notes. The Company retained 100% of the residual interest in the
assets  of the  Grantor Trust.  However, some of  the assets  were encumbered by
mortgages relating to debt owed to  the Insurance Company Lenders and  therefore
the  Company's interest was effectively subordinated to such debt. Subsequently,
the capital stock of Zynolyte was  sold for approximately $14.8 million to  Grow
Group,  Inc., over 25%  of whose capital stock  is owned by  CRM, and in October
1993 one  of the  parcels of  real estate  was sold  to an  unrelated party  for
approximately  $1.4 million. The net proceeds  of both transactions were used to
reduce  the  principal   outstanding  under   the  FCI/KRI   Secured  Notes   to
approximately  $4.5 million. In addition, the  Company guaranteed certain of the
FCI/KRI Secured Notes, which guaranty  was subsequently reduced to $2.5  million
by February 15, 1995 (the "Grantor Trust Guarantee").

EVENTS AFTER EMERGENCE FROM CHAPTER 11

    The  Company's  capital  structure  remained  highly  leveraged  despite its
recapitalization and restructuring. On June 14, 1993, the effective date of  the
reorganization,  the Company repaid  $2.2 million previously  borrowed under its
Debtor-in-Possession ("DIP") line of credit  with Foothill, and through  January
30,  1994 borrowed  approximately $6.6 million  (net) available  under a revised
Loan and Security Agreement  dated June 14, 1993  with Foothill. At January  30,
1994,  the  Company had  no additional  availability  under its  working capital
facility with Foothill. The credit agreement provided for a one year renewal  on
June 14, 1994. On April 14, 1994, the credit agreement was amended to extend the
line  of credit for three additional years  through April 14, 1997. On March 16,
1994, the Amended  Insurance Company Loan  was amended to  provide, among  other
things,  a waiver  of compliance  with all  financial covenants  until April 30,
1995.

    During the third and  fourth quarters of the  fiscal year ended January  30,
1994,  the Company borrowed an additional  $6.0 million for working capital from
the Grantor Trust. The Grantor Trust financed  the loan by issuing notes to  FCI
and  KRI (the "Grantor Trust  Notes") in an aggregate  amount of $6.0 million on
terms substantially identical to  the FCI/KRI Secured  Notes. During the  fourth
quarter  of  fiscal  1993,  the  Insurance Company  Lenders  agreed  to  defer a
mandatory $1.0 million prepayment due  under the Amended Insurance Company  Loan
for a period of six months.

    Notwithstanding   the  additional  borrowings,   the  Company  continued  to
experience cash flow difficulties due to continued operating losses and the lack
of sufficient borrowing availability under  its credit agreement with  Foothill.
Lower sales resulted from general economic conditions and increased competition.
In  addition,  the Company's  business plan  was adjusted  during the  third and
fourth quarters of  fiscal 1993  to close an  additional 34  retail stores.  The
ability  to fund  the expected costs  resulting from those  changes, including a
reduction in  sales relating  to these  stores, had  been premised  on  expected
increased  sales  to third  parties by  the Company's  manufacturing subsidiary,
Major Paint  Company.  The expected  sales  did not  materialize.  With  working
capital levels deteriorating, the Company's major vendors became concerned about
receiving  payment on past due accounts.  Some vendors ceased shipping or placed
additional credit limits  on the Company's  orders, with the  result that  store
inventories of items other than paint were becoming increasingly depleted at the
Company's retail stores.

                                       14
<PAGE>
    On  March  16,  1994,  the  Company entered  into  an  agreement  ("New Loan
Agreement") with the  Insurance Company Lenders  and the Grantor  Trust for  $10
million  of new financing and  a plan to restructure  the Company's $103 million
indebtedness under  the  Amended  Insurance  Company Loan  and  its  $6  million
indebtedness to the Grantor Trust.

    Under the terms of the New Loan Agreement, the Company borrowed an aggregate
of $10 million from the Insurance Company Lenders and the Grantor Trust. The New
Loan  provides for monthly interest at a rate of 10% per annum. Principal on the
loan is due in full in March 1999. The indebtedness is secured by a second  lien
on substantially all of the Company's real property. The loan proceeds were used
to  pay existing  trade debt,  provide working  capital and  pay for transaction
expenses. FCI  and KRI  through  the Grantor  Trust  agreed to  restructure  the
Grantor  Trust Notes to  a term of  six years (due  in full in  March 2000) with
interest payable  quarterly  at  a rate  of  10%  per annum.  As  part  of  this
financing, Foothill agreed to extend its facility through April, 1997.

    In  accordance with the terms of the  New Loan Agreement, on August 1, 1994,
the Company and certain of its subsidiaries established the Liquidating Property
Trust and transferred (subject  to the existing liens  of the Insurance  Company
Lenders)  78 of its 103  operating and non-operating real  properties with a net
book value of approximately $82.7 million  to the Liquidating Property Trust  in
exchange  for the assumption by the  Liquidating Property Trust of approximately
$68.7 million of indebtedness  owed to the Insurance  Company Lenders under  the
Amended  Insurance Company Loan  ("Original Trust Debt").  The Company estimated
that the book value  of the properties  to be sold  by the Liquidating  Property
Trust  would exceed the sales proceeds,  less applicable fees expenses and other
costs by approximately $14.6 million. Accordingly, the Company provided for this
loss as of January 30,  1994. The interest rate on  the Original Trust Debt  was
increased  to 10%. Interest  and principal on  the Original Trust  Debt was made
payable only to the  extent of proceeds from  sales of the Liquidating  Property
Trust  assets. The  Company provided a  limited guarantee on  the Original Trust
Debt in an  amount equal to  10% of  the Original Trust  Debt (the  "Liquidating
Property Trust Guarantee").

    The  Company retained a  100% residual interest  in the Liquidating Property
Trust, and the Insurance Company Lenders were to be paid contingent interest  on
the  Original  Trust Debt  in an  amount equal  to  20% of  the proceeds  of the
liquidation of the properties  in excess of the  liabilities of the  Liquidating
Property  Trust. Under the terms of the Liquidating Property Trust documents, to
the extent the Company received  distributions for its residuary interest  those
proceeds  were to  be used  first to retire  the approximately  $30.5 million of
indebtedness remaining from the Amended  Insurance Company Loan retained by  the
Company ("Retained Indebtedness") and then to retire the $10 million outstanding
under the New Loan Agreement.

    The terms of the Retained Indebtedness were amended to provide for principal
to  be due and owing in  July, 1999. Interest continued to  be due monthly at an
annual rate of 9% per annum.  The Retained Indebtedness continued to be  secured
by  first  liens  on real  properties  of  the Company  not  transferred  to the
Liquidating Property Trust.

    In connection with the Liquidating  Property Trust transaction, the  Company
issued  to the Insurance  Company Lenders, FCI  and KRI warrants  to purchase an
aggregate of 375,000 shares of the  Company's Common Stock at an exercise  price
of $1.50 per share. Warrants to purchase up to an additional 375,000 shares will
become effective after September 16, 1996 reduced to the extent principal on the
New  Loan  Agreement has  been repaid.  The  warrants have  certain registration
rights with respect to their underlying  shares. The warrants are redeemable  by
the  Company, at any time,  for a price equal  to $1 per share  in excess of the
Market Price (as defined in the warrants).

    As of February 15, 1995, the Company  operated 58 paint stores, 27 of  which
are  among  the  78 parcels  of  real  property transferred  to  the Liquidating
Property Trust. Under the terms of  the Liquidating Property Trust, the  Company
was  to  be given  a minimum  of four  months notice  prior to  the sale  of any
currently operating  retail paint  store. Until  sold, 13  of the  27  operating
retail  stores properties were being leased back to the Company through July 31,
1995 at an aggregate monthly rent

                                       15
<PAGE>
of approximately $178,500  (on a triple  net basis). After  July 31, 1995,  such
properties  which remained unsold were to be leased to the Company on a month to
month basis at a fair market rent as agreed to between the Disposition Agent and
the Company. Upon the  sale of the 27  currently operating retail paint  stores,
the  Company intended to either remain in the same location on a leased basis or
relocate to new leased  locations. The terms of  the Liquidating Property  Trust
will   be  modified  in  the  Restructuring.  See  "TERMS  OF  RESTRUCTURING  --
Modifications to the Liquidating Property Trust."

RECENT DEVELOPMENTS

   
    From July  31, 1994  to  January 29,  1995,  the Company's  working  capital
decreased  by  $22.2  million  to  a  deficit  of  $9.6  million.  The  lack  of
availability under  the Foothill  facility coupled  with diminished  cash  flows
necessitated  a slowdown in  payments to trade creditors  which, in turn, caused
many suppliers to limit or suspend inventory shipments. As a result, the Company
has been  unable to  maintain  adequate inventory  levels  and fill  rates  have
dropped   significantly.  Consequently,  comparable  store  sales  in  November,
December and  January of  fiscal  1994 decreased  $1.4  million or  14.09%,  $.9
million or 14.52%, and $2.9 million or 38.6%, respectively, compared to 1993.
    

   
    Retail  store inventories were approximately 27% below planned levels at the
end of January 1995. As inventories decreased, the Company was not able to  stay
within the availability formula under its working capital line with Foothill. As
of  February  15, 1995,  the Company  was  over-advanced by  approximately $1.75
million. Foothill approved the  over-advance of $1.75  million and consented  to
the Restructuring.
    

    As  of  February 15,  1995, approximately  $4.1 million  or 61%  of accounts
payable to trade creditors  were more than  30 days past  due. In addition,  the
Company  had  not paid  interest  of $639,000,  a portion  of  which was  due in
December, 1994 to the Grantor Trust and a portion of which was due on January 1,
1995 and February 1, 1995 to both the Insurance Company Lenders and the  Grantor
Trust. The Company had not made its rent payments of $378,000 to the Liquidating
Property  Trust which was also due on January 1, 1995 and February 1, 1995. Such
payments were made as of February 15, 1995 following the Interim Financing.

                         REASONS FOR THE RESTRUCTURING

    The following  are significant  factors that  should be  considered by  each
stockholder  in evaluating the Restructuring.  Stockholders should also consider
the  risks  associated  with  the  Restructuring.  See  "RISK  FACTORS"  for   a
description of certain of these risks.

RESULTS OF OPERATIONS; REDUCED CASH FLOW

   
    The Company has not been profitable for the past six fiscal years. Since the
Company's  emergence  from its  reorganization under  Chapter  11 of  the United
States Bankruptcy Code in June  1993, the Company has  not been able to  achieve
its  sales growth and  other strategic objectives.  Although the Company reduced
its retail paint store  operations to a  core group of  stores, the Company  has
continued  to experience reduced sales on a comparable store basis. For the year
ended January 29, 1995 the Company reported consolidated losses of $48.0 million
($15.3 million of which relates to the Property Transfers).
    

    The Company's decreasing sales have resulted in reduced cash flow. This loss
of liquidity  has,  in  turn,  caused  the Company  to  delay  payments  to  its
suppliers.  As  a result,  the Company's  relationships  with its  suppliers are
strained and the Company has been unable to obtain inventory shipments from many
suppliers. As inventories  are reduced  and not restocked,  sales decrease.  See
"BACKGROUND OF RESTRUCTURING -- Recent Developments."

    Prior  to the Interim Financing, the  Company's cash flow was not sufficient
to fund its operations and pay its current debt.

                                       16
<PAGE>
LEVERAGED DEBT STRUCTURE; LOAN AGREEMENT DEFAULTS

    Despite  the Company's reorganization under Chapter  11 of the United States
Bankruptcy  Code  in  1993,  the  Company's  capital  structure  remains  highly
leveraged. At January 29, 1995, prior to the Restructuring, the Company had over
$100  million  of long  and short-term  debt, with  an average  monthly interest
expense of approximately $858,000.

   
    Prior to February 15, 1995, the Company was not in compliance with the terms
of its  loan agreements  and  leases with  the  Insurance Company  Lenders,  the
Grantor  Trust, the Liquidating  Property Trust, and  Foothill. In addition, the
Company was over-advanced under its working capital loan facility with Foothill,
which limits  the Company's  borrowing  based on  the  amount of  inventory  and
accounts   receivable  which  secure  the   facility.  Accordingly,  absent  the
Restructuring and the forbearance of  these lenders, the Company faced  imminent
acceleration of these loans.
    

   
    The  Restructuring will substantially reduce  the Company's indebtedness. At
January 29,  1995,  the Company's  balance  sheet reflected  $103.1  million  in
outstanding short and long-term debt (not including other liabilities). Adjusted
for the Restructuring, this would be reduced to approximately $24.8 million on a
pro  forma  basis. Interest  expense will  be  substantially reduced  from $11.5
million for the year ended January 29, 1995 to $3.2 million for the same  period
on a pro forma basis. See "PRO FORMA FINANCIAL STATEMENTS."
    

LACK OF ALTERNATIVE SOURCES OF CAPITAL

   
    To  successfully  implement  its strategic  objectives,  increase  sales and
reduce debt,  the  Company requires  significant  new sources  of  capital.  The
Company's  current and anticipated  sales levels are not  sufficient to fund the
interest expense associated with the Company's current high level of fixed debt.
In addition,  the  Company requires  additional  capital to  pay  down  accounts
payable  relating to  inventory financed  by its  suppliers and  to purchase new
inventory to restock its retail stores.
    

    In early 1994, the Company determined  that a comprehensive solution to  the
Company's  highly leveraged debt structure  and liquidity problems would require
significant  new  capital.  The  Company   began  to  seek  possible   financing
alternatives and potential financing parties. The Company also sought buyers for
the Company or its Common Stock.

   
    In  June 1994,  the Company engaged  Pinnacle and Libra  to develop possible
financing alternatives for the Company and to seek potential financing partners.
The Company and  its financial  advisors conducted  a search  for third  parties
interested  in completing a financing  and/or restructuring transaction with the
Company. In July  the Company  contacted a  public company  engaged through  its
subsidiaries   in  the  manufacture  and  retail  sale  of  paint.  After  brief
discussions the  senior management  of  this company  decided  not to  pursue  a
transaction  with  the Company.  The  Company also  sought  to find  a strategic
partner who would commit to purchase large quantities of paint from Major  Paint
Company and who would make an equity investment in the Company. However, because
of  the  Company's poor  financial condition  the  companies contacted  were not
interested. In  August and  September,  1994 Libra  and Pinnacle  contacted  two
companies  to assess the possibility  of a transaction with  the Company. One of
these companies was not interested after  brief discussions. The other, a  large
foreign  paint manufacturer,  eventually provided  a letter  of interest  to the
Company, proposing a transaction to acquire 90% of the equity of the Company for
$5 million and  provide $7.5  million in  guarantees to  increase the  Company's
working capital line. Additionally, a 5% capitalization sale was proposed on the
leased stores in the Liquidating Property Trust. The Company did not immediately
reject  the  proposal,  but decided  to  determine  if other  offers  would come
forward. In November Libra and Pinnacle contacted CRM to discuss the possibility
of a transaction with the Company. About this time a foreign investor offered to
purchase newly issued shares of the Company's Common Stock and preferred  stock.
However,  shortly thereafter,  the investor  indicated it  would not  be able to
raise the necessary funds  or close the  transaction. Discussion continued  with
CRM  in November, and an initial proposal was made on November 17, 1994. At this
time the Company decided not to pursue  the earlier letter of interest from  the
large  foreign paint manufacturer because the  terms of the transaction with CRM
provided more capital to the Company and less dilution to the stockholders.
    

                                       17
<PAGE>
ALLIANCE WITH CRM

   
    CRM is a multinational retailer and producer of paint and related  products.
CRM's  shares (in the form of American  Depository Shares) are listed on the New
York Stock Exchange. Management believes that the alliance with CRM will improve
the Company's ability to  achieve its strategic  and operations objectives,  for
the  benefit of its  stockholders and creditors. However,  the operations of the
Company will be conducted independently  from those of CRM  and there can be  no
assurances as to the benefits to the Company of such alliance with CRM.
    

PARTICIPATION BY PRINCIPAL STOCKHOLDERS AND CREDITORS

    FCI,  which  holds  approximately  34.06%  of  the  Company's  Common Stock,
provided the  financing  to  CRM  to  make  the  Interim  Financing  and  it  is
contemplated  that it or an affiliate will provide $5 million of working capital
financing at the Effective Date. Also party to the Restructuring are KRI and the
Insurance Company Lenders,  which collectively  with FCI  hold over  50% of  the
Company's  Common Stock and have  granted irrevocable proxies to  CRM to vote in
favor of  the Restructuring.  These entities  are also  the Company's  principal
lenders,  holding over $100  million of the Company's  long-term debt other than
the Interim Financing.

ALTERNATIVE TO CHAPTER 11 REORGANIZATION OR LIQUIDATION

    The Company also considered the option of again seeking protection under the
reorganization provisions of Chapter 11 of the United States Bankruptcy Code. In
any bankruptcy, the  interest of stockholders  will rank below  all debt  claims
against  the Company as a  matter of law. The  Company believes that its current
cash flow and  other operational difficulties  would not permit  reorganization,
and   that  any  filing  under  the  reorganization  provisions  would  lead  to
liquidation of the Company. Substantially all of the Company's assets secure the
Company's outstanding debt  and it  is likely that  the value  of the  Company's
assets in a liquidation would be substantially less than the Company's aggregate
indebtedness,  which would  leave no  assets for  distribution to  the Company's
stockholders.

    If the closing of the Restructuring does not occur, which is unlikely  given
the  participation of the Company's principal stockholders, then the Company may
have no alterative other than to file for protection under Chapter 11 or Chapter
7 of the United States Bankruptcy Code  and proceed to liquidate its assets.  In
that  event, the Company does not anticipate  that any assets would be available
for distribution  to  stockholders  after payment  of  outstanding  secured  and
unsecured debt.

   
                 STANDARD BRANDS PAINT COMPANY AND SUBSIDIARIES
                         PRO FORMA LIQUIDATION SUMMARY
                             AS OF JANUARY 29, 1995
                                 (IN THOUSANDS)
    

   
    The  following is  an unaudited  pro forma  summary of  the Company's assets
assuming that the Company's assets would be liquidated in the context of a  U.S.
Bankruptcy  Code Chapter 7 case within a one-year liquidation period. Any assets
remaining after the liquidation period  are assumed to be auctioned  immediately
thereafter.  The validity  of the foregoing  assumptions may be  affected by the
occurrence of events and the existence of conditions not now contemplated or  by
other  factors beyond the control of the Company. Accordingly, no assurances can
be given as  to the  amount of  proceeds, if any,  that would  be realized  upon
liquidation   of  the  Company.  Due  to  the  treatment  of  the  net  residual
    

                                       18
<PAGE>
   
interest in the  Liquidating Property  Trust, as  referred to  below, the  total
assets  shown in the following table do not correspond to the total assets shown
on the Company's consolidated balance sheet at January 29, 1995.
    

   
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                                                                    ESTIMATED NET
                                                                                YEAR ENDED        ESTIMATED          REALIZABLE
                                                                               JANUARY 29,       REALIZATION            VALUE
                                                                                   1995           PERCENTAGE       IN LIQUIDATION
                                                                               ------------      ------------      ---------------
<S>                                                                            <C>               <C>               <C>
Cash......................................................................      $  1,489           100.00%(1)      $     1,489
Accounts receivable.......................................................         1,506            77.50%(1)            1,167
Inventories...............................................................        14,750            70.00%(1)           10,325
Deferred taxes............................................................         3,053             0.00%                   0
Prepaid expenses..........................................................           961            27.78%(1)              267
Property, plant and equipment, net (2)
  Major paint plant.......................................................         9,000            75.65%(3)            6,809
  9 remaining paint Stores................................................         9,229            75.65%(3)            6,982
  15 properties not yet in Liquidating Property Trust.....................        20,813            75.65%(3)           15,745
  Other equipment.........................................................           407             0.00%                   0
                                                                               ------------      ------------      ---------------
Total property, plant and equipment, net..................................        39,449                                29,536
Other assets..............................................................           442             0.00%                   0
                                                                               ------------                        ---------------
Total assets before Residual Interest in Liquidating Property Trust.......      $ 62,804                                42,784
                                                                               ------------
                                                                               ------------
Plus: Residual Interest in Liquidating Property Trust.....................                                               1,332(4)
                                                                                                                   ---------------
Estimated gross liquidation proceeds......................................                                              44,116
Less: costs associated with liquidation...................................                                               7,323(5)
                                                                                                                   ---------------
Net proceeds available to satisfy claims..................................                                         $    36,793
                                                                                                                   ---------------
                                                                                                                   ---------------
<FN>
- ------------------------
(1)  Percentage utilized in Company's Chapter 11 Liquidation Analysis in 1993.
(2)  Book  value  based  on  the  reorganization  value  of  the  Company  under
     Fresh-Start  Reporting upon its emergence  from its Chapter 11 proceedings.
     See  Consolidated  Financial  Statements,  Footnote  1  to  the  Notes   to
     Consolidated  Financial  Statements  in  Exhibit  F  attached  hereto.  New
     appraisals were  not obtained  because  of the  Company's belief  that  the
     California  real estate market had not improved sufficiently from 1992, and
     the time and expense involved in obtaining such appraisals.
(3)  Assumes a 15%  discount to this  value to reflect  the reduction of  values
     likely  to occur  following the  cessation of  operations at  the Company's
     paint stores. An additional  11% reduction to these  values was applied  to
     account  for  disposition  costs,  in  addition  to  the  disposition costs
     described in footnote (5) below.
(4)  Assumes 80% residual interest on existing trust properties, a 15%  discount
     to  appraised market  value ($72.0 million)  of trust  properties and $52.8
     million of outstanding debt  with respect to the  properties. No value  was
     attributed to the residual interest in the Grantor Trust.
(5)  Estimated  at $5  million of  net operating  costs for  the Company's paint
     stores (during  an estimated  six month  liquidation period),  3% of  gross
     proceeds   for  a  trustee  (as  estimated  in  the  Company's  Chapter  11
     proceedings) and $1 million for legal and other professional expenses.
</TABLE>
    

   
    The Company estimates, based on the foregoing, that it would have  available
approximately $36.8 million to satisfy claims. In the event of a bankruptcy, all
of  the outstanding indebtedness  under the Company's  loan agreements and other
indebtedness and  liabilities which  aggregated approximately  $90.5 million  at
January 29, 1995 (not including the $52.8 million attributable to the properties
in the Liquidating Property Trust), would rank senior in right of payment to the
holders of the Company's common stock.
    

                                       19
<PAGE>
                             TERMS OF RESTRUCTURING

    The principal elements of the Restructuring are as described below.

INTERIM FINANCING

    As  of February 15, 1995,  CRM provided interim financing  to the Company in
contemplation of the completion of the Restructuring ("Interim Financing").  CRM
entered  into  an Interim  Loan  Agreement pursuant  to  which it  purchased $14
million of notes ("Interim  Notes") from the Company  on substantially the  same
terms  as the $10 million originally borrowed  by the Company under the New Loan
Agreement. Pursuant to an intercreditor  agreement, the Interim Notes share  pro
rata in the collateral securing the obligations under the New Loan Agreement and
the  Grantor Trust Notes, and the Company has granted fourth mortgages to CRM on
its real properties to secure the indebtedness.

    As of  February  15, 1995,  CRM  purchased $1,939,175  principal  amount  of
Grantor  Trust Notes and indebtedness  under the New Loan  Agreement held by the
Grantor Trust (collectively,  the "Purchased Indebtedness").  The Grantor  Trust
paid  $1,578,351  of  indebtedness  to the  Insurance  Company  Lenders  and the
cross-collateralization of the property held by The Art Store was released.  The
Grantor  Trust contributed  a note owed  by The Art  Store to The  Art Store for
cancellation. FCI and  KRI exchanged  the FCI/KRI  Secured Notes  issued by  the
Grantor  Trust for (i)  $10,310,825 aggregate principal  amount of Grantor Trust
Notes and indebtedness under the New  Loan Agreement held by the Grantor  Trust,
(ii)  the stock of the holding company owning the capital stock of The Art Store
and a holding company owning a real estate property and (iii) the remaining cash
held by the Grantor Trust. FCI and KRI delivered the Grantor Trust Guarantee  to
the Company for cancellation. The Company believes that the value of the Grantor
Trust's  assets  was  not  greater  than  the  amount  of  the  Grantor  Trust's
liabilities to FCI and KRI.

    FCI, KRI  and the  Insurance Company  Lenders terminated  their warrants  to
purchase  Common Stock with  respect to 750,000  shares, all of  which are at an
exercise price substantially above the current market price.

    The Company believes that  it is extremely unlikely  that the Company  would
have been able to avoid bankruptcy if it had not received the Interim Financing.

   
    Subsequent  to  the  Interim  Financing, pursuant  to  an  amendment  to the
Investment Agreement and an unsecured loan agreement dated as of April 7,  1995,
CRM  loaned an additional  $2 million to  the Company on  substantially the same
terms as the Interim Financing. On the Closing Date this $2 million loan will be
exchanged as consideration for CRM's purchase from the Company of a 49% residual
interest in the Liquidating Property Trust.
    
REVERSE STOCK SPLIT

   
    On the Closing  Date of the  Restructuring, each 10  shares of Common  Stock
will be combined into one share of Common Stock (the "Reverse Stock Split"). The
par  value will not be  changed from $.01 per share.  The Company shall have the
option of paying cash  in lieu of fractional  shares resulting from the  Reverse
Stock  Split or  rounding up  fractional shares to  the nearest  whole number of
shares.
    
EXCHANGE OF INTERIM NOTES FOR COMMON STOCK

   
    On the Closing  Date, after giving  effect to the  Reverse Stock Split,  CRM
will  exchange the  Interim Notes for  15,700,496 shares of  newly issued Common
Stock which  will constitute  approximately 76.1%  of the  Company's issued  and
outstanding  stock, at a price of $0.89  per share. All of the mortgages granted
in connection with the Interim Notes will be released.
    

EXCHANGE OF OUTSTANDING INDEBTEDNESS FOR COMMON STOCK AND PREFERRED STOCK

   
    On the Closing  Date, after giving  effect to the  Reverse Stock Split,  the
Grantor Trust Notes (in the principal amount of $6 million) and the indebtedness
under  the New Loan Agreement  (in the principal amount  of $10 million) will be
exchanged for Common  Stock and  Preferred Stock. Two  million dollar  principal
amount  of such indebtedness will be exchanged for 2,242,928 newly issued shares
of Common Stock, at a price of $0.89  per share, and the balance of $14  million
principal  amount of such indebtedness will be exchanged for 1,570,049 shares of
Preferred Stock at a price of $8.92 per
    

                                       20
<PAGE>
share. All  of the  mortgages  and guarantees  granted  in connection  with  the
Grantor  Trust  Notes and  the New  Loan  Agreement will  be released.  CRM will
receive 271,836 shares of Common Stock and 190,288 shares of Preferred Stock  as
a  result of their purchase and exchange of the Purchased Indebtedness. See " --
Interim Financing."

AMENDMENT TO RESTATED CERTIFICATE OF INCORPORATION

   
    The Board of Directors of the Company has adopted a resolution setting forth
the following amendment to the Company's Restated Certificate of  Incorporation,
declaring  its advisability and calling the  special meeting of stockholders, to
which this Proxy Statement relates. Approval by the stockholders of the  Company
of  the Restructuring, specifically  set forth under "Matters  to be Voted Upon"
below, will constitute the approval by the stockholders of this amendment to the
Company's Restated Certificate of Incorporation.
    

   
    The Company's  Restated Certificate  of  Incorporation (attached  hereto  as
Exhibit  B and  incorporated herein  by reference) will  be amended  in order to
increase the total number  of shares which the  Company is authorized to  issue,
effectuate  the Reverse Stock Split and  remove the Company's current limitation
on the  issuance  of non-voting  stock.  Specifically, the  first  paragraph  of
Article  IV  of  the Company's  Restated  Certificate of  Incorporation  will be
amended such that said paragraph shall read as follows:
    

    "The Corporation is authorized to issue two classes of shares of stock to be
    designated, respectively, "Common  Stock" and "Preferred  Stock." The  total
    number  of shares which the Corporation shall have authority to issue is one
    hundred five million (105,000,000) shares, consisting of one hundred million
    (100,000,000) shares  of  common  stock  having $.01  par  value  per  share
    ("Common  Stock")  and five  million (5,000,000)  shares of  preferred stock
    having $.01 par value per share ("Preferred Stock")". Upon the amendment  of
    this  Article IV effected  by this Amendment, each  10 outstanding shares of
    Common Stock will be converted into one share of Common Stock, provided that
    no fractional shares may be issued pursuant to such change. The  Corporation
    may,  at  its option,  pay  cash for  any  fractional shares  or  round such
    fractional shares up to the nearest whole number of shares."

AMENDMENT TO THE COMPANY'S BYLAWS

    At the  consummation of  the Interim  Financing, the  Company's Bylaws  were
amended  and restated (attached  hereto as Exhibit C  and incorporated herein by
reference) to, among other things, (i) provide  for a board of directors of  not
less than eight (8) nor more than twelve (12) and to initially fix the number at
eight  (8) thereby eliminating  one of the vacancies  that previously existed on
the board of directors, and  (ii) eliminate "staggered" terms whereby  directors
were elected in different years.

BOARD COMPOSITION

    At  the consummation  of the  Interim Financing,  the Company's  Bylaws were
amended and restated to initially provide for a board of directors consisting of
eight (8) members  until further resolution  by the board  of directors.  During
1994,  Gary Depolo resigned from the board thereby creating a vacancy. The board
was reconstituted,  at  the consummation  of  the Interim  Financing,  with  the
resignation  of  Fletcher  L. Byrom,  the  former Chairman  and  Chief Executive
Officer of the Company (see  "MATERIAL TRANSACTIONS WITH RELATED PARTIES"),  and
Blandina  Cardenas-Ramirez, and with the addition  of CRM's designees, Roland F.
Breault, Juan Gramage and  Thomas A. White to  fill the vacancies.  Furthermore,
Deborah  Hicks Midanek was elected Chairman of  the Board and Ronald I. Scharman
was elected interim Chief Executive Officer of the Company.

   
    On the Closing Date, the board will fix the number of directors at ten (10).
It is expected that Arthur  W. Broslat and Charles Codrea  will be added to  the
board  on the Effective  Date. In accordance with  a stockholders agreement, CRM
will have the right to name  seven (7) directors, the Insurance Company  Lenders
will have the right to name one (1) director and the nominating committee of the
Company's  board of directors will have the  right to name two (2) directors. At
least two of the directors
    

                                       21
<PAGE>
   
will be "independent" as defined  by the rules of  the New York Stock  Exchange.
The  Insurance Company Lenders have not exercised their right to name a director
as part of the Restructuring, but may choose to do so in the future.
    

INFORMATION CONCERNING NEWLY APPOINTED DIRECTORS

    The following table sets  forth the principal  occupation or employment  and
principal  business of the employer, if any, of each newly appointed director of
the Company,  as  well  as  his  or  her  age,  business  experience  and  other
directorships.

   
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                           PRINCIPAL OCCUPATION FOR PAST FIVE YEARS;
      NAME, AGE AND PRESENT POSITION                       OTHER DIRECTORSHIPS; BUSINESS EXPERIENCE
- -------------------------------------------  ---------------------------------------------------------------------
<S>                                          <C>
Arthur W. Broslat, 50                        Arthur   W.  Broslat  is  the  Executive  Vice-President  of  CRM,  a
 Director -- After the Effective Date         Venezuelan multinational retailer and producer of paint and  related
                                              products  with  multinational  operations in  the  fields  of paint,
                                              construction materials,  food  products, chemicals,  and  packaging.
                                              Prior  to joining CRM in  1989, Mr. Broslat was  Director of Bank of
                                              America's  Latin  America  Corporate   Finance  Division  based   in
                                              Venezuela. Before joining Bank of America, Mr. Broslat was a captain
                                              in  the U.S.  Air Force and  held a variety  of financial management
                                              positions for a major U.S. computer manufacturer. He is currently  a
                                              member  of the Board of the  Venezuelan American Chamber of Commerce
                                              (VENAMCHAM) and the Board of Directors of Grow Group, Inc., a  paint
                                              and consumer products company.
Roland F. Breault, 55                        Roland  F. Breault is  the Director of  corporate planning for Dakota
 Director                                     Services, Inc., a subsidiary of CRM.  Prior to joining CRM in  1994,
                                              Mr.  Breault  was  Vice-President  and Area  Director  of  the Latin
                                              American division  of  Olin  Corporation, a  chemicals,  metals  and
                                              defense company. He joined Olin Corporation in 1983 and held several
                                              positions in operations, strategic planning and marketing.

Charles Codrea, 47                           Charles  Codrea is  the Vice  President of  Finance of  CRM. Prior to
 Director -- After the Effective Date         joining CRM in 1994, he was with Continental Bank N.A. for 13 years,
                                              during  which  time  he  held  the  positions  of  Senior   Managing
                                              Director-Partner  Venezuelan Unit  for eight years,  and Second Vice
                                              President and Manager of International Unit of Continental  Illinois
                                              Leasing Corporation for three years. Before joining Continental, Mr.
                                              Codrea  was General  Manager of  Latin American  Operations of Trans
                                              Union Leasing Corporation in  Chicago and Mexico  City from 1978  to
                                              1981.

Juan Gramage, 43                             Juan  Gramage is General Manager of the Construcentro division of CRM
 Director                                     and a consultant with Dakota Services, Inc. It is expected that  Mr.
                                              Gramage will be appointed the Chief Executive Officer of the Company
                                              following  the  Closing  Date. Prior  to  joining CRM  in  1992, Mr.
                                              Gramage  held  various  positions   with  Industrias  Plycem   S.A.,
                                              including  General Manager from  1988 to 1992. Prior  to 1982 he was
                                              employed by Copesa Industrias Sabana C.A.
</TABLE>
    

                                       22
<PAGE>

   
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                           PRINCIPAL OCCUPATION FOR PAST FIVE YEARS;
      NAME, AGE AND PRESENT POSITION                       OTHER DIRECTORSHIPS; BUSINESS EXPERIENCE
- -------------------------------------------  ---------------------------------------------------------------------
<S>                                          <C>
Thomas A. White, 52                          Thomas A. White is the Director of Manufacturing for Dakota Services,
 Director                                     Inc., and  he has  held that  position  since June  of 1994.  He  is
                                              responsible for manufacturing for the Paint Division coatings plants
                                              across  North and South America. Before joining CRM, he was employed
                                              at PPG Industries, a  chemicals and coatings  company, from 1985  to
                                              1994,  as  the  Director  of  Manufacturing  and  previously  as the
                                              Director of Quality Assurance.
</TABLE>
    

   
    In the event that any of the  directors nominated by CRM is unable to  serve
after the Effective Date, CRM will have the right to nominate another individual
to the Board of Directors of the Company.
    

MODIFICATIONS TO THE LIQUIDATING PROPERTY TRUST

   
    The Board of Directors of the Company has approved the Property Transfers to
be  effected  as  part of  the  Restructuring  on the  terms  described  in this
subsection and  the  following two  subsections  of this  Proxy  Statement,  and
determined  that  the  Property Transfers  were  in  the best  interests  of the
Company. The approval by the stockholders  of the Company of the  Restructuring,
as  set  forth  under  "MATTERS  TO BE  VOTED  UPON"  below,  will  constitute a
resolution adopted by the stockholders authorizing the Property Transfers.
    

    Under the terms of the Restructuring, the terms of the Liquidating  Property
Trust will be modified. In 1994, 78 of the Company's properties were transferred
to  the Liquidating Property Trust with a net book value of $82.7 million and an
estimated appraised value of $92 million  in exchange for the assumption by  the
Liquidating  Property  Trust of  approximately $68.7  million of  Original Trust
Debt. Twenty-two of  these properties have  been sold and  22 properties are  in
escrow  or the subject of sales  negotiation. Sixteen of the Company's operating
stores and  one of  its warehouse  properties which  are currently  part of  the
assets  of the Liquidating Property Trust will be leased to the Company ("Leased
Properties"). Eight of  the Leased  Properties and the  warehouse property  will
have 10 year leases with two renewal options of five years each. The other eight
Leased  Properties will have 18 month leases with no renewal options. The rental
on each property will  be 12% of the  properties' 1992 appraised value.  Renewal
rent  will be 95%  of market but not  less than the  prior rent. The Liquidating
Property Trust  Guarantee  of approximately  $6.8  million of  the  indebtedness
transferred  to the Liquidating Property Trust  will be released in exchange for
the retention  by the  Company of  approximately  $2.5 million  of debt  on  the
transferred properties (included in the Retained Company Debt, as defined below)
and  a cash payment of $500,000 to  the Insurance Company Lenders. Upon the sale
of any of the Leased Properties, the buyer will be required to take the property
subject to the Company's leasehold interest.

TRANSFER OF PROPERTIES TO THE LIQUIDATING PROPERTY TRUST

   
    At the time the Liquidating Property Trust was formed, the Company  retained
approximately   $30.5  million  of  Retained  Indebtedness.  The  terms  of  the
Restructuring contemplate  the transfer  of  15 of  the Company's  remaining  26
properties (not previously transferred to the Liquidating Property Trust) with a
book  value of $20.9 million  and a 1992 appraised  value of approximately $21.5
million to  the  Liquidating Property  Trust.  The Company  will  also  transfer
approximately  $14.3  million of  the Retained  Indebtedness to  the Liquidating
Property Trust  ("New Trust  Debt").  The Company  will  continue to  retain  11
properties  (2 warehouse  properties for  its paint  manufacturing operations, 6
operating stores,  1  store currently  leased  to a  third  party and  2  vacant
properties)   and  approximately  $16  million   of  the  Retained  Indebtedness
("Retained Company Debt").  The new  properties transferred  to the  Liquidating
Property  Trust will  be leased  back to  the Company  for an  aggregate rent of
approximately $2.8 million per year (on  a triple net basis), adjusted every  30
months. The aggregate
    

                                       23
<PAGE>
   
rent  represents  a 12%  capitalization  rate on  value  of the  properties. The
properties will be leased for 10 years  subject to 2 renewal options of 5  years
each. Renewal rent will be at 95% of market, but not less than the prior rent.
    

   
    The  Retained Company Debt will be modified with a maturity of 10 years from
the Effective Date and  interest payable at 10%  per annum, compounded  monthly.
Interest  only will be due in years one  and two with principal and interest due
in years three through 10 based on  a 15 year amortization schedule. At the  end
of  10 years the unpaid  principal of approximately $8.1  million will be due in
full. The indebtedness will be secured by the existing first trust deeds on 8 of
the retained properties and a security interest on all of the Company's personal
property  and  equipment  (excluding   cash,  inventory,  trademarks,   accounts
receivable and rolling stock).
    

   
    The  New Trust Debt will be due and payable 3 years from the Effective Date.
Interest is payable monthly at 10%  per annum, compounded monthly. Interest  and
principal  on the New Trust Debt are payable only to the extent of proceeds from
sales of the Liquidating Property Trust assets.
    

    The disposition  agent to  the Liquidating  Property Trust  is  Transamerica
Realty  Services,  Inc.  (the  "Disposition  Agent")  which  is  responsible for
maintaining and selling the trust assets. The Disposition Agent is an  affiliate
of TLIAC and TOLIC, both parties to the Restructuring. The Disposition Agent, in
its  sole  discretion, will  also perform  the  following services:  develop and
implement policies for the disposition of the Liquidating Property Trust assets;
obtain insurance coverage and maintain the properties; collect all proceeds from
leases affecting the properties; collect any and all insurance and  condemnation
award  proceeds  relating to  the  properties; recommend  and  implement capital
improvements (not to exceed $20,000 without consultation with the Company); meet
each month with  representatives of  the Company  and provide  a written  report
covering  activities for the  previous period; monitor the  results of all co-op
real estate brokers, if any; hire and supervise inspectors to repair  properties
in  need of repairs;  review the status  of all escrows;  review and approve all
title documents; coordinate  all applicable  legal work;  execute all  documents
needed  to close the sale of Liquidating Property Trust assets and release liens
on the assets; and handle the listing, marketing and hiring of professionals  to
sell  the Liquidating Property Trust assets.  The Disposition Agent will be paid
an administration fee of $41,000 per month, reduced to $38,000 once one half  of
the  78 initial properties are  sold, plus a 1%  disposition fee for each escrow
closing based on the sum of (i) the gross selling price and (ii) any proceeds of
insurance or condemnation awards received for such property.

    In exchange for a payment of  $500,000 to the Insurance Company Lenders  and
the  retention  by the  Company of  approximately  $2.5 million  of debt  on the
transferred properties (included in the Retained Company Debt), the  Liquidating
Property  Trust Guarantee will be released and  the Company will not be required
to guarantee any of the Original Trust Debt or the New Trust Debt.

TRANSFER AND SALE OF COMPANY'S RESIDUAL INTEREST IN THE LIQUIDATING PROPERTY
TRUST

   
    On the Closing Date, the Company will  transfer 20% and 31% of its  residual
interest  in the Liquidating Property Trust  to the Insurance Company Lenders or
their affiliates,  and FCI  and  KRI, respectively,  in consideration  of  their
participation in the Restructuring and in further consideration of the Insurance
Company  Lenders release of their right  to contingent interest. See "BACKGROUND
OF RESTRUCTURING --  Events After Emerging  from Chapter 11."  In addition,  CRM
will  purchase the Company's remaining 49%  residual interest in the Liquidating
Property Trust  for  $2 million  through  the  exchange of  the  unsecured  debt
incurred  in April 1995. As  a result of the Property  Transfers and sale of its
residual  interests  in   the  Liquidating  Property   Trust  pursuant  to   the
Restructuring,  the Company will no longer  consolidate assets having a net book
value of 84.4 million and liabilities of 67.1 million. Accordingly, the  Company
will  realize a  loss of  $15.3 million  for the  year ending  January 29, 1995,
representing the excess of  the net book  value as of the  Closing Date of  real
properties  transferred  in 1994  and  on the  Closing  Date to  the Liquidating
Property Trust over the indebtedness assumed and outstanding on the Closing Date
and the  proceeds  from the  sale  of the  Company's  residual interest  in  the
Liquidating Property Trust. See "Pro Forma Financial Statements."
    

                                       24
<PAGE>
TAX TREATMENT OF TRANSFER OF PROPERTIES TO THE LIQUIDATING PROPERTY TRUST

    Since  its inception, the  Liquidating Property Trust has  been treated as a
grantor trust, such that the initial  transfer of the real estate properties  to
the  Liquidating Property Trust had no immediate federal income tax consequences
to the Company. Rather,  the assets and related  liabilities of the  Liquidating
Property  Trust, as  well as  its operations  (including interest  and operating
expense, and the gain or loss from  the sale of properties), have been  included
in the Company's consolidated operating results for both financial statement and
tax purposes.

   
    The  book values for  the properties held by  the Liquidating Property Trust
are significantly higher than the adjusted tax basis for the properties, as  the
book  values  reflect a  write-up  to appraised  values as  of  the date  of the
Company's emergence from Chapter  11 proceedings, while  the adjusted tax  basis
for  the properties reflects their lower  historical cost basis less accumulated
tax depreciation. Thus, the  gains from sales of  properties by the  Liquidating
Property  Trust have been, and will continue to be, significantly higher for tax
purposes than for financial  statement purposes. This  treatment is expected  to
continue through the Closing Date of the Restructuring.
    

   
    Upon  the disposition of the Company's  residual interest in the Liquidating
Property Trust,  the Company  will  be considered  to  have sold  the  remaining
properties  held by the Liquidating Property Trust, as well as the 15 additional
properties  to  be   transferred  to   the  Liquidating   Property  Trust,   for
consideration consisting of (1) the Original Trust Debt, (2) the New Trust Debt,
and  (3)  the  payments received,  or  deemed  to have  been  received,  for the
Company's residual interest in the Liquidating  Property Trust. The gains to  be
recognized for federal income tax purposes as a result of these transactions are
expected  to be significant. However, subject to certain limitations as a result
of changes  in  the  ownership of  the  Company,  the Company  expects  to  have
approximately  $66.4  million in  net  operating losses  ("NOLs")  available for
carryforward from its  1991, 1992,  1993 and 1994  fiscal years  to offset  such
gains. The Company intends to utilize these NOLs in order to offset the gains to
be  recognized  for federal  income  tax purposes  from  the disposition  of its
interest in  the  Liquidating Property  Trust  and the  additional  real  estate
properties.
    

   
    Subject  to certain limitations, the federal alternative minimum tax ("AMT")
system NOLs available  for utilization  by the  Company in  connection with  the
Restructuring will generally be lower than the NOLs identified above for regular
tax  purposes. The  AMT NOLs  available for  utilization in  connection with the
Restructuring from fiscal  years 1991, 1992,  1993 and 1994  are expected to  be
approximately $62.2 million.
    

   
    The  gain to be recognized from the Restructuring for AMT purposes generally
will be lower than the gain recognized for other tax purposes.
    

   
    Since AMT NOLs can be utilized to offset only 90% of preliminary alternative
minimum taxable income for a given period, it is possible that the Company  will
incur  an AMT liability for the taxable period which includes the Effective Date
of the Restructuring. However, such tax liability is not expected to be material
to the Company's financial statements, and the deferred tax liability previously
provided for and carried on the Company's balance sheet since the end of  fiscal
year  1993, is expected to be more  than adequate. The Company estimates that an
AMT payment of approximately  $500,000 will be required  in October 1995,  which
should  not  have a  material  adverse impact  on  the Company's  cash position.
Additionally, to  the  extent the  Company  incurs alternative  minimum  tax  in
connection with the Restructuring, it will give rise to a like amount of minimum
tax   credit,  which   can  be  utilized   to  offset   regular  tax  liability,
dollar-for-dollar, in subsequent periods.
    

    It is possible that  the Company will incur  California income or  franchise
tax  liabilities as a result of the Restructuring. However, such tax liabilities
are not expected to be material to the Company's financial statements.

SALE OF WORKING CAPITAL NOTES

   
    On or after the Closing  Date, it is contemplated  that FCI or an  affiliate
will  purchase $5 million of  working capital notes from  the Company. The notes
will be secured by a second lien on Company's
    

                                       25
<PAGE>
   
inventory and receivables and two  warehouse properties that comprise the  paint
facility  of  the Company's  wholly-owned subsidiary,  Major Paint  Company. The
notes will have an interest rate equal  to prime rate plus 5.5% and will  mature
in  24 months,  but the  Company has an  option to  extend the  maturity for two
consecutive six month periods upon payment of  a 2% fee for each extension.  The
proceeds from the sale of any such notes will be used by the Company for working
capital.
    

   
GOVERNMENTAL APPROVALS
    
   
    The   Restructuring  is  conditioned  upon  receiving  clearance  under  the
Hart-Scott-Rodino  Antitrust  Improvement  Acts  of  1976.  The  Federal   Trade
Commission  granted early  termination of the  waiting period under  such act on
January 23, 1995. No other governmental approvals material to the completion  of
the Restructuring are necessary.
    

                                       26
<PAGE>
                         PRO FORMA FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

   
    Set  forth below  are the  unaudited pro  forma financial  statements of the
Company as of and for the year  ended January 29, 1995. The unaudited pro  forma
condensed  consolidated  balance  sheet  and  statement  of  operations  are not
necessarily indicative of what the actual  financial position or the results  of
operations  would have been as  of and for the year  ended January 29, 1995, nor
does it purport  to represent the  total financial position  of the Company.  In
addition, the Company has incurred $16 million of additional indebtedness to CRM
pursuant  to  the  Interim  Financing  and  an  unsecured  loan.  See  "TERMS OF
RESTRUCTURING".
    

   
                 STANDARD BRANDS PAINT COMPANY AND SUBSIDIARIES
            PRO FORMA CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF OPERATIONS
                          YEAR ENDED JANUARY 29, 1995
                     (IN THOUSANDS, EXCEPT PER SHARE DATA)
                                  (UNAUDITED)
    

   
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                                        PRO FORMA      PRO FORMA
                                                                           ACTUAL      ADJUSTMENTS    AS ADJUSTED
                                                                        ------------  --------------  ------------
<S>                                                                     <C>           <C>             <C>
Net sales.............................................................  $    112,188                  $    112,188
Cost of sales.........................................................        71,342                        71,342
                                                                        ------------                  ------------
Gross margin..........................................................        40,846                        40,846
Other costs and expenses:
  Operating and general and administrative expenses...................        59,714       4,502(A)         64,216
  Provision for restructuring and store closures......................           700                           700
  Loss on real properties transferred to the Liquidating Property
   Trust..............................................................        15,300                        15,300
  Depreciation and amortization.......................................         2,121      (1,929)(B)           192
  Interest (income)...................................................          (138)                         (138)
  Interest expense....................................................        11,518      (8,290)(C)         3,228
  Other expense (income), net.........................................          (580)                         (580)
                                                                        ------------                  ------------
Loss from operations before reorganization items and income taxes.....       (47,789)                      (42,072)
Reorganization items:
  Loss on transfer of business units and real properties to a grantor
   trust..............................................................          (188)                         (188)
                                                                        ------------                  ------------
Loss before income taxes..............................................       (47,977)                      (42,260)
Provision for income taxes............................................            --                            --
                                                                        ------------                  ------------
Net (loss)............................................................  $    (47,977)                 $    (42,260)
                                                                        ------------                  ------------
                                                                        ------------                  ------------
Net (loss) for common stockholders:
  Net (loss)..........................................................  $    (47,977)                 $    (42,260)
  Adjustment for Preferred Dividends..................................            --                        (1,120)
                                                                        ------------                  ------------
    Total.............................................................  $    (47,977)                 $    (43,380)
                                                                        ------------                  ------------
                                                                        ------------                  ------------
<FN>
- ------------------------
Proforma adjustments:
(A)  Represents additional rent  payments on  13 retail  paint stores  currently
     being leased from the Liquidating Property Trust and 15 retail paint stores
     and a warehouse facility to be leased from the Liquidating Property Trust.
(B)  Represents  the  elimination of  depreciation  and amortization  expense on
     properties transferred to the Liquidating Property Trust.
(C)  Represents the elimination of interest  expense on indebtedness assumed  by
     the  Liquidating Property Trust and indebtedness exchanged for Common Stock
     and Preferred Stock.
</TABLE>
    

                                       27
<PAGE>
   
                 STANDARD BRANDS PAINT COMPANY AND SUBSIDIARIES
            PRO FORMA CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF OPERATIONS
                          YEAR ENDED JANUARY 29, 1995
                                  (UNAUDITED)
    

   
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                                                       PRO FORMA
                                                                                         ACTUAL       AS ADJUSTED
                                                                                      -------------  -------------
<S>                                                                                   <C>            <C>
Per common share:
Net loss per share
  Loss from operations before reorganization items..................................         $(2.14)        $(1.89)
Reorganization items................................................................           (.01)          (.01)
                                                                                      -------------  -------------
Net (loss)..........................................................................         $(2.15)        $(1.90)
                                                                                      -------------  -------------
                                                                                      -------------  -------------
Weighted average number of common and
 common equivalent shares outstanding...............................................     22,359,000     22,878,000
                                                                                      -------------  -------------
                                                                                      -------------  -------------
</TABLE>
    

                                       28
<PAGE>
   
                 STANDARD BRANDS PAINT COMPANY AND SUBSIDIARIES
                 PRO FORMA CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEET
                             AS OF JANUARY 29, 1995
                     (IN THOUSANDS, EXCEPT PER SHARE DATA*)
                                  (UNAUDITED)
    

                                     ASSETS

   
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                                       PRO FORMA
                                      ACTUAL           PRO FORMA ADJUSTMENTS          AS ADJUSTED
                                     --------   -----------------------------------   -----------
<S>                                  <C>        <C>               <C>                 <C>
Cash...............................  $  1,489   $21,000(A)(B)                         $   22,489
Accounts and notes receivable,
 net...............................     1,506                                              1,506
Inventories........................    14,750                                             14,750
Prepaid expenses...................       961                                                961
Deferred income taxes..............     3,053                     $   (756)(G)             2,297
                                     --------                                         -----------
    Total current assets...........    21,759                                             42,003
Net property, plant and
 equipment.........................    87,709                      (69,054)(C)(A)(I)      18,655
Other assets.......................       442                                                442
                                     --------                                         -----------
    Total assets...................  $109,910                                         $   61,100
                                     --------                                         -----------
                                     --------                                         -----------

                         LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY (DEFICIT)

Short-term borrowings..............  $  3,821                                         $    3,821
Accounts payable...................    10,974                         (237)(E)            11,211
Accrued expenses...................    16,607      400(H)                                 16,207
Income taxes payable...............                                   (543)(G)               543
                                     --------                                         -----------
    Total current liabilities......    31,402                                             31,782
Senior notes, secured, payable to
 related parties...................    30,470   14,488(D)(E)                              15,982
Notes payable to FCI...............                                 (5,000)(B)             5,000
Liquidating Property Trust notes...    52,803   67,054(C)(I)       (14,251)(D)
Notes payable to related parties...    10,000   10,000(F)
Grantor Trust note payable.........     6,000    6,000(F)
Deferred income taxes..............     5,984    1,299(G)                                  4,685
Other long-term liabilities........     6,637                                              6,637
Preferred stock subject to
 mandatory redemption, $.01 par
 value per share, authorized
 5,000,000 [5,000,000] shares; 8%
 cumulative convertible redeemable
 preferred stock, issued and
 outstanding [1,570,049] shares....                                (14,000)(F)            14,000
Common stock, $.01 par value per
 share, authorized 30,000,000
 [100,000,000] shares; issued and
 outstanding 22,429,275
 [20,634,936] shares...............       224       18(A)(F)(H)                              206
Additional paid-in capital.........    35,593                      (16,418)(A)(F)(H)      52,011
Deficit............................   (68,388)                                           (68,388)
Less: treasury stock, at cost,
 28,231 [2,823] shares.............      (815)                                              (815)
                                     --------                                         -----------
    Total common stockholders'
     deficit.......................   (33,386)                                           (16,986)
                                     --------                                         -----------
    Total liabilities and
     stockholders equity
     (deficit).....................  $109,910                                         $   61,100
                                     --------                                         -----------
                                     --------                                         -----------
<FN>
- ----------------------------------
Proforma adjustments:
 *    Note: Share amounts shown in [brackets] represent pro forma shares.
(A)   Represents the investment  by CRM  of $14 million  to purchase  15,700,496
      newly issued shares of Common Stock at $.89 per share, and the purchase by
      CRM  of the Company's residual interest  in the Liquidating Property Trust
      for $2 million.
(B)   Represents the purchase by  FCI or an affiliate  of $5 million of  working
      capital notes (24 month maturity).
(C)   Represents  the transfer by the  Company of 15 retail  paint stores to the
      Liquidating Property Trust.
(D)   Represents the  assumption  of debt  on  15  retail paint  stores  by  the
      Liquidating Property Trust.
(E)   Represents a prepayment of Retained Indebtedness ($237,000).
(F)   Represents  the exchange of  $2 million of  the Company's indebtedness for
      2,242,928 newly issued shares  of Common Stock at  $.89 per share and  $14
      million of the Company's indebtedness for 1,570,049 newly issued shares of
      Preferred Stock at $8.92 per share.
(G)   Represents  the  reclassification  of  deferred  income  taxes  to reflect
      estimated current liability regarding alternative minimum taxes.
(H)   Represents the issuance of newly issued Common Stock as payment of certain
      transaction costs amounting to $400,000.
(I)   Represents the elimination of  the assets and  related debt in  connection
      with  the sale and  disposition of the Company's  residual interest in the
      Liquidating Property Trust.
</TABLE>
    

                                       29
<PAGE>
                       BOARD OF DIRECTORS RECOMMENDATION

   
    On December 22, 1994, at the request of the Chairman, the Board of Directors
established  an independent committee of directors (the "Independent Committee")
for the purpose of  reviewing the proposed  Restructuring transaction with  CRM,
FCI,  KRI and  the Insurance Company  Lenders, any  alternative transactions and
making a  recommendation  to  the  full  Board  of  Directors.  Members  of  the
Independent  Committee are Deborah Hicks Midanek (chairman), Richard L. Boje and
William  E.  Yingling,  III.  During  the  period  since  its  appointment,  the
Independent Committee held eight formal meetings. In addition members met or had
discussions  with  their advisors  on  numerous other  occasions  throughout the
period of the negotiation  of the Restructuring,  to consider the  Restructuring
and  its  alternatives.  The Independent  Committee  retained  Marcus Montgomery
Wolfson P.C., a New York law firm, as  its counsel and The Argosy Group, L.P.  a
New York investment banking firm, as its independent financial advisor.
    

   
    On  February  8,  1995,  at a  special  meeting,  the  Independent Committee
reviewed and, on February 9, 1995, unanimously recommended the Restructuring  to
the Board of Directors as being in the best interests of the Company and fair to
its stockholders and creditors. The Board of Directors subsequently approved the
terms  of  the  Restructuring  and  the  transactions  contemplated  thereby. In
considering  such  matters  and  reaching  their  conclusions,  the  Independent
Committee  and the Board of Directors took into account, among other things, the
reasons for  the  Restructuring  and  the risk  factors  set  forth  above.  The
Independent  Committee and  the Board  also considered  the opinion  provided by
Argosy with respect  to the fairness,  from a  financial point of  view, to  the
public  stockholders of the consideration received  by the Company, and Argosy's
analysis of the Company  and its financial position  which formed the basis  for
that  opinion. See "--Fairness Opinion." The Independent Committee and the Board
considered the 52 week prices for the Company's Common Stock. See "RISK  FACTORS
- --  Trading Market for  Common Stock." However,  in view of  the reasons for the
Restructuring set forth above and the  inability of the Company to consummate  a
financing  transaction  with a  third  party on  more  favorable terms  than the
Restructuring, the Independent Committee and the  Board did not give such  stock
prices significant weight in these deliberations.
    

    The  Board of Directors believes that  the Restructuring has been structured
to be fair to all  of the Company's stockholders. In  that regard, the Board  of
Directors  established the Independent Committee with  broad authority to act to
protect the  interests of  the public  stockholders, including  negotiating  the
terms of the Restructuring to ensure that the Restructuring would be fair to the
public stockholders.

FAIRNESS OPINION

    The  Company  retained  Argosy  to  render  an  opinion  to  the Independent
Committee as to  the fairness, from  a financial  point of view,  to the  public
stockholders  of the consideration to be received by the Company pursuant to the
Restructuring.

    On February 8,  1995, Argosy rendered  its oral opinion  to the  Independent
Committee,  which was subsequently confirmed by a written opinion dated February
15, 1995, to the Board of Directors  to the effect that, based upon and  subject
to  certain  matters  stated  therein,  as of  the  date  of  such  opinion, the
Restructuring  is  fair,  from  a  financial  point  of  view,  to  the   public
stockholders.

    The  full text of Argosy's opinion dated February 15, 1995, which sets forth
a description of  the assumptions  made, matters  considered and  limits on  the
review  undertaken, is attached hereto as Exhibit  E to this Proxy Statement and
is incorporated herein by reference. Holders  of Common Stock are urged to  read
the  opinion in its entirety, especially with regard to the assumptions made and
matters considered by Argosy. The summary of the opinion of Argosy set forth  in
this  Proxy Statement is qualified in its entirety by reference to the full text
of such opinion. Argosy's  analysis and opinion were  prepared for the Board  of
Directors and are directed only to the fairness, from a financial point of view,
to  the public stockholders of  the consideration to be  received by the Company
pursuant to the

                                       30
<PAGE>
Restructuring and do not constitute an opinion  as to the merits of the  various
transactions  contemplated  by  the  Restructuring or  a  recommendation  to any
Company stockholder as to how to vote at the Meeting.

    In arriving at its opinion, Argosy, among other things: (i) reviewed certain
publicly available business and historical financial information relating to the
Company; (ii) reviewed certain financial information and other data provided  to
Argosy  by the Company that  is not publicly available  relating to the business
and prospects of the  Company, including financial  projections prepared by  the
management  of  the Company;  (iii) conducted  discussions  with members  of the
senior management of the Company; (iv) reviewed publicly available financial and
stock market data with respect to  certain other companies in lines of  business
the  Company believed to  be generally comparable  to those of  the Company; (v)
considered  the  pro  forma  effects  of  the  Restructuring  on  the  Company's
capitalization  and Common Stock ownership profile; (vi) reviewed the historical
market prices and trading volume of  the Company's Common Stock; (vii)  reviewed
drafts  of  the  Restructuring  agreements;  (viii)  considered  the  terms  and
provisions of the Company Preferred Stock to be issued to CRM, FCI, KRI and  the
Insurance  Company  Lenders; and  (ix) conducted  such other  financial studies,
analyses and investigations,  and considered such  other information, as  Argosy
deemed necessary or appropriate.

   
    Argosy  did not independently  verify any of  the foregoing information with
the Company or any other parties and relied, with the consent of the Independent
Committee, on  the  information being  complete  and accurate  in  all  material
respects. In addition, Argosy did not make any appraisal of any of the assets or
liabilities  (contingent  or  otherwise) of  the  Company. With  respect  to any
financial projections given to Argosy by Company management, Argosy assumed that
they had been  reasonably prepared in  good faith on  bases reflecting the  best
currently  available estimates and  judgments of the  Company's management as to
the future  financial  performance of  the  Company. In  addition,  Argosy  made
certain  assumptions with respect  to the Restructuring,  including the form and
presentation of the pro forma historical and estimated capital structure of  the
Company giving effect to the Restructuring.
    

    Argosy performed certain procedures, including the analysis described below,
and  reviewed with the  management of the  Company the assumptions  on which all
such analyses were  based as well  as other factors,  including the current  and
projected  financial results of the Company.  No limitations were imposed by the
Independent Committee  with respect  to the  investigations made  or  procedures
followed by Argosy in rendering its opinion. Any estimates contained in Argosy's
analyses are not necessarily indicative of actual values or predictive of future
results or values, which may be significantly more or less favorable than as set
forth  therein. In  addition, analyses  relating to  the value  of businesses or
securities do not purport to  be appraisals or to  reflect the actual prices  at
which businesses or securities may be sold.

LIQUIDATION ANALYSIS

    The  following  is a  summary of  the Liquidation  Analysis (one  of several
analyses, as well as the most  relevant analysis) performed by Argosy to  arrive
at  its opinion. A preliminary review  of Company's current assets, property and
equipment and liabilities was performed to determine the likely cash proceeds to
stockholders from a potential Chapter 7 liquidation of the Company. The analysis
took into account the estimated residual values,  if any, to the Company of  the
Liquidating   Property  Trust  and   the  Grantor  Trust.   The  value  of  both
Company-owned properties and  the properties in  the Liquidating Property  Trust
were  impacted  by the  assumed  cessation of  the  Company's operations  over a
defined period  of time.  With respect  to the  determination of  amounts to  be
realized  upon  liquidation  of  the Company's  assets,  Argosy  relied, without
independent verification, on  estimates provided by  management or estimates  in
the Company's Reorganization Plan. The analysis indicated that liquidation would
result  in gross proceeds significantly below the total liabilities remaining at
the Company. This analysis implies that the liquidation of the Company would not
result in any net proceeds to the stockholders of the Company.

                                       31
<PAGE>
    The summary set forth above does not purport to be a complete description of
the analyses performed by Argosy. The preparation of a fairness opinion involves
various determinations  as  to the  most  appropriate and  relevant  methods  of
financial  analysis  and  the application  of  these methods  to  the particular
circumstances and,  therefore, such  an opinion  is not  readily susceptible  to
summary description. However, based on the Company's current financial condition
and  management's  belief that  in the  absence  of a  transaction with  CRM the
Company would not  be able to  continue its operations,  it is Argosy's  opinion
that  the Liquidation Analysis is the  most relevant valuation method with which
to determine the fairness of the Restructuring.

    Argosy is  a  recognized investment  banking  firm  which, as  part  of  its
investment   banking  business,  regularly  is  engaged  in  the  evaluation  of
businesses and their  securities in  connection with  mergers and  acquisitions,
negotiated  underwritings, competitive  bids, secondary  distributions of listed
and unlisted securities, private placements and valuations for estate, corporate
and other purposes. The  Independent Committee selected Argosy  on the basis  of
the firm's expertise and independence.

    Argosy  has not performed investment banking services for the Company in the
past. Pursuant  to an  engagement letter  between the  Company and  Argosy,  the
Company  agreed  to pay  Argosy a  fee  of $200,000  for the  services described
herein. The Company also agreed to reimburse Argosy for the expenses  reasonably
incurred  by it in connection with  its engagement (including reasonable counsel
fees) and to indemnify Argosy and its officers, directors, employees, agents and
controlling  persons  against  certain  expenses,  losses,  claims,  damages  or
liabilities  in connection with its services,  including those arising under the
federal securities laws.

                          DESCRIPTION OF CAPITAL STOCK

   
    Upon the Closing  Date, the  authorized capital  stock of  the Company  will
consist of 100,000,000 shares of Common Stock, $.01 par value per share ("Common
Stock")  and  5,000,000 shares  of  Preferred Stock,  $.01  par value  per share
("Preferred Stock"). The following summary  description relating to the  capital
stock  does  not purport  to  be complete.  Reference  is made  to  the Restated
Certificate  of  Incorporation  of  the  Company  as  amended  as  part  of  the
Restructuring  (attached  hereto as  Exhibit  B) the  Bylaws  of the  Company as
amended as part  of the  Restructuring (attached hereto  as Exhibit  C) and  the
Certificate of Designations of Series A Preferred Stock of Standard Brands Paint
Company (attached hereto as Exhibit D).
    

COMMON STOCK

    Holders  of Common Stock are entitled to  receive such dividends as may from
time to time be declared by the Board  of Directors of the Company out of  funds
legally available therefor. Holders of Common Stock are entitled to one vote per
share  on all matters on which stockholders are entitled to vote and do not have
any cumulative  voting  rights. Holders  of  Common Stock  have  no  preemptive,
conversion,  redemption or sinking  fund rights. In the  event of a liquidation,
dissolution or winding-up of the Company,  holders of Common Stock are  entitled
to share equally and ratably in the net assets of the Company, if any, remaining
after the payment preference of any outstanding Preferred Stock. The outstanding
shares of Common Stock are, and the shares of Common Stock when issued, will be,
fully  paid and nonassessable. The rights, preferences and privileges of holders
of Common Stock are subject to any  series of Preferred Stock which the  Company
may issue in the future.

PREFERRED STOCK

    Pursuant to the Restructuring, the Company will issue 1,570,049 shares of 8%
Series  A Convertible Mandatory  Redeemable Preferred Stock  in exchange for $14
million of the Company's indebtedness. The terms and conditions of the Preferred
Stock are more fully set forth in the Certificate of Designations.

                                       32
<PAGE>
DIVIDEND RIGHTS

    The holders of shares of the  Preferred Stock shall be entitled to  receive,
when  and  as declared  by  the Company's  board  of directors,  cumulative cash
dividends at the annual rate of $0.71 per share, payable quarterly. The  initial
dividend on the Preferred Stock shall be payable on the first quarterly dividend
payment  date following after  the date ("Commencement Date")  that is 18 months
after the original issuance  date of such shares  ("Issuance Date"). So long  as
any  share of Preferred Stock remains outstanding,  no dividend shall be paid or
declared and no  distribution made  on any junior  stock other  than a  dividend
payable  in junior  stock, and  no shares  of junior  stock shall  be purchased,
redeemed or otherwise  acquired for  consideration by the  Company, directly  or
indirectly (other than as a result of a reclassification of junior stock, or the
exchange  or conversion of one junior stock for or into another junior stock, or
other than through the  use of the proceeds  of a substantially  contemporaneous
sale of other junior stock), unless all dividends on the Preferred Stock accrued
for  all past  quarter-yearly dividends since  the Commencement  Date shall have
been paid or declared or set aside for payment.

LIQUIDATION RIGHTS

    In the event of any voluntary liquidation, dissolution or winding up of  the
affairs  of  the Company,  the holders  of  shares of  Preferred Stock  shall be
entitled, before  any distribution  or payment  is made  to the  holders of  any
junior  stock, to be paid in full the  Redemption Price in effect at the time of
such distribution. The Redemption Price shall be $6.69 per share for the  period
from  the  Issuance  Date to  the  first  anniversary thereof,  $7.14  per share
thereafter to  the second  anniversary of  the Issuance  Date, $7.60  per  share
thereafter  for the  next six-month period,  $8.03 per share  thereafter for the
next six-month period, $8.47 per share thereafter for the next six-month  period
and $8.92 per share thereafter.

    In the event of an involuntary liquidation, dissolution or winding up of the
affairs  of the Company, then, before any  distribution or payment to holders of
any junior stock, the holders of Preferred Stock shall be entitled to be paid in
full an amount equal to $8.92 per share, together with accrued dividends to such
date whether or not earned or declared.

OPTIONAL CALL AND REDEMPTION RIGHTS

    CRM or the Company  may purchase or  redeem up to 785,025  of the shares  of
Preferred  Stock,  at the  Redemption Price  in effect  at the  redemption date,
together with accrued dividends to the redemption date. Such dividends shall  be
deemed to have been cumulative from the Issuance Date.

MANDATORY REDEMPTION

    The  Company will redeem the  whole of the shares  of Preferred Stock at the
time outstanding at the tenth  anniversary of the Issuance  Date, at a price  of
$8.92 per share.

CONVERSION RIGHTS

    The  holders of  shares of  Preferred Stock shall  have the  right, at their
option, to convert such shares into Company  Common Stock at any time after  the
Commencement  Date, and  prior to  such date  if and  only if  the price  of the
Company's Common Stock  trades at a  twenty day  average price at  or above  the
Conversion  Price (as hereafter defined). The  price at which Common Stock shall
be delivered upon conversion (the  "Conversion Price") shall initially be  $1.11
per  share of  Common Stock. Each  share of  Preferred Stock shall  be valued at
$8.92 for the purpose of conversion. In lieu of issuing any fractional share  of
Common  Stock upon conversion, the Company shall pay the cash equivalent thereof
based on the then current market price of such shares.

VOTING RIGHTS

    The holders of  Preferred Stock shall  be entitled to  the following  voting
rights.  After the  Commencement Date, if  and whenever  six quarterly dividends
payable on any shares of Preferred Stock shall be in arrears in whole or in part
whether or not earned or declared, the number of directors then constituting the
Board of  Directors shall  be increased  by two  and the  holders of  shares  of
Preferred  Stock, together with the  holders of shares of  every other series of
Preferred Stock similarly entitled to

                                       33
<PAGE>
vote for the election of two additional directors, voting separately as a class,
shall be entitled to elect the  two additional directors. When all dividends  in
arrears  on the shares of Preferred Stock  then outstanding shall have been paid
the right of  the holders of  the shares of  Preferred Stock to  elect such  two
additional  directors shall  cease, and  the terms of  office of  all persons so
elected as directors shall terminate.

    The consent of the holders  of at least 66 2/3%  of the shares of  Preferred
Stock  shall be necessary to  effect or validate, any  of the following: (i) any
amendment, alteration or repeal of any  of the provisions of the certificate  of
incorporation or bylaws of the Company which adversely affect the voting powers,
rights  or preferences  of the  holders of shares  of Preferred  Stock; (ii) the
authorization or creation of, or the  increase in the authorized amount of,  any
shares of any class or any security convertible into shares of any class ranking
prior  to the Preferred Stock in the  distribution of assets on any liquidation,
dissolution or winding  up of the  Company or  in the payment  of dividends;  or
(iii)  the  merger  or consolidation  of  the  Company with  or  into  any other
corporation, unless the resulting corporation  will thereafter have no class  of
shares and no other securities either authorized or outstanding ranking prior to
the   Preferred  Stock  in  the  distribution  of  its  assets  on  liquidation,
dissolution or winding up or in the payment of dividends.

    The consent of the holders of at least a majority of the shares of Preferred
Stock shall be necessary  to effect or validate  any increase in the  authorized
amount  of the  Preferred Stock,  or the  authorization or  creation of,  or the
increase in the  authorized amount of  any shares or  security convertible  into
shares  ranking on  a parity  with the  Preferred Stock  in the  distribution of
assets on any liquidation, dissolution  or winding up of  the Company or in  the
payment of dividends.

REGISTRATION RIGHTS

   
    The  holders of the shares of Preferred Stock and the shares of Common Stock
acquired pursuant to  the Restructuring will  have (i) the  right to have  their
shares  registered under the Securities Act of  1933, as amended, by the Company
within 30 days of the Restructuring  effective date ("Target Filing Date"),  and
(ii)  "piggyback" registration rights, subject to standard underwriters' cutback
provisions. The holders of the shares of Preferred Stock and Common Stock  shall
be  entitled to  liquidated damages  from the Company  in the  event the Company
fails to timely file the registration statement or fails to receive an effective
order from the Securities  and Exchange Commission no  later than 45 days  after
the  date of filing. If the registration statement is not filed on or before the
Target Filing Date, the Company must pay liquidated damages to each holder equal
to $0.01 per 100 shares per week until the registration statement is filed.  The
weekly  damages will increase by an amount equal to $0.01 per 100 shares 90 days
after the Target Filing Date and increase similarly after each subsequent 90 day
period. The same formula  is used for a  filed registration statement that  does
not  become effective within 45  days after the Target  Filing Date. The Company
will bear the  registration expenses  (exclusive of  underwriting discounts  and
commissions) of all registrations.
    

                   MATERIAL TRANSACTIONS WITH RELATED PARTIES

    Fletcher  L. Byrom, the Company's Chairman  of the Board and Chief Executive
Officer, resigned  as  of the  date  of the  Interim  Financing. See  "TERMS  OF
RESTRUCTURING  -- Board Composition." In lieu of any other severance obligation,
the Company agreed to pay Mr.  Byrom $421,144 in twelve equal installments  paid
quarterly over three years beginning February 15, 1995.

   
    Ronald I. Scharman, the Company's former Executive Vice President has agreed
to  continue  with  the Company  through  June  30, 1995  as  its  interim Chief
Executive Officer.  See  "TERMS  OF RESTRUCTURING  --  Board  Composition."  The
Company  has agreed to pay Mr. Scharman a bonus in an amount equal to six months
salary if he  remains with the  Company until June  30, 1995. In  lieu of  other
severance  benefits, Mr. Scharman will receive a one year severance from July 1,
1995 through  June 30,  1996, payable  monthly. In  addition, the  Company  will
reimburse  Mr. Scharman $10,000 for moving  expenses. See also, "RISK FACTORS --
Interests of Certain Persons" for  a description of other material  transactions
with related parties which may exist among parties to the Restructuring.
    

                                       34
<PAGE>
CONSULTING ARRANGEMENTS

   
    On February 15, 1995, the Company and Dakota Services, Inc., a subsidiary of
CRM,  entered  into  a  contract  for  the  provision  of  management consulting
services. Payment for such services is made monthly based on hours worked, in an
amount not less than $35,000 per month. The minimum payment under this  contract
is  not refundable  to the  Company and  may only  be credited  against services
incurred during the  corresponding calendar  month. As  of March  31, 1995,  the
Company  has accrued  $161,583 (and has  paid $49,854) to  Dakota Services, Inc.
under this contract. This contract will terminate at the Closing Date,  although
the   parties  have  agreed  to  negotiate  a  replacement  contract  containing
substantially the  same  terms.  The  Company considered  that  it  was  in  the
Company's  best interests to obtain the  benefit of the expertise and experience
of Dakota  Services, Inc.  through  this consulting  relationship and  that  the
amount  of consideration was commensurate with  the benefit to the Company under
such consulting relationship.
    

INDEMNIFICATION AGREEMENTS

    At the consummation of the Interim Financing, each of the directors  entered
into  Indemnification Agreements with the Company  pursuant to which the Company
agreed to indemnify the directors  in accordance with the Company's  Certificate
of  Incorporation and By-Laws,  for actions brought against  them arising out of
the Restructuring or from any other action taken on behalf of the Company.

                                       35
<PAGE>
                             THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS

INFORMATION CONCERNING EXISTING DIRECTORS

    The  following table sets  forth the principal  occupation or employment and
principal business of the employer, if any, of each director of the Company,  as
well  as his or her age, business experience and other directorships held by him
or her and the period during which  he or she has previously served as  director
of the Company (See also "TERMS OF RESTRUCTURING -- Information Concerning Newly
Appointed Directors").

   
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                           PRINCIPAL OCCUPATION FOR PAST FIVE YEARS;
       NAME, AGE AND PRESENT POSITION                       OTHER DIRECTORSHIPS; BUSINESS EXPERIENCE
- --------------------------------------------  --------------------------------------------------------------------
<S>                                           <C>
Deborah Hicks Midanek, 40                     Deborah Hicks Midanek was elected to the Board of Directors on
Chairman of the Board                          December 10, 1993 at a meeting of the Board of Directors. Ms.
                                               Midanek was elected Chairman of the Board at the consummation of
                                               the Interim Financing. Ms. Midanek is Chairman of the Company's
                                               Compensation Committee and is a member of the Company's Audit and
                                               Human Relations Committees. Ms. Midanek is Chairman of the
                                               Independent Committee. Ms. Midanek presently serves as Chairman of
                                               the Board of Trustees and the Chief Executive Officer of The Solon
                                               Funds, a registered investment company, positions she has held
                                               since March 1, 1994. Since 1989, Ms. Midanek has served as the
                                               Chief Executive Officer of Solon Asset Management Corporation, a
                                               registered investment advisor. In 1994, Solon Asset Management
                                               Corporation became the general partner of Solon Asset Management
                                               L.P., also a registered investment advisor and advisor to The Solon
                                               Funds. During the period from 1992 through 1993, Ms. Midanek served
                                               as Managing Director and Director of Mutual Funds for Montgomery
                                               Asset Management, L.P. From 1984 through 1990, Ms. Midanek held
                                               various positions with Drexel Burnham Lambert, Inc. in the Mortgage
                                               Backed Securities Department.
Richard L. Boje, 58                           Richard L. Boje was elected to the Board of Directors on December
Director                                       10, 1993 at a meeting of the Board of Directors. Mr. Boje is
                                               Chairman of the Company's Executive Committee and is a member of
                                               the Company's Compensation Committee. Mr. Boje is also a member of
                                               the Independent Committee. From 1977 through 1987, Mr. Boje served
                                               in various positions at Carter Hawley Hale Stores, Inc. and its
                                               subsidiaries and affiliates (specialty/retail), including serving
                                               as Chairman of the Board and Chief Executive officer of Weinstocks
                                               from 1982 through 1985 and Chairman of the Board and Chief
                                               Executive Officer of the John Wanamaker Division from 1985 through
                                               1987. From 1987 through 1992, Mr. Boje served as Chairman of the
                                               Board and Chief Executive Officer of the Lynn-Edwards Corporation
                                               (office products distributor). Mr Boje presently is an independent
                                               investor and consultant.
</TABLE>
    

                                       36
<PAGE>

   
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                           PRINCIPAL OCCUPATION FOR PAST FIVE YEARS;
       NAME, AGE AND PRESENT POSITION                       OTHER DIRECTORSHIPS; BUSINESS EXPERIENCE
- --------------------------------------------  --------------------------------------------------------------------
<S>                                           <C>
Robert N. Dangremond, 52                      Robert N. Dangremond was elected to the Board of Directors on
Director                                       December 10, 1993 at a meeting of the Board of Directors. Mr.
                                               Dangremond is a member of the Company's Executive Committee and is
                                               Chairman of the Company's Audit Committee. Mr. Dangremond was the
                                               Chairman of the Board, President and Chief Executive Officer of AM
                                               International, Inc. (graphic arts supplies and manufacturing). AM
                                               International is listed on the American Stock Exchange. Mr.
                                               Dangremond was elected to his former positions at AM International
                                               on February 6, 1993. AM International filed a voluntary petition
                                               under the Federal bankruptcy laws on May 17, 1993. On September 29,
                                               1993, AM International's plan of reorganization was confirmed by
                                               the Bankruptcy Court and became effective on October 13, 1993.
                                               Since August 1989, Mr. Dangremond has been a Principal with Jay
                                               Alix & Associates, a consulting and accounting firm specializing in
                                               corporate restructurings and turnaround activities. From 1981
                                               through 1989, Mr. Dangremond was the Chief Financial Officer and
                                               Treasurer of the Leach & Garner Company (manufacturing). From 1969
                                               to 1981, Mr. Dangremond held various positions with Chase Manhattan
                                               Bank, N.A. and prior to that was with Scott Paper Company. Mr.
                                               Dangremond is also a director of Envirodyne Industries, Inc.
                                               (manufacturing) and Barry's Jewelry, Inc. (retail).
Ronald I. Scharman, 42                        At the consummation of the Interim Financing, Ronald I. Scharman
Director and Chief Executive Officer           became the interim Chief Executive Officer of the Company. Mr.
                                               Scharman served previously as Executive Vice President of the
                                               Company a position he held since June 14, 1993 when the
                                               Reorganization Plan became effective. Mr. Scharman was elected to
                                               the Board of Directors in July 1993. Mr. Scharman is a member of
                                               the Company's Human Relations Committee. Prior to joining the
                                               Company, Mr. Scharman was the managing director of Fawn Holdings, a
                                               firm specializing in financial restructuring of troubled companies,
                                               a position held since 1992. During the period 1988 through 1992,
                                               Mr. Scharman was the managing director and chief financial officer
                                               of Trading Alliance Corporation (TAC), a trade finance merchant
                                               bank servicing under-capitalized and financially troubled
                                               companies. From 1983 to 1988, Mr. Scharman held various positions
                                               with Manufacturers Hanover Trust Company and Manufacturers Hanover
                                               World Trade Corporation.
</TABLE>
    

                                       37
<PAGE>

   
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                           PRINCIPAL OCCUPATION FOR PAST FIVE YEARS;
       NAME, AGE AND PRESENT POSITION                       OTHER DIRECTORSHIPS; BUSINESS EXPERIENCE
- --------------------------------------------  --------------------------------------------------------------------
<S>                                           <C>
William E. Yingling, III, 51                  William E. Yingling, III was elected to the Board of Directors on
Director                                       December 10, 1993 at a meeting of the Board of Directors. Mr.
                                               Yingling is a member of the Company's Compensation and Executive
                                               Committees. Mr. Yingling is also a member of the Independent
                                               Committee. Mr. Yingling from 1991 through 1993 was the Chairman of
                                               the Board and Chief Executive Officer of Thrifty Corporation
                                               (pharmaceuticals and specialty/ retail). During the period 1986
                                               through 1991, Mr. Yingling was the President of the Southern
                                               California division of Lucky Stores, Inc. (supermarket).
</TABLE>
    

MEETINGS, ORGANIZATIONS AND REMUNERATION

   
    The  business affairs of the Company are  managed under the direction of the
Board of Directors, although the Board is not involved in day-to-day operations.
During the fiscal year  ended January 29,  1995, the Board  of Directors met  14
times. For their services on the Board during the 1994 fiscal year, non-employee
directors  were paid a retainer fee of  $15,000 per annum, $750 for each regular
board meeting attended  and $500 for  each special board  meeting and  committee
meeting  attended. In  fiscal 1994,  each non-employee  director received 10,000
shares of the Company's Common Stock. Each director attended at least 75% of all
Board and applicable committee meetings.
    

    In addition to the  following, the Board  established a special  Independent
Committee  in  connection  with  the  Restructuring.  See  "BOARD  OF  DIRECTORS
RECOMMENDATION." Each member of the  Independent Committee received payments  of
$250 per hour up to a maximum of $2,000 per day for their work on the committee.

AUDIT COMMITTEE

    The  Audit  Committee  recommends  to  the  Board  of  Directors  a  firm of
independent certified  public accountants  to conduct  the annual  audit of  the
Company's  books and  records; reviews with  such accounting firm  the scope and
results of  the  annual  audit;  reviews the  performance  of  such  independent
accountants  of  professional services,  in addition  to  those which  are audit
related; consults with the independent  accountants with regard to the  adequacy
of  the  Company's  system of  internal  accounting controls;  and  reviews fees
charged by the independent accountants for professional services.

   
    The Company's independent  auditors are  invited to attend  meetings of  the
Audit Committee and certain members of management may also be invited to attend.
The  Audit Committee consists of two nonemployee directors, Robert N. Dangremond
who is  the chairman  of the  Committee  and Deborah  Hicks Midanek.  The  Audit
Committee met twice during the fiscal year ended January 29, 1995.
    

COMPENSATION COMMITTEE

    The  Compensation Committee reviews and approves all salary arrangements and
other remuneration  for  officers of  the  Company. The  Compensation  Committee
consists  of three nonemployee directors, Messrs. Richard L. Boje, Deborah Hicks
Midanek, who is the chairperson of the Committee, and William E. Yingling,  III.
The  Compensation Committee met 5 times during the fiscal year ended January 29,
1995.

COMPENSATION COMMITTEE INTERLOCKS AND INSIDER PARTICIPATION

    No member of the  Compensation Committee was an  officer or employee of  the
Company or any of its subsidiaries during the fiscal year. None of the executive
officers  of  the  Company  has served  on  the  board of  directors  or  on the
compensation committee of any other entity, any of whose officers served  either
on the Board of Directors or on the Compensation Committee of the Company.

                                       38
<PAGE>
EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE

    The  Executive Committee, during intervals between  meetings of the Board of
Directors, may  exercise the  powers  of the  Board  of Directors,  except  with
respect  to a limited number of  matters, which include amending the Certificate
of Incorporation or the Bylaws of  the Company, adopting an agreement of  merger
or  consolidation for  the Company and  recommending to the  shareholders of the
Company a merger of  the Company, the  sale of all or  substantially all of  the
assets of the Company or the dissolution of the Company. The Executive Committee
consists of non-employee directors, Messrs. Richard L. Boje, who is the chairman
of  the  Committee, Robert  N.  Dangremond, and  William  E. Yingling,  III. The
Executive Committee met once during the fiscal year ended January 29, 1995.

                            MATTERS TO BE VOTED UPON

   
    The meeting has been called for  the sole purpose of considering and  acting
upon  the Restructuring proposal.  All of the elements  of the Restructuring are
embodied in one proposal presented for stockholders approval.
    

    THE BOARD  OF  DIRECTORS  RECOMMENDS  A  VOTE  "FOR"  THE  APPROVAL  OF  THE
RESTRUCTURING OF THE COMPANY.

    The  affirmative  vote  of  the  majority  of  the  shares  of  Common Stock
outstanding shall constitute approval.

NO OTHER MATTERS

    It is not  contemplated that  any other matters  will be  considered at  the
Special Meeting.

                                  ACCOUNTANTS

   
    Representatives of the Company's independent auditors, Ernst & Young LLP are
expected  to be present  at the Meeting and  will have an  opportunity to make a
statement if  they  so  desire  and  will be  able  to  respond  to  appropriate
questions.
    

                             ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

   
    Each  stockholder  will receive  with  this Proxy  Statement  a copy  of the
Company's most recent financial statements  which are incorporated by  reference
herein.
    

                                          By Order of the Board of Directors

                                          Edward A. Drury
                                          Secretary

   
Torrance, California
April 25, 1995
    

                                       39
<PAGE>
                                    EXHIBITS

   
<TABLE>
<S>         <C>        <C>                                                                       <C>
Exhibit A      --      Investment Agreement (and Amendment No. 1 to Investment Agreement)......  A-1
Exhibit B      --      Restated Certificate of Incorporation...................................  B-1

Exhibit C      --      Bylaws..................................................................  C-1

Exhibit D      --      Certificate of Designations.............................................  D-1

Exhibit E      --      Opinion of The Argosy Group, L.P........................................  E-1

Exhibit F      --      Selected Financial Data, Management's Discussion and Analysis of
                       Financial Condition and Results of Operations and Audited Financial
                       Statements for the fiscal year ended January 29, 1995...................  F-1
</TABLE>
    

                                       i
<PAGE>
                                                                       EXHIBIT A
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------

                              INVESTMENT AGREEMENT

                                     AMONG

                               CORIMON, S.A.C.A.,
                            A VENEZUELAN CORPORATION

                              CORIMON CORPORATION,
                             A DELAWARE CORPORATION

          FIDELITY CAPITAL & INCOME FUND, KODAK RETIREMENT INCOME PLAN
            TRUST FUND, TRANSAMERICA LIFE INSURANCE AND ANNUITY CO.,
         TRANSAMERICA OCCIDENTAL LIFE INSURANCE CO., SUN LIFE INSURANCE
          COMPANY OF AMERICA, ANCHOR NATIONAL LIFE INSURANCE COMPANY,

                     STANDARD BRANDS PAINT COLLATERAL TRUST

                                      AND

                         STANDARD BRANDS PAINT COMPANY,
                             A DELAWARE CORPORATION

                         DATED AS OF FEBRUARY 15, 1995

- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<PAGE>
                               TABLE OF CONTENTS

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                                                                 PAGE
                                                                                                               ---------
<S>        <C>                                                                                                 <C>
                                                       ARTICLE I
                                                      DEFINITIONS
    1.1.   Definitions.......................................................................................        A-1
    1.2.   Interpretation....................................................................................        A-7

                                                       ARTICLE II
                                                    INTERIM FUNDING
    2.1.   Note Purchase Agreement...........................................................................        A-8
    2.2.   Grantor Trust Transactions........................................................................        A-8
    2.3.   Investment Agreement and Ancillary Funding Agreements.............................................        A-8
    2.4.   Directors and By-Laws.............................................................................        A-8
    2.5.   Funding...........................................................................................        A-8

                                                      ARTICLE III
                                              PURCHASE AND SALE OF SHARES
    3.1.   Company Action....................................................................................        A-9
    3.2.   Exchange of Debt and Issuance of Shares...........................................................        A-9
    3.3.   Advisor Fees......................................................................................        A-9
    3.4.   Fidelity Note Purchase Agreement..................................................................        A-9
    3.5.   Property Transfer.................................................................................        A-9
    3.6.   Leases and Other Ancillary Agreements.............................................................        A-9
    3.7.   Closing...........................................................................................        A-9

                                                       ARTICLE IV
                                           CONDITIONS TO FUNDING AND CLOSING
    4.1.   Conditions of Parent and Holdings with Respect to the Funding and Closing.........................        A-9
    4.2.   Conditions of Company with Respect to the Funding and Closing.....................................       A-11
    4.3.   Conditions of the Other Investors and Grantor Trust with Respect to the Funding and Closing.......       A-12

                                                       ARTICLE V
                                             REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES
    5.1.   Representations and Warranties of Company.........................................................       A-13
    5.2.   Representations and Warranties of Parent and Holdings.............................................       A-23
    5.3.   Representations and Warranties of the Other Investors.............................................       A-24

                                                       ARTICLE VI
                                  COVENANTS RELATING TO CONDUCT OF BUSINESS OF COMPANY
    6.1.   Conduct of Business...............................................................................       A-25

                                                      ARTICLE VII
                                                 ADDITIONAL AGREEMENTS
    7.1.   Preparation of the Proxy Statement; Stockholders Meeting..........................................       A-27
    7.2.   Access to Information; Confidentiality............................................................       A-27
    7.3.   Reasonable Efforts; Notification; Consent.........................................................       A-28
    7.4.   Fees and Expenses.................................................................................       A-29
    7.5.   Public Announcements..............................................................................       A-29
    7.6.   Stockholder Litigation............................................................................       A-29
    7.7.   Employment Arrangements...........................................................................       A-29
    7.8.   Reporting Company.................................................................................       A-29
</TABLE>

                                      A-i
<PAGE>

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                                                                 PAGE
                                                                                                               ---------
<S>        <C>                                                                                                 <C>
    7.9.   NYSE Listing......................................................................................       A-29
    7.10.  Liquidating Property Trust Leases and Property Transfer...........................................       A-29
    7.11.  Agreement to Vote Shares..........................................................................       A-29
    7.12.  No Voting Trusts..................................................................................       A-29
    7.13.  No Proxy Solicitations............................................................................       A-30
    7.14.  Transfer and Encumbrance..........................................................................       A-30
    7.15.  Additional Purchases..............................................................................       A-30
    7.16.  Covenants Relating to Post-Funding Tax Matters....................................................       A-30
    7.17.  Environmental Indemnity, Etc......................................................................       A-32

                                                      ARTICLE VIII
                                           TERMINATION, AMENDMENT AND WAIVER
    8.1.   Termination.......................................................................................       A-32
    8.2.   Effect of Termination.............................................................................       A-33
    8.3.   Amendment.........................................................................................       A-33
    8.4.   Extension; Waiver.................................................................................       A-33
    8.5.   Procedure for Termination, Amendment, Extension or Waiver.........................................       A-33

                                                       ARTICLE IX
                                                   GENERAL PROVISIONS
    9.1.   Survival of Warranties and Certain Agreements.....................................................       A-33
    9.2.   Notices...........................................................................................       A-33
    9.3.   Counterparts......................................................................................       A-35
    9.4.   Entire Agreement; No Third-Party Beneficiaries....................................................       A-35
    9.5.   Assignment........................................................................................       A-35
    9.6.   Severability......................................................................................       A-36
    9.7.   GOVERNING LAW.....................................................................................       A-36
    9.8.   Enforcement.......................................................................................       A-36
</TABLE>

<TABLE>
<S>                 <C>
                                          SCHEDULES
Schedule 1.1        Financial Information
Schedule 3.2        Debt Exchange
Schedule 5.1(b)     Subsidiaries
Schedule 5.1(c)     Stock Equivalents
Schedule 5.1(d)     Consents
Schedule 5.1(e)     Balance Sheet
Schedule 5.1(g)     Certain Changes
Schedule 5.1(h)     Mortgaged Property
Schedule 5.1(i)     Litigation
Schedule 5.1(k)     Taxes
Schedule 5.1(m)     Disqualified Individual Payments
Schedule 5.1(q)     Material Contracts
Schedule 5.1(t)     Affiliates
Schedule 5.1(aa)    Grantor Trust Subsidiaries
</TABLE>

<TABLE>
<S>         <C>
                                          EXHIBITS
Exhibit A   Amendment to Certificate of Incorporation
Exhibit B   Certificate of Designations
Exhibit C   Form of Proxy
Exhibit D   Closing Memorandum
Exhibit E   Allocation Schedule
Exhibit F   Amended Liquidating Property Trust Agreement
Exhibit G   Third Amended Agreement
Exhibit H   Second Amended and Restated Trust Loan Agreement
</TABLE>

                                      A-ii
<PAGE>
    INVESTMENT AGREEMENT dated as of February 15, 1995 (this "Agreement"), among
Corimon,  S.A.C.A., a Venezuelan corporation  ("Parent"), Corimon Corporation, a
Delaware corporation  and  a wholly  owned  Subsidiary of  Parent  ("Holdings"),
Fidelity  Capital  & Income  Fund, ("Investor1"),  Kodak Retirement  Income Plan
Trust Fund, ("Investor2"), Transamerica Life Insurance and Annuity Co., a  North
Carolina  corporation ("Investor3"), Transamerica Occidental Life Insurance Co.,
a California corporation ("Investor4"), Sun  Life Insurance Company of  America,
an  Arizona corporation ("Investor5"), Anchor National Life Insurance Company, a
California corporation  ("Investor6" and,  together with  Investor1,  Investor2,
Investor3,  Investor4  and Investor5,  the  "Other Investors"),  Standard Brands
Paint Collateral  Trust,  a California  trust  ("Grantor Trust"),  and  Standard
Brands Paint Company, a Delaware corporation ("Company").

                                    RECITALS

    WHEREAS  Parent, Holdings,  the Other  Investors, Grantor  Trust and Company
desire to make the respective  investments in, and recapitalization of,  Company
on the terms and subject to the conditions set forth in this Agreement;

    WHEREAS  Parent, Holdings,  the Other  Investors, Grantor  Trust and Company
desire to make certain representations, warranties, covenants and agreements and
also to  prescribe  various  conditions  in  connection  with  the  Transactions
contemplated hereby; and

    WHEREAS,  simultaneously with the execution  and delivery of this Agreement,
each of Parent,  Holdings, the Other  Investors, Grantor Trust  and Company  has
entered into the Ancillary Funding Agreements to which it is a party.

    NOW,   THEREFORE,  in  consideration  of  the  representations,  warranties,
covenants and  agreements  contained in  this  Agreement and  in  the  Ancillary
Agreements,  and  for other  good and  valuable  consideration, the  receipt and
sufficiency of which are hereby acknowledged, the Parties hereto hereby agree as
follows:

                                   ARTICLE I
                                  DEFINITIONS

    1.1.  DEFINITIONS.  For purposes of this Agreement:

    "ADVISOR SHARES" has the meaning set forth in Section 3.3.

    "AFFILIATE" has the  same meaning  as in  Rule 12b-2  promulgated under  the
Exchange Act.

    "ALLONGES"  means  the Allonges  delivered by  Borrowers to  Servicing Agent
pursuant to subsection 3.1A of the Second Amended Agreement and substantially in
the form of Exhibit II to the Second Amended Agreement.

    "AMENDED  LIQUIDATING  PROPERTY  TRUST  AGREEMENT"  means  the  Amended  and
Restated  Liquidating Property Trust Agreement to be entered into among Company,
Borrowers, Holdings, Newco,  the Insurance Company  Lenders or their  Affiliates
and  Bankers Trust Company of California,  as Trustee, in substantially the form
of Exhibit F hereto.

    "AMENDMENTS" has the meaning set forth in Section 3.1(b).

    "ANCILLARY AGREEMENTS"  means  the  Ancillary  Funding  Agreements  and  the
Ancillary Closing Agreements.

    "ANCILLARY  CLOSING AGREEMENTS"  means (i) the  Beneficial Interest Purchase
Agreement, (ii) the  Liquidating Property Trust  Note Purchase Agreement,  (iii)
the  Liquidating  Property Trust  Amendment  Documents, (iv)  the  Third Amended
Agreement, (v) the Liquidating Property Trust Lease Documents and (vi) the South
Warehouse Lease.

                                      A-1
<PAGE>
    "ANCILLARY FUNDING AGREEMENTS"  means (i) the  Stockholders Agreement,  (ii)
the  Registration Rights Agreement,  (iii) the Proxies,  (iv) the Put Agreement,
(v) the Interim Loan  Agreement and (vi)  the Intercreditor Agreement.  "Argosy"
has the meaning set forth in Section 4.1(f).

    "BANKRUPTCY  CODE"  means  the  United States  Code,  the  Federal  Rules of
Bankruptcy Procedure promulgated thereunder, and the local Bankruptcy Rules  for
the Central District of California.

    "BANKRUPTCY  COURT" means the United States Bankruptcy Court for the Central
District of California.

    "BASE AMOUNT" has the meaning set forth in Section 5.1(m).

    "BENEFICIAL INTEREST PURCHASE AGREEMENT"  has the meaning  set forth in  the
Liquidating Property Trust Amendment Documents.

    "BOARD  OF DIRECTORS" means  the Board of Directors  of Company except where
the context requires otherwise.

    "BORROWER NOTES" means the promissory notes of Borrowers issued pursuant  to
subsection  2.1D  of the  Original Agreement  and substantially  in the  form of
Exhibit II to the Original Agreement, as modified pursuant to the Allonges,  and
as  such notes may be  amended, supplemented or otherwise  modified from time to
time.

    "BORROWERS" means Standard  Brands Paint  Co., Standard  Brands Realty  Co.,
Inc. and The Art Store.

    "BUSINESS  DAY" means any day excluding Saturday, Sunday and any day that is
a legal holiday under the laws  of the State of California  or New York or is  a
day on which banking institutions located in the State of California or New York
are authorized by law or other governmental action to close.

    "CAPITAL  LEASE", as applied to any Person,  means any lease of any property
(whether real,  personal, or  mixed) by  that Person  as lessee  that would,  in
conformity  with GAAP, be required to be accounted for as a capital lease on the
balance sheet of that Person.

    "CERTIFICATE OF  DESIGNATIONS"  means  the certificate  of  designations  of
Company, in the form of Exhibit B hereto.

    "CERTIFICATE  OF INCORPORATION"  means the  certificate of  incorporation of
Company, and as amended in the form of Exhibit A hereto.

    "CLOSING" has the meaning set forth in Section 3.7.

    "CLOSING DATE" has the meaning set forth in Section 3.7.

    "CLOSING DOCUMENTS"  means  the documents  agreed  to be  delivered  at  the
Closing as set forth in the Closing memorandum attached as Exhibit D hereto.

    "COMMON  STOCK" means the common stock of Company, par value $.01 per share,
and as converted pursuant to the Stock Split.

    "COMPANY" has the meaning set forth above.

    "CONTINGENT OBLIGATION",  as applied  to  any Person,  means any  direct  or
indirect  liability, contingent or otherwise, of that Person with respect to any
indebtedness, lease, dividend, letter of  credit, or other obligation of  itself
or  another, including,  without limitation,  any obligation  under any interest
rate swap  agreement or  currency  swap agreement,  any obligation  directly  or
indirectly guaranteed, endorsed (otherwise than for collection or deposit in the
ordinary  course of business),  co-made, or discounted or  sold with recourse by
that Person,  or  in respect  of  which that  Person  is otherwise  directly  or
indirectly  liable, including, without limitation, any such obligation for which
that Person is in effect liable through any agreement (contingent or  otherwise)
to  purchase, repurchase, or  otherwise acquire such  obligation or any security
therefor,   or   to    provide   funds    for   the    payment   or    discharge

                                      A-2
<PAGE>
of  such obligation  (whether in the  form of loans,  advances, stock purchases,
capital contributions, or otherwise), or to maintain the solvency or any balance
sheet, income or other financial condition of the obligor of such obligation, or
to  make  payment  for  any  products,   materials,  or  supplies  or  for   any
transportation,   services,  or   lease  regardless   of  the   non-delivery  or
non-furnishing thereof,  in any  such case  if  the purpose  or intent  of  such
agreement  is  to  provide  assurance  that  such  obligation  will  be  paid or
discharged, or that any  agreements relating thereto will  be complied with,  or
that  the holders  of such obligation  will be  protected (in whole  or in part)
against loss in respect thereof. The  amount of any Contingent Obligation  shall
be equal to the amount of the obligation so guaranteed or otherwise supported.

    "DGCL" means the General Corporation Law of the State of Delaware.

    "DIRECTOR" means a member of the Board of Directors.

    "DISQUALIFIED INDIVIDUAL" has the meaning set forth in Section 5.1(m).

    "DOLLARS" means the lawful money of the United States of America.

    "EFFECTIVE DATE" means the effective date of the Plan, as provided therein.

    "ERISA"  means  the  Employee Retirement  Income  Security Act  of  1974, as
amended from time to time and any successor statute.

    "ERISA AFFILIATE", as  applied to any  Person, means any  trade or  business
(whether  or not incorporated) that is a member  of a group of which that Person
is also a  member and that  is under common  control within the  meaning of  the
regulations promulgated under Section 414 of the Internal Revenue Code.

    "EMPLOYEE STOCK OPTIONS" has the meaning set forth in Section 5.1(c).

    "EXCESS PARACHUTE PAYMENT" has the meaning set forth in Section 5.1(m).

    "EXCHANGE  ACT" means the Securities Exchange Act  of 1934 and the rules and
regulations promulgated thereunder, as amended.

    "EXISTING GRANTOR  TRUST  INDEBTEDNESS"  means Indebtedness  of  Company  or
Borrowers  to the Grantor Trust  in an aggregate principal  amount not to exceed
$6,000,000 pursuant to the Existing Grantor Trust Loan Agreements.

    "EXISTING GRANTOR  TRUST  LOAN AGREEMENTS"  means  the documents  listed  on
Schedule 9 to the New Loan Agreement and the Loan Agreement dated March 16, 1994
among Company, the New Loan Borrowers and the Grantor Trust.

    "EXISTING  INSURANCE COMPANY INDEBTEDNESS" means indebtedness of Company and
Interim Borrowers  to the  Insurance Company  Lenders pursuant  to the  Existing
Insurance Company Loan Agreement.

    "EXISTING  INSURANCE COMPANY LOAN AGREEMENT"  means the Amended and Restated
Loan Agreement dated  as of June  14, 1993 among  Company, Borrowers,  Insurance
Company  Lenders and Servicing Agent, as such Agreement may be amended, modified
or supplemented  from time  to time,  including pursuant  to the  Third  Amended
Agreement.

    "FIDELITY  LIMITED GUARANTY" means the  limited recourse guaranty by Company
of up to $10,000,000 of the obligations  of the Grantor Trust under the  Secured
Fidelity  Note pursuant to the Plan, which amount has been reduced in accordance
with its terms to  $2,500,000, as it may  be amended, supplemented or  otherwise
modified pursuant to Section 6.14 of the New Loan Agreement.

    "FIDELITY  NOTE  PURCHASE AGREEMENT"  means  a Note  Purchase  Agreement for
$5,000,000 or more of notes between Company and one or more entities  affiliated
with Investor1 and Investor2.

    "FILED SEC DOCUMENTS" has the meaning set forth in Section 5.1(g).

                                      A-3
<PAGE>
    "FUNDING" AND "FUNDING DATE" have the meanings set forth in Section 2.5.

    "GAAP"  means  generally accepted  accounting  principles set  forth  in the
opinions and pronouncements of the Accounting Principles Board and the  American
Institute  of  Certified  Public  Accountants,  including,  without limitations,
adjustments prescribed in accordance  with SOP 90-7 if  elected by the  Company,
and statements and pronouncements of the Financial Accounting Standards Board or
in  such  other  statements  by  such  other entity  as  may  be  approved  by a
significant segment of  the accounting  profession, that are  applicable to  the
circumstances as of the date of determination.

    "GOVERNMENTAL ENTITY" has the meaning set forth in Section 4.1(b).

    "GRANTOR TRUST" has the meaning set forth above.

    "GRANTOR  TRUST DOCUMENTS" means the  Grantor Trust Asset Purchase Agreement
(as defined  in the  Plan),  the Existing  Grantor  Trust Loan  Agreements,  the
Secured  Fidelity Notes,  the Fidelity Limited  Guaranty and  the "Grantor Trust
Documents" as defined in the Plan.

    "GRANTOR TRUST SUBSIDIARIES" means  The Art Store  Holding Company, The  Art
Store and SBP Properties Holding Company.

    "HOLDINGS" has the meaning set forth above.

    "HSR ACT" means the Hart-Scott-Rodino Antitrust Improvements Act of 1976 and
the rules and regulations promulgated thereunder, as amended.

    "INDEBTEDNESS",  as applied  to any Person,  means (i)  all indebtedness for
borrowed money, (ii) that portion of obligations with respect to Capital  Leases
that  is capitalized  on a  balance sheet in  conformity with  GAAP, (iii) notes
payable and drafts  accepted representing  extensions of credit  whether or  not
representing obligations for borrowed money, (iv) any obligation owed for all or
any  part of the deferred purchase price  of property or services which purchase
price is  (y) due  more than  six  months from  the date  of incurrence  of  the
obligation  in respect thereof,  or (z) evidenced  by a note  or similar written
instrument, and  (v) all  indebtedness secured  by any  mortgage, pledge,  Lien,
security  interest, or  vendor's interest  under any  conditional sale  or other
title retention agreement  existing on any  property or asset  owned or held  by
that  Person regardless whether the indebtedness secured thereby shall have been
assumed by that Person or is non-recourse to the credit of that Person; PROVIDED
that, applied to  Borrowers, "Indebtedness"  shall not  include the  Liquidating
Property Trust Obligations.

    "INSURANCE  COMPANY  LENDERS"  means  Investor3,  Investor4,  Investor5  and
Investor6.

    "INTERCREDITOR AGREEMENT" means the Intercreditor Agreement, dated as of the
date hereof, among Holdings, the Other Investors, Interim Borrowers and Company,
in the form of Exhibit C to the Interim Loan Agreement.

    "INTERIM BORROWERS"  means Standard  Brands Paint  Co. and  Standard  Brands
Realty Co., Inc.

    "INTERIM  LOAN AGREEMENT" means the Interim  Loan Agreement, dated as of the
date hereof, among Company, Interim Borrowers and Holdings.

    "INTERIM NOTES"  means  the promissory  notes  of Interim  Borrowers  issued
pursuant  to the Interim Loan Agreement and substantially in the form of Exhibit
A thereto, and as such Interim Notes may be amended, supplemented, or  otherwise
modified from time to time.

    "INTERNAL  REVENUE CODE" means the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended
to the  date hereof  and  from time  to time  hereafter.  For purposes  of  this
Agreement,  all reference to Sections of the Internal Revenue Code shall include
any applicable predecessor provisions to such Sections.

    "LENDER" AND  "LENDERS"  have  the  meanings  set  forth  in  the  New  Loan
Agreement.

    "LIEN"  means  any lien,  mortgage,  pledge, security  interest,  charge, or
encumbrance of any kind (including any conditional sale or other title retention
agreement, any  lease in  the nature  thereof,  and any  agreement to  give  any
security interest).

                                      A-4
<PAGE>
    "LIQUIDATING   PROPERTY   TRUST"  means   the  liquidating   property  trust
established pursuant to the Liquidating Property Trust Documents.

    "LIQUIDATING PROPERTY TRUST AGREEMENT" means the Trust Agreement dated as of
July 12, 1994 among Company, Standard  Brands Paint Co., Standard Brands  Realty
Co.  Inc.,  as Depositors,  and Bankers  Trust Company  of California,  N.A., as
Trustee.

    "LIQUIDATING  PROPERTY  TRUST   AMENDMENT  DOCUMENTS"   means  the   Amended
Liquidating  Property Trust Agreement and the  Second Amended and Restated Trust
Loan Agreement.

    "LIQUIDATING PROPERTY TRUST DOCUMENTS" means the Liquidating Property  Trust
Agreement and the Amended and Restated Trust Loan Agreement dated as of July 12,
1994  among  the  Liquidating  Property  Trust,  Insurance  Company  Lenders and
Servicing Agent, as each such agreement may be amended, supplemented or modified
from time  to  time,  including  by the  Liquidating  Property  Trust  Amendment
Documents.

    "LIQUIDATING  PROPERTY  TRUST  LEASE  DOCUMENTS"  has  the  same  meaning as
Depositors Leases in the Liquidating Property Trust Amendment Documents.

    "LIQUIDATING PROPERTY TRUST  LEASES" has  the meaning set  forth in  Section
4.1(k).

    "LIQUIDATING PROPERTY TRUST NOTE PURCHASE AGREEMENT" means the Note Purchase
Agreement among Holdings, an entity organized by Investor1 and Investor2 and the
Insurance Company Lenders.

    "LIQUIDATING PROPERTY TRUST OBLIGATIONS" means all of the obligations of the
Liquidating  Property  Trust to  Insurance Company  Lenders and  Servicing Agent
under the Liquidating Property Trust Documents.

    "MATERIAL ADVERSE CHANGE" or "MATERIAL  ADVERSE EFFECT" means any change  or
effect  (or any development that is reasonably likely to result in any change or
effect)  that  is  materially  adverse  to  the  business,  properties,  assets,
condition  (financial  or  otherwise),  results of  operations  or  prospects of
Company and its Subsidiaries in each case taken  as a whole, or to the value  of
the Common Stock or the Preferred Stock. By way of background, Schedule 1.1 sets
forth the most recent financial information of the Company.

    "MATERIAL CONTRACTS" has the meaning set forth in Section 5.1(q).

    "MORTGAGE"  or  "MORTGAGES" have  the  meanings set  forth  in the  New Loan
Agreement and the Interim Loan Agreement.

    "MORTGAGED PROPERTY" means real and personal property subject to the lien of
a  Mortgage;  but  shall  not  include  the  Mortgaged  Properties  which   were
transferred  to  the  Liquidating  Property Trust  pursuant  to  the Liquidating
Property Trust Documents.

    "MULTIEMPLOYER PLAN"  means a  "MULTIEMPLOYER PLAN"  as defined  in  Section
4001(a)(3)  of ERISA in which any employees of Company or any ERISA Affiliate of
Company participate or from which any such employees may derive a benefit.

    "NEW BORROWER NOTES" means the promissory notes of New Loan Borrowers issued
pursuant to subsection 2.1(D) of the New Loan Agreement and substantially in the
form of Exhibit II annexed to the New Loan Agreement.

    "NEW LOAN AGREEMENT" means that certain Loan Agreement dated as of March 16,
1994 by and among  Company, the New Loan  Borrowers, the lenders named  therein,
Transamerica  Occidental  Life Insurance  Company,  as servicing  and collateral
agent for  lenders,  as  such  New Loan  Agreement  may  be  amended,  restated,
supplemented or otherwise modified from time to time.

    "NEW  LOAN BORROWERS"  means Standard Brands  Paint Co.  and Standard Brands
Realty Co., Inc.

    "NEW SHARES" has the meaning set forth in Section 3.2.

                                      A-5
<PAGE>
    "NOTE PURCHASE AGREEMENT" means the Note Purchase Agreement, dated as of the
date hereof, between Holdings and Grantor Trust.

    "OBLIGATIONS" means all obligations of every nature of Company from time  to
time owed to Holdings under the Interim Loan Agreement and the Interim Notes.

    "ORIGINAL  AGREEMENT" means  the Loan  Agreement, dated  as of  November 30,
1987, among Company, Borrowers, Insurance  Company Lenders and Servicing  Agent,
as amended to the date hereof.

    "OTHER INVESTORS" has the meaning set forth above.

    "PARTY" means a Party to this Agreement.

    "PENSION  PLAN" means any employee plan that is subject to the provisions of
Title IV of ERISA in  which any employees of Company  or any ERISA Affiliate  of
Company participate or from which any such employees may derive a benefit, other
than a Multiemployer Plan.

    "PERSON"   means  and   includes  natural   persons,  corporations,  limited
partnerships, general  partnerships,  joint  stock  companies,  joint  ventures,
associations,  companies, trusts, banks, trust  companies, land trusts, business
trusts, or other organizations, whether  or not legal entities, and  governments
and agencies and political subdivisions thereof.

    "PLAN"  means  Debtors' Fourth  Amended Joint  Plan of  Reorganization filed
March 1993, filed by Company in the Reorganization Cases on March 1993 and as it
was amended thereafter, was  confirmed on May 14,  1993 and became effective  on
June 14, 1993.

    "PREFERRED SHARES" has the meaning set forth in Section 3.2.

    "PREFERRED  STOCK" means the  preferred stock of  Company issued pursuant to
the Certificate of Designations.

    "PROPERTY TRANSFER" has the meaning set forth in Section 4.1(j).

    "PROPOSALS" has the meaning set forth in Section 4.1(i).

    "PROXY" means a Proxy contemplated by Section 2.3(d), in the form of Exhibit
C hereto.

    "PROXY STATEMENT" has the meaning set forth in Section 7.1(a).

    "PUT AGREEMENT"  means  the Put  Agreement,  dated the  date  hereof,  among
Parent, Grantor Trust, the Other Investors and Company.

    "REGISTRATION  RIGHTS  AGREEMENT" means  the Registration  Rights Agreement,
dated the date hereof, among Holdings, the Other Investors and Company.

    "REORGANIZATION CASES" means  Company's and Borrowers'  (other than The  Art
Store) jointly administered cases under the Bankruptcy Code.

    "SARS" has the meaning set forth in Section 5.1(c)

    "SEC" means the Securities and Exchange Commission.

    "SEC DOCUMENTS" has the meaning set forth in Section 5.1(e).

    "SECOND  AMENDED AGREEMENT" means  the Second Amended  and Restated Existing
Loan Agreement, dated as of July  12, 1994, among Company, Borrowers,  Insurance
Company Lenders and Servicing Agent.

    "SECOND  AMENDED AND RESTATED TRUST LOAN AGREEMENT" means the Second Amended
and Restated  Trust Loan  Agreement to  be entered  into among  the  Liquidating
Property  Trust, Insurance Company Lenders and Servicing Agent, in substantially
the form of Exhibit H hereto.

                                      A-6
<PAGE>
    "SECURED FIDELITY NOTES" means the Fixed Rate and Floating Rate Senior Notes
issued by the Grantor Trust to Investor1 and Investor2.

    "SECURITIES ACT"  means  the  Securities  Act of  1933  and  the  rules  and
regulations promulgated thereunder, as amended.

    "SERVICING  AGENT" means Transamerica Occidental  Life Insurance Company, as
servicing and collateral agent for Lenders and Insurance Company Lenders.

    "SHARE" has the meaning set forth in Section 3.1(a).

    "SHARE ISSUANCES" shall mean the issuances of the New Shares, the  Preferred
Shares and the Advisor Shares pursuant to Sections 3.2 and 3.3.

    "SOUTH  WAREHOUSE" means the South Warehouse located in Torrance, California
and owned by the Liquidating Property Trust.

    "SOUTH WAREHOUSE LEASE" has the meaning set forth in Section 4.1(l).

    "STOCK EQUIVALENTS" has the meaning set forth in Section 5.1(c).

    "STOCK SPLIT" has the meaning set forth in Section 3.1(a).

    "STOCKHOLDERS AGREEMENT" means the Stockholders  Agreement, dated as of  the
date hereof, between Holdings and Company.

    "STOCKHOLDERS MEETING" has the meaning set forth in Section 7.1(b).

    "SUBSIDIARY"  has the  same meaning as  in Rule 12b-2  promulgated under the
Exchange Act.

    "TAX" or "TAXES"  shall mean  all federal,  state, local  or foreign  taxes,
including  but  not  limited  to,  income,  gross  receipts,  windfall  profits,
alternative minimum, value added,  severance, property, production, sales,  use,
license,  excise, franchise, employment, withholding  or similar taxes, together
with and interest, additions or penalties with respect thereto and any  interest
in respect of such additions or penalties.

    "TAX  RETURN" shall mean all  reports and returns required  to be filed with
respect to Taxes.

    "THE ART STORE NOTE" means the note  dated May 31, 1993, from The Art  Store
to  Standard Brands Paint Co.  in the principal amount  of $5,000,000, such note
having been endorsed to  Lewis C. Leighton  as Trustee of  the Grantor Trust  on
June 14, 1993.

    "THIRD  AMENDED  AGREEMENT" means  the Third  Amended and  Restated Existing
Agreement, among  Company, Borrowers,  Insurance Company  Lenders and  Servicing
Agent, in the form of Exhibit G hereto.

    "TRANSACTIONS" means the Transactions contemplated by this Agreement and the
Ancillary Agreements.

    "WORKING CAPITAL NOTES" means the notes issued pursuant to the Fidelity Note
Purchase Agreement and purchased by Investor1.

    1.2.   INTERPRETATION.   When  a reference  is made  in this  Agreement to a
Section, Exhibit or Schedule,  such reference shall  be to a  Section of, or  an
Exhibit  or Schedule to, this Agreement unless otherwise indicated. The table of
contents and headings  contained in  this Agreement are  for reference  purposes
only  and shall  not affect  in any  way the  meaning or  interpretation of this
Agreement. Whenever the words "include",  "includes" or "including" are used  in
this  Agreement,  they shall  be deemed  to  be followed  by the  words "without
limitation". For purposes of  this Agreement, the knowledge  of any Party  shall
mean the knowledge of such Party and its Subsidiaries after due inquiry.

                                      A-7
<PAGE>
                                   ARTICLE II
                                INTERIM FUNDING

    2.1.   NOTE PURCHASE AGREEMENT.  Prior to the execution and delivery of this
Agreement,  the  Parties  thereto  executed  and  delivered  the  Note  Purchase
Agreement and the closing occurred thereunder.

    2.2.   GRANTOR  TRUST TRANSACTIONS.   The  Transactions in  this Section 2.2
shall precede the Transactions in Sections 2.3 and 2.4; and the Transactions  in
this  Section  2.2 shall  occur in  the  order stated.  Grantor Trust  shall pay
$1,518,351 of  Existing Insurance  Company Indebtedness  and Company  shall  pay
$237,374  of Existing Insurance Company  Indebtedness. Insurance Company Lenders
shall release the cross-collateralization and the guarantees with respect to the
Existing Insurance Company Indebtedness owed to Insurance Company Lenders by The
Art Store  and  discharge  any  deed  of  trust  or  other  security  instrument
encumbering  real or  personal property  owned by  The Art  Store. Grantor Trust
shall contribute the Art Store  Note to The Art  Store Holding Company. The  Art
Store  Holding Company shall contribute the Art Store Note to The Art Store. The
Art Store  shall  cancel the  Art  Store  Note. Investor1  and  Investor2  shall
exchange  the Secured Fidelity  Notes with the Grantor  Trust for (i) $5,050,200
principal  amount  of  Existing  Grantor  Trust  Indebtedness,  (ii)  $5,260,625
principal amount of New Borrower Notes, (iii) the stock of The Art Store Holding
Company,  a  Delaware  corporation, (iv)  the  stock of  SBP  Properties Holding
Company, a California corporation  and (v) $594,824 in  cash, all in  accordance
with  Exhibit  E  hereto. Investor1  and  Investor2 shall  deliver  the Fidelity
Limited Guaranty to Company for cancellation.

    2.3.  INVESTMENT AGREEMENT AND  ANCILLARY FUNDING AGREEMENTS.   Concurrently
with the execution and delivery of this Agreement,

    (a)  The Parties  thereto shall  execute and  deliver each  of the Ancillary
       Funding Agreements;

    (b) Holdings shall loan $14,000,000  to Interim Borrowers, by wire  transfer
       to  Company for their benefit, for a  like amount of Interim Notes issued
       under the  Interim  Loan Agreement  and  all filings  and  recordings  in
       connection with the Interim Loan Agreement shall be made;

    (c) All outstanding options, SARs and warrants for the Common Stock shall be
       cancelled  as of  or prior  to the Funding  Date and  the Other Investors
       shall cancel and return all options,  SARs and warrants for Common  Stock
       held by them; and

    (d)  The Other Investors shall grant  their irrevocable proxies, each in the
       form of Exhibit  C hereto,  to Holdings  or its  designees. Such  proxies
       shall  be irrevocable  during the  term of  this Agreement  to the extent
       permitted under Delaware law  and coupled with  an interest. Company  and
       Borrowers shall simultaneously pay all accrued and unpaid payments to the
       Other  Investors and  all accrued  and unpaid  rent due  under the Master
       Lease (as  defined  in the  Liquidating  Property Trust  Agreement).  Any
       defects  in  such proxies  shall be  corrected  by the  Other Investor(s)
       concerned promptly after the Funding according to the reasonable  request
       of Holdings.

    2.4.   DIRECTORS AND BY-LAWS.   Concurrently with the execution and delivery
of this  Agreement  and  the  Stockholders  Agreement,  Company  will  take  all
necessary  action to appoint to its Board of Directors the individuals set forth
in Schedule 2.1 to the  Stockholders Agreement and to  adopt the By-Laws as  set
forth in Schedule 2.6 to the Stockholders Agreement.

    2.5.    FUNDING.   The interim  funding which  consists of  the Transactions
referred to in Sections  2.1 through 2.4  (the "Funding") shall  be held at  the
offices of Sullivan & Cromwell, 444 South Flower Street, Los Angeles, California
90071 (provided that certain of the actions contemplated by Section 2.1 may take
place  in New York or Boston)  as of the date of  execution and delivery of this
Agreement (the  "Funding  Date"). At  the  Funding, Company,  Parent,  Holdings,
Grantor  Trust and the Other Investors shall deliver such opinions, certificates
and documents as may be reasonably requested to evidence such Funding.

                                      A-8
<PAGE>
                                  ARTICLE III
                          PURCHASE AND SALE OF SHARES

    3.1.  COMPANY ACTION.  (a)  Prior to Closing, Company will effect a 1 for 10
reverse stock split of its Common  Stock, pursuant to which each 10  outstanding
shares of its Common Stock, par value $.01 per share, will be converted into one
share  (a "Share") of its new Common Stock, par value $.01 per share (the "Stock
Split"). The Company may, at its option,  pay cash for any fractional shares  or
round such fractional shares up to the nearest whole number of Shares.

    (b)   Prior  to  or  concurrently  with  Closing,  Company  will  amend  its
Certificate of Incorporation as set forth in Exhibit A hereto (the "Amendments")
and take  all  necessary  action  to  appoint to  its  Board  of  Directors  the
individuals set forth in Schedule 2.1 to the Stockholders Agreement.

    3.2.   EXCHANGE OF  DEBT AND ISSUANCE OF  SHARES.  Subject  to the terms and
conditions  set  forth  herein,   Holdings,  Investor1,  Investor2,   Investor3,
Investor4,  Investor5 and Investor6 shall exchange $14,000,000 of Interim Notes,
$6,000,000 of  Existing  Grantor  Trust  Indebtedness  and  $10,000,000  of  New
Borrower Notes (collectively, the "Exchange Debt") held by them with the Company
for  17,943,422 newly  issued Shares  (the "New Shares")  of Common  Stock at an
exchange price of $0.89 (based on the principal amount of the Exchange Debt) per
New Share  and  1,570,049  newly  issued  shares  (the  "Preferred  Shares")  of
Preferred  Stock at an exchange price of $8.92 (based on the principal amount of
the Exchange Debt) per  Preferred Share, as set  forth on Schedule 3.2.  Company
shall  simultaneously pay to the holders thereof all interest accrued and unpaid
on the Exchange Debt. Each Party shall take all actions necessary to release any
Liens, security interests or guarantees in connection with the Exchange Debt and
discharge any deed  of trust or  other security instrument  encumbering real  or
personal property securing such Exchange Debt.

    3.3.   ADVISOR FEES.  As partial payment to Libra Investments, Inc., Company
shall issue to Libra Investments, Inc. 448,586 newly issued Shares (the "Advisor
Shares"). Such partial  payment of their  advisory fees shall  be credited at  a
price of $0.89 per Share.

    3.4.   FIDELITY NOTE PURCHASE AGREEMENT.  It is presently contemplated that,
concurrently or  shortly  after the  Closing,  a  closing shall  occur  under  a
Fidelity Note Purchase Agreement.

    3.5.  PROPERTY TRANSFER.  Concurrently with the Closing, the Parties thereto
shall execute and deliver the Liquidating Property Trust Amendment Documents and
the  Third Amended  Agreement and  the Property  Transfer shall  occur under the
Liquidating Property Trust Amendment Documents.

    3.6.  LEASES AND OTHER ANCILLARY AGREEMENTS.  Concurrently with the Closing,
the Parties thereto  shall execute  and deliver the  Liquidating Property  Trust
Lease  Documents  and  to  the  extent not  already  done,  the  other Ancillary
Agreements.

    3.7.  CLOSING.  The Closing of the Transactions contemplated in Sections 3.2
through 3.6 (the "Closing") shall be held at the offices of Sullivan & Cromwell,
444 South Flower Street, Los Angeles, California 90071 (provided that certain of
the actions  may  take  place  in  New York  or  Boston)  on  the  Business  Day
immediately  following  the Stockholders  Meeting  or such  other  date mutually
agreed upon  by the  Parties.  The date  on which  the  Closing shall  occur  is
hereinafter  referred to as the "Closing Date". At the Closing, Company, Parent,
Holdings, and the Other Investors shall deliver the Closing Documents.

                                   ARTICLE IV
                       CONDITIONS TO FUNDING AND CLOSING

    4.1.  CONDITIONS  OF PARENT  AND HOLDINGS WITH  RESPECT TO  THE FUNDING  AND
CLOSING.   The obligations of Parent and Holdings to consummate the Transactions
contemplated to occur at the Funding

                                      A-9
<PAGE>
and the  Closing  are subject  to  the satisfaction  (or  waiver by  Parent  and
Holdings)  as of the Funding and the  Closing of the following conditions (it is
understood that the  execution and delivery  of this Agreement  and the  Funding
shall occur at the same time):

        (a) The representations and warranties of Company, Grantor Trust and the
    Other  Investors set forth in this Agreement and in the Ancillary Agreements
    qualified as to  materiality shall  be true and  correct, and  those not  so
    qualified shall be true and correct in all material respects, as of the date
    hereof  and as of the time of the  Funding and the Closing as though made as
    of such  time, except  to  the extent  such representations  and  warranties
    expressly  relate to an earlier date (in which case such representations and
    warranties qualified as to materiality shall be true and correct, and  those
    not  so qualified shall be true and correct in all material respects, on and
    as of  such earlier  date). Each  of Company,  Grantor Trust  and the  Other
    Investors shall have performed or complied in all material respects with all
    obligations  and  covenants required  by  this Agreement  and  the Ancillary
    Agreements to be performed  or complied with by  Company, the Grantor  Trust
    and the Other Investors by the time of the Funding and the Closing.

        (b)  No statute,  rule, regulation,  executive order,  decree, temporary
    restraining order,  preliminary  or  permanent  injunction  or  other  order
    enacted,  entered, promulgated,  enforced or  issued by  any Federal, state,
    local  or  foreign  government  or  any  court  of  competent  jurisdiction,
    administrative  agency  or  commission or  other  governmental  authority or
    instrumentality, domestic  or foreign  (a  "Governmental Entity")  or  other
    legal  restraint  or prohibition  preventing  the Transactions  shall  be in
    effect.

        (c) Each of Company,  Grantor Trust and the  Other Investors shall  have
    executed  and delivered to Parent and Holdings as applicable, each Ancillary
    Funding Agreement. Each Ancillary Funding  Agreement shall be in full  force
    and  effect, subject to the conditions contained herein or therein, and none
    of Company,  Grantor Trust  or  the Other  Investors  shall be  in  material
    default  thereunder.  The  conditions  contained  in  the  Ancillary Funding
    Agreements shall have been satisfied or waived.

        (d) The waiting  periods under the  HSR Act shall  have expired or  been
    terminated    and   the   consents,   approvals,   orders,   authorizations,
    registrations, declarations and filings set  forth on Schedule 5.1(d)  shall
    have been obtained or made.

        (e)  The New Shares  shall have been  approved for quotation  on the New
    York Stock Exchange.

        (f) The Board  of Directors of  the Company (i)  shall have received  an
    opinion  of  The  Argosy  Group  L.P.  ("Argosy")  to  the  effect  that the
    Transactions contemplated hereby are fair from a financial point of view  to
    the   stockholders  of  the  Company  and   (ii)  shall  have  approved  the
    Transactions and the Proposals.

        (g) The Proxy Statement shall have been filed, or be in a form ready  to
    file, with the SEC.

        (h)  The form of the Liquidating  Property Trust Amendment Documents and
    the form of the Liquidating Property  Trust Leases shall be satisfactory  in
    form and substance to Parent and Holdings.

        The  conditions  set  forth  in subsections  (i)  through  (l)  shall be
    applicable at Closing (but not at Funding).

        (i) Proposals approving (i) this Agreement and the Ancillary Agreements,
    (ii) the Stock Split, (iii) the Amendments, (iv) the Property Transfer,  (v)
    the  Share  Issuances and  (vi) the  appointment of  directors set  forth in
    Schedule 2.1 to  the Stockholders Agreement,  as well as  any other  matters
    that  the Company and the Parent may reasonably consider advisable to effect
    the Transactions (the "Proposals") shall have been approved, in person or by
    proxy, by  the  stockholders of  Company  at the  Stockholders  Meeting,  in
    accordance with applicable law, the rules of The New York Stock Exchange and
    the Certificate and By-Laws of Company.

                                      A-10
<PAGE>
        (j)   Company shall  have transferred to  the Liquidating Property Trust
    the  properties  identified  in  the  Amended  Liquidating  Property   Trust
    Agreement,  together with  related Existing  Insurance Company Indebtedness,
    and the closing shall  have occurred under the  Third Amended Agreement  and
    the   Liquidating   Property  Trust   Amendment  Documents   (the  "Property
    Transfer").

        (k) The  Liquidating Property  Trust shall  have leased  to Company  the
    stores  owned by the Liquidating Property  Trust pursuant to leases that are
    satisfactory in form and substance to Parent and Holdings (the  "Liquidating
    Property Trust Leases").

        (l)  The Liquidating  Property Trust  shall have  leased to  Company the
    South Warehouse on terms that are  satisfactory to Parent and Holdings  (the
    "South Warehouse Lease").

    4.2.   CONDITIONS OF COMPANY  WITH RESPECT TO THE  FUNDING AND CLOSING.  The
obligation of Company to  consummate the Transactions  contemplated to occur  at
the  Funding  and the  Closing are  subject  to the  satisfaction (or  waiver by
Company) as of the Funding  and the Closing of  the following conditions (it  is
understood  that the  execution and delivery  of this Agreement  and the Funding
shall occur at the same time):

        (a) The  representations and  warranties  of Parent,  Holdings,  Grantor
    Trust  and  the Other  Investors  set forth  in  this Agreement  and  in the
    Ancillary Agreements qualified as to materiality shall be true and  correct,
    and  those  not so  qualified  shall be  true  and correct  in  all material
    respects, as of the date hereof and as of the time of the Closing as  though
    made  as  of  such  time,  except to  the  extent  such  representations and
    warranties  expressly  relate  to  an  earlier  date  (in  which  case  such
    representations and warranties qualified as to materiality shall be true and
    correct,  and  those not  so  qualified shall  be  true and  correct  in all
    material respects,  on  and  as  of such  earlier  date).  Each  of  Parent,
    Holdings,  Grantor Trust  and the  Other Investors  shall have  performed or
    complied in  all  material  respects  with  all  obligations  and  covenants
    required  by this Agreement and the  Ancillary Agreements to be performed or
    complied with by Parent, Holdings, Grantor Trust and the Other Investors  by
    the time of the Funding and the Closing.

        (b)  No statute,  rule, regulation,  executive order,  decree, temporary
    restraining order,  preliminary  or  permanent  injunction  or  other  order
    enacted, entered, promulgated, enforced or issued by any Governmental Entity
    or other legal restraint or prohibition preventing the Transactions shall be
    in effect.

        (c)  Each of  Parent, Holdings,  Grantor Trust  and the  Other Investors
    shall  have  executed  and  delivered  to  Company  each  Ancillary  Funding
    Agreement  to which it is a party. Each Ancillary Funding Agreement shall be
    in full force  and effect,  subject to  the conditions  contained herein  or
    therein,  and  none of  the  Parent, Holdings,  Grantor  Trust or  the Other
    Investors shall be in material default thereunder. The conditions  contained
    in the Ancillary Funding Agreements shall have been satisfied or waived.

        (d)  The waiting periods  under the HSR  Act shall have  expired or been
    terminated   and   the   consents,   approvals,   orders,    authorizations,
    registrations,  declarations and filings set forth on Schedule 5.1(d) (other
    than those within the control of Company) shall have been obtained or made.

        (e) The Board of Directors of the Company shall have received an opinion
    of Argosy to the effect that  the Transactions contemplated hereby are  fair
    from a financial point of view to the stockholders of the Company.

        The  conditions  set  forth  in subsections  (f)  through  (i)  shall be
    applicable at Closing (but not at Funding).

        (f) The  Proposals  shall have  been  approved by  the  stockholders  of
    Company  at the Stockholders Meeting, in accordance with applicable law, the
    rules of the  New York  Stock Exchange and  the Certificate  and By-Laws  of
    Company.

                                      A-11
<PAGE>
        (g) The Property Transfer shall have occurred.

        (h)  The Liquidating  Property Trust Leases  shall be in  full force and
    effect.

        (i) The South Warehouse Lease shall be in full force and effect.

    4.3.  CONDITIONS OF  THE OTHER INVESTORS AND  GRANTOR TRUST WITH RESPECT  TO
THE  FUNDING AND CLOSING.   The obligation  of the Other  Investors, and Grantor
Trust  in  the  case  of  the  Funding  only,  to  consummate  the  Transactions
contemplated  to  occur  at the  Funding  and  the Closing  are  subject  to the
satisfaction (or waiver  by the  Other Investors and  Grantor Trust)  as of  the
Funding  and the Closing of the following  conditions (it is understood that the
execution and delivery of this Agreement and the Funding shall occur at the same
time):

        (a) The representations and warranties  of Parent, Holdings and  Company
    set  forth in this Agreement and in the Ancillary Agreements qualified as to
    materiality shall be true and correct,  and those not so qualified shall  be
    true  and correct in all material respects, as  of the date hereof and as of
    the time of  the Funding and  the Closing as  though made as  of such  time,
    except to the extent such representations and warranties expressly relate to
    an earlier date (in which case such representations and warranties qualified
    as  to materiality  shall be  true and correct,  and those  not so qualified
    shall be  true and  correct in  all material  respects, on  and as  of  such
    earlier  date). Each of Parent, Holdings and Company shall have performed or
    complied in  all  material  respects  with  all  obligations  and  covenants
    required  by this Agreement and the  Ancillary Agreements to be performed or
    complied with by Parent, Holdings, Investor  and Company by the time of  the
    Funding and the Closing.

        (b)  No statute,  rule, regulation,  executive order,  decree, temporary
    restraining order,  preliminary  or  permanent  injunction  or  other  order
    enacted, entered, promulgated, enforced or issued by any Governmental Entity
    or other legal restraint or prohibition preventing the Transactions shall be
    in effect.

        (c)  Each of  the Parent, Holdings  and Company shall  have executed and
    delivered to  Grantor Trust  and the  Other Investors,  as applicable,  each
    Ancillary  Funding Agreement. Each  Ancillary Funding Agreement  shall be in
    full force  and  effect, subject  to  the conditions  contained  herein  and
    therein,  and  none of  Parent,  Holdings or  Company  shall be  in material
    default thereunder.  The  conditions  contained  in  the  Ancillary  Funding
    Agreements shall have been satisfied or waived.

        (d)  The waiting periods  under the HSR  Act shall have  expired or been
    terminated   and   the   consents,   approvals,   orders,    authorizations,
    registrations,  declarations and filings set  forth on Schedule 5.1(d) shall
    have been obtained or made.

        (e) The New  Shares shall have  been approved for  quotation on the  New
    York Stock Exchange.

        (f)  The Board of  Directors of the  Company (i) shall  have received an
    opinion of Argosy to  the effect that  the Transactions contemplated  hereby
    are  fair from a financial point of  view to the stockholders of the Company
    and (ii) shall have approved the Transactions and the Proposals.

        (g) The Proxy Statement shall have been filed, or be in a form ready  to
    file, with the SEC.

        (h) The form of the Liquidating Property Trust Amendment Documents shall
    be satisfactory in form and substance to Investor1 and Investor2.

        The  conditions  set  forth  in subsections  (i)  through  (l)  shall be
    applicable at Closing (but not at Funding).

        (i) The Proposals shall have been approved in person or by proxy, by the
    stockholders of  Company at  the Stockholders  Meeting, in  accordance  with
    applicable law, the rules of the New York Stock Exchange and the Certificate
    and By-Laws of Company.

                                      A-12
<PAGE>
        (j)  The Property Transfer shall have occurred.

        (k)  The Liquidating  Property Trust Leases  shall be in  full force and
    effect.

        (l) The South Warehouse Lease shall be in full force and effect.

                                   ARTICLE V
                         REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES

    5.1.  REPRESENTATIONS  AND WARRANTIES  OF COMPANY.   Company represents  and
warrants to Parent, Holdings, Grantor Trust and the Other Investors as follows:

    (a)   ORGANIZATION, STANDING AND  CORPORATE POWER.  Company  and each of its
Subsidiaries is  a corporation  duly  organized, validly  existing and  in  good
standing  under the laws of the jurisdiction in which it is incorporated and has
the requisite corporate  power and  authority to carry  on its  business as  now
being  conducted.  Company and  each of  its Subsidiaries  is duly  qualified or
licensed to do business and  is in good standing  in each jurisdiction in  which
the  nature of its business or the  ownership or leasing of its properties makes
such qualification  or licensing  necessary, other  than in  such  jurisdictions
where  the  failure to  be  so qualified  or  licensed (individually  or  in the
aggregate) would not  have a  material adverse  effect on  Company. Company  has
delivered   to  Parent  complete  and  correct  copies  of  its  Certificate  of
Incorporation and By-Laws and the  certificates of incorporation and by-laws  or
other constitutive documents of its Subsidiaries, in each case as amended to the
date  of  this  Agreement. Grantor  Trust  is  a trust  duly  organized, validly
existing and in good standing under the laws of the State of California and  has
the requisite power and authority to enter into this Agreement and the Ancillary
Agreements and to consummate the Transactions. The Liquidating Property Trust is
a  trust duly  organized and  validly existing  under the  laws of  the State of
California and  has  all  requisite  power  and  authority  to  enter  into  the
Liquidating   Property  Trust  Documents  and  to  carry  out  the  Transactions
contemplated thereby.

    (b)  SUBSIDIARIES.   Schedule 5.1(b) lists each  Subsidiary of Company.  All
the outstanding shares of capital stock of each Subsidiary that is a corporation
have  been validly issued  and are fully  paid and nonassessable.  Except as set
forth in  Schedule 5.1(b),  the entire  equity interest  in each  Subsidiary  of
Company  is owned by Company, by another Subsidiary of Company or by Company and
another such Subsidiary, free and clear of all Liens. Except as permitted  under
Section  6.3  of  the  New  Loan  Agreement,  neither  Company  nor  any  of its
Subsidiaries owns or holds, directly or indirectly, any capital stock or  equity
security  of, or any equity interest in,  any corporation or business other than
Subsidiaries of Company.

    (c)   CAPITAL  STRUCTURE; NEW  SHARES;  PREFERRED SHARES.    The  authorized
capital  stock of  Company consists  of 30,000,000  shares of  Common Stock, par
value $0.01 per share, and 5,000,000 shares of preferred stock, par value  $0.01
per  share. At  the date hereof,  (i) 22,429,275  shares of Common  Stock and no
shares of preferred stock  of Company were issued  and outstanding, (ii)  28,231
shares  of Common Stock were held by Company in its treasury, (iii) there are no
outstanding employee stock options to purchase shares of Common Stock ("Employee
Stock Options") and  no shares reserved  for issuance pursuant  to any  Employee
Stock  Option  (although  1,500,000 shares  of  Common Stock  are  authorized in
connection with the  relevant plans), and  (iv) 750,000 shares  of Common  Stock
were  reserved for  issuance upon the  exercise of outstanding  warrants, all of
which warrants are held by  one or more Parties. Except  as set forth above,  at
the  date  hereof, no  shares of  capital  stock or  other voting  securities of
Company were issued,  reserved for  issuance or  outstanding and  except as  set
forth  on Schedule 5.1(c), there are not  any phantom stock or other contractual
rights the value of which is determined in whole or in part by the value of  any
capital  stock of Company ("Stock Equivalents").  There are no outstanding stock
appreciation rights  ("SARs")  with respect  to  Common Stock.  Except  for  the
approval of the Proposals as contemplated by Section 4.1(i), no further approval
of  the stockholders or the  directors of Company or  of any Governmental Entity
will be required by Company for the issuance and sale of the New Shares and  the
Preferred Shares as contemplated by this

                                      A-13
<PAGE>
Agreement.  When  issued  and  sold  to  Holdings  or  the  Other  Investors, as
applicable, the New  Shares and the  Preferred Shares will  be duly  authorized,
validly  issued, fully paid and nonassessable and  will be free and clear of all
claims, liens,  encumbrances,  security  interests and  charges  of  any  nature
(arising  from actions  of the  Company) and are  not subject  to any preemptive
right of any stockholder of Company. Other than this Agreement and the Ancillary
Agreements, the  New Shares  and the  Preferred Shares  are not  subject to  any
voting  trust agreement or other contract, agreement, arrangement, commitment or
understanding to which  the Company is  a party, including  any such  agreement,
arrangement,  commitment or  understanding restricting or  otherwise relating to
the voting  or  disposition of  the  New Shares  or  the Preferred  Shares.  All
outstanding  shares of capital stock of Company  are, and all shares that may be
issued pursuant  to the  Employee Stock  Options and  the other  agreements  and
instruments  listed above will be, when issued, duly authorized, validly issued,
fully paid and nonassessable and not subject to preemptive rights. There are not
any outstanding bonds, debentures, notes or other indebtedness of Company having
the right to vote (or convertible  into, or exchangeable for, securities  having
the  right to vote)  on any matters  on which stockholders  of Company may vote.
Except as set forth above, as of the  date of this Agreement, there are not  any
securities,  options,  warrants,  calls,  rights,  convertible  or  exchangeable
securities or commitments, agreements, arrangements or undertakings of any  kind
to  which Company or any of its Subsidiaries is  a party or by which any of them
is bound obligating Company or any of its Subsidiaries to issue, deliver or sell
or create,  or cause  to be  issued, delivered  or sold  or created,  additional
shares  of  capital stock  or other  voting securities  or Stock  Equivalents of
Company or  of any  of its  Subsidiaries or  obligating Company  or any  of  its
Subsidiaries  to issue, grant,  extend or enter into  any such security, option,
warrant, call, right, commitment, agreement,  arrangement or undertaking. As  of
the   date  of  this  Agreement,  there  are  not  any  outstanding  contractual
obligations of  Company or  any of  its Subsidiaries  to repurchase,  redeem  or
otherwise  acquire  any  shares  of  capital stock  of  Company  or  any  of its
Subsidiaries. Except in agreements to which  any Party is also a party,  neither
the  Company  nor any  of its  Subsidiaries  has entered  into any  agreement to
register its equity or debt securities  under the Securities Act. Grantor  Trust
is  the  record  and beneficial  owner  of  $6,250,000 principal  amount  of New
Borrower  Notes,  $6,000,000   principal  amount  of   Existing  Grantor   Trust
Indebtedness  and all of  the capital stock  of SBP Holding  Company and The Art
Store Holding Company, to the best of Company's knowledge, is free and clear  of
all Liens.

    (d)   AUTHORITY; NONCONTRAVENTION.   (i) Company,  each Interim Borrower and
Grantor Trust has  the requisite  corporate (or  other) power  and authority  to
enter  into  this Agreement  and the  Ancillary Agreements  and, subject  to the
Proposals  having  been  approved  by   the  stockholders  of  Company  at   the
Stockholders Meeting, to consummate the Transactions. The execution and delivery
by  the Company and each  Interim Borrower of this  Agreement and each Ancillary
Agreement by Company, each Interim Borrower and  Grantor Trust to which it is  a
party  and the consummation by Company,  each Interim Borrower and Grantor Trust
of the Transactions  have been duly  authorized by all  necessary corporate  (or
other)  action on the part of Company,  each Interim Borrower and Grantor Trust,
subject, in the case  of this Agreement,  to adoption of  this Agreement by  the
holders  of a majority of the outstanding shares of Common Stock. This Agreement
and the Ancillary Agreements to which it is a party have been duly executed  and
delivered  by Company,  each Interim Borrower  and Grantor  Trust and constitute
valid and  legally binding  agreements  of Company,  each Interim  Borrower  and
Grantor  Trust enforceable  against Company,  each Interim  Borrower and Grantor
Trust  in  accordance  with  their  respective  terms,  subject  to  bankruptcy,
insolvency,  fraudulent transfer, reorganization, moratorium and similar laws of
general applicability relating to or affecting creditors' rights and to  general
equity principles.

    (ii) The execution and delivery by Company and each Interim Borrower of this
Agreement  and the  Ancillary Agreements  did not,  and the  consummation of the
Transactions and  compliance  with the  provisions  of this  Agreement  and  the
Ancillary  Agreements without obtaining the consent of any third party will not,
conflict with, or result in any violation of, or default (with or without notice
or lapse  of time,  or both)  under, or  give rise  to a  right of  termination,
cancellation  or acceleration of any obligation or  to loss by Company or any of
its   Subsidiaries   of   a   material   benefit   under,   or   the    creation

                                      A-14
<PAGE>
of  any material additional benefit  to any third party  under, or result in the
creation of any Lien upon any of the  properties or assets of Company or any  of
its  Subsidiaries  under, (i)  the Certificate  of  Incorporation or  By-Laws of
Company or the  comparable charter  or organizational  documents of  any of  its
Subsidiaries,   (ii)  any  loan  or  credit  agreement,  note,  bond,  mortgage,
indenture, lease or other  agreement, instrument, permit, concession,  franchise
or  license applicable to Company or any of its Subsidiaries or their respective
properties or assets  or (iii)  subject to  the governmental  filings and  other
matters  referred to  in the  following sentence,  any judgment,  order, decree,
statute, law, ordinance, rule or regulation applicable to Company or any of  its
Subsidiaries  or their respective properties or  assets, other than, in the case
of clauses (ii) and (iii), any  such conflicts, violations, defaults, rights  or
Liens  that individually or in the aggregate could not reasonably be expected to
(x) have a material adverse effect on Company, (y) impair the ability of Company
and each Interim Borrower to perform its obligations under this Agreement or any
Ancillary Agreement to which it  is a party or  (z) prevent the consummation  of
any  of the  Transactions. No consent,  approval, order or  authorization of, or
registration, declaration or filing with,  any Governmental Entity or any  party
to  a Material Contract is required by or  with respect to Company or any of its
Subsidiaries in connection with the execution and delivery of this Agreement and
the Ancillary Agreements  or the  consummation by Company  of the  Transactions,
except for (i) the filing of a premerger notification and report form by Company
under  the  HSR  Act and  any  filings  required pursuant  to  the  statutes and
regulations listed on Schedule  5.1(d), (ii) the  filing with the  SEC of (x)  a
proxy  statement relating to the approval by Company's stockholders of the Share
Issuances and the other Proposals (as amended or supplemented from time to time,
the "Proxy Statement") and (y) such reports  under Sections 12 and 13(a) of  the
Exchange Act as may be required in connection with this Agreement, the Ancillary
Agreements  and  the  Transactions  and (iii)  such  other  consents, approvals,
orders, authorizations, registrations, declarations and filings as are set forth
on Schedule 5.1(d), which have been obtained prior to the date hereof.

    (e)  SEC DOCUMENTS; UNDISCLOSED LIABILITIES.  Company has filed all required
reports, schedules, forms,  statements and  other documents with  the SEC  since
January  31, 1993 (the "SEC  Documents"). As of their  respective dates, the SEC
Documents complied  in  all  material  respects with  the  requirements  of  the
Securities  Act or the  Exchange Act, as  the case may  be, and none  of the SEC
Documents contained any untrue statement of a material fact or omitted to  state
a  material fact required to be stated therein or necessary in order to make the
statements therein, in light  of the circumstances under  which they were  made,
not  misleading.  Except to  the extent  that information  contained in  any SEC
Document has been revised or superseded by  a later Filed SEC Document, none  of
the  SEC Documents contains any untrue statement  of a material fact or omits to
state any material fact required to be  stated therein or necessary in order  to
make the statements therein, in light of the circumstances under which they were
made,  not misleading. The  financial statements of Company  included in the SEC
Documents comply as to form in all material respects with applicable  accounting
requirements  and the  published rules and  regulations of the  SEC with respect
thereto, have been  prepared in  accordance with  generally accepted  accounting
principles  (except, in the  case of unaudited statements,  as permitted by Form
10-Q of  the SEC)  applied on  a consistent  basis during  the periods  involved
(except  as  may be  indicated  in the  notes  thereto) and  fairly  present the
consolidated financial position of Company and its Subsidiaries as of the  dates
thereof and their consolidated statements of operations, stockholders equity and
cash  flows  for the  periods  then ended  (subject,  in the  case  of unaudited
statements, to normal year-end  audit adjustments). Except as  set forth in  the
Filed  SEC  Documents,  neither Company  nor  any  of its  Subsidiaries  has any
liabilities or obligations of any nature (whether accrued, absolute,  contingent
or  otherwise) required  by generally accepted  accounting principles  to be set
forth on a consolidated balance sheet of Company and its Subsidiaries or in  the
notes  thereto, other than liabilities and  obligations incurred in the ordinary
course of business consistent with  prior practice and experience since  October
31,  1994. Schedule 5.1(e) sets forth a balance sheet of The Art Store as of the
balance sheet date indicated on such  Schedule. Such balance sheet has not  been
prepared  in  accordance with  generally  accepted accounting  principles, among
other

                                      A-15
<PAGE>
things  the  footnotes  are  omitted,  but  was  rather  prepared  for  internal
management   purposes.  Nevertheless,   such  balance   sheet  makes  reasonable
disclosure of the financial condition of the subject company as of such  balance
sheet  date. Since such  balance sheet date,  to the best  knowledge of Company,
there has been no material adverse change in The Art Store.

    (f)  PROXY STATEMENT.  The Proxy Statement will not, at the date it is first
mailed to Company's  stockholders or  at the time  of the  meeting of  Company's
stockholders  held  to vote  on approval  of the  Proposals, contain  any untrue
statement of a material fact or omit  to state any material fact required to  be
stated therein or necessary in order to make the statements therein, in light of
the circumstances under which they are made, not misleading. The Proxy Statement
will  comply as to  form in all  material respects with  the requirements of the
Exchange Act. No representation  is made by Company  with respect to  statements
made  or incorporated by  reference in the Proxy  Statement based on information
supplied  by  Parent,  Holdings  or   the  Other  Investors  for  inclusion   or
incorporation by reference in the Proxy Statement.

    (g)   ABSENCE OF CERTAIN CHANGES OR EVENTS.   Except as disclosed in the SEC
Documents filed and publicly available prior to the date of this Agreement  (the
"Filed  SEC Documents") or in Schedule 1.1,  since January 31, 1994, Company has
conducted its business only in the ordinary  course, and there has not been  (i)
any  material adverse change in Company,  (ii) any declaration, setting aside or
payment of  any  dividend or  other  distribution  (whether in  cash,  stock  or
property)  with  respect to  any of  Company's capital  stock, (iii)  any split,
combination or reclassification of any of  its capital stock or any issuance  or
the authorization of any issuance of any other securities in respect of, in lieu
of  or in substitution for  shares of its capital  stock (other than pursuant to
the Stock Split), (iv) except as set  forth on Schedule 5.1(g) (x) any  granting
by Company or any of its Subsidiaries to any executive officer of Company or any
of  its Subsidiaries  of any  increase in  compensation, except  in the ordinary
course of  business consistent  with prior  practice or  as was  required  under
employment agreements in effect on January 31, 1994, (y) any granting by Company
or  any of  its Subsidiaries to  any such  executive officer of  any increase in
severance or  termination pay,  except  as was  required under  any  employment,
severance  or termination agreements in  effect on January 31,  1994, or (z) any
entry by Company or  any of its Subsidiaries  into any employment, severance  or
termination   agreement  with  any  such  executive  officer,  (v)  any  damage,
destruction or loss, whether or not covered by insurance, that has had or  could
reasonably  be expected to have a material adverse effect on Company or (vi) any
change in  accounting methods,  principles or  practices by  Company  materially
affecting  its assets, liabilities or business,  except insofar as may have been
required by a change in generally accepted accounting principles.

    (h)  TITLE TO PROPERTIES AND ASSETS; LIENS.

    (i) Except as contemplated by  this Agreement and the Ancillary  Agreements,
Company  and its Subsidiaries have  good, sufficient and legal  title to all the
properties and assets reflected in the consolidated balance sheet as of  October
31, 1994 included in Form 10-Q of Company except for assets acquired or disposed
of  in  the ordinary  course of  business  since the  date of  such consolidated
balance sheet.  All such  properties are  free  and clear  of Liens,  except  as
permitted under Section 6.2 of the New Loan Agreement.

    (ii)  Schedule 5.1(h) hereto correctly  sets forth the following information
with respect to each  Mortgaged Property: (a) store  number (if applicable)  and
(b)  street address. Each Subsidiary  has good and marketable  fee title to each
Mortgaged Property  identified  in  Schedule  5.1(h)  as  being  owned  by  such
Subsidiary  and each Mortgaged  Property is free  and clear of  Liens, except as
permitted under Section 6.2 of the New Loan Agreement.

   (iii) Company has previously furnished  to Parent true, correct and  complete
copies  of  all ground  leases,  space leases,  subleases,  easement agreements,
reciprocal  easement  agreements,  two-party  supplemental  agreements,   option
agreements, license agreements, and other agreements, instruments, and documents
(whether  or not  recorded) that encumber,  or otherwise affect  in any material
respect, its  fee  interest in  or  to any  Mortgaged  Property or  any  portion
thereof.

                                      A-16
<PAGE>
   (iv)  No condemnation proceeding involving  any Mortgaged Property or portion
of any thereof or  parking facility used in  connection therewith has  commenced
or,  to  the knowledge  of any  Subsidiary  or Company,  is contemplated  by any
governmental authority.

    (v) The  operation  of the  Company,  its Subsidiaries,  the  Grantor  Trust
Subsidiaries and each Mortgaged Property does not involve a violation of (i) any
statutes, laws, regulations, rules, ordinances, or orders of any kind whatsoever
(including,  without limitation, zoning and building laws, ordinances, codes, or
approvals and environmental protection orders,  laws or regulations) other  than
violations  that  would  not result  in  any  material change  in  the business,
operations, properties,  assets or  condition (financial  or otherwise)  of  any
Subsidiary,  Grantor  Trust  Subsidiary  or  Company  and  would  not materially
adversely affect such Mortgaged Property or the ability of Company or any of its
Subsidiaries or the  Grantor Trust  to perform their  respective Obligations  or
consummate  the Transactions, (ii) any building permits, restrictions of record,
or any agreement affecting any such Mortgaged Property or portion thereof  other
than  violations that would not  result in any material  change in the business,
operations, properties,  assets or  condition (financial  or otherwise)  of  any
Subsidiary,  Grantor  Trust  Subsidiary  or  Company  and  would  not materially
adversely affect such Mortgaged Property or the ability of Company or any of its
Subsidiaries or the  Grantor Trust  to perform their  respective Obligations  or
consummate the Transactions.

   (vi)  Each Mortgaged Property has  adequate water, gas, telephone, electrical
supply, storm and sanitary  sewage facilities, and means  of access to and  from
public  highways,  and has  fire  and police  protection  to the  fullest extent
available in the jurisdiction in which such Mortgaged Property is located.

   (vii) Except as disclosed  in writing to Parent  on Schedule 5.1(h), (x)  the
operations  of  Company  and each  of  its  Subsidiaries and  the  Grantor Trust
Subsidiaries comply  with  all  applicable  environmental,  health,  and  safety
statutes  and  regulations except  to the  extent  that noncompliance  would not
result in any material change  in the business, operations, properties,  assets,
or   condition  (financial  or  otherwise)  of  any  Subsidiary,  Grantor  Trust
Subsidiary or  Company,  and that  would  not materially  adversely  affect  any
Mortgaged  Property or  the ability  of Company  or any  of its  Subsidiaries to
perform their respective Obligations or consummate the Transactions; (y) none of
the Mortgaged  Properties  or  the operations  to  the  Company or  any  of  its
Subsidiaries  or the  Grantor Trust Subsidiaries  is the subject  of any private
claims or any  federal or  state investigation evaluating  whether any  remedial
action  is needed in response to a release  of any hazardous waste (as such term
is  defined  in  any  applicable  state  or  federal  or  environmental  law  or
regulations)  or other  hazardous material  into the  environment except  to the
extent that such  claims or  remedial action would  not result  in any  material
change  in the business, operations, properties, assets, or condition (financial
or otherwise) of  any Subsidiary, Grantor  Trust Subsidiary or  the Company  and
that would not materially adversely affect any Mortgaged Property or the ability
of Company or any of its Subsidiaries to perform their respective Obligations or
consummate the Transactions; and (z) neither Company nor any of its Subsidiaries
nor  any  Grantor  Trust Subsidiary  has  any material  contingent  liability in
connection with any release  of any hazardous waste  or hazardous material  into
the  environment including, without limitation, any contingent liability arising
in  connection  with  a  failure,  or  alleged  failure,  to  comply  with   the
Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation and Liability Act of 1980, as
amended  (42  U.S.C.  SectionSection 9601,  ET  SEQ.), or  the  Federal Resource
Conservation and  Recovery Act,  as amended  (42 U.S.C.  SectionSection 6901  ET
SEQ.),  except  for  such contingent  liabilities  that  would not  result  in a
material change in  the business, operations,  properties, assets, or  condition
(financial  or otherwise) of any Subsidiary, Grantor Trust Subsidiary or Company
and that would  not materially adversely  affect any Mortgaged  Property or  the
ability  of  Company or  any  of its  Subsidiaries  to perform  their respective
Obligations or consummate the Transactions.

    (i)  LITIGATION;  ADVERSE FACTS.   There is no  action, suit, proceeding  or
arbitration  (whether or  not purportedly  on behalf  of Company  or any  of its
Subsidiaries or the Liquidating Property Trust or the Grantor Trust Subsidiaries
at law or  in equity  or before  or by any  federal, state,  municipal or  other
government  department, commission,  board, bureau,  agency, or instrumentality,
domestic or foreign)

                                      A-17
<PAGE>
pending (except as  otherwise disclosed on  Schedule 5.1(i) hereto)  or, to  the
knowledge  of Company or any Subsidiary, threatened against or affecting Company
or any of  its Subsidiaries  or the Liquidating  Property Trust  or the  Grantor
Trust  Subsidiaries or any of Company's  or such Subsidiary's or the Liquidating
Property Trust's or the Grantor Trust Subsidiaries' properties not provided  for
in  the  Plan  that would  (i)  result in  any  material adverse  change  in the
business, operations, properties, assets, or condition (financial or  otherwise)
of  Company and its Subsidiaries,  taken as a whole,  or the Grantor Trust, (ii)
materially adversely affect any Mortgaged Property, (iii) impair the ability  of
Company  or Grantor Trust to perform its obligations under this Agreement or any
Ancillary Agreement or (iv) prevent the consummation of any of the Transactions,
and there is no basis known to Company for any such action, suit or  proceeding.
Neither  Company nor any of its  Subsidiaries nor the Liquidating Property Trust
nor the Grantor  Trust Subsidiaries is  (i) in violation  of any applicable  law
that  materially  adversely  affects  or  may  materially  adversely  affect any
Mortgaged Property, the  business, operations, properties,  assets or  condition
(financial  or otherwise) of Company and its  Subsidiaries, taken as a whole, or
the Grantor Trust, or the  ability of Company, the Grantor  Trust or any of  its
Subsidiaries   to  perform  their  respective   Obligations  or  consummate  the
Transactions, or  (ii)  subject to  or  in default  with  respect to  any  final
judgment,  writ,  injunction, decree,  rule or  regulation of  any court  or any
federal, state, municipal, or other governmental department, commission,  board,
bureau,  agency,  or instrumentality,  domestic or  foreign,  that would  have a
material adverse  affect  any  Mortgaged  Property,  the  business,  operations,
properties,  assets or  condition (financial  or otherwise)  of Company  and its
Subsidiaries, taken as a whole, or the Grantor Trust, or the ability of  Company
or  any of  its Subsidiaries  or the Grantor  Trust to  perform their respective
Obligations  or  consummate  the  Transactions.   There  is  no  action,   suit,
proceeding,  or  investigation  pending or,  to  the knowledge  of  Company, the
Grantor Trust or any Subsidiary, threatened against or affecting Company or  any
of  its  Subsidiaries or  the Liquidating  Property Trust  or the  Grantor Trust
Subsidiaries that questions the validity or enforceability of this Agreement  or
any of the Ancillary Agreements or challenges the Transactions.

    (j)  ABSENCE OF CHANGES IN BENEFIT PLANS.

    (i)  Company  and each  of  its ERISA  Affiliates  is in  compliance  in all
material respects with any  applicable provisions of  ERISA and the  regulations
and  published interpretations thereunder with respect  to all Pension Plans and
Multiemployer Plans, except  to the  extent that all  such noncompliances  would
result  in the loss of the deductibility of contributions to any Pension Plan or
Multiemployer Plan, or would result in  the incurrence by Company and its  ERISA
Affiliates  of any civil penalty assessed pursuant to Section 502(i) of ERISA or
a tax imposed by Section  4975 of Internal Revenue  Code in an aggregate  amount
not in excess of $100,000.

    (ii)  Except for the  termination of Company's LESOP  and PAYSOP, as defined
and described in  the Plan and  the contemplated "freezing"  of Company's  three
Pension  Plans by ceasing the  accrual of benefits under  such Pension Plans, no
event or condition  which presents a  material risk of  plan termination or  any
other event that may cause the Company or any ERISA Affiliate to incur liability
or  have a lien imposed on its assets under title IV of ERISA has occurred or is
reasonably expected to occur with respect to  any Pension Plan; and none of  the
events  described above might result in the imposition of any lien or incurrence
by Company or any  of its ERISA  Affiliates of any  liability under any  Pension
Plan  or to the Pension Benefit  Guaranty Corporation (or any successor thereto)
or any other party under Sections 4062, 4063, and 4064 of ERISA or any other law
in excess of $100,000.

   (iii) Vested liabilities  (as defined in  Section 3(25) of  ERISA) under  all
Pension  Plans (with assets less than vested liabilities only) do not exceed the
assets thereunder by more than $100,000.

   (iv) Neither  Company  nor  any  of its  ERISA  Affiliates  has  incurred  or
reasonably  expects  to  incur  any  withdrawal  liability  under  ERISA  to any
Multiemployer Plan in excess of $100,000.

    (k)  PAYMENT OF TAXES.   Except as set forth  in Schedule 5.1(k), as of  the
date  of this agreement  and on the Closing  Date, (i) all  Tax Returns that are
required to  be  filed by  or  with  respect to  the  Company and  each  of  its
Subsidiaries  have  been duly  filed, (ii)  all  Taxes due  with respect  to the
periods

                                      A-18
<PAGE>
covered by the  Tax Returns referred  to in  clause (i) have  been timely  paid,
(iii)  no adjustments or deficiencies relating to the Tax Returns referred to in
clause (i) have  been proposed,  asserted or  assessed by  the Internal  Revenue
Service  or the  appropriate state, local  or foreign taxing  authority, (iv) no
extension of time with respect to any date on which a Tax Return was or is to be
filed by the Company or any Subsidiary is in force, and there are no pending  or
threatened  actions or  proceedings for  the assessment  or collection  of Taxes
against the Company or any of its Subsidiaries, (v) each adjustment, deficiency,
action or proceeding set forth in Schedule 5.1(k) is being contested or  handled
in good faith, (vi) there are no outstanding waivers or agreements extending the
applicable  statute of limitations for  any period with respect  to any Taxes of
the  Company  or  any  of  its   Subsidiaries,  (vii)  the  Company's  and   the
Subsidiaries'  income Tax  Returns have  been examined  by the  Internal Revenue
Service or the  appropriate state,  local or  foreign tax  authority, (viii)  no
closing  agreement pursuant  to Section  7121 of  the Internal  Revenue Code, or
similar provision of any state, local, or foreign law, has been entered into  by
or with respect to the Company or any of its Subsidiaries, (ix) there are no tax
sharing  agreements or similar contracts or arrangements to which the Company or
any of its Subsidiaries is a party,  (x) the Company or any of its  Subsidiaries
has not been a member of an affiliated group (within the meaning of Section 1504
of  the Internal Revenue Code) filing  a consolidated federal income Tax Return,
other than a group the common parent of which is the Company, (xi) no powers  of
attorney with respect to Taxes granted by the Company or any of its Subsidiaries
are  in  effect,  (xii)  no claim  has  ever  been  made by  an  authority  in a
jurisdiction where the Company or any Subsidiary does not file Tax Returns  that
the  Company  or  such Subsidiary  is  or may  be  subject to  taxation  by that
jurisdiction, (xiii) no  audit of any  Tax Return  filed by the  Company or  any
Subsidiary  is in progress, and neither the  Company nor any Subsidiary has been
notified by any tax  authority that any such  audit is contemplated or  pending,
and (xiv) there are no security interests on any of the assets of the Company or
any Subsidiary that arose in connection with any failure (or alleged failure) to
pay any Taxes.

    (l)    OFFICERS.   Except  as set  forth on  Schedule  5.1(g), there  are no
severance  or  other  payment   obligations  triggered  as   a  result  of   the
Transactions. No action, suit, proceeding or arbitration relating to any officer
of the Company is pending or threatened against the Company.

    (m)    NO EXCESS  PARACHUTE  PAYMENTS.   No  amount that  could  be received
(whether in cash or property or the vesting  of property) as a result of any  of
the  Transactions by any employee, officer or  director of Company or any of its
affiliates who  is a  "disqualified  individual" (as  such  term is  defined  in
proposed  Treasury Regulation Section 1.280G-1)  under any employment, severance
or  termination  agreement,  other  compensation  arrangement  or  Benefit  Plan
currently  in effect would be characterized as an "excess parachute payment" (as
such term is defined  in Section 280G(b)(1) of  the Internal Revenue Code).  Set
forth  in Schedule 5.1(m) is  (i) the maximum amount that  could be paid to each
such  disqualified  individual  as  a  result  of  the  Transactions  under  all
employment,   severance   and   termination   agreements,   other   compensation
arrangements and Benefit Plans  currently in effect and  (ii) the "base  amount"
(as such term is defined in Section 280G(b)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code) for
each such disqualified individual calculated as of the date of this Agreement.

    (n)    VOTING REQUIREMENTS.    The affirmative  vote  of a  majority  of the
Company's issued and outstanding stock with respect to the Proposals is the only
vote of the holders of any class or series of Company's capital stock  necessary
to  approve this Agreement, the Ancillary  Agreements and the Transactions. This
Agreement and the Ancillary Agreements  and the Transactions have been  approved
by a vote of the directors as required by Company's Certificate of Incorporation
and By-Laws.

    (o)   STATE  TAKEOVER STATUTES.   The Board  of Directors  has approved this
Agreement and  the Ancillary  Agreements,  and such  approval is  sufficient  to
render  inapplicable  to  this  Agreement,  the  Ancillary  Agreements  and  the
Transactions the provisions of Section 203 of the DGCL. To the best of Company's
knowledge, no  other state  takeover statute  or similar  statute or  regulation
applies  or purports to apply to this  Agreement, any Ancillary Agreement or any
of the Transactions.

                                      A-19
<PAGE>
    (p)  BROKERS.   No  broker, investment  banker, financial  advisor or  other
person,  other than Libra  Investments, Inc., Pinnacle  Partners and Argosy, the
fees and expenses of which will be paid by Company, is entitled to any broker's,
finder's, financial advisor's or other  similar fee or commission in  connection
with the Transactions based upon arrangements made by or on behalf of Company. A
complete   and  correct  copy   of  Company's  engagement   letters  with  Libra
Investments, Inc., Pinnacle  Partners and  Argosy has been  delivered to  Parent
prior  to  the execution  of  this Agreement.  Company  has not,  and  will not,
increase any such fees and expenses prior to Closing.

    (q)  MATERIAL  CONTRACTS.   All contracts,  leases and  other agreements  to
which Company or any of its Subsidiaries is a party and that are material to the
business,  properties, assets,  condition (financial  or otherwise),  results of
operations or prospects of Company and  its Subsidiaries, taken as a whole  (the
"Material  Contracts") have been filed  as exhibits to the  SEC Documents or are
listed on Schedule 5.1(q). Except as disclosed in Schedule 5.1(q), each Material
Contract is  in  full  force  and effect;  Company  and  its  Subsidiaries  have
performed  in all material respects all the obligations required to be performed
thereby  under  each  Material  Contract;   neither  Company  nor  any  of   its
Subsidiaries  has received any  written assertion of  default under any Material
Contract; neither Company nor any of its Subsidiaries expects any termination or
material change  to, or  receipt  of a  proposal with  respect  to, any  of  the
Material  Contracts as a result of the Transactions; and neither Company nor any
of its Subsidiaries has knowledge of any material breach or anticipated material
breach by any  other party to  any Material  Contract. Company has  filed as  an
exhibit  to an  SEC Document  or has  furnished Parent  with true,  complete and
unredacted copies  of  each Material  Contract,  together with  all  amendments,
waivers or other changes thereto. Company does not have any Material Contract or
any other contract or agreement with the United States Department of Energy, the
United  States Department of  Defense or any  of the armed  forces of the United
States.

    (r)  GOVERNMENTAL REGULATION.  Neither  Company nor any of its  Subsidiaries
is  subject to regulation under the Public  Utility Holding Company Act of 1935,
the Federal Power Act,  the Interstate Commerce Act,  or the Investment  Company
Act  of 1940  or to  any federal  or state  statute or  regulation, limiting its
ability to  (i)  issue  the New  Shares  or  the Preferred  Shares,  (ii)  incur
Indebtedness  for money borrowed, (iii) to create Liens on any of its properties
to secure such Indebtedness  or (iv) otherwise  to consummate the  Transactions.
SBP  Transportation  Co.,  Inc., a  California  corporation, is  subject  to the
Interstate Commerce  Act, but  such act  does not  limit the  actions  described
above.

    (s)  DISCLOSURE.  No representation or warranty of Company or any Subsidiary
contained  in this Agreement or any  Ancillary Agreement, or any other document,
certificate, or written  statement furnished  to Parent, Holdings  or the  Other
Investors by or on behalf of the Company or any Subsidiary for use in connection
with  the Transactions contains any untrue statement of a material fact or omits
to state a material fact (known to Company or any Subsidiary in the case of  any
document  not  furnished  by it)  necessary  in  order the  make  the statements
contained herein or therein not misleading. The term "material" in the preceding
sentence shall be interpreted in accordance  with Section 10(b) of the  Exchange
Act.  There is no fact known to Company or any Subsidiary (other than matters of
general  economic  nature)  that  materially  adversely  affects  any  Mortgaged
Property, the business, operations, property, assets, or condition (financial or
otherwise)  of Company and its Subsidiaries, taken as a whole, or the ability of
Company or any Subsidiary to perform their respective obligations that have  not
been  disclosed herein or  in such other  documents, certificates and statements
furnished to Parent, Holdings, Grantor Trust and the Other Investors for use  in
connection with the Transactions.

    (t)   AFFILIATES.   Company  hereby certifies  to Fidelity  Management Trust
Company ("Fidelity")  both in  its individual  capacity and  its capacity  as  a
fiduciary  (as defined  in Section  3(21)(A) of  the Employee  Retirement Income
Security Act  of 1974,  as amended)  of the  Kodak Retirement  Income Plan  (the
"Plan"),  that, to the  best of its  knowledge, Company is  not an affiliate (as
defined in  Section  V(C)  of  the U.S  Department  of  Labor  Prohibited  Class
Exemption  84-14, 49 Fed. Reg. 9494 (March 13, 1984) ("PTCE 84-14")), and during
the one-year period ending on the Closing Date was

                                      A-20
<PAGE>
not such  an affiliate,  of any  person identified  on Schedule  5.1(t)  hereto.
Company  hereby acknowledges and agrees that the foregoing certification will be
relied upon  by Fidelity  in causing  the Plan  to enter  into the  Transactions
contemplated by this Agreement.

    (u)  LICENSES.  The Company and its Subsidiaries hold all material licenses,
franchises,  permits, consents, registrations,  certificates and other approvals
(including, without limitation, those relating to environmental matters,  public
and  worker health and  safety, buildings, highways  or zoning) (individually, a
"License" and collectively, "Licenses") required for the conduct of its business
as now being conducted,  and is operating  in substantial compliance  therewith,
except  where the failure to  hold any such License  or to operate in compliance
therewith would  not have  a material  adverse  effect on  the Company  and  its
Subsidiaries.

    (v)    PRIVATE  OFFERINGS.    No form  of  general  solicitation  or general
advertising was used by  the Company or  any of its Subsidiaries  or any of  the
Company's  or such  Subsidiary's representatives,  or, to  the knowledge  of the
Company, any  other  Person acting  on  behalf of  the  Company or  any  of  its
Subsidiaries,  in connection with the offering of the securities being purchased
under this Agreement or  under any other document.  Neither the Company, any  of
its  Subsidiaries nor  any person acting  on the Company's  or such Subsidiary's
behalf has  directly or  indirectly offered  the Interim  Notes, New  Shares  or
Preferred  Shares, or any  part thereof or  any other similar  securities or the
securities being purchased  under any other  document, for sale  to, or sold  or
solicited  any offer  to buy any  of the  same from, or  otherwise approached or
negotiated in respect thereof with any Person or Persons other than the Parties.
Assuming the accuracy  of the  representations of the  Parties as  set forth  in
Sections  5.2 and  5.3, neither  the Company,  any of  its Subsidiaries  nor any
person acting on  the Company's or  such Subsidiary's behalf  has taken or  will
take  any action which would subject the  issue and sale of the securities being
purchased under this Agreement to the provisions of Section 5 of the  Securities
Act.

    (w)   FOREIGN ASSETS CONTROL REGULATION, ETC.  Neither the issue and sale of
the Interim Notes, the New Shares or the Preferred Shares by the Company nor its
use of the proceeds thereof as  contemplated by this Agreement will violate  the
Foreign  Assets Control Regulations,  the Control Regulations,  the Cuban Assets
Control Regulations, the Foreign Funds  Control Regulations, the Iranian  Assets
Control Regulations, the Nicaraguan Trade Control Regulations, the South African
Transactions  Control Regulations, the Libyan  Sanctions Regulations, the Soviet
Gold Coin  Regulations, the  Panamanian  Transactions Regulations,  the  Haitian
Transactions Regulations or the Iraqi Sanctions Regulations of the United States
Treasury  Department (31 C.F.R., Subtitle B, Chapter V, as amended) or Executive
Orders 12722 and 12724 (Transactions with Iraq).

    (x)  FEDERAL RESERVE REGULATIONS AND OTHER MATTERS.  Neither the Company nor
any of its Subsidiaries  will, directly or indirectly,  use any of the  proceeds
from  the  sale  of  the  Interim  Notes  for  the  purpose,  whether immediate,
incidental or  ultimate,  of  buying  any "margin  stock,"  or  of  maintaining,
reducing  or retiring any indebtedness originally incurred to purchase any stock
that is  currently  a "margin  stock,"  or for  any  other purpose  which  might
constitute  the Transactions a "purpose credit," in each case within the meaning
of Regulation G or U of the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System (12
C.F.R. 207 and 221, as amended, respectively), or otherwise take or permit to be
taken any  action  which would  involve  a violation  of  such Regulation  G  or
Regulation  U or of Regulations T or X  of the Board of Governors of the Federal
Reserve System (12 C.F.R.  220 and 224, as  amended, respectively) or any  other
regulation  of such  Board. No indebtedness  that may be  maintained, reduced or
retired with the proceeds from  the sale of the  Interim Notes was incurred  for
the purpose of purchasing or carrying any "margin stock" and neither the Company
nor  any of  its Subsidiaries own  any such  "margin stock" or  have any present
intention of acquiring, directly or indirectly any such "margin stock."

    (y)  INSURANCE.  After the Funding Date, Company will provide to each Party,
if so requested in writing, a list of all insurance policies and fidelity  bonds
covering  the  assets, business,  equipment, properties,  operations, employees,
officers and directors under  which the Company or  any of its Subsidiaries  may
derive  any material benefit, the term and  deductible for each such policy, the
agency

                                      A-21
<PAGE>
and company providing such  insurance and the name  of each person scheduled  as
having  an interest  therein as  loss payee, pledgee  or otherwise.  There is no
claim by  the Company  or any  of its  Subsidiaries pending  under any  of  such
policies  or bonds as to which coverage has been questioned, reserved, denied or
disputed by the  underwriters of such  policies or bonds  or their agents  where
such  question,  reservation, denial  or  dispute, in  each  case, would  have a
material adverse effect on  the Company and its  Subsidiaries on a  consolidated
basis.  All premiums due and payable under all such policies and bonds have been
paid, and the Company and its Subsidiaries are otherwise in full compliance with
the terms and conditions  of all such  policies and bonds,  except in each  case
where  the failure would not  have a material adverse  effect on the Company and
its subsidiaries on a consolidated basis.  Such policies of insurance and  bonds
(or other policies and bonds providing substantially similar insurance coverage)
are  and have been in full force and effect  for at least the last year or since
the inception of the Company or any of its Subsidiaries, as the case may be, and
remain in full force and effect. Such policies of insurance and bonds are of the
type and in amounts customarily  carried by persons conducting business  similar
to  that presently  conducted by the  Company and its  Subsidiaries. The Company
knows of no threatened termination of any  such policies or bonds that would  be
material to the Company and its Subsidiaries taken as a whole.

    (z)  INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY.  The Company and its Subsidiaries have ownership
of,  or license to use, all patent, copyright, trade secret, trademark, or other
proprietary rights used or to be used in  the business of the Company or any  of
its Subsidiaries and which are material to the Company and its Subsidiaries on a
consolidated  basis (collectively, "Intellectual Property"). There are no claims
or demands of any other person  pertaining to any of such Intellectual  Property
and  no proceedings have been instituted, or are pending or, to the knowledge of
the Company, threatened, which challenge the rights of the Company or any of its
Subsidiaries in respect  thereof, except those  that would not  have a  material
adverse  effect on the Company and its Subsidiaries on a consolidated basis. The
Company and its Subsidiaries have the right to use all customer lists,  designs,
manufacturing or other processes, computer software, systems, data compilations,
research  results and other information required for or incident to its products
or their business as presently conducted or contemplated and which are  material
to the Company and its Subsidiaries on a consolidated basis.

    (aa)    GRANTOR  TRUST  SUBSIDIARIES.    (i)  The  Art  Store,  a California
corporation has  good, sufficient  and legal  fee title  to all  the  properties
listed  on Schedule  5.1(h) as being  owned by The  Art Store free  and clear of
Liens, except as disclosed on Schedule 5.1(h) or as permitted under Section  6.2
of the New Loan Agreement.

    (ii)  The Art Store has  a good, sufficient and  legal leasehold interest in
all of the properties listed on Schedule 5.1(h) as being leased by The Art Store
and such leasehold interest is free and clear of all Liens, except as  disclosed
on Schedule 5.1(h).

   (iii)  Schedule 5.1(aa) sets forth the  following information with respect to
each of the Grantor  Trust Subsidiaries as of  the most recent practicable  date
through  the  Funding: (A)  the basis  of  the Grantor  Trust Subsidiary  in its
assets; (B) the basis of The Art Store  Holding Company in the Stock of The  Art
Store;  and (C) the amount  of any net operating  loss, net capital loss, unused
investment  or  other   credit,  unused  foreign   tax,  or  excess   charitable
contribution allocable to such Grantor Trust Subsidiary.

   (iv)  As of the Funding, the adjusted  basis of The Art Store Holding Company
in the stock of  The Art Store will  be at least $7,000,000;  the excess of  the
adjusted  basis of The Art  Store in its assets over  its liabilities will be at
least $7,000,000; and the excess of the adjusted basis of SBP Properties Holding
Company in its assets over its liabilities will be at least $1,500,000.

    (v) Except  as disclosed  on Schedule  5.1(aa), none  of the  Grantor  Trust
Subsidiaries has any liability for the Taxes of any other Person (other than the
Grantor  Trust Subsidiaries and other than  Taxes of the consolidated group, the
common parent  of  which is  Company)  (A) under  Treasury  Regulations  Section
1.1502-6  (or any similar  provision of state,  local or foreign  law), (B) as a
transferee or successor, (C) by contract or (D) otherwise.

                                      A-22
<PAGE>
    5.2.  REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES OF PARENT AND HOLDINGS.  Each of Parent
and Holdings  represents and  warrants to  Company and  the Other  Investors  as
follows:

        (a)  AUTHORITY.  Each of Parent and Holdings has the requisite power and
    authority  to enter into this Agreement  and the Ancillary Agreements and to
    consummate the Transactions.

        (b)  VALIDITY.   This Agreement and the  Ancillary Agreements have  been
    duly   authorized,  executed  and  delivered  by  Parent  and  Holdings  and
    constitute valid  and  legally binding  agreements  of Parent  and  Holdings
    enforceable  against such Party  in accordance with  their respective terms,
    subject to  bankruptcy,  insolvency,  fraudulent  transfer,  reorganization,
    moratorium  and  similar  laws  of  general  applicability  relating  to  or
    affecting creditors' rights and to general equity principles.

        (c)  INFORMATION SUPPLIED.   None of the  information supplied or to  be
    supplied  by  Parent or  Holdings about  Parent or  Holdings in  writing for
    inclusion or incorporation by reference in the Proxy Statement will, at  the
    date the Proxy Statement is first mailed to the Company's stockholders or at
    the  time  of the  meeting of  the  Company's stockholders  held to  vote on
    adoption of this Agreement, contain any untrue statement of a material  fact
    or  omit  to  state any  material  fact  required to  be  stated  therein or
    necessary in  order  to  make  the  statements  therein,  in  light  of  the
    circumstances under which they are made, not misleading.

        (d)   BROKERS.  No broker, investment banker, financial advisor or other
    person is entitled to any  broker's, finder's, financial advisor's or  other
    similar  fee or  commission in connection  with the  Transactions based upon
    arrangements made by or on behalf of Parent or Holdings, except as described
    in Section 5.1(p), which would be or become the responsibility of any  other
    Party.

        (e)   OWNERSHIP OF  COMPANY SECURITIES.  Neither  Parent nor Holdings is
    the record or  beneficial owner  of any  shares of  Common Stock,  principal
    amount  of New Borrower  Notes or Grantor Trust  Notes, warrants to purchase
    shares of  Common  Stock or  any  other equity  or  debt securities  of  the
    Company,   except  as  contemplated  by  this  Agreement  or  the  Ancillary
    Agreements.

        (f)  INVESTMENT  INTENT.  Holdings  is purchasing or  acquiring the  New
    Shares  and Preferred Shares for its own account for investment and not with
    a present view to, or for sale in connection with, any distribution  thereof
    in  violation of  the Securities Act.  Holdings does not  have any contract,
    undertaking, agreement or arrangement with  any person to sell, transfer  or
    grant  participations to such person or to any third person, with respect to
    any of  the New  Shares or  Preferred  Shares. Holdings  is aware  that  the
    certificates  evidencing  the New  Shares  and Preferred  Shares  shall bear
    substantially the following legend relating to restrictions on resale  under
    the Securities Act:

       "THESE  SECURITIES HAVE NOT BEEN  REGISTERED UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT
       OF 1933, AS  AMENDED, OR  ANY STATE SECURITIES  LAWS AND  MAY NOT  BE
       SOLD,  OFFERED FOR SALE, PLEDGED OR HYPOTHECATED EXCEPT IN ACCORDANCE
       THEREWITH."

        (G)   ACQUISITION  FOR INVESTMENT  AND  RULE  144.   Holdings  has  such
    knowledge  and  experience  in financial  and  business matters  that  it is
    capable of evaluating the  merits and risks  of the prospective  investment.
    Holdings  understands that the  New Shares and Preferred  Shares will not be
    registered under the Securities Act in reliance on a specific exemption from
    the registration provision of the  Securities Act which depends upon,  among
    other  things,  the  bona  fide nature  of  Holdings'  investment  intent as
    expressed herein. Holdings  acknowledges that the  New Shares and  Preferred
    Shares  must be  held indefinitely  unless they  are subsequently registered
    under  the  Securities  Act  or  an  exemption  from  such  registration  is
    available.  Holdings has been advised or is  aware of the provisions of Rule
    144 and Rule 144A promulgated under the Securities Act which permits limited
    resale  of  shares  purchased  in   a  private  placement  subject  to   the
    satisfaction of certain conditions.

                                      A-23
<PAGE>
        (h)  CONSENTS.  All material consents, approvals, orders, authorizations
    of  or registrations, declarations  or filings in  connection with the valid
    execution and delivery  of this  Agreement and the  Ancillary Agreements  by
    Parent  and Holdings  or the  purchase of the  New Shares  and the Preferred
    Shares by Holdings have been obtained or  made, or will be obtained or  made
    prior to the Closing Date.

    5.3.   REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES  OF THE OTHER INVESTORS.   Each of the
Other Investors and Grantor Trust represents and warrants, with respect to  such
Person only, severally and jointly, to Company, Parent and Holdings as follows:

        (a)   AUTHORITY.   Investor1  has the  requisite power  and authority to
    enter into this Agreement and the Ancillary Agreements and to consummate the
    Transactions. Investor2 has the requisite power and authority to enter  into
    this   Agreement  and  the  Ancillary   Agreements  and  to  consummate  the
    Transactions. Each of  Investor3, Investor4,  Investor5 and  Investor6 is  a
    corporation  duly organized, validly existing and in good standing under the
    laws of its respective jurisdiction  of incorporation and has the  requisite
    power  and  authority  to  enter  into  this  Agreement  and  the  Ancillary
    Agreements and to consummate the Transactions.

        (b)  VALIDITY.   This Agreement and the  Ancillary Agreements have  been
    duly  authorized, executed and delivered by such Person and constitute valid
    and legally binding agreements of such Person enforceable against such Party
    in  accordance  with   their  respective  terms,   subject  to   bankruptcy,
    insolvency, fraudulent transfer, reorganization, moratorium and similar laws
    of  general applicability relating to or  affecting creditors' rights and to
    general equity principles.

        (c)  INFORMATION SUPPLIED.   None of the  information supplied or to  be
    supplied  by  such Person  about  such Person  in  writing for  inclusion or
    incorporation by reference  in the  Proxy Statement  will, at  the date  the
    Proxy  Statement is first mailed to Company's stockholders or at the time of
    the Stockholders Meeting, contain any untrue statement of a material fact or
    omit to state any material fact  required to be stated therein or  necessary
    in order to make the statements therein, in light of the circumstances under
    which they are made, not misleading.

        (d)   BROKERS.  No broker, investment banker, financial advisor or other
    person is entitled to any  broker's, finder's, financial advisor's or  other
    similar  fee or  commission in connection  with the  Transactions based upon
    arrangements made by or  on behalf of  such Person, except  as set forth  in
    Section  5.1(p), which  would be or  become the responsibility  of any other
    Party.

        (e)  OWNERSHIP OF COMPANY SECURITIES.  Investor1 is the beneficial owner
    of 7,630,307 shares of Common Stock and warrants to purchase 394,547  shares
    of  Common Stock. Investor2  is the beneficial owner  of 1,433,413 shares of
    Common Stock  and  warrants  to  purchase 74,203  shares  of  Common  Stock.
    Investor3  is the  beneficial owner of  no shares of  Common Stock, $937,500
    principal amount  of New  Borrower  Notes and  warrants to  purchase  70,312
    shares  of  Common Stock.  Investor4 is  the  beneficial owner  of 2,139,940
    shares of Common Stock, $937,500 principal amount of New Borrower Notes  and
    warrants  to  purchase  70,312  shares of  Common  Stock.  Investor5  is the
    beneficial owner of  1,305,700 shares  of Common  Stock, $937,500  principal
    amount  of  New Borrower  Notes and  warrants to  purchase 70,312  shares of
    Common Stock.  Investor6 is  the beneficial  owner of  no shares  of  Common
    Stock,  $937,500  principal amount  of New  Borrower  Notes and  warrants to
    purchase 70,312 shares of Common Stock. Except for such ownership, as of the
    date of this Agreement, such Person does not beneficially own any shares  of
    Common  Stock,  principal  amount of  Existing  Grantor  Trust Indebtedness,
    Borrower Notes or New Borrower Notes, warrants to purchase shares of  Common
    Stock  or  any  other  equity  or  debt  securities  of  Company,  except as
    contemplated by this  Agreement, the  Ancillary Agreements  or the  Existing
    Loan Agreement.

        (f)   INVESTMENT INTENT.  Such Person is purchasing or acquiring the New
    Shares and the Preferred Shares for  its own account for investment and  not
    with a present view to, or for sale in

                                      A-24
<PAGE>
    connection  with, any  distribution thereof  in violation  of the Securities
    Act, provided that disposition of such Person's property shall at all  times
    be  within its control. Such Person does not have any contract, undertaking,
    agreement or  arrangement  with  any  person  to  sell,  transfer  or  grant
    participations to such person or to any third person, with respect to any of
    the  New  Shares  or  Preferred  Shares.  Such  Person  is  aware  that  the
    certificates representing the New Shares and the Preferred Shares will  bear
    such  legends relating to restrictions on resale under the Securities Act as
    provided in Section 5.2(f).

        (g)  ACQUISITION  FOR INVESTMENT  AND RULE 144.   Such  Person has  such
    knowledge  and  experience  in financial  and  business matters  that  it is
    capable of evaluating the merits and risks of the proposed Investment.  Such
    Person  understands that the New Shares and the Preferred Shares will not be
    registered under the Securities Act in reliance on a specific exemption from
    the registration provision of the  Securities Act which depends upon,  among
    other  things, the  bona fide nature  of such Person's  investment intent as
    expressed herein.  Such Person  acknowledges  that the  New Shares  and  the
    Preferred  Shares  must be  held indefinitely  unless they  are subsequently
    registered under the Securities Act  or an exemption from such  registration
    is  available. Such Person has been advised or is aware of the provisions of
    Rule 144 and Rule  144A promulgated under the  Securities Act which  permits
    limited  resale of  shares purchased in  a private placement  subject to the
    satisfaction of certain conditions.

        (h)  LEGAL INVESTMENT; CONSENTS.  The purchase of the New Shares and the
    Preferred Shares  by  such Person  hereunder  is legally  permitted  in  all
    material  respects  by all  laws  and regulations  to  which such  Person is
    subject and all material consents,  approvals, orders, authorizations of  or
    registrations,   declarations  or  filings  in  connection  with  the  valid
    execution and delivery  of this  Agreement and the  Ancillary Agreements  by
    such  Person or the purchase  of the New Shares  and the Preferred Shares by
    such Person have been obtained or made, or will be obtained or made prior to
    the Closing Date.

                                   ARTICLE VI
              COVENANTS RELATING TO CONDUCT OF BUSINESS OF COMPANY

    6.1.  CONDUCT OF BUSINESS.   (a) Conduct of  Business by Company. Except  as
otherwise  contemplated by this  Agreement and the  Ancillary Agreements, during
the period from the date of this Agreement to the earlier of (x) the Closing and
(y) the  first day  on which  each of  the five  persons designated  as  Holding
Directors  on  Schedule  2.1 of  the  Stockholders Agreement  shall  have become
Directors of Company, Company shall, and shall cause its Subsidiaries to,  carry
on  their respective  businesses in  the usual,  regular and  ordinary course in
substantially the  same  manner  as  heretofore conducted  and,  to  the  extent
consistent  therewith, use  its best  efforts to  preserve intact  their current
business organizations, keep  available the services  of their current  officers
and  other employees and preserve their relationships with customers, suppliers,
licensors, licensees,  distributors and  others  having business  dealings  with
them.  By way of background,  Schedule 1.1 sets forth  the most recent financial
information of  Company.  Without  limiting the  generality  of  the  foregoing,
without  the prior written consent of Parent, during the period from the date of
this Agreement to the Closing,  Company shall not, and  shall not permit any  of
its Subsidiaries to:

        (i) take any action in violation of the covenants contained in Company's
    loan  agreements  (except to  the extent  such  covenants have  already been
    violated and no waivers have been obtained);

        (ii) (x) split, combine or reclassify any of its capital stock or  issue
    or  authorize the issuance of any other securities in respect of, in lieu of
    or in substitution for shares of  its capital stock or (y) purchase,  redeem
    or  otherwise acquire any shares  of capital stock of  Company or any of its

                                      A-25
<PAGE>
    Subsidiaries or  any other  securities thereof  or any  rights, warrants  or
    options  to  acquire any  such  shares or  other  securities (other  than in
    accordance with  the Stock  Split) or  (z)  declare, set  aside or  pay  any
    dividend (whether in cash, capital stock or property);

       (iii)  issue, deliver, sell,  pledge or otherwise  encumber any shares of
    its capital stock, any other voting securities or any securities convertible
    into, or any rights, warrants or options to acquire, any such shares, voting
    securities or convertible securities (other than (x) the issuance of  Common
    Stock  upon the exercise or conversion of Employee Stock Options outstanding
    on the date of this Agreement and in accordance with their present terms and
    (y) the  issuance  and  sale of  the  New  Shares and  Preferred  Shares  in
    accordance with the terms hereof);

       (iv)  amend its Certificate of Incorporation, By-Laws or other comparable
    charter or  organizational  documents (other  than  in accordance  with  the
    Amendments);

        (v) acquire or agree to acquire any assets in excess of $100,000;

       (vi)  sell, lease, license, mortgage or  otherwise encumber or subject to
    any Lien or otherwise dispose of any  of its properties or assets in  excess
    of $10,000, or waive or release any rights, or compromise, release or assign
    any indebtedness owed to it or any claims held by it;

       (vii) (x) incur any indebtedness for borrowed money or guarantee any such
    indebtedness  of  another  person,  issue or  sell  any  debt  securities or
    warrants or other rights to acquire any debt securities of Company or any of
    its Subsidiaries, guarantee  any debt  securities of  another person,  enter
    into  any "keep well" or other agreement to maintain any financial statement
    condition of  another  person  or  enter into  any  arrangement  having  the
    economic  effect of any  of the foregoing,  (y) make any  loans, advances or
    capital contributions to, or investments in, any other person, other than to
    Company or any direct or indirect wholly owned Subsidiary of Company or  (z)
    incur  any other debt, liability or  obligation, direct or indirect, whether
    accrued, absolute, contingent or  otherwise, other than current  liabilities
    incurred in the ordinary course of business consistent with past practice;

      (viii)  make or agree to make  any new capital expenditure or expenditures
    which, individually or in the aggregate, are in excess of $10,000;

       (ix) pay, discharge  or satisfy  any claims,  liabilities or  obligations
    (absolute,  accrued,  contingent  or  otherwise),  other  than  the payment,
    discharge or satisfaction,  in the  ordinary course  of business  consistent
    with  past  practice  or  in accordance  with  their  terms,  of liabilities
    reflected or  reserved  against in,  or  contemplated by,  the  most  recent
    consolidated financial statements (or the notes thereto) of Company included
    in  the Filed SEC Documents  or incurred in the  ordinary course of business
    consistent with past practice;

        (x) provide any  discounts on  sales of inventory  other than  discounts
    consistent with past practice;

       (xi)  enter  into, terminate  or  substantially amend  or  supplement any
    contract, lease or other agreement unless  the same is done in the  ordinary
    and  usual course of business and the  contract, lease or other agreement in
    question does not provide for any  party thereto to make payment or  deliver
    goods or services (or any combination thereof) aggregating more than $10,000
    over the term thereof;

       (xii)  increase in any manner the  compensation or fringe benefits of any
    of its  officers,  directors  or  employees  or pay  or  agree  to  pay  any
    severance,  pension,  retirement  allowance  or  other  similar  benefit not
    required by any previously existing plan or agreement to any such  officers,
    directors  or  employees,  or  commit  itself  to  any  severance,  pension,
    retirement or profit-sharing loan or agreement or employment agreement  with
    or for the benefit of any officer, director, employee or other person;

                                      A-26
<PAGE>
      (xiii) permit any insurance policy (excluding, however, those policies for
    which  no replacement is available at a cost comparable to that currently in
    effect) naming it as a beneficiary or  a loss payable payee to be  cancelled
    or   terminated  or  any  of  the   coverage  thereunder  to  lapse,  unless
    simultaneously with  such  termination, cancellation  or  lapse  replacement
    policies  providing substantially  the same coverage  are in  full force and
    effect;

      (xiv) change any accounting policy or procedure; or

       (xv) authorize any of, or commit or  agree to take any of, the  foregoing
    actions.

    (b)   OTHER ACTIONS.  Except as required by law, regulation, or contemplated
by this Agreement or  the Ancillary Agreements,  the Company, Parent,  Holdings,
the  Grantor Trust and the Other Investors  shall use all reasonable efforts not
to, and shall use all reasonable efforts  not to permit any of their  respective
Subsidiaries  to,  take  any action  that  would,  or that  could  reasonably be
expected to, result  in (i) any  of the representations  and warranties of  such
Party set forth in this Agreement or the Ancillary Agreements that are qualified
as  to  materiality  becoming  untrue,  (ii)  any  of  such  representations and
warranties that are not so qualified becoming untrue in any material respect  or
(iii) any of the conditions set forth in Article IV not being satisfied.

    Company,  Parent, Holdings and the Other Investors shall promptly notify the
other Parties of any change or event causing, or that, insofar as can reasonably
be foreseen, would cause, any of the conditions with respect to such Person  set
forth in Article IV not being satisfied.

                                  ARTICLE VII
                             ADDITIONAL AGREEMENTS

    7.1.  PREPARATION OF THE PROXY STATEMENT; STOCKHOLDERS MEETING.  (a) Company
shall  have prepared  and given  Parent, Holdings,  Grantor Trust  and the Other
Investors a reasonable opportunity to comment on the Proxy Statement to be filed
by Company with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the "Proxy  Statement").
If  the Proxy Statement has not been filed with the SEC, Company shall file with
the SEC the Proxy Statement  within 7 days after  the date hereof. After  giving
Parent, Holdings, Grantor Trust and the Other Investors a reasonable opportunity
to comment, Company shall file with the SEC any amendments or supplements to the
Proxy  Statement that may be necessary in response to SEC comments or otherwise.
Company shall use reasonable efforts to  cause the Proxy Statement to be  mailed
to  the Company's stockholders as promptly as practicable. Company shall provide
to Parent,  Holdings and  the Other  Investors promptly  any comments  or  other
correspondence  it  receives  from  the  SEC staff  with  respect  to  the Proxy
Statement.

    (b) Company  shall,  as soon  as  practicable  following the  date  of  this
Agreement,  duly  call,  give notice  of,  convene  and hold  a  meeting  of its
stockholders (the  "Stockholders  Meeting") for  the  purpose of  approving  the
Proposals   and  shall,  through  its  Board  of  Directors,  recommend  to  its
stockholders approval of the Proposals.  The obligations of Company pursuant  to
Section  7.1(a)  and the  first sentence  of  this Section  7.1(b) shall  not be
affected  by   the  commencement,   public   proposal,  public   disclosure   or
communication to Company of any takeover proposal by any third party.

    7.2.   ACCESS  TO INFORMATION;  CONFIDENTIALITY.   Company shall,  and shall
cause each  of  its Subsidiaries  to,  afford to  Parent  and to  the  officers,
employees, accountants, counsel, financial advisors and other representatives of
the  Parent, reasonable  access during normal  business hours  during the period
prior to  the Closing  to  all their  respective properties,  books,  contracts,
commitments,  personnel and records and, during  such period, Company shall, and
shall cause each of its  Subsidiaries to, furnish promptly  to the Parent (a)  a
copy  of each report, schedule, registration  statement and other document filed
by it  during such  period pursuant  to  the requirements  of Federal  or  state
securities   laws  and  (b)  all  other  information  concerning  its  business,
properties and personnel as such other Party may reasonably request.

                                      A-27
<PAGE>
    7.3.  REASONABLE  EFFORTS; NOTIFICATION; CONSENT.   (a) Upon  the terms  and
subject to the conditions set forth in this Agreement, each of the Parties shall
use  all reasonable efforts (in the case  of Investor1 and Investor2, within the
context  of  its  fiduciary  obligations,  if  any,  and  applicable  regulatory
restrictions) to take, or cause to be taken, all actions, and to do, or cause to
be done, and to assist and cooperate with the other Parties in doing, all things
necessary,  proper or  advisable to consummate  and make effective,  in the most
expeditious manner practicable, the Transactions, including (i) the obtaining of
all necessary  actions  or  nonactions, waivers,  consents  and  approvals  from
Governmental  Entities and the making of all necessary registrations and filings
(including filings with  Governmental Entities, if  any) and the  taking of  all
reasonable steps as may be necessary to obtain an approval or waiver from, or to
avoid  an action or proceeding by,  any Governmental Entity, including those set
forth on Schedule 5.1(d), to the extent necessary to consummate its  obligations
as  part of the  Transactions, (ii) the  obtaining or granting  of all necessary
consents, approvals or waivers  from third parties  or Parties, including  those
set  forth  on  Schedule  5.1(d),  to the  extent  necessary  to  consummate its
obligations as part of the Transactions, (iii) the defending of any lawsuits  or
other  legal  proceedings, whether  judicial or  administrative, against  it and
challenging  this  Agreement  or  any   of  the  Ancillary  Agreements  or   the
consummation  of  the  Transactions,  including  seeking  to  have  any  stay or
temporary restraining order entered  by any court  or other Governmental  Entity
vacated  or  reversed, and  (iv) the  execution and  delivery of  any additional
instruments necessary to  consummate the  Transactions contemplated  by, and  to
fully  carry out the  purposes of, this Agreement  and the Ancillary Agreements,
including the  satisfaction  of all  conditions  set  forth in  Article  IV  and
completion  of the  Funding and  the Closing  on a  timely basis,  provided that
nothing in this Article VII shall be construed to require any Party to waive any
right or condition to any obligation it  may have pursuant to this Agreement  or
any  Ancillary Agreement. In connection with and without limiting the foregoing,
Company and its Board of Directors shall (i) take all action necessary to ensure
that no state takeover  statute or similar statute  or regulation is or  becomes
applicable   to  this  Agreement,   the  Ancillary  Agreements   or  any  future
transactions between or among the Parties solely as a result of the Transactions
and (ii) if any state takeover statute or similar statute or regulation  becomes
applicable  to this  Agreement, any Ancillary  Agreement or  any contemplated by
this Agreement or any Ancillary Agreement,  take all action necessary to  ensure
that the Transactions may be consummated as promptly as practicable on the terms
contemplated  by this  Agreement and the  Ancillary Agreements  and otherwise to
minimize the effect of such statute or regulation on the Transactions.

    (b) Each Party  shall give prompt  notice to  the other Parties  of (i)  any
representation  or  warranty  made by  it  contained  in this  Agreement  or any
Ancillary Agreement  becoming  untrue or  inaccurate  in any  respect  (ii)  the
failure  by it to comply  with or satisfy in  any material respect any covenant,
condition or  agreement  to be  complied  with or  satisfied  by it  under  this
Agreement   or  any  Ancillary  Agreement;   provided,  however,  that  no  such
notification  shall  affect  the   representations,  warranties,  covenants   or
agreements  of the Parties or  the conditions to the  obligations of the Parties
under this Agreement or the Ancillary Agreements.

    (c) In order to induce each of  the Parties to enter into the  Transactions,
and  anything in the agreements with the Company  to which such Party is a Party
to the contrary notwithstanding, each Party hereby consents to the  Transactions
and,  subject  to  satisfaction of  the  conditions  to Funding  or  Closing, as
applicable, hereby waives  all defaults and  events of default  relating to  any
existing  agreement  between  or among  any  of  the Parties  and  which include
Company, any of its Subsidiaries, any of the Grantor Trust Subsidiaries, Interim
Borrowers or Grantor Trust as a Party or Parties thereto, that, to such  Party's
knowledge, occurred prior to and are continuing as of the date hereof; provided,
that  if Closing does not occur by December 31, 1995 or the Investment Agreement
terminates prior to  Closing, the Parties  will have the  right to rescind  such
waiver  except with respect to  actions and events that  are taken in connection
with the Transactions. All terms,  conditions and provisions of such  agreements
are  and  shall  remain in  effect  (except  as otherwise  contemplated  by this
Agreement and the Ancillary Agreements) and, except as set forth above,  nothing
herein shall operate as a consent to or waiver of any other or further matter or
any other right, power or remedy of such Party under such agreements.

                                      A-28
<PAGE>
    7.4.   FEES AND EXPENSES.   (a) Except as provided  below or in the Existing
Insurance Company Loan Agreement, all  fees and expenses incurred in  connection
with  this Agreement and the  Transactions shall be paid  by the Party incurring
such fees  or expenses,  whether  or not  the  sale of  the  New Shares  or  the
Preferred Shares on the terms contemplated hereby is consummated. Company agrees
to reimburse Investor1 and Investor2 for their reasonable out-of-pocket expenses
in connection with this Agreement, the Ancillary Agreements and the Transactions
in an amount not to exceed $100,000.

    (b)  If a  direct or  indirect acquisition of,  or merger  or other business
combination with, Company or  any substantial portion  of Company's business  or
assets,  or the sale or other disposition of  a majority of the capital stock of
Company (any of such  transactions, a "Disposition")  is consummated by  Company
with  any  person  other  than  Parent after  the  date  hereof,  then  upon the
consummation of such Company shall pay to Parent in immediately available funds,
an amount  equal to  Parent's  and Holdings'  out-of-pocket costs  and  expenses
(including  legal fees and expenses). This Section 7.4(b) shall not apply to any
Disposition undertaken through an involuntary bankruptcy of Company.

    7.5.   PUBLIC ANNOUNCEMENTS.   Parent,  Holdings, Grantor  Trust, the  Other
Investors  and Company shall consult with each other before issuing, and provide
each other the  opportunity to  review and comment  upon, any  press release  or
other public statements with respect to the Transactions and shall not issue any
such press release or make any such public statement prior to such consultation,
except as may be required by applicable law, court process, regulatory authority
or by obligations pursuant to any listing agreement with any national securities
exchange.

    7.6.   STOCKHOLDER LITIGATION.  Company shall give Parent the opportunity to
participate in the defense or  settlement of any stockholder litigation  against
the  Company and its directors relating  to the Transactions; PROVIDED, HOWEVER,
that no  such settlement  shall be  agreed to  without Parent's  consent,  which
consent shall not be unreasonably withheld.

    7.7.    EMPLOYMENT  ARRANGEMENTS.   The  Company  shall not  enter  into any
employment agreement or implement any severance arrangement with or with respect
to any employee of the Company.

    7.8.  REPORTING COMPANY.   Company shall  use its best  efforts to remain  a
reporting  company under the Exchange Act prior  to and upon consummation of the
Transactions contemplated by this Agreement and the Ancillary Agreements.

    7.9.   NYSE LISTING.    Company shall  use its  best  efforts to  cause  the
outstanding  shares of Common Stock  and the New Shares  to remain listed on the
New York  Stock Exchange  prior to  and upon  consummation of  the  Transactions
contemplated by this Agreement and the Ancillary Agreements.

    7.10.   LIQUIDATING  PROPERTY TRUST LEASES  AND PROPERTY  TRANSFER.  Company
shall use its  best efforts to  obtain from the  Liquidating Property Trust  the
Liquidating Property Trust Leases and cause the Property Transfer to occur.

    7.11.  AGREEMENT TO VOTE SHARES.  Each of the Parties agrees that during the
term of this Agreement to vote such Party's shares of Common Stock, and to cause
any  holder of record of such  shares to vote (a) in  favor of the Proposals and
the Transactions, (b) against any action  or agreement that would compete  with,
impede,   interfere  with  or  attempt  to  discourage  or  inhibit  the  timely
consummation of the Transactions, (c)  except for the Transactions, against  any
merger,  consolidation, business  combination, reorganization, recapitalization,
liquidation or sale or transfer of any material assets or securities of  Company
or  its Subsidiaries that would be inconsistent with the Transactions and (d) as
to any matter related to  the election or removal  of directors, as directed  by
Holdings.

    7.12.  NO VOTING TRUSTS.  Each of the Parties agrees that they will not, nor
will  they permit any entity under their control to, deposit any of their shares
of Common Stock in a voting trust or subject any of their shares of Common Stock
to any  arrangement  with  respect to  the  voting  of such  Shares  other  than
agreements entered into with Holdings.

                                      A-29
<PAGE>
    7.13.   NO PROXY SOLICITATIONS.  Each  of the Parties agrees that such Party
will not, nor will such Party permit  any entity under such Party's control  to,
(a) solicit proxies or become a "participant" in a "solicitation" (as such terms
are  defined  in Regulation  14A under  the  Exchange Act)  in opposition  to or
competition with the consummation of the Transactions or otherwise encourage  or
assist  any party  in taking  or planning any  action which  would compete with,
impede,  interfere  with  or  attempt  to  discourage  or  inhibit  the   timely
consummation of the Transactions, (b) directly or indirectly encourage, initiate
or  cooperate in  a stockholders'  vote or  action by  consent of  the Company's
stockholders in opposition  to or in  competition with the  consummation of  the
Transactions,  or (c)  become a  member of a  "group" (as  such term  is used in
Section 13(d) of the Exchange Act) with respect to any voting securities of  the
Company  for the purpose of  opposing or competing with  the consummation of the
Transactions.

    7.14.  TRANSFER AND ENCUMBRANCE.  On or after the date hereof and during the
term of this Agreement until the Closing, except pursuant to this Agreement  and
the  Ancillary Agreements,  each of  the Parties  agrees not  to transfer, sell,
offer, exchange, pledge or otherwise dispose of or encumber any of such  Party's
shares of Common Stock or any Interim Notes, Existing Grantor Trust Indebtedness
or New Borrower Notes, without the prior written consent of Company and Holdings
and  prior notice  to the  Other Parties,  except that  (i) each  of the Parties
(other than  Company) may  make such  a transfer  to any  Affiliate (other  than
Company)  of such Party who agrees  in writing to be bound  by the terms of this
Agreement and the Ancillary Agreements, but no such transfer shall relieve  such
Party  of  any  of  its  obligations  under  this  Agreement  and  the Ancillary
Agreements (except that such relief will be granted in the case of Investor1  or
Investor2  upon any transfer by them to a  fund or account managed or advised by
Fidelity Management and Research Co. or Fidelity Management Trust Co.).  Company
and  Holdings will not  unreasonably withhold such  consent to limited transfers
(for example up to 5% of each Party's  holdings on a pro rata basis) so long  as
their material interests are not adversely affected thereby.

    7.15.   ADDITIONAL PURCHASES.   Each of  the Parties agrees  that such Party
will not purchase  or otherwise acquire  beneficial ownership of  any shares  of
Common  Stock  after  the  execution  of  this  Agreement,  nor  will  any Party
voluntarily acquire the right to  vote or share in the  voting of any shares  of
Common  Stock, unless such Party agrees to deliver to Holdings immediately after
such purchase  or acquisition  an irrevocable  proxy substantially  in the  form
attached  hereto  as Exhibit  C with  respect to  such new  shares. Each  of the
Parties also severally agrees that any  new shares acquired or purchased by  him
or  her shall be subject to the terms of this Agreement to the same extent as if
they constituted shares  of Common  Stock held  by such  Party as  set forth  in
Article V hereof.

    7.16.  COVENANTS RELATING TO POST-FUNDING TAX MATTERS.

    (a)   TAX SHARING AGREEMENTS.  Any Tax sharing agreement between the Company
and any of the Grantor  Trust Subsidiaries is terminated  as of the Funding  and
will  have no further  effect for any  taxable year, whether  current, future or
past.

    (b)  TAX  RETURNS.  Company  will include  the income of  the Grantor  Trust
Subsidiaries  on the Company's  consolidated income Tax  Returns for all periods
through the Funding and  pay income Taxes attributable  to such income.  Grantor
Trust  Subsidiaries will pay  income Taxes attributable to  their income for all
periods  following  the   Funding.  Upon  reasonable   request,  Grantor   Trust
Subsidiaries  and Company  will provide  tax information  to each  other for the
purpose of preparing Tax Returns. Company will take no position that relates  to
Grantor  Trust Subsidiaries on  its consolidated income  Tax Returns for periods
through the Funding that  is not in accordance  with past practice, without  the
prior  written consent  of Investor1  and Investor2,  which consent  will not be
unreasonably withheld. The Grantor Trust Subsidiaries will take no position that
relates to Company on their  Tax Returns for periods  after the Funding that  is
not  in  accordance with  past practice,  without the  prior written  consent of
Company, which consent will not be unreasonably withheld.

    (c)  AUDITS.  Company on the  one hand and Investor1, Investor2 and  Grantor
Trust Subsidiaries on the other will each provide reasonable notice to the other
party regarding audits of any Tax

                                      A-30
<PAGE>
Returns,  to the extent that such audits  may affect the other party's liability
for Taxes. Company and the Grantor Trust Subsidiaries will permit each other and
their respective counsel to participate in  any such audits. None of Company  or
the  Grantor Trust  Subsidiaries will  settle any audit  in a  manner that would
adversely affect the Tax liability of the other party, without the prior written
consent of Investor1 and Investor2 or Company, respectively.

    (d)  SALE  OF STOCK.   Company, Investor1, Investor2  and the Grantor  Trust
Subsidiaries  shall, upon Company  request, make a  joint election under Section
338(h)(10) of the Internal  Revenue Code and  any corresponding elections  under
state  and local  tax laws (the  "Election") with  respect to the  stock of each
Grantor Trust Subsidiary, and as  promptly as practicable following the  Funding
Date,  cooperate with each  other to take all  actions necessary and appropriate
(including filing such forms, returns, elections, schedules and other  documents
as  may be required) to effect and preserve a timely Election in accordance with
Section 338(h)(10) of  the Internal  Revenue Code and  the Treasury  Regulations
thereunder or any successor provisions and the corresponding provisions of state
and  local  tax laws.  However, the  agreement  in this  subsection (d)  is made
subject to  the condition  that  the making  of the  Election  will not  have  a
material  adverse  effect on  Investor1, Investor2  or  their investment  in the
Grantor Trust Subsidiaries, as such material adverse effect is defined in a side
letter between Investor1 and  Investor2, on the one  hand, and Holdings and  the
Company, on the other hand, which side letter such parties agree to negotiate in
good faith.

    (e)   REFUNDS.  The Grantor Trust  Subsidiaries will promptly pay to Company
any net Tax refund (or  net reduction in Tax liability  ) with respect to  Taxes
for  periods through the Funding when such  refund is received or such reduction
is realized, by the Grantor Trust  Subsidiaries or any of their Affiliates.  The
Grantor Trust Subsidiaries will cooperate with Company, at Company's expense, in
obtaining such refunds or reductions. Company will indemnify each of the Grantor
Trust  Subsidiaries for any Taxes resulting  from the subsequent disallowance of
any such refund or reduction.

    (f)  INDEMNIFICATIONS BY COMPANY.  Company agrees subsequent to the  Funding
to  indemnify  and  hold the  Grantor  Trust Subsidiaries  and  their respective
Subsidiaries and Affiliates and persons serving as officers, directors, partners
or employees thereof (the "Grantor Trust Indemnified Parties") harmless from and
against any liability  of the Grantor  Trust Indemnified Parties  for Taxes  (i)
arising  with respect to periods which end on or prior to the Funding Date or as
a result of the Funding, or (ii) arising out of or based upon any breach of  the
representations   and  warranties  contained  in  Sections  5.1(k)  or  5.1(aa),
including without limitation any liability for Taxes of Company or any member of
its consolidated  group other  than  the Grantor  Trust Subsidiaries  (A)  under
Treasury  Regulation Section 1.1502-6 (or any  similar provision of state, local
or foreign  law), (B)  as a  transferee or  successor, (C)  by contract  or  (D)
otherwise.  For purpose  of this  subsection and  subsection (g)  below, "Taxes"
includes any related costs, fines, penalties, interest and expenses with respect
thereto (including, without limitation, reasonable fees of counsel) of any  kind
and  nature whatsoever  (whether or  not arising  out of  third-party claims and
including any reasonable amounts paid in investigation, defense or settlement of
the foregoing) which will be sustained or suffered by the Indemnified Parties.

    (g)   INDEMNIFICATION BY  GRANTOR  TRUST SUBSIDIARIES.   The  Grantor  Trust
Subsidiaries  agree subsequent to the Funding  to indemnify and hold Company and
its Subsidiaries  and Affiliates  and persons  serving as  officers,  directors,
partners  or employees thereof (the "Company Indemnified Parties") harmless from
and against any liability of the  Company Indemnified Parties for Taxes  imposed
with respect to the Grantor Trust Subsidiaries for periods, or portions thereof,
beginning  after the Funding Date  (other than Taxes imposed  as a result of the
Funding). For purposes of this subsection  "Taxes" has the meaning set forth  in
subsection (f) above.

    (h)   SOLE REMEDY.  The indemnification  provided in Section 7.16(e) and (f)
above shall be the sole and  exclusive remedy of the Grantor Trust  Subsidiaries
with  respect  to  the  matters  set  forth  in  Section  7.16(e)  and  (f). The
indemnification provided  in  Section  7.16(g)  above  shall  be  the  sole  and
exclusive remedy of the Company with respect to the matters set forth in Section
7.16(g).

                                      A-31
<PAGE>
    7.17.   ENVIRONMENTAL INDEMNITY, ETC.   (a) Company agrees subsequent to the
Funding to  indemnify  and  hold  Investor1, Investor2  and  the  Grantor  Trust
Subsidiaries  ("Indemnitees")  harmless from  and  against any  losses, damages,
liabilities or expenses (including reasonable  expenses of counsel) that  result
from  any breach of the representations  and warranties of the Company contained
in Section 5.1(h)(vii) to the extent, but  only to the extent, that such  breach
relates  to the Grantor  Trust Subsidiaries, and subject  to a maximum aggregate
indemnification liability of Company under this provision of $2.5 million.

    (b) Promptly after becoming aware of or receiving notice of any such breach,
each Indemnitee  shall, if  the Indemnitee  believes that  indemnification  with
respect  thereto may be sought from Company under this Agreement, notify Company
in writing and specify with reasonable particularity the circumstances  thereof.
The  right to indemnification  shall terminate as  to any matter  for which such
notice has not been given  within two years from  the date hereof. In  addition,
Indemnitee  shall  give  Company  such information  and  cooperation  as  it may
reasonably require and as shall be within Indemnitee's power. Any delay in  such
notification,  if within such two year period, will not relieve Company from any
such liability unless the  delay in notice  materially prejudiced Company.  This
right of indemnification is not transferrable.

    (c)  If the Indemnitee is entitled to indemnification on some claims, issues
or matters, but not on others, involved in a legal or administrative proceeding,
the Company shall indemnify the Indemnitee against an appropriate proportion  of
the overall losses, damages, liabilities or expenses (and no more), based on the
matters  for which  the Indemnitee  is entitled  to be  indemnified hereunder in
relation to any other matters involved therein.

    (d) The  expenses incurred  by Indemnitee  in investigating,  defending,  or
appealing any legal or administrative proceeding covered by this indemnity shall
be  paid by Company in advance, with the understanding and agreement hereby made
by Indemnitee, or made by  its acceptance of any  such advancement, that in  the
event  it shall ultimately be determined that  Indemnitee was not entitled to be
indemnified, or was not  entitled to be fully  indemnified, that the  Indemnitee
shall  repay to Company such amount, or the appropriate portion thereof, so paid
or advanced.

    (e) Company  shall  be  entitled to  assume  the  defense of  any  legal  or
administrative  proceeding for which indemnification is owing under this Section
7.17. Company will not be liable  for any settlement effected without its  prior
written consent, which will not be unreasonably withheld.

                                  ARTICLE VIII
                       TERMINATION, AMENDMENT AND WAIVER

    8.1.     TERMINATION.    (a)  Anything  contained  herein  to  the  contrary
notwithstanding,  this  Agreement  may   be  terminated  and  the   Transactions
contemplated hereby abandoned at any time prior to the Closing Date:

    (i) by  mutual written consent of Parent,  Holdings, the Other Investors and
        the Company;

    (ii) by Parent and Holdings  if any of the  conditions set forth in  Section
         4.1 shall have become incapable of fulfillment, and shall not have been
         waived by Parent and Holdings;

   (iii) by Company if any of the conditions set forth in Section 4.2 shall have
         become  incapable of fulfillment, and shall not have been waived by the
         Company;

   (iv) by the Other Investors if any of the conditions set forth in Section 4.3
        shall have  become incapable  of fulfillment,  and shall  not have  been
        waived by the Other Investors; or

    (v) by  any Party if Closing shall not have occurred on or prior to December
        31, 1995;

PROVIDED, HOWEVER, that the Party  seeking termination pursuant to clause  (ii),
(iii)  or  (iv)  is  not  in material  breach  of  any  of  its representations,
warranties, covenants or agreements contained in this Agreement.

                                      A-32
<PAGE>
    (b) In the event of termination pursuant to this Section 8.1, written notice
thereof shall forthwith be given to the other Parties and the Transactions shall
be terminated, without further action by any Party.

    8.2.  EFFECT OF TERMINATION.  In the event of termination of this  Agreement
as  provided  in Section  8.1,  the Parties  shall  no longer  have  any further
liabilities or  obligations  under this  Agreement,  except under  Section  7.4,
Section  7.5  (which  shall terminate  one  year  from the  termination  of this
Agreement), this Section 8.2 and Article IX  and except to the extent that  such
termination results from the wilful and material breach by a Party of any of its
representations, warranties, covenants or agreements set forth in this Agreement
or  any of the Ancillary Agreements. Upon  such termination the warrants held by
the Parties that were cancelled pursuant to Section 2.3(c) shall be reissued and
a proportionate amount  of warrants  shall be issued  to Holdings  based on  the
amount  of  Interim  Notes,  New  Borrower  Notes  and  Existing  Grantor  Trust
Indebtedness then outstanding.

    8.3.  AMENDMENT.  This Agreement may  be amended by the Parties at any  time
before  or after any  required approval of matters  presented in connection with
this Agreement  by the  stockholders of  the Company;  PROVIDED, HOWEVER,  that,
after  any such approval, there shall be  made no amendment that by law requires
further approval  by such  stockholders  without the  further approval  of  such
stockholders.  This  Agreement may  not be  amended except  by an  instrument in
writing signed on behalf of each of the parties.

    8.4.  EXTENSION; WAIVER.  At any time prior to the Closing, the Parties  may
(a)  extend the time for the performance of any of the obligations or other acts
of the other  Parties, (b)  waive any  inaccuracies in  the representations  and
warranties  contained in this Agreement or in any document delivered pursuant to
this Agreement or (c)  subject to the proviso  of Section 8.3, waive  compliance
with  any  of the  agreements  or conditions  contained  in this  Agreement. Any
agreement on the part of a Party to any such extension or waiver shall be  valid
only  if set forth in  an instrument in writing signed  on behalf of such Party.
The failure of any  Party to assert  any of its rights  under this Agreement  or
otherwise shall not constitute a waiver of such rights.

    8.5.    PROCEDURE  FOR  TERMINATION,  AMENDMENT,  EXTENSION  OR  WAIVER.   A
termination of this  Agreement pursuant  to Section  8.1, an  amendment of  this
Agreement  pursuant to Section 8.3 or an extension or waiver pursuant to Section
8.4 shall, in order to  be effective, require in  the case of Parent,  Holdings,
Grantor Trust or the Other Investors, action by its board of directors, trustees
or  authorized  officers  or  the  duly  authorized  designee  of  its  board of
directors, trustees  or authorized  officers or,  in the  case of  the  Company,
action by a majority of its entire Board of Directors.

                                   ARTICLE IX
                               GENERAL PROVISIONS

    9.1.   SURVIVAL OF  WARRANTIES AND CERTAIN AGREEMENTS.   (a) All agreements,
representations, and  warranties made  herein shall  survive the  execution  and
delivery of this Agreement and the consummation of the Transactions.

    (b)  Notwithstanding anything  in this  Agreement or  implied by  law to the
contrary, the agreements of the parties set forth in Sections 7.4 shall  survive
the consummation of the Transactions and the termination of this Agreement.

    9.2.     NOTICES.    All  notices,   requests,  claims,  demands  and  other
communications hereunder shall be  in writing and shall  be given (and shall  be
deemed  to have been duly  given upon receipt) by  delivery in person, by cable,
facsimile transmission, telegram  or telex  or by registered  or certified  mail

                                      A-33
<PAGE>
(postage  prepaid, return  receipt requested) to  the respective  parties at the
following addresses (or at such other address for a party as shall be  specified
in a notice given in accordance with this Section 9.2):

    (i) If to Parent or Holdings, to:

        Corimon, S.A.C.A.
       Calle Hans Neumann
       Edificio Corimon
       Los Cortijos de Lourdes
       Apartado 3654
       Caracas 1010-A, Venezuela
       Attention: Arthur W. Broslat
       Facsimile: (582) 203-5757

        with a copy to:

        Sullivan & Cromwell
       444 South Flower Street
       Los Angeles, California 90071
       Attention: Frank H. Golay, Jr.
       Facsimile: (213) 683-0457

    (ii) If to Grantor Trust, to:

        Standard Brands Paint Collateral Trust
       c/o Karl Savryn, Trustee
       Dornbush, Mensch, Mandelstam & Schaeffer
       74 Third Avenue, 11th Floor
       New York, New York 10017
       Facsimile: (212) 753-7673

   (iii) If to Investor1, to:

        Fidelity Capital & Income Fund
       c/o Fidelity Management and Research Co.
       82 Devonshire Street - F7E and F7D
       Boston, Massachusetts 02109
       Attention: Portfolio Manager and
                 Robert M. Gervis, Esq.
       Facsimile: (617) 476-3316 and 476-7774

        If to Investor2, to:

        Kodak Retirement Income Plan Trust Fund
       c/o Fidelity Management Trust Company
       82 Devonshire Street - F7E and F7D
       Boston, Massachusetts 02109
       Attention: Portfolio Manager and
                 Robert M. Gervis, Esq.
       Facsimile: (617) 476-3316 and 476-7774

        with a copy to:

        Goodwin Procter & Hoar
       Exchange Place
       53 State Street

                                      A-34
<PAGE>
Boston, Massachusetts 02109
Attention: Laura Hodges Taylor
       Facsimile: (617) 523-1231

   (iv) If to Investor3, to:

        Transamerica Life Insurance and Annuity Co.
       c/o Transamerica Realty Services, Inc.
       1150 South Olive Street, Suite 2200
       Los Angeles, CA 90015
       Attention: Lyman Lokken
       Facsimile: (213) 741-6917

    (v) If to Investor4, to:

        Transamerica Occidental Insurance Co.
       c/o Transamerica Realty Services, Inc.
       1150 South Olive Street, Suite 2200
       Los Angeles, CA 90015
       Attention: Lyman Lokken
       Facsimile: (213) 741-6917

   (vi) If to Investor5, to:

        Sun Life Insurance Co.
       1 Sun America Center
       Century City, CA 90067
       Attention: Robert Sydow
       Facsimile: (310) 772-6150

   (vii) If to Investor6, to:

        Anchor National Life Insurance Co.
       1 Sun America Center
       Century City, CA 90067
       Attention: Robert Sydow
       Facsimile: (310) 772-6150

  (viii) If to the Company, to:

        Standard Brands Paint Company
       4300 West 190th Street
       Torrance, CA 90509-2956
       Attention: Ronald I. Scharman
       Facsimile: (310) 371-8770

    9.3.    COUNTERPARTS.    This  Agreement may  be  executed  in  one  or more
counterparts, all of which shall be considered one and the same agreement.

    9.4.  ENTIRE AGREEMENT;  NO THIRD-PARTY BENEFICIARIES.   This Agreement  and
the  Ancillary Agreements, and the other  agreements and instruments referred to
herein and therein, (a) constitute the entire agreement, and supersede all prior
agreements and understandings, both written  and oral, among the parties  hereto
with  respect  to  the  subject  matter  of  this  Agreement  and  the Ancillary
Agreements and (b) are  not intended to  confer upon any  person other than  the
parties and their permitted successors and assigns any rights or remedies.

    9.5.  ASSIGNMENT.  None of the Parties shall assign this Agreement or any of
its  rights, interests or obligations hereunder,  in whole or in part (including
by operation of law in  connection with a merger,  or sale of substantially  all
the   assets,   of   Company,   Parent,  Holdings,   the   Other   Investors  or

                                      A-35
<PAGE>
otherwise), without the prior written consent of the other Parties, except  that
each of the Parties (other than Company) may assign, in its sole discretion, any
or  all of  its rights,  interests and obligations  under this  Agreement to any
Affiliate (other than Company) of such Party  who agrees in writing to be  bound
by  the  terms of  this  Agreement and  the  Ancillary Agreements,  but  no such
assignment shall  relieve  such Party  of  any  of its  obligations  under  this
Agreement  and except  that each of  Investor1, Investor2 and  the Grantor Trust
Subsidiaries may  assign, in  its sole  discretion, any  or all  of its  rights,
interests  and  obligations  under this  Agreement  as they  relate  to Sections
5.1(k), 5.1(aa) and 7.16, but no such assignment shall relieve any of Investor1,
Investor2 or the Grantor  Trust Subsidiaries of any  of their obligations  under
this  Agreement.  Subject  to the  preceding  sentence, this  Agreement  will be
binding upon, inure to the  benefit of, and be  enforceable by, the parties  and
their  respective successors and assigns.  Any attempted assignment in violation
of this Section 9.5 shall be void.

    9.6.  SEVERABILITY.   If  any term  or provision  of this  Agreement or  the
application  thereof  to  any  party  or  set  of  circumstances  shall,  in any
jurisdiction and to any extent, be  finally held invalid or unenforceable,  such
term or provision shall only be ineffective as to such jurisdiction, and only to
the  extent  of such  invalidity  or unenforceability,  without  invalidating or
rendering unenforceable any other terms or provisions of this Agreement or under
any other  circumstances,  and the  parties  shall  negotiate in  good  faith  a
substitute  provision which  comes as  close as  possible to  the invalidated or
unenforceable term or  provision, and  which puts each  party in  a position  as
nearly  comparable as possible to the position it would have been in but for the
finding  of   invalidity  or   unenforceability,  while   remaining  valid   and
enforceable.

    9.7.   GOVERNING LAW.  THIS AGREEMENT SHALL BE GOVERNED BY, AND CONSTRUED IN
ACCORDANCE WITH, THE LAWS OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK, REGARDLESS OF THE LAWS  THAT
MIGHT OTHERWISE GOVERN UNDER APPLICABLE PRINCIPLES OF CONFLICTS OF LAWS THEREOF.

    9.8.  ENFORCEMENT.  The Parties agree that irreparable damage would occur in
the  event that any of the provisions of  this Agreement or any of the Ancillary
Agreements were not performed  in accordance with their  specific terms or  were
otherwise  breached. It is accordingly agreed that the Parties shall be entitled
to an injunction or  injunctions to prevent breaches  of this Agreement and  the
Ancillary  Agreements and  to enforce specifically  the terms  and provisions of
this Agreement  and the  Ancillary  Agreements in  any  Federal or  state  court
located  in the State of New York, this being in addition to any other remedy to
which they are entitled at  law or in equity. In  addition, each of the  parties
hereto (a) consents to submit itself to the personal jurisdiction of any Federal
or  state court located in the State of New York in the event any dispute arises
out  of  this  Agreement,  any  of  the  Ancillary  Agreements  or  any  of  the
Transactions,  (b)  agrees that  it  will not  attempt  to deny  or  defeat such
personal jurisdiction by motion or other  request for leave from any such  court
and (c) agrees that it will not bring any action relating to this Agreement, any
of the Ancillary Agreements or any of the Transactions in any court other than a
Federal  or state court sitting  in the State of New  York. The Parties agree to
accept service of process  in connection with any  such action or proceeding  in
any manner permitted for a notice hereunder.

    However,  anything in this Agreement to the contrary notwithstanding, in the
case of  any legal  proceeding specifically  relating to  one of  the  Ancillary
Agreements,  which itself  contains specific choice  of law,  forum selection or
jurisdiction provisions, which  is or  would be inconsistent  with this  Section
9.8,  then in  such case  the provisions  contained in  such Ancillary Agreement
shall control, and this Section 9.8 shall not be applicable thereto.

                                      A-36
<PAGE>
                              INVESTMENT AGREEMENT

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

                                          STANDARD BRANDS PAINT COMPANY
                                          By ___________________________________
                                             Name:
                                             Title:

                                          CORIMON, S.A.C.A.
                                          By ___________________________________
                                             Name:
                                             Title:

                                          CORIMON CORPORATION
                                             ___________________________________
                                             Name:
                                             Title:

                                          TRANSAMERICA LIFE INSURANCE AND
                                           ANNUITY CO.
                                          By ___________________________________
                                             Name:
                                             Title:

                                          TRANSAMERICA OCCIDENTAL LIFE
                                           INSURANCE COMPANY
                                          By ___________________________________
                                             Name:
                                             Title:

                                          SUN LIFE INSURANCE COMPANY OF  AMERICA
                                          By ___________________________________
                                             Name:
                                             Title:

                                      A-37
<PAGE>
                                          ANCHOR NATIONAL LIFE
                                           INSURANCE COMPANY
                                          By ___________________________________
                                             Name:
                                             Title:

                                          STANDARD BRANDS PAINT COLLATERAL
                                           TRUST
                                          By ___________________________________
                                             Name:
                                             Title:

                                          KODAK RETIREMENT INCOME PLAN  TRUST
                                          FUND
                                          By ___________________________________
                                             Name:
                                             Title:

                                          FIDELITY CAPITAL & INCOME FUND
                                          By ___________________________________
                                             Name:
                                             Title:

                                      A-38
<PAGE>
    Investor1 is  a portfolio  of  a Massachusetts  business  trust. A  copy  of
Investor1's  Declaration  of  Trust  is  on  file  with  the  Secretary  of  the
Commonwealth of Massachusetts. Each of the Parties acknowledges and agrees  that
this agreement is not executed on behalf of or binding upon any of the trustees,
officers,  directors or shareholders of Investor1 or Investor2 individually, but
is binding only upon  the assets and property  of Investor1 and Investor2.  With
respect  to all obligations of Investor1 arising  out of this Agreement, each of
the Parties shall look for  payment or satisfaction of  any claim solely to  the
assets  and  property  of  Investor1  and Investor2.  Each  of  the  Parties are
expressly put on notice that the rights and obligations of each series of shares
of each of Investor1 and Investor2  under its Declaration of Trust are  separate
and distinct from those of any and all other series.

                                      A-39
<PAGE>
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------

   
                                AMENDMENT NO. 1
                                       TO
                              INVESTMENT AGREEMENT
    

   
                                     AMONG
    

   
                               CORIMON, S.A.C.A.
                            A VENEZUELAN CORPORATION
    

   
                              CORIMON CORPORATION,
                             A DELAWARE CORPORATION
    

   
          FIDELITY CAPITAL & INCOME FUND, KODAK RETIREMENT INCOME PLAN
            TRUST FUND, TRANSAMERICA LIFE INSURANCE AND ANNUITY CO.,
         TRANSAMERICA OCCIDENTAL LIFE INSURANCE CO., SUN LIFE INSURANCE
          COMPANY OF AMERICA, ANCHOR NATIONAL LIFE INSURANCE COMPANY,
    

   
                     STANDARD BRANDS PAINT COLLATERAL TRUST
    

   
                                      AND
    

   
                         STANDARD BRANDS PAINT COMPANY,
                             A DELAWARE CORPORATION
    

   
                           Dated as of April 7, 1995
    

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

                                      A-40
<PAGE>
                               TABLE OF CONTENTS

   
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                                                                    PAGE
                                                                                                                    -----
<S>        <C>                                                                                                   <C>
                                                         ARTICLE I
                                                        DEFINITIONS
1.1.       Definitions.........................................................................................           2
1.2.       Interpretation......................................................................................           2
                                                         ARTICLE II
                                                     WAIVER AND CONSENT
2.1.       Waiver and Consent..................................................................................           2
2.2.       Liquidating Property Trust Amendment Documents......................................................           2
2.3.       Ancillary Agreements................................................................................           3
                                                        ARTICLE III
                                                     GENERAL PROVISIONS
3.1.       Continuing Effect of Investment Agreement and Ancillary Agreements..................................           3
3.2.       Absence of Defaults.................................................................................           3
3.3.       Fees and Expenses...................................................................................           3
3.4.       Counterparts........................................................................................           3
3.5.       Governing Law.......................................................................................           3
</TABLE>
    

                                      A-41
<PAGE>
   
    AMENDMENT  NO. 1  TO INVESTMENT  AGREEMENT dated as  of April  7, 1995 (this
"Agreement"), among  Corimon,  S.A.C.A., a  Venezuelan  corporation  ("Parent"),
Corimon  Corporation, a  Delaware corporation and  a wholly  owned subsidiary of
Parent  ("Holdings"),  Fidelity  Capital  &  Income  Fund  ("Investor1"),  Kodak
Retirement Income Plan Trust Fund ("Investor2"), Transamerica Life Insurance and
Annuity Co., a North Carolina corporation ("Investor3"), Transamerica Occidental
Life  Insurance Co., a California  corporation ("Investor4"), Sun Life Insurance
Company of America, an Arizona  corporation ("Investor5"), Anchor National  Life
Insurance  Company,  a California  corporation  ("Investor6" and,  together with
Investor1,  Investor2,   Investor3,   Investor4  and   Investor5,   the   "Other
Investors"),   Standard  Brands  Paint  Collateral  Trust,  a  California  trust
("Grantor Trust"), and  Standard Brands  Paint Company,  a Delaware  corporation
("Company").
    

   
                                    RECITALS
    

   
    WHEREAS,  Parent, Holdings, the  Other Investors, Grantor  Trust and Company
entered into  an  Investment Agreement,  dated  as  of February  15,  1995  (the
"Investment Agreement");
    

   
    WHEREAS,  Parent, Holdings, the  Other Investors, Grantor  Trust and Company
anticipate to consummate the Transactions on or about May 17, 1995;
    

   
    WHEREAS, Company has requested  that Holdings provide  an unsecured loan  to
Company  to provide funds for the restructuring of the operations of the Company
in connection with the Transactions; and
    

   
    WHEREAS, simultaneously with the execution  and delivery of this  Agreement,
Holdings  and Company have entered into  the Unsecured Loan Agreement, dated the
date hereof (the "Unsecured Loan Agreement").
    

   
    NOW,  THEREFORE,  in  consideration  of  the  representations,   warranties,
covenants  and agreements contained in  this Agreement, the Investment Agreement
and the Ancillary Agreements, and for other good and valuable consideration, the
receipt and sufficiency  of which  are hereby acknowledged,  the Parties  hereto
hereby agree as follows:
    

   
                                   ARTICLE I
                                  DEFINITIONS
    

   
    1.1.   DEFINITIONS.  For  purposes of this Agreement,  terms used herein but
not otherwise  defined  shall have  the  meaning  set forth  in  the  Investment
Agreement.
    

   
    1.2.   INTERPRETATION.  The rules of interpretation set forth in Section 1.2
of the Investment Agreement  shall apply to this  Agreement, and the  provisions
thereof shall be deemed to be incorporated by reference herein.
    

   
                                   ARTICLE II
                               WAIVER AND CONSENT
    

   
    2.1.   WAIVER AND CONSENT.  In order to induce Holdings and Company to enter
into  and  consummate  the  transactions  contemplated  by  the  Unsecured  Loan
Agreement,  and anything in the agreements with  the Company to which such Party
is a party to  the contrary notwithstanding, each  Party hereby consents to  the
making  of an unsecured loan (the "Unsecured  Loan") by Holdings to Company in a
principal amount not to exceed  $2 million in accordance  with the terms of  the
Unsecured  Loan  Agreement, as  in effect  on  the date  hereof, and  waives all
defaults and events of default arising under any existing agreement by or  among
any  of the Parties and which include  Company, any of its Subsidiaries, Interim
Borrowers or Grantor Trust as a party  or parties thereto, that would be  caused
by,  or result  from, the  incurrence of  the Unsecured  Loan. All  other terms,
conditions and provisions  of such  agreements are  and shall  remain in  effect
(except as otherwise contemplated by this Agreement,
    

                                      A-42
<PAGE>
   
the  Investment Agreement or the Ancillary  Agreements) and, except as set forth
above, nothing herein shall operate  as a consent to or  waiver of any other  or
further  matter or  any other right,  power or  remedy of such  Party under such
agreements.
    

   
    2.2   LIQUIDATING PROPERTY  TRUST AMENDMENT  DOCUMENTS.   Each Party  hereby
acknowledges  and agrees that Holdings may pay  for its purchase of a beneficial
interest in the Liquidating Property Trust pursuant to the Liquidating  Property
Trust  Amendment Documents by exchanging the  principal amount of the loan under
the Unsecured Loan Agreement as consideration  for such purchase. Except as  set
forth  in the preceding sentence, the principal amount of the Unsecured Loan may
not be paid prior to maturity without the consent of all the Parties.
    

   
    2.3  ANCILLARY AGREEMENTS.  This Agreement and the Unsecured Loan  Agreement
shall constitute Ancillary Agreements.
    

   
                                  ARTICLE III
                               GENERAL PROVISIONS
    

   
    3.1.      CONTINUING   EFFECT   OF   INVESTMENT   AGREEMENT   AND  ANCILLARY
AGREEMENTS.  Except  as specifically provided  herein, the Investment  Agreement
and the Ancillary Agreements shall remain in full force and effect.
    

   
    3.2.   ABSENCE  OF DEFAULTS.   The Company  represents and  warrants that no
event has occurred and is continuing that would result from the consummation  of
the transaction contemplated by the Unsecured Agreement that would constitute an
event  of default  or potential  event of default  under any  agreement with any
Party that  has not  been waived  as part  of the  transactions, the  Investment
Agreement or this Agreement.
    

   
    3.3.   FEES AND EXPENSES.  Except as provided in the Investment Agreement or
the Unsecured Loan Agreement, all fees and expenses incurred in connection  with
this Agreement shall be paid by the Party incurring such fees and expenses.
    

   
    3.4.    COUNTERPARTS.    This  Agreement may  be  executed  in  one  or more
counterparts, all of which shall be considered one and the same agreement.
    

   
    3.5.  GOVERNING LAW.  THIS AGREEMENT SHALL BE GOVERNED BY, AND CONSTRUED  IN
ACCORDANCE  WITH, THE LAWS OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK, REGARDLESS OF THE LAWS THAT
MIGHT OTHERWISE GOVERN UNDER APPLICABLE PRINCIPLES OF CONFLICTS OF LAWS THEREOF.
    

   
    IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the  Parties hereto have executed  this Agreement as  of
the day and year first above written.
    

   
                                          STANDARD BRANDS PAINT COMPANY
    

   
                                          By: __________________________________
    
   
                                          Name:
                                          Title:
    

   
                                          CORIMON, S.A.C.A.
    

   
                                          By: __________________________________
    
   
                                          Name:
                                          Title:
    

                                      A-43
<PAGE>
   
                                          CORIMON CORPORATION
    

   
                                          By: __________________________________
    
   
                                          Name:
                                          Title:
    

   
                                          TRANSAMERICA LIFE INSURANCE AND
                                          ANNUITY CO.
    

   
                                          By: __________________________________
    
   
                                          Name:
                                          Title:
    

   
                                          TRANSAMERICA OCCIDENTAL LIFE INSURANCE
                                          COMPANY
    

   
                                          By: __________________________________
    
   
                                          Name:
                                          Title:
    

   
                                          SUN LIFE INSURANCE COMPANY OF AMERICA
    

   
                                          By: __________________________________
    
   
                                          Name:
                                          Title:
    

   
                                          ANCHOR NATIONAL LIFE INSURANCE COMPANY
    

   
                                          By: __________________________________
    
   
                                          Name:
                                          Title:
    

   
                                          STANDARD BRANDS PAINT COLLATERAL TRUST
    

   
                                          By: __________________________________
    
   
                                          Name:
                                          Title:
    

                                      A-44
<PAGE>
   
                                          KODAK RETIREMENT INCOME PLAN TRUST
                                          FUND
    

   
                                          By: __________________________________
    
   
                                          Name:
                                          Title:
    

   
                                          FIDELITY CAPITAL & INCOME FUND
    

   
                                          By: __________________________________
    
   
                                          Name:
                                          Title:
    

                                      A-45
<PAGE>
                                                                       EXHIBIT B

                                    RESTATED
                          CERTIFICATE OF INCORPORATION
                                       OF
                         STANDARD BRANDS PAINT COMPANY

    STANDARD  BRANDS PAINT COMPANY,  a corporation organized  and existing under
the laws of the State of Delaware, hereby certifies as follows:

        1.   The name  of  the Corporation  is  STANDARD BRANDS  PAINT  COMPANY.
    STANDARD  BRANDS PAINT  COMPANY was  originally incorporated  under the name
    STANDARD BRANDS PAINT  COMPANY (DELAWARE)  and the  original Certificate  of
    Incorporation  of the Corporation  was filed with the  Secretary of State of
    Delaware on June 5, 1987.

        2.  This Restated Certificate of Incorporation has been adopted pursuant
    to the authority of Section 303 of  the General Corporation of the State  of
    Delaware.

        3.   Pursuant to Section 303 of the General Corporation Law of the State
    of  Delaware,  this  Restated  Certificate  of  Incorporation  restates  and
    integrates   and  further  amends  the  provisions  of  the  Certificate  of
    Incorporation of this Corporation.

        4.  The text of the Certificate of Incorporation is hereby restated  and
    amended to read in its entirety as follows:

                                   ARTICLE I

        The name of the Corporation is STANDARD BRANDS PAINT COMPANY.

                                   ARTICLE II

        The address of the registered office of the Corporation in the State
    of  Delaware is  1209 Orange Street,  County of  New Castle, Wilmington,
    Delaware 19801, and the name of its registered agent at that address  is
    The Corporation Trust Company.

                                  ARTICLE III

        The  purpose of the  Corporation is to  engage in any  lawful act or
    activity for  which  corporations may  be  organized under  the  General
    Corporation Law of the State of Delaware.

                                   ARTICLE IV

        The  Corporation is  authorized to  issue two  classes of  shares of
    stock to  be designated,  respectively,  "Common Stock"  and  "Preferred
    Stock."  The total  number of  shares which  the Corporation  shall have
    authority  to  issue   is  thirty-five   million  (35,000,000)   shares,
    consisting  of thirty million (30,000,000) shares of common stock having
    $.01 par value per share  ("Common Stock") and five million  (5,000,000)
    shares  of preferred stock  having $.01 par  value per share ("Preferred
    Stock"). The Corporation  is prohibited from  issuing non-voting  equity
    stock.

        The shares of Preferred Stock may be issued from time to time in one
    or  more series. The Board  of Directors is hereby  authorized to fix by
    resolution or  resolutions  the  voting  rights,  designations,  powers,
    preferences  and the relative, participating,  optional or other rights,
    if any, and the qualifications,  limitations or restrictions thereof  of
    any  wholly unissued shares of Preferred Stock; and to fix the number of
    shares constituting such series, and to increase or decrease the  number
    of shares of any such series, but not below the number of shares thereof
    then outstanding.

                                      B-1
<PAGE>
                                   ARTICLE V

        In  furtherance and  not in  limitation of  the powers  conferred by
    statute, the Board of Directors is expressly authorized to make, repeal,
    alter, amend and rescind the Bylaws of the Corporation.

                                   ARTICLE VI

        A director of the Corporation shall not be personally liable to  the
    Corporation  or its stockholders for monetary  damages for breach of the
    director's fiduciary duty as  a director, except  for liability (i)  for
    any  breach of the director's duty of  loyalty to the Corporation or its
    stockholders, (ii) for  acts or  omissions not  in good  faith or  which
    involve  intentional  misconduct or  a knowing  violation of  law, (iii)
    under Section  174  of the  General  Corporation  Law of  the  State  of
    Delaware  or (iv) for any transaction from which the director derived an
    improper personal benefit.

                                  ARTICLE VII

        This Corporation shall indemnify its officers, directors, employees,
    and agents to the  maximum extent permitted  by the General  Corporation
    Law  of the State of Delaware, as  now and hereinafter enacted (with any
    and all amendments thereto), including, but not limited to, the right to
    make indemnification contracts.

                                  ARTICLE VIII

        The Corporation shall have perpetual existence.

    IN WITNESS  WHEREOF, this  Restated Certificate  of Incorporation  has  been
signed under the seal of the Corporation this 14th day of June, 1993.

                                          STANDARD BRANDS PAINT COMPANY,

                                          By____________________________________
                                            Stuart D. Buchalter, CHAIRMAN OF THE
                                                          BOARD

                [SEAL]

Attest:
______________________________________
  Terri Rogers, ASSISTANT SECRETARY

                                      B-2
<PAGE>
                                                                       EXHIBIT C

                              AMENDED AND RESTATED
                                    BY-LAWS
                                       OF
                         STANDARD BRANDS PAINT COMPANY
                                   ARTICLE I
                                    OFFICES

SECTION 1.  REGISTERED OFFICE.

    The  registered office of Standard  Brands Paint Company (hereinafter called
the "Corporation") in  the State  of Delaware shall  be at  1209 Orange  Street,
Wilmington, Delaware 19801, and the name of the registered agent at that address
shall be The Corporation Trust Company.

SECTION 2.  PRINCIPAL OFFICES.

    The  board of directors of the  Corporation (the "Board of Directors") shall
fix the location  of the principal  executive office of  the Corporation at  any
place  within  or  without the  State  of  Delaware as  the  Board  of Directors
determines from time to time or as the business of the Corporation may require.

SECTION 3.  OTHER OFFICES.

    The Corporation may also have  an office or offices  at such other place  or
places,  either  within  or without  the  State  of Delaware,  as  the  Board of
Directors may from time to time determine or as the business of the  Corporation
may require.

                                   ARTICLE II
                            MEETINGS OF STOCKHOLDERS

SECTION 1.  PLACE OF MEETINGS.

    Meetings  of the stockholders  of the Corporation  ("Stockholders") shall be
held at any  place within or  without the  State of Delaware  designated by  the
Board  of Directors. In  the absence of any  such designation, the Stockholders'
meetings shall be held at the principal executive office of the Corporation.

SECTION 2.  ANNUAL MEETINGS.

    The annual meetings of the Stockholders of the Corporation may be called  at
any  time by the Chairman of the Board,  if any, the Vice Chairman of the Board,
if any, the President or the Board of  Directors, to be held at such date,  time
and place either within or without the State of Delaware as may be stated in the
notice of the meeting.

SECTION 3.  SPECIAL MEETINGS.

    Special meetings of the Stockholders may be called by the Board of Directors
pursuant to a resolution adopted by a majority of the directors then in office.

SECTION 4.  NOTICE OF STOCKHOLDERS' MEETINGS.

    Except  as otherwise required or permitted by law, whenever the Stockholders
are required  or permitted  to take  any  action at  a meeting,  written  notice
thereof shall be given, stating the place, date and time of the meeting, and, in
the  case of a special meeting, the purpose or purposes for which the meeting is
called. The notice shall also designate the place where the Stockholders list is
available for  examination, unless  the list  is  kept at  the place  where  the
meeting  is to be held. A  copy of the notice of  any meeting shall be delivered
personally or shall be  mailed, not less  than ten (10) and  no more than  sixty
(60) days before the date of the meeting, to each Stockholder of record entitled
to vote at such meeting. If mailed, such notice shall be deemed to be given when
deposited  in the United States mail, postage pre-paid, and shall be directed to
each  Stockholder   at  its   address   as  it   appears   on  the   record   of

                                      C-1
<PAGE>
Stockholders, unless it shall have filed with the Secretary of the Corporation a
written  request that notices be mailed to  some other address, in which case it
shall be  directed to  the Stockholder  at  such other  address. Notice  of  any
meeting of Stockholders shall not be required to be given to any Stockholder who
shall  attend  the meeting,  except  if such  Stockholder  shall attend  for the
express purpose of objecting at the beginning thereof to the transaction of  any
business   because  the  meeting  is  not  lawfully  called  or  convened,  such
Stockholder shall submit, either before or after the meeting, a signed waiver of
notice. Unless the Board  of Directors, after the  adjournment, shall fix a  new
record  date for an adjourned meeting or unless the adjournment is for more than
thirty (30) days, notice of an adjourned meeting need not be given if the place,
date and  time to  which the  meeting shall  be adjourned  is announced  at  the
meeting at which the adjournment is taken.

SECTION 5.  QUORUM.

    Except  as otherwise provided by law  or by the certificate of incorporation
of the Corporation (the "Certificate of Incorporation"), the presence in  person
or  by proxy of the holders of a majority  of the shares entitled to vote at the
meeting of  Stockholders  shall  constitute  a quorum  for  the  transaction  of
business.  The Stockholders present at a duly  called or held meeting at which a
quorum is present may continue to do business until adjournment, notwithstanding
the withdrawal of enough Stockholders to leave less than a quorum, if any action
taken (other than adjournment) is approved by at least a majority of the  shares
required to constitute a quorum.

SECTION 6.  VOTING.

    A  Stockholder may vote in person or  by proxy. Except as otherwise provided
by law, the Certificate of Incorporation  or these Bylaws, any corporate  action
to  be taken by  a vote of  Stockholders shall be  authorized by the affirmative
vote of the majority of shares present in person or represented by proxy at  the
meeting and entitled to vote thereon.

    Directors  shall be elected as provided in Section 3 of Article III of these
Bylaws. Written ballots shall not be  required for voting on any matter,  unless
otherwise provided by the Certificate of Incorporation.

SECTION 7.  PROXIES.

    Each Stockholder entitled to vote at a meeting of Stockholders or to express
consent  or  dissent  to  corporate  action in  writing  without  a  meeting may
authorize another person or persons to act for such Stockholder by proxy, but no
such proxy shall be voted or acted upon after three years from its date,  unless
the  proxy  provides  for  a  longer period.  A  duly  executed  proxy  shall be
irrevocable if it states that it is irrevocable and if, and only as long as,  it
is  coupled with an interest sufficient in  law to support an irrevocable power,
regardless of whether the interest  with which it is  coupled is an interest  in
the  stock itself or an interest in the Corporation generally. A Stockholder may
revoke any proxy which is not irrevocable by attending the meeting and voting in
person or by filing an instrument in writing revoking the proxy or another  duly
executed  proxy  bearing a  later date  with the  Secretary of  the Corporation.
Voting at meetings of Stockholders need not be by written ballot and need not be
conducted by inspectors  unless the  holders of  a majority  of the  outstanding
shares  of all classes  of stock entitled  to vote thereon  present in person or
represented by proxy at such meeting shall so determine.

SECTION 8.  INSPECTORS OF ELECTION.

    Before any meeting of Stockholders, the  Board of Directors may appoint  any
persons  other than nominees for office to  act as inspectors of election at the
meeting or its  adjournment. If  no inspectors  of election  are appointed,  the
chairman  of the meeting may,  and on the request of  the holders of ten percent
(10%) of the stock entitled to  vote at such election shall, appoint  inspectors
of  election at the  meeting. No candidate  for the office  of Director shall be
appointed inspector. The number of inspectors  shall either be one (1) or  three
(3).  If inspectors  are appointed at  a meeting  on the request  of ten percent
(10%) of the Stockholders  or proxies, the  holders of a  majority of shares  or
their proxies

                                      C-2
<PAGE>
present  at the meeting shall determine whether  one (1) or three (3) inspectors
are to be appointed.  If any person  appointed as inspector  fails to appear  or
fails  or refuses to act, the vacancy may  be filled by appointment by the Board
of Directors before the meeting, or by the chairman at the meeting.

    The duties of these inspectors shall be as follows:

        (i) Determine the number of shares  outstanding and the voting power  of
    each,  the shares represented at the meeting, the existence of a quorum, and
    the authenticity, validity and effect of proxies;

        (ii) Receive votes, ballots or consents;

       (iii) Hear and determine all challenges and questions in any way  arising
    in connection with the right to vote;

       (iv) Count and tabulate all votes or consents;

        (v) Determine the election result; and

       (vi) Do any other acts that may be proper to conduct the election or vote
    with fairness to all Stockholders.

SECTION 9.  ACTION WITHOUT MEETING.

    Unless  otherwise  provided  in  the  Certificate  of  Incorporation  of the
Corporation, any action which may be taken  at any annual or special meeting  of
Stockholders  may be taken without a meeting, without prior notice and without a
vote, if a consent or  consents in writing, setting  forth the action so  taken,
shall  be signed,  in person or  by proxy,  by the holders  of outstanding stock
having not less  than the minimum  number of  votes that would  be necessary  to
authorize  or take the action at a meeting  at which all shares entitled to vote
thereon were present  and voted  in person  or by  proxy. Prompt  notice of  the
taking  of the corporate action without a meeting by less than unanimous written
consent shall be given to those Stockholders who have not consented in  writing,
but who were entitled to vote on the matter.

                                  ARTICLE III
                               BOARD OF DIRECTORS

SECTION 1.  POWERS.

    Subject  to the provisions  of the Delaware General  Corporation Law and any
limitations in the  Certificate of  Incorporation and these  Bylaws relating  to
action required to be approved by the Stockholders or by the outstanding shares,
the  business and affairs of the Corporation  shall be managed and all corporate
powers shall be exercised by or under the direction of the Board of Directors.

    Without  prejudice  to  such  general  powers,  but  subject  to  the   same
limitations,  it is hereby expressly declared  that the Board of Directors shall
have the power and authority to:

        (i) Select  and  remove  all  officers,  agents  and  employees  of  the
    Corporation  and prescribe  such powers  and duties for  them as  may not be
    inconsistent with  law,  with  the Certificate  of  Incorporation  or  these
    Bylaws.

        (ii)  Change the  principal executive  office or  the principal business
    office in or outside of the State of Delaware from one location to  another;
    cause  the Corporation to  be qualified to  do business in  any other state,
    territory, dependency  or foreign  country and  conduct business  within  or
    without  the State; designate any place within  or without the State for the
    holding of any Stockholders' meeting or meetings, including annual meetings;
    adopt,  make  and  use  a  corporate  seal,  and  prescribe  the  forms   of
    certificates  of  stock,  and  alter  the form  of  such  seal  and  of such
    certificates from time  to time  as in their  judgment they  may deem  best,
    provided  that  such forms  shall at  all times  comply with  the applicable
    provisions of law.

                                      C-3
<PAGE>
       (iii) Authorize the issuance of shares  of stock of the Corporation  from
    time to time, upon such terms as may be lawful.

       (iv)  Borrow  money  and  incur  indebtedness  for  the  purpose  of  the
    Corporation, and  cause  to  be  executed and  delivered  therefor,  in  the
    corporate  name,  promissory  notes,  bonds,  debentures,  deeds  of  trust,
    mortgages,  pledges,  hypothecations  and   other  evidences  of  debt   and
    securities therefor.

SECTION 2.  NUMBER OF BOARD OF DIRECTORS.

    The  Board of Directors  shall consist of  not less than  eight (8) nor more
than twelve (12) members. Until such  time as the Board of Directors  determines
otherwise,  the number of directors shall be  eight (8). The number of Directors
of the Board  of Directors  may be  reduced or increased  from time  to time  by
action of a majority of the Board of Directors, but no such decrease may shorten
the term of an incumbent Director. When used in these Bylaws, the phrase "entire
Board  of Directors" means  the total number of  directors which the Corporation
would have in office if there were no vacancies.

SECTION 3.  ELECTION AND TERM OF OFFICE OF DIRECTORS.

    The Directors shall be elected by  the Stockholders of the Corporation,  and
at  each election the persons receiving the  greatest number of votes, up to the
number of Directors then to be elected,  shall be the persons then elected.  The
election  of Directors is subject to  any provision contained in the Certificate
of Incorporation relating thereto. Nominations of persons to serve as  Directors
must  be submitted to the Secretary of  the Corporation not less than forty-five
(45) days prior to the meeting of  the Stockholders at which Directors shall  be
elected.  At each  annual meeting  of the  Stockholders of  the Corporation, the
successors of the Directors whose term expires at that meeting shall be  elected
to  hold office for a term expiring  at the next annual meeting of Stockholders.
Subject to his earlier death, resignation  or removal, each Director shall  hold
office  until  his  successor  shall  have  been  duly  elected  and  shall have
qualified.

SECTION 4.  REMOVAL.

    Subject to  the limitations  set  forth in  Section  141(k) of  the  General
Corporation Law of Delaware, the Board of Directors, or any individual Director,
may  be  removed from  office,  with or  without cause,  and  a new  Director or
Directors  elected  by  a  vote  of  Stockholders  holding  a  majority  of  the
outstanding shares entitled to vote at an election of Directors.

SECTION 5.  RESIGNATIONS.

    Any Director may resign effective upon giving written notice to the Chairman
of  the  Board  of Directors,  the  President,  the Secretary  or  the  Board of
Directors, unless the  notice specifies a  later time for  the effectiveness  of
such  resignation, in which case such resignation shall be effective at the time
specified. Unless such  resignation specifies otherwise,  its acceptance by  the
Corporation shall not be necessary to make it effective.

SECTION 6.  VACANCIES.

    Any vacancy in the Board of Directors arising from an increase in the number
of  Directors  or otherwise  may be  filled by  a  vote of  the majority  of the
Directors then in  office, though less  than a  quorum, or by  a sole  remaining
Director.  Subject to the  earlier death, resignation or  removal of a Director,
each Director so elected shall hold office until the next election of the  class
for which such Director shall have been chosen, and until his successor shall be
elected and qualified.

    A  vacancy in the Board of Directors exists as to any authorized position of
Director which is not then filled by a duly elected Director, whether caused  by
death, resignation, removal or increase in the authorized number of Directors or
otherwise.

SECTION 7.  PLACE OF MEETINGS.

    Meetings  of the Board of Directors of  the Corporation shall be held at any
place within  or  without the  State  of Delaware  designated  by the  Board  of
Directors.

                                      C-4
<PAGE>
SECTION 8.  ANNUAL MEETING.

    The  annual  meeting of  the Board  of Directors  shall be  held as  soon as
practicable after the annual  meeting of Stockholders on  such date and at  such
time and place as the Board of Directors determines.

SECTION 9.  REGULAR MEETINGS.

    Regular  meetings of the Board of Directors  shall be held on such dates and
at such places and times as the Board of Directors determines. In the absence of
such determination, regular meetings  shall be held  at the principal  executive
office  of the Corporation. Notice  of such regular meetings  need not be given,
except as otherwise required by law. If any  day fixed for a meeting shall be  a
legal  holiday at the  place where the meeting  is to be  held, then the meeting
shall be held at the same hour and place on the next succeeding business day not
a legal holiday.

SECTION 10.  SPECIAL MEETINGS.

    Special meetings of the Board of  Directors for any purpose or purposes  may
be  called  at any  time by  the Chairman  of the  Board or  the President  or a
majority of  the  Directors,  to  be  held  at  the  principal  offices  of  the
Corporation  or at such  other place or  places, within or  without the State of
Delaware, as the person or persons calling the meeting may designate.

    Notice of  the  time  and  place of  special  meetings  shall  be  delivered
personally  or by  telephone to  each Director  or sent  by first-class  mail or
telegram, charges prepaid, addressed  to each Director at  his address as it  is
shown  upon the records  of the Corporation.  In case such  notice is mailed, it
shall be deposited in the United States mail at least two (2) days prior to  the
time of the holding of the meeting. In case such notice is delivered personally,
or by telephone or telegram, it shall be delivered personally or by telephone or
to the telegraph office at least forty-eight (48) hours prior to the time of the
holding  of the meeting. Any oral notice given personally or by telephone may be
communicated to either the Director or to a person at the office of the Director
whom  the  person  giving  the  notice  has  reason  to  believe  will  promptly
communicate  it to the Director. The notice  need not specify the purpose of the
meeting nor the place if  the meeting is to be  held at the principal  executive
office of the Corporation.

SECTION 11.  QUORUM.

    Except  as otherwise  provided by law,  the Certificate  of Incorporation or
these Bylaws, at all meetings of the Board of Directors, six (6) of the  elected
Directors  shall constitute  a quorum for  the transaction of  business, and the
vote of a majority of  the Directors present at a  meeting at which a quorum  is
present  shall be  the act  of the  Board of  Directors, except  as specifically
provided by the law of the State of Delaware, the Certificate of  Incorporation,
these  Bylaws or any contract or agreement  to which the Corporation is a party.
Notice of any adjourned meeting need not be given.

SECTION 12.  CONDUCT OF MEETINGS.

    Meetings of the Board of Directors shall be presided over by the Chairman of
the Board, if any, or in  the absence of the Chairman  of the Board by the  Vice
Chairman  of the Board,  if any, or in  the absence of the  Vice Chairman of the
Board by the President, or in their absence by a chairman chosen at the meeting.
The Secretary, or in the absence of the Secretary an Assistant Secretary,  shall
act  as secretary of  the meeting, but in  the absence of  the Secretary and any
Assistant Secretary the chairman of the meeting may appoint any person to act as
secretary of the meeting.

SECTION 13.  WAIVER OF NOTICE.

    The transactions of any  meeting of the Board  of Directors, however  called
and  noticed or wherever  held, shall be as  valid as though  taken at a meeting
duly held after regular call  and notice if a quorum  is present and if,  either
before  or after the meeting, each of  the Directors not present signs a written
waiver of notice, a consent to holding the meeting or an approval of the minutes
thereof. The waiver of  notice or consent  need not specify  the purpose of  the
meeting.  All  such waivers,  consents  and approvals  shall  be filed  with the
corporate records or  made a part  of the minutes  of the meeting.  Notice of  a
meeting  shall also  be deemed  given to  any Director  who attends  the meeting
without protesting, prior thereto or at its commencement, the lack of notice  to
such Director.

                                      C-5
<PAGE>
SECTION 14.  ADJOURNMENT.

    A  majority of the Directors present,  whether or not constituting a quorum,
may adjourn any meeting to another time and place.

SECTION 15.  NOTICE OF ADJOURNMENT.

    Notice of the time  and place of  holding an adjourned  meeting need not  be
given,  unless the meeting is adjourned for more than twenty-four (24) hours, in
which case notice of such time and place shall be given prior to the time of the
adjourned meeting, in the manner specified in Section 10 of this Article III, to
the Directors who were not present at the time of the adjournment.

SECTION 16.  ACTION WITHOUT MEETING.

    Any action required or permitted to be taken at any meeting of the Board  of
Directors,  or of any committee  thereof, may be taken  without a meeting if all
members of the Board or of such  committee, as the case may be, consent  thereto
in  writing,  and  the  writing  or  writings  are  filed  with  the  minutes of
proceedings of the Board or committee.

SECTION 17.  FEES AND COMPENSATION OF DIRECTORS.

    Directors and members of committees  may receive such compensation, if  any,
for  their  services and  such reimbursement  of  expenses, as  may be  fixed or
determined by resolution  of the  Board of Directors.  Nothing herein  contained
shall  be construed to preclude any Director from serving the Corporation in any
other capacity  as  an  officer,  agent, employee  or  otherwise  and  receiving
compensation for such services.

SECTION 18.  COMMITTEES OF DIRECTORS.

    The  Board of  Directors may,  by these  Bylaws or  resolutions passed  by a
majority of the whole Board of Directors, designate one or more committees, each
consisting of one or more  Directors, to serve at the  pleasure of the Board  of
Directors.  The  Board  of Directors  may  designate  one or  more  Directors as
alternate members of any committee, who  may replace any absent or  disqualified
member  at any meeting of the committee. In the absence or disqualification of a
member of a committee, the member or members thereof present at any meeting  and
not disqualified from voting, whether or not he or they constitute a quorum, may
unanimously  appoint another  member of  the Board  of Directors  to act  at the
meeting in place of any such absent or disqualified member. Any such  committee,
to  the  extent provided  in these  Bylaws or  the resolutions  of the  Board of
Directors, shall have and may  exercise all of the  powers and authority of  the
Board  of  Directors  in the  management  of  the business  and  affairs  of the
Corporation and may authorize the seal of  the Corporation to be affixed to  all
papers  which may require such seal; but  no such committee shall have the power
or authority in reference to amending the Certificate of Incorporation, adopting
an agreement of merger  or consolidation, recommending  to the Stockholders  the
sale,  lease  or  exchange of  all  or  substantially all  of  the Corporation's
property and  assets, recommending  to  the Stockholders  a dissolution  of  the
Corporation  or  revocation of  a  dissolution, or  amending  the Bylaws  of the
Corporation; and, unless a resolution of the Board of Directors, these Bylaws or
the Certificate of  Incorporate expressly  so provide, no  such committee  shall
have  the power or  authority to declare  a dividend, to  adopt a certificate of
ownership and merger pursuant to Section 253 of the Delaware General Corporation
Law, or  to authorize  the issuance  of  stock. Any  such committee  shall  keep
written minutes of its meetings and report the same to the Board of Directors at
the next regular meeting of the Board of Directors.

SECTION 19.  MEETINGS AND ACTION OF COMMITTEES.

    Meetings  and action of committees shall be  governed by, and held and taken
in accordance with, the provisions of this Article III with such changes in  the
context  of these Bylaws  as are necessary  to substitute the  committee and its
members for the  Board of Directors  and its  members, except that  the time  of
regular  meetings of committees may be determined  by resolution of the Board of
Directors as well as the committee,  special meetings of committees may also  be
called by resolutions of the Board of

                                      C-6
<PAGE>
Directors  and notice of special  meetings of committees shall  also be given to
all alternate members, who shall  have the right to  attend all meetings of  the
committee.  The Board  of Directors  may adopt rules  for the  governance of any
committee not inconsistent with the provisions of these Bylaws.

SECTION 20.  EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE.

    The Board of  Directors may,  in each  year, by  the affirmative  vote of  a
majority of the entire Board of Directors, elect from the Directors an executive
committee  (the "Executive  Committee") to consist  of such  number of Directors
(not less than three) as the Board of Directors may from time to time determine.
The chairman  of  the Executive  Committee  shall be  elected  by the  Board  of
Directors.  The Board of Directors by such  affirmative vote shall have power at
any time to change the members of the Executive Committee and may fill vacancies
in the Executive  Committee by election  from the Directors.  When the Board  of
Directors  is  not  in  session,  the Executive  Committee  shall  have  and may
exercise, subject to  the powers,  duties and responsibilities  vested by  these
Bylaws  in the Finance Committee of the  Board of Directors of this Corporation,
any or all  of the powers  of the Board  of Directors in  the management of  the
business  and affairs of  the Corporation (including the  power to authorize the
seal of the  Corporation to  be affixed  to all  papers which  may require  it),
except  as provided by law or any contract or agreement to which the Corporation
is a party and  except the power to  increase or decrease the  size of, or  fill
vacancies on, the Board of Directors, to remove or appoint executive officers or
to  dissolve or change the permanent  membership of the Executive Committee, and
the power to make or amend these Bylaws. The Executive Committee may fix its own
rules of  procedure,  and  may meet  when  and  as provided  by  such  rules  or
resolutions  of the  Board of Directors,  but in  every case, the  presence of a
majority shall be necessary to constitute a quorum. In the absence of any member
of the Executive Committee, the members thereof present at any meeting,  whether
or  not they constitute a quorum, may appoint a member of the Board of Directors
to act in the place of such absent member.

SECTION 21.  FINANCE COMMITTEE.

    The Board of  Directors may,  in each  year, by  the affirmative  vote of  a
majority  of the entire Board  of Directors, elect from  the Directors a finance
committee (the "Finance Committee") to consist of such number of Directors  (not
less  than three) as the Board of Directors may from time to time determine. The
chairman of the Finance  Committee shall be elected  by the Board of  Directors.
The Board of Directors by such affirmative vote shall have the power at any time
to  change the members  of the Finance  Committee and may  fill vacancies in the
Finance Committee  by election  from the  Directors. The  powers, functions  and
duties  of the Finance Committee  shall include (i) the  review, on a continuing
basis, of the Corporation's  financial policies and  the implementation of  such
policies and the making of appropriate recommendations to the Board of Directors
for   the  modification  or  continuation  thereof,   (ii)  the  review  of  the
Corporation's basic financial plans prior to submission thereof to the Board  of
Directors,  (iii) the review of  possible or proposed acquisitions, divestitures
and capital  expenditures  and the  authority  to approve  capital  expenditures
within  the  financial limits  from time  to  time established  by the  Board of
Directors, (iv) the review of  the Corporation's asset and liability  management
programs  and (v) such other  powers, functions and duties  as may, from time to
time, be delegated to the Finance Committee by the Board of Directors. From time
to time, various executives  and counsel to the  Corporation may be selected  by
the  chairman of the Finance Committee in  consultation with the Chairman of the
Board of Directors and President of  the Corporation to serve as consultants  to
the  Finance Committee  on a permanent  or temporary basis,  as appropriate. The
Finance Committee may fix its own rules  of procedure, and may meet when and  as
provided  by such rules or  resolutions of the Board  of Directors, but in every
case, the presence of a majority shall be necessary to constitute a quorum.

SECTION 22.  COMPENSATION COMMITTEE.

    The Board of  Directors may,  in each  year, by  the affirmative  vote of  a
majority  of  the  entire  Board  of  Directors,  elect  from  the  Directors  a
compensation committee (the "Compensation Committee") to consist of such  number
of  Directors (not less than  three) as the Board of  Directors may from time to
time determine. The chairman of the  Compensation Committee shall be elected  by
the Board of

                                      C-7
<PAGE>
Directors.  The Board of Directors by such affirmative vote shall have the power
at any time to  change the members  of the Compensation  Committee and may  fill
vacancies  in the  Compensation Committee  by election  from the  Directors. The
powers, functions and duties of the Compensation Committee shall include (i) the
review of and the making of recommendations to the Board regarding compensation,
both direct and indirect,  of the chief executive  officer and other members  of
executive  management  of the  Corporation, (ii)  the  review and  submission of
recommendations regarding new executive compensation plans to the full Board  of
Directors,  (iii)  the establishment  and periodic  review of  the Corporation's
policies relating to executive perquisites, (iv) the administration of executive
incentive compensation plans and (v) such other powers, functions and duties  as
may,  from time to time, be delegated to the Compensation Committee by the Board
of Directors.  From  time  to  time,  various  executives  and  counsel  to  the
Corporation  may be  selected by the  chairman of the  Compensation Committee in
consultation with the Chairman  of the Board of  Directors and President of  the
Corporation to serve as consultants to the Compensation Committee on a permanent
or  temporary basis, as appropriate. The  Compensation Committee may fix its own
rules of  procedure,  and  may meet  when  and  as provided  by  such  rules  or
resolutions  of the  Board of Directors,  but in  every case, the  presence of a
majority shall be necessary to constitute a quorum.

SECTION 23.  AUDIT COMMITTEE.

    The Board of  Directors may,  in each  year, by  the affirmative  vote of  a
majority  of the entire  Board of Directors,  elect from the  Directors an audit
committee (the "Audit Committee")  to consist of such  number of Directors  (not
less  than three) as the Board of Directors may from time to time determine. The
chairman of the Audit Committee shall be elected by the Board of Directors.  The
Board  of Directors by such affirmative vote shall have the power at any time to
change the members of the  Audit Committee and may  fill vacancies in the  Audit
Committee  by election from  the Directors. The powers,  functions and duties of
the Audit Committee shall include (i) recommendations regarding the  appointment
of  independent  auditors  of  the  Corporation,  (ii)  consultation  with  such
independent auditors regarding the plan of any audits, (iii) review of the audit
report and management letter, (iv)  consultations with the independent  auditors
regarding  the adequacy  of the Corporation's  system of  internal controls, (v)
meeting with the internal  auditors to review the  results of the  Corporation's
internal  audits and (vi) such  other powers, functions and  duties as may, from
time to time, be  delegated to the  Audit Committee by  the Board of  Directors.
From  time to  time, various  executives and counsel  to the  Corporation may be
selected by  the  chairman of  the  Audit  Committee in  consultation  with  the
Chairman  of the Board of Directors and President of the Corporation to serve as
consultants to  the  Audit Committee  on  a  permanent or  temporary  basis,  as
appropriate.  The Audit Committee  may fix its  own rules of  procedure, and may
meet when  and as  provided by  such  rules or  by resolution  of the  Board  of
Directors,  but in  every case,  presence of  a majority  shall be  necessary to
constitute a quorum.

SECTION 24.  MEETINGS HELD OTHER THAN IN PERSON.

    Members of the  Board of  Directors or any  committee may  participate in  a
meeting  of the Board of Directors or committee, as the case may be, by means of
conference telephone or similar communications  equipment by means of which  all
persons participating in the meeting can hear each other, and such participation
shall constitute presence in person at the meeting.

SECTION 25.  REMUNERATION.

    The  Directors shall  be paid  such remuneration,  if any,  as the  Board of
Directors may from  time to  time determine. Any  remuneration so  payable to  a
Director who is also an officer or employee of the Corporation or who is counsel
or  solicitor  to  the Corporation  or  otherwise  serves it  in  a professional
capacity shall, unless the Board of  Directors shall otherwise determine, be  in
addition  to his salary as such officer  or employee or to his professional fees
as the case may be. In addition,  the Board of Directors may by resolution  from
time  to time award special remuneration out  of the funds of the Corporation to
any Director who  performs any  special work or  service for  or undertakes  any
special  mission on behalf  of the Corporation  outside of the  work or services
ordinarily required of a Director of a Corporation. The Directors shall also  be
paid    such    sums    in    respect    of    their    out-of-pocket   expenses

                                      C-8
<PAGE>
incurred in attending meetings of the Board of Directors or otherwise in respect
of the performance by them  of their duties as the  Board of Directors may  from
time   to  time  determine.  Confirmation  by   the  Stockholders  of  any  such
remuneration or payment shall not be required.

SECTION 26.  MANDATORY RETIREMENT.

    All Directors  upon  reaching  the  age  of  seventy-two  (72)  years  shall
thereupon  be ineligible to stand for reelection  to the Board of Directors, and
such directorship  shall automatically  terminate effective  upon the  first  to
occur  of (i) the resignation of such  Director pursuant to call therefor by the
Chairman of the  Board of  Directors; (ii) the  nomination and  election to  the
Board  of Directors of a  successor replacement for such  Director; or (iii) the
attainment of  such Director's  73rd birthday.  The provisions  of this  Section
shall  apply only to members  of the Board of  Directors of this Corporation who
are first elected on July 1, 1987  or thereafter and shall not apply to  persons
who are members of the Board of Directors as of June 30, 1987.

                                   ARTICLE IV
                                    OFFICERS

SECTION 1.  EXECUTIVE OFFICERS.

    The executive officers of the Corporation shall be the Chairman of the Board
of  Directors, the President, one  or more Vice-Presidents (the  number of to be
determined by the Board of Directors), the Secretary and the Treasurer and  such
other  officers as may be appointed in accordance with the provisions of Section
3 of this Article IV.

SECTION 2.  ELECTION OF OFFICERS.

    The officers of this Corporation, except  such officers as may be  appointed
in  accordance with the provisions of Section 3 or Section 5 of this Article IV,
shall be chosen by the  Board of Directors, and each  shall serve for one  year,
subject to the rights, if any, of an officer under any contract of employment.

    Any  two offices, except those of  President and Vice-President, may be held
by the same  person, but  no officer shall  execute, acknowledge  or verify  any
instrument  in more than one  capacity if such instrument  is required by law or
these Bylaws to be executed, acknowledged or verified by two or more officers.

SECTION 3.  SUBORDINATE OFFICERS.

    The Board  of Directors  or  the Executive  Committee  may appoint  and  may
empower  the  Chairman of  the Board  and  the President  to appoint  such other
officers as the business of the Corporation may require, each of whom shall hold
office for  such period,  have such  authority and  perform such  duties as  are
provided  in these  Bylaws or as  the Board of  Directors may from  time to time
determine.

SECTION 4.  REMOVAL AND RESIGNATION OF OFFICERS.

    Subject to  the  rights,  if  any,  of an  officer  under  any  contract  of
employment,  any officer may  be removed, either  with or without  cause, by the
Board of Directors, at any regular or special meeting thereof, or, except in the
case of an officer chosen  by the Board of Directors,  by any officer upon  whom
such power of removal may be conferred by the Board of Directors.

    Any  officer  may  resign  at  any time  by  giving  written  notice  to the
Corporation. Any such resignation  shall take effect on  the date of receipt  of
such  notice  or at  any  later time  specified  therein; and,  unless otherwise
specified therein, the acceptance of such resignation shall not be necessary  to
make  it effective. Any such resignation is  without prejudice to the rights, if
any, of the Corporation under any contract to which the officer is a party.

SECTION 5.  VACANCIES IN OFFICES.

    A  vacancy  in   any  office   because  of   death,  resignation,   removal,
disqualification  or any other cause shall be filled in the manner prescribed in
these Bylaws for regular appointments to such office.

                                      C-9
<PAGE>
SECTION 6.  CHAIRMAN.

    The Chairman of the Board of Directors shall be the chief executive  officer
of  the Corporation (provided that the Chairman may appoint any other officer of
the Corporation to serve as chief executive officer for any reasonable period of
time); shall, if present,  preside at all meetings  of the Stockholders and  the
Board  of Directors; shall,  subject to the  control of the  Board of Directors,
have general supervision, direction and control of the business and officers  of
the  Corporation; and shall exercise and perform such other powers and duties as
may from time to time be assigned to him by the Board of Directors or prescribed
by these Bylaws.

SECTION 7.  PRESIDENT.

    Subject to such supervisory powers, if any, as may be given by these  Bylaws
or the Board of Directors to the Chairman of the Board of Directors, if there be
such  an officer,  the President  shall be  the chief  operating officer  of the
Corporation. He shall,  subject to  the control of  the Board  of Directors  and
Chairman  of the  Board of  Directors, have  general supervision,  direction and
control of the  operations of  the Corporation, and  he shall  have the  general
powers  usually vested in the  chief operating officer of  a corporation. In the
absence or disability of the Chairman  of the Board of Directors, the  President
shall  perform all of the duties of the  Chairman of the Board of Directors, and
when so acting  shall have  all the  powers of,  and be  subject to  all of  the
restrictions  upon, the Chairman of the  Board of Directors. The President shall
have such other duties or powers as may be prescribed by the Board of  Directors
or these Bylaws.

SECTION 8.  VICE PRESIDENTS.

    In the absence or disability of the President, the Vice-Presidents, in order
of  their  rank as  fixed  by the  Board  of Directors,  or  if not  ranked, the
Vice-President designated  by the  Board  of Directors,  shall perform  all  the
duties of the President, and when so acting shall have all the powers of, and be
subject  to all the restrictions upon,  the President. The Vice-Presidents shall
have such other powers and perform such other duties as from time to time may be
prescribed for them respectively by the Board of Directors or these Bylaws.

SECTION 9.  SECRETARY.

    The Secretary shall  keep or cause  to be kept,  at the principal  executive
office  of the  Corporation or such  other place  as the Board  of Directors may
order, a book of minutes of  all meetings of Directors, committees of  Directors
and  Stockholders,  with  the time  and  place  of holding,  whether  regular or
special, and, if special, how authorized, the notice thereof given, the names of
those present at Directors' and committee meetings, the number of shares present
and represented at Stockholders' meetings and the proceeding thereof.

    The Secretary shall keep,  or cause to be  kept, at the principal  executive
office  of the Corporation or at the  office of the Corporation's transfer agent
or registrar, as  determined by resolution  of the Board  of Directors, a  share
register,  or a duplicate share register,  showing the names of all Stockholders
and their addresses, the  number and class of  shares held by each  Stockholder,
the number and date of certificates issued for the same, and the number and date
of cancellation of every certificate surrendered for cancellation.

    The  Secretary shall give, or  cause to be given,  notice of all meetings of
the Stockholders and of  the Board of  Directors required to  be given by  these
ByLaws, and he shall keep the seal of the Corporation in safe custody, as may be
prescribed by the Board of Directors or these Bylaws.

SECTION 10.  TREASURER.

    The  Treasurer shall have the powers and  duties customary to the office and
as the Board of Directors may from time to time provide.

                                      C-10
<PAGE>
                                   ARTICLE V
       INDEMNIFICATION OF DIRECTORS, OFFICERS, EMPLOYEES AND OTHER AGENTS

SECTION 1.  AGENTS, PROCEEDINGS AND EXPENSES.

    For the purposes of this Article, "agent"  means any person who is or was  a
director,  officer, employee, or other  agent of this Corporation,  or is or was
serving at the request of this Corporation as a director, officer, employee,  or
agent  of another foreign  or domestic corporation,  partnership, joint venture,
trust or other enterprise, or was a  director, officer, employee, or agent of  a
foreign  or domestic  corporation, which was  a predecessor  corporation of this
Corporation or  of  another  enterprise  at  the  request  of  such  predecessor
corporation;  "proceeding" means any threatened,  pending or completed action or
proceeding, whether  civil,  criminal,  administrative,  or  investigative;  and
"expenses"  includes, without  limitation, attorneys'  fees and  any expenses of
establishing a right to indemnification under this Article.

SECTION 2.  ACTIONS OTHER THAN BY THE CORPORATION.

    This Corporation shall  indemnify any person  who was  or is a  party or  is
threatened  to be made a party to any  proceeding (other than an action by or in
the right of the Corporation) by reason of  the fact that such person is or  was
an  agent  of this  Corporation  against expenses  (including  attorneys' fees);
judgments, fines and amounts paid in settlements and other amounts actually  and
reasonably  incurred in connection with such  proceeding if such person acted in
good faith and in a manner that such person reasonably believed to be in or  not
opposed  to the  best interests  of the  Corporation, and,  with respect  to any
criminal action or proceeding, had no reasonable cause to believe the conduct of
such person was unlawful. The termination of any proceeding by judgment,  order,
settlement,  conviction, or  upon a plea  of nolo contendere  or its equivalent,
shall not, of itself, create a presumption  that the person did not act in  good
faith  and in a  manner which the person  reasonably believed to  be in the best
interests of  this Corporation,  or  that the  person  had reasonable  cause  to
believe that the person's conduct was unlawful.

SECTION 3.  ACTIONS BY THE CORPORATION.

    This  Corporation shall  indemnify any person  who was  or is a  party or is
threatened to be made a party to any threatened, pending or completed action  by
or in the right of this Corporation to procure a judgment in its favor by reason
of  the fact  that such person  is or was  an agent of  this Corporation against
expenses (including attorneys'  fees) actually and  reasonably incurred by  such
person  in connection with the  defense or settlement of  that action or suit if
such person acted  in good faith  and in  a manner that  such person  reasonably
believed  to be  in or not  opposed to  the best interests  of this Corporation,
except that no indemnification shall be made in respect of any proceeding as  to
which  such  person shall  have been  adjudged  to be  liable for  negligence or
misconduct in the performance of his duty to the Corporation unless and only  to
the  extent that the Court of Chancery or the court in which such action or suit
was brought shall determine upon  application that, despite the adjudication  of
liability  but in view of  all circumstances of the  case, such person is fairly
and reasonably  entitled to  indemnity  for such  expenses  which the  Court  of
Chancery or such other court shall deem proper.

SECTION 4.  INDEMNIFICATION AGAINST EXPENSES OF SUCCESSFUL PARTY.

    Notwithstanding  the other provisions of this Article, to the extent that an
agent of this Corporation has been successful on the merits or otherwise in  the
defense of any suit or proceeding referred to in Section 2 or 3 of this Article,
or  in  defense  of any  claim,  issue or  matter  therein, the  agent  shall be
indemnified against expenses actually  and reasonably incurred  by the agent  in
connection therewith.

SECTION 5.  DETERMINATION OF RIGHT OF INDEMNIFICATION.

    Any indemnification under Sections 2 or 3 of this Article (unless ordered by
a  court) shall be  made by the  Corporation only as  authorized in the specific
case upon a  determination that indemnification  of the agent  is proper in  the
circumstances  because the agent  has met the applicable  standard of conduct as
set forth in Sections 2 or 3  of this Article. Such determination shall be  made
(i) by the Board

                                      C-11
<PAGE>
of  Directors by a majority vote of a quorum consisting of Directors who are not
parties to such proceeding, (ii) if such a quorum is not obtainable, or even  if
obtainable, a quorum of disinterested Directors so directs, by independent legal
counsel in a written opinion or (iii) by the Stockholders.

SECTION 6.  ADVANCES OF EXPENSES.

    Expenses incurred by an officer or Director in defending a proceeding may be
paid  by the Corporation in advance of  the final disposition of such proceeding
as authorized by the Board of Directors in the specific case upon receipt of  an
undertaking  by or on  behalf of such  Director or officer  to repay such amount
unless it shall ultimately be determined  that he is entitled to be  indemnified
by  the Corporation  as authorized  in this  Article. Such  expenses incurred by
other employees and agents  may be so  paid upon such  terms and conditions,  if
any, as the Board of Directors deems appropriate.

SECTION 7.  OTHER RIGHTS AND REMEDIES.

    The  indemnification provided by this Article  shall not be deemed exclusive
of any other rights to which  one seeking indemnification may be entitled  under
any  Bylaw,  agreement,  vote  of Stockholders  or  disinterested  directors, or
otherwise.

SECTION 8.  INSURANCE.

    The Corporation may purchase and maintain insurance on behalf of any  person
who  is or was a Director, officer, employee  or agent of the Corporation, or is
or was  serving  at the  request  of, or  to  represent the  interests  of,  the
Corporation  as  a  subsidiary officer  of  any affiliated  entity,  against any
liability asserted against such person in  any such capacity, or arising out  of
such  person's status  as such,  whether or not  the Corporation  would have the
power to indemnify such  person against such liability  under the provisions  of
this Article or applicable law.

                                   ARTICLE VI
                              RECORDS AND REPORTS

SECTION 1.  MAINTENANCE AND INSPECTION OF SHARE REGISTER.

    The  Secretary of  the Corporation  shall prepare and  make, or  cause to be
made, at least ten  (10) days before every  meeting of Stockholders, a  complete
list  of  the  Stockholders  entitled  to  vote  at  the  meeting,  arranged  in
alphabetical order and showing the address of each Stockholder and the number of
shares registered in the name  of each Stockholder. Such  list shall be open  to
the  examination of  any Stockholder,  for any  purpose germane  to the meeting,
during ordinary business hours, for a period of at least ten (10) days prior  to
the  meeting, either at a place within the city where the meeting is to be held,
which place  shall be  specified in  the notice  of the  meeting, or  if not  so
specified,  at the place where the meeting is to be held. The list shall also be
produced and kept at  the time and  place of the meeting  during the whole  time
thereof,  and may be  inspected by any  Stockholder who is  present. The willful
neglect or refusal of the  Directors to produce such a  list at any meeting  for
the  election of Directors, shall make such Directors ineligible for election to
any office at such meeting.

    The stock ledger shall be the only  evidence as to who are the  Stockholders
entitled  to examine the  stock ledger, the list  of Stockholders required under
this Section 1 or the books of the Corporation, or to vote in person or by proxy
at any meeting of Stockholders.

    Any Stockholder, in person or by  attorney or other agent, shall, upon  five
(5)  days written demand under oath stating  the purpose thereof, have the right
during the  usual hours  for business  to  inspect for  any proper  purpose  the
Corporation's  stock ledger, a list of its Stockholders, and its other books and
records, and to make copies or extracts therefrom. A proper purpose shall mean a
purpose reasonably related to such person's interests as a Stockholder. In every
instance where an  attorney or other  agent shall  be the person  who seeks  the
right  to inspection, the demand  under oath shall be  accompanied by a power of
attorney or such other writing which  authorizes the attorney or other agent  to
so  act on behalf of the Stockholder. The demand under oath shall be directed to
the Corporation at its registered office in this State or at its principal place
of business.

                                      C-12
<PAGE>
    If the  Corporation or  an officer  or agent  thereof refuses  to permit  an
inspection  sought by a  Stockholder or attorney  or other agent  acting for the
Stockholder pursuant to this Section  1 or does not  reply to the demand  within
five (5) business days after the demand has been made, the Stockholder may apply
to the Court of Chancery for an order to compel such inspection.

    Any Director shall have the right to examine the Corporation's stock ledger,
a  list  of its  Stockholders  and its  other books  and  records for  a purpose
reasonably related  to his  position as  a Director.  The Court  of Chancery  is
hereby vested with the exclusive jurisdiction to determine whether a Director is
entitled to the inspection sought.

SECTION 2.  MAINTENANCE AND INSPECTION OF BYLAWS.

    The  Corporation shall  keep at  its principal  executive office,  or if its
principal executive office is not in this State at its principal business office
in this State, the original  or a copy of the  Bylaws as amended to date,  which
shall  be open to inspection by the  Stockholders at all reasonable times during
office hours. If the  principal executive office of  the Corporation is  outside
this  State and the Corporation has no  principal business office in this State,
the Secretary shall,  upon the written  request of any  Stockholder, furnish  to
such Stockholder a copy of the Bylaws as amended to date.

SECTION 3.  MAINTENANCE AND INSPECTION OF OTHER CORPORATE RECORDS.

    The  minutes of proceedings  of the Stockholders and  the Board of Directors
and any committee or committees of the Board of Directors shall be kept at  such
place or places designated by the Board of Directors, or, in the absence of such
designation,  at the principal executive office  of the Corporation. The minutes
shall be kept in written form. Such minutes shall be open to inspection upon the
written demand of any Stockholder or holder of a voting trust certificate at any
reasonable time during usual business hours for a purpose reasonably related  to
such  holder's interests  as a Stockholder  or as  the holder of  a voting trust
certificate. Such inspection may be  made in person or  by an agent or  attorney
and shall include the right to copy and make extracts.

    Every  Director  shall have  the absolute  right at  any reasonable  time to
inspect and copy all books, records and  documents of every kind and to  inspect
the  physical  properties  of  this  Corporation  and  any  subsidiary  of  this
Corporation. Such inspection by a Director may be made in person or by agent  or
attorney  and  the right  of  inspection includes  the  right to  copy  and make
extracts.

    The foregoing  rights of  inspection shall  extend to  the records  of  each
subsidiary of the Corporation.

SECTION 4.  ANNUAL REPORT TO STOCKHOLDERS.

    The  Board  of Directors  shall cause  an annual  report to  be sent  to the
Stockholders not later than one hundred twenty (120) days after the close of the
fiscal year adopted by the Corporation. Such  report shall be sent at least  ten
(10) days prior to the annual meeting of Stockholders to be held during the next
fiscal  year and  in the manner  specified in Section  4 of Article  II of these
Bylaws for giving notice to Stockholders  of the Corporation. The annual  report
shall  contain a balance sheet as  of the end of such  fiscal year and an income
statement and statement of  changes in financial position  of such fiscal  year,
accompanied  by a report thereon  of independent accountants or,  if there is no
such report, the certificate  of an authorized officer  of the Corporation  that
such  statements were prepared without  audit from the books  and records of the
Corporation.

                                  ARTICLE VII
                             DIVIDENDS AND RESERVES

    Subject  always  to   the  provisions   of  law  and   the  Certificate   of
Incorporation, the Board of Directors shall have full power to determine whether
any  and, if any,  what part of any  funds legally available  for the payment of
dividends shall  be declared  as dividends  and paid  to the  Stockholders;  the
division  of the whole or  any part of such funds  of the Corporation shall rest
wholly within the lawful discretion of the Board of Directors, and it shall  not
be   required   at   any   time,  against   such   discretion,   to   divide  or

                                      C-13
<PAGE>
pay any  part  of such  funds  among or  to  the Stockholders  as  dividends  or
otherwise, and before payment of any dividend, there may be set aside out of any
funds  of the Corporation available for dividends  such sum or sums as the Board
of Directors from time to time, in  its absolute discretion, thinks proper as  a
reserve  or reserves to meet contingencies,  or for equalizing dividends, or for
repairing or maintaining  any property  of the  Corporation, or  for such  other
purpose  as the Board of Directors shall think conducive to the interests of the
Corporation, and the Board of Directors  may modify or abolish any such  reserve
in the manner in which it was created.

                                  ARTICLE VIII
                           GENERAL CORPORATE MATTERS

SECTION 1.  RECORD DATE.

    For  purposes of  determining the Stockholders  entitled to notice  of or to
vote at any meeting of Stockholders  or any adjournment thereof, or entitled  to
receive  payment  of any  dividends or  other distribution  or allotment  of any
rights, or entitled to exercise any rights in respect of any change,  conversion
or  exchange of  stock or  for the purpose  of any  lawful action,  the Board of
Directors may fix, in advance, a record date, which shall not be more than sixty
(60) nor less than ten (10) days prior to the date of any such meeting, nor more
than sixty  (60)  days  prior  to  any other  action.  A  determination  of  the
Stockholders  of record  entitled to notice  of or to  vote at a  meeting of the
Stockholders shall apply to any  adjournment of the meeting; provided,  however,
that  the  Board of  Directors may  fix a  new record  date for  the adjournment
meeting.

    If the Board of Directors does not so fix a record date; then

        (1) The record date for determining the Stockholders entitled to  notice
    of  or to vote  at a meeting  of the Stockholders  shall be at  the close of
    business on the date next preceding the day on which notice is given, or, if
    notice is waived, at the close of business on the day next preceding the day
    on which the meeting is held.

        (2) The  record date  for  determining the  Stockholders for  any  other
    purpose  shall be at the close of business  on the day on which the Board of
    Directors adopts the resolution relating thereto.

SECTION 2.  CHECKS, DRAFTS AND EVIDENCES OF INDEBTEDNESS.

    All checks, drafts  or other  orders for payment  of money,  notes or  other
evidence  of indebtedness, issued in  the name of or  payable to the Corporation
shall be signed or  endorsed by such  person or persons and  in such manner  as,
from time to time, shall be determined by resolution of the Board of Directors.

SECTION 3.  CORPORATE CONTRACTS AND INSTRUMENTS: MANNER OF EXECUTION.

    The  Board of  Directors, except  as otherwise  provided in  the Bylaws, may
authorize any officer or officers or agent or agents, to enter into any contract
or execute any instrument in the name  of and on behalf of the Corporation,  and
such  authority may be general or confined to specific instances; and, unless so
authorized or ratified by the Board of  Directors or within the agency power  of
an  officer, no officer, agent or employee  shall have any power or authority to
bind the Corporation by any contract or engagement or to pledge its credit or to
render it liable for any purpose or to any amount.

SECTION 4.  STOCK CERTIFICATES.

    Every holder  of  stock of  the  Corporation shall  be  entitled to  have  a
certificate  signed by or in the name of the Corporation by the Chairman or Vice
Chairman of  the Board  of  Directors, if  any, or  the  President or  any  Vice
President,  and by the Treasurer or any Assistant Treasurer, or the Secretary or
any Assistant Secretary, of the Corporation  certifying the number of shares  of
stock  in the Corporation owned by such holder in the Corporation. Any or all of
the signatures on the certificate may be a facsimile. In case that any  officer,
transfer agent or registrar who has signed or whose facsimile signature has been
placed  upon a certificate shall have ceased  to be such officer, transfer agent
or

                                      C-14
<PAGE>
registrar before such certificate is issued, it may be issued by the Corporation
with the same  effect as if  such person  were such officer,  transfer agent  or
registrar  at the date of issue. The Corporation may issue the whole or any part
of its  shares as  partly paid  and subject  to call  for the  remainder of  the
consideration  to  be  paid  therefor.  Upon the  face  or  back  of  each stock
certificate issued to represent any such partly paid shares, the total amount of
the consideration  to be  paid therefor  and the  amount paid  thereon shall  be
stated.  Upon  the  declaration  of  any  dividend  on  fully  paid  shares, the
Corporation shall declare a dividend upon partly paid shares of the same  class,
but  only upon the  basis of the  percentage of the  consideration actually paid
thereon.

    Any stock certificate shall also contain  such legend or other statement  as
may  be required  by law  or by  any agreement  between the  Corporation and the
issuee thereof.

SECTION 5.  LOST CERTIFICATES.

    No new certificate for  shares shall be issued  in place of any  certificate
theretofore  issued unless the  latter is surrendered and  cancelled at the same
time; provided,  however, that  a  new certificate  may  be issued  without  the
surrender and cancellation of the old certificate if the certificate theretofore
issued  is alleged to have  been lost, stolen or destroyed.  In case of any such
allegedly lost, stolen or destroyed certificate, the Corporation may require the
owner thereof or the legal representative of such owner to give the  Corporation
a  bond sufficient to indemnify it against any claim that may be made against it
(including any expense or  liability) on account of  the alleged loss, theft  or
destruction of any such certificate or the issuance of such new certificate.

SECTION 6.  REPRESENTATION OF SHARES OF OTHER CORPORATIONS.

    The  Chairman of the Board of Directors, the President, the Secretary or any
Vice President or any person authorized by resolution of the Board of  Directors
or  by any of the foregoing designated officers, is authorized to vote on behalf
of the Corporation any and all shares of any other corporation or  corporations,
foreign  or domestic,  standing in  the name  of the  Corporation. The authority
herein granted  to  said  officers  to  vote  or  represent  on  behalf  of  the
Corporation  any and all shares held by the Corporation in any other corporation
or corporations may be exercised by any such officer in person or by any  person
authorized to do so by a proxy duly executed by said officer.

SECTION 7.  CONSTRUCTION AND DEFINITIONS.

    Unless  the  context requires  otherwise, the  general provisions,  rules of
construction and  definitions  in the  Delaware  General Corporation  Law  shall
govern  the construction of these Bylaws. Without limiting the generality of the
foregoing, the  singular number  includes the  plural, the  plural includes  the
singular and the term "person" includes both a corporation and a natural person.

SECTION 8.  SEAL.

    The Corporation's seal shall be in such form as is required by law and shall
be approved by the Board of Directors.

SECTION 9.  FISCAL YEAR.

    The  fiscal year  of the  Corporation shall  be determined  by the  Board of
Directors.

                                   ARTICLE IX
                                   AMENDMENTS

SECTION 1.  AMENDMENT BY STOCKHOLDERS.

    Subject to the provisions of the Certificate of Incorporation, these  Bylaws
may  be altered, amended or repealed at  any regular meeting of the Stockholders
(or at a special meeting  duly called for that purpose)  by the approval of  not
less  than a majority of  all shares of the Corporation  entitled to vote in the
election of Directors considered for the  purposes of this Article IX as  voting
as  one class; provided,  however, that in  the notice of  such special meeting,
notice of such purpose shall be given.

                                      C-15
<PAGE>
SECTION 2.  AMENDMENT BY DIRECTORS.

    Subject  to  the  laws  of  the  State  of  Delaware,  the  Certificate   of
Incorporation  and these Bylaws, the Board of Directors may by the majority vote
of those Directors present at any meeting  of the Board of Directors at which  a
quorum  is present  amend these Bylaws  or enact  such other Bylaws  as in their
judgment may be advisable for  the regulation of the  conduct of the affairs  of
the Corporation.

                                      C-16
<PAGE>
                                                                       EXHIBIT D

                          CERTIFICATE OF DESIGNATIONS
                                       OF
                            SERIES A PREFERRED STOCK
                                       OF
                         STANDARD BRANDS PAINT COMPANY
                     PURSUANT TO SECTION 151 OF THE GENERAL
                    CORPORATION LAW OF THE STATE OF DELAWARE

    We,  the  undersigned  duly  authorized officers  of  Standard  Brands Paint
Company, a corporation organized and existing under the General Corporation  Law
of  the State of Delaware (the "Corporation"), in accordance with the provisions
of Section 103 thereof, and pursuant to Section 151 thereof, do hereby certify:

    That pursuant to the authority conferred upon the Board of Directors by  the
Certificate  of Incorporation of the Corporation,  the Board of Directors of the
Corporation on February 8, 1995 approved the creation of the following series of
Preferred Stock  and  adopted the  following  resolution creating  a  series  of
1,570,049  shares of Preferred Stock, no par value per share, each designated as
set forth below:

    RESOLVED, that pursuant to the authority vested in the Board of Directors of
the Corporation  in  accordance  with  the  provisions  of  its  Certificate  of
Incorporation,  a series  of the  class designated  as the  Preferred Stock (the
"Preferred Stock") of the Corporation be and it hereby is created, and that  the
designation  and amount thereof  and the preferences  and relative, optional and
other special  rights of  the shares  of such  series, and  the  qualifications,
limitations or restrictions thereof, are as follows:

        (i)  The  distinctive serial  designation of  this  series shall  be "8%
    Series  A  Cumulative  Convertible  Mandatory  Redeemable  Preferred  Stock"
    (hereinafter  called the "Series A Preferred Stock"). Each share of Series A
    Preferred Stock shall be identical in all respects with the other shares  of
    Series  A  Preferred Stock  except  as to  the  dates from  and  after which
    dividends thereon shall be cumulative.

        (ii) The number of shares of Series A Preferred Stock shall initially be
    1,570,049, which number may from time to time be increased or decreased (but
    not below the number then outstanding) by the Board of Directors. Shares  of
    Series A Preferred Stock redeemed, purchased by the Corporation or converted
    into  Common  Stock shall  be canceled  and shall  revert to  authorized but
    unissued Preferred Stock undesignated as to series.

       (iii) The holders of shares of Series A Preferred Stock shall be entitled
    to receive, when and as declared by the Board of Directors, but only out  of
    funds  legally available therefor,  cumulative cash dividends  at the annual
    rate of $0.71 per share, and no more, payable quarterly on the first days of
    [January, April, July and October], respectively, in each year with  respect
    to  the quarterly  dividend period  (or portion  thereof) ending  on the day
    preceding such respective dividend payment  date, to stockholders of  record
    on  the respective  date, not exceeding  fifty days  preceding such dividend
    payment date, fixed for the purpose by the Board of Directors in advance  of
    payment  of each particular  dividend. However, the  initial dividend on the
    Series A  Preferred Stock  shall  be payable  on  the first  such  quarterly
    dividend  payment date following after the Commencement Date (as hereinafter
    defined), and not earlier.

       (iv) Dividends  on  the shares  of  Series  A Preferred  Stock  shall  be
    cumulative  from the date (the "Commencement  Date") that is 18 months after
    the original issuance date of such shares (the "Issuance Date").

                                      D-1
<PAGE>
        So long as any share of Series A Preferred Stock remains outstanding, no
    dividend whatsoever shall be  paid or declared and  no distribution made  on
    any  junior stock  other than  a dividend  payable in  junior stock,  and no
    shares of junior stock  shall be purchased,  redeemed or otherwise  acquired
    for  consideration by the Corporation, directly or indirectly (other than as
    a result  of  a  reclassification  of  junior  stock,  or  the  exchange  or
    conversion  of one junior stock  for or into another  junior stock, or other
    than through the use of the proceeds of a substantially contemporaneous sale
    of other junior stock), unless all dividends on the Series A Preferred Stock
    accrued for all past quarter-yearly dividend periods since the  Commencement
    Date shall have been paid and the full dividend thereon for the then current
    quarter-yearly  dividend period  shall have  been paid  or declared  and set
    apart for  payment.  Subject  to  the foregoing,  and  not  otherwise,  such
    dividends  (payable in cash, stock or otherwise) as may be determined by the
    Board of Directors may be declared and paid on any junior stock from time to
    time out of any funds legally available therefor, and the Series A Preferred
    Stock shall not be  entitled to participate in  any such dividends,  whether
    payable in cash, stock or otherwise.

        (v) In the event of any voluntary liquidation, dissolution or winding up
    of  the  affairs of  the  Corporation, the  holders  of shares  of  Series A
    Preferred Stock shall  be entitled,  before any distribution  or payment  is
    made  to the holders of any junior stock,  to be paid in full the redemption
    price in effect at the time of such distribution or payment date as provided
    in subparagraph  (vi)  hereof,  together  with  accrued  dividends  to  such
    distribution or payment date whether or not earned or declared. In the event
    of  any involuntary liquidation, dissolution or winding up of the affairs of
    the Corporation, then, before any distribution  or payment shall be made  to
    the holders of any junior stock, the holders of shares of Series A Preferred
    Stock  shall be  entitled to be  paid in full  an amount equal  to $8.92 per
    share  (which  amount  is  hereinafter  referred  to  as  the   "involuntary
    liquidation  amount"), together with accrued  dividends to such distribution
    or payment date whether or not earned or declared.

        If such payment shall have been made in full to all holders of shares of
    Series A Preferred Stock, the remaining  assets of the Corporation shall  be
    distributed among the holders of junior stock, according to their respective
    rights  and  preferences  and in  each  case according  to  their respective
    numbers  of  shares.  For  the  purposes  of  this  subparagraph  (v),   the
    consolidation  or merger of the Corporation with any other corporation shall
    not be deemed to constitute a liquidation, dissolution or winding up of  the
    Corporation.

       (vi)  Corimon, S.A.C.A.,  a Venezuelan  corporation (or  any affiliate of
    Corimon, S.A.C.A. designated by  it), or the Corporation,  at the option  of
    the  Board of Directors, may purchase or  redeem up to 785,025 of the shares
    of Series A Preferred  Stock at the  time outstanding, at  any time or  from
    time  to time, upon notice given as hereinafter specified, at the redemption
    price in effect  at the  redemption date  as provided  in this  subparagraph
    (vi),  together  with accrued  dividends to  the  redemption date.  For this
    purpose only, dividends are deemed to have been cumulative from the Issuance
    Date. The redemption price for shares  of Series A Preferred Stock shall  be
    $6.69  per  share  for  the  period from  the  Issuance  Date  to  the first
    anniversary thereof, $7.14 per share thereafter to the second anniversary of
    the Issuance  Date, $7.60  per  share thereafter  for the  next  six-monthly
    period,  $8.03 per share  thereafter for the  next six-monthly period, $8.47
    for the next six-monthly period and $8.92 per share thereafter.

        The Corporation  will  redeem  the  whole of  the  shares  of  Series  A
    Preferred  Stock at  the time outstanding,  at the tenth  anniversary of the
    Issuance Date, at the mandatory redemption price in effect at the  mandatory
    redemption date as provided in this subparagraph (vi), together with accrued
    dividends  to the redemption date. The mandatory redemption price for shares
    of Series A Preferred Stock shall be $8.92 per share.

        Notice of every redemption of shares  of Series A Preferred Stock  shall
    be  mailed by first class mail, postage prepaid, addressed to the holders of
    record of the shares  to be redeemed at  their respective last addresses  as
    they  shall appear on  the books of  the Corporation. Such  mailing shall be

                                      D-2
<PAGE>
    at least 30  days and  not more than  60 days  prior to the  date fixed  for
    redemption.  Any notice which is mailed  in the manner herein provided shall
    be conclusively  presumed  to have  been  duly  given, whether  or  not  the
    stockholder  receives such notice,  and failure duly to  give such notice by
    mail, or any  defect in such  notice, to any  holder of shares  of Series  A
    Preferred  Stock designated for redemption shall  not affect the validity of
    the proceedings for the redemption of any other shares of Series A Preferred
    Stock.

        In case of redemption of a part only of the shares of Series A Preferred
    Stock at the time outstanding the redemption will be pro rata. The Board  of
    Directors  shall have  full power and  authority, subject  to the provisions
    herein contained, to prescribe the terms and conditions upon which shares of
    the Series A Preferred Stock shall be redeemed from time to time.

        If notice of redemption shall have been duly given, and if, on or before
    the  redemption  date  specified  therein,  all  funds  necessary  for  such
    redemption  shall have been set aside by the Corporation, separate and apart
    from its other funds, in  trust for the pro rata  benefit of the holders  of
    the  shares called for redemption, so as  to be and continue to be available
    therefor, then, notwithstanding  that any certificate  for shares so  called
    for  redemption shall not have been surrendered for cancellation, all shares
    so called for redemption shall no longer be deemed outstanding on and  after
    such  redemption  date, and  all rights  with respect  to such  shares shall
    forthwith on such redemption date cease and terminate, except only the right
    of the holders thereof to receive the amount payable on redemption  thereof,
    without interest.

        If  such  notice of  redemption shall  have  been duly  given or  if the
    Corporation shall  have  given to  the  bank or  trust  company  hereinafter
    referred  to irrevocable authorization promptly to  give such notice, and if
    on or before the redemption date  specified therein the funds necessary  for
    such  redemption shall have been deposited by the Corporation with such bank
    or trust company in  trust for the  pro rata benefit of  the holders of  the
    shares called for redemption, then, notwithstanding that any certificate for
    shares  so  called  for  redemption  shall  not  have  been  surrendered for
    cancellation, from and after the time of such deposit, all shares so  called
    for  redemption shall no longer  be deemed to be  outstanding and all rights
    with respect to such shares shall forthwith cease and terminate, except only
    the right of the holders thereof to receive from such bank or trust  company
    at  any time after the time of  such deposit the funds so deposited, without
    interest, and  the  right to  exercise,  on or  before  the date  fixed  for
    redemption,  privileges of exchange  or conversion, if  any, not theretofore
    expiring. The aforesaid bank or trust company shall be organized and in good
    standing under the laws of the United  States of America or of the State  of
    New  York, shall be doing business in  the Borough of Manhattan, The City of
    New York, shall have capital,  surplus and undivided profits aggregating  at
    least  $10,000,000 according to  its last published  statement of condition,
    and shall be identified in the notice of redemption. Any interest accrued on
    such funds shall be paid to Corporation from time to time.

        Any funds so set aside or  deposited by the Corporation which shall  not
    be  required for  such redemption  because of the  exercise of  any right of
    conversion subsequent  to the  date of  such deposit  shall be  released  or
    repaid to the Corporation forthwith. Any funds so set aside or deposited, as
    the  case  may  be,  and unclaimed  at  the  end of  three  years  from such
    redemption date shall, to the extent permitted by law, be released or repaid
    to the  Corporation, after  which repayment  the holders  of the  shares  so
    called  for  redemption  shall  look only  to  the  Corporation  for payment
    thereof.

       (vii) The holders of  shares of Series A  Preferred Stock shall have  the
    right,  at their  option, to  convert such shares  into Common  Stock of the
    Corporation at any time after the Commencement Date, and prior to such  date
    if  and only if a  Conversion Event occurs, on  and subject to the following
    terms and conditions:

           (a) The shares of  Series A Preferred Stock  shall be convertible  at
       the  principal office  of the  Corporation, and  at such  other office or
       offices, if any, as the Board of Directors may designate, into fully paid
       and non-assessable  shares  (calculated  as to  each  conversion  to  the

                                      D-3
<PAGE>
       nearest  1/100th of a share)  of Common Stock of  the Corporation, at the
       conversion price, determined  as hereinafter provided,  in effect at  the
       time of conversion, each share of Series A Preferred Stock being taken at
       $8.92 for the purpose of such conversion. The price at which Common Stock
       shall be delivered upon conversion (herein called the "conversion price")
       shall initially be $1.11 per share of Common Stock.

           (b)  In  order to  convert shares  of Series  A Preferred  Stock into
       Common Stock the holder thereof shall surrender at the office hereinabove
       mentioned the  certificate or  certificates  therefor, duly  endorsed  or
       assigned  to the Corporation or in blank,  and give written notice to the
       Corporation at said office  that he elects to  convert such shares.  Upon
       conversion  no allowance  or adjustment  shall be  made for  dividends on
       either class of stock.

           Shares of  Series A  Preferred Stock  shall be  deemed to  have  been
       converted  immediately prior to the  close of business on  the day of the
       surrender of such shares for conversion in accordance with the  foregoing
       provisions,  and the  person or  persons entitled  to receive  the Common
       Stock issuable upon such conversions shall be treated for all purposes as
       the record  holder or  holders of  such  Common Stock  at such  time.  As
       promptly  as practicable on or after the conversion date, the Corporation
       shall issue and shall deliver at said office (or by mail if so  requested
       by  the person converting), a certificate  or certificates for the number
       of full shares of  Common Stock issuable  upon such conversion,  together
       with payment in lieu of any fraction of a share, as hereinafter provided,
       to  the person or persons entitled to receive the same. In case shares of
       Series A Preferred Stock are called for redemption, the right to  convert
       such  shares shall cease  and terminate at  the close of  business on the
       date fixed for redemption, unless default shall be made in payment of the
       redemption price.

           (c) No  fractional  share  of  Common  Stock  shall  be  issued  upon
       conversion  of shares  of Series A  Preferred Stock, but,  instead of any
       fraction which would otherwise  be issuable in  respect of the  aggregate
       number  of shares of Series A  Preferred Stock surrendered for conversion
       at one  time  by  the same  holder,  the  Corporation shall  pay  a  cash
       adjustment  in an amount equal to the  same fraction of the Closing Price
       (as hereinafter  defined)  on  the  date  on  which  the  certificate  or
       certificates for such shares were duly surrendered for conversion, or, if
       such  date is  not a  Trading Day (as  hereinafter defined),  on the next
       Trading Day.

           (d) The  conversion price  shall be  adjusted from  time to  time  as
       follows:

               (A)  In case the Corporation  shall (i) pay a  dividend or make a
           distribution on its outstanding shares  of Common Stock in shares  of
           its  capital stock, (ii)  subdivide its outstanding  shares of Common
           Stock, (iii) combine its  outstanding shares of  Common Stock into  a
           smaller   number  of  shares  of  Common  Stock,  or  (iv)  issue  by
           reclassification of its shares of Common Stock (whether pursuant to a
           merger or  consolidation  or  otherwise)  any  other  shares  of  the
           Corporation,  the holder  of any shares  of Series  A Preferred Stock
           surrendered for conversion after the record date for such dividend or
           distribution (which  for  this  purpose  shall be  at  the  close  of
           business  on the date fixed  by the Board of  Directors as the record
           date), or after the close of  business on the effective date of  such
           subdivision, combination or reclassification, as the case may be (the
           close of business times being hereinafter in this clause (A) referred
           to as "such record date"), shall be entitled to receive the aggregate
           number  and kind of shares of capital stock of the Corporation which,
           if such  shares  of  Series  A Preferred  Stock  had  been  converted
           immediately prior to such record date at the conversion price then in
           effect,  he would  have been  entitled to  receive by  virtue of such
           dividend, distribution, subdivision, combination or reclassification;
           and the conversion price shall be deemed to have been adjusted  after
           such  record  date to  apply  to such  aggregate  number and  kind of
           shares. Such  adjustment shall  be made  whenever any  of the  events
           listed above shall occur.

               (B)  In case the Corporation shall  fix a record date for issuing
           to all holders of shares of Common Stock rights or warrants entitling
           them to subscribe for or purchase shares

                                      D-4
<PAGE>
           of Common Stock  at a price  per share less  than the current  market
           price  per share (as determined pursuant to clause (D) below) on such
           record date,  the conversion  price  in effect  from and  after  such
           record  date shall be adjusted so that it shall be equal to the price
           determined by multiplying the conversion price in effect  immediately
           prior to such record date by a fraction, of which the numerator shall
           be  the number of  shares of Common Stock  outstanding on such record
           date plus the number  of shares of Common  Stock which the  aggregate
           offering  price  of the  total number  of shares  of Common  Stock so
           offered for subscription or purchase  would purchase at such  current
           market  price and  of which  the denominator  shall be  the number of
           shares of  Common Stock  outstanding  on such  record date  plus  the
           number   of  additional  shares  of   Common  Stock  so  offered  for
           subscription or purchase.  For the  purpose of this  clause (B),  the
           issuance   of  rights  or  warrants  to  subscribe  for  or  purchase
           securities convertible into shares of Common Stock shall be deemed to
           be the  issuance of  rights or  warrants to  purchase the  shares  of
           Common  Stock  into  which  such  securities  are  convertible  at an
           aggregate offering price  equal to  the aggregate  offering price  of
           such  securities plus the  minimum aggregate amount  (if any) payable
           upon conversion of such securities into shares of Common Stock.  Such
           adjustment  shall be made successively whenever such a record date is
           fixed. In the event that such rights or warrants are not issued after
           such a record  date has  been fixed,  the conversion  price shall  be
           retroactively  adjusted to the conversion price which would have been
           in effect if such record date had not been fixed.

               (C) In  case the  Corporation shall  fix a  record date  for  the
           distribution  to  all  holders  of shares  of  Common  Stock (whether
           pursuant to a merger  or consolidation or  otherwise) of evidence  of
           its  indebtedness or assets (excluding  cash dividends), or rights to
           subscribe (excluding those referred to in clause (B) above), then  in
           each  such case  the conversion price  in effect from  and after such
           record date shall be adjusted so that the same shall be equal to  the
           price  determined  by  multiplying  the  conversion  price  in effect
           immediately prior to  such record date  by a fraction,  of which  the
           numerator  shall be the current market price per share (determined as
           provided in clause (D) below) of  the shares of Common Stock on  such
           record date less the fair market value (as determined by a resolution
           of  the Board of Directors of the Corporation filed with the transfer
           agent for the Series A Preferred Stock, which determination shall  be
           conclusive) of the portion of the evidences of indebtedness or assets
           so distributed or of such rights to subscribe applicable to one share
           of  Common Stock and  of which the denominator  shall be such current
           market price per share of Common Stock. Such adjustment shall be made
           whenever any  such record  date  is fixed.  In  the event  that  such
           distribution is not made after such a record date has been fixed, the
           conversion  price shall  be retroactively adjusted  to the conversion
           price which would  have been in  effect if such  record date had  not
           been fixed.

               (D)  For the purpose of any computation under clauses (B) and (C)
           above, the current market price per share of Common Stock on any date
           shall be deemed to be the average of the daily Closing Prices for  30
           consecutive  Trading Days selected by  the Corporation commencing not
           more than 45 Trading Days before the date in question.

               (E) In any case in which this subdivision (d) shall require  that
           an  adjustment as  a result  of any  event become  effective from and
           after a record date, the Corporation  may elect to defer until  after
           the  occurrence of such event (i) issuing to the holder of any shares
           of Series  A Preferred  Stock converted  after such  record date  and
           before  the occurrence of such event  the additional shares of Common
           Stock issuable  upon  such  conversion  over  and  above  the  shares
           issuable  on the basis of the  conversion price in effect immediately
           prior to adjustment and (ii) paying to such holder any amount in cash
           in lieu of a fractional share of Common Stock pursuant to subdivision
           (c) above. In lieu of

                                      D-5
<PAGE>
           the shares the  issuance of which  is deferred pursuant  to item  (i)
           above,  the  Corporation shall  issue or  cause  one of  its transfer
           agents to issue due bills or other appropriate evidence of the  right
           to receive such shares.

               (F)  Any adjustment in the conversion price otherwise required by
           this  subparagraph  (vii)  to  be  made  may  be  postponed  if  such
           adjustment  (plus any  other adjustments  postponed pursuant  to this
           clause (F) and not theretofore made) would not require an increase or
           decrease of more than 1% in  such price. All calculations under  this
           subdivision  (d) shall be made to the  nearest cent or to the nearest
           1/100th of a share, as the case may be.

               (G) The  Board of  Directors  may make  such adjustments  in  the
           conversion  price, in addition to  those required by this subdivision
           (d) as shall  be determined  by the Board,  as evidenced  by a  Board
           resolution,  to be  advisable in  order to  avoid taxation  so far as
           practicable of any  dividend of stock  or stock rights  or any  event
           treated  as such for  Federal income tax  purposes to the recipients.
           The Board shall have  the power to resolve  any ambiguity or  correct
           any  error in  this subdivision  (d) and its  action in  so doing, as
           evidenced by a Board resolution, shall be final and conclusive.

               (H) In the event that at any  time, as a result of an  adjustment
           made pursuant to clause (A) above, the holder of any shares of Series
           A  Preferred Stock thereafter surrendered for conversion shall become
           entitled to receive any  shares of capital  stock of the  Corporation
           other  than shares  of Common  Stock, thereafter  the number  of such
           other shares so receivable upon conversion of such shares of Series A
           Preferred Stock shall be subject to adjustment from time to time in a
           manner and  on  terms as  nearly  equivalent as  practicable  to  the
           provisions  with respect to  the shares of  Common Stock contained in
           clauses (A) to  (G), inclusive,  above, and the  other provisions  of
           this subdivision (d) with respect to the shares of Common Stock shall
           apply on like terms to any such other shares.

           (e) Whenever the conversion price is adjusted as herein provided:

               (A)  The Corporation shall compute  the adjusted conversion price
           and  shall  cause  to  be  prepared  a  certificate  signed  by   the
           Corporation's  treasurer setting forth  the adjusted conversion price
           and a brief statement of the facts requiring such adjustment and  the
           computation  thereof; such certificate shall  forthwith be filed with
           the transfer agent for the Series A Preferred Stock; and

               (B) A notice stating that the conversion price has been  adjusted
           and  setting forth  the adjusted conversion  price shall,  as soon as
           practicable, be mailed to the holders of record of outstanding shares
           of the Series A Preferred Stock.

           (f) In case:

               (A)  The   Corporation  shall   declare  a   dividend  or   other
           distribution on its shares of Common Stock, other than in cash;

               (B)  The Corporation shall authorize  the issuance to all holders
           of its shares of Common Stock of rights or warrants entitling them to
           subscribe for or  purchase any shares  of Common Stock  or any  other
           subscription rights or warrants; or

               (C)   Of  any  reclassification  of  the  capital  stock  of  the
           Corporation  (other  than  a   subdivision  or  combination  of   its
           outstanding  shares  of Common  Stock),  or of  any  consolidation or
           merger to which the Corporation is a party and for which approval  of
           any  stockholders of  the Corporation  is required,  or of  the sale,
           lease, exchange or other disposition of all or substantially all  the
           property and assets of the Corporation; or

                                      D-6
<PAGE>
               (D)  Of the voluntary or  involuntary liquidation, dissolution or
           winding up of the Corporation;

           then the Corporation shall cause to  be mailed to the transfer  agent
       for  the Series  A Preferred Stock  and to  the holders of  record of the
       outstanding shares of Series A Preferred  Stock, at least 20 days (or  10
       days  in any  case specified  in clause  (A) or  (B) above)  prior to the
       applicable record  or  effective  date hereinafter  specified,  a  notice
       stating  (x) the  date as  of which  the holders  of record  of shares of
       Common Stock to  be entitled  to such dividend,  distribution, rights  or
       warrants   are  to  be  determined,  or   (y)  the  date  on  which  such
       reclassification,   consolidation,   merger,   sale,   lease,   exchange,
       disposition, liquidation, dissolution or winding up is expected to become
       effective, and the date as of which it is expected that holders of record
       of  shares of Common Stock shall be entitled to exchange their shares for
       securities  or   other   property,   if  any,   deliverable   upon   such
       reclassification,   consolidation,   merger,   sale,   lease,   exchange,
       disposition, liquidation, dissolution or winding up. The failure to  give
       the notice required by this subdivision (f), or any defect therein, shall
       not  affect the legality or validity  of any such dividend, distribution,
       right, warrant,  reclassification,  consolidation, merger,  sale,  lease,
       exchange,  disposition, liquidation,  dissolution or  winding up,  or the
       vote on any action authorizing such.

           (g) The Corporation shall  at all times  reserve and keep  available,
       free from preemptive rights, out of its authorized but unissued shares of
       Common Stock, for the purpose of issuance upon conversion of the Series A
       Preferred  Stock,  the  full  number  of  shares  of  Common  Stock  then
       deliverable upon the conversion of all shares of Series A Preferred Stock
       then outstanding.

           (h) The Corporation will pay any and all taxes that may be payable in
       respect of  the  issuance  or  delivery of  shares  of  Common  Stock  on
       conversion  of shares of Series A  Preferred Stock. The Corporation shall
       not, however, be required to pay any tax which may be payable in  respect
       of any transfer involved in the issuance and delivery of shares of Common
       Stock in a name other than that in which the shares of Series A Preferred
       Stock  so converted  were registered,  and no  such issuance  or delivery
       shall be made unless  and until the person  requesting such issuance  has
       paid  to the Corporation the amount of any such tax or has established to
       the satisfaction of the Corporation that such tax has been paid.

           (i) For the purpose of this  subparagraph (vii), the term "shares  of
       Common Stock" shall include any shares of the Corporation of any class or
       series which has no preference or priority in the payment of dividends or
       in   the  distribution  of  assets  upon  any  voluntary  or  involuntary
       liquidation, dissolution or winding  up of the  Corporation and which  is
       not  subject to redemption by the  Corporation. However, shares of Common
       Stock issuable  upon conversion  of shares  of Series  A Preferred  Stock
       shall  include only  shares of the  class designated as  shares of Common
       Stock as of  the original  date of  issuance of  the shares  of Series  A
       Preferred  Stock, or shares  of the Corporation of  any classes or series
       resulting from  any  reclassification or  reclassifications  thereof  and
       which  have no preference or  priority in the payment  of dividends or in
       the distribution of assets upon any voluntary or involuntary liquidation,
       dissolution or winding up of the Corporation and which are not subject to
       redemption by the Corporation, provided that  if at any time there  shall
       be  more than one such resulting class or series, the shares of each such
       class  and  series  then  so  issuable  shall  be  substantially  in  the
       proportion  which the  total number  of shares  of such  class and series
       resulting from all such  reclassifications bears to  the total number  of
       shares   of  all  such  classes  and   series  resulting  from  all  such
       reclassifications.

           (j)  As used in this subparagraph (vii), the term "Closing Price"  on
       any day shall mean the reported last sale price per share of Common Stock
       regular way on such day or, in case no such sale takes place on such day,
       the  average of the reported closing bid and asked prices regular way, in
       each case on the  New York Stock  Exchange, or, if  the shares of  Common
       Stock

                                      D-7
<PAGE>
       are  not listed or admitted to trading  on such Exchange, on the American
       Stock Exchange,  or, if  the shares  of Common  Stock are  not listed  or
       admitted   to  trading  on  such  Exchange,  on  the  principal  national
       securities exchange on  which the shares  of Common Stock  are listed  or
       admitted  to trading, or, if the shares of Common Stock are not listed or
       admitted to trading on any  national securities exchange, the average  of
       the  closing  bid  and asked  prices  in the  over-the-counter  market as
       reported by  the National  Association of  Securities Dealers'  Automated
       Quotation  System, or,  if not so  reported, as reported  by the National
       Quotation Bureau, Incorporated, or any  successor thereof, or, if not  so
       reported, the average of the closing bid and asked prices as furnished by
       any  member  of  the  National Association  of  Securities  Dealers, Inc.
       selected from time to time by  the Corporation for that purpose; and  the
       term  "Trading  Day" shall  mean a  day on  which the  principal national
       securities exchange on  which the shares  of Common Stock  are listed  or
       admitted  to trading is open  for the transaction of  business or, if the
       shares of  Common Stock  are not  listed or  admitted to  trading on  any
       national  securities exchange, a Monday,  Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday or
       Friday on which banking  institutions in the  Borough of Manhattan,  City
       and State of New York are not authorized or obligated by law or executive
       order to close.

           (k)  As used in this subparagraph  (vii), the term "Conversion Event"
       shall mean the  Common Stock shall  have traded at  a twenty-day  average
       Closing Price at or above the conversion price.

           (l)  The certificate of any independent firm of public accountants of
       recognized  standing  selected  by  the  Board  of  Directors  shall   be
       presumptive  evidence of  the correctness  of any  computation made under
       this subparagraph (vii).

           (m) Notwithstanding anything  contained in  this subparagraph  (vii),
       the  Corporation shall have  the option, in lieu  of delivering shares of
       Common Stock of the Corporation upon conversion, of paying to such holder
       a cash  amount equal  to the  current market  price per  share of  Common
       Stock,  as determined  under clause (vii)(d)(D)  above, of  the number of
       shares of Common Stock issuable upon such conversion.

      (viii) The holders  of Series A  Preferred Stock shall  be entitled to  no
    voting rights, except as hereinafter provided.

        Commencing  after the Commencement  Date, if and  whenever six quarterly
    dividends payable on  any shares  of Series A  Preferred Stock  shall be  in
    arrears in whole or in part whether or not earned or declared, the number of
    directors then constituting the Board of Directors shall be increased by two
    and  the holders of  shares of Series  A Preferred Stock,  together with the
    holders of  shares  of  every  other series  of  Preferred  Stock  similarly
    entitled  to  vote  for the  election  of two  additional  directors, voting
    separately as a class, regardless of series, shall be entitled to elect  the
    two  additional directors at  any annual meeting  of stockholders or special
    meeting held in place  thereof, or at  a special meeting  of the holders  of
    such  series of the Preferred Stock called as hereinafter provided. Whenever
    all arrears in  dividends on  the shares of  Series A  Preferred Stock  then
    outstanding  shall  have been  paid and  dividends  thereon for  the current
    quarterly dividend period shall have been paid or declared and set apart for
    payment, then the right of the holders  of the shares of Series A  Preferred
    Stock to elect such additional two directors shall cease (but subject always
    to  the same provisions for the vesting of such voting rights in the case of
    any similar future arrearages in dividends), and the terms of office of  all
    persons  elected as  directors by  the holders  of such  shares of  Series A
    Preferred Stock shall  forthwith terminate and  the number of  the Board  of
    Directors  shall be reduced accordingly. At any time after such voting power
    shall have been so  vested in the  holders of shares  of Series A  Preferred
    Stock, the secretary of the Corporation may, and upon the written request of
    any holder of shares of Series A Preferred Stock (addressed to the secretary
    at the principal office of the Corporation) shall, call a special meeting of
    the  holders of  the Series A  Preferred Stock  for the election  of the two
    directors to be elected by them as herein provided, such call to be made  by
    notice  similar  to  that provided  in  the  by-laws for  a  special meeting

                                      D-8
<PAGE>
    of the  stockholders or  as required  by law.  If any  such special  meeting
    required to be called as above provided shall not be called by the secretary
    within  20 days after receipt of any such request, then any holder of shares
    of Series A  Preferred Stock may  call such meeting,  upon the notice  above
    provided,  and for that purpose shall have  access to the stock books of the
    Corporation. The directors elected  at any such  special meeting shall  hold
    office  until the next annual meeting of the stockholders or special meeting
    held in place thereof if such office shall not have previously terminated as
    above provided. In case any vacancy shall occur among the directors  elected
    by  the holders of the shares of Series A Preferred Stock, a successor shall
    be elected by the Board of Directors to serve until the next annual  meeting
    of  the  stockholders or  special  meeting held  in  place thereof  upon the
    nomination of the  then remaining director  elected by the  holders of  such
    series or the successor of such remaining director.

       (ix)  So long as any shares of  Series A Preferred Stock are outstanding,
    in addition to any other vote or consent of stockholders required by law  or
    by  the certificate of incorporation, the consent of the holders of at least
    66 2/3% of the shares of Series A Preferred Stock, at the time  outstanding,
    acting  as a single  class, given in  person or by  proxy, either in writing
    without a meeting or by vote at any meeting called for the purpose, shall be
    necessary for effecting or validating:

           (a) Any amendment, alteration or repeal  of any of the provisions  of
       the  certificate of incorporation, or of the by-laws, of the Corporation,
       which affects adversely the voting  powers, rights or preferences of  the
       holders  of shares  of the Series  A Preferred  Stock; provided, however,
       that the amendment of the provisions of the certificate of  incorporation
       so  as to authorize or  create, or to increase  the authorized amount of,
       any junior stock or any shares of any class ranking on a parity with  the
       Series  A Preferred  Stock shall  not be  deemed to  affect adversely the
       voting powers, rights  or preferences  of the  holders of  shares of  the
       Series A Preferred Stock.

           (b)  The  authorization  or  creation  of,  or  the  increase  in the
       authorized amount of, any shares of any class or any security convertible
       into shares of any class ranking prior to the Series A Preferred Stock in
       the distribution of assets on any liquidation, dissolution or winding  up
       of the Corporation or in the payment of dividends; or

           (c)  The merger or consolidation of  the Corporation with or into any
       other corporation, unless the resulting corporation will thereafter  have
       no  class  of  shares  and  no  other  securities  either  authorized  or
       outstanding ranking prior to Series A Preferred Stock in the distribution
       of its assets on liquidation, dissolution or winding up or in the payment
       of dividends, except  the same number  of shares and  the same amount  of
       other  securities with the same rights  and preferences as the shares and
       securities of  the Corporation  respectively authorized  and  outstanding
       immediately  preceding such merger  or consolidation, and  each holder of
       shares of Series A Preferred  Stock immediately preceding such merger  or
       consolidation  shall receive  the same  number of  shares, with  the same
       rights and preferences, of the resulting corporation;

        provided, however,  that no  such consent  of the  holders of  Series  A
    Preferred  Stock shall  be required if,  at or  prior to the  time when such
    amendment, alteration or repeal  is to take effect  or when the issuance  of
    any  such prior shares or  convertible security is to  be made, or when such
    consolidation or merger, purchase  or redemption is to  take effect, as  the
    case  may be, provision is made for the redemption of all shares of Series A
    Preferred Stock at the time outstanding.

        (x) So long as any shares  of Series A Preferred Stock are  outstanding,
    in  addition to any other vote or consent of stockholders required by law or
    by the certificate of incorporation, the consent of the holders of at  least
    a  majority  of  the  shares  of  Series  A  Preferred  Stock,  at  the time
    outstanding, acting as a single class,  given in person or by proxy,  either
    in  writing  without a  meeting or  by vote  at any  meeting called  for the
    purpose, shall be necessary for effecting or

                                      D-9
<PAGE>
    validating any increase in the authorized  amount of the Series A  Preferred
    Stock,  or  the  authorization  or  creation  of,  or  the  increase  in the
    authorized amount of, any  shares of any class  or any security  convertible
    into  shares of any class,  ranking on a parity  with the Series A Preferred
    Stock in  the distribution  of assets  on any  liquidation, dissolution,  or
    winding  up of  the Corporation  or in  the payment  of dividends; provided,
    however, that no such consent shall be required if, at or prior to the  time
    such  increase, authorization, or  creation of parity shares  is to be made,
    provision is made  for the redemption  of all shares  of Series A  Preferred
    Stock at the time outstanding.

       (xi)  As  used  herein with  respect  to  Series A  Preferred  Stock, the
    following terms shall have the following meanings:

           (a) The term "junior stock" shall mean the Common Stock and any other
       class or series of  shares of the  Corporation hereafter authorized  over
       which  Series A Preferred Stock has preference or priority in the payment
       of dividends  or  in  the  distribution of  assets  on  any  liquidation,
       dissolution or winding up of the Corporation.

           (b)  The term "accrued  dividends", with respect to  any share of any
       class or series,  shall mean an  amount computed at  the annual  dividend
       rate  for the class  or series of  which the particular  share is a part,
       from the date on which dividends  on such share became cumulative to  and
       including  the date to which  such dividends are to  be accrued, less the
       aggregate amount of all dividends theretofore paid thereon.

       (xii) The shares of Series A Preferred Stock shall not have any relative,
    participating, optional or other special rights and powers other than as set
    forth herein.

    IN WITNESS  WHEREOF, we  have signed  this  certificate on  the      day  of
         ,  1995,  and  affirm the  statements  contained herein  as  true under
penalties of perjury.

                                          --------------------------------------
                                                        President

                                          --------------------------------------
                                                        Secretary

                                      D-10
<PAGE>
                                                                       EXHIBIT E
                                  [LETTERHEAD]

                                               February 15, 1995

The Board of Directors
Standard Brands Paint Company
4300 West 190th Street
Torrance, CA 90509-2956

Ladies and Gentlemen:

    We  understand that Standard  Brands Paint Company  ("SBP" or the "Company")
and Corimon, S.A.C.A. ("CRM") and Corimon Corporation ("CRM Corp."), a  Delaware
Corporation,  and the  other parties  thereto, have  entered into  an Investment
Agreement dated  as  of  February  15, 1995  (the  "Agreement").  The  Agreement
contemplates  that, among other things, the Company  will: (i) sell to CRM Corp.
newly issued SBP common stock representing 76.1% of the pro forma primary common
stock outstanding of the  Company for $14  million in cash at  a share price  of
$0.89  adjusted  for  a  one-for-ten  reverse  stock  split;  (ii)  transfer  15
properties of the  Company to  an existing liquidating  trust (the  "Liquidating
Trust")  in  return  for  the  extinguishment  of  $14.229  million  of  secured
indebtedness of the Company  (the "Secured Debt")  payable to certain  insurance
companies  named in the Agreement (the  "Insurance Company Lenders"); (iii) sell
49% of the  residual interest in  the Liquidating  Trust for $2  million to  CRM
Corp.; (iv) exchange $14 million of newly issued SBP convertible preferred stock
with  a liquidation preference of $8.92 per share and $2 million of newly issued
SBP common stock valued at $0.892 per share for $16 million of SBP accrued notes
held by  a  grantor trust  (the  "Grantor Trust")  created  for the  benefit  of
Fidelity  Capital &  Income Fund  ("FCI") and  the Kodak  Retirement Income Plan
Trust Fund ("KRI"), the  Insurance Company Lenders and  CRM Corp.; (v)  transfer
31%  of  the  residual interest  in  the  Liquidating Trust  and  distribute the
remaining assets in the Grantor Trust to FCI and KRI in return for FCI and KRI's
agreement to participate in the transactions contemplated by the Agreement,  the
cancellation of $16.75 million of indebtedness, plus accrued interest, issued by
the  Grantor Trust to FCI and KRI, and the release of a guarantee by SBP in $2.5
million of the debt issued by the Grantor Trust; (vi) pay the Insurance  Company
Lenders  a fee of  $500,000 to release  SBP's $6.9 million  guarantee on certain
existing indebtedness of  the Liquidating  Trust held by  the Insurance  Company
Lenders,  prepay  $236,000 of  SBP Secured  Debt held  by the  Insurance Company
Lenders and transfer 20%  of the residual interest  in the Liquidating Trust  to
the  Insurance Company Lenders; (vii) pay a  transaction fee of $350,000 in cash
and $400,000 in newly issued SBP stock at $0.892 per share to Libra Investments,
Inc.; and (viii) pay a transaction fee of $750,000 in cash to Pinnacle Capital.

    The purchase of the common stock of SBP by CRM Corp., the transfer of the 15
properties to  the Liquidating  Trust, the  sale and  transfer of  the  residual
interests  in  the  Liquidating  Property  Trust  and  the  Grantor  Trust,  the
distribution of assets in the Grantor  Trust, the exchange of SBP secured  notes
for  newly issued SBP common and preferred  stock, the prepayment of SBP Secured
Debt, the payment of  the release fee  and the payment  of the transaction  fees
are, collectively, hereinafter referred to as the "Transaction."

    You have requested our opinion as to the fairness to the shareholders of SBP
other  than  its officers  and  directors, FCI,  KRI  and the  Insurance Company
Lenders (the "Public  Shareholders"), from  a financial  point of  view, of  the
total consideration to be received by SBP in the Transaction.

    In  arriving at our  opinion, we have reviewed  the Agreement, including all
Exhibits and Schedules thereto  and all Ancillary Agreements  as defined in  the
Agreement. We have discussed the business,

                                      E-1
<PAGE>
operations  and  prospects of  SBP with  certain  officers, directors  and other
representatives and advisors  of SBP. We  have visited the  Major Paint  Company
plant  and retail store  locations. We have  examined certain publicly available
business and financial information relating to SBP as well as certain  financial
forecasts  and other data for SBP that were  provided to us by the management of
SBP. Our review was  conducted in relation to,  among other things: the  current
market price and trading volume of SBP common stock; the historical earnings and
cash  flow of SBP; and the capitalization and the current financial condition of
SBP, which we understand to be extremely poor and, according to SBP  management,
will  force the Company into a Chapter 11 liquidation or a Chapter 7 liquidation
were it  not  for  the Transaction.  We  have  also considered,  to  the  extent
available,   certain  financial,  stock  market  and  other  publicly  available
information  relating  to  public  companies  whose  businesses  we   considered
comparable to those of SBP and, to a lesser extent, analyzed the financial terms
of  certain transactions which resulted in a change in the control of a majority
of the voting common stock  of companies comparable to  SBP. In addition to  the
foregoing,  we  have  conducted  other analyses  and  examinations,  including a
liquidation analysis, and  have considered  such other  financial, economic  and
market criteria as we deemed necessary in arriving at our opinion.

    In  rendering our opinion,  we have assumed  and relied, without independent
verification, upon  the accuracy  and completeness  of all  financial and  other
information publicly available or furnished to or otherwise discussed with us as
of  the date hereof and we have not made any independent appraisal of the assets
or properties of SBP. With respect to financial forecasts and other  information
provided  to or otherwise discussed with us, we have assumed that such forecasts
and other  information were  reasonably prepared  on bases  reflecting the  best
currently  available estimates and judgments of the  management of SBP as to the
current and expected future financial performance of SBP. We have not been asked
to consider,  and our  opinion does  not  address, the  relative merits  of  the
Transaction  as compared to  any other alternative  business strategy that might
exist for  SBP. Our  opinion herein  is necessarily  based on  financial,  stock
market,  general economic and  other conditions and  circumstances as they exist
and can be evaluated as of the date hereof.

    We have  made, based  on  generally accepted  accounting principles  and  on
discussions  with  and representations  by the  management of  SBP, a  number of
assumptions with respect to the  Transaction, with which you concur,  including,
without   limitation,  certain  assumptions   relating  to  financial  statement
presentation as a result of the Transaction and the form and presentation of the
pro forma historical  and estimated capital  structure of SBP  giving pro  forma
effect to the Transaction.

    The  Argosy Group L.P. ("Argosy") has been engaged to render this opinion to
SBP in connection with the Transaction and will receive a fee upon the  delivery
of  the opinion and, under certain circumstances, for the delivery of subsequent
opinions. Argosy has not attempted to  find potential purchasers of the  Company
or  its common  stock, which was  not contemplated as  part of the  scope of its
engagement.

    The opinion expressed herein is provided solely for the use of the Board  of
Directors  of SBP in evaluating  the fairness to the  Public Shareholders of the
consideration to be received in the  Transaction from a financial point of  view
and  is not on behalf of, and is not intended to confer rights or remedies upon,
SBP, any shareholder of SBP or any  person other than the Board of Directors  of
SBP.  Our opinion  may not be  published or  otherwise used or  referred to, nor
shall any  public reference  to  Argosy be  made, except  as  set forth  in  our
engagement letter, without our prior written consent.

    Based  upon and subject to the  foregoing (including the various assumptions
and limitations  set forth  herein), our  experience as  investment bankers  and
other  factors we deemed  relevant, we are of  the opinion that,  as of the date
hereof, the  consideration  to  be  received by  the  Company  pursuant  to  the
Transaction  is fair, from a financial point of view, to the Public Shareholders
of SBP.

                                          Very truly yours,

                                          THE ARGOSY GROUP L.P.

                                      E-2
<PAGE>
   
                                                                       EXHIBIT F
    

   
                            SELECTED FINANCIAL DATA
    

   
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                         FISCAL YEAR 1993
                                                  ------------------------------
                                                    SIX MONTHS      SIX MONTHS
                                     FISCAL YEAR       ENDED           ENDED                   FISCAL YEAR
                                     -----------    JANUARY 30,      AUGUST 1,    -------------------------------------
                                        1994           1994            1993          1992         1991         1990
                                     -----------  ---------------  -------------  -----------  -----------  -----------
<S>                                  <C>          <C>              <C>            <C>          <C>          <C>
                                     (SUCCESSOR     (SUCCESSOR     (PREDECESSOR
                                       COMPANY       COMPANY)        COMPANY)             (PREDECESSOR COMPANY)
Continuing Operations
(in thousands)
  Net Sales........................  $   112,188    $    84,000     $   115,528   $   226,749  $   253,017  $   293,582
  Gross Profit.....................       40,846         31,668          44,016        88,083      101,437      130,210
  Earnings (loss) from continuing
   operations......................  $   (47,977)   $   (20,411)    $   (23,190)  $   (38,337) $   (19,390) $    (6,222)
  Net earnings (loss)..............  $   (47,977)   $   (20,411)    $    28,561   $   (38,337) $   (18,030) $    (6,964)
                                     -----------  ---------------  -------------  -----------  -----------  -----------
Per Common Share
  Earnings (loss)..................  $     (2.15)   $      (.91)    $      4.94   $     (7.25) $     (3.59) $     (1.53)
  Tangible stockholders, equity
   (deficiency) (1)................  $     (1.49)   $       .65     $      6.28   $     (5.71) $     (1.07) $      2.10
  Average number of shares
   outstanding.....................   22,359,000     22,341,000       5,578,000     5,555,000    5,529,000    5,608,000
  Market price (high-low)..........  $2.375-.203    $3.625-1.75     $4.875-1.50   $2.375-.875  $10.00-1.63  $14.75-4.63
                                     -----------  ---------------  -------------  -----------  -----------  -----------
Year-end Financial Position
(in thousands)
  Current assets...................  $    21,759    $    35,106     $    47,247   $    56,460  $    60,891  $    80,693
  Current liabilities(2)...........  $    31,402    $    37,312     $    41,338   $    26,305  $   187,867  $    72,670
  Working capital (deficiency).....  $    (9,643)   $    (2,206)    $     5,909   $    30,155  $  (126,976) $     8,023
  Total assets.....................  $   109,910    $   169,837     $   214,966   $   187,982  $   201,756  $   229,106
Long-term debt.....................  $    99,273    $   103,080     $   109,684   $   116,317  $   147,368  $   156,492
Mandatory redeemable preferred
 stock.............................  $         0    $         0     $         0   $    16,244  $    15,946  $    15,724
Tangible stockholders' equity
 (deficiency)(1)...................  $   (33,386)   $    14,568     $    35,049   $   (31,731) $    (5,132) $    11,767
                                     -----------  ---------------  -------------  -----------  -----------  -----------
Year-end Statistics
  Current ratio(2)(3)..............        .69-1          .94-1          1.14-1         2.0-1        .32-1        1.1-1
  Capital expenditures (in
   thousands)......................  $       179    $       913     $     1,596   $     1,856  $     3,849  $    10,119
  Depreciation and amortization (in
   thousands)......................  $     2,121    $     1,744     $     2,558   $     5,910  $     5,956  $     6,734
  Number of retail stores..........           58             62             103           130          145          141
  Square feet of gross retail store
   space...........................      798,000        844,000       1,406,059     1,793,954    1,902,177    1,901,014
  Square feet of support and
   manufacturing facilities........      900,100        900,100         900,100     1,012,614      982,100      982,100
  Number of employees..............          853          1,350           1,855         1,921        2,014        2,841
<FN>
- ------------------------------
(1)  Excludes  preferred stock  subject to  mandatory redemption  and intangible
     assets.
(2)  As of January 26, 1992, all contractual debt for legal entities in  Chapter
     11  had  been  classified  as  current  because  of  various  loan covenant
     violations.
(3)  As of  January  31, 1993,  all  contractual  debt had  been  classified  as
     non-current or as a liability subject to compromise.
</TABLE>
    

                                      F-1
<PAGE>
   
          MANAGEMENT'S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION
                           AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS
    

   
                      (FINANCIAL INFORMATION IN THOUSANDS)
    

   
INTRODUCTION
    
   
    The  Company  emerged from  its  reorganization proceedings  in  June, 1993.
Management believed it would  be able to  concentrate on operational  activities
and  pursue the Company's long-term growth and strategic objectives. The Company
believed that its ability to meet growth and strategic objectives was contingent
upon several factors.  The Company reduced  the size of  its retail paint  store
chain  to a  core group  of stores  concentrating on  selling paint  and related
merchandise requiring an increase in operating profits from these remaining core
stores. The Company also focused on its competitive and asset strengths in paint
market share,  retail  locations, and  paint  manufacturing capabilities.  In  a
multifaceted  approach, the Company hoped  to add potential incremental business
and profits by (i) remerchandising its  retail paint stores, (ii) launching  new
paint  products,  (iii) increasing  sales  to outside  retailers  (i.e., private
labeling), and (iv)  reducing general corporate  overhead costs associated  with
such areas as distribution, warehousing, and management information systems.
    

   
    On  March  16,  1994,  the  Company entered  into  an  agreement  ("New Loan
Agreement") with the Insurance  Company Lenders and Fidelity  and Kodak for  $10
million  of new financing and a plan  to restructure the Company's then existing
$103 million Insurance Company  Loan and existing  $6 million indebtedness  with
FCI and KRI.
    

   
    Under  the terms of  the New Loan  Agreement, the Company  on August 1, 1994
established a Liquidating Property Trust and transferred 78 of its 103 operating
and non-operating real properties with a  net book value of approximately  $82.7
million  in exchange  for the  assumption by  the Liquidating  Property Trust of
approximately $68.7 million  of existing  indebtedness ("Assumed  Indebtedness")
owed  to the Insurance Company Lenders under the Amended Insurance Company Loan.
The Company estimated that the book value of the 78 properties to be sold by the
Liquidating Property Trust will exceed the sale proceeds, less applicable  fees,
expenses  and other costs, by approximately $14.6 million and reported this loss
for the fiscal year ended January 30, 1994.
    

   
    Notwithstanding  the  additional  borrowings  and  trust  transactions,  the
Company  has  not  been  successful in  implementing  its  growth  and strategic
objectives and continues to experience  cash flow difficulties. To  successfully
implement  its strategic objectives, increase sales and reduce debt, the Company
requires significant new sources of capital.
    

   
    As of February 15,  1995, the Company entered  into an Investment  Agreement
and  certain other  agreements for  the financial  restructuring of  the Company
("Restructuring") with Corimon, S.A.C.A. and its wholly-owned subsidiary Corimon
Corporation (collectively, "CRM"), Fidelity Capital & Income Fund ("FCI"), Kodak
Retirement Income  Plan  Trust Fund  ("KRI"),  Transamerica Life  Insurance  and
Annuity  Company,  Transamerica  Occidental  Life  Insurance  Company,  Sun Life
Insurance Company of America, Anchor  National Life Insurance Co.  (collectively
"Insurance Company Lenders"), and the Grantor Trust.
    

   
    As  a result of the Restructuring,  the Company's financial position will be
improved by (1)  $16 million  of new  capital comprised  of $14  million of  new
Common Stock and $2.0 million representing the purchase price from CRM for a 49%
residual  interest in the  Liquidating Property Trust, (2)  $5.0 million under a
working capital facility with  FCI or an  affiliate and (3)  a reduction in  the
Company's  consolidated  indebtedness  by an  aggregate  of  approximately $78.3
million (in part paid for by the  issuance of additional shares of Common  Stock
and Preferred Stock).
    

                                      F-2
<PAGE>
   
CHAPTER 11 FILINGS
    
   
    On  February 11,  1992 ("Petition  Date"), the Company  and four  (4) of its
wholly-owned  direct  and  indirect  subsidiaries  ("Debtors")  filed   separate
voluntary  petitions  for reorganization  under Chapter  11 of  Title 11  of the
United States Code ("Bankruptcy Code") in the United States Bankruptcy Court for
the Central District of California.
    

   
    On May  13,  1993 ("Confirmation  Date"),  based  upon the  receipt  of  the
required  creditor and equity holder acceptances  under the Bankruptcy Code, the
Bankruptcy Court  confirmed the  Debtors'  Plan. On  June 14,  1993  ("Effective
Date"),  all conditions  to effectiveness were  met and  the Reorganization Plan
became effective.
    

   
    In general,  the Reorganization  Plan  provided for  the resolution  of  all
prepetition  claims  that  existed  at the  Petition  Date  and  cancellation of
preferred stock, as well  as the resolution of  certain environmental and  legal
matters  in exchange  for cash, real  property, other assets,  and common stock.
Pursuant to the Reorganization  Plan, holders of the  Company's common stock  on
the  Effective Date  retained their shares  and 16,758,000  shares of additional
common stock were issued and distributed in partial satisfaction of the  allowed
claims of the Company's creditors and preferred shareholders.
    

   
    Upon  emergence from  its Chapter  11 proceedings,  the Company  adopted the
provisions of Statement of Position  No. 90-7, "Financial Reporting by  Entities
in  Reorganization  Under  the  Bankruptcy  Code"  ("Fresh-Start  Reporting") as
promulgated by  the  American  Institute  of  Certified  Public  Accountants  in
November  1990. Accordingly,  all assets and  liabilities have  been restated to
reflect their reorganization value, which  approximates their fair value at  the
Effective  Date.  In  addition,  the  accumulated  deficit  of  the  Company was
eliminated  and   capital  structure   was  recast   in  conformity   with   the
Reorganization  Plan,  and as  such,  the Company  recorded  the effects  of the
Reorganization  Plan  and  Fresh-Start  Reporting  as  of  August  1,  1993.  In
connection  with the adoption of Fresh-Start Reporting, the Company recorded one
time adjustments  of $41,463  (see, Reorganization  Items) which  increased  the
Company's  net income for  the six months  ended August 1,  1993. The results of
operations and  cash flows  for the  six  months ended  August 1,  1993  include
operations  prior to the Company's emergence from Chapter 11 proceedings and the
effect of adopting Fresh-Start Reporting,  and include operations subsequent  to
the company's emergence from Chapter 11 proceedings. Furthermore, the results of
operations  and cash  flows for  the six months  ended January  30, 1994 include
operations subsequent to the Company's emergence from Chapter 11 proceedings. As
a result, net income (loss)  for the six month period  ended August 1, 1993  and
six month period ended January 30, 1994 are not comparable with prior periods.
    

                                      F-3
<PAGE>
   
PROFITABILITY MEASUREMENTS
    
   
    The  Company's  methods  of  measuring  profitability  stated  below include
various ratios  and  statistics which  define  key performance  parameters  from
continuing operations:
    

   
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                            FISCAL YEAR 1993
                                                       --------------------------
                                                       SIX MONTHS     SIX MONTHS
                                                          ENDED         ENDED
                                         FISCAL YEAR   JANUARY 30,    AUGUST 1,     FISCAL YEAR
                                            1994          1994           1993           1992
                                         -----------   -----------   ------------   ------------
                                         (SUCCESSOR    (SUCCESSOR    (PREDECESSOR   (PREDECESSOR
                                          COMPANY)      COMPANY)       COMPANY)       COMPANY)
<S>                                      <C>           <C>           <C>            <C>
Decrease in retail sales (1)...........  $ (76,050)    $ (21,140)    $   (2,341)    $  (27,999)
Percentage decrease in retail sales
 (1)...................................      (42.5)%       (21.2)%         (2.3)%        (12.1)%
Percentage (decrease) increase in same
 store sales (1)(2)....................      (10.1)%        (4.0)%          4.5%         (11.0)%
Gross profit percentage................       36.4%         37.7%          38.1%          38.8%
(Loss) earnings before interest and
 taxes (3).............................  $ (36,597)    $ (27,192)    $   35,007     $  (24,359)
<FN>
- ------------------------
(1)  Retail  store sales for the six month period ended January 30, 1994 and the
     six month period ended August 1,  1993 reflect sales for 52 weeks  compared
     to  53 weeks  for fiscal  1992. The  additional week  of sales  included in
     fiscal 1992 for the sixty-two (62) stores  open as of January 30, 1994  was
     approximately $2.1 million.
(2)  "Same"  stores are defined as  stores open for more  than one year. For the
     year ended January 29, 1995 and the  six months ended January 30, 1994  and
     August  1, 1993,  same store sales  reflect sales for  the fifty-eight (58)
     stores which the Company operated as of January 29, 1995.
(3)  In connection  with  the adoption  of  Fresh-Start Reporting,  the  Company
     recorded  one-time adjustments of $41,463  (see Reorganization Items) which
     increased the  Company's earnings  before interest  and taxes  for the  six
     months ended August 1, 1993.
</TABLE>
    

   
SALES AND GROSS PROFIT
    
   
    The following table summarizes the decrease in sales for fiscal 1994:
    

   
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                             FISCAL YEAR 1993
                                                                   -------------------------------------
                                                                       SIX MONTHS         SIX MONTHS
                                                  FISCAL YEAR            ENDED               ENDED
                                                      1994          JANUARY 30, 1994    AUGUST 1, 1993    VARIANCE
                                               ------------------  ------------------  -----------------  ---------
                                                   (SUCCESSOR          (SUCCESSOR        (PREDECESSOR
                                                    COMPANY)            COMPANY)           COMPANY)
<S>                                            <C>                 <C>                 <C>                <C>
Continuing Paint Stores......................       $102,535            $54,134            $ 59,942       $ (11,541)
Closed Paint Stores*.........................           491              24,219              35,210         (58,938)
                                                 ----------            --------        -----------------  ---------
                                                    103,026              78,353              95,152         (70,479)
Art Stores (1)...............................             0                   0               5,571          (5,571)
Zynolyte Products Company (1)................             0                   0              11,821         (11,821)
Major Paint Company and Export Sales.........         9,162               5,647               2,984             531
                                                 ----------            --------        -----------------  ---------
                                                    $112,188            $84,000            $115,528       $ (87,340)
                                                 ----------            --------        -----------------  ---------
                                                 ----------            --------        -----------------  ---------
<FN>
- ------------------------
* Updated to reflect additional store closures through January 29, 1995.
(1)  These business units were transferred to newly formed corporations owned by
     the  Grantor  Trust  pursuant to  the  Reorganization Plan,  to  secure the
     indebtedness owed to FCI and KRI under the FCI/KRI Secured Notes.  Zynolyte
     Products Company was sold on August 2, 1993.
</TABLE>
    

   
    Consolidated  sales for  the year  ending January  29, 1995  were $112,188 a
decrease of $87,340 compared to $84,000  and $115,528 for the six months  ending
January  30, 1994 and  the six months  ending August 1,  1993, respectively. The
decreased   sales   for   fiscal   1994   were   principally   caused   by   the
    

                                      F-4
<PAGE>
   
closure  of 60 stores  and the transfer  of two of  the Company's business units
pursuant to its  Reorganization Plan.  In addition, sales  and customer  traffic
were  impacted by  weak economic  conditions in  California, the  Company's core
market. The recent increases in interest rates have put pressure on real  estate
activity  in a market that is already plagued by high unemployment and continued
layoffs in  the defense  and aerospace  industries. The  economy has  also  been
impacted  this year by the effects of the January 17th Northridge earthquake and
layoffs  by  large  employers  in  the  financial-services,  oil  and  high-tech
industries.  The decrease in sales for fiscal 1993 was principally caused by the
closure of unprofitable stores and the transfer of two of the Company's business
units as discussed above. The sales decrease for fiscal 1992 reflects the impact
of the reorganization process and the restructuring of operations under  Chapter
11.  The Company began  fiscal 1992 with  extremely limited financial resources,
poor in-stock  inventory positions,  heavy pressure  from competitors  and  poor
market conditions, particularly in the Company's core California markets.
    

   
    In  connection  with  the  adoption of  Fresh-Start  Reporting,  the Company
(referred to as "Successor  Company" in the  financial tables contained  herein)
adopted  the First-in, First-out ("FIFO") method for determining the cost of its
inventories. The Company's consolidated FIFO  gross profit was 36.4%, 37.7%  and
38.1% for the year ended January 29, 1995, six months ended January 30, 1994 and
six  months ended  August 1, 1993,  respectively. The  decreased margin resulted
primarily from the Company providing $2,500  during the fourth quarter for  slow
moving  inventory and discontinued product lines.  In fiscal 1993, the decreased
margin resulted, in  part, from  strategic marketing  decisions and  competitive
factors  pursuant  to  which  the  Company  reduced  prices  in  certain product
categories and utilized  promotional markdowns to  improve customer traffic  and
reduce discontinued merchandise.
    

   
    The  Company's gross profit  percentage for fiscal  1992 decreased to 38.8%.
This  change  reflects  the  results   of  strategic  marketing  decisions   and
competitive  factors  whereby  the  Company reduced  prices  in  certain product
segments to attract  and hold  customers and utilized  promotional markdowns  to
attempt to improve customer traffic.
    

   
SELLING, GENERAL AND ADMINISTRATIVE EXPENSES
    
   
    For  fiscal  1994, selling,  general  and administrative  expenses decreased
25.7% as follows:
    

   
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                    FISCAL YEAR 1993
                                                            ---------------------------------
                                                               SIX MONTHS       SIX MONTHS
                                            FISCAL YEAR          ENDED             ENDED
                                                1994        JANUARY 30, 1994  AUGUST 1, 1993   VARIANCE
                                          ----------------  ----------------  ---------------  --------
                                             (SUCCESSOR        (SUCCESSOR      (PREDECESSOR
                                              COMPANY)          COMPANY)         COMPANY)
<S>                                       <C>               <C>               <C>              <C>
Paint Stores............................  $    39,971       $    29,314       $   35,722       $(25,065)
Art Stores (1)..........................            0                 0            2,047         (2,047)
Zynolyte Products Company (1)...........            0                 0            2,722         (2,722)
Major Paint Company and Export Sales....        1,201             1,174              114            (87)
Corporate costs.........................       18,542             4,154            5,103          9,285
                                             --------          --------       ---------------  --------
                                          $    59,714       $    34,642       $   45,708       $(20,636)
                                             --------          --------       ---------------  --------
                                             --------          --------       ---------------  --------
<FN>
- ------------------------
(1)  These business units were transferred to newly formed corporations owned by
     the Grantor  Trust  pursuant  to  the Reorganization  Plan  to  secure  the
     indebtedness  owed to FCI and KRI under the FCI/KRI Secured Notes. Zynolyte
     Products Company was sold on August 2, 1993.
</TABLE>
    

   
    The decrease  results  primarily from  the  closing  of 60  stores  and  the
transfer  of two of the Company's  business units pursuant to its Reorganization
Plan. Selling, general and administrative expenses  were 53.2% of sales for  the
year  ended January 29, 1995, versus 41.2% and 39.6% of sales for the six months
ended January 30,  1994 and August  1, 1993, respectively.  The increase in  the
percentage  of sales  is due to  the decrease in  sales and the  fixed nature of
certain expenses.
    

                                      F-5
<PAGE>
   
    Corporate costs for the year ended January 29, 1995 include $2,630 for costs
related to the Restructuring,  $1,725 in costs  associated with the  Liquidating
Property  Trust,  $1,500 for  increases in  self-insurance reserves,  $1,000 for
severance and $700 for increases in environmental reserves.
    

   
    The decrease for fiscal 1993 resulted from the closing of 57 stores and  the
transfer  of two of the Company's  business units pursuant to its Reorganization
Plan.
    

   
    The decrease for  fiscal 1992  resulted from the  closing of  15 stores  and
stringent cost controls.
    

   
RESTRUCTURING CHARGES
    
   
    The results of operations for the fiscal year ended January 29, 1995 and the
six  months  ended  January 30,  1994  reflect  provisions of  $700  and $6,000,
respectively for the anticipated costs  to effect the expanded restructuring  of
the  Company's operations and  closure of approximately  thirty-four (34) retail
outlets which the Company  owns. During fiscal 1994,  the Company identified  an
additional  twelve (12)  stores for closure.  The remaining open  stores will be
closed during  fiscal  1995.  These  provisions  include  $3,900  for  inventory
clearance  markdowns, employee  severance and  other store  closing costs. These
provisions also include  $1,200 for property  taxes, utilities, maintenance  and
other  ongoing  holding costs  which the  Company expects  to incur  until these
thirty-four (34) retail  stores are sold  and $1,600 for  similar ongoing  costs
relating to 31 previously closed stores which, due to various market conditions,
have not yet been sold.
    

   
    The  Company has reduced the number of  paint stores in operation to 58 from
120 since emerging from bankruptcy on June 14, 1993.
    

   
DEPRECIATION AND AMORTIZATION
    
   
    Depreciation and  amortization was  $2,121 for  the year  ended January  29,
1995,  versus $1,744 and  $2,558 for the  six months ended  January 30, 1994 and
August 1, 1993, respectively. This decrease  was principally due to the sale  of
surplus  real  estate  properties  and  the  Company's  adoption  of Fresh-Start
reporting whereby  it  restated  and  reallocated  real  estate  values  between
non-depreciable  land and depreciable  buildings and fixtures.  The decrease for
fiscal 1993 was principally  due to the sale  of surplus real estate  properties
and  the Company's adoption  of Fresh-Start reporting.  In addition, the Company
does not depreciate non-operating  properties held for  sale as such  properties
are  carried at  their net realizable  value. Depreciation  and amortization was
$5,910 in fiscal 1992.
    

   
INTEREST INCOME AND INTEREST EXPENSE
    
   
    Interest income reflects amounts earned  on cash deposits. Interest  expense
includes  accrued amounts on the Senior Notes, short-term borrowings, as well as
the other  debt.  Interest expense  for  the year  ended  January 29,  1995  was
$11,518,  compared to $5,358  and $6,566 for  the six months  ending January 30,
1994 and August 1, 1993, respectively.  The decrease results from the  reduction
of  outstanding long-term debt  from the sale of  real property encumbered under
the Company's Senior Notes.
    

   
    The decrease for fiscal 1993 was principally due to the sale of surplus real
estate  properties,  the  Company's   adoption  of  Fresh-Start  reporting   and
settlement of prepetition obligations pursuant to the Reorganization Plan.
    

   
    Interest  income for  fiscal 1992  of $156 is  classified as  a component of
Reorganization Items in the Company's consolidated financial statements.
    

   
    During its Chapter 11  case, the Company accrued  interest on the  Insurance
Company  Loan at  9%. Under  the terms  of an  "Adequate Protection Stipulation"
approved by the Bankruptcy Court, the  Company was required to make payments  to
the Insurance Company Lenders amounting to $900 per month. Such interest expense
was  approximately  $3,331  less  than the  contractual  stated  rate (initially
11.75%). Similarly, the Company accrued interest on the Revolving Loan and LESOP
loan at prime plus 2%.
    

                                      F-6
<PAGE>
   
OTHER INCOME
    
   
    Other income primarily represents the Company's  gains on the sales of  real
property.
    

   
LOSS ON REAL PROPERTIES
    
   
    As  a result of the Property Transfers and sale of its residual interests in
the  Liquidating  Property  Trust  pursuant  to  and  in  contemplation  of  the
Restructuring,  the Company will no longer  consolidate assets having a net book
value of  $84.4  million and  liabilities  of $67.1  million.  Accordingly,  the
Company  has recognized a loss of $15.3  million for the year ending January 29,
1995, representing  the excess  of the  net book  value of  the real  properties
transferred  in  1994 and  the additional  properties to  be transferred  to the
Liquidating Property Trust in 1995 over the indebtedness assumed and outstanding
and the  proceeds  from the  sale  of the  Company's  residual interest  in  the
Liquidating Property Trust.
    

   
    On  March 16, 1994, the Company entered into an agreement with the Insurance
Company Lenders and FCI and KRI for $10  million of new financing and a plan  to
restructure  the  Company's existing  $103  million Insurance  Company  Loan and
existing $6 million indebtedness with the Grantor Trust.
    

   
    Under the  terms  of  the  restructure,  on  August  1,  1994,  the  Company
established a grantor trust (Liquidating Property Trust) to which it transferred
all  but approximately 28 of its 103 operating and non-operating real properties
in  exchange  for  the   assumption  by  the   Liquidating  Property  Trust   of
approximately  $68.7  million of  existing senior  notes  owed to  the Insurance
Company Lenders under  the Amended  Note Agreement  (Assumed Indebtedness).  The
book  value  of the  properties to  be  sold by  the Liquidating  Property Trust
exceeded the sale proceeds,  less applicable fees, expenses  and other costs  by
approximately  $14.6 million. Accordingly, the Company provided for this loss as
of January 30, 1994. Interest and principal on the Assumed Indebtedness is  only
payable  to  the extent  of proceeds  from sales  of Liquidating  Property Trust
assets. The interest rate on the  Assumed Indebtedness was increased to 10%  per
annum.  The Company provided a limited  guarantee on the Assumed Indebtedness in
an amount equal to 10% of the Assumed Indebtedness.
    

   
REORGANIZATION ITEMS
    
   
    Reorganization  items   consist  of   expenses  directly   related  to   the
reorganization of the Company from the Petition Date through the Effective Date,
including  professional fees  and other costs  related to  the administration of
bankruptcy matters.  In addition,  reorganization items  include adjustments  to
record  assets and  liabilities at fair  value in connection  with the Company's
adoption of Fresh-Start Reporting, and a loss on the sale of business units  and
real  properties transferred  to a  grantor trust  in accordance  with the Plan.
Additional information is included in Item 1  and in Note 2 to the  Consolidated
Financial Statements.
    

   
INCOME TAXES
    
   
    Notwithstanding  the  large  loss  incurred  for  fiscal  1994,  the Company
recorded no tax  provision (benefit) as  the Company's ability  to utilize  such
additional loss was not assured.
    

   
    The  tax provision (benefit) for fiscal  1993 represents the minimum due for
franchise taxes and the net change in deferred tax.
    

   
    The 1992  tax provision  (benefit) represents  the expense  associated  with
settlement  of an  Internal Revenue  Service examination  covering the Company's
four fiscal years preceding the  Chapter 11 filing, additional refunds  received
from  carryback of the federal and state operating losses for fiscal 1991, state
tax liabilities for fiscal 1992, and the  net change in deferred tax for  fiscal
1992.
    

                                      F-7
<PAGE>
   
LIQUIDITY AND CAPITALIZATION MEASURES
    
   
    The Company considers the following as comparative measures of liquidity and
capital resources:
    

   
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                          FISCAL YEAR 1993
                                                  ---------------------------------
                                                    SIX MONTHS
                                                       ENDED          SIX MONTHS
                                  FISCAL YEAR       JANUARY 30,          ENDED          FISCAL YEAR
                                     1994              1994         AUGUST 1, 1993         1992
                                ---------------   ---------------   ---------------   ---------------
                                  (SUCCESSOR        (SUCCESSOR       (PREDECESSOR      (PREDECESSOR
                                   COMPANY)          COMPANY)          COMPANY)          COMPANY)
<S>                             <C>               <C>               <C>               <C>
Working capital (deficiency)
 (1)..........................  $     (9,643)     $     (2,206)     $      5,909      $     30,155
Current ratio (1).............      .69 to 1          .94 to 1         1.14 to 1         2.15 to 1
Cash (used in) provided by
 operating activities.........  $    (14,555)     $    (11,413)     $     (9,089)     $        648
Debt and mandatory redeemable
 preferred stock to
 stockholders' equity ratio
 (1)..........................     (4.3 to 1)        10.7 to 1         7.05 to 1       (7.44) to 1
<FN>
- ------------------------
(1)  As  of  January  31, 1993,  all  contractual  debt has  been  classified as
     non-current or as a liability subject to compromise.
</TABLE>
    

   
    The  Company's  capital  structure  remains  highly  leveraged  despite  its
reorganization  and  recapitalization  under  Chapter 11  of  the  United States
Bankruptcy Code in 1993 and a subsequent restructuring of debt in 1994.
    

   
    As of January 29, 1995, the Company was not in compliance with the financial
covenants under its agreements with  the Insurance Company Lenders and  Foothill
Capital  Corporation  ("Foothill").  Pursuant  to  the  Company's  request,  the
Insurance Company Lenders and Foothill have agreed to waive compliance with  the
financial covenants through April 30, 1996.
    

   
    As  of January  29, 1995,  the Company  was over-advanced  under its working
capital loan  facility  with  Foothill  based on  a  formula  of  inventory  and
receivables  and had no other alternative sources of capital available. Foothill
agreed to a $1.75 million over-advance through February 15, 1995 pursuant to the
Company's request.
    

   
    To successfully  implement  its  strategic objectives,  increase  sales  and
reduce  debt,  the  Company requires  significant  sources of  new  capital. The
Company's current  sales  levels  are  not sufficient  to  cover  its  operating
expenses  and fund  the interest expense  associated with  the Company's current
high level of fixed debt. In  addition, the Company requires additional  capital
to  pay down its past  due trade accounts payable  and purchase new inventory to
restock its retail stores.
    

   
    The Restructuring will provide $16 million of new capital. In addition,  FCI
has  agreed to provide $5  million of working capital  notes upon the closing of
the Restructuring.
    

   
    The Restructuring must  be approved by  the stockholders of  the Company  in
order  for the  Restructuring to  be accomplished.  It is  contemplated that the
closing and effective  date (the Closing  Date) of the  Restructuring will  take
place  promptly  after the  stockholders meeting  to approve  the Restructuring,
subject to the  satisfaction of any  other conditions precedent  to the  Closing
Date.
    

   
    As  part of the Restructuring, as of February 15, 1995, CRM provided interim
financing  to  the   Company  in   contemplation  of  the   completion  of   the
Restructuring.  CRM entered into an Interim  Loan Agreement pursuant to which it
purchased $14 million of notes (Interim Notes) from the Company on substantially
the same terms as the $10 million  originally borrowed by the Company under  the
New  Loan Agreement. Pursuant  to an intercreditor  agreement, the Interim Notes
share pro rata in the
    

                                      F-8
<PAGE>
   
collateral securing the obligations under the New Loan Agreement and the Grantor
Trust Notes, and the  Company has granted  fourth mortgages to  CRM on its  real
properties  to secure the  indebtedness. On the Closing  Date, CRM will exchange
the Interim Notes for Common Stock as described above.
    

   
    In addition, on April  7, 1995, pursuant to  an amendment to the  Investment
Agreement and an unsecured loan agreement, CRM loaned $2 million to the Company.
The  loan  will be  exchanged on  the  Closing Date  as consideration  for CRM's
purchase of the Company's residual interest in the Liquidating Property Trust.
    

   
    Since the Restructuring has not been approved by the Company's  stockholders
and  formally  accepted by  the lenders  and  CRM, the  report of  the Company's
independent auditors dated  April 7,  1995 indicates that  there is  substantial
doubt  as to the Company's ability to continue as a going concern. The potential
consequences of the Company's inability to continue as a going concern would  be
the filing of petition(s) under chapter 7 of the United States Bankruptcy Code.
    

   
    The  Company has  no reason  to believe that  the Restructuring  will not be
approved because  CRM has  obtained irrevocable  proxies from  stockholders  who
presently  own, in the aggregate, in excess of 50% of the Company's voting stock
to vote  in favor  of the  Restructuring and  against any  proposals that  would
impede or delay the Restructuring.
    

   
    The  Restructuring  will  improve  the Company's  liquidity  and  reduce the
Company's indebtedness. However,  there can  be no assurances  that the  Company
will  be successful in  the restructuring or  with any strategic  changes to the
operations of the Company as proposed by CRM or that it will be able to  improve
its  sales or reduce its operating expenses in order to return to profitability.
According to management's expectations, the Company will need additional capital
during the fourth quarter to sustain its operations through the end of the  1995
fiscal year. CRM has confirmed to the Company that subject to the closing of the
Restructuring,  it will  make funds available  to the Company,  as necessary, to
meet its operating requirements and discharge its obligations through the end of
the 1995 fiscal year.
    

                                      F-9
<PAGE>
   
                         REPORT OF INDEPENDENT AUDITORS
    

   
Stockholders and Board of Directors
Standard Brands Paint Company
Torrance, California
    

   
    We have audited  the accompanying  consolidated balance  sheets of  Standard
Brands  Paint Company  as of  January 29, 1995  and January  30, 1994 (Successor
Company), and the related  consolidated statements of operations,  stockholders'
(deficit)  equity and preferred stock subject  to mandatory redemption, and cash
flows for the year ended January 29, 1995 and the six month period ended January
30, 1994 (Successor Company) and for the  six month period ended August 1,  1993
and  the  year ended  January 31,  1993  (Predecessor Company).  These financial
statements  are   the   responsibility   of  the   Company's   management.   Our
responsibility  is to express an opinion  on these financial statements based on
our audits.
    

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

   
    In our opinion, the financial  statements referred to above present  fairly,
in all material respects, the consolidated financial position of Standard Brands
Paint  Company at January 29, 1995 and January 30, 1994 (Successor Company), and
the consolidated results of its operations and its cash flows for the year ended
January 29, 1995  and the six  month periods ended  January 30, 1994  (Successor
Company)  and for the six  month period ended August 1,  1993 and the year ended
January 31, 1993  (Predecessor Company), in  conformity with generally  accepted
accounting principles.
    

   
    The  accompanying  consolidated  financial  statements  have  been  prepared
assuming that Standard Brands Paint Company will continue as a going concern. As
more fully  described  in  Note  1,  the Company,  together  with  four  of  its
subsidiaries,  which filed  for reorganization  under Chapter  11 of  the United
States Bankruptcy code in 1992, emerged from their Chapter 11 bankruptcy  status
effective  June  14,  1993. Since  emerging  from  Chapter 11,  the  Company has
continued to incur operating losses, and is not expected to be able to meet  its
fiscal  year 1995 debt service requirements as they currently exist. The Company
is contemplating  a  restructuring  which is  expected  to  provide  substantial
liquidity  and  reduce the  Company's  debt service  requirements.  However, the
restructuring is subject to stockholder approval as described in Note 13.  Since
this  restructuring has not yet been  approved by the Company's stockholders and
formally accepted by the lenders and prospective investors, there is substantial
doubt about the Company's ability to meet its obligations as they become due and
therefore its ability to continue as a going concern. The consolidated financial
statements do not include any adjustments to reflect the possible future effects
on  the  recoverability  and  classification  of  assets  or  the  amounts   and
classifications  of liabilities that  may result from  the possible inability of
Standard Brands Paint Company to restructure  and service its debt and  continue
as a going concern.
    

   
    As discussed in Note 2 to the consolidated financial statements, in 1993 the
Company changed its method of accounting for postretirement healthcare benefits.
    

   
                                          ERNST & YOUNG LLP
    

   
Los Angeles, California
April 7, 1995
    

                                      F-10
<PAGE>
   
                         STANDARD BRANDS PAINT COMPANY
                          CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS
    

   
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                                        SUCCESSOR COMPANY
                                                                                    -------------------------
                                                                                    JANUARY 29,   JANUARY 30,
                                                                                       1995          1994
                                                                                    -----------   -----------
                                                                                         (IN THOUSANDS)
<S>                                                                                 <C>           <C>
ASSETS
Current assets:
  Cash............................................................................   $  1,489      $      911
  Accounts and notes receivable, net..............................................      1,506           3,398
  Inventories.....................................................................     14,750          23,849
  Prepaid expenses................................................................        961           2,866
  Deferred income taxes...........................................................      3,053           4,082
                                                                                    -----------   -----------
Total current assets..............................................................     21,759          35,106

Property, plant and equipment.....................................................     91,002         134,370
  Less accumulated depreciation and amortization..................................      3,293           1,623
                                                                                    -----------   -----------
                                                                                       87,709         132,747
Other assets......................................................................        442           1,984
                                                                                    -----------   -----------
Total assets......................................................................   $109,910      $  169,837
                                                                                    -----------   -----------
                                                                                    -----------   -----------

LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS' (DEFICIT) EQUITY
Current liabilities:
  Short-term borrowings...........................................................   $  3,821      $    6,646
  Grantor Trust Notes payable.....................................................     --               6,000
  Accounts payable................................................................     10,974          11,130
  Accrued expenses................................................................     16,607          13,536
                                                                                    -----------   -----------
Total current liabilities.........................................................     31,402          37,312

Senior notes, secured, payable to related parties.................................     30,470         103,080
Liquidating Property Trust Notes..................................................     52,803         --
Notes payable to related parties..................................................     10,000         --
Grantor Trust Note payable........................................................      6,000         --
Deferred income taxes.............................................................      5,984           7,013
Other long-term liabilities.......................................................      6,637           7,864
Commitments and contingencies

Common stockholders' (deficit) equity:
  Common stock, $.01 par value per share; authorized 30,000,000 shares; issued and
   outstanding 22,429,000 shares at January 29, 1995 and 22,369,000 shares at
   January 30, 1994...............................................................        224             223
  Additional paid-in capital......................................................     35,593          35,571
  Deficit.........................................................................    (68,388)        (20,411)
  Less treasury stock, at cost, 28,000 shares.....................................       (815)           (815)
                                                                                    -----------   -----------
Total common stockholders' (deficit) equity.......................................    (33,386)         14,568
                                                                                    -----------   -----------
Total liabilities and stockholders' (deficit) equity..............................   $109,910      $  169,837
                                                                                    -----------   -----------
                                                                                    -----------   -----------
</TABLE>
    

                            See accompanying notes.

                                      F-11
<PAGE>
   
                         STANDARD BRANDS PAINT COMPANY
                     CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS
                      (IN THOUSANDS EXCEPT PER SHARE DATA)
    

   
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                             SUCCESSOR COMPANY         PREDECESSOR COMPANY
                                                                         -------------------------   ------------------------
                                                                                       SIX MONTHS    SIX MONTHS
                                                                         YEAR ENDED       ENDED        ENDED      YEAR ENDED
                                                                         JANUARY 29,   JANUARY 30,   AUGUST 1,    JANUARY 31,
                                                                            1995          1994          1993         1993
                                                                         -----------   -----------   ----------   -----------
<S>                                                                      <C>           <C>           <C>          <C>
Net sales..............................................................  $  112,188    $    84,000   $ 115,528     $ 226,749
Cost of sales..........................................................      71,342         52,332      71,512       138,666
                                                                         -----------   -----------   ----------   -----------
Gross margin...........................................................      40,846         31,668      44,016        88,083
Other costs and expenses:
  Operating and general and administrative expenses....................      59,714         34,642      45,708        85,379
  Provision for restructuring and store closures.......................         700          6,000      --            --
  Loss on real properties to be transferred to a grantor trust.........      15,300         16,478      --            --
  Depreciation and amortization........................................       2,121          1,716       2,323         5,443
  Interest income......................................................        (138)           (70)       (110)         (156)
  Interest expense.....................................................      11,518          5,358       6,556        13,846
  Other income, net....................................................        (580)          (240)     (3,469)         (211)
                                                                         -----------   -----------   ----------   -----------
Total other costs and expenses.........................................      88,635         63,884      51,008       104,301
                                                                         -----------   -----------   ----------   -----------
Loss before reorganization items, income taxes and extraordinary
 item..................................................................     (47,789)       (32,216)     (6,992)      (16,218)
Reorganization items:
  Fresh start adjustments..............................................      --            --           41,463        --
  Professional fees....................................................      --            --           (4,840)       (5,831)
  Provision for store closing costs and real estate valuation..........      --            --           --            (2,000)
  Provision for lease settlements......................................      --            --           --            (2,000)
  Write-off LESOP note receivable......................................      --            --           --           (12,000)
  Loss on transfer of business units and real properties to a grantor
   trust...............................................................        (188)          (264)     (6,441)       --
                                                                         -----------   -----------   ----------   -----------
Total reorganization (losses) gains....................................        (188)          (264)     30,182       (21,831)
                                                                         -----------   -----------   ----------   -----------
(Loss) income before income taxes and extraordinary item...............     (47,977)       (32,480)     23,190       (38,049)
Income tax (benefit) provision.........................................      --            (12,069)     --               288
                                                                         -----------   -----------   ----------   -----------
(Loss) income before extraordinary item................................     (47,977)       (20,411)     23,190       (38,337)
Extraordinary item -- gain on forgiveness of debt......................      --            --            5,371        --
                                                                         -----------   -----------   ----------   -----------
Net (loss) income......................................................  $  (47,977)   $   (20,411)  $  28,561     $ (38,337)
                                                                         -----------   -----------   ----------   -----------
                                                                         -----------   -----------   ----------   -----------
Net (loss) income for common stockholders:
  Net (loss) income....................................................  $  (47,977)   $   (20,411)  $  28,561     $ (38,337)
  Adjustment for preferred dividends...................................      --            --             (812)       (1,625)
  Accretion on redeemable preferred stock..............................      --            --             (218)         (298)
                                                                         -----------   -----------   ----------   -----------
                                                                         $  (47,977)   $   (20,411)  $  27,531     $ (40,260)
                                                                         -----------   -----------   ----------   -----------
                                                                         -----------   -----------   ----------   -----------
Per common share:
Net (loss) income per share:
  Loss before reorganization items and extraordinary item..............  $    (2.14)   $      (.90)  $   (1.44)    $   (7.25)
  Reorganization items.................................................        (.01)          (.01)       5.42        --
  Extraordinary item -- gain on forgiveness of debt....................      --            --              .96        --
                                                                         -----------   -----------   ----------   -----------
Net (loss) income......................................................  $    (2.15)   $      (.91)  $    4.94     $   (7.25)
                                                                         -----------   -----------   ----------   -----------
                                                                         -----------   -----------   ----------   -----------
Weighted average number of common and common equivalent shares
 outstanding...........................................................  22,359,000     22,341,000   5,578,000     5,555,000
                                                                         -----------   -----------   ----------   -----------
                                                                         -----------   -----------   ----------   -----------
</TABLE>
    

   
                            See accompanying notes.
    

                                      F-12
<PAGE>
   
                         STANDARD BRANDS PAINT COMPANY
           CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF STOCKHOLDERS' (DEFICIT) EQUITY
              AND PREFERRED STOCK SUBJECT TO MANDATORY REDEMPTION
                                 (IN THOUSANDS)
    

   
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                                      RECEIVABLES     MANDATORY     MANDATORY
                                            ADDITIONAL     RETAINED                    AND OTHER     REDEEMABLE    REDEEMABLE
                                 COMMON       PAID-IN      EARNINGS      TREASURY        CONTRA       PREFERRED     PREFERRED
                                  STOCK       CAPITAL      (DEFICIT)       STOCK        ACCOUNTS        STOCK         STOCK
                                ---------   -----------   -----------   -----------   ------------   -----------   -----------
<S>                             <C>         <C>           <C>           <C>           <C>            <C>           <C>
Balance at January 26, 1992...  $     56    $       74    $    10,074   $     (815)   $  (12,000)    $    8,151    $    7,795
  Net loss for the year.......     --           --            (38,337)      --            --             --            --
  Write-off of note receivable
   from LESOP.................     --           --            --            --            12,000         --            --
  Shares issued for employee
   plans......................     --               36        --            --            --             --            --
  Accretion of preferred stock
   to mandatory redemption
   value......................     --           --               (298)      --            --                149           149
                                ---------   -----------   -----------   -----------   ------------   -----------   -----------
Balance at January 31, 1993...        56           110        (28,561)        (815)       --              8,300         7,944
  Shares issued for employee
   plans......................     --               13        --            --            --             --            --
  Net loss for the six month
   period.....................     --           --             (9,983)      --            --             --            --
                                ---------   -----------   -----------   -----------   ------------   -----------   -----------
Predecessor Company balance at
 August 1, 1993...............        56           123        (38,544)        (815)       --              8,300         7,944
Recapitalization and
 fresh-start adjustments
  Issuance of common stock....       112        19,329        --            --            --             --            --
  Exchange of mandatory
   redeemable preferred stock
   for common stock...........        55        16,189        --            --            --             (8,300)       (7,944)
  Fresh-start adjustments.....     --           --             38,544       --            --             --            --
                                ---------   -----------   -----------   -----------   ------------   -----------   -----------
Successor Company balance at
 August 1, 1993...............       223        35,641        --              (815)       --             --            --
  Issuance costs of
   recapitalization common
   stock......................     --              (70)       --            --            --             --            --
  Net loss for the six month
   period.....................     --           --            (20,411)      --            --             --            --
                                ---------   -----------   -----------   -----------   ------------   -----------   -----------
Successor Company balance at
 January 30, 1994.............       223        35,571        (20,411)        (815)       --             --            --
  Issuance of common stock....         1            22        --            --            --             --            --
  Net loss for the year.......     --           --            (47,977)      --            --             --            --
                                ---------   -----------   -----------   -----------   ------------   -----------   -----------
Successor Company balance at
 January 29, 1995.............  $    224    $   35,593    $   (68,388)  $     (815)   $   --         $   --        $   --
                                ---------   -----------   -----------   -----------   ------------   -----------   -----------
                                ---------   -----------   -----------   -----------   ------------   -----------   -----------
</TABLE>
    

   
                            See accompanying notes.
    

                                      F-13
<PAGE>
   
                         STANDARD BRANDS PAINT COMPANY
                     CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS
    

   
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                            SUCCESSOR COMPANY        PREDECESSOR COMPANY
                                                         ------------------------  ------------------------
                                                                      SIX MONTHS   SIX MONTHS
                                                         YEAR ENDED      ENDED        ENDED     YEAR ENDED
                                                         JANUARY 29,  JANUARY 30,   AUGUST 1,   JANUARY 31,
                                                            1995         1994         1993         1993
                                                         -----------  -----------  -----------  -----------
                                                                            IN THOUSANDS
<S>                                                      <C>          <C>          <C>          <C>
OPERATING ACTIVITIES
Net (loss) income......................................   $ (47,977)   $ (20,411)   $  28,561    $ (38,337)
Adjustments to net (loss) income to obtain net cash
 (used in) provided by operating activities:
  Fresh start adjustments..............................      --           --          (41,463)      --
  Loss on transfer of business units and real
   properties to a grantor trust.......................         188          264        6,441       --
  Extraordinary item -- gain on forgiveness of debt....      --           --           (5,371)      --
  Write-off LESOP note receivable......................      --           --           --           12,000
  Reorganization items.................................      --           --           --            4,000
  Restructuring charges................................         700        6,000       --           --
  Loss on real properties to be transferred to a
   grantor trust.......................................      15,300       16,478       --           --
  Depreciation and amortization........................       2,121        1,744        2,558        5,910
  Interest paid-in kind................................       1,997        1,336          368       --
  Provision for losses on accounts receivable..........         346           86          209          389
  Deferred tax benefit.................................      --          (12,069)      --              (33)
  Gain on sale of property.............................        (580)        (239)      (3,469)         (77)
  Changes in operating assets and liabilities (net of
   the effects of business units transferred to a
   grantor trust as part of reorganization):
    Accounts receivable................................       1,358       (1,408)      (4,221)       2,890
    Inventory, prepaid expenses and other..............      11,004        8,928        1,447        3,228
    Accounts payable, accrued expenses and other.......         988      (12,122)       5,851       10,678
                                                         -----------  -----------  -----------  -----------
Net cash (used in) provided by operating activities....     (14,555)     (11,413)      (9,089)         648
INVESTING ACTIVITIES
Proceeds from transfer of business units and real
 properties to a grantor trust due to Chapter 11
 proceeding, net of cash transferred...................      --           --            7,499       --
Decrease (increase) in other assets....................       1,542          786       (2,221)         112
Purchases of property, plant and equipment.............        (179)        (913)      (1,596)      (1,856)
Proceeds from sale of property, plant and equipment....      28,376       15,134        9,194        5,238
                                                         -----------  -----------  -----------  -----------
Net cash provided by investing activities..............      29,739       15,007       12,876        3,494
FINANCING ACTIVITIES
Proceeds from stock issuance...........................          23       --               13           36
Costs of recapitalization stock issuance...............      --              (70)      --           --
Repayment of long-term debt............................      (5,759)     (10,151)      (8,197)      (5,326)
Repayment of Liquidating Property Trust Notes..........     (16,045)      --           --           --
Settlement of pre-petition claims, net.................      --           --           (9,773)      --
Repayment of note payable -- Grantor Trust.............      (6,000)      --           --           --
Proceeds from notes payable to related parties.........      10,000       --           --           --
Proceeds from (repayments of) short-term borrowings,
 net...................................................      (2,825)       4,274        8,372       --
Refinancing of note payable -- Grantor Trust...........       6,000       --           --           --
                                                         -----------  -----------  -----------  -----------
Net cash used in financing activities..................     (14,606)      (5,947)      (9,585)      (5,290)
                                                         -----------  -----------  -----------  -----------
Net increase (decrease) in cash........................         578       (2,353)      (5,798)      (1,148)
Cash at beginning of period............................         911        3,264        9,062       10,210
                                                         -----------  -----------  -----------  -----------
Cash at end of period..................................   $   1,489    $     911    $   3,264    $   9,062
                                                         -----------  -----------  -----------  -----------
                                                         -----------  -----------  -----------  -----------
SUPPLEMENTAL DISCLOSURE OF CASH FLOW INFORMATION:
  Cash paid (received) for:
    Interest...........................................   $   9,205    $   3,862    $     957    $   8,634
    Income taxes.......................................          51          (34)          35       (3,131)
</TABLE>
    

                            See accompanying notes.

                                      F-14
<PAGE>
   
                         STANDARD BRANDS PAINT COMPANY
                   NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
                         (DOLLAR AMOUNTS IN THOUSANDS)
                                JANUARY 29, 1995
    

   
1.  REORGANIZATION AND RECAPITALIZATION
    
   
    On  February 11, 1992,  Standard Brands Paint  Company and subsidiaries (the
Company) and four (4) of its subsidiaries filed separate voluntary petitions for
reorganization under  Chapter 11  of the  United States  Bankruptcy Code.  While
under  Chapter 11, certain claims against  the Company and the four subsidiaries
that were in existence prior to the filing of the petitions for relief under the
federal bankruptcy laws were stayed while the Company and the four  subsidiaries
continued  their business operations as Debtors-In-Possession. These claims were
reflected  in  the   Company's  consolidated  balance   sheet  as   "Prepetition
liabilities subject to compromise" as of January 31, 1993.
    

   
    The  Company and the  four subsidiaries which  filed voluntary petitions for
reorganization under Chapter 11 emerged from their Chapter 11 bankruptcy  status
effective  June 14,  1993 (Effective  Date) in  accordance with  their confirmed
Fourth Amended Joint Plan  of Reorganization (the  Plan) (All capitalized  terms
used  in these notes, unless otherwise defined,  shall have the meaning given to
them in the  Plan). In  general, the  Plan provided  for the  resolution of  all
prepetition  claims as of  February 11, 1992,  the Chapter 11  petition date, as
well as the resolution  of certain legal and  environmental matters in  exchange
for cash, real property, other assets, and shares of common stock.
    

   
    The  Plan resulted  in a  recapitalization of  the Company  and a  change in
management as follows: (i) approximately $29,600 of the outstanding debt owed to
Fidelity Capital  & Income  Fund and  Kodak Retirement  Income Plan  Trust  Fund
(collectively,  Fidelity)  as  successor in  interest  to Bank  of  America, was
converted into 11,283,720 shares of common stock, or approximately 50.5% of  the
Company's issued and outstanding common stock as of the Effective Date; (ii) the
maturity  date of the Company's Senior Notes  was extended at a reduced interest
rate; (iii) unsecured priority claims were paid in cash in full; (iv)  unsecured
claims  were paid through the distribution of $8,800 cash plus proceeds of up to
$4,200 to be generated from the sales of eight (8) of the Company's surplus real
estate properties; (v)  the Company's  existing outstanding  Series D  Preferred
Stock  and Series E Preferred Stock, including accrued but unpaid dividends, was
exchanged for 5,474,280 shares  of the Company's  common stock or  approximately
24.5%  of the issued and outstanding common stock as of the Effective Date; (vi)
all of the  common stock owned  by the Leveraged  Employee Stock Ownership  Plan
(LESOP)  and  Payroll  Stock  Option  Plan  (PAYSOP)  was  distributed  to their
respective plan participants;  and (vii)  a new  board of  directors and  senior
management  team was elected. Existing common stockholders retained their equity
interests, with  the exception  of  all interests  arising under  the  Company's
Rights  Agreement dated November 10, 1987, which was extinguished as a result of
this Plan. Consequently, holders of the Company's common stock, including  LESOP
and PAYSOP distributees, collectively retained 25.0% of the Company's issued and
outstanding shares of common stock as of the Effective Date.
    

   
    The  Plan  was financed,  in part,  by  Fidelity through  the purchase  of a
$20,000 principal amount  secured noted  (Fidelity Secured Note)  for $8,000  in
cash  and a $12,000 note (Fidelity Exchange Note). The Fidelity Exchange Note is
secured by the capital stock of newly formed holding companies for The Art Store
and Zynolyte  Products Company  and certain  real estate  properties which  were
transferred to a grantor trust (Grantor Trust) with the contemplation that these
business  operations and  real estate assets  would be sold  to raise additional
capital. The proceeds from such sales or  financing is to be used to reduce  the
indebtedness  under the Fidelity Secured Note. The Company maintains a residuary
interest in the assets  of the Grantor  Trust and, upon payment  in full of  the
Fidelity Secured Note, will be entitled to any remaining assets. As contemplated
by  the Plan, on August  2, 1993 the Capital  Stock of Zynolyte Products Company
was sold to the Grow Group, Inc. for approximately $14,800. In October 1993, one
of the  parcels  of real  estate  was sold  for  approximately $1,400.  The  net
    

                                      F-15
<PAGE>
   
                         STANDARD BRANDS PAINT COMPANY
             NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (CONTINUED)
                         (DOLLAR AMOUNTS IN THOUSANDS)
    

   
1.  REORGANIZATION AND RECAPITALIZATION (CONTINUED)
    
   
proceeds  of both  transactions were  used to  reduce the  principal outstanding
under the Fidelity Secured Note to approximately $4,500 as of January 30,  1994.
In  addition, the Company has guaranteed  $2,500 of the principal outstanding on
the Fidelity Secured Note. On February  15, 1995, the Fidelity Secured Note  and
the  Fidelity Exchange Note were  cancelled and the assets  of the Grantor Trust
were sold.
    

   
    As a  result of  the  transactions which  occurred  on the  Effective  Date,
indebtedness  of $49,906 was discharged and mandatory redeemable preferred stock
of $16,244  was cancelled  in  the bankruptcy  proceedings  by the  issuance  of
16,758,000 shares of common stock and the exchange of other assets. Accordingly,
the  Company  recorded an  extraordinary gain  from forgiveness  of debt  in the
amount of $5,371.
    

   
    Upon emergence  from its  Chapter 11  proceedings, the  Company adopted  the
provisions  of Statement of Position No.  90-7, "Financial Reporting by Entities
in  Reorganization  Under  the  Bankruptcy  Code"  (Fresh-Start  Reporting)   as
promulgated  by  the  American  Institute  of  Certified  Public  Accountants in
November 1990. Accordingly,  all assets  and liabilities have  been restated  to
reflect  their reorganization value, which approximates  their fair value at the
Effective Date.  In  addition,  the  accumulated  deficit  of  the  Company  was
eliminated and its capital structure was recast in conformity with the Plan, and
as  such,  the Company  has recorded  the  effects of  the Plan  and Fresh-Start
Reporting as of August 1, 1993. The January 30, 1994 consolidated balance  sheet
is, therefore, the balance sheet of a new reporting entity and is not comparable
to  periods prior to August 1, 1993.  In addition, the results of operations and
cash flows for the six months ended  August 1, 1993 include operations prior  to
the  Company's emergence from Chapter 11  proceedings and the effect of adopting
Fresh-Start Reporting,  and  include  operations  subsequent  to  the  Company's
emergence  from Chapter 11  proceedings. Furthermore, the  results of operations
and cash flows  for the  six months ended  January 30,  1994 include  operations
subsequent  to the Company's emergence from Chapter 11 proceedings. As a result,
net income (loss) for the six month periods ended August 1, 1993 and January 30,
1994 are not comparable with prior periods.
    

   
    The reorganization value of the Company's common equity of $35,049 at August
1, 1993 was determined by the Company with the assistance of financial  advisors
after  consideration of  several factors  and by  reliance on  various valuation
methods, including discounted projected cash flows, price/ earnings ratios,  and
other  applicable ratios and  economic and industry  information relevant to the
operations of the Company.
    

   
    The reorganization value of the Company has been allocated to specific asset
categories pursuant to  Fresh-Start Reporting. Current  assets were recorded  at
their  book value,  which approximates  fair value,  including inventories which
were stated on  a first-in, first-out  basis (see Note  3). Property, plant  and
equipment which includes assets held for sale were recorded at their approximate
fair  market value as determined by an independent appraisal or other estimates,
based on estimated "fair market value  in continued use" which assumes that  the
property  will be used for the purpose for which it was designed and built or to
which it is currently adapted as part of a business unit or entity (see Note 4).
    

   
2.  SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES
    

   
    COMPANY OPERATIONS
    
   
    The Company operates in one industry segment as an integrated  manufacturer,
distributor and retailer of paint and home decorating products.
    

                                      F-16
<PAGE>
   
                         STANDARD BRANDS PAINT COMPANY
             NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (CONTINUED)
                         (DOLLAR AMOUNTS IN THOUSANDS)
    

   
2.  SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES (CONTINUED)
    

   
    PRINCIPLES OF CONSOLIDATION
    
   
    The  consolidated  financial  statements include  the  accounts  of Standard
Brands Paint Company and its wholly-owned subsidiaries after elimination of  all
significant intercompany accounts and transactions.
    

   
    FISCAL YEAR
    
   
    The Company's fiscal year ends on the last Sunday in January.
    

   
    CASH FLOWS
    
   
    For  purposes of  financial reporting, cash  includes cash on  hand and cash
invested in bank certificates of  deposits and commercial paper with  maturities
of three months or less.
    

   
    ACCOUNTS RECEIVABLE
    
   
    Accounts  receivable are  stated net of  an allowance  for doubtful accounts
amounting to $150,  $215, and $498  at January  29, 1995, January  30, 1994  and
January 31, 1993, respectively.
    

   
    INVENTORY VALUATION
    
   
    The  Company  values inventory  at the  lower  of cost  or market  using the
first-in, first-out (FIFO) method.
    

   
    PROPERTY, PLANT AND EQUIPMENT
    
   
    Property, plant and equipment was stated at approximate fair market value as
of August 1,  1993. Additions  to property,  plant and  equipment subsequent  to
August  1, 1993 are stated  at cost with property held  for sale being stated at
net realizable  value.  Prior  to Fresh-Start  Reporting,  property,  plant  and
equipment were stated at cost.
    

   
    Depreciation   and  amortization   of  plant  and   equipment  are  provided
principally by use of  the straight-line method. The  estimated useful lives  of
the related assets are as follows:
    

   
<TABLE>
<S>                                                                        <C>
Buildings and improvements.................................................        15 years
Machinery and equipment....................................................   5 to 10 years
Furniture and fixtures.....................................................   5 to 10 years
</TABLE>
    

   
    AMORTIZATION OF INTANGIBLES
    
   
    The  excess cost  of acquiring  a subsidiary in  1961 over  the related fair
value of net tangible assets amounting  to $2,521 was written-off in  connection
with the adoption of Fresh-Start Reporting.
    

   
    PREOPENING COSTS
    
   
    Expenditures  associated with opening  new stores are  charged to expense as
incurred.
    

   
    INCOME TAXES
    
   
    The Company adopted the liability method  of accounting for income taxes  in
its  financial statements for fiscal 1988. The Company adopted the provisions of
Financial Accounting Standards Board Statement  No. 109, "Accounting for  Income
Taxes,"  which had  no material  effect on  the Company's  accounting for income
taxes.
    

   
    The deferred tax liability is determined based on the difference between the
financial statement and tax basis of  assets and liabilities and is measured  at
the  enacted tax rates  that will be  in effect when  these differences reverse.
Deferred tax expense is determined by  the change in the liability for  deferred
taxes (Liability Method).
    

                                      F-17
<PAGE>
   
                         STANDARD BRANDS PAINT COMPANY
             NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (CONTINUED)
                         (DOLLAR AMOUNTS IN THOUSANDS)
    

   
2.  SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES (CONTINUED)
    
   
    RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT
    
   
    The  Company incurred and  charged to expense  $172, $171, $194  and $414 in
research and development costs  during the fiscal year  ended January 29,  1995,
the  six month periods ended  January 30, 1994 and August  1, 1993, and the year
ended January 31, 1993, respectively.
    

   
    LOSS PER COMMON SHARE
    
   
    The weighted average  number of  shares is  not adjusted  for stock  options
outstanding  or the  preferred stock  because such impact  on loss  per share is
either antidilutive or immaterial.
    

   
    FAIR VALUE OF FINANCIAL INSTRUMENTS
    
   
    The carrying  amounts of  the Company's  $30,470 in  senior notes,  secured,
approximates their fair value at January 29, 1995.
    

   
    POST RETIREMENT BENEFITS
    
   
    The  Company adopted Statement of  Financial Accounting Standards (SFAS) No.
106 on "Employer's Accounting for  Postretirement Benefits other than  Pensions"
during  the  first quarter  of  its fiscal  year  ending January  30,  1994. The
postretirement health  care plans  are contributory  and the  Company funds  the
costs  of these  plans on  a pay-as-you-go basis.  The Company  has computed the
accumulated  postretirement   benefit   transition  obligation   (APBO),   which
represents  the previously unrecognized prior service cost, and during the first
quarter utilized  the deferral  method which  records the  amortization of  such
costs  over a  20 year  period. In connection  with the  adoption of Fresh-Start
Reporting, the  Company recorded  an additional  liability on  the  consolidated
balance  sheet at August 1,  1993 for the remaining  unrecognized portion of the
APBO of $8,000.
    

   
    RECLASSIFICATIONS
    
   
    Certain reclassifications to captions on prior years' consolidated financial
statements have been made to conform to the January 29, 1995 presentation.
    

   
3.  INVENTORIES
    
   
    Inventories at  January  29,  1995  and January  30,  1994  consist  of  the
following:
    

   
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                                 SUCCESSOR COMPANY
                                                                             -------------------------
                                                                             JANUARY 29,   JANUARY 30,
                                                                                1995          1994
                                                                             -----------   -----------
<S>                                                                          <C>           <C>
Retail inventories.........................................................    $12,576       $19,965
Manufacturing inventories..................................................      1,792         3,380
Wholesale inventories......................................................        382           504
                                                                             -----------   -----------
                                                                               $14,750       $23,849
                                                                             -----------   -----------
                                                                             -----------   -----------
</TABLE>
    

                                      F-18
<PAGE>
   
                         STANDARD BRANDS PAINT COMPANY
             NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (CONTINUED)
                         (DOLLAR AMOUNTS IN THOUSANDS)
    

   
4.  PROPERTY, PLANT AND EQUIPMENT
    
   
    A summary of property, plant and equipment follows:
    

   
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                                 SUCCESSOR COMPANY
                                                                             -------------------------
                                                                             JANUARY 29,   JANUARY 30,
                                                                                1995          1994
                                                                             -----------   -----------
<S>                                                                          <C>           <C>
Land.......................................................................    $14,412       $  42,030
Buildings and leasehold improvements.......................................      4,143          22,211
Machinery and equipment....................................................        159              75
Furniture and fixtures.....................................................        266             120
Construction in progress...................................................          4             427
Property held for sale.....................................................    100,332          85,985
                                                                             -----------   -----------
                                                                               119,316         150,848
Less reserve for loss on properties which, subject to stockholder approval,
 are to be transferred to a grantor trust..................................    (28,314)        (16,478)
                                                                             -----------   -----------
                                                                               $91,002       $ 134,370
                                                                             -----------   -----------
                                                                             -----------   -----------
</TABLE>
    

   
    Property held for sale substantially represents those properties transferred
to  the Liquidating Property Trust  in 1994 (see Note  7) and certain additional
properties to be transferred  to the Liquidating Property  Trust as part of  the
contemplated Restructuring as described in Note 13.
    

   
5.  ACCRUED EXPENSES
    
   
    Accrued expenses include the following items:
    

   
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                                 SUCCESSOR COMPANY
                                                                             -------------------------
                                                                             JANUARY 29,   JANUARY 30,
                                                                                1995          1994
                                                                             -----------   -----------
<S>                                                                          <C>           <C>
Payroll, related taxes and employee benefits...............................    $ 3,087       $ 2,190
Self-insurance reserves....................................................      6,000         4,500
Other taxes................................................................        980           943
Interest...................................................................        894           578
Reserve for store closings.................................................        700         2,959
Transaction costs..........................................................      2,580        --
Environmental reserve......................................................      1,200           250
Other......................................................................      1,166         2,116
                                                                             -----------   -----------
                                                                               $16,607       $13,536
                                                                             -----------   -----------
                                                                             -----------   -----------
</TABLE>
    

   
6.  SHORT TERM BORROWINGS
    
   
    Subsequent to the filings of the Company's Chapter 11 petitions, the Company
entered into a credit agreement with Foothill Capital Corp. (Foothill), pursuant
to which Foothill made available to the Company a senior secured credit facility
in  the aggregate principal amount of $12,000. Pursuant to the Plan, the Company
entered into  a  new credit  agreement  with Foothill  on  June 14,  1993  which
provided  the Company with  a secured line  of credit in  the amount of $12,500.
Interest under the new credit agreement is  equal to the prime rate of  interest
plus  2% per  annum. On April  14, 1994  the Company amended  its agreement with
Foothill to extend the credit agreement for three additional years. The interest
rate under the amended agreement is equal to the prime rate of interest plus  3%
per  annum. At January 29,  1995, the interest rate per  annum was 11.75%. As of
January 29, 1995, the Company was not in compliance with its financial covenants
under the credit agreement and pursuant  to the Company's request, Foothill  has
agreed to waive compliance until April 30, 1996.
    

                                      F-19
<PAGE>
   
                         STANDARD BRANDS PAINT COMPANY
             NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (CONTINUED)
                         (DOLLAR AMOUNTS IN THOUSANDS)
    

   
6.  SHORT TERM BORROWINGS (CONTINUED)
    
   
    At January 29, 1995 and January 30, 1994, short-term borrowings consisted of
amounts   outstanding   to  Foothill   of   approximately  $3,821   and  $6,646,
respectively. In  addition, at  January  29, 1995  the Company  had  outstanding
letters  of credit of $4,376 for the State of California's Workers' Compensation
program and import purchases.
    

   
    During the third and fourth quarters of fiscal 1993, the Company borrowed an
additional $6.0  million (Grantor  Trust  Notes) for  working capital  from  the
Grantor Trust established under the Plan. The Grantor Trust financed the loan on
issuer  notes to Fidelity Capital & Income Fund and Kodak Retirement Income Plan
Trust Fund in an aggregate amount  of $6,000 upon terms substantially  identical
to the previously issued Fidelity Secured Note (Note 1). On March 16, 1994 these
Grantor  Trust Notes  were restructured  to a  term of  six years  with interest
payable quarterly at a rate of 10% per annum. This indebtedness is secured by  a
third lien on certain of the Company's real properties.
    

   
7.  SENIOR NOTES AND OTHER LONG-TERM LIABILITIES
    
   
    On  June 14,  1993 the  Company entered  into an  Amended and  Restated Loan
Agreement (the Amended  Note Agreement)  with its  senior lenders,  Transamerica
Insurance  Companies and Sun Life Insurance Companies (the Insurance Companies).
The Amended Note Agreement provides for a stated interest rate of 9.0% per annum
(reduced from 11.75%), however, for the first three years subsequent to June 14,
1993 the rate at which  interest is paid is  6.5%, 7.5% and 8.5%,  respectively,
with  the difference between the stated rate and the pay rate added to principal
as payment of interest in-kind.
    

   
    The Amended Note Agreement requires the Company to meet specific affirmative
and negative covenants which include,  among other requirements, limitations  on
the  acquisition and disposition of assets, prohibition of borrowings other than
under the Amended Note  Agreement or as  set forth in  the Plan, prohibition  of
dividend   declarations,  and  compliance   with  certain  financial  covenants,
including, but not limited  to, current ratio, minimum  net worth, and  interest
coverage.  The Amended  Note Agreement  is collateralized  by a  perfected first
priority lien and  security interest  in specific  real property  assets of  the
Company.  As of  January 29, 1995,  the Company  was not in  compliance with its
financial covenants  and  pursuant  to  the  Company's  request,  the  Insurance
Companies have agreed to waive compliance until April 30, 1996.
    

   
    On  March 16, 1994, the Company entered into an agreement with the Insurance
Companies and the Grantor Trust for $10  million of new financing and a plan  to
restructure  the Company's existing $103 million in senior notes and existing $6
million indebtedness with the Grantor Trust (see Note 6).
    

   
    Under the terms of the Agreement,  the Company borrowed an aggregate of  $10
million from the Insurance Company Lenders and the Grantor Trust (the New Loan).
The New Loan provides for monthly interest at a rate of 10% per annum. Principal
on  the loan  is due in  full in  March 1999. The  indebtedness is  secured by a
second lien  on substantially  all  of the  Company's  real property.  The  loan
proceeds  were used to pay existing trade  debt, provide working capital and pay
for transaction expenses.
    

   
    Under the  terms  of  the  restructure,  on  August  1,  1994,  the  Company
established a grantor trust (Liquidating Property Trust) to which it transferred
all  but approximately 28 of its 103 operating and non-operating real properties
in  exchange  for  the   assumption  by  the   Liquidating  Property  Trust   of
approximately  $68.7  million of  existing senior  notes  owed to  the Insurance
Companies under  the Amended  Note Agreement  (Assumed Indebtedness).  The  book
value  of the properties to  be sold by the  Liquidating Property Trust exceeded
the  sale   proceeds,   less  applicable   fees,   expenses  and   other   costs
    

                                      F-20
<PAGE>
   
                         STANDARD BRANDS PAINT COMPANY
             NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (CONTINUED)
                         (DOLLAR AMOUNTS IN THOUSANDS)
    

   
7.  SENIOR NOTES AND OTHER LONG-TERM LIABILITIES (CONTINUED)
    
   
by  approximately $14.6 million. Accordingly, the Company provided for this loss
as of January 30,  1994. Interest and principal  on the Assumed Indebtedness  is
only  payable to the extent of proceeds from sales of Liquidating Property Trust
assets. The interest rate on the  Assumed Indebtedness was increased to 10%  per
annum.  The Company provided a limited  guarantee on the Assumed Indebtedness in
an amount equal to 10% of the Assumed Indebtedness.
    

   
    The remaining  Insurance  Companies'  senior notes  of  approximately  $30.4
million  not assumed by  the Liquidating Property  Trust (Retained Indebtedness)
were restructured to provide  for principal to  be due and  owing in July  1999.
Interest  continues to  be due monthly  at an annual  rate of 9%  per annum. The
Retained Indebtedness continues to be secured by real properties of the  Company
not transferred to the Liquidating Property Trust.
    

   
    The  servicer  of  the  Liquidating Property  Trust  is  Transamerica Realty
Services, Inc. (the Servicer). The Servicer  sells the Real Estate Trust  assets
in  the ordinary  course. Proceeds  from such  sales will  be used  to repay the
Assumed Indebtedness.  The Company  retains  an 80%  residuary interest  in  the
Liquidating  Property  Trust  after all  of  the Assumed  Indebtedness  has been
repaid.  The  Insurance  Companies  retain  a  20%  residuary  interest  in  the
Liquidating Property Trust.
    

   
    As  of January 29, 1995,  the Company operated 58  paint stores, 27 of which
are among  the  78 parcels  of  real  property transferred  to  the  Liquidating
Property  Trust. Under the terms of  the Liquidating Property Trust, the Company
was to  be given  a minimum  of four  months notice  prior to  the sale  of  any
currently  operating  retail paint  store. Until  sold, 13  of the  27 operating
retail store properties were being leased  back to the Company through July  31,
1995 at an aggregate monthly rent of approximately $178 (on a triple net basis).
After  July 31, 1995, such properties which remained unsold were to be leased to
the Company on a month to month basis at a fair market rent as agreed to between
the Disposition  Agent  and the  Company.  Upon the  sale  of the  27  currently
operating  retail paint stores, the Company intends to either remain in the same
location on a leased basis or relocate to new leased locations. The terms of the
Liquidating Property  Trust will  be  modified pursuant  to a  proposal  whereby
stockholders  will be asked to approve  a financial restructuring of the Company
(see Note 13).
    

   
    The establishment of the Liquidating Property Trust and transfer of the real
estate properties  was approved  by  the stockholders  at the  Company's  Annual
Meeting  in June 1994. Upon the establishment of the Liquidating Property Trust,
the Company issued to the Insurance Companies and the Grantor Trust warrants  to
purchase  an aggregate  of 750,000  shares of the  Company's common  stock at an
exercise price equal to  the market price  for the shares on  the day of  grant.
Thirty months from the establishment of the Liquidating Property Trust, warrants
to  purchase an  additional aggregate  of 750,000 shares  will be  issued to the
Insurance Companies and  the Grantor Trust.  In each case  the warrants will  be
redeemable by the Company for a price equal to $1.00 per share.
    

   
    In   settlement  of   certain  pre-petition   Federal  Tax   obligations  of
approximately $377, the Company  entered into an  unsecured obligation with  the
Internal Revenue Service which matures June 14, 1999. Interest and principal are
payable quarterly based upon a predetermined amortization schedule.
    

                                      F-21
<PAGE>
   
                         STANDARD BRANDS PAINT COMPANY
             NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (CONTINUED)
                         (DOLLAR AMOUNTS IN THOUSANDS)
    

   
8.  RESTRUCTURING AND STORE CLOSURES
    
   
    During  the periods ended January 29, 1995 and January 30, 1994, the Company
provided for restructuring and store closures as follows:
    

   
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                                        SUCCESSOR COMPANY
                                                                                ---------------------------------
                                                                                  YEAR ENDED         SIX MONTHS
                                                                                 JANUARY 29,       ENDED JANUARY
                                                                                     1995             30, 1994
                                                                                --------------     --------------

<S>                                                                             <C>                <C>
Inventory clearance markdowns..............................................     $         290      $       2,300
Employee severance costs...................................................               180                600
Advertising................................................................               180                100
Other store closing costs..................................................                50                200
Property taxes, utilities, maintenance and other...........................          --                    2,800
                                                                                        -----            -------
                                                                                $         700      $       6,000
                                                                                        -----            -------
                                                                                        -----            -------
</TABLE>
    

   
    In November 1993, the Company announced  that it planned to restructure  its
operations  and close approximately  thirty-four (34) retail  outlets which were
currently operating. During  fiscal 1994, the  Company identified an  additional
twelve  (12) stores for closure. The remaining open stores will be closed during
fiscal  1995.  The  combined  provision  of  $6,700  includes  $3,900  for   the
anticipated  costs of inventory liquidation,  employee severance and other store
closing costs.
    

   
    In addition,  the combined  $6,700 provision  includes $1,200  for  property
taxes,  utilities, maintenance and other ongoing holding costs which the Company
incurred until  the stores  were  sold, and  $1,600  for similar  ongoing  costs
associated  with  previously closed  stores  which remained  unsold  longer than
originally anticipated.  As  of  January  29,  1995,  $6,000  of  this  combined
provision had been used with the remaining $700 included in accrued expenses.
    

   
9.  INCOME TAXES
    
   
    The provision (benefit) for income taxes is comprised of the following:
    

   
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                                 SUCCESSOR COMPANY           PREDECESSOR COMPANY
                                                                             -------------------------   ---------------------------
                                                                                           SIX MONTHS
                                                                             YEAR ENDED       ENDED       SIX MONTHS     YEAR ENDED
                                                                             JANUARY 29,   JANUARY 30,   ENDED AUGUST    JANUARY 31,
                                                                                1995          1994          1, 1993         1993
                                                                             -----------   -----------   -------------   -----------
<S>                                                                          <C>           <C>           <C>             <C>
Current:
  Federal..................................................................   $ --          $ --          $ --           $      265
  State....................................................................     --            --            --                   56
                                                                             -----------   -----------   -------------   -----------
                                                                                --            --            --                  321
                                                                             -----------   -----------   -------------   -----------
Deferred:
  Federal..................................................................     --            (9,243)       --                    1
  State....................................................................     --            (2,826)       --                  (34)
                                                                             -----------   -----------   -------------   -----------
                                                                                --           (12,069)       --                  (33)
                                                                             -----------   -----------   -------------   -----------
                                                                              $ --          $(12,069)     $ --           $      288
                                                                             -----------   -----------   -------------   -----------
                                                                             -----------   -----------   -------------   -----------
</TABLE>
    

                                      F-22
<PAGE>
   
                         STANDARD BRANDS PAINT COMPANY
             NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (CONTINUED)
                         (DOLLAR AMOUNTS IN THOUSANDS)
    

   
9.  INCOME TAXES (CONTINUED)
    
   
    The  change in  the deferred income  tax liability represents  the effect of
changes in the amounts  of temporary differences during  the year. The types  of
temporary differences that give rise to significant portions of the deferred tax
liability  for each fiscal year and the tax effect of changes in those temporary
differences during the years are presented below.
    

   
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                                 SUCCESSOR COMPANY         PREDECESSOR COMPANY
                                                                             -------------------------   ------------------------
                                                                                           SIX MONTHS    SIX MONTHS
                                                                             YEAR ENDED       ENDED        ENDED      YEAR ENDED
                                                                             JANUARY 29,   JANUARY 30,   AUGUST 1,    JANUARY 31,
                                                                                1995          1994          1993         1993
                                                                             -----------   -----------   ----------   -----------
<S>                                                                          <C>           <C>           <C>          <C>
Accelerated depreciation...................................................    $(9,718)     $(10,981)     $   (87)      $  (130)
Self-insurance and other reserves..........................................     (1,517)           14           74          (623)
Deferred gain on sale of property..........................................       (556)       --             (208)         (703)
Deferred restructuring costs...............................................       (144)           17        --           (1,068)
Uniform capitalization rules and change in accounting method...............        371           274        1,190           100
Employee benefit plans.....................................................        809           185        5,785        (4,699)
Tax effect of NOL carryforward.............................................     (6,344)       (7,575)      (3,513)       (6,342)
Recognition of minimum tax credit..........................................       (665)       (1,194)       --             (442)
Valuation allowance with respect to deferred tax assets....................     15,201         8,459        --           14,180
Other......................................................................      2,563        (1,268)      (3,241)         (306)
                                                                             -----------   -----------   ----------   -----------
Deferred tax benefit.......................................................    $--          $(12,069)     $ --          $   (33)
                                                                             -----------   -----------   ----------   -----------
                                                                             -----------   -----------   ----------   -----------
</TABLE>
    

   
    Deferred income taxes reflect the  net tax effects of temporary  differences
between  the carrying amounts of assets  and liabilities for financial reporting
purposes and the amounts used for income tax purposes. Significant components of
the Company's deferred tax liabilities and assets as of January 29, 1995 are  as
follows:
    

   
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                             CURRENT  NON-CURRENT
                                                                             -------  -----------
<S>                                                                          <C>      <C>
Deferred tax liabilities:
  Accelerated depreciation.................................................  $ --      $(13,652)
  Uniform capitalization rules and change in accounting method.............   (1,394)    --
  Other temporary differences..............................................      (35)    --
  Alternative minimum tax..................................................    --          (394)
                                                                             -------  -----------
  Total deferred tax liabilities...........................................   (1,429)   (14,046)
Deferred tax assets:
  Self-insurance and other reserves........................................    3,426     --
  Deferred gains on property sales.........................................    --         1,167
  Provision for loss on reorganization and restructuring costs.............    1,369     --
  Employee benefit plans...................................................      642      2,479
  Other temporary differences..............................................    --           519
  Tax effect of NOL carryforward...........................................    7,498     18,439
  Minimum tax credit carryforward..........................................    --           665
                                                                             -------  -----------
Total deferred tax assets..................................................   12,935     23,269
Valuation allowance........................................................   (8,453)   (15,207)
                                                                             -------  -----------
Net deferred tax assets....................................................    4,482      8,062
                                                                             -------  -----------
Total deferred tax asset (liability).......................................  $ 3,053   $ (5,984)
                                                                             -------  -----------
                                                                             -------  -----------
</TABLE>
    

                                      F-23
<PAGE>
   
                         STANDARD BRANDS PAINT COMPANY
             NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (CONTINUED)
                         (DOLLAR AMOUNTS IN THOUSANDS)
    

   
9.  INCOME TAXES (CONTINUED)
    
   
    Total  income tax expense related to continuing operations differed from the
amounts computed by applying the federal income tax rate of 34% to income before
income taxes as a result of the following items:
    

   
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                                 SUCCESSOR COMPANY         PREDECESSOR COMPANY
                                                                             -------------------------   ------------------------
                                                                                           SIX MONTHS    SIX MONTHS
                                                                             YEAR ENDED       ENDED        ENDED      YEAR ENDED
                                                                             JANUARY 29,   JANUARY 30,   AUGUST 1,    JANUARY 31,
                                                                                1995          1994          1993         1993
                                                                             -----------   -----------   ----------   -----------
<S>                                                                          <C>           <C>           <C>          <C>
"Expected" tax (benefit)...................................................   $(16,312)     $(11,043)     $(4,023)     $(12,937)
State income taxes, net of federal tax.....................................     --    *       (1,865)*      --   *           14*
Redetermination of prior years' tax liabilities............................     --            --            --              265
Restructuring charges......................................................        894        --            1,104         1,685
Net deductible items to which tax benefit cannot be ascribed...............     15,440           837        2,904        11,074
Other......................................................................        (22)            2           15           187
                                                                             -----------   -----------   ----------   -----------
Total income tax expense (benefit).........................................   $ --          $(12,069)     $ --         $    288
                                                                             -----------   -----------   ----------   -----------
                                                                             -----------   -----------   ----------   -----------
Effective income tax rate..................................................      --            (37.2)%       --            (0.8)%
                                                                             -----------   -----------   ----------   -----------
                                                                             -----------   -----------   ----------   -----------
<FN>
- ------------------------
*State income taxes net of valuation allowance
</TABLE>
    

   
    At January 29, 1995,  the Company had the  following federal tax  attributes
for income tax return purposes available for carryforward:
    

   
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                                  FISCAL YEAR OF
                                                                             ------------------------
DESCRIPTION                                                                  ORIGINATION   EXPIRATION   AMOUNT
- ---------------------------------------------------------------------------  -----------   ----------   -------
<S>                                                                          <C>           <C>          <C>
Net operating loss.........................................................     1991          2006      $ 6,457
Net operating loss.........................................................     1992          2007       15,912
Net operating loss.........................................................     1993          2008       25,294
Net operating loss.........................................................     1994          2009       18,787
                                                                                                        -------
                                                                                                        $66,450
                                                                                                        -------
                                                                                                        -------
General business credits...................................................     1992          2007      $    14
                                                                                                        -------
                                                                                                        -------
</TABLE>
    

   
    The utilization of the Company's net operating loss carryforwards for income
tax  return purposes could  be limited under certain  provisions of the Internal
Revenue Code.
    

   
10. EMPLOYEE BENEFIT PLANS
    

   
    OPTIONS
    
   
    Under the terms of  the Plan, all previously  outstanding options under  the
Company's 1981 Incentive Stock Plan and 1986 Employee Non-Qualified Stock Option
plan  were  cancelled  upon  the  Company's emergence  from  Chapter  11  on the
Effective Date.
    

   
    LESOP
    
   
    The Company has established stock  ownership plans to involve all  employees
in  the ownership  of the Company.  The Company originally  borrowed $15,000 and
loaned such amount  to the Leveraged  Employee Stock Ownership  Plan (LESOP)  to
purchase Company shares on behalf of all qualified
    

                                      F-24
<PAGE>
   
                         STANDARD BRANDS PAINT COMPANY
             NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (CONTINUED)
                         (DOLLAR AMOUNTS IN THOUSANDS)
    

   
10. EMPLOYEE BENEFIT PLANS (CONTINUED)
    
   
employees.  At the end of Fiscal 1992 the employee trusts owned 1,007,484 shares
or 17.75%  of the  outstanding  shares. The  Company has  recorded  compensation
expense  for Fiscal 1991 related to the LESOP of $2,964. No compensation expense
was accrued in Fiscal 1992 since no payments of principle or interest were made.
    

   
    Under terms of the Plan, the LESOP trust arrangement was terminated upon the
Company's emergence from  Chapter 11.  As such,  all unallocated  shares in  the
trust  were  allocated to  employees based  on their  current ownership  and all
shares were distributed directly to participants. Since the trust was unable  to
repay  the Note Receivable  under the LESOP,  the Company wrote  off the $12,000
receivable from the trust during the year ended January 31, 1993.
    

   
    PROFIT SHARING PLAN
    
   
    The Company has  a savings and  investment plan for  all salaried  employees
which  qualifies as a profit  sharing plan under Section  401(k) of the Internal
Revenue Code.  Contributions  under  the  plan, which  are  based  on  specified
percentages  of employee contributions for the  year ended January 29, 1995, the
six month periods ended January 30, 1994 and August 1, 1993, and the year  ended
January  31, 1993 amounted to $0, $0,  $105 and $244, respectively. As of August
1, 1993, the Company no longer makes contributions under the plan.
    

   
    RETIREMENT PLAN
    
   
    The Company has three noncontributory defined benefit retirement plans which
cover  substantially  all  non-union  employees  and  certain  bargaining   unit
employees. The costs of these plans for the year ended January 29, 1995, the six
month  periods ended  January 30, 1994  and August  1, 1993, and  the year ended
January 31, 1993 amounted to $(2,478), $(113), $(112) and $(117),  respectively.
The  Company contributes annually  the amount actuarially  determined to provide
the plans with sufficient assets to meet future benefit requirements. Assets  of
the plans are maintained in trust funds.
    

   
    The  components of net periodic pension cost  for the year ended January 29,
1995, the six month periods ended January  30, 1994 and August 1, 1993, and  the
year ended January 31, 1993 are as follows:
    

   
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                              SUCCESSOR COMPANY        PREDECESSOR COMPANY
                                           ------------------------  ------------------------
                                                        SIX MONTHS   SIX MONTHS
                                           YEAR ENDED      ENDED        ENDED     YEAR ENDED
                                           JANUARY 29,  JANUARY 30,   AUGUST 1,   JANUARY 31,
                                              1995         1994         1993         1993
                                           -----------  -----------  -----------  -----------
<S>                                        <C>          <C>          <C>          <C>
Service cost.............................   $     164    $     236    $     237    $     544
Interest cost............................       1,106          527          527          980
Gain on assets...........................         795         (938)        (938)      (1,548)
Net amortization and deferral............      (4,543)          62           62         (153)
                                           -----------  -----------  -----------  -----------
                                            $  (2,478)   $    (113)   $    (112)   $    (177)
                                           -----------  -----------  -----------  -----------
                                           -----------  -----------  -----------  -----------
</TABLE>
    

   
    Assumptions  used in accounting  for net pension cost  were a 7.25% discount
rate, a 6% rate of increase in compensation and an 8% expected long-term rate of
return on plan assets.  The plan's assets are  invested primarily in  marketable
equity securities.
    

   
    On  December 10, 1993 the Company's  Board of Directors approved resolutions
authorizing  the  amendment  of   the  three  noncontributory  defined   benefit
retirement  plans to cease the benefit accruals of all participants in the plans
as  soon  as  administratively  feasible.   In  accordance  with  the   approved
resolutions,  the Company ceased benefit accruals  during the year ended January
29, 1995.
    

                                      F-25
<PAGE>
   
                         STANDARD BRANDS PAINT COMPANY
             NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (CONTINUED)
                         (DOLLAR AMOUNTS IN THOUSANDS)
    

   
10. EMPLOYEE BENEFIT PLANS (CONTINUED)
    
   
    The following sets forth the plans'  status as of the most recent  actuarial
valuation as projected to January 29, 1995:
    

   
    Actuarial present value of benefit obligations:
    

   
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                            ASSETS EXCEED   ACCUMULATED
                                                                             ACCUMULATED     BENEFITS
                                                                              BENEFITS     EXCEED ASSETS
                                                                            -------------  -------------
<S>                                                                         <C>            <C>
Vested benefit obligation.................................................   $    13,754     $  --
Nonvested benefit obligation..............................................       --             --
                                                                            -------------       ------
Accumulated benefit obligation............................................        13,754        --
Additional amounts related to projected salary increases..................       --             --
                                                                            -------------       ------
Projected benefit obligation..............................................        13,754        --
Plan assets at fair value.................................................        18,594        --
                                                                            -------------       ------
Assets in excess of (less than) projected benefit obligation..............   $     4,840     $  --
                                                                            -------------       ------
                                                                            -------------       ------
</TABLE>
    

   
    Assets in excess of projected benefit obligations consist of the following:
    

   
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                            ASSETS EXCEED   ACCUMULATED
                                                                             ACCUMULATED     BENEFITS
                                                                              BENEFITS     EXCEED ASSETS
                                                                            -------------  -------------
<S>                                                                         <C>            <C>
Unrecognized net asset (obligation) existing at date of adoption of SFAS
 No. 87...................................................................    $  --          $  --
Unrecognized net actuarial gain or loss...................................        2,010         --
Unrecognized prior service cost...........................................       --             --
Pension costs accrued.....................................................        2,830         --
Additional liability......................................................       --             --
                                                                            -------------       ------
                                                                              $   4,840      $  --
                                                                            -------------       ------
                                                                            -------------       ------
</TABLE>
    

   
    The  Company  participates  in  several  multiemployer  plans  which provide
defined benefits  to bargaining  employees. The  Company made  no  contributions
during  the year ended January 29, 1995, the six month periods ended January 30,
1994 and August 1, 1993, and the year ended January 31, 1993.
    

   
    HEALTHCARE PLAN
    
   
    The Company  sponsors  a defined  benefit  health care  plan  that  provides
postretirement  medical benefits to certain fulltime employees who retired early
and certain other union employees  who retired prior to  July 1991. The plan  is
contributory,  with retiree contributions adjusted  annually, and contains other
cost-sharing features such as coinsurance. The  Company's policy is to fund  the
cost of the medical benefits in amounts as necessary.
    

                                      F-26
<PAGE>
   
                         STANDARD BRANDS PAINT COMPANY
             NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (CONTINUED)
                         (DOLLAR AMOUNTS IN THOUSANDS)
    

   
10. EMPLOYEE BENEFIT PLANS (CONTINUED)
    
   
    The following table sets forth the plan's status as follows:
    

   
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                              SUCCESSOR COMPANY
                                                                           ------------------------
                                                                           JANUARY 29,  JANUARY 30,
                                                                              1995         1994
                                                                           -----------  -----------

<S>                                                                        <C>          <C>
Accumulated postretirement benefit obligation:
  Retirees...............................................................   $   4,579    $   7,073
  Actives................................................................      --              490
                                                                           -----------  -----------
                                                                                4,579        7,563
Plan assets..............................................................      --           --
                                                                           -----------  -----------
Accumulated postretirement benefit obligation in excess of plan assets...       4,579        7,563
Unrecognized net actuarial gain or loss..................................       1,314       --
Unrecognized prior service cost..........................................         420       --
                                                                           -----------  -----------
Accrued postretirement benefit cost......................................   $   6,313    $   7,563
                                                                           -----------  -----------
                                                                           -----------  -----------
</TABLE>
    

   
    Net periodic postretirement benefit cost includes the following components:
    

   
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                                        PREDECESSOR
                                                              SUCCESSOR COMPANY           COMPANY
                                                         ----------------------------  -------------
                                                                         SIX MONTHS     SIX MONTHS
                                                          YEAR ENDED        ENDED      ENDED AUGUST
                                                          JANUARY 29,    JANUARY 30,        1,
                                                             1995           1994           1993
                                                         -------------  -------------  -------------
<S>                                                      <C>            <C>            <C>
Service cost...........................................    $  --          $      26      $      26
Interest cost..........................................          308            224            223
Amortization of transition obligation over 20 years....       --             --                201
Net amortization and deferral..........................         (289)        --             --
                                                               -----          -----          -----
Net periodic postretirement benefit cost...............    $      19      $     250      $     450
                                                               -----          -----          -----
                                                               -----          -----          -----
</TABLE>
    

   
    The  annual assumed rate of increase in  the cost of covered benefits (i.e.,
medical care cost trend rate) is 12% for fiscal 1995 and is assumed to  decrease
gradually  to 8% for fiscal 1998  and thereafter. Increasing the assumed medical
care cost trend rates by  one percentage point in  each year would increase  the
APBO  as of  January 29,  1995 by  approximately $537  and the  aggregate of the
service and interest cost components of the net periodic postretirement  benefit
cost for the year ended January 29, 1995 and both of the six month periods ended
January  30, 1994 and August 1, 1993 by approximately $38 and $18, respectively.
The weighted-average  discount rate  used  in determining  the  APBO was  7%  at
January 29, 1995.
    

                                      F-27
<PAGE>
   
                         STANDARD BRANDS PAINT COMPANY
             NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (CONTINUED)
                         (DOLLAR AMOUNTS IN THOUSANDS)
    

   
11. COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENCIES
    
   
    Rent  expense for  the year  ended January 29,  1995, the  six month periods
ended January 30, 1994 and August 1,  1993, and the year ended January 31,  1993
amounted  to $1,888,  $518, $571  and $1,658,  respectively. The  future minimum
obligations under operating  leases as  of January  29, 1995  are summarized  as
follows:
    

   
<TABLE>
<S>                                                                 <C>
1995..............................................................  $   2,900
1996..............................................................      1,300
1997..............................................................      1,100
1998..............................................................        700
1999..............................................................        500
Thereafter........................................................      3,600
                                                                    ---------
                                                                    $  10,100
                                                                    ---------
                                                                    ---------
</TABLE>
    

   
    As  of  January  29,  1995, the  Company  had  been notified  that  it  is a
potentially responsible party (PRP) with respect to hazardous waste at seven (7)
of its  sites. The  Company  has estimated  and accrued  for  the costs  of  its
participation  in remediation activities based upon a reasonable estimate of the
costs or, if information  available indicates that the  estimated amount of  the
costs  is  within  a  range,  the  lower  end  of  the  range  was  accrued. The
determination was based on an analysis of  each of the seven sites. The  Company
believes  that there will not be a future material charge to earnings due to its
PRP status at these sites based on the amounts accrued.
    

   
12. RELATED PARTIES
    
   
    The  law  firm  of  Buchalter,  Nemer,  Fields  &  Younger,  a  Professional
Corporation,  of which Irwin Buchalter,  a director of the  Company prior to the
Effective Date, was  a member,  and of which  Stuart Buchalter,  a director  and
Chairman  of the Board of Directors of  the Company prior to the Effective Date,
is of counsel, has  in the past  performed legal services  for the Company.  The
dollar  amount of fees paid by  the Company to this law  firm for the year ended
January 29, 1995, the  six month periods  ended January 30,  1994 and August  1,
1993,  and  the year  ended January  31, 1993  were $621,  $550, $555  and $462,
respectively.
    

   
13. SUBSEQUENT EVENTS
    
   
    As of February 15,  1995, the Company entered  into an Investment  Agreement
and  certain  other  agreements  with  Corimon,  S.A.C.A.  and  its wholly-owned
subsidiary Corimon Corporation  (collectively, CRM), Fidelity  Capital &  Income
Fund  (FCI), Kodak  Retirement Income Plan  Trust Fund  (KRI), Transamerica Life
Insurance and Annuity  Company (TLIAC), Transamerica  Occidental Life  Insurance
Company  (TOLIC), Sun Life Insurance Company  of America (SAFI), Anchor National
Life Insurance  Co.  (ANLIC),  Grantor  Trust and  the  Company.  The  principal
elements  of the financial restructuring (the Restructuring) contemplated by the
Investment Agreement are:
    

   
    A.   Amendment to  the Company's  Restated Certificate  of Incorporation  to
       increase  the amount of  authorized capital stock of  the Company, and to
       effect a 1-for-10 reverse stock  split (Reverse Stock Split) pursuant  to
       which  each stockholder will  hold one share  of the Company's post-split
       shares for every ten presently held;
    

   
    B.  Sale to CRM  of 15,700,496 newly issued  shares of the Company's  common
       stock  (Common Stock), which  will constitute approximately  76.1% of the
       Company's outstanding common  stock, for  $14 million  (such issuance  is
       priced  at $0.89 per  share post-Reverse Stock Split  or $0.089 per share
       pre-Reverse Stock  Split, and  the $14  million  to be  paid by  CRM  was
       previously advanced in the form of an interim loan, as described below);
    

                                      F-28
<PAGE>
   
                         STANDARD BRANDS PAINT COMPANY
             NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (CONTINUED)
                         (DOLLAR AMOUNTS IN THOUSANDS)
    

   
13. SUBSEQUENT EVENTS (CONTINUED)
    
   
    C.   Exchange  of $16 million  of the Company's  outstanding debt (including
       approximately $2 million of debt held by CRM) into 2,242,928 newly issued
       shares of Common Stock  (at the same  price per share  as the CRM  shares
       under  B.  above)  and 1,570,049  newly  issued shares  of  8% cumulative
       convertible redeemable preferred stock  of the Company (Preferred  Stock)
       (priced  at  $8.92  per share  of  the  Preferred Stock  and  including a
       conversion price for the Common Stock of $1.11 per share);
    

   
    D.   Transfer  of  15  of  the  Company's  real  estate  properties  to  the
       Liquidating Property Trust, in which the Company currently has a residual
       interest;  release  of  related  long-term  debt;  and  the  sale  of the
       Company's residual interest in the Liquidating Property Trust to CRM  and
       to  FCI,  KRI and  the Insurance  Company Lenders,  for an  additional $2
       million  payable  in  cash   by  CRM  and   in  consideration  of   their
       participation in the Restructuring.
    

   
    In addition, the Company's existing limited guarantee, of approximately $6.8
million  on  the Assumed  Indebtedness,  will be  released  in exchange  for the
retention by  the  Company of  approximately  $2.5 million  of  debt on  the  15
properties  being  transferred  to the  Liquidating  Property Trust  and  a cash
payment of  $.5 million  to the  Insurance Companies.  Upon disposition  of  the
residual  interest  in the  Liquidating Property  Trust and  the release  of the
guarantee, the Company will  have no further continuing  interest in the  trust.
The  net book value of the properties in the Liquidating Property Trust plus the
net book value of the 15 properties  being transferred to the trust will  exceed
the  related indebtedness less the $2 million being paid by CRM by approximately
$15.3 million. Accordingly, the Company has provided for this loss as of January
29, 1995.
    

   
    Such transactions taken together will  effectuate the Restructuring, and  to
the  extent required to be approved by  the stockholders of the Company (whether
by applicable law or the Company's Restated Certificate of Incorporation, bylaws
or stock exchange  listing agreement),  must all be  approved in  order for  the
Restructuring  to  be  accomplished. It  is  contemplated that  the  closing and
effective date (the Closing Date) of the Restructuring will take place  promptly
after  the stockholders  meeting to  approve the  Restructuring, subject  to the
satisfaction of any other conditions precedent to the Closing Date.
    

   
    As part of the Restructuring, as of February 15, 1995, CRM provided  interim
financing   to  the   Company  in  contemplation   of  the   completion  of  the
Restructuring. CRM entered into an Interim  Loan Agreement pursuant to which  it
purchased $14 million of notes (Interim Notes) from the Company on substantially
the  same terms as the $10 million  originally borrowed by the Company under the
New Loan Agreement. Pursuant  to an intercreditor  agreement, the Interim  Notes
share  pro rata in  the collateral securing  the obligations under  the New Loan
Agreement and  the Grantor  Trust  Notes, and  the  Company has  granted  fourth
mortgages  to CRM  on its  real properties  to secure  the indebtedness.  On the
Closing Date, CRM will exchange the Interim Notes for Common Stock as  described
above.
    

   
    In addition, as of April 7, 1995, pursuant to an amendment to the Investment
Agreement and an unsecured loan agreement, CRM loaned $2 million to the Company.
The  loan  will be  exchanged on  the  Closing Date  as consideration  for CRM's
purchase of the Company's residual interest in the Liquidating Property Trust.
    

   
    Approval of  the  Restructuring  will  require the  affirmative  vote  of  a
majority  of the shares of  Common Stock of the  Company issued and outstanding.
FCI, KRI and the Insurance Company  Lenders presently own, in the aggregate,  in
excess of 50% of the Company's voting stock and have granted irrevocable proxies
to  CRM  as part  of the  Restructuring to  vote in  favor of  the Restructuring
    

                                      F-29
<PAGE>
   
                         STANDARD BRANDS PAINT COMPANY
             NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (CONTINUED)
                         (DOLLAR AMOUNTS IN THOUSANDS)
    

   
13. SUBSEQUENT EVENTS (CONTINUED)
    
   
and against  any  proposals  that  would  impede  or  delay  the  Restructuring.
Currently, a Special Meeting of Stockholders has been scheduled for May 1995, at
which time the stockholders will be asked to approve the Restructuring.
    

   
    Management  believes that  the Restructuring described  above, combined with
other sources of capital, will allow the Company to meet its obligations  during
the 1995 fiscal year as they become due.
    

                                      F-30
<PAGE>
                                                                PRELIMINARY COPY
PROXY                    STANDARD BRANDS PAINT COMPANY

   
    Solicited  on  behalf of  the Board  of Directors  of STANDARD  BRANDS PAINT
COMPANY (the "Company")  for use  at the  Special Meeting  of Stockholders  (the
"Meeting")  to be held on May 16, 1995 at 10:00 A.M., at 4300 West 190th Street,
Torrance, California.
    

   
    The undersigned hereby appoints Edward A. Drury and Denise McHugh, or either
one of them, as Proxies, with full power of substitution, to vote all shares  of
Common  Stock of the Company held of record by the undersigned on April 20, 1995
at the Meeting or at any adjournments  thereof, on the proposal set forth  below
and in their discretion upon such other business as may properly come before the
Meeting.
    

    The Board of Directors recommends a vote FOR the Restructuring Proposal.

   
1.  Approval  of  the Restructuring  Proposal as  described in  the accompanying
    Proxy Statement dated April   , 1995.
    

            / /  FOR            / /  AGAINST            / /  ABSTAIN

2.  In their discretion,  the Proxies  are authorized  to vote  upon such  other
    business as may properly come before the Meeting.

   
    This  proxy, when properly executed will be  voted in the manner directed by
the undersigned stockholder. If no direction is given, this proxy will be  voted
for  the Restructuring Proposal. All proxies heretofore given by the undersigned
are hereby revoked.  Receipt of  the Proxy  Statement dated April     , 1995  is
acknowledged.
    
<PAGE>
    PLEASE  MARK, SIGN, DATE  AND RETURN THIS PROXY  IN THE ACCOMPANYING PREPAID
ENVELOPE.
                                                        Date: ____________, 1995
                                                        ________________________
                                                              (Signature)
                                                        ________________________
                                                              (Signature)

                                                        Please sign  exactly  as
                                                        your name appears
                                                        hereon.  When signing as
                                                        attorney, executor,
                                                        administrator,  trustee,
                                                        guardian   or  corporate
                                                        officer, please  include
                                                        full title.


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