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UNITED STATES

SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

WASHINGTON, D.C. 20549

 

 

FORM 10-Q

 

 

 

x Quarterly report pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934

For the quarterly period ended May 3, 2014,

or

 

¨ Transition report pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934

For the transition period from                      to                      .

Commission file number: 000-49885

 

 

KIRKLAND’S, INC.

(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)

 

 

 

Tennessee   62-1287151

(State or other jurisdiction of

incorporation or organization)

 

(IRS Employer

Identification No.)

2501 McGavock Pike, Suite 1000

Nashville, Tennessee

  37214
(Address of principal executive offices)   (Zip Code)

Registrant’s telephone number, including area code: (615) 872-4800

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant (1) has filed all reports required to be filed by Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to file such reports), and (2) has been subject to such filing requirements for the past 90 days.    YES   x     NO   ¨

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant has submitted electronically and posted on its corporate Web site, if any, every Interactive Data File required to be submitted and posted pursuant to Rule 405 of Regulation S-T (§232.405 of this chapter) during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to submit and post such files).    YES   x     NO   ¨

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a large accelerated filer, an accelerated filer, a non-accelerated filer, or a smaller reporting company. See definitions of “large accelerated filer,” “accelerated filer” and “smaller reporting company” in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act.

 

Large accelerated filer   ¨    Accelerated filer   x
Non-accelerated filer   ¨    Smaller reporting company   ¨

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a shell company (as defined in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act).    YES   ¨     NO   x

Indicate the number of shares outstanding of each of the issuer’s classes of common stock, as of the latest practicable date.

Common Stock, no par value — 17,309,422 shares outstanding as of June 2, 2014.

 

 

 


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KIRKLAND’S, INC.

TABLE OF CONTENTS

 

     Page  
PART I — FINANCIAL INFORMATION:   
Item 1. Financial Statements   

Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets as of May 3, 2014 (unaudited), February 1, 2014, and May  4, 2013 (unaudited)

     3   

Condensed Consolidated Statements of Income for the 13-week periods ended May 3, 2014 and May  4, 2013 (unaudited)

     4   

Condensed Consolidated Statement of Shareholders’ Equity for the 13-week period ended May  3, 2014 (unaudited)

     5   

Condensed Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows for the 13-week periods ended May 3, 2014 and May  4, 2013 (unaudited) 

     6   

Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements (unaudited)

     7   
Item 2. Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations      8   
Item 3. Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk      15   
Item 4. Controls and Procedures      15   
PART II — OTHER INFORMATION:      15   
Item 1. Legal Proceedings      15   
Item 1A. Risk Factors      15   
Item 6. Exhibits      16   
SIGNATURES      17   
EXHIBIT 10.1   
EXHIBIT 31.1   
EXHIBIT 31.2   
EXHIBIT 32.1   
EXHIBIT 32.2   
EXHIBIT 101   


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KIRKLAND’S, INC.

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS

(in thousands, except share data)

 

     May 3,
2014
(Unaudited)
    February 1,
2014
    May 4,
2013
(Unaudited)
 

ASSETS

      

Current assets:

      

Cash and cash equivalents

   $ 82,418      $ 89,050      $ 74,111   

Inventories, net

     50,702        52,637        47,889   

Deferred income taxes

     2,857        2,777        1,638   

Prepaid expenses and other current assets

     8,595        8,817        7,591   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total current assets

     144,572        153,281        131,229   

Property and equipment, net

     82,768        80,329        76,964   

Other assets

     2,028        1,838        1,680   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total assets

   $ 229,368      $ 235,448      $ 209,873   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

LIABILITIES AND SHAREHOLDERS’ EQUITY

      

Current liabilities:

Accounts payable

   $ 19,465      $ 23,102      $ 20,933   

Income taxes payable

     866        5,875        —     

Accrued expenses

     22,870        23,670        21,719   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total current liabilities

     43,201        52,647        42,652   

Deferred rent

     39,435        38,976        38,572   

Non-current deferred income taxes

     3,239        3,337        3,057   

Other liabilities

     5,495        5,259        5,206   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total liabilities

     91,370        100,219        89,487   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Shareholders’ equity:

      

Preferred stock, no par value, 10,000,000 shares authorized; no shares issued or outstanding at May 3, 2014, February 1, 2014, or May 4, 2013, respectively

     —          —          —     

Common stock, no par value; 100,000,000 shares authorized; 17,309,423; 17,304,285; and 17,085,655 shares issued and outstanding at May 3, 2014, February 1, 2014, and May 4, 2013, respectively

     156,907        156,193        154,107   

Accumulated deficit

     (18,909     (20,964     (33,721
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total shareholders’ equity

     137,998        135,229        120,386   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total liabilities and shareholders’ equity

   $ 229,368      $ 235,448      $ 209,873   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these financial statements.

 

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KIRKLAND’S, INC.

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF INCOME (UNAUDITED)

(in thousands, except per share data)

 

     13-Week Period Ended  
     May 3,
2014
    May 4,
2013
 

Net sales

   $ 108,255      $ 101,233   

Cost of sales (exclusive of depreciation as shown below)

     65,653        61,827   
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Gross profit

     42,602        39,406   

Operating expenses:

    

Compensation and benefits

     21,279        19,928   

Other operating expenses

     13,664        12,851   

Depreciation

     4,300        3,791   
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total operating expenses

     39,243        36,570   
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Operating income

     3,359        2,836   

Interest expense, net

     69        67   

Other income, net

     (82     (61
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Income before income taxes

     3,372        2,830   

Income tax expense

     1,317        1,057   
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net income

   $ 2,055      $ 1,773   
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Earnings per share:

    

Basic

   $ 0.12      $ 0.10   
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Diluted

   $ 0.12      $ 0.10   
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Weighted average shares for basic earnings per share:

     17,308        17,083   

Effect of dilutive stock equivalents

     517        350   
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Adjusted weighted average shares for diluted earnings per share

     17,825        17,433   
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these financial statements.

 

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KIRKLAND’S, INC.

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF SHAREHOLDERS’ EQUITY (UNAUDITED)

(in thousands, except share data)

 

     Common Stock      Accumulated
Deficit
    Total
Shareholders’
Equity
 
     Shares      Amount       

Balance at February 1, 2014

     17,304,285       $ 156,193       $ (20,964   $ 135,229   

Exercise of employee stock options and employee stock purchases

     5,138         77         —          77   

Stock-based compensation expense

     —           637         —          637   

Net income

     —           —           2,055        2,055   
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

 

Balance at May 3, 2014

     17,309,423       $ 156,907       $ (18,909   $ 137,998   
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

 

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these financial statements.

 

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KIRKLAND’S, INC.

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS (UNAUDITED)

(in thousands)

 

     13-Week Period Ended  
     May 3,
2014
    May 4,
2013
 

Cash flows from operating activities:

    

Net income

   $ 2,055      $ 1,773   

Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash provided by operating activities:

Depreciation of property and equipment

     4,300        3,791   

Amortization of landlord construction allowances

     (1,456     (1,312

Amortization of debt issue costs

     19        19   

Loss on disposal of property and equipment

     191        66   

Cash received for landlord construction allowances

     2,234        2,653   

Stock-based compensation expense

     637        663   

Deferred income taxes

     (178     (107

Changes in assets and liabilities:

    

Inventories, net

     1,935        1,688   

Prepaid expenses and other current assets

     25        706   

Other noncurrent assets

     (209     (140

Accounts payable

     (3,637     (709

Income taxes receivable / payable

     (5,076     (1,535

Accrued expenses and other current and noncurrent liabilities

     (619     1,005   
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net cash provided by operating activities

     221        8,561   
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Cash flows from investing activities:

    

Capital expenditures

     (6,930     (2,322
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net cash used in investing activities

     (6,930     (2,322
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Cash flows from financing activities:

    

Exercise of stock options and employee stock purchases

     77        75   
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net cash provided by financing activities

     77        75   
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Cash and cash equivalents:

    

Net increase (decrease)

     (6,632     6,314   

Beginning of the period

     89,050        67,797   
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

End of the period

   $ 82,418      $ 74,111   
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these financial statements.

 

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KIRKLAND’S, INC.

NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (UNAUDITED)

Note 1 — Basis of Presentation

Kirkland’s, Inc. (the “Company”) is a specialty retailer of home décor and gifts with 324 stores in 35 states as of May 3, 2014. The condensed consolidated financial statements of the Company include the accounts of Kirkland’s, Inc. and its wholly-owned subsidiaries, Kirkland’s Stores, Inc., Kirkland’s DC, Inc., Kirkland’s Texas, LLC, and Kirklands.com, LLC. Significant intercompany accounts and transactions have been eliminated.

The accompanying unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements have been prepared in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States for interim financial information and with instructions to Form 10-Q and Article 10 of Regulation S-X. Accordingly, they do not include all of the information and notes required for complete financial statements. In the opinion of management, all adjustments, including normal recurring accruals, considered necessary for a fair presentation have been included. These financial statements should be read in conjunction with the audited financial statements included in the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on April 17, 2014.

It should be understood that accounting measurements at interim dates inherently involve greater reliance on estimates than those at fiscal year-end. In addition, because of seasonality factors, the results of the Company’s operations for the 13-week period ended May 3, 2014 are not indicative of the results to be expected for any other interim period or for the entire fiscal year. The Company’s fiscal year ends on the Saturday closest to January 31, resulting in years of either 52 or 53 weeks. All references to a fiscal year refer to the fiscal year ending on the Saturday closest to January 31 of the following year.

The preparation of the condensed consolidated financial statements in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the amounts reported in the condensed consolidated financial statements and accompanying notes. Actual results could differ from the estimates and assumptions used.

Changes in estimates are recognized in the period when new information becomes available to management. Areas where the nature of the estimate makes it reasonably possible that actual results could materially differ from amounts estimated include, but are not limited to impairment assessments on long-lived assets, asset retirement obligations, inventory reserves, self-insurance reserves, income tax liabilities, stock-based compensation, employee bonus accruals, gift card breakage, customer loyalty program accruals and contingent liabilities.

Note 2 — Income Taxes

An estimate of the annual effective tax rate is used at each interim period based on the facts and circumstances available at that time, while the actual effective tax rate is calculated at year-end. For the 13-week period ended May 3, 2014, the Company recorded an income tax expense of 39.1% of pre-tax income. In the prior year period, the Company recorded income tax expense of 37.3% of pre-tax income.

Note 3 — Earnings Per Share

Basic earnings per share is computed by dividing net income by the weighted average number of shares outstanding during each period presented, which excludes non-vested restricted stock units. Diluted earnings per share is computed by dividing net income by the weighted average number of shares outstanding plus the dilutive effect of stock equivalents outstanding during the applicable periods using the treasury stock method. Diluted earnings per share reflects the potential dilution that could occur if options to purchase stock were exercised into common stock and if outstanding grants of restricted stock were vested. Stock options that were not included in the computation of diluted earnings per share, because to do so would have been antidilutive, were 414,000 and 709,000 shares for the 13-week periods ended May 3, 2014, and May 4, 2013, respectively.

 

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Note 4 — Commitments and Contingencies

The Company is party to pending legal proceedings and claims. Although the outcome of such proceedings and claims cannot be determined with certainty, the Company’s management is of the opinion that it is unlikely that these proceedings and any claims in excess of insurance coverage will have a material effect on the financial condition, operating results or cash flows of the Company.

Note 5 — Stock-Based Compensation

The Company maintains equity incentive plans under which it may grant non-qualified stock options, incentive stock options, restricted stock, restricted stock units, or stock appreciation rights to employees, non-employee directors and consultants.

No stock options or restricted stock units were granted during the 13-week periods ended May 3, 2014 or May 4, 2013. Total stock-based compensation expense (a component of compensation and benefits) was $637,000 for the 13-week period ended May 3, 2014, compared to $663,000 for the comparable prior year period. Compensation expense is recognized on a straight-line basis over the vesting periods of each grant. There have been no material changes in the assumptions used to compute compensation expense during the current quarter.

Note 6 — Related Party Transactions

In July 2009, the Company entered into an agreement with a related party vendor to purchase merchandise inventory. The vendor is considered a related party for financial reporting purposes because its principal is the spouse of the Company’s Vice President of Merchandising. During the 13-week periods ended May 3, 2014 and May 4, 2013, purchases from this vendor totaled approximately $5.7 million, or 12% of total merchandise purchases, and $6.4 million, or 14% of merchandise purchases, respectively. Included in cost of sales for the 13-week periods ended May 3, 2014 and May 4, 2013 were $5.8 million and $6.2 million, respectively, related to this vendor. Payable amounts outstanding to this vendor were approximately $1.3 million and $3.3 million as of May 3, 2014 and May 4, 2013, respectively. The Company’s payable terms with this vendor are consistent with the terms offered by other vendors in the ordinary course of business.

Note 7 — Subsequent Event

On May 22, 2014, the Company announced that its Board of Directors authorized a stock repurchase plan providing for the purchase in the aggregate of up to $30 million of the Company’s outstanding common stock over the next 24 months. The timing, price and volume of repurchases will be based on market conditions, relevant securities laws and other factors. The stock repurchases may be made from time to time on the open market or in privately negotiated transactions. The stock repurchase program does not require the Company to repurchase any specific number of shares, and the Company may terminate the repurchase program at any time. Subsequent to May 22, 2014, the Company has repurchased and retired approximately 14,000 shares of common stock at an aggregate cost of approximately $240,000.

ITEM 2. MANAGEMENT’S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS

Forward Looking Statements

This “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations” (MD&A) is intended to provide an understanding of our financial condition, change in financial condition, cash flow, liquidity and results of operations. The following MD&A discussion should be read in conjunction with the condensed consolidated financial statements and notes to those statements that appear elsewhere in this Form 10-Q and in the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K, filed April 17, 2014. The following discussion contains forward-looking statements that reflect the Company’s plans, estimates and beliefs. The Company’s actual results could differ materially from those discussed or referred to in the forward-looking statements. Factors that could cause or contribute to any differences include, but are not limited to, those discussed under the caption “Cautionary Statement for Purposes of the “Safe Harbor” Provisions of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995” and under Part II, Item 1A — “Risk Factors”.

 

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General

We are a specialty retailer of home décor and gifts in the United States, operating 324 stores in 35 states as of May 3, 2014, as well as an e-commerce enabled website, www.kirklands.com. Our stores present a broad selection of distinctive merchandise, including wall décor (framed art, mirrors and other wall ornaments), lamps, decorative accessories, accent furniture, textiles, fragrance and accessories, frames, housewares, outdoor accessories and artificial floral products. Our stores also offer an extensive assortment of holiday merchandise during seasonal periods as well as items carried throughout the year suitable for gift-giving. In addition, we use innovative design and packaging to market home décor items as gifts. We provide our predominantly female customers an engaging shopping experience characterized by a diverse, ever-changing merchandise selection reflecting current styles at prices which provide discernible value. This combination of ever-changing and stylish merchandise, value pricing and a stimulating store experience has led to our emergence as a leader in home décor and enabled us to develop a strong customer franchise.

During the 13-week period ended May 3, 2014, we opened seven new stores and closed seven stores. The following table summarizes our stores and square footage under lease:

 

     As of
May 3,
2014
     As of
May 4,
2013
 

Number of stores

     324         317   

Square footage

     2,435,259         2,321,868   

Average square footage per store

     7,516         7,325   

13-Week Period Ended May 3, 2014 Compared to the 13-Week Period Ended May 4, 2013

Results of operations. The table below sets forth selected results of our operations both in dollars (in thousands) and as a percentage of net sales for the periods indicated:

 

     13-Week Period Ended        
     May 3, 2014     May 4, 2013     Change  
     $     %     $     %     $     %  

Net sales

   $ 108,255        100.0   $ 101,233        100.0   $ 7,022        6.9

Cost of sales

     65,653        60.6     61,827        61.1     3,826        6.2
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Gross profit

     42,602        39.4     39,406        38.9     3,196        8.1

Operating expenses:

            

Compensation and benefits

     21,279        19.7     19,928        19.7     1,351        6.8

Other operating expenses

     13,664        12.6     12,851        12.7     813        6.3

Depreciation

     4,300        4.0     3,791        3.7     509        13.4
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total operating expenses

     39,243        36.3     36,570        36.1     2,673        7.3

Operating income

     3,359        3.1     2,836        2.8     523        18.4

Interest expense, net

     69        0.1     67        0.1     2        3.0

Other income, net

     (82     (0.1 %)      (61     (0.1 %)      (21     34.4
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Income before income taxes

     3,372        3.1     2,830        2.8     542        19.2

Income tax expense

     1,317        1.2     1,057        1.0     260        24.6
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net income

   $ 2,055        1.9   $ 1,773        1.8   $ 282        15.9
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net sales. Net sales increased 6.9% to $108.3 million for the first fiscal quarter of 2014 compared to $101.2 million for the prior year period. The impact of net new store growth contributed an increase to net sales of $2.3 million. An increase in comparable store sales, including e-commerce sales, of 5.0%, contributed an increase over the prior year quarter of $4.7 million. Comparable store sales decreased 2.3% in the prior year period. For the first fiscal quarter of 2014, the e-commerce business was up 37.9% versus the prior year period, accompanied by an increase in comparable store sales at brick-and-mortar stores of 3.7%. For brick-and-mortar stores, the comparable store sales increase was primarily due to an increase in number of transactions, accompanied by a slight increase in the average ticket. The increase in transactions resulted from an increase in conversion, partially offset by a decrease in traffic. The increase in the average ticket reflected an increase in items sold per transaction, offset partially by a decline in average retail selling price. The merchandise categories contributing most to the comparable store sales increase were textiles, lamps, housewares and holiday. These increases were partially offset by declines in outdoor living, frames and floral.

 

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Gross profit . Gross profit as a percentage of net sales increased from 38.9% in the first quarter of 2013 to 39.4% in the first quarter of 2014. The overall increase in gross profit margin was primarily due to a higher merchandise margin, which increased from 55.1% in the first quarter of fiscal 2013 to 55.9% in the first quarter of fiscal 2014. Merchandise margin is calculated as net sales minus product cost of sales (including inbound freight) and inventory shrinkage. Merchandise margin excludes outbound freight, store occupancy and central distribution costs. The increase in merchandise margin was primarily the result of lower inbound freight costs, which accounted for an increase in the margin of approximately 0.5%. The increase was accompanied by a reduction in promotional activity and markdowns. Store occupancy costs as a percentage of net sales were down slightly in the first quarter of 2014 as compared to the prior year period. Outbound freight costs and central distribution expenses increased as a percentage of sales, primarily due to an increase in the e-Commerce business.

Compensation and benefits. Compensation and benefits expenses for stores decreased as a percentage of net sales for the first quarter of fiscal 2014 as compared to the first quarter of 2013 due to comparable store sales leverage. At the corporate level, the compensation and benefits ratio increased over the prior year period primarily due to increased headcount associated with our multi-channel initiatives, and severance benefits related to the departure of our former Senior Vice President of Supply Chain.

Other operating expenses . Other operating expenses decreased slightly as a percentage of sales versus the prior year period due primarily to a reduction in self-insurance expenses, partially offset by an increase in marketing expenses.

Depreciation. The increase in depreciation as a percentage of sales reflects an increase in capital expenditures in recent fiscal years and the implementation of major technology upgrades.

Income tax expense. We recorded income tax expense of approximately $1.3 million, or 39.1% of pre-tax income during the first quarter of fiscal 2014, versus approximately $1.1 million, or 37.3% of pre-tax income, in the prior year quarter.

Net income and earnings per share. As a result of the foregoing, we reported net income of $2.1 million, or $0.12 per diluted share, for the first quarter of fiscal 2014 as compared to net income of $1.8 million, or $0.10 per diluted share, for the first quarter of fiscal 2013.

Liquidity and Capital Resources

Our principal capital requirements are for working capital and capital expenditures. Working capital consists mainly of merchandise inventories offset by accounts payable, which typically reach their peak by the early portion of the fourth quarter of each fiscal year. Capital expenditures primarily relate to new store openings; existing store expansions, remodels or relocations; and purchases of equipment or information technology assets for our stores, distribution facilities and corporate headquarters. Historically, we have funded our working capital and capital expenditure requirements with internally generated cash and borrowings under our credit facility.

Cash flows from operating activities. Net cash provided by operating activities was approximately $221,000 for the first quarter of fiscal 2014, compared to net cash provided by operating activities of $8.6 million for the first quarter of 2013. Cash flows from operating activities depend heavily on operating performance, changes in working capital and the timing and amount of payments for income taxes. The change in the amount of cash provided by operations as compared to the prior year period was primarily the result of higher income tax payments and incentive bonus payouts in the first quarter of 2014, combined with decreased accounts payable, due to timing of payments.

Cash flows from investing activities. Net cash used in investing activities for the first quarter of fiscal 2014 consisted of $6.9 million in capital expenditures as compared to $2.3 million in capital expenditures for the prior year period. The capital expenditures in both periods primarily related to new store construction and information technology assets. During the first quarter of fiscal 2014, we opened seven stores compared to one store during the

 

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first quarter of fiscal 2013. We expect that capital expenditures for all of fiscal 2014 will be approximately $33 to $36 million, primarily to fund the leasehold improvements of new stores, make improvements in our information technology infrastructure and multi-channel capabilities, and maintain our investments in existing stores and our distribution center.

Cash flows from financing activities. Net cash provided by financing activities was approximately $77,000 for the first quarter of fiscal 2014, and related to employee stock purchases. Net cash used in financing activities was approximately $75,000 for the first quarter of fiscal 2013, and also related to employee stock purchases.

Revolving credit facility. On August 19, 2011, we entered into an Amended and Restated Credit Agreement (the “Credit Agreement”) with Bank of America, N.A. as administrative agent and collateral agent, and the lenders named therein (the “Lenders”), replacing our prior credit agreement entered into in 2004. The Credit Agreement increased our senior secured revolving credit facility from $45 million to $50 million and extended the maturity date to August 2016. Borrowings under the facility bear interest at an annual rate equal to LIBOR plus a margin ranging from 175 to 225 basis points with no LIBOR floor. Additionally, a fee of 0.375% per annum is assessed on the unused portion of the facility.

Pursuant to the Credit Agreement, borrowings are subject to certain customary conditions and contain customary events of default, including, without limitation, failure to make payments, a cross-default to certain other debt, breaches of covenants, breaches of representations and warranties, a change in control, certain monetary judgments and bankruptcy and ERISA events. Upon any such event of default, the principal amount of any unpaid loans and all other obligations under the Credit Agreement may be declared immediately due and payable. The maximum availability under the facility is limited by a borrowing base formula which consists of a percentage of eligible inventory and eligible credit card receivables, less reserves.

Also on August 19, 2011, we entered into an Amended and Restated Security Agreement with our Lenders. Pursuant to the Security Agreement, we pledged and granted to the administrative agent, for the benefit of itself and the secured parties specified therein, a lien on and security interest in all of the rights, title and interest in substantially all of our assets to secure the payment and performance of the obligations under the Credit Agreement.

As of May 3, 2014, we were in compliance with the covenants in the facility and there were no outstanding borrowings under the credit facility, with approximately $33.0 million available for borrowing.

At May 3, 2014, our balance of cash and cash equivalents was approximately $82.4 million. We do not anticipate any borrowings under the credit facility during fiscal 2014. We believe that the combination of our cash balances and cash flow from operations will be sufficient to fund our planned capital expenditures and working capital requirements for at least the next twelve months.

Share Repurchase Authorization. On May 22, 2014, the Company announced that its Board of Directors authorized a stock repurchase plan providing for the purchase in the aggregate of up to $30 million of the Company’s outstanding common stock over the next 24 months. The timing, price and volume of repurchases will be based on market conditions, relevant securities laws and other factors. The stock repurchases may be made from time to time on the open market or in privately negotiated transactions. The stock repurchase program does not require the Company to repurchase any specific number of shares, and the Company may terminate the repurchase program at any time. Subsequent to May 22, 2014, the Company has repurchased and retired approximately 14,000 shares of common stock at an aggregate cost of approximately $240,000.

Related Party Transactions

In July 2009, we entered into an agreement with a related party vendor to purchase merchandise inventory. The vendor is considered a related party for financial reporting purposes because its principal is the spouse of our Vice President of Merchandising. During the first quarter of fiscal 2014 and 2013, purchases from this vendor totaled approximately $5.7 million, or 12% of total merchandise purchases, and $6.4 million, or 14% of merchandise

 

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purchases, respectively. Included in cost of sales for the first quarter of fiscal 2014 and 2013 were $5.8 million and $6.2 million, respectively, related to this vendor. Payable amounts outstanding to this vendor were approximately $1.3 million and $3.3 million as of May 3, 2014 and May 4, 2013, respectively. Our payable terms with this vendor are consistent with the terms offered by other vendors in the ordinary course of business.

Significant Contractual Obligations and Commercial Commitments

Construction commitments

The Company had commitments for new store construction projects totaling approximately $770,000 at May 3, 2014.

Critical Accounting Policies and Estimates

There have been no significant changes to our critical accounting policies during fiscal 2014. Refer to our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended February 1, 2014, for a summary of our critical accounting policies.

Cautionary Statement for Purposes of the “Safe Harbor” Provisions of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995

The following information is provided pursuant to the “Safe Harbor” provisions of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Certain statements under the heading “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations” in this Form 10-Q are “forward-looking statements” made pursuant to these provisions. Forward-looking statements provide current expectations of future events based on certain assumptions and include any statement that does not directly relate to any historical or current fact. Words such as “should,” “likely to,” “forecasts,” “strategy,” “goal,” “anticipates,” “believes,” “expects,” “estimates,” “intends,” “plans,” “projects,” and similar expressions, may identify such forward-looking statements. Such statements are subject to certain risks and uncertainties which could cause actual results to differ materially from the results projected in such statements. Readers are cautioned not to place undue reliance on these forward-looking statements, which speak only as of the date hereof.

The factors listed below under the heading “Risk Factors” and in the other sections of this Form 10-Q provide examples of risks, uncertainties and events that could cause our actual results to differ materially from the expectations expressed in our forward-looking statements.

These forward-looking statements speak only as of the date of this report and, except as required by law, we undertake no obligation to update forward-looking statements to reflect events or circumstances occurring after the date of this report.

 

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We caution readers that the following important factors, among others, have in the past, in some cases, affected and could in the future affect our actual results of operations and cause our actual results to differ materially from the results expressed in any forward-looking statements made by us or on our behalf.

 

    If We Do Not Generate Sufficient Cash Flow, We May Not Be Able to Implement Our Growth Strategy.

 

    If We Are Unable to Profitably Open and Operate New Stores at a Rate that Exceeds Planned Store Closings, We May Not Be Able to Adequately Execute Our Growth Strategy, Resulting in a Decrease in Net Sales and Net Income.

 

    Our Success Depends Upon our Marketing, Advertising and Promotional Efforts. If We are Unable to Implement them Successfully, or if Our Competitors Market, Advertise or Promote More Effectively than We Do, Our Revenue May Be Adversely Affected.

 

    We May Not Be Able to Successfully Anticipate Consumer Trends and Our Failure to Do So May Lead to Loss of Consumer Acceptance of Our Products Resulting in Reduced Net Sales.

 

    We May Not Be Able to Successfully Respond to Technological Change, Our Website Could Become Obsolete and Our Financial Results and Conditions Could be Adversely Affected.

 

    Inventory Loss and Theft and the Inability to Anticipate Inventory Needs may Result in Reduced Net Sales.

 

    Inability to Successfully Develop and Maintain a Relevant and Reliable Multichannel Experience for Our Customers Could Adversely Affect Our Sales, Results of Operations and Reputation.

 

    Our Results Could be Negatively Impacted if our Merchandise Offering Suffers a Substantial Impediment to its Reputation Due to Real or Perceived Quality Issues.

 

    We Face an Extremely Competitive Specialty Retail Business Market, and Such Competition Could Result in a Reduction of Our Prices and a Loss of Our Market Share.

 

    Weather Conditions Could Adversely Affect Our Sales and/or Profitability by Affecting Consumer Shopping Patterns.

 

    We are Exposed to the Risk of Natural Disasters, Pandemic Outbreaks, Global Political Events, War and Terrorism That Could Disrupt Our Business and Result in Lower Sales, Increased Operating Costs and Capital Expenditures.

 

    Our Performance May be Affected by General Economic Conditions.

 

    Our Profitability is Vulnerable to Inflation and Cost Increases.

 

    Our Profitability is Vulnerable to Energy Prices.

 

    Our Business Is Highly Seasonal and Our Fourth Quarter Contributes a Disproportionate Amount of Our Net Sales, Net Income and Cash Flow, and Any Factors Negatively Impacting Us During Our Fourth Quarter Could Reduce Our Net Sales, Net Income and Cash Flow, Leaving Us with Excess Inventory and Making It More Difficult for Us to Finance Our Capital Requirements.

 

    Failure to Control Merchandise Returns Could Negatively Impact the Business.

 

    We May Experience Significant Variations in Our Quarterly Results.

 

    Our Comparable Store Net Sales Fluctuate Due to a Variety of Factors.

 

    Our Freight Costs and thus Our Cost of Goods Sold are Impacted by Changes in Fuel Prices.

 

    Changes in Accounting and Tax Rules and Regulations May Adversely Affect our Operating Results.

 

    New Legal Requirements Could Adversely Affect Our Operating Results.

 

    New Regulations Related to Conflict Minerals Could Adversely Impact Our Business.

 

    Litigation May Adversely Affect Our Business, Financial Condition, Results of Operations or Liquidity.

 

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    Product Liability Claims Could Adversely Affect Our Reputation.

 

    If We Fail to Protect Our Brand Name, Competitors May Adopt Trade Names that Dilute the Value of Our Brand Name.

 

    Failure to Protect the Integrity and Security of Individually Identifiable Data of Our Customers and Employees Could Expose Us to Litigation and Damage Our Reputation; The Expansion of Our e-commerce Business Has Inherent Cybersecurity Risks That May Result in Business Disruptions.

 

    Our Hardware and Software Systems Are Vulnerable to Damage that Could Harm Our Business.

 

    We Depend on a Number of Vendors to Supply Our Merchandise, and Any Delay in Merchandise Deliveries from Certain Vendors May Lead to a Decline in Inventory Which Could Result in a Loss of Net Sales.

 

    We Are Dependent on Foreign Imports for a Significant Portion of Our Merchandise, and Any Changes in the Trading Relations and Conditions Between the United States and the Relevant Foreign Countries May Lead to a Decline in Inventory Resulting in a Decline in Net Sales, or an Increase in the Cost of Sales Resulting in Reduced Gross Profit.

 

    Our Success Is Highly Dependent on Our Planning and Control Processes and Our Supply Chain, and Any Disruption in or Failure to Continue to Improve These Processes May Result in a Loss of Net Sales and Net Income.

 

    We Depend on Key Personnel, and, if We Lose the Services of Any Member of Our Senior Management Team, We May Not Be Able to Run Our Business Effectively.

 

    Our Charter and Bylaw Provisions and Certain Provisions of Tennessee Law May Make It Difficult in Some Respects to Cause a Change in Control of Kirkland’s and Replace Incumbent Management.

 

    Concentration of Ownership among Our Existing Directors, Executive Officers, and Their Affiliates May Prevent New Investors from Influencing Significant Corporate Decisions.

 

    If We Fail to Maintain an Effective System of Internal Control, We May Not be Able to Accurately Report Our Financial Results.

 

    The Market Price for Our Common Stock Might Be Volatile and Could Result in a Decline in the Value of Your Investment.

 

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ITEM 3. QUANTITATIVE AND QUALITATIVE DISCLOSURES ABOUT MARKET RISK

The Company does not utilize financial instruments for trading or other speculative purposes, nor does it utilize leveraged financial instruments. There have been no material changes in the market risk factors from those disclosed in the Company’s Form 10-K for the year ended February 1, 2014.

 

ITEM 4. CONTROLS AND PROCEDURES

(a) Evaluation of disclosure controls and procedures . Our Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer, after evaluating the effectiveness of our disclosure controls and procedures (as defined in Rules 13a-15(e) or 15(d)-(e) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the “Exchange Act”) have concluded that as of May 3, 2014 our disclosure controls and procedures were effective to provide reasonable assurance that information required to be disclosed by the Company in reports filed or submitted under the Exchange Act is recorded, processed, summarized and reported within the time periods specified in the Securities and Exchange Commission’s rules and forms and is accumulated and communicated to management, including our principal executive officer and principal financial officer, as appropriate to allow timely decisions regarding required disclosure.

(b) Change in internal controls over financial reporting . There have been no changes in internal controls over financial reporting identified in connection with the foregoing evaluation that occurred during our last fiscal quarter that have materially affected, or are reasonably likely to materially affect, our internal control over financial reporting.

PART II OTHER INFORMATION

 

ITEM 1. LEGAL PROCEEDINGS

The Company is party to pending legal proceedings and claims. Although the outcome of such proceedings and claims cannot be determined with certainty, the Company’s management is of the opinion that it is unlikely that these proceedings and claims in excess of insurance coverage will have a material effect on the financial condition, operating results or cash flows of the Company.

 

ITEM 1A. RISK FACTORS

In addition to factors set forth in “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations — Cautionary Statement for Purposes of the ‘Safe Harbor’ Provisions of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995,” in Part I — Item 2 of this report, you should carefully consider the factors discussed in Part I, “Item 1A. Risk Factors” in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended February 1, 2014, which could materially affect our business, financial condition or future results. The risks described in this report and in our Annual Report on Form 10-K are not the only risks facing our Company. Additional risks and uncertainties not currently known to us or that we currently deem to be immaterial also may materially adversely affect our business, financial condition and/or operating results.

 

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ITEM 6. EXHIBITS

(a) Exhibits.

 

Exhibit

No.

  

Description of Document

10.1    Office Lease Agreement dated April 17, 2014 by and between Kirkland’s, Inc. and Highwoods Realty Limited Partnership
31.1    Certification of the President and Chief Executive Officer pursuant to Rule 13a-14(a) or Rule 15d-14(a)
31.2    Certification of the Senior Vice President and Chief Financial Officer Pursuant to Rule 13a-14(a) or Rule 15d-14(a)
32.1    Certification of the President and Chief Executive Officer pursuant to 18 U.S.C. Section 1350
32.2    Certification of the Senior Vice President and Chief Financial Officer Pursuant to 18 U.S.C. Section 1350
101    Interactive Data File (Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q, for the quarter ended May 3, 2014, furnished in XBRL (eXtensible Business Reporting Language))

 

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SIGNATURES

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

 

      KIRKLAND’S, INC.
Date: June 12, 2014      

/s/ Robert E. Alderson

     

Robert E. Alderson

President and Chief Executive Officer

(Principal Executive Officer)

Date: June 12, 2014      

/s/ W. Michael Madden

     

W. Michael Madden

Senior Vice President and Chief Financial Officer

(Principal Financial Officer and Principal Accounting Officer)

 

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EXHIBIT INDEX

 

Exhibit
No.

  

Description of Document

10.1    Office Lease Agreement dated April 17, 2014 by and between Kirkland’s, Inc. and Highwoods Realty Limited Partnership
31.1    Certification of the President and Chief Executive Officer pursuant to Rule 13a-14(a) or Rule 15d-14(a)
31.2    Certification of the Senior Vice President and Chief Financial Officer Pursuant to Rule 13a-14(a) or Rule 15d-14(a)
32.1    Certification of the President and Chief Executive Officer pursuant to 18 U.S.C. Section 1350
32.2    Certification of the Senior Vice President and Chief Financial Officer Pursuant to 18 U.S.C. Section 1350
101    Interactive Data File (Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q, for the quarter ended May 3, 2014, furnished in XBRL (eXtensible Business Reporting Language))

 

18

Exhibit 10.1

HIGHWOODS REALTY LIMITED PARTNERSHIP

OFFICE LEASE


TABLE OF CONTENTS

 

Article 1:      Basic Definitions and Provisions
     a.    Premises
     b.    Term
     c.    Intentionally Omitted
     d.    Permitted Use
     e.    Occupancy Limitation
     f.    Base Rent
     g.    Rent Payment Address
     h.    Security Deposit
     i.    Business Hours
     j.    After Hours HVAC Rate
     k.    Parking
     l.    Notice Addresses
     m.    Broker
     n.    Authorized Representative
Article 2:      Leased Premises
     a.    Premises
     b.    Common Areas
Article 3:      Term
     a.    Commencement and Expiration Dates
     b.    Delivery of Possession
     c.    Right to Occupy
Article 4:      Use
     a.    Permitted Use
     b.    Prohibited Equipment in Premises
Article 5:      Rent
     a.    Payment Obligations
     b.    Base Rent
     c.    Additional Rent
Article 6:      Security Deposit
Article 7:      Services by Landlord
     a.    Base Services
     b.    Landlord’s Maintenance
     c.    No Abatement
Article 8:      Tenant’s Acceptance and Maintenance of Premises
     a.    Acceptance of Premises
     b.    Move-in Obligations
     c.    Tenant’s Maintenance
     d.    Alterations to Premises
     e.    Restoration of Premises
     f.    Landlord’s Performance of Tenant’s Obligations
     g.    Construction Liens
     h.    Communications Compliance
Article 9:      Property of Tenant
Article 10:      Signs


Article 11:      Access to Premises
     a.    Tenant’s Access
     b.    Landlord’s Access
Article 12:      Tenant’s Compliance
Article 13:      Insurance Requirements
     a.    Tenant’s Liability Insurance
     b.    Tenant’s Property Insurance
     c.    Certificates of Insurance
     d.    Insurance Policy Requirements
     e.    Right to Increase Requirements
     f.    Landlord’s Property Insurance
     g.    Mutual Waiver of Subrogation
Article 14:      Indemnity
Article 15:      Quiet Enjoyment
Article 16:      Subordination; Attornment; Non-Disturbance; and Estoppel Certificate
     a.    Subordination and Attornment
     b.    Non-Disturbance
     c.    Estoppel Certificates
Article 17:      Assignment – Sublease
     a.    Landlord Consent
     b.    Permitted Assignments/Subleases
     c.    Notice to Landlord
     d.    Prohibited Assignments/Sublease
     e.    Limitation on Rights of Assignee/Sublessee
     f.    Tenant Not Released
     g.    Landlord’s Right to Collect Sublease Rents Upon Tenant Default
     h.    Excess Rents
     i.    Landlord’s Fees
Article 18:      Damages to Premises
     a.    Landlord’s Restoration Obligations
     b.    Tenant’s Restoration Obligations
     c.    Termination of Lease by Landlord
     d.    Termination of Lease by Tenant
     e.    Rent Abatement
Article 19:      Eminent Domain
     a.    Effect on Lease
     b.    Right to Condemnation Award
Article 20:      Environmental Compliance
     a.    Tenant’s Responsibility
     b.    Liability of the Parties
     c.    Inspections by Landlord
Article 21:      Default
     a.    Tenant’s Default
     b.    Landlord’s Remedies
     c.    Landlord’s Expenses
     d.    Remedies Cumulative
     e.    No Accord and Satisfaction
     f.    No Reinstatement
     g.    Unlawful Detainer
     h.    Landlord’s Default


Article 22:      Multiple Defaults
     a.    Loss of Option Rights
     b.    Increased Security Deposit
     c.    Effect on Notice and Cure Period
Article 23:      Bankruptcy
     a.    Trustee’s Rights
     b.    Adequate Assurance
     c.    Assumption of Lease Obligations
Article 24:      Notices
     a.    Addresses
     b.    Form; Delivery; Receipt
Article 25:      Holding Over
Article 26:      Right to Relocate
     a.    Substitute Premises
     b.    Upfit of Substitute Premises
     c.    Relocation Costs
     d.    Lease Terms
Article 27:      Broker’s Commissions
Article 28:      Anti-Terrorism Laws
Article 29:      General Provisions/Definitions
     a.    No Agency
     b.    Force Majeure
     c.    Building Standard Improvements
     d.    Limitation on Damages
     e.    Satisfaction of Judgments Against Landlord
     f.    Interest
     g.    Legal Costs
     h.    Sale of Premises or Building
     i.    Time of the Essence
     j.    Transfer of Security Deposit
     k.    Tender of Premises
     l.    Tenant’s Financial Statements
     m.    Recordation
     n.    Partial Invalidity
     o.    Binding Effect
     p.    Entire Agreement; Construction
     q.    Good Standing
     r.    Choice of Law
     s.    Effective Date
Article 30:      Special Conditions
Article 31:      Addenda and Exhibits
     a.    Addendum
     b.    Exhibit A – Premises
     c.    Exhibit A-1 – Work Letter
     d.    Exhibit B – Rules and Regulations
     e.    Exhibit C – Commencement Agreement
     f.    Exhibit D – Acceptance of Premises


OFFICE LEASE

THIS OFFICE LEASE (“Lease”), made this 17 day of April, 2014, by and between HIGHWOODS REALTY LIMITED PARTNERSHIP , a North Carolina limited partnership (“Landlord”), and KIRKLAND’S, INC. , a Tennessee corporation (“Tenant”), provides as follows:

1. BASIC DEFINITIONS AND PROVISIONS. The following basic definitions and provisions apply to this Lease:

 

a.     Premises.

     Rentable Square Feet:       76,199 rsf
     Phase I:         41,961 rsf, which consists of (i) a portion of the first floor space comprising approximately 16,268 rsf; and (ii) all of the third floor comprising approximately 25,693 rsf
     Phase II:       34,238 rsf, which consists of (i) the remainder of the first floor space comprising approximately 8,433 rsf; and (ii) all of the second floor comprising approximately 25,805 rsf
     Suites:       100, 200 and 300
     Building:       5310 Maryland Way
     Office Park:       Maryland Farms
     Street Address:       5310 Maryland Way
     City/County:       Brentwood, Williamson
     State/Zip Code:       Tennessee 37027

b. Term.

     Number of Months:       125 (approx.) – See Expiration Date below
     Commencement Dates:
                 Phase I Commencement Date:                August 1, 2014
                 Phase II Commencement Date:               October 1, 2014
     Rent Commencement Dates:
                 Phase I Rent Commencement Date:            November 1, 2014
                 Phase II Rent Commencement Date:           January 1, 2015
     Expiration Date:       The last day of the 123 rd complete calendar month following the Phase II Commencement Date

c. Intentionally Omitted

d. Permitted Use. General office use only, which shall be deemed to include storage and display space for Tenant’s merchandise.

e. Occupancy Limitation. No more than four persons per 1,000 rentable square feet of the Premises.

 

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f. Base Rent . The minimum Base Rent for the Term is $16,881,552.40 , payable in monthly installments on the 1st day of each month in accordance with the following Base Rent Schedule:

 

PERIOD

 

RATE

 

MONTHLY RENT

 

ANNUAL RENT

08/01/14 – 10/31/14*   $0.00*   $0.00*   $0.00*
11/01/14 – 12/31/14*   $20.00*   $69,935.00*   $139,870.00*
01/01/15 – 10/31/15   $20.00   $126,998.33   $1,269,983.30
11/01/15 – 10/31/16   $20.40   $129,538.30   $1,554,459.60
11/01/16 – 10/31/17   $20.81   $132,141.77   $1,585,701.24
11/01/17 – 10/31/18   $21.22   $134,745.23   $1,616,942.76
11/01/18 – 10/31/19   $21.65   $137,475.70   $1,649,708.40
11/01/19 – 10/31/20   $22.08   $140,206.16   $1,682,473.92
11/01/20 – 10/31/21   $22.52   $143,000.12   $1,716,001.44
11/01/21 – 10/31/22   $22.97   $145,857.59   $1,750,291.08
11/01/22 – 10/31/23   $23.43   $148,778.55   $1,785,342.60
11/01/23 – 10/31/24   $23.90   $151,763.01   $1,821,156.12
11/01/24 – 12/31/24   $24.38   $154,810.97   $309,621.94

 

* Base Rent for the Phase I space shall be abated for the first three months following the Phase I Commencement Date (anticipated to occur on August 1, 2014); and Base Rent for Phase II space shall be abated for first three months following the Phase II Commencement Date (anticipated to occur on October 1, 2014). Thus, Base Rent for the period of November 1 – December 31, 2014 is calculated only on the 41,961 rentable square feet of the Phase I space.

The dates in the above rent schedule assume a Phase I Commencement Date of August 1, 2014, and a Phase II Commencement Date of October 1, 2014; and the dates are subject to adjustment depending on when the actual Phase I and Phase II Commencement Dates occur.

 

g .    Rent Payment Address.    HIGHWOODS REALTY LIMITED PARTNERSHIP
   P. O. Box 409355
   Atlanta, GA 30384
   Tax ID #: 56-1869557
h .    Security Deposit.    [N/A]
i .    Business Hours.    [N/A]
j .    After Hours HVAC Rate.    [N/A]
k.    Parking.    Except as needed on a limited and temporary basis by AT&T to service its portion of the Building referenced in Section 2.c hereinbelow, exclusive use of the parking lot associated with the Building.
l .     Notice Addresses.   

LANDLORD:

   HIGHWOODS REALTY LIMITED PARTNERSHIP
   c/o Highwoods Properties, Inc.
   3322 West End Ave., Suite 600
   Nashville, Tennessee 37203
   Phone: 615/320-5566
   Facsimile #: 615/320-5607

 

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with a copy to:

   HIGHWOODS REALTY LIMITED PARTNERSHIP
   c/o Highwoods Properties, Inc.
   3100 Smoketree Court, Suite 600
   Raleigh, North Carolina 27604
   Attn: Manager, Lease Administration and Legal Department
   Facsimile #: 919/876-2448

TENANT:

   KIRKLAND’S, INC.
   5310 Maryland Way, Suite 100
   Brentwood, Tennessee 37027
   Attn: W. Michael Madden
   Phone: 615/872-4800
   Facsimile#:             

with a copy to:

   BASS, BERRY & SIMS, PLC
   150 Third Avenue South, Suite 2800
   Nashville, Tennessee 37201
   Attn: Scott Thomas
   Facsimile#: 615/742-2743
m.     Broker    Cushman & Wakefield/Cornerstone Commercial Real Estate Services
n.    Tenant’s Authorized Representative:                     W. Michael Madden

 

  2. LEASED PREMISES .

a. Premises . Landlord leases to Tenant and Tenant leases from Landlord the Premises identified in Section 1a and as more particularly shown on Exhibit A , attached hereto.

b. Common Areas . During the period between the Phase I Commencement Date and the Phase II Commencement Date, Tenant acknowledges that Tenant shall not be the sole tenant of the Building. During such period, Tenant agrees that Landlord shall have control over the Common Areas of the Building, and Tenant shall abide by Landlord’s reasonable rules and regulations intended to govern a multi-tenant building. “Common Areas” shall be deemed to include entrances, hallways, lobbies, elevators, restrooms, walkways and parking areas. Commencing on the Phase II Commencement Date, Landlord acknowledges that the Building shall be a single tenant building, except as otherwise provided herein, and as such, Tenant shall have control over the Common Areas as part of the Premises hereunder.

c. AT&T . Tenant acknowledges and agrees that Landlord leases a portion of the Building containing approximately 427 rentable square feet and located on the 1 st floor to [AT&T] (“AT&T”). Tenant agrees to permit AT&T to access and use the space leased to AT&T in accordance with the terms of such lease provided that AT&T shall access such space only by way of the exterior door and vestibule located on the west side of the Building and further provided that Tenant shall have no liability or obligation to AT&T as a result of this Lease and Landlord acknowledges that AT&T shall look solely to Landlord for any claims that AT&T may have under its lease with Landlord.

 

  3. TERM .

a. Commencement and Expiration Dates . The Lease Term commences on the Phase I Commencement Date and expires on the Expiration Date as set forth in Section 1b, subject to the provisions of the Work Letter attached hereto as Exhibit A-1, and subject to the following:

i. If Landlord, for any reason, cannot deliver possession of the Phase I space to Tenant on the Phase I Commencement Date set forth in Section 1b, then the Phase I Commencement Date and the Phase I Rent Commencement Date shall be revised to conform to the date of Landlord’s delivery of possession of the Phase I space to Tenant. Likewise, If Landlord, for any reason, cannot deliver possession of the Phase II space to Tenant on the Phase II Commencement Date set forth in Section 1b, then the Phase II Commencement Date and the Phase II Rent Commencement Date shall be revised to conform to the date of Landlord’s delivery of possession of the Phase II space to Tenant. Neither

 

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Landlord nor Landlord’s agents shall be liable to Tenant for any loss or damage resulting from the delay in delivery of possession. Notwithstanding the foregoing, in the event Landlord is unable to deliver possession of the Phase I space to Tenant within 90 days after the original Phase I Commencement Date set forth in Section 1b and/or Landlord is unable to deliver possession of the Phase II space to Tenant within 90 days after the original Phase II Commencement Date set forth in Section 1b (as such dates shall be extended on a day-for-day basis due to any delays resulting from force majeure or caused by Tenant – “Excused Delays”), then thereafter (i) Tenant may terminate this Lease by giving notice to Landlord; provided, however, if Landlord delivers the Phase I space or the Phase II space (as applicable) to Tenant prior to Tenant delivering its termination notice to Landlord, then Tenant shall be deemed to have forfeited its right to terminate the Lease based on Landlord’s failure to timely deliver the applicable portion of the Premises; or (ii) if Tenant shall not elect to terminate this Lease, Tenant shall receive one days’ free rent for each day of delay in the delivery of the Premises. Landlord shall cooperate in good faith to make available the Premises, or any material portion thereof, to Tenant as soon as such space shall become available for the purpose of completing the Tenant Improvements.

ii. The Commencement Dates, Rent Commencement Dates and Expiration Date may be set forth in a Commencement Agreement similar to Exhibit C , attached hereto, to be prepared by Landlord and promptly executed by the parties. If the Expiration Date does not occur on the last day of a calendar month, then the Term shall be extended by the number of days necessary to cause the Expiration Date to occur on the last day of the last calendar month of the Term. Tenant shall pay Base Rent and Additional Rent for such additional days at the same rate payable for the portion of the last calendar month immediately preceding such extension.

b. Delivery of Possession . As further specified in the Work Letter attached hereto as Exhibit A-1, “delivery of possession” shall mean the earlier of: (i) the date Landlord has the applicable portion of the Premises ready for occupancy by Tenant; or (ii) the date Landlord could have had the applicable portion of the Premises ready had there been no delays attributable to Tenant.

c. Right to Occupy. Prior to occupancy of the Phase I Premises and the Phase II Premises, Tenant’s Authorized Representative shall execute an Acceptance of Premises similar to Exhibit D attached hereto, to be prepared by Landlord and executed by the parties. Tenant shall not occupy the Premises until Tenant has delivered all required certificates of insurance to Landlord. Tenant’s failure to comply with this (or any other conditions precedent to occupancy under the terms of this Lease) shall not delay the applicable Commencement Dates.

 

  4. USE.

a. Permitted Use. The Premises may be used only for general office purposes in connection with Tenant’s Permitted Use as defined in Section 1d and in accordance with the Occupancy Limitation as set forth in Section 1e. Tenant shall not use the Premises:

i. In violation of any restrictive covenants which apply to the Premises;

ii. In any manner that constitutes a nuisance or trespass or unreasonably disturbs other tenants in the Building or Office Park, as applicable;

iii. In any manner which increases any insurance premiums (unless Tenant pays for such increase), or makes such insurance unavailable to Landlord on the Building; or

iv. In any manner that creates demands for electricity, heating or air conditioning in excess of the electrical capacity of the Building which is five watts per useable square foot for Building Standard lighting, HVAC, and convenience outlets associated with the Building.

v. For any purpose except the Permitted Use, unless consented to by Landlord in writing.

b. Prohibited Equipment in Premises. Tenant shall not use or install any equipment in the Premises that places extraordinary demands on the electrical, heating or air conditioning systems (“High Demand Equipment”) without Landlord’s prior written consent, which consent shall not be unreasonably withheld. High Demand Equipment shall include, without limitation, any supplemental HVAC units. No such consent will be given if Landlord determines, in its reasonable opinion, that such High Demand Equipment

 

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may not be safely used in the Premises or that electrical service is not adequate to support the High Demand Equipment. Landlord’s consent may be conditioned, without limitation, upon separate metering of the High Demand Equipment and Tenant’s payment of all engineering, equipment, installation, maintenance, removal and restoration costs and utility charges associated with the High Demand Equipment and the separate meter, as well as administrative costs as provided below. If High Demand Equipment used in the Premises by Tenant affects the temperature otherwise maintained by the heating and air conditioning system, Landlord shall have the right to install supplemental air conditioning units in the Premises and/or require Tenant to use any existing supplemental units serving the Premises. If supplemental units are required by Landlord pursuant to the foregoing sentence, or if Tenant requests the installation and/or use of any supplemental units, then the costs of engineering, installing, operating, maintaining and repairing the units shall be paid by Tenant.

 

  5. RENT.

a. Payment Obligations. Beginning on the applicable Rent Commencement Date, Tenant shall pay Base Rent and Additional Rent (collectively, “Rent”) on or before the first day of each calendar month during the Term, as follows:

i. Rent payments shall be sent to the Rent Payment Address set forth in Section 1g.

ii. Rent shall be paid without previous demand or notice and without set off or deduction (except as otherwise provided in this Lease). Tenant’s obligation to pay Rent under this Lease is completely separate and independent from any of Landlord’s obligations under this Lease. Any payment by Tenant or acceptance by Landlord of a lesser amount than shall be due from Tenant to Landlord shall be treated as a payment on account. The acceptance by Landlord of a check or other draft for a lesser amount with an endorsement or statement thereon, or upon any letter accompanying such check, that such lesser amount is payment in full shall be given no effect, and Landlord may accept such check or draft without prejudice to any other rights or remedies which Landlord may have against Tenant.

iii. If the Rent Commencement Date is a day other than the first day of a calendar month, then Rent for such month shall be (i) prorated for the period between the Rent Commencement Date and the last day of the month in which the Rent Commencement Date falls, and (ii) due and payable on the Rent Commencement Date.

iv. If Rent is not received within five business days of the due date, Landlord shall be entitled to an overdue payment fee in the amount of 5% of all Rent due.

v. If Landlord presents Tenant’s check to any bank and Tenant has insufficient funds to pay for such check, then Landlord shall be entitled to $100 as a bad check fee.

b. Base Rent. Tenant shall pay Base Rent as set forth in Section 1f.

c. Additional Rent . In addition to Base Rent, Tenant shall pay as rent all sums and charges due and payable by Tenant under this Lease (“Additional Rent”), including, but not limited to, Tenant’s Proportionate Share of the increase in Operating Expenses and Taxes as set forth in the Addendum to the Lease. Notwithstanding any provision herein to the contrary, Tenant shall be solely responsible for payment of all costs associated with Tenant’s electrical usage in the Building as part of Additional Rent.

 

  6. SECURITY DEPOSIT. [Intentionally Omitted]

 

  7. SERVICES BY LANDLORD .

a. Base Services. Provided that the Lease or Tenant’s right of possession to the Premises has not been terminated, Landlord shall cause to be furnished to the Building, or as applicable, the Premises the following services:

i. Water for drinking, lavatory and toilet purposes.

ii. Electricity for the building standard fluorescent lighting and for the operation of general office machines.

iii. Building standard fluorescent lighting composed of 2’ x 4’ fixtures; Tenant shall service, replace and maintain at its own expense any incandescent fixtures, table lamps, or lighting other than the Building Standard fluorescent light, and any dimmers or lighting controls other than controls for the building standard fluorescent lighting.

 

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iv. Heating and air conditioning for the reasonably comfortable use and occupancy of the Premises.

v. Landscaping and maintenance of all exterior portions of the Premises, including but not limited to restriping of the parking lots and snow removal as reasonably determined to be needed by Landlord.

vi. Janitorial services five days a week (excluding National and State holidays).

vii. Except as needed on a limited and temporary basis by AT&T to service its portion of the Building referenced in Section 2.c hereinabove, exclusive use of the parking lot associated with the Building.

Notwithstanding the foregoing or any provision herein to the contrary, Tenant shall be solely responsible for all costs associated with the engineering, metering, installation, operation, maintenance, repair and replacement of any supplemental HVAC units used by Tenant (whether existing or installed by or on behalf of Tenant or by Landlord pursuant to Section 4.b above).

b. Landlord’s Maintenance. Landlord shall make all repairs and replacements to the Building (including Building fixtures and equipment), Common Areas and Building Standard Improvements in the Premises, except for repairs and replacements that Tenant must make under Article 8. Landlord shall not be obligated to repair or maintain Non-Standard Improvements (as defined in this Lease). Landlord’s maintenance shall include the roof, foundation, exterior walls, interior structural walls, all structural components, and all Building systems, such as mechanical, electrical, HVAC, and plumbing. Repairs or replacements shall be made within a reasonable time (depending on the nature of the repair or replacement needed) after receiving notice from Tenant or Landlord having actual knowledge of the need for a repair or replacement.

c. No Abatement. There shall be no abatement or reduction of Rent by reason of any of the foregoing services not being continuously provided to Tenant; provided, however, if any of the foregoing services is interrupted due to the negligence or willful misconduct of Landlord or its employees, agents or contractors such that Tenant cannot reasonably conduct its Permitted Use in the Premises from the standpoint of prudent business management, and the interruption continues for a period of at least three consecutive business days following Landlord’s receipt of notice from Tenant, then Rent shall abate during the period beginning on the fourth consecutive business day of the interruption and ending on the date the service is restored; provided, however, that if only a portion of the Premises is rendered unusable for Tenant’s Permitted Use as a result of the interruption and Tenant reasonably can continue to use the remainder as determined from the standpoint of prudent business management, then Rent shall abate only in proportion to the amount of the Premises in which Tenant is unable to conduct its Permitted Use. Landlord shall have the right to temporarily shut down the Building systems (including electricity and HVAC systems) for required maintenance and safety inspections in a commercially reasonable manner (provided, Landlord gives notice thereof to Tenant prior to such shut down), and in cases of emergency.

 

  8. TENANT’S ACCEPTANCE AND MAINTENANCE OF PREMISES .

a. Acceptance of Premises . Except as expressly provided otherwise in this Lease, Tenant’s occupancy of the Premises is Tenant’s representation to Landlord that (i) Tenant has examined and inspected the Premises, (ii) finds the Premises to be as represented by Landlord and satisfactory for Tenant’s intended use, and (iii) constitutes Tenant’s acceptance of the Premises “as is” with the exception of any punchlist items to be completed by Landlord. Landlord makes no representation or warranty as to the condition of the Premises except as specifically set forth elsewhere in this Lease.

b. Move-In Obligations. Tenant shall schedule its move-in with the Landlord’s Property Manager. Prior to the move-in, Tenant must provide the name, address and contact information for Tenant’s moving company, and the moving company must comply with Landlord’s requirements, including insurance. During Tenant’s move-in, a representative of Tenant must be on-site with Tenant’s moving company to insure proper treatment of the Building and the Premises. Elevators, entrances, hallways and other

 

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Common Areas must remain in use for the general public during ordinary business hours. Any specialized use of elevators or other Common Areas must be coordinated with Landlord’s Property Manager. Tenant must properly dispose of all packing material and refuse in accordance with the Rules and Regulations. Any damage or destruction to the Building or the Premises caused by Tenant or its moving company, employees, agents or contractors during Tenant’s move-in will be the sole responsibility of Tenant.

c. Tenant’s Maintenance. Tenant, at its expense, shall: (i) keep the Premises and fixtures in good order, including, without limitation, any hot water heater(s) exclusively serving the Premises; (ii) repair and replace Non-Standard Improvements installed by or at Tenant’s request that serve the Premises (unless the Lease is ended because of casualty loss or condemnation); (iii) make repairs and replacements to the Premises and/or Building needed because of Tenant’s misuse; and (iv) not commit waste. “Non-Standard Improvements” means such items as (i) High Demand Equipment and separate meters, (ii) all wiring and cabling from the point of origin to the termination point, (iii) raised floors for computer or communications systems, (iv) telephone equipment, security systems, and UPS systems, (iv) equipment racks, (v) alterations installed by or at the request of Tenant after the Phase II Rent Commencement Date, (vi) equipment installed in a kitchen, kitchenette or break room within the Premises, including any ice machine, refrigerator, dishwasher, garbage disposal, coffee machine and microwave, sink and related faucets, water filter and water purification system, (vii) kitchen drain lines; and (ix) any other improvements that are not part of the Building Standard Improvements, including, but not limited to, special equipment, decorative treatments, lights and fixtures and executive restrooms.

d. Alterations to Premises. Tenant shall make no structural or interior alterations to the Premises without the prior written approval of Landlord. If Tenant requests alterations, Tenant shall provide Landlord with a complete set of construction drawings. If the requested alterations are approved by Landlord, then Tenant may complete the alterations with contractors approved by Landlord. Notwithstanding the foregoing, Tenant, at its sole cost and expense, shall have the right to make interior, non-structural alterations to the Premises of up to $50,000.00 per occurrence without the prior written approval of Landlord (“Permitted Alterations”), provided the Permitted Alterations (i) do not require a building permit; (ii) do not create an unreasonable burden on the load bearing capability of the floor or otherwise affect any structural elements of the Building and/or Premises; (iii) do not modify, connect to, or interfere with any Building systems (such as the HVAC, plumbing or electrical systems) in an adverse way; and (iv) are not visible from outside of the Premises. Tenant shall notify Landlord in writing prior to making any such Permitted Alterations. Tenant’s contractors and/or subcontractors must be licensed in the State of Tennessee and must be approved in writing by Landlord prior to the commencement of any alterations. Landlord hereby agrees not to unreasonably withhold, condition or delay its approval of Tenant’s contractors and subcontractors or any of Tenant’s proposed alterations. Any alterations performed by Tenant must be completed in a good and workmanlike manner and in accordance with all applicable laws, codes and regulations. Landlord shall have the right to inspect Tenant’s work periodically in connection with any alterations to the extent reasonably necessary to ensure Tenant’s compliance with this provision.

e. Restoration of Premises. At the expiration or earlier termination of this Lease, Tenant shall deliver each and every part of the Premises in as good repair and condition as the applicable Commencement Date, ordinary wear and tear and damage by casualty and condemnation excepted. Tenant shall not be required to remove any Non-Standard Improvements unless Landlord notified Tenant at the time the Non-Standard Improvements were approved by Landlord that Tenant would be required to remove the same upon the expiration or termination of the Lease; provided, however, Tenant shall be obligated to remove any and all wiring and cabling installed by or specifically on behalf of Tenant; and further provided that Landlord reserves the right to reasonably require Tenant to remove any Non-Standard Improvements that were installed without Landlord’s approval. Tenant shall repair any damage caused by the removal of any Non-Standard Improvements.

f. Landlord’s Performance of Tenant’s Obligations. If Tenant does not perform its maintenance or restoration obligations in a timely manner, commencing the same within five business days after receipt of notice from Landlord specifying the work needed, and thereafter diligently and continuously pursuing the work until completion, then Landlord shall have the right, but not the obligation, to perform such work on Tenant’s behalf. Any amounts expended by Landlord on such maintenance or restoration shall be Additional Rent to be paid by Tenant to Landlord within 30 days after demand.

 

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g. Construction Liens. Tenant shall keep Landlord’s property, including, without limitation, the Premises, Building, Common Areas and real estate upon which the Building and Common Areas are situated (collectively “Landlord’s Property”), free from any liens arising out of any work performed, materials furnished, or obligations incurred by or on behalf of Tenant. Should any lien or claim of lien be filed against Landlord’s Property by reason of any act or omission of Tenant or any of Tenant’s agents, employees, contractors or representatives, then Tenant shall cause the same to be canceled and discharged of record by bond or otherwise within 30 days after the filing thereof. Should Tenant fail to discharge the lien within 10 days, then Landlord may discharge the lien. The amount paid by Landlord to discharge the lien (whether directly or by bond), plus all administrative and legal costs incurred by Landlord, shall be Additional Rent payable by Tenant within 30 days after receipt of Landlord’s written demand. The remedies provided herein shall be in addition to all other remedies available to Landlord under this Lease or otherwise.

h. Communications Compliance. Tenant acknowledges and agrees that any and all telephone and telecommunication services desired by Tenant shall be ordered and utilized at the sole expense of Tenant.

9. PROPERTY OF TENANT. Tenant shall pay when due all taxes levied or assessed upon Tenant’s equipment, fixtures, furniture, leasehold improvements and personal property located in the Premises. Tenant may remove all fixtures and equipment which it has placed in the Premises; provided, however, Tenant must repair all damages caused by such removal. If Tenant does not remove its property from the Premises upon the expiration or earlier termination (for whatever cause) of this Lease, such property shall be deemed abandoned by Tenant, and Landlord may dispose of the same in whatever manner Landlord may elect without any liability to Tenant.

10. SIGNS. Except as expressly provided otherwise herein, Tenant may not erect, install or display any sign or advertising material upon the exterior of the Building or Premises (including any exterior doors, walls or windows) without the prior written consent of Landlord, which consent shall not be unreasonably withheld, conditioned or delayed. Door and directory signage shall be provided and installed by the Landlord in accordance with building standards at Tenant’s expense, unless otherwise provided in the Work Letter attached as Exhibit A-1. Unless otherwise provided in the Work Letter attached as Exhibit A-1, one access card per current employee on site as of the Phase II Rent Commencement Date will be provided at Landlord’s expense, with the number of cards not to exceed Tenant’s occupancy ratio set forth in Section 1e of the Lease. Any subsequently issued access cards will be at Tenant’s expense. As long as (a) the Lease or Tenant’s right of possession to the Premises has not been terminated; and (b) Tenant continues to lease at least seventy-five percent (75%) of the Building, Landlord hereby grants to Tenant the right to place identification sign(s) on the exterior of the Building and on the monument sign at the street (collectively, “Tenant’s Exterior Signage”) to the maximum extent permitted by applicable laws, ordinance, covenants and restrictions affecting the Property. All elements of Tenant’s Exterior Signage, including, without limitation, the exact location of the exterior Building signs and all materials, colors, size and lettering for Tenant’s Exterior Signage, shall be subject to all applicable laws, ordinances, covenants and restrictions, as well as the prior written approval of Landlord, which approval shall not be unreasonably withheld, conditioned or delayed. Tenant shall be responsible for any costs associated with the manufacture and installation of Tenant’s Exterior Signage, provided the cost thereof may be deducted from the Allowance. Landlord shall maintain and repair Tenant’s Exterior Signage at Tenant’s expense during the Term, and Tenant shall be solely responsible for all costs associated with the removal and disposal of Tenant’s Exterior Signage upon the expiration or earlier termination of the Lease. Landlord’s grant of Tenant’s Exterior Signage rights hereunder is personal to Kirkland’s, Inc.; and Landlord reserves the right to revoke Tenant’s Exterior Signage rights hereunder upon an assignment of the Lease by Kirkland’s, Inc. to any entity other than its affiliate, subsidiary or successor-in-interest by merger, acquisition or consolidation.

 

  11. ACCESS TO PREMISES .

a. Tenant’s Access. Tenant, its agents, employees, invitees, and guests, shall have access to the Premises and reasonable ingress and egress to the Common Areas of the Building 24 hours a day, seven days a week; provided, however, Landlord by reasonable regulation may control such access for the comfort, convenience, safety and protection of all tenants in the Building, or as needed for making repairs and alterations. Tenant shall be responsible for providing access to the Premises to its agents, employees, invitees and guests after ordinary business hours and on weekends and holidays, but in no event shall Tenant’s use of and access to the Premises during non-business hours compromise the security of the Building.

 

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b. Landlord’s Access. Landlord shall have the right to enter the Premises at any time without notice in the event of an emergency. Additionally, Landlord shall have the right, at all reasonable times and upon reasonable oral notice, either itself or through its authorized agents, to enter the Premises (i) to make repairs, alterations or changes that Landlord is permitted or required to make pursuant to the terms of this Lease; (ii) to inspect the Premises, mechanical systems and electrical devices and (iii) to show the Premises to prospective mortgagees and purchasers. Within 180 days prior to the Expiration Date, Landlord shall have the right, either itself or through its authorized agents, to enter the Premises at all reasonable times and upon reasonable oral notice to show prospective tenants. Landlord shall use reasonable efforts to minimize any interruption to Tenant’s business operations during any entry by Landlord into the Premises.

12. TENANT’S COMPLIANCE . Tenant shall comply with all applicable laws, ordinances and regulations affecting the Premises, whether now existing or hereafter enacted. Tenant shall comply with the Rules and Regulations attached as Exhibit B. Any conflict between this Lease and the Rules and Regulations shall be governed by the terms of this Lease.

13. INSURANCE REQUIREMENTS .

a. Tenant’s Liability Insurance. Throughout the Term, Tenant, at its sole cost and expense, shall keep or cause to be kept for the mutual benefit of Landlord, Landlord’s Property Manager, and Tenant, Commercial General Liability Insurance (1986 ISO Form or its equivalent) with a combined single limit, each Occurrence and General Aggregate-per location, of at least $2,000,000.00 (which may be obtained with umbrella policies), which policy shall insure against liability of Tenant, arising out of and in connection with Tenant’s use of the Premises. Landlord and its managing agent shall be named as an Additional Insured on any and all liability insurance policies required under this Lease.

b. Tenant’s Property Insurance. Tenant, at its own cost and expense, shall also carry the equivalent of ISO Special Form Property Insurance on Tenant’s Property for full replacement value and with coinsurance waived. For purposes of this provision, “Tenant’s Property” shall mean Tenant’s personal property and fixtures, and any improvements to the Premises that were paid for by Tenant (and were not provided to the Premises pursuant to a tenant improvement allowance provided to Tenant by Landlord or at Landlord’s cost).

c. Certificates of Insurance. Prior to taking possession of the Premises, and annually thereafter, Tenant shall deliver to Landlord certificates of insurance evidencing such policies. If Tenant fails to provide Landlord with certificates or other evidence of insurance coverage, Landlord may obtain the required coverage on Tenant’s behalf, in which event the cost of such coverage shall be Additional Rent due and payable by Tenant within 10 days after receipt of Landlord’s written demand.

d. Insurance Policy Requirements. Tenant’s insurance policies required by this Lease shall: (i) be issued by insurance companies licensed to do business in the state in which the Premises are located with a general policyholder’s ratings of at least A- and a financial rating of at least VI in the most current Best’s Insurance Reports available on the Phase I Commencement Date, or if the Best’s ratings are changed or discontinued, the parties shall agree to a comparable method of rating insurance companies; (ii) endorsed to be primary to all insurance available to Landlord, with Landlord’s being excess, secondary or noncontributory; and (iii) have a deductible or self-insured retention of no more than $100,000.00 unless approved in writing by Landlord. All deductibles and/or retentions shall be paid by, assumed by, for the account of, and at Tenant’s sole risk. Tenant may provide the insurance required by virtue of the terms of this Lease by means of a policy or policies of blanket insurance so long as: (a) the amount of the total insurance allocated to the Premises under the terms of the blanket policy or policies furnishes protection equivalent to that of separate policies in the amounts required by the terms of this Lease; and (b) the blanket policy or policies comply in all other respects with the requirements of this Lease.

e. Right to Increase Requirements. Landlord shall have the right, upon prior notice to Tenant but no more than once every five years during the Term and at no time during the initial five (5) years of the Term, to require Tenant to increase the limit and coverage amount of any insurance Tenant is required to maintain under this Lease (but as to Tenant’s Liability Insurance not more than Two Million and No/100 Dollars at any one (1) time) if in Landlord’s commercially reasonable judgment (or that of Landlord’s mortgagee) the coverage is insufficient and such an increase is necessary to meet the standards of insurance coverage then currently being maintained on similar buildings in the immediate vicinity of the Building.

 

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f. Landlord’s Property Insurance. Landlord shall keep the Building, including the improvements (but excluding Tenant’s Property), insured against damage and destruction by perils insured by the equivalent of ISO Special Form Property Insurance for full replacement value.

g. Mutual Waiver of Subrogation. Anything in this Lease to the contrary notwithstanding, Landlord hereby releases and waives unto Tenant (including all partners, stockholders, officers, directors, employees and agents thereof), its successors and assigns, and Tenant hereby releases and waives unto Landlord (including all partners, stockholders, officers, directors, employees and agents thereof), its successors and assigns, all rights to claim damages for any injury, loss, cost or damage to persons or to the Premises or any other casualty, as long as the amount of such injury, loss, cost or damage has been paid either to Landlord, Tenant, or any other person, firm or corporation, under the terms of any Property, General Liability, or other policy of insurance, to the extent such releases or waivers are permitted under applicable law. As respects all policies of insurance carried or maintained pursuant to this Lease and to the extent permitted under such policies, Tenant and Landlord each waive the insurance carriers’ rights of subrogation. For purposes of this provision, insurance proceeds paid to either party shall be deemed to include any deductible or self-insurance retention amount for which that party is responsible. A party’s failure to obtain or maintain any insurance coverage required to be carried pursuant to the terms of this Lease shall not negate the waivers and releases set forth herein as long as the insurance that the party failed to obtain or maintain would have covered the loss or damage for which the party is waiving its claims. Nothing in this provision shall be deemed a waiver or release by Landlord of its right to claim, demand and collect insurance proceeds directly from Tenant’s insurer pursuant to Landlord’s status as an additional insured under any insurance policy Tenant is required to carry pursuant to the terms of this Lease.

14. INDEMNITY. Subject to the insurance requirements, releases and mutual waivers of subrogation set forth in this Lease, and except to the extent caused by Landlord’s negligence or willful misconduct, Tenant shall indemnify, defend and hold Landlord harmless from and against any and all claims, damages, losses, liabilities, lawsuits, costs and expenses (including reasonable attorneys’ fees at all tribunal levels) arising out of or related to (i) any activity, work, or other thing done, by Tenant in or about the Premises or the Building, (ii) any breach or default by Tenant in the performance of any of its obligations under this Lease, or (iii) any act or neglect of Tenant, or any officer, agent, employee, contractor, servant, invitee or guest of Tenant. Subject to the insurance requirements, releases and mutual waivers of subrogation set forth in this Lease, and except to the extent caused by Tenant’s negligence or willful misconduct, Landlord shall indemnify and hold Tenant harmless from and against any and all claims, damages, losses, liabilities, lawsuits, costs and expenses (including reasonable attorneys’ fees at all tribunal levels) arising out of or related to (a) any activity, work, or other thing done, permitted or suffered by Landlord in or about the Common Areas or the Building, (b) any breach or default by Landlord in the performance of any of its obligations under this Lease, or (c) any act or neglect of Landlord, or any officer, agent, employee, contractor or servant of Landlord.

15. QUIET ENJOYMENT. Tenant shall have quiet enjoyment and possession of the Premises, provided Tenant promptly and fully complies with all of its obligations under this Lease. No action of Landlord working in other space in the Building, or in repairing or restoring the Premises in accordance with its obligations hereunder, shall be deemed a breach of this covenant.

16. SUBORDINATION AND ATTORNMENT; NON-DISTURBANCE; AND ESTOPPEL CERTIFICATE.

a. Subordination and Attornment. Tenant agrees to execute within 10 business days after request to do so from Landlord or its mortgagee (to include a grantee of a security deed) an agreement:

i. Making this Lease superior or subordinate to the interests of the mortgagee;

ii. Agreeing to attorn to the mortgagee;

iii. Giving the mortgagee notice of, and a reasonable opportunity (which shall in no event be less than 30 days after notice thereof is delivered to mortgagee) to cure any Landlord default and agreeing to accept such cure if effected by the mortgagee;

iv. Permitting the mortgagee (or other purchaser at any foreclosure sale), and its successors and assigns, on acquiring Landlord’s interest in the Premises and the Lease, to become substitute Landlord hereunder, with liability only for such landlord obligations as accrue after Landlord’s interest is so acquired;

 

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v. Agreeing to attorn to any successor landlord; and

vi. Containing such other agreements and covenants on Tenant’s part as Landlord’s mortgagee may reasonably request.

b. Non-Disturbance. Tenant’s obligation to subordinate its interests or attorn to any mortgagee is conditioned upon the mortgagee’s agreement not to disturb Tenant’s possession and quiet enjoyment of the Premises under this Lease so long as Tenant is in compliance with the terms of the Lease.

c. Current Mortgages. Landlord hereby represents and warrants that there are no mortgagee(s) holding a deed of trust affecting the Premises as of the Phase I Commencement Date.

d. Estoppel Certificates. Tenant agrees to execute within ten business days after request, and as often as reasonably requested but not more than twice in any 12 month period except in event of the mortgage or sale of the Building, estoppel certificates confirming any factual matter requested by Landlord which is true and is within Tenant’s knowledge regarding this Lease, and the Premises, including but not limited to: (i) the date of occupancy, (ii) Expiration Date, (iii) the amount of Rent due and date to which Rent is paid, (iii) whether Tenant has any defense or offsets to the enforcement of this Lease or the Rent payable, (iv) any default or breach by Landlord, and (v) whether this Lease, together with any modifications or amendments, is in full force and effect.

17. ASSIGNMENT – SUBLEASE.

a. Landlord Consent. Except as provided in Section 17b below, Tenant may not assign or encumber this Lease or its interest in the Premises arising under this Lease, and may not sublet all or any part of the Premises, without first obtaining the written consent of Landlord, which consent shall not be unreasonably withheld, conditioned or delayed. Factors which Landlord may consider in deciding whether to consent to an assignment or sublease include (without limitation), (i) the creditworthiness of the assignee or sublessee, (ii) the proposed use of the Premises, and (iii) any renovations to the Premises or special services required by the assignee or sublessee. Landlord will not consent to an assignment or sublease that might result in a use that conflicts with the rights of any existing tenant. One consent shall not be the basis for any further consent. The term “assignment” shall be defined and deemed to include the following: (a) if Tenant is a partnership, the withdrawal or change, whether voluntary, involuntary or by operation of law, of partners owning 30% or more of the partnership, or the dissolution of the partnership; (b) if Tenant consists of more than one person, an assignment, whether voluntary, involuntary, or by operation of law, by one person to one of the other persons that is a Tenant; (c) if Tenant is a corporation, any dissolution or reorganization of Tenant, or the sale or other transfer of a controlling percentage (hereafter defined) of capital stock of Tenant other than to an affiliate or subsidiary or the sale of more than 50% in value of the assets of Tenant; and (d) if Tenant is a limited liability company, the change of members whose interest in the company is more than 50%. The phrase “controlling percentage” means the ownership of, and the right to vote, stock possessing more than 50% of the total combined voting power of all classes of Tenant’s capital stock issued, outstanding and entitled to vote for the election of directors, or such lesser percentage as is required to provide actual control over the affairs of the corporation; except that, if the Tenant is a publicly traded company, public trades or sales of the Tenant’s stock on a national stock exchange shall not be considered an assignment hereunder even if the aggregate of the trades of sales exceeds 50% of the capital stock of the company.

b. Permitted Assignments/Subleases. Notwithstanding the foregoing, Tenant may assign this Lease or sublease part or all of the Premises without Landlord’s consent to: (i) any corporation, limited liability company, or partnership that controls, is controlled by, or is under common control with, Tenant; or (ii) any corporation or limited liability company resulting from the merger or consolidation with Tenant or to any entity that acquires all of Tenant’s assets as a going concern of the business that is being conducted on the Premises; provided , however, the assignor remains liable under the Lease and the assignee or sublessee is a bona fide entity and assumes the obligations of Tenant, is as creditworthy as the Tenant, and continues the same Permitted Use as provided under Article 4.

c. Notice to Landlord. Landlord must be given prior written notice of every assignment or subletting, and failure to do so shall be a default hereunder.

 

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d. Prohibited Assignments/Subleases. In no event shall this Lease be assignable by operation of any law, and Tenant’s rights hereunder may not become, and shall not be listed by Tenant as an asset under any bankruptcy, insolvency or reorganization proceedings. Acceptance of Rent by Landlord after any non-permitted assignment or sublease shall not constitute approval thereof by Landlord.

e. Limitation on Rights of Assignee/Sublessee. Any assignment for which Landlord’s consent is required shall not include the right to exercise any options to renew the Term, expand the Premises or similar options, unless specifically provided for in the consent. Additionally, no sublease shall provide the subtenant the right to exercise any options to renew the Term, expand the Premises or similar options provided to Tenant under the Lease.

f. Tenant Not Released. No assignment or sublease shall release Tenant of any of its obligations under this Lease.

g. Landlord’s Right to Collect Sublease Rents upon Tenant Default. If the Premises (or any portion) is sublet and Tenant defaults under its obligations to Landlord, then Landlord is authorized, at its option, to collect all sublease rents directly from the sublessee. Tenant hereby assigns the right to collect the sublease rents to Landlord in the event of Tenant default. The collection of sublease rents by Landlord shall not relieve Tenant of its obligations under this Lease, nor shall it create a contractual relationship between sublessee and Landlord or give sublessee any greater estate or right to the Premises than contained in its sublease.

h. Intentionally Omitted.

i. Landlord’s Fees. Tenant shall pay Landlord an administration fee of $500.00 per assignment or sublease transaction for which Landlord’s consent is required.

18. DAMAGES TO PREMISES.

a. Landlord’s Restoration Obligations. If the Building or Premises are damaged by fire or other casualty (“Casualty”), then, unless the Lease is terminated as provided in this Article 18, Landlord shall repair and restore the Premises to substantially the same condition of the Premises immediately prior to such Casualty, subject to the following terms and conditions:

i. The casualty must be insured under Landlord’s insurance policies, and Landlord’s obligation is limited to the extent of the insurance proceeds received by Landlord provided Landlord obtained the insurance required by this Lease. Landlord’s duty to repair and restore the Premises shall not begin until receipt of the insurance proceeds.

ii. Landlord’s lender(s) must permit the insurance proceeds to be used for such repair and restoration.

iii. Landlord shall have no obligation to repair and restore Tenant’s trade fixtures, decorations, signs, contents, or any Non-Standard Improvements to the Premises.

b. Tenant’s Restoration Obligations. Unless the Lease is terminated as provided in this Article 18, Tenant shall promptly repair, restore, or replace Tenant’s Property. All repair, restoration or replacement of Tenant’s Property shall be at least to the same condition as existed prior to the Casualty.

c. Termination of Lease by Landlord. Landlord shall have the option of terminating the Lease following the Casualty if: (i) the Premises is rendered wholly untenantable; (ii) the Premises is damaged in whole or in part as a result of a risk which is not covered by Landlord’s insurance policies; (iii) Landlord’s lender does not permit a sufficient amount of the insurance proceeds to be used for restoration purposes; (iv) the Premises is damaged in whole or in part during the last two years of the Term; or (v) the Building containing the Premises is damaged (whether or not the Premises is damaged) to an extent of 50% or more of the fair market value thereof. If Landlord elects to terminate this Lease, then it shall give notice of the cancellation to Tenant within 60 days after the date of the Casualty. Tenant shall vacate and surrender the Premises to Landlord within 15 days after receipt of the notice of termination.

d. Termination of Lease by Tenant . Tenant shall have the option of terminating the Lease if: (i) Landlord has failed to substantially restore the damaged Building or Premises within 180 days of the Casualty (“Restoration Period”); (ii) the Restoration Period has not been delayed by Tenant delays or force

 

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majeure ; and (iii) Tenant gives Landlord notice of the termination within 15 days after the end of the Restoration Period (as extended by any Tenant delay or force majeure delays). If Landlord is delayed by Tenant delay or force majeure , then within 15 days of the event causing the delay, Landlord must provide Tenant with notice stating the reason for the delays and a good faith estimate of the length of the delays.

e. Rent Abatement. If the Premises is rendered wholly untenantable by the Casualty, then the Rent payable by Tenant shall be fully abated. If the Premises is only partially damaged, then Tenant shall continue the operation of Tenant’s business in any part not damaged to the extent reasonably practicable from the standpoint of prudent business management, and Rent and other charges shall be abated proportionately to the portion of the Premises rendered untenantable. The abatement shall be from the date of the Casualty until the Premises have been substantially repaired and restored, or until Tenant’s business operations are restored in the entire Premises, whichever shall first occur. The abatement of the Rent set forth above, and the right to terminate the Lease set forth in Section 18d, are Tenant’s exclusive remedies against Landlord in the event of a Casualty unless caused by the gross negligence or willful misconduct of Landlord.

19. EMINENT DOMAIN. If all of the Premises are taken under the power of eminent domain (or by conveyance in lieu thereof), then this Lease shall terminate as of the date possession is taken by the condemnor, and Rent shall be adjusted between Landlord and Tenant as of such date. If only a portion of the Premises is taken and Tenant can continue use of the remainder, then this Lease will not terminate, but Rent shall abate in a just and proportionate amount to the loss of use occasioned by the taking. Landlord shall be entitled to receive and retain the entire condemnation award for the taking of the Building and Premises. Tenant shall have no right or claim against Landlord for any part of any award received by Landlord for the taking. Tenant, however, shall not be prevented from making a claim against the condemning party (but not against Landlord) for any moving expenses, loss of profits, or taking of Tenant’s personal property (other than its leasehold estate) to which Tenant may be entitled; provided that any such award shall not reduce the amount of the award otherwise payable to Landlord for the taking of the Building and Premises.

 

  20. ENVIRONMENTAL COMPLIANCE .

a. Tenant’s Responsibility . During the Lease Term, Tenant shall not (either with or without negligence) cause or permit the escape, disposal or release of any hazardous substances or materials on the Property. For the purposes of this Article 20, the term “Property” shall include the Premises, Building, all Common Areas, the real estate upon which the Building and Common Areas are located; all personal property (including that owned by Tenant); and the soil, ground water, and surface water of the real estate upon which the Building is located. Tenant shall not allow the storage or use of such substances or materials in any manner not sanctioned by law or in compliance with the highest standards prevailing in the industry for the storage and use of such substances or materials, nor allow to be brought onto the Property any such materials or substances except to use in the ordinary course of Tenant’s business, and then only after notice is given to Landlord of the identity of such substances or materials. No such notice shall be required, however, for commercially reasonable amounts of ordinary office supplies and janitorial supplies.

b. Landlord’s Responsibility . Landlord represents and warrants that to the best of Landlord’s knowledge there are no hazardous substances or materials on the Property as of the Phase I Commencement Date that (i) have escaped, been disposed of or released thereon, or (ii) in violation of any laws pertaining to environmental matters or regulating, prohibiting or otherwise having to do with asbestos and all other toxic, radioactive, or hazardous wastes or materials (collectively “Environmental Laws”); including, but not limited to, the Federal Clean Air Act, the Federal Water Pollution Control Act, and the Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation, and Liability Act of 1980.

c. Liability of the Parties . Both parties shall each indemnify and hold the other party harmless from any penalty, fine, claim, demand, liability, cost, or charge whatsoever which the other party shall incur, or which the other party would otherwise incur, by reason of the first party’s breach of, or failure to comply with, this Article 20 including, but not limited to: (i) the cost of full remediation of any contamination to bring the Property into the same condition as prior to the Phase I Commencement Date and into full compliance with all Environmental Laws; (ii) the reasonable cost of all appropriate tests and examinations of the Premises to confirm that the Premises and any other contaminated areas have been remediated and brought into compliance with Environmental Laws; and (iii) the reasonable fees and expenses of the other’s attorneys, engineers, and consultants incurred by the other party as a result of the breach or in enforcing

 

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and confirming compliance with this Article 20. Notwithstanding the foregoing, Tenant’s obligations under this Article 20 shall not apply to any condition or matter existing as of the Phase I Commencement Date or constituting a violation of any Environmental Laws that was not caused, in whole or in part, by Tenant or Tenant’s agents, employees, officers, partners, contractors, servants or invitees. The covenants contained in this Article 20 shall survive the expiration or termination of this Lease, and shall continue for so long as either party and its successors and assigns may be subject to any expense, liability, charge, penalty, or obligation against which the other party has agreed to indemnify it under this Article 20.

d. Inspections by Landlord . Landlord and its engineers, technicians, and consultants, from time to time as Landlord deems appropriate, may conduct periodic examinations of the Premises to confirm and monitor Tenant’s compliance with this Article 20. Such examinations shall be conducted in such a manner as to minimize the interference with Tenant’s Permitted Use; however, in all cases, the examinations shall be of such nature and scope as shall be reasonably required by then existing technology to confirm Tenant’s compliance with this Article 20. Tenant shall fully cooperate with Landlord and its representatives in the conduct of such examinations. The cost of such examinations shall be paid by Landlord unless an examination shall disclose a material failure of Tenant to comply with this Article 20, in which case, the reasonable cost of such examination shall be paid for by Tenant within 10 days after receipt of Landlord’s written demand.

 

  21. DEFAULT.

a. Tenant’s Default. Tenant shall be in default under this Lease if Tenant:

i. Fails to pay any Base Rent, Additional Rent, or any other sum of money that Tenant is obligated to pay, as provided in this Lease, within five days after the due date; provided, however, that with respect to the first two times during any consecutive 12-month period that Tenant fails to pay Rent when due (each a “Late Payment”), the Late Payment shall not be considered an event of default if, within five business days after receipt of notice from Landlord, Tenant submits the entire Rent due, including any applicable late charge. If directed by Landlord, Tenant must pay the entire amount of the Late Payment with certified funds. Landlord shall forgive Tenant only two Late Payments per any consecutive 12-month period, and any additional Late Payments during that period shall constitute an event of default.

ii. Breaches any other agreement, covenant or obligation in this Lease and such breach is not remedied within 15 days after Landlord gives Tenant notice in accordance with Article 24 below specifying the breach, or if such breach cannot, with due diligence, be cured within 15 days, if Tenant does not commence curing within 15 days and with reasonable diligence completely cure the breach within a reasonable period of time after the notice;

iii. Files any petition or action for relief under any creditor’s law (including bankruptcy, reorganization, or similar action), either in state or federal court, or has such a petition or action filed against it which is not stayed or vacated within 60 days after filing; or

iv. Makes any transfer in fraud of creditors as defined in Section 548 of the United States Bankruptcy Code (11 U.S.C. 548, as amended or replaced), has a receiver appointed for its assets (and the appointment is not stayed or vacated within 30 days), or makes an assignment for benefit of creditors.

b. Landlord’s Remedies. In the event of a Tenant default, Landlord, at its option, may do one or more of the following:

i. Terminate this Lease and recover all damages caused by Tenant’s breach;

ii. Repossess the Premises, with or without terminating the Lease, and relet the Premises at such amount as Landlord deems reasonable;

iii. Declare the entire remaining Base Rent and Additional Rent immediately due and payable, such amount to be discounted to its present value at a discount rate equal to the U.S. Treasury Bill or Note rate with the closest maturity to the remaining term of the Lease as selected by Landlord; provided, however, after receiving payment of the accelerated Rent from Tenant, Landlord shall be obligated to turn over to Tenant any proceeds actually received by Landlord for reletting the Premises during the remainder of the Term less any Reletting Costs, as defined below, up to the amount of accelerated Rent received from Tenant pursuant to this provision.

 

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iv. Bring action for recovery of all amounts due from Tenant;

v. Intentionally Omitted;

vi. Lock and deny Tenant access to the Premises without obtaining any court authorization; or

vii. Pursue any other remedy available in law or equity.

c. Landlord’s Expenses. If the Lease or Tenant’s right of possession to the Premises is terminated due to Tenant’s default, then all reasonable expenses of Landlord in repairing, restoring, or altering the Premises for reletting as general office space, together with leasing fees and all other expenses in seeking and obtaining a new Tenant (collectively “Reletting Costs”), shall be charged to and be a liability of Tenant.

d. Remedies Cumulative. All rights and remedies of Landlord are cumulative, and the exercise of any one shall not exclude Landlord at any other time from exercising a different or inconsistent remedy. No exercise by Landlord of any right or remedy granted herein shall constitute or effect a termination of this Lease unless Landlord shall so elect by notice delivered to Tenant. The failure of Landlord to exercise its rights in connection with this Lease or any breach or violation of any term, or any subsequent breach of the same or any other term, covenant or condition herein contained shall not be a waiver of such term, covenant or condition or any subsequent breach of the same or any other covenant or condition herein contained.

e. No Accord and Satisfaction. No acceptance by Landlord of a lesser sum than the Rent, Additional Rent and other sums then due shall be deemed to be other than on account of the earliest installment of such payments due, nor shall any endorsement or statement on any check or any letter accompanying any check or payment be deemed as accord and satisfaction, and Landlord may accept such check or payment without prejudice to Landlord’s right to recover the balance of such installment or pursue any other remedy provided in this Lease.

f. No Reinstatement. No payment of money by Tenant to Landlord after the expiration or termination of this Lease shall reinstate or extend the Term, or make ineffective any notice of termination given to Tenant prior to the payment of such money. After the service of notice or the commencement of a suit, or after final judgment granting Landlord possession of the Premises, Landlord may receive and collect any sums due under this Lease, and the payment thereof shall not make ineffective any notice or in any manner affect any pending suit or any judgment previously obtained.

g. Unlawful Detainer. Tenant agrees that in addition to all other rights and remedies Landlord may obtain an order for unlawful detainer from any court of competent jurisdiction without prejudice to Landlord’s rights to otherwise collect rents or breach of contract damages from Tenant.

h. Landlord’s Default. Landlord shall be in default under this Lease if Landlord breaches any agreement, covenant or obligation in this Lease and does not remedy the breach within 15 days after Tenant gives Landlord written notice in accordance with Article 24 below specifying the breach, or if the breach cannot, with due diligence, be cured within 15 days, Landlord does not commence curing within 15 days and with reasonable diligence completely cure the breach within a reasonable period of time after the notice. In the event Landlord fails to cure its breach within the time periods set forth herein, Tenant shall be entitled to pursue any and all remedies available to it at law or in equity; provided, however, that except as expressly provided elsewhere in this Lease, Tenant shall have no right of self-help to perform repairs or any other obligation of Landlord, and shall have no right to withhold, set off or abate Rent.

 

  22. MULTIPLE DEFAULTS.

a. Loss of Option Rights. Tenant acknowledges that any rights or options of first refusal, or to extend the Term, to expand the size of the Premises, to purchase the Premises or the Building, or other similar rights or options which have been granted to Tenant under this Lease are conditioned upon the prompt and diligent performance of the terms of this Lease by Tenant. Accordingly, should Tenant commit a monetary or other material default under this Lease and Landlord delivers notice of such default to Tenant on two or more occasions during any 12-month period, in addition to all other remedies available to Landlord, all such rights and options shall automatically, and without further action on the part of any party, expire and be of no further force and effect.

 

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b. Intentionally Omitted.

c. Intentionally Omitted .

 

  23. BANKRUPTCY .

a. Trustee’s Rights. Landlord and Tenant understand that, notwithstanding contrary terms in this Lease, a trustee or debtor in possession under the United States Bankruptcy Code, as amended, (the “Code”) may have certain rights to assume or assign this Lease. This Lease shall not be construed to give the trustee or debtor in possession any rights greater than the minimum rights granted under the Code.

b. Adequate Assurance. Landlord and Tenant acknowledge that, pursuant to the Code, Landlord is entitled to adequate assurances of future performance of the provisions of this Lease. The parties agree that the term “adequate assurance” shall include at least the following:

i. In order to assure Landlord that any proposed assignee will have the resources with which to pay all Rent payable pursuant to the provisions of this Lease, any proposed assignee must have, as demonstrated to Landlord’s satisfaction, a net worth (as defined in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles consistently applied) of not less than the net worth of Tenant on the Effective Date (as hereinafter defined), increased by 7%, compounded annually, for each year from the Effective Date through the date of the proposed assignment. It is understood and agreed that the financial condition and resources of Tenant were a material inducement to Landlord in entering into this Lease.

ii. Any proposed assignee must have been engaged in the conduct of business for the five years prior to any such proposed assignment, which business does not violate the Use provisions under Article 4 above, and such proposed assignee shall continue to engage in the Permitted Use under Article 4. It is understood that Landlord’s asset will be substantially impaired if the trustee in bankruptcy or any assignee of this Lease makes any use of the Premises other than the Permitted Use.

c. Assumption of Lease Obligations. Any proposed assignee of this Lease must assume and agree to be bound by the provisions of this Lease.

 

  24. NOTICES .

a. Addresses. All notices, demands and requests by Landlord or Tenant shall be sent to the Notice Addresses set forth in Section 1l, or to such other address as a party may specify by duly given notice. The parties shall notify the other of any change in address, which notification must be at least 15 days in advance of it being effective.

b. Form; Delivery; Receipt. ALL NOTICES, DEMANDS AND REQUESTS WHICH MAY BE GIVEN OR WHICH ARE REQUIRED TO BE GIVEN BY EITHER PARTY TO THE OTHER MUST BE IN WRITING UNLESS OTHERWISE SPECIFIED. Notices, demands or requests shall be deemed to have been properly given for all purposes only if (i) delivered against a written receipt of delivery, (ii) mailed by express, registered or certified mail of the United States Postal Service, return receipt requested, postage prepaid, or (iii) delivered to a nationally recognized overnight courier service for next business day delivery to the receiving party’s address as set forth above or (iv) delivered via telecopier or facsimile transmission to the facsimile number listed above, with an original counterpart of such communication sent concurrently as specified in subsection (ii) or (iii) above and with written confirmation of receipt of transmission provided. Each such notice, demand or request shall be deemed to have been received upon the earlier of the actual receipt or refusal by the addressee or three business days after deposit thereof at any main or branch United States post office if sent in accordance with subsection (ii) above, and the next business day after deposit thereof with the courier if sent pursuant to subsection (iii) above. Notices may be given on behalf of any party by such party’s legal counsel.

25. HOLDING OVER . If Tenant holds over after the Expiration Date or other termination of this Lease, such holding over shall not be a renewal of this Lease but shall create a tenancy-at-sufferance. Tenant shall continue to be bound by all of the terms and conditions of this Lease, except that during such tenancy-at-sufferance, Tenant shall pay to Landlord (i) Base Rent at the rate equal to 125% of that provided for as of the expiration or termination date, and (ii) any and all forms of Additional Rent payable under this Lease. The increased Rent during such holding over is intended to compensate Landlord partially for losses, damages and expenses, including frustrating and delaying Landlord’s ability to secure a replacement tenant.

 

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  26. RIGHT TO RELOCATE . [Intentionally Omitted]

27. BROKER’S COMMISSIONS. Each party represents and warrants to the other that it has not dealt with any real estate broker, finder or other person with respect to this Lease in any manner, except the Broker identified in Section 1m. Each party shall indemnify and hold the other party harmless from any and all damages resulting from claims that may be asserted against the other party by any other broker, finder or other person (including, without limitation, any substitute or replacement broker claiming to have been engaged by indemnifying party in the future), claiming to have dealt with the indemnifying party in connection with this Lease or any amendment or extension hereto, or which may result in Tenant leasing other or enlarged space from Landlord. The provisions of this paragraph shall survive the termination of this Lease.

28. ANTI-TERRORISM LAWS. During the term, Tenant shall not (i) be an “enemy” or an “ally of the enemy” within the meaning of Section 2 of the Trading with the Enemy Act of the United States of America (50 U.S.C. App. §§ 1 et seq.), as amended, (ii) violate the Trading with the Enemy Act, as amended, (iii) violate any of the foreign assets control regulations of the United States Treasury Department (31 CFR, Subtitle B, Chapter V, as amended) or any enabling legislation or executive order relating thereto or (iv) violate the USA PATRIOT Act (Title III of Pub. L. 107-56 (signed into law October 26, 2001)) (the “Patriot Act”). Tenant shall, promptly following a request from Landlord, provide all documentation and other information that the Lender requests in order to comply with its ongoing obligations under applicable “know your customer” and anti-money laundering rules and regulations, including the Patriot Act.

 

  29. GENERAL PROVISIONS/DEFINITIONS .

a. No Agency. Tenant is not and shall never represent itself to be an agent of Landlord, and Tenant acknowledges that Landlord’s title to the Building is paramount, and that Tenant can do nothing to affect or impair Landlord’s title.

b. Force Majeure. The term “ force majeure ” means: fire, flood, extreme weather, labor disputes, strike, lock-out, riot, government interference (including regulation, appropriation or rationing), unusual delay in governmental permitting, unusual delay in deliveries or unavailability of materials, unavoidable casualties, Act of God, or other causes beyond the party’s reasonable control.

c. Building Standard Improvements. The term “Building Standard Improvements” shall mean the standards for normal construction of general office space within the Building as specified by Landlord, including design and construction standards, electrical load factors, materials, fixtures and finishes.

d. Limitation on Damages. Notwithstanding any other provisions in this Lease, neither Landlord nor Tenant shall be liable to the other for any special, consequential, incidental or punitive damages.

e. Satisfaction of Judgments Against Landlord. If Landlord, or its employees, officers, directors, stockholders or partners are ordered to pay Tenant a money judgment because of Landlord’s default under this Lease, said money judgment may only be enforced against and satisfied out of: (i) Landlord’s interest in the Building in which the Premises are located including the rental income and proceeds from sale; and (ii) any insurance or condemnation proceeds received because of damage or condemnation to, or of, said Building that are available for use by Landlord. No other assets of Landlord or said other parties exculpated by the preceding sentence shall be liable for, or subject to, any such money judgment.

f. Interest. Should Tenant fail to pay any amount due to Landlord within 30 days of the date such amount is due (whether Base Rent, Additional Rent, or any other payment obligation), then the amount due shall thereafter accrue interest at the rate of 12% per annum, compounded monthly, or the highest permissible rate under applicable usury law, whichever is less, until the amount is paid in full.

g. Legal Costs. Should either party prevail in any legal proceedings against the other for breach of any provision in this Lease, then the other party shall be liable for the costs and expenses of the prevailing party, including its reasonable attorneys’ fees (at all tribunal levels).

h. Sale of Premises or Building. Landlord may sell the Premises or the Building without affecting the obligations of Tenant hereunder. Upon the sale of the Premises or the Building, Landlord shall be relieved of all responsibility for the Premises and shall be released from any liability thereafter accruing under this Lease.

 

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i. Time of the Essence. Time is of the essence in the performance of all obligations under the terms of this Lease.

j. Transfer of Security Deposit. If any Security Deposit or prepaid Rent has been paid by Tenant, Landlord may transfer the Security Deposit or prepaid Rent to Landlord’s successor and upon such transfer, Landlord shall be released from any liability for return of the Security Deposit or prepaid Rent.

k. Tender of Premises. The delivery of a key or other such tender of possession of the Premises to Landlord or to an employee of Landlord shall not operate as a termination of this Lease or a surrender of the Premises unless requested in writing by Landlord.

l. Tenant’s Financial Statements. Upon request of Landlord, Tenant agrees to furnish to Landlord copies of Tenant’s most recent annual, quarterly and monthly financial statements, audited if available. The financial statements shall be prepared in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles, consistently applied. The financial statements shall include a balance sheet and a statement of profit and loss, and the annual financial statement shall also include a statement of changes in financial position and appropriate explanatory notes. Landlord may deliver the financial statements to any prospective or existing mortgagee or purchaser of the Building. So long as Tenant shall remain a publicly traded company with applicable financials readily available in the public domain, the foregoing obligation to provide financial statements shall be waived.

m. Recordation. This Lease may not be recorded without Landlord’s prior written consent, but Tenant and Landlord agree, upon the request of the other party, to execute a memorandum hereof for recording purposes.

n. Partial Invalidity. The invalidity of any portion of this Lease shall not invalidate the remaining portions of the Lease.

o. Binding Effect. This Lease shall be binding upon the respective parties hereto, and upon their heirs, executors, successors and assigns.

p. Entire Agreement; Construction. This Lease constitutes the entire agreement between the parties relating to the subject matter hereof and supersedes any and all previous agreements and understandings, oral or written relating to the subject matter hereof. The fact that one of the parties to this Lease may be deemed to have drafted or structured any provision of this Lease shall not be considered in construing or interpreting any particular provision of this Lease, either in favor of or against such party, and Landlord and Tenant hereby waive any applicable rules of construction or interpretation to the contrary.

q. Intentionally Omitted.

r. Choice of Law. This Lease shall be interpreted and enforced in accordance with the laws of the State in which the Premises are located.

s. Effective Date. This Lease shall become effective as a contract only upon the execution and delivery by both Landlord and Tenant. The date of execution shall be entered on the top of the first page of this Lease by Landlord, and shall be the date on which the last party signed the Lease, or as otherwise may be specifically agreed by both parties. Such date, once inserted, shall be established as the final day of ratification by all parties to this Lease, and shall be the date for use throughout this Lease as the “Effective Date”.

30. SPECIAL CONDITIONS . The following special conditions, if any, shall apply, and where in conflict with earlier provisions in this Lease shall control: [N/A]

31. ADDENDA AND EXHIBITS. If any addenda and/or exhibits are noted below, such addenda and exhibits are incorporated herein and made a part of this Lease.

 

  a. Addendum
  b. Exhibit A – Premises
  c. Exhibit A-1 – Work Letter
  d. Exhibit B – Rules and Regulations
  e. Exhibit C – Commencement Agreement

 

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  f. Exhibit D – Acceptance of Premises

[REMAINDER OF PAGE LEFT BLANK INTENTIONALLY

SIGNATURE BLOCKS ON NEXT PAGE]

 

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IN WITNESS WHEREOF, Landlord and Tenant have executed this Lease in three originals, all as of the day and year first above written.

TENANT:

KIRKLAND’S, INC.

a Tennessee corporation

By: /s/ W. Michael Madden

Name: W. Michael Madden

Title: SVP/CFO

Date: April 7, 2014

LANDLORD:

HIGHWOODS REALTY LIMITED PARTNERSHIP

a North Carolina limited partnership

By: Highwoods Properties, Inc., a Maryland corporation

      its general partner

By: /s/ W. Brian Reames

Name: W. Brian Reames

Title: Senior Vice President – Regional Manager

Date: April 17, 2014

 

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ADDENDUM

I. ADDITIONAL RENT – OPERATING EXPENSES AND TAXES (EXPENSE STOP)

1. Operating Expenses. The term “Operating Expenses” shall mean all costs incurred by Landlord in the provision of services to tenants and in the operation, management, repair, replacement and maintenance of the Property (as defined below), including, but not limited to, insurance premiums, utilities, heat, air conditioning, janitorial service, labor, materials, supplies, equipment and tools, permits, licenses, inspection fees, salaries and other reasonable compensation of maintenance and management personnel reasonably related to services provided to the Property, management fees in an amount not to exceed 4% of Base Rent, and Common Area expenses. Notwithstanding the foregoing, other than that used by AT&T, Tenant shall be responsible for payment of all costs associated with Tenant’s electrical usage in the Building as provided in Section 5.c of the Lease.

2. Exclusions to Operating Expenses. Notwithstanding the foregoing, Operating Expenses shall not include the following:

a. depreciation on the Building or equipment therein; interest; executive salaries; real estate brokers’ commissions;

b. Taxes (as defined below); Leasing commissions, attorneys’ fees, costs, disbursements and other expenses incurred by Landlord or its agents in connection with negotiations for leases with tenants, other occupants or prospective tenants or other occupants of the Building, and similar costs incurred in connection with disputes with and/or enforcement of any lease with tenants, other occupants, or prospective tenants of other occupants of the Building;

c. “Tenant allowances”, “tenant concessions”, work letter payments, and other cots or expenses (including permit, license and inspection fees) incurred in completing, fixturing, furnishing, renovating or otherwise improving, decorating or redecorating space for tenants or other occupants of the Building, or vacant, leasable space in the Building, including space planning/interior design fees for same;

d. Depreciation;

e. Costs or expenses related to services, items and benefits provided to a specific tenant or for which Tenant or any other tenant or occupant of the Building specifically reimburses Landlord or pays for on Landlord’s behalf;

f. Costs or expenses (including fines, penalties and legal fees) incurred due to the violation by Landlord of any terms or conditions of this Lease or of the leases of other tenants in the Building, that would not have incurred but for such violation by Landlord;

g. Penalties for late payment of any Operating Expenses by Landlord, including, without limitation, with respect to taxes, equipment leases, etc.;

h. Payments in respect of overhead and/or profit to subsidiaries or affiliates of Landlord or payments for services on or to the Building, or for goods, supplies or other materials, to the extent that the costs of such services, goods, supplies or materials exceed the costs that would have been paid if the services, goods, supplies or materials had been provided by parties unaffiliated with Landlord, if similar skill, competence and experience, on a competitive basis;

i. Payments of principal, finance charges or interest on debt or amortization on any deed of trust or other debt encumbering the Building, and rental payments (or increases in same) under any ground or underlying lease or leases encumbering the Building (except to the extent the same may be made to pay or reimburse property taxes);

j. Rentals and other related expenses, if any, incurred in leasing air conditioning systems or other equipment ordinarily considered to be of a capital nature, except equipment which is used in providing janitorial services and which is not affixed to the Building and equipment which is leased on a temporary basis in emergency situation;

k. Advertising and promotional expenses;

l. Costs or expenses for the acquisition of sculpture, paints or other works of art, but not the reasonable expenses of maintaining, repairing and insuring same;

 

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m. Costs for which Landlord is compensating through or reimbursed by insurance, condemnation awards, warranties or service contracts;

n. Contributions to operating expense reserves (including tax reserves);

o. Contributions to political or charitable organizations;

p. Costs incurred in removing the property of former tenants and/or other occupants of the Building;

q. Costs or fees relating to the defense of landlord’s title or interest in the Building, or any part thereof;

r. Costs or expenses for entertainment, gifts, dining or travel;

s. Landlord’s “in house” legal or accounting fees; and

t. Any other expense which, under generally accepted accounting principles, consistently applied, would not be considered to be a normal maintenance or operating expense of the Building or Common Areas.

Additionally, Operating Expenses shall not include the cost of capital improvements to the Property; provided, however, Landlord may include in Operating Expenses the costs of the following capital items, amortized on a straight-line basis over their useful lives:

a. Any capital improvements or costs made or incurred in order to comply with any new laws, rules or regulations or any changes in existing laws, rules or regulations adopted by any governmental authority after the Phase I Commencement Date; and

b. Any capital improvements that are designed primarily to reduce Operating Expenses, provided that the amortized amount of these capital items in any year will be equal to the estimated resulting reduction in Operating Expenses for the same year.

3. Taxes. The term “Taxes” shall mean any fees, charges or assessments related to the Property that are imposed by any governmental or quasi-governmental authority having jurisdiction over the Property, including, without limitation, ad valorem real property taxes; franchise taxes; personal property taxes; assessments, special or otherwise, imposed on the Property; payments in lieu of real estate taxes; sewer rents; transit taxes; and taxes based on rents. Taxes shall also include the reasonable costs incurred by Landlord in connection with any appeal for a reduction of taxes made in good faith, including, without limitation, the costs of legal consultants, appraisers and accountants. Taxes shall not include any inheritance, estate, succession, transfer, gift, corporate, income or profit tax imposed upon Landlord.

4. Property. The term “Property” shall mean the Building and the improvements, equipment and systems situated therein; the Common Areas; and the real property upon which the Building and Common Areas are situated.

5. Tenant’s Proportionate Share. The term “Tenant’s Proportionate Share” shall mean the following: (a) during the period from and including the Phase I Rent Commencement Date through and including the day immediately preceding the Phase II Rent Commencement Date, Tenant’s Proportionate Share shall equal 54.76% , calculated by dividing the approximately 41,961 rentable square feet of the Phase I space by the approximately 76,626 rentable square feet of the Building; and (b) during the period from and including the Phase II Rent Commencement Date through the remainder of the Term, Tenant’s Proportionate Share shall equal 99.44% , calculated by dividing the approximately 76,199 rentable square feet of the entire Premises by the approximately 76,626 rentable square feet of the Building. To the extent any Operating Expenses and/or Taxes are related to the Building and one or more other buildings owned by Landlord or its affiliate, those Operating Expenses and/or Taxes shall be reasonably allocated by Landlord on an equitable pro rata basis among all of the buildings to which those expenses are related; and Tenant’s Proportionate Share of those expenses shall be calculated based only on the amount of those expenses allocated to the Building.

6. Expense Stop. The Expense Stop shall equal [$5.08] per rentable square foot of the Building ($389,260.08 based on 76,626 rentable square feet of the Building); provided, however, as specified Section 1 above and in Section 5.c of the Lease, other than that used by AT&T, Tenant shall be responsible for payment of all costs associated with Tenant’s electrical usage in the Building.

7. Cap on Controllable Operating Expenses. Notwithstanding any provision herein to the contrary, Landlord hereby agrees that except for Taxes, insurance, utilities and expenses incurred due to Acts of God for which Landlord otherwise is not reimbursed through insurance or other third party sources (collectively, “Uncontrollable

 

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Expenses”), the Operating Expenses for the Building shall not increase, on a cumulative basis, by more than five percent (5%) per annum for purposes of calculating Tenant’s Proportionate Share. Tenant shall pay the full amount of Tenant’s Proportionate Share of increases in Uncontrollable Expenses.

8. Payment of Additional Rent. For the calendar year (or partial calendar year) beginning on the Phase I Commencement Date and for each calendar year thereafter during the Term, Tenant shall pay to Landlord, as Additional Rent, Tenant’s Proportionate Share of Operating Expenses and Taxes above the Expense Stop; and

9. Landlord’s Estimate. For the calendar year (or partial calendar year) beginning on the Phase I Commencement Date and for each calendar year thereafter during the Term, Landlord shall deliver to Tenant a written statement of the reasonable estimated Operating Expenses and Taxes for that calendar year above the Expense Stop (if any). Based on Landlord’s estimate, Tenant shall pay to Landlord Tenant’s Proportionate Share of the estimated amount of Operating Expenses and Taxes above the Expense Stop in 12 equal monthly installments, which shall be due and payable at the same time and in the same manner as Base Rent.

10. Annual Reconciliation. Within 180 days after the end of each calendar year or as soon as possible thereafter, Landlord shall send Tenant an annual statement of the actual Operating Expenses and Taxes for the preceding calendar year (the “Annual Statement”). Landlord’s failure to render an Annual Statement for any calendar year shall not prejudice Landlord’s right to issue an Annual Statement with respect to that calendar year or any subsequent calendar year, nor shall Landlord’s rendering of an incorrect Annual Statement prejudice Landlord’s right subsequently to issue a corrected Annual Statement. Pursuant to the Annual Statement, Tenant shall pay to Landlord Additional Rent as owed within 30 days after Tenant’s receipt of the Annual Statement, or Landlord shall adjust Tenant’s Rent payments if Landlord owes Tenant a credit. After the Expiration Date or earlier termination date of the Lease, Landlord shall send Tenant the final Annual Statement for the Term, and Tenant shall pay to Landlord Additional Rent as owed within 30 days after Tenant’s receipt of the Annual Statement, or, if Landlord owes Tenant a credit, then Landlord shall pay Tenant a refund within 30 days after Landlord’s delivery of such notice. If this Lease expires or terminates on a day other than December 31, then Additional Rent shall be prorated on a 365-day calendar year (or 366 if a leap year).

11. Tenant’s Review of Operating Expenses and Taxes. No more than once per calendar year, Tenant, or a qualified professional selected by Tenant (the “Reviewer”), may review Landlord’s books and records relating to Operating Expenses and Taxes (the “Review”), subject to the following terms and conditions:

a. Tenant must deliver notice of the Review to Landlord within 90 days of Tenant’s receipt of the Annual Statement. Thereafter, Tenant must commence and complete its Review within a reasonable time, not to exceed 180 days following Tenant’s receipt of the Annual Statement. No subtenant shall have any right to conduct a Review, and no assigns shall conduct a Review for any period during which such assignee was not in possession of the Premises. If Tenant elects to have a Reviewer conduct the Review, the Reviewer must be an independent nationally or regionally recognized accounting firm that is not being compensated by Tenant on a contingency fee basis.

b. Tenant’s Review shall only extend to Landlord’s books and records specifically related to Operating Expenses and Taxes for the Property during the calendar year for which the Annual Statement was provided and for the two prior calendar years. Books and records necessary to accomplish any Review shall be retained for 12 months after the end of each calendar year, and, upon Landlord’s receipt of Tenant’s notice, shall be made available to Tenant to conduct the Review. The Review shall be conducted during regular business hours at either the Landlord’s division office for the area in which the Premises are located or Landlord’s home office in Raleigh, North Carolina, as selected by Landlord.

c. As a condition to the Review, Tenant and Tenant’s Reviewer shall execute a written agreement providing that the Reviewer is not being compensated on a contingency fee basis and that all information obtained through the Review, as well as any compromise, settlement or adjustment reached as a result of the Review, shall be held in strict confidence and shall not be revealed in any manner to any person except: (i) upon the prior written consent of the Landlord, which consent may be withheld in Landlord’s sole discretion; (ii) if required pursuant to any litigation between Landlord and Tenant materially related to the facts disclosed by the Review; or (iii) if required by law. The written agreement may also set forth Landlord’s reasonable procedures and guidelines for Tenant and Tenant’s Reviewer to follow when conducting the Review.

 

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d. If, after Tenant’s Review, Tenant disputes the amount of Operating Expenses or Taxes set forth in the Annual Statement, Tenant or Tenant’s Reviewer shall submit a written report to Landlord within 30 days after the completion of the Review setting forth any claims to be asserted against Landlord as a result of the Review and specific and detailed explanations as to the reason for the claim(s) (the “Report”). Landlord and Tenant then shall use good faith efforts to resolve Tenant’s claims set forth in the Report. If the parties do not reach agreement on the claims within 30 days after Landlord’s receipt of the Report, then the dispute shall be submitted to arbitration as hereinafter provided. Within 20 days after expiration of the 30-day period referenced in the foregoing sentence, each party shall appoint as an arbitrator a reputable independent nationally or regionally recognized accounting firm or commercial real estate firm with at least 10 years’ experience in accounting related to commercial lease transactions and shall give notice of such appointment to the other party; provided, however, if Tenant used a Reviewer to perform the Review, the Reviewer shall be deemed to have been appointed by Tenant as its arbitrator for purposes of this provision. Within 10 days after appointment of the second arbitrator, the two arbitrators shall appoint a third arbitrator who shall be similarly qualified. If the two arbitrators are unable to agree timely on the selection of the third arbitrator, then either arbitrator on behalf of both may request such appointment from the office of the American Arbitration Association (“AAA”) nearest to the Premises. The arbitration shall be conducted in accordance with the rules of the AAA. If the AAA shall cease to provide arbitration for commercial disputes in location, the third arbitrator shall be appointed by any successor organization providing substantially the same services. Within 10 days after the third arbitrator has been selected, each of the other two arbitrators, on behalf of the party it represents, shall submit a written statement, along with any supporting document, data, reports or other information, setting forth its determination of the amount of Operating Expenses or Taxes that are in dispute. The third arbitrator will resolve the dispute by selecting the statement of one of the parties as submitted to the third arbitrator. Within 10 days after the third arbitrator’s receipt of the statements from the other arbitrators, the third arbitrator shall notify both parties in writing of the arbitrator’s decision. The decision of the third arbitrator shall be final and binding upon the parties and their respective heirs, executors, successors and assigns. If either of the parties fails to furnish its statement to the third arbitrator within the time frame specified herein, the third arbitrator shall automatically adopt the other party’s statement as final and binding. The cost of arbitration (exclusive of each party’s witness and attorneys’ fees, which shall be paid by the party) shall be shared equally by the parties.

e. If the Review or subsequent arbitration determines that Operating Expenses and Taxes in the applicable calendar year were overstated, in the aggregate, by 5% or more, then Landlord shall reimburse Tenant for Tenant’s reasonable Review costs; otherwise, Tenant shall pay its own costs in connection with the Review.

 

II. LANDLORD’S WORK

Landlord, at its sole cost and expense (without deduction from the Allowance provided in Exhibit A-1 below), shall (i) deliver prior to the commencement of the Tenant Improvements a portion of the first floor containing approximately 16,268 rentable square feet and the entire third floor of the Building in its “As Is” condition existing as of the date of execution of this Lease, and (ii) update prior to the Phase II Commencement Date all of the existing restrooms in the Building, including installing new flooring, new wall covering, new fixtures and new partitions, all utilizing Building standard materials and finishes mutually agreed upon in good faith by Landlord and Tenant.

 

III. GENERATOR

The Building currently is served by an existing generator that powers the Building’s emergency lighting. Tenant shall have the right to tie-in to the generator at Tenant’s sole cost and expense for use solely as an emergency back-up power source for the Premises. The plans and specifications for the tie-in (including, without limitation, the maximum power available for Tenant’s use) shall be subject to Landlord’s prior written approval, which shall not be unreasonably withheld, conditioned or delayed. Landlord, at its sole cost and expense, shall be responsible for performing the necessary maintenance and repair to the generator and shall maintain a commercially reasonable service contract on the generator. Landlord will perform such maintenance and repairs in a commercially reasonable manner and within a commercially reasonable time following the time Landlord first becomes aware of the need for such maintenance or repairs; provided, however, in no event shall Landlord be liable to Tenant for any damage or loss suffered by Tenant as a result of any service disruption, malfunction or failure of the generator, including, without limitation, any damage or destruction of Tenant’s property or any business interruption experienced by Tenant as are result of the foregoing. Additionally, Landlord shall replace the generator if and when the generator fails or otherwise becomes inoperable. Tenant shall have the right, but not the obligation, to tie into the replacement generator.

 

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IV. RENEWAL OPTIONS

Tenant shall have the right and option to renew the Lease (“Renewal Option”) for two additional periods of five years each (each an “Option Term”) (a separate notice is required for each Option Term); provided, however, each Renewal Option is contingent upon the following: (i) Tenant is not in default at the time Tenant gives Landlord notice of Tenant’s intention to exercise the Renewal Option beyond applicable notice and/or cure periods; and (ii) upon the Expiration Date or the expiration of the first Option Term, as applicable, Tenant has no outstanding default. Following the expiration of the second Option Term, Tenant shall have no further right to renew the Lease pursuant to this provision. The Renewal Options are subject to the following terms and conditions:

a. If Tenant desire to exercise the first Renewal Option, then Tenant must give Landlord notice at least 12 months prior to the Expiration Date of the initial Term. If Tenant exercises the first Renewal Option and thereafter desires to exercise the second Renewal Option, then Tenant must give Landlord notice at least 12 months prior to the Expiration Date of the first Option Term. If Tenant fails to give notice to Landlord prior to the applicable 12-month period, then Tenant shall forfeit the Renewal Option. If Tenant exercises a Renewal Option, then during the applicable Option Term, Landlord and Tenant’s respective rights, duties and obligations shall be governed by the terms and conditions of the Lease, except as provided otherwise herein. Time is of the essence in exercising each Renewal Option.

b. If Tenant exercises the Renewal Option, then during the applicable Option Term, all references to the term “Term”, as used in the Lease, shall mean the “Option Term”.

c. The minimum Base Rent for each Option Term shall be the Fair Market Rental Rate, determined as follows:

Definition . The term “ Fair Market Rental Rate ” shall mean the market rental rate for the time period such determination is being made for office space in same-class office buildings in the Maryland Farms office park in Brentwood, Tennessee (“AREA”) of comparable condition for space of equivalent quality, size, utility, and location. Such determination shall take into account all relevant factors, including, without limitation, the following matters: the credit standing of Tenant; the length of the term; expense stops; the fact that Landlord will experience no vacancy period and that Tenant will not suffer the costs and business interruption associated with moving its offices and negotiating a new lease; construction allowances and other tenant concessions that would be available to tenants comparable to Tenant in the AREA (such as moving expense allowance, free rent periods, and lease assumptions and take-over provisions, if any, but specifically excluding the value of improvements installed in the Premises at Tenant’s cost), and whether adjustments are then being made in determining the rental rates for renewals in the AREA because of concessions being offered by Landlord to Tenant (or the lack thereof for the Option Term in question). For purposes of such calculation, it will be assumed that Landlord is paying a representative of Tenant a brokerage commission in connection with the Option Term in question, based on the then current market rates.

Determination . Landlord shall deliver to Tenant notice of the Fair Market Rental Rate (the “FMR Notice”) for the Premises for the Option Term in question within 30 days after Tenant exercises the option giving rise for the need to determine the Fair Market Rental Rate. If Tenant disagrees with Landlord’s assessment of the Fair Market Rental Rate specified in a FMR Notice, then it shall so notify Landlord in writing within 10 business days after delivery of such FMR Notice; otherwise, the rate set forth in such notice shall be the Fair Market Rental Rate. If Tenant timely delivers to Landlord notice that Tenant disagrees with Landlord’s assessment of the Fair Market Rental Rate, then Landlord and Tenant shall meet to attempt to determine the Fair Market Rental Rate. If Tenant and Landlord are unable to agree on such Fair Market Rental Rate within 10 business days after Tenant notifies Landlord of Tenant’s disagreement with Landlord’s assessment thereof, then Landlord and Tenant shall each appoint an independent real estate appraiser with an MAI designation and with at least 10 years’ commercial real estate appraisal experience in the AREA market. The two appraisers shall then, within 10 days after their designation, select an independent third appraiser with like qualifications. Within 20 business days after the selection of the third appraiser, a majority of the appraisers shall determine the Fair Market Rental Rate. If a majority of the appraisers is unable to agree upon the Fair Market Rental Rate by such time, then the two closest appraisals shall be averaged and the average will be the Fair Market Rental Rate. Tenant and Landlord shall each bear the entire cost of the appraiser selected by it and shall share equally the cost of the third appraiser.

 

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Administration . If Tenant has exercised the Renewal Option and the Fair Market Rental Rate for the Option Term has not been determined in accordance with this provision by the time that Rent for the Option Term is to commence in accordance with the terms hereof, then Tenant shall pay Rent for the Option Term based on the Fair Market Rental Rate proposed by Landlord pursuant to this provision until such time as the Fair Market Rental Rate has been so determined, at which time appropriate cash adjustments shall be made between Landlord and Tenant such that Tenant is charged Rent based on the Fair Market Rental Rate (as finally determined pursuant to this provision) for the Option Term during the interval in question.

 

V. RIGHT TO PURCHASE BUILDING

Landlord grants Tenant a one-time right of offer to purchase the Building (the “Purchase Right”) on the terms and conditions described herein. If at any time during the Term, Landlord, at its sole discretion, elects to sell the Building, Landlord shall offer to sell the Building to Tenant prior to entering into an agreement to sell the Building to a third party by providing written notice to Tenant of its desire to sell the Building and the proposed terms of the sale, including the purchase price and terms of payment and other material economic terms (“Landlord’s Sale Notice”), which shall be consistent with the then-current market terms. Tenant shall have 10 business days from the date of its receipt of Landlord’s Sale Notice to exercise the Purchase Right by providing written notice of such exercise to Landlord (“Tenant’s Purchase Notice”). Time is of the essence for the delivery of Tenant’s Purchase Notice. For a period of 30 days after Landlord’s receipt of Tenant’s Purchase Notice, Landlord and Tenant shall negotiate in good faith a commercially reasonable definitive agreement consistent with standard industry practices related to the purchase and sale of the Building between Landlord and Tenant, which, once executed, shall control the purchase and sale of the Building. If such a definitive agreement cannot be finalized and executed within such 30-day period, provided all parties are acting in good faith, then Tenant’s Purchase Notice and its Purchase Right shall be deemed null and void and of no further force or effect; and Landlord shall be free to sell the Building to a third party. Tenant’s exercise of its Purchase Right is expressly conditioned upon Tenant (a) not being in default under the Lease at the time of Landlord’s Sale Notice, and (b) continuing to lease all the rentable square feet in the Building (less the portion leased by AT&T as referenced hereinabove) at the time of Landlord’s Sale Notice. If Tenant ceases to lease all the rentable square feet in the Building (less the portion leased by AT&T as referenced hereinabove) at any time, then the Purchase Right automatically will become null and void and of no further effect. Additionally, the Purchase Right is personal to Kirkland’s, Inc. In the event Kirkland’s, Inc. assigns its interest in the Lease to any entity other than its affiliate, subsidiary or successor in interest by merger, acquisition or consolidation, the Purchase Right automatically will become null and void and of no further effect.

 

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EXHIBIT 31.1

CERTIFICATION OF PRESIDENT AND CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER

 

I, Robert E. Alderson, certify that:

 

1. I have reviewed this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q of Kirkland’s, Inc. (“registrant”);

 

2. Based on my knowledge, this report does not contain any untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state a material fact necessary to make the statements made, in light of the circumstances under which such statements were made, not misleading with respect to the period covered by this report;

 

3. Based on my knowledge, the financial statements, and other financial information included in this report, fairly present in all material respects the financial condition, results of operations and cash flows of the registrant as of, and for, the periods presented in this report;

 

4. The registrant’s other certifying officer(s) and I are responsible for establishing and maintaining disclosure controls and procedures (as defined in Exchange Act Rules 13a-15(e) and 15d-15(e)) and internal control over financial reporting (as defined in Exchange Act Rules 13a-15(f) and 15d-15(f)) for the registrant and have:

 

  (a) Designed such disclosure controls and procedures, or caused such disclosure controls and procedures to be designed under our supervision, to ensure that material information relating to the registrant, including its consolidated subsidiaries, is made known to us by others within those entities, particularly during the period in which this report is being prepared;

 

  (b) Designed such internal control over financial reporting, or caused such internal control over financial reporting to be designed under our supervision, to provide reasonable assurance regarding the reliability of financial reporting and the preparation of financial statements for external purposes in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles;

 

  (c) Evaluated the effectiveness of the registrant’s disclosure controls and procedures and presented in this report our conclusions about the effectiveness of the disclosure controls and procedures, as of the end of the period covered by this report based on such evaluation; and

 

  (d) Disclosed in this report any change in the registrant’s internal control over financial reporting that occurred during the registrant’s most recent fiscal quarter (the registrant’s fourth fiscal quarter in the case of an annual report) that has materially affected, or is reasonably likely to materially affect, the registrant’s internal control over financial reporting; and

 

5. The registrant’s other certifying officer(s) and I have disclosed, based on our most recent evaluation of internal control over financial reporting, to the registrant’s auditors and the audit committee of the registrant’s board of directors (or persons performing the equivalent functions):

 

  (a) All significant deficiencies and material weaknesses in the design or operation of internal control over financial reporting which are reasonably likely to adversely affect the registrant’s ability to record, process, summarize and report financial information; and

 

  (b) Any fraud, whether or not material, that involves management or other employees who have a significant role in the registrant’s internal control over financial reporting.

 

Date: June 12, 2014      

/s/ Robert E. Alderson

      Robert E. Alderson
      President and Chief Executive Officer

EXHIBIT 31.2

CERTIFICATION OF SENIOR VICE PRESIDENT AND CHIEF FINANCIAL OFFICER

 

I, W. Michael Madden, certify that:

 

1. I have reviewed this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q of Kirkland’s, Inc. (“registrant”);

 

2. Based on my knowledge, this report does not contain any untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state a material fact necessary to make the statements made, in light of the circumstances under which such statements were made, not misleading with respect to the period covered by this report;

 

3. Based on my knowledge, the financial statements, and other financial information included in this report, fairly present in all material respects the financial condition, results of operations and cash flows of the registrant as of, and for, the periods presented in this report;

 

4. The registrant’s other certifying officer(s) and I are responsible for establishing and maintaining disclosure controls and procedures (as defined in Exchange Act Rules 13a-15(e) and 15d-15(e)) and internal control over financial reporting (as defined in Exchange Act Rules 13a-15(f) and 15d-15(f)) for the registrant and have:

 

  (a) Designed such disclosure controls and procedures, or caused such disclosure controls and procedures to be designed under our supervision, to ensure that material information relating to the registrant, including its consolidated subsidiaries, is made known to us by others within those entities, particularly during the period in which this report is being prepared;

 

  (b) Designed such internal control over financial reporting, or caused such internal control over financial reporting to be designed under our supervision, to provide reasonable assurance regarding the reliability of financial reporting and the preparation of financial statements for external purposes in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles;

 

  (c) Evaluated the effectiveness of the registrant’s disclosure controls and procedures and presented in this report our conclusions about the effectiveness of the disclosure controls and procedures, as of the end of the period covered by this report based on such evaluation; and

 

  (d) Disclosed in this report any change in the registrant’s internal control over financial reporting that occurred during the registrant’s most recent fiscal quarter (the registrant’s fourth fiscal quarter in the case of an annual report) that has materially affected, or is reasonably likely to materially affect, the registrant’s internal control over financial reporting; and

 

5. The registrant’s other certifying officer(s) and I have disclosed, based on our most recent evaluation of internal control over financial reporting, to the registrant’s auditors and the audit committee of the registrant’s board of directors (or persons performing the equivalent functions):

 

  (a) All significant deficiencies and material weaknesses in the design or operation of internal control over financial reporting which are reasonably likely to adversely affect the registrant’s ability to record, process, summarize and report financial information; and

 

  (b) Any fraud, whether or not material, that involves management or other employees who have a significant role in the registrant’s internal control over financial reporting.

 

Date: June 12, 2014      

/s/ W. Michael Madden

      W. Michael Madden
      Senior Vice President and Chief Financial Officer

EXHIBIT 32.1

CERTIFICATION PURSUANT TO

18 U.S.C. SECTION 1350

In connection with the Quarterly Report of Kirkland’s, Inc. (the “Company”) on Form 10-Q for the first quarter ended May 3, 2014, as filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on the date hereof (the “Report”), I, Robert E. Alderson, President and Chief Executive Officer of the Company, certify, pursuant to 18 U.S.C. Section 1350, as adopted pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002, that:

(1) The Report fully complies with the requirements of Section 13(a) or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934; and

(2) The information contained in the Report fairly presents, in all material respects, the financial condition and results of operations of the Company.

 

/s/ Robert E. Alderson

President and Chief Executive Officer
June 12, 2014

EXHIBIT 32.2

CERTIFICATION PURSUANT TO

18 U.S.C. SECTION 1350

In connection with the Quarterly Report of Kirkland’s, Inc. (the “Company”) on Form 10-Q for the first quarter ended May 3, 2014, as filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on the date hereof (the “Report”), I, W. Michael Madden, Senior Vice President and Chief Financial Officer of the Company, certify, pursuant to 18 U.S.C. Section 1350, as adopted pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002, that:

(1) The Report fully complies with the requirements of Section 13(a) or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934; and

(2) The information contained in the Report fairly presents, in all material respects, the financial condition and results of operations of the Company.

 

/s/ W. Michael Madden

Senior Vice President and Chief Financial Officer
June 12, 2014