Current Investments

Ashley Stewart. Founded in 1991 and headquartered in Secaucus, New Jersey, Ashley Stewart is a leading retailer and brand that provides plus-size women with head-to-toe outfits from trendy sportswear to lingerie to outerwear. In October 2010, GB Merchant Partners acquired the Company in a 363 sale. Please visit http://www.ashleystewart.com.

Deb Shops, Inc. Deb Shops is a mall-based, specialty retailer of fashionable, value-priced apparel and accessories for junior females in both regular and plus sizes. Headquartered in Philadelphia, PA, the Company operates over 340 stores in the U.S. principally under two store formats: junior only and junior / plus combination. In October 2007, GB Merchant Partners co-invested alongside Lee Equity Partners, the lead investor, in a going-private transaction. Please visit www.debshops.com.

Grafton-Fraser Inc. Headquartered in Toronto, Ontario, Grafton-Fraser Inc. is a leading specialty retailer of menswear, tailored clothing and big and tall men's apparel, operating over 170 stores throughout Canada under the Tip Top Tailor, Stonehouse, Grafton & Co., George Richards, Mr. Big & Tall and Kingsport trade names. In May 2007, GB Merchant Partners partnered with the Company's Chairman, Glenn Stonehouse, to invest in the business in a recapitalization. Please visit www.tiptop.ca, www.georgerichards.ca and www.mrbigandtall.ca.

Things Remembered, Inc. Things Remembered is the nation's largest personalized gift chain. The Company provides solutions for all gift-giving occasions through more than 550 stores across the U.S. and through its catalog and website. The Company specializes in 'personalizing' gifts through its on-site engraving and monogramming technology. In September 2006, GB Merchant Partners, along with Bruckmann, Rosser, Sherrill & Co., co-led the acquisition of the Company from Luxottica Group. Please visit www.thingsremembered.com.

Toys R Us, Inc. Toys “R” Us is one of the leading specialty toy and children's products retailers in the world, selling merchandise through a worldwide network of stores as well as online. Subsidiary Babies "R" Us is the largest baby product specialty store chain in the world. In July 2005, GB Merchant Partners co-invested alongside Bain Capital Partners, Kohlberg Kravis Roberts & Co. and Vornado Realty Trust. Please visit www.toysrus.com.

Dollarama. Dollarama is the largest dollar store chain in Canada with over 330 stores in six provinces. The Company's stores offer a wide assortment of quality everyday merchandise at a fixed price point of $1.00. In November 2004, GB Merchant Partners co-invested alongside Bain Capital Partners. Please visit www.dollarama.com.

Como Fred David. Headquartered in Montreal, Canada, Como Fred David is a designer and manufacturer of women's blouses, shirts and sweaters, distributing to leading retailers in the United States and Canada. In March 2008, GB Merchant Partners partnered with the Company's principals to purchase the business in a leveraged recapitalization. Please visit http://www.freddavid.com.

Clair de Lune. Headquartered in Montreal, Canada, Clair de Lune is a leading wholesaler and retailer of candles, fragrances, and home accents. The Company operates stores throughout Quebec, Ontario, New Brunswick, and Nova Scotia. In December 2007, GB Merchant Partners partnered with the Company's principals to purchase the business in a recapitalization. Please visit www.clairdelune.ca.

Laura Secord. Founded in 1913, Laura Secord is a leading marketer and retailer of branded boxed chocolates, scooped ice cream and other confectionary products. The company operates over 150 retail stores throughout Canada and also sells its products in over 1,000 third-party retail stores. In August 2004, GB Merchant Partners acted as the lead equity investor in acquiring the assets of the Laura Secord from Archibald Candy Corporation. Please visit www.laurasecord.ca.

Andrew Marc. Andrew Marc is a leading designer, marketer and wholesaler of branded men’s and women’s outerwear. The company has become a national leader in the large and growing outerwear industry and has built a strong reputation among its diverse retail customers for its stylish integration of quality design and accessibility. The company markets its products under the Andrew Marc™ and Marc™ brand names and holds licenses to market leather and cloth outerwear under the Levi's and Dockers brand names. In November 2004, GB Merchant Partners partnered with the company’s founders to purchase the business in a leveraged recapitalization. Please visit www.andrewmarc.com.

Spencer Gifts. Spencer Gifts is one of the largest nationwide mall-based specialty gift store chains in North America with over 600 stores. The company also operates temporary Halloween stores under the Spirit of Halloween Superstore brand. In 2003, GB Merchant Partners purchased Spencer Gifts from Vivendi Universal Entertainment in a leveraged buyout. Please visit www.spencergifts.com.

Party America. Party America is one of the largest retailers of consumer party supplies in the United States. The company operates more than 290 stores (including franchises) located in major retail trade areas throughout the United States. GB Merchant Partners led an equity investment to fund a management buyout of Party America in 1998. Since then, GBMP has assisted the company in its growth efforts through the opening of new stores and the acquisition of other party goods retailers. Please visit www.partyamerica.com.

Restoration Hardware. Restoration Hardware is a specialty retailer of home furnishings, functional and decorative hardware and related merchandise that reflects the company's classic and authentic American point of view. The company operates over 100 retail stores in 31 states, the District of Columbia and in Canada. In late 2000, GB Merchant Partners participated in a mezzanine financing to facilitate a restructuring of the company’s balance sheet and provide liquidity for the holiday season. Subsequently, in early 2001, GBMP made a preferred equity investment to accelerate the turnaround of the business. As part of the transaction, Gary Friedman joined the company as CEO. Restoration Hardware is a publicly traded company on the NASDAQ (ticker: RSTO). Please visit www.restorationhardware.com.

Party City. Party City Corporation is America's largest party goods chain and currently operates over 240 company-owned stores and over 250 franchise stores. In 1999, GB Merchant Partners participated in a subordinated debt financing to provide Party City with liquidity to facilitate a turnaround of the business. As part of the transaction, the investor group became the largest shareholder of the company (through the issuance of warrants). Party City is a publicly traded company on the NASDAQ (ticker: PCTY). Please visit www.partycity.com.

The Bargain! Shop Holdings Inc. The Bargain! Shop is a Canadian retailer of discount merchandise that offers customers a convenient alternative to big box discount stores. The company operates over 120 stores and offers customers a blend of quality merchandise at everyday low prices and through limited quantity deal buys. In 1999, GB Merchant Partners acted as a co-lead investor in purchasing the company from Venator. Please visit www.thebargainshop.com.