''Weathervane'' Going Out of Business Sale Now Underway At All Locations; Hilco Merchant Resources Managing Closing of 95 Stores for New Weathervane Retail Corporation

Business Wire, June 20, 2004

Based in Northbrook, IL, Hilco Merchant Resources provides high yield strategic retail inventory liquidation and store closing services. Over the years, Hilco principals have disposed of assets valued in excess of $30 billion. Hilco Merchant Resources is part of The Hilco Organization, a provider of asset valuation, acquisition, disposition and financing to an international marketplace through eight specialized business units.

Hilco serves retailers, manufacturers, wholesalers, distributors and importers, direct and through their financial institutions and consulting professionals. Services include: retail store, warehouse and factory closings, and inventory liquidations, through sales and auctions; asset appraisals covering retail and industrial inventory, machinery, equipment, accounts receivables and real estate; disposition of commercial and industrial real estate and leaseholds; purchase and liquidation of distressed accounts receivables portfolios; acquisition and re-marketing of excess wholesale consumer goods inventories; and secured debt and equity financing. The Hilco Organization, headquartered in Chicago, has offices in Boston; New York; Los Angeles; Miami; Atlanta; Flagstaff; Detroit; and London, England. For more information please visit our web site: www.hilcotrading.com.