BRS and GB Merchant Partners Complete Acquisition of Things Remembered, Inc.

NEW YORK, September 29, 2006 — Bruckmann, Rosser, Sherrill & Co. (“BRS”) and GB Merchant Partners, LLC, the private equity affiliate of Gordon Brothers Group, today announced the acquisition of Things Remembered, Inc., the leading specialty retailer of personalized giftware for all celebratory occasions. The business was purchased from Cole National Group, Inc., a subsidiary of Luxottica Group S.p.A.

Headquartered in Highland Heights, Ohio, Things Remembered is the nation’s largest personalized gift chain. The Company provides solutions for all gift-giving occasions through more than 650 stores across the U.S. as well as its catalog and website, www.thingsremembered.com. Creative engraved and monogrammed gifts have contributed to the company’s strong brand name and loyal customer following throughout its 40 year history. Things Remembered generated revenues of approximately $300 million in 2005.

BRS is a New York based private equity investment firm with approximately $1.2 billion under management. BRS was founded in 1995 and has since invested in more than 40 companies in the following industries: restaurants, consumer goods, specialty retail, recreation/leisure, apparel, home furnishings, industrial and commercial services, commercial equipment manufacturing, wholesale distribution and healthcare services. BRS makes leveraged buyout, recapitalization and growth capital investments in companies with superior management, predictable cash flow, strong market share and growth potential. All management teams of BRS companies are equity investors in their businesses.

CONTACT:

Paul Kaminski – Bruckmann, Rosser, Sherrill & Co., 212-521-3700
E-MAIL: kaminski@brs.com
WEBSITE: www.brs.com