in February 2003 compared to a 4 percent comparable store sales increase in February 2002.

The Company indicated that severe winter storms, which blanketed the South and Midwest with snow, ice and frigid temperatures for most of the month of February, lead to a decrease in customer traffic, and consequently, resulted in the comparable store sales decline.

The Company also announced the opening of four stores during the month in Jupiter, FL (West Palm Beach area), Clarskburg, WV, Slidell, LA (New Orleans area) and Jefferson City, Missouri.