UNITED STATES

 

SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

 

WASHINGTON, DC  20549

 


 

FORM 8-K

 

CURRENT REPORT
PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE
SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934

 

Date of report (Date of earliest event reported):   December 26, 2004

 

THE J. JILL GROUP, INC.

(Exact Name of Registrant as Specified in its Charter)

 

Delaware

 

0-22480

 

04-2973769

(State or Other Jurisdiction
of Incorporation)

 

(Commission
File Number)

 

(IRS Employer
Identification No.)

 

 

 

 

 

4 Batterymarch Park, Quincy, MA

 

 

 

02169-7468

(Address of Principal Executive Offices)

 

 

 

(Zip Code)

 

 

 

 

 

Registrant’s telephone number, including area code:     (617) 376-4300

 

Check the appropriate box below if the Form 8-K filing is intended to simultaneously satisfy the filing obligation of the registrant under any of the following provisions:

 

o            Written communications pursuant to Rule 425 under the Securities Act (17 CFR 230.425)

 

o            Soliciting material pursuant to Rule 14a-12 under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.14a-12)

 

o            Pre-commencement communications pursuant to Rule 14d-2(b) under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.14d-2(b))

 

o            Pre-commencement communications pursuant to Rule 13e-4(c) under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.13e-4(c))

 

 



 

Item 1.01                                             Entry into a Material Definitive Agreement.

 

The J. Jill Group, Inc. (the “Company”) recently organized two new subsidiaries and converted The Birch Pond Group, Inc., an existing subsidiary, from a Massachusetts corporation into J. Jill, LLC, a New Hampshire limited liability company.  In connection with these organizational changes, on December 27, 2004, the Company entered into an amendment of the Fifth Amended and Restated Loan Agreement dated as of January 29, 2001, as amended, between Citizens Bank of Massachusetts, individually and as agent, the other lenders named therein and the Company and a number of related documents attached as Exhibits 10.1 through 10.10 to this Current Report on Form 8-K.

 

In addition and also in connection with these organizational changes, the Company entered into an Assignment and Assumption Agreement dated as of December 26, 2004 among Citizens Leasing Corporation, J. Jill, LLC and the Company (the “Assignment and Assumption Agreement”) to assign the Company’s existing equipment loan with Citizens Leasing Corporation to J. Jill, LLC.  A copy of the Assignment and Assumption Agreement is attached as Exhibit 10.11 to this Report.  In connection therewith, the Company executed a guaranty to Citizens Leasing Corporation, which is attached as Exhibit 10.12 to this Report.

 

Item 9.01                                             Financial Statements and Exhibits.

 

(c)          Exhibits

 

10.1                                                   Fifth Amendment to Fifth Amended and Restated Loan Agreement, dated December 27, 2004, by and among the Company and Citizens Bank of Massachusetts, HSBC Bank USA, National Association and Banknorth, N.A.

 

10.2                                                   Amendment to Security Agreement, dated December 27, 2004, between the Company and Citizens Bank of Massachusetts, as agent for the lenders

 

10.3                                                   Security Agreement, dated December 27, 2004, between J. Jill, LLC and Citizens Bank of Massachusetts, as agent for the lenders

 

10.4                                                   Security Agreement, dated December 27, 2004, between J.J. Company, Inc. and Citizens Bank of Massachusetts, as agent for the lenders

 

10.5                                                   Security Agreement, dated December 27, 2004, between J. Jill, GP and Citizens Bank of Massachusetts, as agent for the lenders

 

10.6                                                   Guaranty (Unlimited), dated December 27, 2004, between J. Jill, LLC and Citizens Bank of Massachusetts, as agent for the lenders

 

10.7                                                   Guaranty (Unlimited), dated December 27, 2004, between J.J. Company, Inc. and Citizens Bank of Massachusetts, as agent for the lenders

 

10.8                                                   Guaranty (Unlimited), dated December 27, 2004, between J. Jill, GP and Citizens Bank of Massachusetts, as agent for the lenders

 

10.9                                                   Pledge Agreement, dated December 27, 2004, between the Company and Citizens Bank of Massachusetts, as agent for the lenders

 

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10.10                                             First Pledge and Security Agreement, dated December 27, 2004, between J. Jill, GP and Citizens Bank of Massachusetts, individually and as agent for the lenders

 

10.11                                             Assignment and Assumption Agreement, dated December 26, 2004, between the Company, J. Jill, LLC and Citizens Leasing Corporation

 

10.12                                             Guaranty, dated December 26, 2004, between the Company and Citizens Leasing Corporation

 

 

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.

 

 

THE J. JILL GROUP, INC.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Date: December 28, 2004

By:

/s/ Olga L. Conley

 

 

 

Olga L. Conley

 

 

Executive Vice President /

 

 

Chief Financial Officer and Treasurer

 

 

(Principal Financial Officer)

 

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