form10q.htm
UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, D.C. 20549

FORM 10-Q
(Mark one)
[X]
Quarterly report pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 for the quarterly period ended September 30, 2008
OR
[   ]
Transition report pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 for the transition period from _____________ to _____________

 
Commission file number: 1-14128

Emerging Vision, Inc. logo
EMERGING VISION, INC.
(Exact name of Registrant as specified in its charter)

NEW YORK
(State or other jurisdiction of incorporation or organization)

11-3096941
(I.R.S. Employer Identification No.)

100 Quentin Roosevelt Boulevard
Garden City, NY 11530
(Address and zip code of principal executive offices)

Telephone Number: (516) 390-2100
(Registrant’s telephone number, including area code)

Indicate by check mark whether the Registrant (1) has filed all reports required to be filed by Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the Registrant was required to file such reports), and (2) has been subject to such filing requirements for the past 90 days:
Yes  X
No__

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a large accelerated filer, an accelerated filer, a non-accelerated filer, or a smaller reporting company.  See the definitions of “large accelerated filer,” “accelerated filer” and “smaller reporting company” in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act.

Large accelerated filer  __
Accelerated filer  __
Non accelerated filer  __
Smaller reporting company  X

Indicate by check mark whether the Registrant is a shell company (as defined in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act):
Yes __
No  X

As of November 14, 2008, there were 125,292,806 outstanding shares of the Issuer’s Common Stock, par value $0.01 per share.



TABLE OF CONTENTS
   
   
 
 
   
 
   
 
   
 
   
 
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
 
   
 
   
 
   








PART I - FINANCIAL INFORMATION

Item 1.  Item 1. Financial Statements

CONSOLIDATED CONDENSED BALANCE SHEETS
(In Thousands, Except Share Data)
 
ASSETS
 
September 30,
   
December 31,
 
   
2008
   
2007
 
   
(unaudited)
   
(audited)
 
Current assets:
           
Cash and cash equivalents
  $ 1,915     $ 2,846  
Franchise receivables, net of allowance of $119 and $147, respectively
    1,909       1,842  
Optical purchasing group receivables, net of allowance of $60
    6,449       4,840  
Other receivables, net of allowance of $6 and $5, respectively
    376       369  
Current portion of franchise notes receivable, net of allowance of $29 and $38, respectively
    116       191  
Inventories, net
    377       466  
Prepaid expenses and other current assets
    713       447  
Deferred tax assets, current portion
    623       600  
Total current assets
    12,478       11,601  
                 
Property and equipment, net
    1,267       1,496  
Franchise notes receivable
    137       121  
Deferred tax asset, net of current portion
    1,340       1,074  
Goodwill
    4,115       4,237  
Intangible assets, net
    3,110       3,065  
Other assets
    239       271  
Total assets
  $ 22,686     $ 21,865  

LIABILITIES AND SHAREHOLDERS’ EQUITY
           
             
Current liabilities:
           
Accounts payable and accrued liabilities
  $ 4,795     $ 5,607  
Optical purchasing group payables
    5,711       4,486  
Accrual for store closings
    212       300  
Short-term debt
    4,371       32  
Related party obligations
    105       404  
Total current liabilities
    15,194       10,829  
                 
Long-term debt
    54       4,424  
Related party borrowings, net of current portion
    694       770  
Franchise deposits and other liabilities
    350       442  
Total liabilities
    16,292       16,465  
                 
Commitments and contingencies
               
                 
Shareholders' equity:
               
Preferred stock, $0.01 par value per share; 5,000,000 shares authorized:  Senior Convertible Preferred Stock, $100,000 liquidation preference per share; 0.74 shares issued and outstanding
      74         74  
Common stock, $0.01 par value per share; 150,000,000 shares authorized; 125,475,143 shares issued and 125,292,806 shares outstanding
    1,254       1,254  
Treasury stock, at cost, 182,337 shares
    (204 )     (204 )
Additional paid-in capital
    128,017       127,971  
Accumulated comprehensive (loss) income
    (130 )     165  
Accumulated deficit
    (122,617 )     (123,860 )
Total shareholders' equity
    6,394       5,400  
Total liabilities and shareholders' equity
  $ 22,686     $ 21,865  



The accompanying notes are an integral part of these consolidated condensed financial statements.


CONSOLIDATED CONDENSED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS (UNAUDITED)
(In Thousands, Except Per Share Data)
 
   
For the Three Months Ended September 30,
   
For the Nine Months Ended September 30,
 
   
2008
   
2007
   
2008
   
2007
 
                         
Revenues:
                       
Optical purchasing group sales
  $ 15,707     $ 11,603     $ 46,369     $ 20,525  
Franchise royalties
    1,481       1,632       4,727       5,138  
Retail sales – Company-owned stores
    966       1,435       3,062       4,040  
Membership fees – VisionCare of California
    928       889       2,648       2,616  
Franchise related fees and other revenues
    31       103       279       231  
Total revenue
    19,113       15,662       57,085       32,550  
                                 
Costs and operating expenses:
                               
Cost of optical purchasing group sales
    14,955       11,088       44,114       19,390  
Cost of retail sales
    240       436       737       1,119  
Selling, general and administrative expenses
    3,668       4,330       11,126       11,783  
Total costs and operating expenses
    18,863       15,854       55,977       32,292  
                                 
Operating income (loss)
    250       (192 )     1,108       258  
                                 
Other income (expense):
                               
Interest on franchise notes receivable
    5       6       19       29  
Gain on settlement of litigation
    -       1,012       -       1,012  
Other income
    20       194       93       246  
Interest expense
    (80 )     (68 )     (266 )     (177 )
Total other (expense) income
    (55 )     1,144       (154 )     1,110  
                                 
Income before benefit from (provision for) income taxes
    195       952       954       1,368  
Benefit from (provision for) income taxes
    24       (45 )     289       338  
Net income
    219       907       1,243       1,706  
                                 
Comprehensive income:
                               
Foreign currency translation adjustments
    (325 )     (10 )     (292 )     (10 )
Comprehensive (loss) income
  $ (106 )   $ 897     $ 951     $ 1,696  
                                 
Net income per share:
                               
Basic and diluted
  $ 0.00     $ 0.01     $ 0.01     $ 0.02  
                                 
Weighted-average number of common shares outstanding:
                               
Basic
    125,293       72,169       125,293       70,946  
Diluted
    129,998       106,546       130,822       102,260  


The accompanying notes are an integral part of these consolidated condensed financial statements.
CONSOLIDATED CONDENSED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS (UNAUDITED)
(Dollars in Thousands)
 
   
For the Nine Months Ended September 30,
 
   
2008
   
2007
 
Cash flows from operating activities:
           
Net income
  $ 1,243     $ 1,706  
Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash (used in) provided by operating activities:
               
Depreciation and amortization
    483       345  
Provision for doubtful accounts
    58       51  
Deferred tax benefits
    (289 )     (361 )
Gain on the sale of property and equipment
    (59 )     (11 )
Non-cash compensation charges related to options and warrants
    46       104  
        Changes in operating assets and liabilities:
               
Franchise and other receivables
    (246 )     (959 )
Settlement receivable
    -       (1,062 )
Optical purchasing group receivables
    (1,609 )     (493 )
Inventories
    89       (64 )
Prepaid expenses and other current assets
    (266 )     (398 )
Other assets
    32       148  
Accounts payable and accrued liabilities
    (812 )     1,285  
Optical purchasing group payables
    1,225       245  
Franchise deposits and other liabilities
    (180 )     (49 )
Net cash (used in) provided by operating activities
    (285 )     487  
                 
Cash flows from investing activities:
               
Acquisition of 1725758 Ontario Inc.
    -       (3,517 )
Proceeds from franchise and other notes receivable
    173       251  
Costs associated with enhancing trademark value
    (371 )     -  
Franchise notes receivable issued
    (20 )     (131 )
Purchases of property and equipment
    (22 )     (863 )
Net cash used in investing activities
    (240 )     (4,260 )
                 
Cash flows from financing activities:
               
Borrowings under credit facility
    -       4,359  
Payments on borrowings
    (406 )     (389 )
Net cash (used in) provided by financing activities
    (406 )     3,970  
Net cash (used in) provided by operations
    (931 )     197  
Cash and cash equivalents – beginning of period
    2,846       1,289  
Cash and cash equivalents – end of period
  $ 1,915     $ 1,486  
                 
Supplemental disclosures of cash flow information:
               
Cash paid during the period for:
               
Interest
  $ 224     $ 43  
Taxes
  $ 33     $ 34  
                 
Non-cash investing and financing activities:
               
Notes receivable in connection with the sale of one Company-owned store (inclusive of all inventory and property and equipment)
  $ 74     $ -  
                 
The accompanying notes are an integral part of these consolidated condensed financial statements.

 
 

 

EMERGING VISION, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED CONDENSED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(UNAUDITED)

NOTE 1 – ORGANIZATION:

 
Business

Emerging Vision, Inc. and subsidiaries (collectively, the “Company”) operates one of the largest chains of retail optical stores and one of the largest franchise optical chains in the United States, based upon management’s beliefs, domestic sales and the number of locations of Company-owned and franchised stores (collectively “Retail Stores”).  The Company also targets retail optical stores within the United States and within Canada to become members of its two optical purchasing groups, Combine Buying Group, Inc. (“Combine”) and The Optical Group (“TOG”).  The Company was incorporated under the laws of the State of New York in January 1992 and, in July 1992, purchased substantially all of the assets of Sterling Optical Corp., a New York corporation, then a debtor-in-possession under Chapter 11 of the U.S. Bankruptcy Code.

As of September 30, 2008, there were 146 Retail Stores in operation, consisting of 138 franchised stores, 7 Company-owned stores and 1 Company-owned store being managed by a franchisee, 859 active members of Combine, and 535 active members of TOG.

 
Principles of Consolidation

The Consolidated Condensed Financial Statements include the accounts of Emerging Vision, Inc. and its operating subsidiaries, all of which are wholly-owned. All intercompany balances and transactions have been eliminated in consolidation.

 
Basis of Presentation

The accompanying Consolidated Condensed Financial Statements of the Company have been prepared in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted for interim financial statement presentation and in accordance with the instructions to Form 10-Q and Article 10 of Regulation S-X.  Accordingly, they do not include all of the information and footnotes required by accounting principles generally accepted for complete financial statement presentation.  In the opinion of management, all adjustments for a fair statement of the results of operations and financial position for the interim periods presented have been included.  All such adjustments are of a normal recurring nature.  This financial information should be read in conjunction with the Consolidated Financial Statements and Notes thereto included in the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2007.

Effective January 1, 2008, the Company changed its basis of presentation for its business segments.  For additional information see Note 5 of the Consolidated Condensed Financial Statements.


NOTE 2 – SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES:

Share-Based Compensation

The Company accounts for share-based compensation in accordance with the fair value method provisions of Financial Accounting Standards Board’s (“FASB”) Statement of Financial Accounting Standards (“SFAS”) No. 123R, “Share-Based Payment.” 

Share-based compensation cost of approximately $31,000 is reflected in selling, general and administrative expenses on the accompanying Consolidated Condensed Statements of Income for the three months ended September 30, 2007, and $46,000 and $105,000 for the nine months ended September 30, 2008 and 2007, respectively.  There was no such expense during the three months ended September 30, 2008.  The Company determined the fair value of options and warrants issued using the Black-Scholes option pricing model with the following assumptions:  1 to 2 year expected lives; 10-year expiration period; risk-free interest rates ranging from 1.77% to 4.98%; stock price volatilities ranging from 48.00% to 74.00%; with no dividends over the expected life.

There were no common stock option grants to any of the Company’s employees, or warrant grants to any independent consultants, during the three or nine months ended September 30, 2008, and no common stock option grants to any members of the Company’s Board of Directors during the three months ended September 30, 2008.

Revenue Recognition

The Company recognizes revenues in accordance with the Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”) Staff Accounting Bulletin (“SAB”) No. 104, “Revenue Recognition.”  Accordingly, revenues are recorded when persuasive evidence of an arrangement exists, delivery has occurred or services have been rendered, the Company’s prices to buyers are fixed or determinable, and collectibility is reasonably assured.

The Company derives its revenues from the following five principal sources:

Optical purchasing group sales – Represents product pricing extended to the Company’s optical purchasing group members associated with the sale of vendor’s eye care products to such members;

Franchise royalties – Represents continuing franchise royalty fees based upon a percentage of the gross revenues generated by each franchised location.  Continuing franchise royalties are based upon a percentage of the gross revenues generated by each franchised location.  To the extent that collectibility of royalties is not reasonably assured, the Company recognizes such revenue when the cash is received;

Retail sales – Company-owned stores – Represents sales from eye care products and related services generated at a Company-owned store;

Membership fees – VisionCare of California – Represents membership fees generated by VisionCare of California, Inc. (“VCC”), a wholly owned subsidiary of the Company, for optometric services provided to individual patients (members).  A portion of membership fee revenues is deferred when billed and recognized ratably over the one-year term of the membership agreement;

Franchise related fees and other revenues – Represents certain franchise fees collected by the Company under the terms of franchise agreements (including, but not limited to, initial franchise, transfer, renewal and conversion fees).  Initial franchise fees, which are non-refundable, are recognized when the related franchise agreement is signed.  Also represents all other revenues not generated by one of the other five principal sources such as commission income and employee optical sales.

The Company also follows the provisions of Emerging Issue Task Force (“EITF”) Issue 01-09, “Accounting for Consideration Given by a Vendor to a Customer (Including a Reseller of the Vendor’s Products),” and accordingly, accounts for discounts, coupons and promotions (that are offered to its customers) as a direct reduction of sales.

Comprehensive Income

The Company follows the provisions of SFAS No. 130, “Reporting Comprehensive Income,” which establishes rules for the reporting of comprehensive income and its components.  Comprehensive income is defined as the change in equity from transactions and other events and circumstances other than those resulting from investments by owners and distributions to owners.  The Company’s comprehensive income is comprised of the cumulative translation adjustment arising from the translation of foreign currency denominated financial statements.

Foreign Currency Translation

The financial position and results of operations of TOG were measured using TOG’s local currency (Canadian Dollars) as the functional currency.  Balance sheet accounts are translated from the foreign currency into U.S. Dollars at the period-end rate of exchange.  Income and expenses are translated at the weighted average rates of exchange for the period.  The resulting $325,000 and $292,000 translation loss from the conversion of foreign currency to U.S. Dollars is included as a component of comprehensive loss for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2008, respectively, and is recorded directly to accumulated comprehensive loss within the Consolidated Condensed Balance Sheet as of September 30, 2008.

Income Taxes

Effective January 1, 2007, the Company adopted the provisions of FASB’s Interpretation (“FIN”) No. 48, “Accounting for Uncertainty in Income Taxes – an interpretation of FASB No. 109.”  FIN 48 prescribes a recognition threshold and measurement attribute for how a company should recognize, measure, present, and disclose in its financial statements uncertain tax positions that the company has taken or expects to take on a tax return.  FIN 48 requires that the financial statements reflect expected future tax consequences of such positions presuming the taxing authorities’ full knowledge of the position and all relevant facts, but without considering time values.  No such amounts were accrued for as of January 1, 2007.  Additionally, no adjustments related to uncertain tax positions were recognized during the three and nine months ended September 30, 2008 and 2007, respectively.

The Company recognizes interest and penalties related to uncertain tax positions as a reduction of the income tax benefit.  No interest and penalties related to uncertain tax positions were accrued as of September 30, 2008.

The Company operates in multiple tax jurisdictions within the United States of America and Canada.  Although the Company does not believe that the Company is currently under examination in any major tax jurisdiction in which it operates, the Company remains subject to examination in all of those tax jurisdictions until the applicable statutes of limitation expire.  As of September 30, 2008, a summary of the tax years that remains subject to examination in the Company’s major tax jurisdictions are:  United States – Federal and State – 2004 and forward.  The Company does not expect to have a material change to unrecognized tax positions within the next twelve months.

Use of Estimates

The preparation of financial statements in conformity with generally accepted accounting principles requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amount of assets and liabilities and the disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities as of the dates of such financial statements, and the reported amounts of revenues and expenses during the reporting periods. Actual results could differ from those estimates.  Significant estimates made by management include, but are not limited to, allowances on franchise, notes and other receivables, costs of current and potential litigation, and the allowance on deferred tax assets

Reclassification

Certain reclassifications have been made to prior year’s consolidated condensed financial statements to conform to the current year presentation.


NOTE 3 – PER SHARE INFORMATION:

In accordance with SFAS No. 128, “Earnings Per Share”, basic earnings per share of common stock (“Basic EPS”) is computed by dividing the net income by the weighted-average number of shares of common stock outstanding.  Diluted earnings per share of common stock (“Diluted EPS”) is computed by dividing the net income by the weighted-average number of shares of common stock, and dilutive common stock equivalents and convertible securities then outstanding.  SFAS No. 128 requires the presentation of both Basic EPS and Diluted EPS on the face of the Company’s Consolidated Condensed Statements of Income.  Common stock equivalents totaling 3,410,187 and 1,777,687 were excluded from the computation of Diluted EPS for the three months ended September 30, 2008 and 2007, respectively, and 3,410,187 and 2,177,687 were excluded for the nine months ended September 30, 2008 and 2007, respectively, as their effect on the computation of Diluted EPS would have been anti-dilutive.

 
 

 


The following table sets forth the computation of basic and diluted per share information:

   
For the Three Months Ended September 30,
   
For the Nine Months Ended September 30,
 
   
2008
   
2007
   
2008
   
2007
 
Numerator:
                       
Net income (in thousands):
  $ 219     $ 907     $ 1,243     $ 1,706  
                                 
Denominator:
                               
Weighted-average shares of common stock outstanding
    125,293       72,169       125,293       70,946  
Dilutive effect of stock options, warrants and restricted stock
    4,705       34,377       5,529       31,314  
Weighted-average shares of common stock outstanding, assuming dilution
    129,998       106,546       130,822       102,260  
                                 
Net income per share:
                               
Basic and diluted
  $ 0.00     $ 0.01     $ 0.01     $ 0.02  
                                 

NOTE 4 – CREDIT FACILITY:

On August 8, 2007, the Company entered into a Revolving Line of Credit Note and Credit Agreement (the “Credit Agreement”) with Manufacturers and Traders Trust Company (“M&T”), establishing a revolving credit facility (the “Credit Facility”), for aggregate borrowings of up to $6,000,000, to be used for general working capital needs and certain permitted acquisitions.  This Credit Facility replaced the Company’s previous revolving line of credit facility with M&T.  The initial term of the Credit Facility expires in August 2009.  Interest on all sums drawn by the Company under the Credit Facility is repayable monthly, commencing on the first day of each month during the term of the Credit Facility.  Interest is calculated at the variable rate of two hundred seventy five (275) basis points in excess of LIBOR, and all principal drawn by the Company is payable on August 1, 2009.

On August 10, 2007, the Company borrowed $3,609,423 to fund the purchase price payable in connection with the acquisitions of TOG, and borrowed $400,000 for general working capital requirements.  The Credit Facility includes various financial covenants including minimum net worth, maximum funded debt and debt service ratio requirements.  As of September 30, 2008, the Company had outstanding borrowings of $4,356,854 under the Credit Facility, which amount was included in Short-term Debt on the accompanying Consolidated Balance Sheet and had $1,643,146 available under the Credit Facility for future borrowings.  As of September 30, 2008, the Company was not in compliance with one of the financial covenants, however, on November 14, 2008, M&T granted the Company a waiver and agreed that such covenant was now in compliance for the period ended September 30, 2008.


NOTE 5 – SEGMENT REPORTING

Business Segments

Operating segments are organized internally primarily by the type of services provided, and in accordance with SFAS 131, “Disclosures About Segments of an Enterprise and Related Information.”  The Company has aggregated similar operating segments into six reportable segments: Optical Purchasing Group Business, Franchise, Company Store, VisionCare of California, Corporate Overhead and Other.

The Optical Purchasing Group Business segment consists of the operations of Combine, acquired in August 2006 and TOG, acquired in August 2007.  Revenues generated by this segment represent the sale of products and services, at discounted pricing, to Combine and TOG members.  The businesses in this segment are able to use their membership count to get better discounts from vendors than a member could obtain on its own.  Expenses include direct costs for such product and services, salaries and related benefits, depreciations and amortization, interest expense on financing these acquisitions, and other overhead.

The Franchise segment consists of 138 franchise locations as of September 30, 2008.  Revenues generated by this segment represent royalties on the total sales of the franchise locations, other franchise related fees such as initial franchise, transfer, renewal and conversion fees, additional royalties in connection with franchise store audits, and interest charged on franchise financing.  Expenses include the salaries and related benefits/expenses of the Company’s franchise field support team, corporate salaries and related benefits, convention related expenses, consulting fees, and other overhead.

The Company Store segment consists of 7 Company-owned retail optical stores as of September 30, 2008.  Revenues generated from such stores is a result of the sales of eye care products and services such as prescription and non-prescription eyeglasses, eyeglass frames, ophthalmic lenses, contact lenses, sunglasses and a broad range of ancillary items.  Expenses include the direct costs for such eye care products, doctor and store staff salaries and related benefits, rent, advertising, and other overhead.

The VisionCare of California (“VCC”) segment consists of optometric services provided to patients (members) of those franchise retail optical stores located in the state of California.  Revenues consist of membership fees generated for such optometric services provided to individual patients (members).  Expenses include salaries and related benefits for the doctors that render such optometric services, and other overhead.

The Corporate Overhead segment consists of expenses not allocated to one of the other segments.  There are no revenues generated by this segment.  Expenses include costs associated with being a publicly traded company (including salaries and related benefits, professional fees, board of director fees, and director and officer insurance), certain Company-owned store overhead not allocated to that segment, other salaries and related benefits, rent, other professional fees, and depreciation and amortization.

The Other segment includes revenues and expenses from other business activities that do not fall within one of the other segments.  Revenues generated by this segment consist of employee optical benefit sales, commission income, and residual income on credit card processing.  Expenses primarily include the direct cost of such employee optical benefit sales, salaries and related benefits, commission expense, and advertising.

Certain business segment information is as follows (in thousands):

   
As of September 30,
   
As of December 31,
 
   
2008
   
2007
 
Total Assets:
           
     Optical Purchasing Group Business
  $ 15,203     $ 11,682  
     Franchise
    4,153       4,507  
     Company Store
    1,082       1,301  
     VisionCare of California
    701       568  
     Corporate Overhead
    1,486       3,731  
     Other
    61       76  
Total assets
  $ 22,686     $ 21,865  


 
 

 



   
For the Three Months
Ended September 30,
   
For the Nine Months
Ended September 30,
 
   
2008
   
2007
   
2008
   
2007
 
Net Revenues:
                       
     Optical Purchasing Group Business
  $ 15,707     $ 11,603     $ 46,369     $ 20,525  
     Franchise
    1,482       1,735       4,889       5,369  
     Company Store
    966       1,435       3,062       4,040  
     VisionCare of California
    928       889       2,648       2,616  
     Corporate Overhead
    -       -       -       -  
     Other
    30       -       117       -  
Net revenues
  $ 19,113     $ 15,662     $ 57,085     $ 32,550  
 
Income (Loss) before Income Tax Benefit:
                               
     Optical Purchasing Group Business
  $ 341     $ 243     $ 981     $ 430  
     Franchise
    748       2,031       2,916       4,343  
     Company Store
    (128 )     (322 )     (268 )     (671 )
     VisionCare of California
    43       3       48       28  
     Corporate Overhead
    (818 )     (1,003 )     (2,673 )     (2,762 )
     Other
    9       -       (50 )     -  
Income before income tax benefit
  $ 195     $ 952     $ 954     $ 1,368  
                                 
Depreciation and Amortization:
                               
     Optical Purchasing Group Business
  $ 73     $ 39     $ 226     $ 116  
     Franchise
    35       24       90       66  
     Company Store
    20       32       55       85  
     VisionCare of California
    5       5       16       12  
     Corporate Overhead
    35       24       90       66  
     Other
    2       -       6       -  
Total depreciation and amortization
  $ 170     $ 124     $ 483     $ 345  
                                 
Interest Expense:
                               
     Optical Purchasing Group Business
  $ 68     $ 50     $ 227     $ 137  
     Franchise
    -       -       -       -  
     Company Store
    -       -       -       -  
     VisionCare of California
    -       -       -       -  
     Corporate Overhead
    12       18       39       40  
     Other
    -       -       -       -  
Total interest expense
  $ 80     $ 68     $ 266     $ 177  


 
 

 

The following table shows certain unaudited pro forma results of the Company, assuming the Company had acquired TOG at the beginning of the three and nine months ended September 30, 2007 (in thousands):

   
For the Three Months
Ended September 30,
   
For the Nine Months
Ended September 30,
 
   
2008
   
2007
   
2008
   
2007
 
Net Revenues:
                       
     Optical Purchasing Group Business
  $ 15,707     $ 15,402     $ 46,369     $ 44,067  
     Franchise
    1,482       1,735       4,889       5,369  
     Company Store
    966       1,435       3,062       4,040  
     VisionCare of California
    928       889       2,648       2,616  
     Corporate Overhead
    -       -       -       -  
     Other
    30       -       117       -  
Net revenues
  $ 19,113     $ 19,461     $ 57,085     $ 56,092  
 
Income (Loss) before Income Tax Benefit:
                               
     Optical Purchasing Group Business
  $ 341     $ 389     $ 981     $ 874  
     Franchise
    748       2,031       2,916       4,343  
     Company Store
    (128 )     (322 )     (268 )     (671 )
     VisionCare of California
    43       3       48       28  
     Corporate Overhead
    (818 )     (1,003 )     (2,673 )     (2,762 )
     Other
    9       -       (50 )     -  
Income before income tax benefit
  $ 195     $ 1,098     $ 954     $ 1,812  
                                 
Depreciation and Amortization:
                               
     Optical Purchasing Group Business
  $ 73     $ 67     $ 226     $ 207  
     Franchise
    35       24       90       66  
     Company Store
    20       32       55       85  
     VisionCare of California
    5       5       16       12  
     Corporate Overhead
    35       24       90       66  
     Other
    2       -       6       -  
Total depreciation and amortization
  $ 170     $ 152     $ 483     $ 436  
                                 
Interest Expense:
                               
     Optical Purchasing Group Business
  $ 68     $ 61     $ 227     $ 267  
     Franchise
    -       -       -       -  
     Company Store
    -       -       -       -  
     VisionCare of California
    -       -       -       -  
     Corporate Overhead
    12       18       39       40  
     Other
    -       -       -       -  
Total interest expense
  $ 80     $ 79     $ 266     $ 307  

 
 

 

Geographic Information

The Company also does business in two separate geographic areas; the United States and Canada.  Certain geographic information for continuing operations is as follows:

   
For the Three Months
Ended September 30,
   
For the Nine Months
Ended September 30,
 
   
2008
   
2007
   
2008
   
2007
 
Net Revenues:
                       
     United States
  $ 18,816     $ 15,464     $ 56,194     $ 32,352  
     Canada
    297       198       891       198  
Net revenues
  $ 19,113     $ 15,662     $ 57,085     $ 32,550  
                                 
Income (Loss) before Income Tax Benefit:
                               
     United States
  $ 203     $ 929     $ 864     $ 1,345  
     Canada
    (8 )     23       90       23  
Income before income tax benefit
  $ 195     $ 952     $ 954     $ 1,368  
                                 

The geographic information on Canada includes TOG’s business activity from August 1, 2007, the effective date of the acquisition of TOG.  Canadian revenue is generated from customer management services provided by TOG on behalf of the Company’s optical purchasing group members in Canada.

Additional geographic information is summarized as follows for the nine months ended September 30, 2008 (in thousands):

   
United States
   
Canada
   
Total
 
                   
Total Assets
  $ 22,484     $ 202     $ 22,686  
Depreciation and Amortization
    476       7       483  
Goodwill
    4,115       -       4,115  
Intangible Assets
    3,110       -       3,110  
Interest Expense
    266       -       266  
                         
                         
NOTE 6 – COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENCIES:

Litigation

In 1999, Berenter Greenhouse and Webster, an advertising agency previously utilized by the Company, commenced an action, against the Company, in the New York State Supreme Court, New York County, for amounts alleged to be due for advertising and related fees.  The amounts claimed by the plaintiff are in excess of $200,000.  In response to this action, the Company filed counterclaims of approximately $500,000, based upon estimated overpayments allegedly made by the Company pursuant to the agreement previously entered into between the parties.  As of the date hereof, these proceedings were still in the discovery stage.  The Company has not recorded an accrual for a loss in this action, as the Company does not believe it is probable that the Company will be held liable in respect of plaintiff’s claims.

In July 2001, the Company commenced an arbitration proceeding, in the Ontario Superior Court of Justice, against Eye-Site, Inc. and Eye Site (Ontario), Ltd., as the makers of two promissory notes (in the aggregate original principal amount of $600,000) made by one or more of the makers in favor of the Company, as well as against Mohammed Ali, as the guarantor of the obligations of each maker under each note.  The notes were issued, by the makers, in connection with the makers’ acquisition of a Master Franchise Agreement for the Province of Ontario, Canada, as well as their purchase of the assets of, and a Sterling Optical Center Franchise for, four of the Company’s retail optical stores then located in Ontario, Canada.  In response, the defendants counterclaimed for damages, in the amount of $1,500,000, based upon, among other items, alleged misrepresentations made by representatives of the Company in connection with these transactions.  The Company believes that it has a meritorious defense to each counterclaim.  As of the date hereof, these proceedings were in the discovery stage.  The Company has not recorded an accrual for a loss and does not believe it is probable that the Company shall be held liable in respect of defendant’s counterclaims.

In February 2002, Kaye Scholer, LLP, the law firm previously retained by the Company as its outside counsel, commenced an action in the New York State Supreme Court seeking unpaid legal fees of approximately $122,000.  The Company answered the complaint in such action, and has heard nothing since.  The Company believes that it has a meritorious defense to such action.  The Company has not recorded an accrual for a loss in this action, as the Company does not believe it is probable that the Company will be held liable in respect of plaintiff’s claims.

On May 20, 2003, Irondequoit Mall, LLC commenced an action against the Company and Sterling Vision of Irondequoit, Inc. (“SVI”) alleging, among other things, that the Company had breached its obligations under its guaranty of the lease for the former Sterling Optical store located in Rochester, New York.  The Company and SVI believe that they have a meritorious defense to such action.  As of the date hereof, these proceedings were in the discovery stage.  Although the Company has recorded an accrual for probable losses in the event that the Company shall be held liable in respect of plaintiff’s claims, the Company does not believe that any such loss is reasonably possible, or, if there is a loss, the Company does not believe that it is reasonably possible that such loss would exceed the amount recorded.

In August 2006, the Company and its subsidiary, Sterling Vision of California, Inc. (“SVC”) filed an action against For Eyes Optical Company (“For Eyes” or “Defendant”) in response to allegations by For Eyes of trademark infringement for Plaintiff’s use of the trademark “Site For Sore Eyes”.  The Company claims, among other things, that (i) there is no likelihood of confusion between the Company’s and Defendant’s mark, and that the Company has not infringed, and is not infringing, Defendant’s mark; (ii) the Company is not bound by that certain settlement agreement, executed in 1981 by a prior owner of the Site For Sore Eyes trademark; and (iii) Defendant’s mark is generic and must be cancelled.  For Eyes, in its Answer, asserted defenses to the Company’s claims, and asserted counterclaims against the Company, including, among others, that (i) the Company has infringed For Eyes’ mark; (ii) the Company wrongfully obtained a trademark registration for its mark and that said registration should be cancelled; and (iii) the acts of the Company constitute a breach of the aforementioned settlement agreement.  For Eyes seeks injunctive relief, cancellation of the Company’s trademark registration, treble monetary damages, payment of any profits made by the Company in respect of the use of such trade name, and costs and attorney fees.  The case is currently in the discovery phase.  The Company has not recorded an accrual for a loss in this action, as the Company does not believe it is probable that the Company will be held liable in respect of Defendant’s counterclaims.

In February 2008, Sangertown Square, LLC commenced an action against the Company, in the Supreme Court of the State of New York, Onondaga County, alleging, among other things, that the Company had breached its obligations under its lease for the former Sterling Optical store located at Sangertown Square Mall, New York.  In October 2008, this action was settled.  The terms of the settlement included the payment, by the Company to Sangertown Square, LLC, of an aggregate sum of $150,000, and the exchange of mutual general releases.

In July 2008, Ontario Mills Limited Partnership commenced an action against, among others, the Company, in the Supreme Court of the State of California, San Bernardino County, alleging, among other things, that the Company had breached its obligations under its guaranty of the lease for the former Sterling Optical store located in the Ontario Mills Mall, California.  In or about October 2008, Ontario Mills Limited Partnership made a motion with the court to dismiss the case against the Company.  This motion is currently pending.

In September 2008, Pyramid Mall of Glen Falls Newco, LLC commenced an action against the Company and its subsidiary Sterling Vision of Aviation Mall, Inc., in the Supreme Court of the State of New York, Onondaga County, alleging, among other things, that the Company had breached its obligations under its lease for the former Sterling Optical store located at Aviation Mall, New York.  The Company believes that it has a meritorious defense to such action.  As of the date hereof, these proceedings were in the discovery stage.  Although the Company has recorded an accrual for probable losses in the event that the Company shall be held liable in respect of plaintiff’s claims, the Company does not believe that any such loss is reasonably possible, or, if there is a loss, the Company does not believe that it is reasonably possible that such loss would exceed the amount recorded.

In October 2008, Crossgates Mall Company Newco, LLC commenced an action against the Company, in the Supreme Court of the State of New York, Onondaga County, alleging, among other things, that the Company had breached its obligations under its lease for the former Sterling Optical store located at Crossgates Mall, New York.  The Company believes that it has a meritorious defense to such action.  As of the date hereof, these proceedings were in the discovery stage.  Although the Company has recorded an accrual for probable losses in the event that the Company shall be held liable in respect of plaintiff’s claims, the Company does not believe that any such loss is reasonably possible, or, if there is a loss, the Company does not believe that it is reasonably possible that such loss would exceed the amount recorded.

Although the Company, where indicated herein, believes that it has a meritorious defense to the claims asserted against it (and its affiliates), given the uncertain outcomes generally associated with litigation, there can be no assurance that the Company’s (and its affiliates’) defense of such claims will be successful.

In addition to the foregoing, in the ordinary course of business, the Company is a defendant in certain lawsuits alleging various claims incurred, certain of which claims are covered by various insurance policies, subject to certain deductible amounts and maximum policy limits.  In the opinion of management, the resolution of these claims should not have a material adverse effect, individually or in the aggregate, upon the Company’s business or financial condition.  Other than as set forth above, management believes that there are no other legal proceedings, pending or threatened, to which the Company is, or may be, a party, or to which any of its properties are or may be subject to, which, in the opinion of management, will have a material adverse effect on the Company.

Guarantees

As of September 30, 2008, the Company was a guarantor of certain leases of retail optical stores franchised and subleased to its franchisees.  Such guarantees generally expire one year from the month the rent was last paid.  In the event that all of such franchisees defaulted on their respective subleases, the Company would be obligated for aggregate lease obligations of approximately $2,465,000.  The Company from time to time evaluates the credit-worthiness of its franchisees in order to determine their ability to continue to perform under their respective subleases.  Additionally, in the event that a franchisee defaults under its sublease, the Company has the right to take over operation of the respective location.

Employment Agreements

The Company has an Employment Agreement (“Agreement 1”) with its Chief Executive Officer (“CEO”), which extends through November 2009.  Agreement 1 provides for an annual salary of $275,000 and certain other benefits.  Additionally, as per Agreement 1, the CEO may be eligible for bonus compensation to be determined by the Company’s Board of Directors based on the Company’s previous calendar’s year performance.

Additionally, in connection with the acquisition of Combine Optical Management Corporation (“COMC”), the Company entered into a five-year Employment Agreement (“Agreement 2”) with the existing President of COMC.  Agreement 2 provides for an annual salary of $210,000, certain other benefits, and an annual bonus based upon certain financial targets of Combine.


 
 

 

Item 2.  Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Conditions and Results of Operations

This Quarterly Report, as of and for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2008, (the “Report”) contains certain forward-looking statements and information relating to the Company that is based on the beliefs of the Company’s management, as well as assumptions made by, and information currently available to, the Company’s management.  When used in this Report, the words “anticipate”, “believe”, “estimate”, “expect”, “there can be no assurance”, “may”, “could”, “would”, “might”, “intends” and similar expressions and their negatives, as they relate to the Company or the Company’s management, are intended to identify forward-looking statements.  Such statements reflect the view of the Company at the date they are made with respect to future events, are not guarantees of future performance and are subject to various risks and uncertainties as identified in the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2007 and those described from time to time in previous and future reports filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission.  Should one or more of these risks or uncertainties materialize, or should underlying assumptions prove incorrect, actual results may vary materially from those described herein with the forward-looking statements referred to above and as set forth in this Report.  The Company does not intend to update these forward-looking statements for new information, or otherwise, for the occurrence of future events.

In order to more accurately detail our financial information and performance, the Company has made changes to the format of this Report and changed its segment reporting.  The Company has simplified its Consolidated Condensed Statements of Income to expand the segment reporting to detail each segment’s revenue and expense.  Management’s discussion and analysis of financial conditions and results of operations concentrates on describing segment performance through the use of new detailed financial tables, which will assist the reader in understanding each business segment and how it relates to the overall performance of the Company.

Segment results for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2008, as compared to the three and nine months ended September 30, 2007

Consolidated Segment Results

Total revenues for the Company increased approximately $3,451,000, or 22.0%, to $19,113,000 for the three months ended September 30, 2008, as compared to $15,662,000 for the three months ended September 30, 2007, and increased approximately $24,535,000, or 75.4%, to $57,085,000 for the nine months ended September 30, 2008, as compared to $32,550,000 for the nine months ended September 30, 2007.  These increases were mainly a result of the acquisition, on August 10, 2007, having an effective date of August 1, 2007, of all of the equity ownership interests in 1725758 Ontario Inc., d/b/a The Optical Group (“TOG”) through the Company’s wholly-owned subsidiary, OG Acquisition, Inc. (“OG”), which was offset, in part, by a 14 store decrease in the total number of franchise and company store locations open as of September 30, 2008 as compared to September 30, 2007.  This decrease led to reduced franchise royalties and retail sales from Company-owned stores.

Total costs, and selling, general and administrative expenses for the Company increased approximately $3,009,000, or 19.0%, to $18,863,000 for the three months ended September 30, 2008, as compared to $15,854,000 for the three months ended September 30, 2007, and increased approximately $23,685,000, or 73.3%, to $55,977,000 for the nine months ended September 30, 2008, as compared to $32,292,000 for the nine months ended September 30, 2007.  These increases were mainly a result of the acquisition of TOG, as described above, offset, in part, by a decrease in Company-owned stores in operation for the comparable periods (an average of 8.5 in operation during the nine months ended September 30, 2008 as compared to an average of 10.75 in operation during the comparable period in 2007).

 
 

 

Optical Purchasing Group Business Segment

   
For the Three Months Ended September 30 (in thousands):
 
   
2008
   
2007
   
$ Change
   
% Change
 
Net Revenues:
                       
Optical purchasing group sales
  $ 15,707     $ 11,603     $ 4,104       35.4 %
Cost of optical purchasing group sales
    14,955       11,088       3,867       34.9 %
Gross margin
    752       515       237       46.0 %
 
Selling, General and Administrative Expenses:
                               
Salaries and related benefits
    133       96       37       38.5 %
Rent and related overhead
    33       40       (7 )     (17.5 %)
Depreciation and amortization
    73       39       34       87.2 %
Credit card and bank fees
    79       40       39       97.5 %
Other general and administrative costs
    34       11       23       209.1 %
Total selling, general and administrative expenses
    352       226       126       55.8 %
Operating Income
    400       289       111       38.4 %

Other Income (Expense):
                       
Other income
    9       4       5       125.0 %
Interest expense
    (68 )     (50 )     (18 )     (36.0 %)
Total other expense
    (59 )     (46 )     (13 )     (28.3 %)
Income before income tax benefit
  $ 341     $ 243     $ 98       40.3 %


   
For the Nine Months Ended September 30 (in thousands):
 
   
2008
   
2007
   
$ Change
   
% Change
 
Net Revenues:
                       
Optical purchasing group sales
  $ 46,369     $ 20,525     $ 25,844       125.9 %
Cost of optical purchasing group sales
    44,114       19,390       24,724       127.5 %
Gross margin
    2,255       1,135       1,120       98.7 %
 
Selling, General and Administrative Expenses:
                               
Salaries and related benefits
    390       256       134       52.3 %
Rent and related overhead
    194       95       99       104.2 %
Depreciation and amortization
    226       116       110       94.8 %
Credit card and bank fees
    214       84       130       154.8 %
Other general and administrative costs
    51       27       24       88.9 %
Total selling, general and administrative expenses
    1,075       578       497       86.0 %
Operating Income
    1,180       557       623       111.8 %

Other Income (Expense):
                       
Other income
    28       10       18       180.0 %
Interest expense
    (227 )     (137 )     (90 )     (65.7 %)
Total other expense
    (199 )     (127 )     (72 )     (56.7 %)
Income before income tax benefit
  $ 981     $ 430     $ 551       128.1 %


This segment consists of the operations of Combine and TOG.  TOG’s activity for the period August 1, 2007 through September 30, 2007 has been included in the Company’s results of operations as of and for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2007.

Optical purchasing group revenues increased approximately $4,104,000, or 35.4%, to $15,707,000 for the three months ended September 30, 2008, as compared to $11,603,000 for the three months ended September 30, 2007, and increased approximately $25,844,000 or 125.9%, to $46,369,000 for the nine months ended September 30, 2008, as compared to $20,525,000 for the nine months ended September 30, 2007.  These increases were a direct result of the acquisition of TOG.  Only two months of the operations of TOG were including in the three and nine months ended September 30, 2007.  Individually, Combine’s revenues decreased approximately $1,000, or 0.0%, to $4,239,000 for the three months ended September 30, 2008, as compared to $4,240,000 for the three months ended September 30, 2007, and decreased approximately $201,000, or 1.5%, to $12,961,000 for the nine months ended September 30, 2008, as compared to $13,162,000 for the nine months ended September 30, 2007.  These decreases were due to a generally weaker economy during 2008, offset by a slight increase in the total number of active members of Combine.  As of September 30, 2008, there were 859 active members, as compared to 857 active members as of September 30, 2007.

Costs of optical purchasing group sales increased approximately $3,867,000, or 34.9%, to $14,955,000 for the three months ended September 30, 2008, as compared to $11,088,000 for the three months ended September 30, 2007, and increased approximately $24,724,000, or 127.5%, to $44,114,000 for the nine months ended September 30, 2008, as compared to $19,390,000 for the nine months ended September 30, 2007.  These increases were also a direct result of the TOG acquisition.  Individually, Combine’s cost of sales increased approximately $10,000, or 0.3%, to $3,997,000 for the three months ended September 30, 2008, as compared to $3,987,000 for the three months ended September 30, 2007, and decreased approximately $145,000, or 1.2%, to $12,145,000 for the nine months ended September 30, 2008, as compared to $12,290,000 for the nine months ended September 30, 2007.  These fluctuations were a direct result of, and proportionate to, the revenue fluctuations described above.

Operating expenses of the optical purchasing group segment increased approximately $126,000, or 55.8%, to $352,000 for the three months ended September 30, 2008, as compared to $226,000 for the three months ended September 30, 2007, and increased approximately $497,000, or 86.0%, to $1,075,000 for the nine months ended September 30, 2008, as compared to $578,000 for the nine months ended September 30, 2007.  These increases were also a direct result of the TOG acquisition.  Individually, Combine’s operating expenses increased approximately $18,000, or 10.7%, to $186,000 for the three months ended September 30, 2008, as compared to $168,000 for the three months ended September 30, 2007, and increased approximately $49,000, or 9.4%, to $569,000 for the nine months ended September 30, 2008, as compared to $520,000 for the nine months ended September 30, 2007.

Interest expense related to the optical purchasing group segment increased approximately $18,000, or 36.0%, to $68,000 for the three months ended September 30, 2008, as compared to $50,000 for the three months ended September 30, 2007, and increased approximately $90,000, or 65.7%, to $227,000 for the nine months ended September 30, 2008, as compared to $137,000 for the nine months ended September 30, 2007.  These increases in interest expense were related to the borrowings under the Company’s Credit Facility with Manufacturers and Traders Trust Corporation (“M&T”) to fund the acquisition of TOG.

Franchise Segment

   
For the Three Months Ended September 30 (in thousands):
 
   
2008
   
2007
   
$ Change
   
% Change
 
Net Revenues:
                       
Royalties
  $ 1,481     $ 1,632     $ (151 )     (9.3 %)
Franchise fees
    1       103       (102 )     (99.0 %)
Net revenues
    1,482       1,735       (253 )     (14.6 %)
 
Selling, General and Administrative Expenses:
                               
Salaries and related benefits
    264       305       (41 )     (13.4 %)
Professional fees
    165       147       18       12.2 %
Trade shows
    123       103       20       19.4 %
Rent and related overhead
    77       104       (27 )     (26.0 %)
Bad debt
    39       49       (10 )     (20.4 %)
Other general and administrative costs
    88       29       59       203.4 %
Total selling, general and administrative expenses
    756       737       19       2.6 %
Operating Income
    726       998       (272 )     (27.3 %)

Other Income (Expense):
                       
Interest on franchise notes receivable
    5       6       (1 )     (16.7 %)
Other income
    17       15       2       13.3 %
Gain on settlement of litigation
    -       1,012       (1,012 )     n/a  
Total operating income
    22       1,033       (1,011 )     (97.9 %)
Income before income tax benefit
  $ 748     $ 2,031     $ (1,283 )     (63.2 %)


   
For the Nine Months Ended September 30 (in thousands):
 
   
2008
   
2007
   
$ Change
   
% Change
 
Net Revenues:
                       
Royalties
  $ 4,728     $ 5,138     $ (410 )     (8.0 %)
Franchise fees
    161       231       (70 )     (30.3 %)
Net revenues
    4,889       5,369       (480 )     (8.9 %)
 
Selling, General and Administrative Expenses:
                               
Salaries and related benefits
    841       902       (61 )     (6.8 %)
Professional fees
    386       402       (16 )     (4.0 %)
Trade shows
    282       290       (8 )     (2.8 %)
Rent and related overhead
    231       314       (83 )     (26.4 %)
Other general and administrative costs
    285       193       92       47.7 %
Total selling, general and administrative expenses
    2,025       2,101       (76 )     (3.6 %)
Operating Income
    2,864       3,268       (404 )     (12.4 %)

Other Income (Expense):
                       
Interest on franchise notes receivable
    19       29       (10 )     (34.5 %)
Other income
    33       34       (1 )     (2.9 %)
Gain on settlement of litigation
    -       1,012       (1,012 )     n/a  
Total operating income
    52       1,075       (1,023 )     (95.2 %)
Income before income tax benefit
  $ 2,916     $ 4,343     $ (1,427 )     (32.9 %)


Franchise royalties decreased approximately $151,000, or 9.3%, to $1,481,000 for the three months ended September 30, 2008, as compared to $1,632,000 for the three months ended September 30, 2007, and decreased approximately $410,000, or 8.0%, to $4,728,000 for the nine months ended September 30, 2008, as compared to $5,138,000 for the nine months ended September 30, 2007. Management believes these decreases were due to current economic conditions, and a decrease in royalties generated from franchise store audits of $140,000 for the nine months ended September 30, 2008, which audits were conducted over an equivalent sample size of franchise locations for each period audited.  Additionally, franchise sales during both of the comparable periods decreased $3,124,000, or 4.8%, which has led to a decrease royalty income.  As of September 30, 2008 and 2007, there were 138 and 147 franchised stores in operation, respectively.

Franchise fees (which includes initial franchise fees, renewal fees, conversion fees and store transfer fees) decreased approximately $102,000, or 99.0%, to $1,000 for the three months ended September 30, 2008, as compared to $103,000 for the three months ended September 30, 2007, and decreased approximately $70,000, or 30.3%, to $161,000 for the nine months ended September 30, 2008, as compared to $231,000 for the nine months ended September 30, 2007.  These fluctuations were primarily attributable to 4 franchise agreement renewals ($40,000), 3 independent store conversions ($21,000), and 5 new franchise agreements ($100,000) in 2008, as compared to 2 franchise agreement renewals ($25,000), 5 independent store conversions ($50,000), and 8 new franchise agreements ($161,000) in 2007.  In the future, franchise fees are likely to fluctuate depending on the timing of franchise agreement expirations, new store openings and franchise store transfers.

Operating expenses of the franchise segment increased approximately $19,000, or 2.6%, to $756,000 for the three months ended September 30, 2008, as compared to $737,000 for the three months ended September 30, 2007, and decreased approximately $76,000, or 3.6%, to $2,025,000 for the nine months ended September 30, 2008, as compared to $2,101,000 for the nine months ended September 30, 2007.  These decreases were partially a result of decreases to franchise promotions of $67,000 related to expenses for displaying at an optical industry trade show, rent and related overhead of $83,000 due to reductions of back office expenses such as new phone services (the Company changed to voice-over-IP services in the 4th quarter of 2007), legal fees of $104,000 relating to proactive litigation to enforce franchise agreements during the three months ended March 31,  2007, and salaries and related benefits of $61,000 partially due to a decrease in medical and dental insurance premiums in May 2008.  These decreases were offset, in part, by increases in bad debt due to recoveries of $100,000 relating to a litigation settlement during the three months ended March 31, 2007, and management fees of $13,000 as a result of the Site-for-Sore Eyes’ consultants having to manage, on average, 4 additional stores during the nine months ended September 30, 2008.  Additionally, the franchise segment incurred travel, training, and related costs associated with the installation of the Company’s new Point-of-Sale computer system (initiated March 2008).

Company Store Segment

   
For the Three Months Ended September 30 (in thousands):
 
   
2008
   
2007
   
$ Change
   
% Change
 
Net Revenues:
                       
Retail sales
  $ 966     $ 1,435     $ (469 )     (32.7 %)
Cost of retail sales
    240       436       196       45.0 %
Gross margin
    726       999       (273 )     (27.3 %)
 
Selling, General and Administrative Expenses:
                               
Salaries and related benefits
    422       627       (205 )     (32.7 %)
Rent and related overhead
    308       392       (84 )     (21.4 %)
Advertising
    78       234       (156 )     (66.7 %)
Other general and administrative costs
    46       68       (22 )     (32.4 %)
Total selling, general and administrative expenses
    854       1,321       (467 )     (35.4 %)
Operating (Loss) Income
  $ (128 )   $ (322 )   $ 194       60.2 %


   
For the Nine Months Ended September 30 (in thousands):
 
   
2008
   
2007
   
$ Change
   
% Change
 
Net Revenues:
                       
Retail sales
  $ 3,062     $ 4,040     $ (978 )     (24.2 %)
Cost of retail sales
    737       1,119       (382 )     (34.1 %)
Gross margin
    2,325       2,921       (596 )     (20.4 %)
 
Selling, General and Administrative Expenses:
                               
Salaries and related benefits
    1,340       1,768       (428 )     (24.2 %)
Rent and related overhead
    882       1,095       (213 )     (19.5 %)
Advertising
    211       534       (323 )     (60.1 %)
Other general and administrative costs
    160       195       (35 )     (17.9 %)
Total selling, general and administrative expenses
    2,593       3,592       (999 )     (27.8 %)
Operating (Loss) Income
  $ (268 )   $ (671 )   $ 403       60.1 %


Retail sales for the Company store segment decreased approximately $469,000, or 32.7%, to $966,000 for the three months ended September 30, 2008, as compared to $1,435,000 for the three months ended September 30, 2007, and decreased approximately $978,000, or 24.2%, to $3,062,000 for the nine months ended September 30, 2008, as compared to $4,040,000 for the nine months ended September 30, 2007.  These decreases were mainly attributable to fewer Company-owned store locations open during the comparable periods.  As of September 30, 2008, there were 7 Company-owned stores, as compared to 12 Company-owned stores as of September 30, 2007.  Over the last 12 months, the Company has closed 3 Company-owned locations and franchised 2 others that were part of the store count as of September 30, 2008.  Those 5 stores generated $488,000 for the three months ended September 30, 2007, as compared to $133,000 for the three months ended September 30, 2008, and generated $1,254,000 for the nine months ended September 30, 2007, as compared to $461,000 for the nine months ended September 30, 2008.   On a same store basis (for stores that operated as a Company-owned store during the entirety of both of the three and nine months ended September 30, 2008 and 2007), comparative net sales decreased approximately $114,000, or 12.0%, to $833,000 for the three months ended September 30, 2008, as compared to $947,000 for the three months ended September 30, 2007, and decreased approximately $185,000, or 6.6%, to $2,601,000 for the nine months ended September 30, 2008, as compared to $2,786,000 for the nine months ended September 30, 2007.  Management believes that these decreases were a direct result of current economic conditions, and changes to key personnel, mainly optometrists, during the second quarter of 2008, which led to reduced exam fee revenues.

The Company-owned store’s gross profit margin, which calculation does not include the exam fee revenues of $138,000 and $186,000 for the three months ended September 30, 2008 and 2007, respectively, and $396,000 and $492,000 for the nine months ended September 30, 2008 and 2007, respectively, generated by such Company-owned stores, increased by 5.2%, to 70.3%, for the three months ended September 30, 2008, as compared to 65.1% for the three months ended September 30, 2007, and increased by 3.4%, to 71.9% for the nine months ended September 30, 2008, as compared to 68.5% for the nine months ended September 30, 2007.  Management continues to work to improve the profit margin through increased training at the Company-store level, among other things, and anticipates these changes will result in improvements in the Company’s gross profit margin in the future.  The Company’s gross margin may, however, fluctuate in the future depending upon the extent and timing of changes in the product mix in the Company-owned stores, competitive pricing, and promotional.

Operating expenses of the Company store segment decreased approximately $467,000, or 35.4%, to $854,000 for the three months ended September 30, 2008, as compared to $1,321,000 for the three months ended September 30, 2007, and decreased approximately $999,000, or 27.8%, to $2,593,000 for the nine months ended September 30, 2008, as compared to $3,592,000 for the nine months ended September 30, 2007.  These decreases were mainly a result of having three fewer Company-owned stores in operation during the three and nine months ended September 30, 2008.  Additionally, the Company streamlined certain store payroll coverage in its stores to reduced salaries and related benefits, and enhanced the media plans for each store, which reduced advertising costs on a by-store basis.

VisionCare of California Segment

   
For the Three Months Ended September 30 (in thousands):
 
   
2008
   
2007
   
$ Change
   
% Change
 
Net Revenues:
                       
Membership fees
  $ 928     $ 889     $ 39       4.4 %
 
Selling, General and Administrative Expenses:
                               
Salaries and related benefits
    804       817       (13 )     (1.6 %)
Rent and related overhead
    36       39       (3 )     (7.7 %)
Other general and administrative costs
    43       34       9       26.5 %
Total selling, general and administrative expenses
    883       890       (7 )     (0.8 %)
Operating Income (Loss)
    45       (1 )     46       4600.0 %

Other Income (Expense):
                       
Other income
    (2 )     4       (6 )     (150.0 %)
Total other (expense) income
    (2 )     4       (6 )     (150.0 %)
Income before income tax benefit
  $ 43     $ 3     $ 40       1333.3 %


   
For the Nine Months Ended September 30 (in thousands):
 
   
2008
   
2007
   
$ Change
   
% Change
 
Net Revenues:
                       
Membership fees
  $ 2,648     $ 2,616     $ 32       1.2 %
 
Selling, General and Administrative Expenses:
                               
Salaries and related benefits
    2,387       2,375       12       0.5 %
Rent and related overhead
    109       114       (5 )     (4.4 %)
Other general and administrative costs
    110       116       (6 )     (5.1 %)
Total selling, general and administrative expenses
    2,606       2,605       1       0.0 %
Operating Income
    42       11       31       281.8 %

Other Income (Expense):
                       
Other income
    6       17       (11 )     (64.7 %)
Total other income
    6       17       (11 )     (64.7 %)
Income before income tax benefit
  $ 48     $ 28     $ 20       71.4 %


Revenues generated by the Company’s wholly-owned subsidiary, VisionCare of California, Inc. (“VCC”), a specialized health care maintenance organization licensed by the State of California Department of Managed Health Care, increased approximately $39,000, or 4.4%, to $928,000 for the three months ended September 30, 2008, as compared to $889,000 for the three months ended September 30, 2007, and increased approximately $32,000, or 1.2%, to $2,648,000 for the nine months ended September 30, 2008, as compared to $2,616,000 for the nine months ended September 30, 2007.  These increases were related to an increase in the daily membership fee charged by VCC effective June 2008.

Operating expenses of the VCC segment remained consistent with last year’s expenses, decreasing only $7,000, or 0.8%, to $883,000 for the three months ended September 30, 2008, as compared to $890,000 for the three months ended September 30, 2007, and increased approximately $1,000, or 0.0%, to $2,606,000 for the nine months ended September 30, 2008, as compared to $2,605,000 for the nine months ended September 30, 2007.  These increases related to increased doctor salaries and related benefits paid by VCC, which will be offset in future quarters due to the increase in the daily membership fees as discussed above.

Corporate Overhead Segment

   
For the Three Months Ended September 30 (in thousands):
 
   
2008
   
2007
   
$ Change
   
% Change
 
Selling, General and Administrative Expenses:
                       
Salaries and related benefits
  $ 534     $ 620     $ (86 )     (13.8 %)
Professional fees
    134       131       3       2.3 %
Insurance
    66       64       2       3.1 %
Rent and related overhead
    (29 )     89       (118 )     (132.6 %)
Other general and administrative costs
    97       252       (155 )     (61.5 %)
Total selling, general and administrative expenses
    802       1,156       (354 )     (30.6 %)
Operating Loss
    (802 )     (1,156 )     354       30.6 %

Other Income (Expense):
                       
Other (expense) income
    (4 )     171       (175 )     (102.3 %)
Interest expense
    (12 )     (18 )     6       (33.3 %)
Total other (expense) income
    (16 )     153       (169 )     (110.5 %)
Loss before income tax benefit
  $ (818 )   $ (1,003 )   $ 185       18.4 %


   
For the Nine Months Ended September 30 (in thousands):
 
   
2008
   
2007
   
$ Change
   
% Change
 
Selling, General and Administrative Expenses:
                       
Salaries and related benefits
  $ 1,657     $ 1,637     $ 20       1.2 %
Professional fees
    436       365       71       19.5 %
Insurance
    193       185       8       4.3 %
Rent and related overhead
    92       265       (173 )     (65.3 %)
Depreciation
    90       66       24       36.4 %
Compensation expense
    46       105       (59 )     (56.2 %)
Other general and administrative costs
    146       284       (138 )     (48.6 %)
Total selling, general and administrative expenses
    2,660       2,907       (247 )     (8.5 %)
Operating Loss
    (2,660 )     (2,907 )     247       8.5 %

Other Income (Expense):
                       
Other income
    26       185       (159 )     (85.9 %)
Interest expense
    (39 )     (40 )     1       2.5 %
Total other (expense) income
    (13 )     145       (158 )     (109.0 %)
Loss before income tax benefit
  $ (2,673 )   $ (2,762 )   $ 89       3.2 %


There were no revenues generated by the corporate overhead segment.

Operating expenses decreased approximately $354,000, or 30.6%, to $802,000 for the three months ended September 30, 2008, as compared to $1,156,000 for the three months ended September 30, 2007, and decreased approximately $247,000, or 8.5%, to $2,660,000 for the nine months ended September 30, 2008, as compared to $2,907,000 for the nine months ended September 30, 2007.  The decreases for the three months ended September 30, 2008 was partially a result of decreases to salaries and related benefits of $86,000  related to decreases, in May 2008,  in the Company’s medical and dental insurance premiums, rent and related overhead expenses of $118,000 due to a favorable litigation settlement ($87,000 less than the Company anticipated), the phone changes described above in the Franchise segment discussion, as well as decreases in office expenses such as office supplies and postage, and compensation expense of $31,000 related to the vesting of options granted during the 3rd quarter of 2007.  This decrease was offset, in part, by an increase in professional fees due, in part, to consulting expenses ($17,000) related to the Company’s Sarbanes-Oxley compliance (a project that was initiated in the 3rd quarter of 2007) and an increase in outside services of $12,000 related to the hiring, in June 2008, of a public relations firm. .

The decrease for the nine months ended September 30, 2008 was attributable to decreases in rent and related overhead expenses of $173,000 mainly for the reason described above,  in medical and dental premiums as described above, and in compensation expense of $59,000 due to the vesting of certain options granted (including the options granted to the directors in the 2nd quarter of 2007, which had a higher stock price ($0.47) associated with the date of grant as compared to the options granted in the 2nd quarter of 2008 ($0.21).  This decrease was offset, in part, by an increase in salaries and related benefits of $20,000 (partially due to the absorbing the entire increase in medical and dental benefits of VCC for the first quarter of 2008), professional fees of $71,000 due, in part, to consulting expenses as described above, and depreciation and amortization expenses of $24,000 related to the remodeling of the Corporate office in the 2nd quarter of 2007.

Other Segment

   
For the Three Months Ended September 30 (in thousands):
 
   
2008
   
2007
   
$ Change
   
% Change
 
Net Revenues:
                       
Commissions
  $ 20     $ -     $ 20       n/a  
Other
    10       -       10       n/a  
Net revenues
    30       -       30       n/a  
 
Selling, General and Administrative Expenses:
                               
Salaries and related benefits
    12       -       12       n/a  
Advertising
    4       -       4       n/a  
Other general and administrative costs
    5       -       5       n/a  
Total selling, general and administrative expenses
    21       -       21       n/a  
Operating Income
  $ 9     $ -     $ 9       n/a  


   
For the Nine Months Ended September 30 (in thousands):
 
   
2008
   
2007
   
$ Change
   
% Change
 
Net Revenues:
                       
Commissions
  $ 89     $ -     $ 89       n/a  
Other
    28       -       28       n/a  
Net revenues
    117       -       117       n/a  
 
Selling, General and Administrative Expenses:
                               
Salaries and related benefits
    30       -       30       n/a  
Advertising
    95       -       95       n/a  
Other general and administrative costs
    42       -       42       n/a  
Total selling, general and administrative expenses
    167       -       167       n/a  
Operating Loss
  $ (50 )   $ -     $ (50 )     n/a  


Revenues generated by the other segment include approximately $20,000 and $89,000 of commission income and credit card residuals for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2008, respectively.  Additionally, there were revenues generated from employee purchases of optical products as defined under the Company’s optical benefit plan.  The Company began generating commission revenues in January 2008 under operations of the Company that do not fall within one of the other operating segments.

Operating expenses of the other segment solely related to the operations that began in January 2008, as described above.

Use of Non-GAAP Performance Indicators

The following section expands on the financial performance of the Company detailing the Company’s EBITDA.  EBITDA is calculated as net earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation and amortization.  The Company refers to EBITDA because it is a widely accepted financial indicator of a company’s ability to service or incur indebtedness.

EBITDA does not represent cash flow from operations as defined by generally accepted accounting principles, is not necessarily indicative of cash available to fund all cash flow needs, should not be considered an alternative to net income or to cash flow from operations (as determined in accordance with GAAP) and should not be considered an indication of our operating performance or as a measure of liquidity.  EBITDA is not necessarily comparable to similarly titled measures for other companies.

EBITDA Reconciliation

   
For the Three Months Ended September 30 (in thousands):
 
   
2008
   
2007
   
$ Change
   
% Change
 
EBITDA Reconciliation:
                       
Net income
  $ 219     $ 907     $ (688 )     (75.9 %)
Interest
    80       68       12       17.6 %
Taxes
    (24 )     45       (69 )     (153.3 %)
Depreciation and amortization
    170       125       45       36.0 %
EBITDA
  $ 445     $ 1,145     $ (700 )     (61.1 %)


   
For the Nine Months Ended September 30 (in thousands):
 
   
2008
   
2007
   
$ Change
   
% Change
 
EBITDA Reconciliation:
                       
Net income
  $ 1,243     $ 1,706     $ (463 )     (27.2 %)
Interest
    266       177       89       50.3 %
Taxes
    (289 )     (338 )     49       14.5 %
Depreciation and amortization
    483       345       138       40.0 %
EBITDA
  $ 1,703     $ 1,890     $ (187 )     (9.9 %)


The Company also incurred other non-cash charges that effected earnings including compensation expenses related to the grant of common stock options and warrants of $46,000 for the nine months ended September 30, 2008, respectively, and $31,000 and $105,000 for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2007, respectively.  EBITDA decreased for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2008 mainly due to the gain on settlement of ligation during the three and nine months ended September 30, 2007 of $1,012,000.

Management has provided an EBITDA calculation to provide a greater level of understanding of the Company’s performance had it not been for certain significant non-cash charges.  These charges, such as depreciation and amortization, and compensation expense, are included in selling, general and administrative expenses on the Consolidated Condensed Statements of Income.
 
Liquidity and Capital Resources

As of September 30, 2008, the Company had a working capital deficit of $2,716,000 due, in part, to the reclassification of the Company’s outstanding principal on the M&T line of credit from long-term to short-term.  The Company had cash on hand of $1,915,000.

During the nine months ended September 30, 2008, cash flows used in operating activities were $285,000.  This was principally due to an increase in optical purchasing group receivables of $1,609,000 due to increased optical purchasing group sales, as well as a decrease in accounts payable and accrued expenses of $812,000, partially due to the decrease in the number of Company-owned stores in operation leading to reduction in product purchased, and increases in prepaid expenses of $266,000 due to insurance premiums payments and the costs associated with the Company’s trade show and annual franchise convention, both held in October 2008. These were offset, in part, by net income of $1,243,000 and an increase in optical purchasing group payables of $1,225,000 for reasons described above.  The Company believes it will continue to improve its operating cash flows through the implementation of the Company’s new Point-of-Sales system to improve the franchise sales reporting process, the addition of new franchise locations, its current and future acquisitions, and continued efficiencies as it relates to corporate overhead expenses.

For the nine months ended September 30, 2008, cash flows used in investing activities were $240,000 mainly due to an increase in intangible assets for legal costs associated with defending one of the Company’s trademarks offset by proceeds received on certain franchise promissory notes.  Management does not anticipate any major capital expenditures over the next 12 months, other than normal expenditures to continue to enhance the Company’s technology infrastructure and the Company’s internal controls.  However, Management does not know the extent of the legal costs associated with the continuance of litigation in defending one of the Company’s trademarks as the litigation is still in the discovery phase.

For the nine months ended September 30, 2008, cash used in financing activities was $406,000 due to the repayment of the Company’s related party borrowings and the promissory note payments made to COMC.  The Company will continue to repay such borrowings with cash flows generated by the current operations.  In August 2009, the Company’s Credit Facility will expire and all outstanding borrowings will be due.  The Company is currently exploring all options available to ensure it will be able to make such payment.

Credit Facility

On August 8, 2007, the Company entered into a Revolving Line of Credit Note and Credit Agreement (the “Credit Agreement”) with Manufacturers and Traders Trust Company (“M&T”), establishing a revolving credit facility (the “Credit Facility”), for aggregate borrowings of up to $6,000,000, to be used for general working capital needs and certain permitted acquisitions.  This Credit Facility replaced the Company’s previous revolving line of credit facility with M&T.  The initial term of the Credit Facility expires in August 2009.  Interest on all sums drawn by the Company under the Credit Facility is repayable monthly, commencing on the first day of each month during the term of the Credit Facility.  Interest is calculated at the variable rate of two hundred seventy five (275) basis points in excess of LIBOR, and all principal drawn by the Company is payable on August 1, 2009.

On August 10, 2007, the Company borrowed $3,609,423 to fund the purchase price payable in connection with the acquisitions of TOG, and borrowed $400,000 for general working capital requirements.  The Credit Facility includes various financial covenants including minimum net worth, maximum funded debt and debt service ratio requirements.  As of September 30, 2008, the Company had outstanding borrowings of $4,356,854 under the Credit Facility, which amount was included in Short-term Debt on the accompanying Consolidated Balance Sheet and had $1,643,146 available under the Credit Facility for future borrowings.  As of September 30, 2008, the Company was not in compliance with one of the financial covenants, however, on November 14, 2008, M&T granted the Company a waiver and agreed that such covenant was now in compliance for the period ended September 30, 2008.

Off-Balance Sheet Arrangements

An off-balance sheet arrangement is any contractual arrangement involving an unconsolidated entity under which a company has (a) made guarantees, (b) a retained or a contingent interest in transferred assets, (c) any obligation under certain derivative instruments or (d) any obligation under a material variable interest in an unconsolidated entity that provides financing, liquidity, market risk, or credit risk support to the company, or engages in leasing, hedging, or research and development services within the company.

The Company does not have any off-balance sheet financing or unconsolidated variable interest entities, with the exception of certain guarantees on leases.  The Company refers the reader to the Notes to the Consolidated Condensed Financial Statements included in Item 1 of this Quarterly Report for information regarding the Company’s lease guarantees.

Management’s Discussion of Critical Accounting Policies and Estimates

High-quality financial statements require rigorous application of high-quality accounting policies.  Management believes that its policies related to revenue recognition, deferred tax assets, legal contingencies and allowances on franchise, notes and other receivables are critical to an understanding of the Company’s Consolidated Condensed Financial Statements because their application places the most significant demands on management’s judgment, with financial reporting results relying on estimation about the effect of matters that are inherently uncertain.

Management’s estimate of the allowances on receivables is based on historical sales, historical loss levels, and an analysis of the collectibility of individual accounts.  To the extent that actual bad debts differed from management's estimates by 10 percent, consolidated net income would be an estimated $6,000 and $5,000 higher/lower for the nine months ended September 30, 2008, and 2007, respectively, depending upon whether the actual write-offs are greater or less than estimated.

The Company recognizes revenues in accordance with SEC Staff Accounting Bulletin (“SAB”) No. 104, “Revenue Recognition.”  Accordingly, revenues are recorded when persuasive evidence of an arrangement exists, delivery has occurred or services have been rendered, the Company’s price to the buyer is fixed or determinable, and collectibility is reasonably assured.  To the extent that collectability of royalties and/or interest on franchise notes is not reasonably assured, the Company recognizes such revenues when the cash is received.  To the extent that revenues that were recognized on a cash basis were recognized on an accrual basis, consolidated net income would be an estimated $196,000 and $132,000 higher for the nine months ended September 30, 2008 and 2007, respectively.

Management’s performs an annual impairment analysis to determine the fair value of goodwill and certain intangible assets.  In determining the fair value of such assets, management uses a variety of methods and assumptions including a discounted cash flow analysis along with various qualitative tests.  To the extent that management needed to impair its goodwill or certain intangible assets by 10 percent, consolidated net income would be an estimated $723,000 and $674,000 lower for the nine months ended September 30, 2008 and 2007, respectively.



 
 

 

Item 3.  Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures about Market Risk

This Quarterly Report does not include information for Item 3 pursuant to the rules of the Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”) that permits “a smaller reporting company” to omit such information.

Item 4T.  Controls and Procedures

(a) Disclosure Controls and Procedures

The Company’s Chief Executive Officer (“CEO”) and Chief Financial Officer (“CFO”) with the participation of the Company’s management (“Management”) conducted an evaluation of the effectiveness of the Company’s disclosure controls and procedures as of the end of the period covered by this report.  These disclosure controls and procedures are designed to provide reasonable assurance that information required to be disclosed by the Company in the reports that it files or submits under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, within the time periods specified by the SEC rules and forms, is recorded, processed, summarized and reported, and is communicated to Management, as appropriate, to allow for timely decisions based on the required disclosures.  Based on this evaluation, the Company’s CEO and CFO concluded that the Company’s disclosure controls and procedures were effective as of September 30, 2008.

(b) Changes in Internal Controls over Financial Reporting
 
There has been no change in the Company’s internal control over financial reporting identified in connection with the evaluation required by paragraph (d) of Rule 13a-15 or Rule 15d-15 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, during the three months ended September 30, 2008 that has materially affected or is reasonably likely to materially affect the Company’s internal control over financial reporting.
 
(c) Limitations

A control system, no matter how well designed and operated, can only provide a reasonable assurance level that the control system’s objectives will be met.  Additionally, the design of a control system has limitations such as financial restraints and the cost/benefit analysis of improving such systems.  Thus, no evaluation of controls can provide absolute assurance that all control issues within the Company have been detected.

 
 

 


PART II - OTHER INFORMATION


Item 1.  Legal Proceedings

In February 2008, Sangertown Square, LLC commenced an action against the Company, in the Supreme Court of the State of New York, Onondaga County, alleging, among other things, that the Company had breached its obligations under its lease for the former Sterling Optical store located at Sangertown Square Mall, New York.  In October 2008, this action was settled.  The terms of the settlement included the payment, by the Company to Sangertown Square, LLC, of an aggregate sum of $150,000, and the exchange of mutual general releases.

In July 2008, Ontario Mills Limited Partnership commenced an action against, among others, the Company, in the Supreme Court of the State of California, San Bernardino County, alleging, among other things, that the Company had breached its obligations under its guaranty of the lease for the former Sterling Optical store located in the Ontario Mills Mall, California.  In or about October 2008, Ontario Mills Limited Partnership made a motion with the court to dismiss the case against the Company.  This motion is currently pending.

In September 2008, Pyramid Mall of Glen Falls Newco, LLC commenced an action against the Company and its subsidiary Sterling Vision of Aviation Mall, Inc., in the Supreme Court of the State of New York, Onondaga County, alleging, among other things, that the Company had breached its obligations under its lease for the former Sterling Optical store located at Aviation Mall, New York.  The Company believes that it has a meritorious defense to such action.  As of the date hereof, these proceedings were in the discovery stage.  Although the Company has recorded an accrual for probable losses in the event that the Company shall be held liable in respect of plaintiff’s claims, the Company does not believe that any such loss is reasonably possible, or, if there is a loss, the Company does not believe that it is reasonably possible that such loss would exceed the amount recorded.

In October 2008, Crossgates Mall Company Newco, LLC commenced an action against the Company, in the Supreme Court of the State of New York, Onondaga County, alleging, among other things, that the Company had breached its obligations under its lease for the former Sterling Optical store located at Crossgates Mall, New York.  The Company believes that it has a meritorious defense to such action.  As of the date hereof, these proceedings were in the discovery stage.  Although the Company has recorded an accrual for probable losses in the event that the Company shall be held liable in respect of plaintiff’s claims, the Company does not believe that any such loss is reasonably possible, or, if there is a loss, the Company does not believe that it is reasonably possible that such loss would exceed the amount recorded.

Although the Company, where indicated herein, believes that it has a meritorious defense to the claims asserted against it (and its affiliates), given the uncertain outcomes generally associated with litigation, there can be no assurance that the Company’s (and its affiliates’) defense of such claims will be successful.

Item 1a. Risk Factors

There have been no material changes to the disclosure related to risk factors made in the Company Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2007.

Item 2. Unregistered Sales of Equity Securities and Use of Proceeds

None.

Item 3. Defaults Upon Senior Securities

None.

Item 4. Submission of Matters to a Vote of Security Holders

None

Item 5. Other Information

None.

Item 6. Exhibits




 
 

 


SIGNATURES


Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, the Registrant has duly caused this Report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned hereunto duly authorized.


EMERGING VISION, INC.
(Registrant)



BY:
/s/  Christopher G. Payan
Christopher G. Payan
Chief Executive Officer
(Principal Executive Officer)


BY:
/s/  Brian P. Alessi
Brian P. Alessi
Chief Financial Officer
(Principal Financial and Accounting Officer)




Dated: November 14, 2008