Roman Inc. and Cottage Garden Collections Merger
Q & A

Q: Who is Cottage Garden?
A: Cottage Garden, Inc., a sentiment gift company, was founded in 1996 by Angela
Timm, a young creative retailer with stores in Maryland. The company had humble
beginnings, shipping out of her two-car garage, staffed by stay-at-home moms and a
simple philosophy: give retailers a fair price, free fixtures and excellent customer service.
Four years later, her husband, Mark, known for his sales and marketing savvy, came on
board and took over the day-to-day management of the company as president. Their
combination of talents destined Cottage Garden to become America’s number one
leading manufacturer and supplier of music and jewelry boxes and sentiment frames.

Q: Who is Roman, Inc.?
A: Roman, Inc. was founded by Ronald T. Jedlinski as an inspirational gift company
more than four-and-a-half decades ago. Growing up in his father’s general store, it was a
natural that Jedlinski made his own way in this industry. With $500 and an old station
wagon full of inspirational products, Jedlinski rapidly carved his niche in the religious
articles and giftware marketplace. Over the years, the company earned numerous
industry, business and philanthropic awards. Today, Jedlinski’s son-in-law, Dan
Loughman, has taken on the day-to-day management of the company as president and
CEO, and Roman, Inc. remains one of the oldest privately owned and operated firms in
the gift industry and a leading producer and exclusive distributor of more than 8,000 gifts
and decorative accessories.

Q: What is the rationale behind this merger?
A: In a word – Synergy. It’s not easy conducting business in an ever-changing
marketplace today. So when two fiscally healthy companies with similar business
philosophies can combine their resources, it’s a rare opportunity to leverage manpower
and innovation for the greater good. Furthermore, it’s an opportunity to offer retailers
superior products and programs that will positively affect their bottom lines.

Q: Is this a true merger? If not, who is acquiring whom?
A: Both Cottage Garden and Roman Inc. are privately held, family-owned businesses.
Roman is the larger of the two companies and has been a marquee manufacturer in the
gift business for 45 years. Cottage Garden will become a division of Roman, Inc. when
the merger is complete. Clearly, this is a very sound and strategic move for both
companies.

Q: When will the merger be complete?
A: October 15th will mark the merger date. However, the sales and showroom transition
and many of the natural synergies for this merger will not go into effect until the end of
2008.

Q: How will this merger benefit me as a retailer?
A: Both companies have the reputation for having a deep and trusted commitment to their
retailers. By joining forces, customers will benefit from the focus and attention of
Roman’s sales force, now representing two quality companies consisting of multiple
brands, with a parallel commitment to quality inspirational products. Both companies
will also share their best practices, with the end result being better products and services
to you, our valued customers. You will begin to see these results in January 2009 and
beyond.

Q: Will Cottage Garden be keeping its sales representatives?
A: No, Roman has a very seasoned independent sales force and with whom Cottage
Garden will be represented after December 15, 2008. Until then, the current sales
representatives will continue to place orders on behalf of Cottage Garden. Cottage
Garden products will be found in 2009 at every major gift show within the Roman
showrooms.

Q: Will Cottage Garden continue to operate in Indiana?
A: Yes, Cottage Garden, while now a division of Roman, will continue to operate
separately in Bainbridge, IN. You will continue to place orders through your new Sales
Representative or Cottage Garden’s Customer Service department, utilizing Cottage
Garden’s existing programs. You will continue to receive shipments from Cottage
Garden’s warehouse, and you will be invoiced separately from Roman by Cottage
Garden.

Q: Will Mark & Angela Timm still be a vital part of Cottage Garden?
Yes. Mark will be running Cottage Garden as the company’s President with the same
passion and dedication that the two of them have had for the company since its inception
11 years ago. Through this transition, Angela will continue to be involved in the strategic
planning and design direction of Cottage Garden but is also looking forward to having the
opportunity to spend more time at home involved with their three very active children
(Markus 10, Mary 8 and Grace 5).

Q: Will the merging of Cottage Garden and Roman result in a loss of jobs?
A: Quite the contrary. This merger has significant likelihood of creating jobs. The greatest
synergy recognized by both companies initially will be access to respective customers. Both
companies have a great reputation with their companies and each brings to the table
thousands of new customers for each company. Thus, there is great potential for growth
through this merger, which will create jobs within both companies.

Q: Did the merger happen because either company or both were having financial
difficulties?
A: No, neither company was financially stressed, with both companies maintaining healthy
financial statements. A truly strategic merger can be best maximized when neither company
has to merge with the other, but when two healthy companies make a conscious decision to
combine their respective assets for the obvious benefit of each other and their customers.

 
Q: Where are Roman’s Showrooms and what are the dates of the Spring 2009 shows?

February
Birmingham, UK Spring Fair (Hall 4)                        1, 2, 3, 4, 5
Columbus Gift Show                                                  22, 23, 24

March
Minneapolis Gift Show                                                13, 14 15, 16, 17
Atlanta Gift Show                                                        14, 15, 16
Los Angeles Gift Show                                                14, 15, 16, 17 
Columbus Gift Show                                                    20, 21, 22, 23, 24
Dallas Gift Show                                                          26, 27, 28, 29
Chicago                                                                        29, 30, 31

Further inquiries should be made by emailing inquiries@cgcollections.com or calling us toll-free: 877-210-3456.