IMPAIRMENT CHARGE

12 Months Ended

Dec. 31, 2011

IMPAIRMENT CHARGE

IMPAIRMENT CHARGE

NOTE 10. IMPAIRMENT CHARGE

        In accordance with "Impairment or Disposal of Long-Lived Assets" under Topic 360 "Property, Plant and Equipment" of the FASB ASC, impairment is the condition that exists when the carrying amount of a long-lived asset exceeds its fair value. An impairment loss is recognized only if the carrying amount of a long-lived asset is not recoverable and exceeds its fair value. The carrying amount of a long-lived asset is not recoverable if it exceeds the sum of the undiscounted cash flows expected to result from the use and eventual disposition of the asset. That assessment is based on the carrying amount of the asset at the date it is tested for recoverability, whether in use or under development. An impairment loss is measured as the amount by which the carrying amount of long-lived assets exceeds its fair value.

        Due to the inability of the Company to assess the fair market value of the Company's assets in its retail stores, as these assets are not traded in an active market, the Company determined its fair market value by computing the net present value of future cash flows by discounting those future cash flows using a risk free interest rate from a 10 year treasury note. To analyze stores for impairment, the Company compared the undiscounted future cash flows against the carrying value of the long lived assets, as of December 31, 2011, for each store and as a result, identified 14 stores where the sum of undiscounted future cash flows were less than the corresponding carrying amounts. The Company then compared the net present value of future cash flows for these 14 stores against the carrying amount of the long lived assets and as a result of the excess carrying value over the computed net present value, the Company recorded an impairment charge of approximately $719,000 for the 14 underperforming stores identified. As a result of this impairment charge, which was recorded during the fourth quarter of fiscal 2011, the Company also adjusted the cost basis of the long lived assets at the affected stores in accordance with the stated guidance mentioned above. Comparatively, the Company recorded an impairment charge of $974,000 for 15 underperforming stores and $1.9 million for 23 underperforming stores in fiscal 2010 and 2009, respectively. The Company closed 12 stores in fiscal 2012 and as a result recorded accelerated depreciation of $231,000, in fiscal 2011.