EXHIBIT 10.19

                        FOURTH AMENDMENT
                     TO EMPLOYMENT AGREEMENT
                       DATED MARCH 25, 1993




         Reference is made to the  Executive  Employment  Agreement  dated as of
March 25,  1993,  as  amended  by an  Amendment  dated  June 6,  1994,  a Second
Amendment  dated July 14,  1995 and a Third  Amendment  dated March 7, 1996 (the
"Agreement")  by and between J.  Baker,  Inc.  and Jerry M.  Socol.  Pursuant to
paragraph 19 of the Agreement  and in order to amend  certain  provisions of the
Agreement, the Agreement is hereby amended as follows:

         1.  Paragraph 6 of the  Agreement  is hereby  amended by  deleting  the
phrase  "ending on April 1, 1997" in the fifth line thereof and inserting in its
place the phrase "ending on April 1, 1998".

         2.   All other terms of the Agreement shall remain unchanged and
 continue in full force and effect.



J. BAKER, INC.




By:/s/ Sherman N. Baker                               April 5, 1996
         Sherman N. Baker                             Date
         Chairman of the Board of Directors




   /s/ Jerry M. Socol                                 April 5, 1996
         Jerry M. Socol                               Date