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                    TRANS WORLD ENTERTAINMENT CORPORATION

                            **** NEWS RELEASE ****
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            MWW/Strategic Communications, Inc.
            Public Relations (201) 507-9500
            Media Contact:      Michael Kempner - mkempner@mww.com
                                Rob Swadosh - rswadosh@mww.com
            Investor Contact:   Robert Ferris - rferris@mww.com

    TRANS WORLD ENTERTAINMENT CORPORATION CLOSES ON
    ACQUISITION OF THE STRAWBERRIES CHAIN

    Acquires 90 Freestanding and Strip Center Locations

    Albany,  NY,  October  9,  1997  --  Trans World Entertainment Corporation
    (Nasdaq  National  Market:   TWMC)  today  announced  the  closing  of its
    acquisition of Strawberries, a  privately-held  retailer  of  pre-recorded
    music  and video.  The Company acquired substantially all of Strawberries'
    assets, including  merchandise  inventory,  fixed  and  other assets.  The
    Company will operate Strawberries' at 90  freestanding  and  strip  center
    locations  which  are primarily located in the New England and Washington,
    D.C. markets.
    
    Robert  J.  Higgins,  Chairman,  Chief  Executive Officer and President of
    Trans  World  commented,  "The   acquisition  of  the  Strawberries  chain
    represents  a  logical  progression  in  our  overall   growth   strategy,
    significantly increasing our market share in the Northeast."
    
    Trans  World  Entertainment  operates  461   retail   stores   in   malls,
    freestanding  and  strip  center  locations under several names, including
    Coconuts Music  and  Movies,  Record  Town,  Saturday  Matinee  and F.Y.E.
    Additionally, the Company now operates 90 freestanding  and  strip  center
    locations under the Strawberries and Waxie/Maxie names.
    
Certain  statements  in  this report set forth management's intentions, plans,
beliefs, expectations or predictions of the  future based on current facts and
analyses.  Actual results may differ materially from those indicated  in  such
statements.   Additional  information  on factors that may affect the business
and financial results of the Company  can  be  found in filings of the Company
with the Securities and Exchange Commission.

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