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                                                                      EXHIBIT 11


                              GARDEN BOTANIKA, INC.
                             CALCULATION OF EARNINGS
                     PER COMMON AND COMMON EQUIVALENT SHARE
                                  (EXHIBIT 11)
                  (AMOUNTS IN THOUSANDS, EXCEPT PER SHARE DATA)




                                                                            (UNAUDITED)
                                                                           QUARTER ENDED
                                                                       --------------------
                                                                       MAY 3,        MAY 4,
                                                                        1997          1996
                                                                       ---------    -------
                                                                              
PRIMARY:
    Earnings --
       Net earnings (loss) applicable to common and
           common equivalent shares                                     $(10,478)   $(4,997)
                                                                        ========    =======

    Shares --
       Weighted average common shares outstanding                          7,069      7,069
       Net effect of stock options, based on treasury stock
           method using average market price(1)                               --         --
                                                                        --------    -------
  Weighted average common and common equivalent shares                     7,069      7,069
                                                                        ========    =======

 Primary earnings (loss) per common and common equivalent share           $(1.48)    $(0.71)
                                                                        ========    =======



FULLY DILUTED:
    Fully diluted  earnings (loss) per share is not presented,  as there were no
    potentially dilutive securities.


NOTES:

(1)  In the calculation of weighted average common and common equivalent shares,
     nonqualified stock options and warrants to purchase common stock are
     considered common stock equivalents. Such options and warrants are
     converted using the treasury stock method, which assumes that the shares
     issuable upon exercise of the options or warrants were outstanding for the
     full period. In accordance with generally accepted accounting principles,
     no common stock equivalents are shown for the first quarter of either
     fiscal 1999 or 1998, as their effect would have been anti-dilutive.


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