Exhibit 16.1 July 23, 2002 Securities and Exchange Commission 450 Fifth Street, N.W. Washington, D.C. 20549 Commissioners: We have read the statements made by OfficeMax, Inc., (copy attached) which we understand will be filed with the Commission, pursuant to Item 4 of Form 8-K, as part of the Company's Form 8-K report dated July 18, 2002. We agree with the statements concerning our Firm in such Form 8-K. Very truly yours, /s/ PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP