OPTION AGREEMENT

     THIS OPTION AGREEMENT (this "OPTION AGREEMENT") is made as of February 
26, 1998, by and between 99 CENTS Only Stores, a California corporation (the 
"COMPANY") and Mark Ravich ("OPTIONEE").

                                       RECITALS

     A.   The Company proposes to make a tender offer (the "OFFER") to 
acquire all of the issued and outstanding shares of Common Stock of Universal 
International, Inc., a Minnesota corporation ("UNIVERSAL").

     B.   In connection with the Offer, Optionee and the Company have entered 
into that certain Consulting Agreement of even date herewith, pursuant to 
which Optionee has agreed to provide certain consulting services to the 
Company as more fully set forth therein, and the Company has agreed to 
compensate Optionee for agreeing to provide such consulting services by 
entering into this Option Agreement and granting to Optionee the option 
contained herein.

     C.   Optionee and the Company desire to enter into this Option Agreement 
to compensate Optionee for agreeing to enter into the Consulting Agreement.

                                      AGREEMENT

     NOW THEREFORE, in consideration of the foregoing recitals, and the 
terms, conditions and covenants contained herein, the Company and Optionee 
agree as follows:

     1.   GRANT OF OPTION.  The Company hereby grants to Optionee the right 
and option (the "OPTION"), upon the terms and subject to the conditions set 
forth in this Option Agreement, to purchase all or any portion of 15,000 
shares of the Common Stock of the Company at a per share exercise price of 
$33.5625 (such shares of Common Stock are collectively referred to herein as 
the "SHARES," and such per share exercise prices are collectively referred to 
herein as the "EXERCISE PRICE").

     2.   TERM OF OPTION.  The Option shall terminate and expire on the 
earlier to occur of (x) that date prior to the commencement of the Offer on 
which the Company announces that it has determined not to proceed with the 
Offer, (y) that date following the commencement of the Offer but prior to 
such time (if any) that the Company actually purchases any shares of the 
Common Stock of Universal pursuant to the Offer on which the Offer is 
terminated, and (iii) February 19, 2005.  Upon request of Optionee, following 
the date the Company actually purchases any shares of the Common Stock of 
Universal pursuant to the Offer, the Company will issue to Optionee a new 
Option Agreement replacing this Option Agreement which will restate this 
Section 2 to read as follows: "2.  Term of Option.  The Option shall 
terminate and expire on February 19, 2005."



     3.   EXERCISE PERIOD.   The Option shall become exercisable (in whole or 
in part) on first business day following the date that the Company actually 
purchases shares of the Common Stock of Universal pursuant to the Offer (the 
"Closing").  Upon request of Optionee, following the Closing, the Company 
will issue to Optionee a new Option Agreement replacing this Option Agreement 
which will restate this Section 3 to read as follows: "The Option is 
exercisable (in whole or in part)."
  
     4.   EXERCISE OF OPTION.  There is no obligation to exercise the Option, 
in whole or in part.  The Option may be exercised, in whole or in part, only 
by delivery to the Company of:

          (a)  written notice of exercise stating the number of Shares then
being purchased (the "PURCHASED SHARES"); and

          (b)  payment of the Exercise Price of the Purchased Shares, either 
(1) in cash, or (2) by (i) delivery to the Company of other shares of Common 
Stock with an aggregate Fair Market Value equal to the total Exercise Price 
of the Purchased Shares, (ii) by withholding from the Purchased Shares due 
Optionee upon exercise, that number of shares with a Fair Market Value of the 
exercise price due; or (iii) in any other form of legal consideration that 
may be acceptable to the Board.  In the event the Option is exercised for 
less than all of the Shares, the Company shall, concurrent with its delivery 
of the Purchased Shares, deliver to Optionee a new Option Agreement identical 
to this Option Agreement representing the right to purchase that number of 
Shares that remain unexercised.

          Following receipt of the notice and payment referred to above, the 
Company shall issue and deliver to Optionee a stock certificate or stock 
certificates evidencing the Purchased Shares; PROVIDED, HOWEVER, that the 
Company shall not be obligated to issue a fraction or fractions of a share of 
its Common Stock, and may pay to Optionee, in cash or by check, the Fair 
Market Value of any fraction or fractions of a share exercised by Optionee.  
"FAIR MARKET VALUE" shall be determined as follows: (1) if the Common Stock 
is listed on any established stock exchange or a national market system, 
including without limitation the Nasdaq National Market, the Fair Market 
Value of a share of Common Stock shall be the closing sales price for such 
stock (or the closing bid, if no sales were reported) as quoted on such 
system or exchange (or the exchange with the greatest volume of trading in 
the Common Stock) on the last market trading day prior to the day of 
determination, as reported in the Wall Street Journal or such other source as 
the Board deems reliable; (2) if the Common Stock is quoted on the Nasdaq 
System (but not on the Nasdaq National Market) or is regularly quoted by a 
recognized securities dealer but selling prices are not reported, the Fair 
Market Value of a share of Common Stock shall be the mean between the bid and 
asked prices for the Common Stock on the last market trading day prior to the 
day of determination, as reported in the Wall Street Journal or such other 
source as the Board deems reliable; and (3) in the absence of an established 
market for the Common Stock, the Fair Market Value shall be determined in 
good faith by the Board.

     5.   ADJUSTMENTS UPON RECAPITALIZATION. 

                                       2



          (a)  Subject to the provisions of Section 5(b), if any change is 
made in the Common Stock, without receipt of consideration by the Company 
(through merger, consolidation, reorganization, recapitalization, 
reincorporation, stock dividend, dividend in property other than cash, stock 
split, liquidating dividend, combination of shares, exchange of shares, 
change in corporate structure or other transaction not involving the receipt 
of consideration by the Company) the Option will be appropriately adjusted in 
the class(es) and number of shares and price per share of stock subject to 
the Option.  Such adjustments shall be reasonably made by the Board.  The 
conversion of any convertible securities of the Company shall not be treated 
as a "transaction not involving the receipt of consideration by the Company."

          (b)  In the event of: (1) a dissolution, liquidation or sale of 
substantially all of the assets of the Company; (2) a merger or consolidation 
in which the Company is not the surviving corporation; or (3) a reverse 
merger in which the Company is the surviving corporation but the shares of 
the Common Stock outstanding immediately preceding the merger are converted 
by virtue of the merger into other property, whether in the form of 
securities, cash or otherwise, then, at the sole discretion of the Board and 
to the extent permitted by applicable law, the Option shall continue in full 
force and effect and, if applicable, the surviving corporation or an 
Affiliate of such surviving corporation shall assume the Option and/or shall 
substitute similar option or award in place of the Option.  

          (c)  To the extent that the foregoing adjustments relate to stock 
or securities of the Company, such adjustments shall be made reasonably by 
the Board.  

          (d)  The provisions of this Section 5 are intended to be exclusive, 
and Optionee shall have no other rights arising under this Option Agreement 
upon the occurrence of any of the events described in this Section 5.

          (e)  The grant of the Option shall not affect in any way the right 
or power of the Company to make adjustments, reclassifications, 
reorganizations or changes in its capital or business structure, or to merge, 
consolidate, dissolve or liquidate, or to sell or transfer all or any part of 
its business or assets.

     6.   WAIVER OF RIGHTS TO PURCHASE STOCK.  By signing this Option 
Agreement, Optionee acknowledges and agrees that neither the Company nor any 
other person or entity is under any obligation to sell or transfer to 
Optionee any option or equity security of the Company, other than the Shares 
subject to the Option and any other right or option to purchase Common Stock 
which was previously granted in writing to Optionee by the Board.  By signing 
this Option Agreement, Optionee specifically waives all rights which he or 
she may have had prior to the date of this Option Agreement to receive any 
option or equity security of the Company.

     7.   LEGEND ON STOCK CERTIFICATES.  Optionee agrees that all certificates
representing the Purchased Shares will be subject to such stock transfer orders
and other restrictions (if any) as the Company may reasonably determines to be
necessary under the rules, regulations and other 

                                       3



requirements of the Commission, any stock exchange upon which the Common 
Stock is then listed and any applicable federal or state securities laws, and 
the Company may cause a legend or legends to be put on such certificates to 
make appropriate reference to such restrictions.  If any such shares are 
issued with a legend, the Company shall promptly cause such legend to be 
removed if Optionee delivers a written opinion of counsel to the effect that 
the Shares are no longer to such restrictions.

     8.   NO RIGHTS AS SHAREHOLDER.  Except as provided in Section 5 of this 
Option Agreement, Optionee shall have no rights as a shareholder with respect 
to the Shares until the date of the issuance to Optionee of a stock 
certificate or stock certificates evidencing such Shares (which issuance 
shall not be unreasonably delayed or withheld following the date of 
exercise).  Except as may be provided in Section 5 of this Option Agreement, 
no adjustment shall be made for dividends (ordinary or extraordinary, whether 
in cash, securities or other property) or distributions or other rights for 
which the record date is prior to the date such stock certificate is issued.  

     9.   REGISTRATION OF SHARES.  Prior to the date upon which the Shares 
first become exercisable under this Option Agreement, the Company shall 
register the resale of such Shares by Optionee pursuant to a Registration 
Statement on Form S-8 or S-3 (at the election of the Company) to be filed by 
the Company under the 1933 Act and shall maintain such Registration Statement 
current until the earlier to occur (x) such time as the Optionee has 
transferred all of the Shares, or (y) such date as the Optionee shall be 
eligible to transfer such shares pursuant to Rule 144 of the Securities and 
Exchange Commission.

     10.  CHARACTER OF OPTION.  The Option is not intended to qualify as an 
"incentive stock option" as that term is defined in Section 422 of the Code.

     11.  GENERAL PROVISIONS.

          (a)  FURTHER ASSURANCES.  Optionee shall promptly take all actions 
and execute all documents requested by the Company which the Company deems to 
be reasonably necessary to effectuate the terms and intent of this Option 
Agreement.

          (b)  NOTICES.  All notices, requests, demands and other 
communications under this Option Agreement shall be in writing and shall be 
given to the parties hereto as follows:

                    If to the Company:

                    99 CENTS Only Stores
                    4000 East Union Pacific Avenue
                    City of Commerce, California 90023

                    If to Optionee: 

                    Mark Ravich  
                    [address]

                                       4



or at such other address or addresses as may have been furnished by such 
either party in writing to the other party hereto.  Any such notice, request, 
demand or other communication shall be effective (i) if given by mail, 72 
hours after such communication is deposited in the mail by first-class 
certified mail, return receipt requested, postage prepaid, addressed as 
aforesaid, or (ii) if given by any other means, when delivered at the address 
specified in this subsection (b).

          (c)  OPTION TRANSFERABLE.  Optionee may sell, transfer, assign or 
otherwise dispose of all or any portion of the Option, subject to Optionee's 
compliance with all applicable laws.  In the event the Optionee shall sell, 
transfer, assign or otherwise dispose of all or any portion of the Option, 
the Company shall deliver to Optionee (and in the event the Optionee shall 
sell, transfer, assign or otherwise dispose of less than all of the Option, 
to Optionee and the transferee of such portion of the Option) a new Option 
Agreement identical to this Option Agreement representing the right to 
purchase that number of Shares so transferred or retained, as the case may 
be. 

          (d)  SUCCESSORS AND ASSIGNS.  Except to the extent specifically 
limited by the terms and provisions of this Option Agreement, this Option 
Agreement shall be binding upon and inure to the benefit of the parties 
hereto and their respective successors, assigns, heirs and personal 
representatives.

          (e)  GOVERNING LAW.  THIS OPTION AGREEMENT SHALL BE GOVERNED BY AND 
CONSTRUED IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE LAWS OF THE STATE OF MINNESOTA APPLICABLE TO 
CONTRACTS MADE IN, AND TO BE PERFORMED WITHIN, THAT STATE.

          (f)  NO RIGHT OF SET-OFF. The obligations of the Company hereunder 
are conditioned upon Optionee's performance of its obligations under Section 
1 and Section 2 of that certain Stockholder Support Agreement, dated the date 
hereof, by and between Optionee and the Company (the "Support Agreement").  
Except as provided in the preceding sentence, the Company shall have no right 
to set off any obligation owing from Optionee to the Company against the 
Company's obligations hereunder.  Further, no breach or alleged breach by 
Optionee under any other agreement with the Company or otherwise shall in any 
manner modify or otherwise excuse the Company from performing its obligations 
under this Agreement.  Upon request of Optionee following performance of 
Optionee's obligations under Section 1 and Section 2 of the Support Agreement 
and delivery of this Option Agreement to the Company for cancellation, the 
Company will issue to Optionee a new Option Agreement replacing this Option 
Agreement which will restate this Section 11(f) to read as follows: "(f) No 
right of Set-Off.  The Company shall have no right to set off any obligation 
owing from Optionee to the Company against the Company's obligations 
hereunder.  Further, no breach or alleged breach by Optionee under any other 
agreement with the Company or otherwise shall any manner modify or otherwise 
excuse the Company from performing its obligations under this Agreement."

                                       5



          (g)  MISCELLANEOUS.  Titles and captions contained in this Option 
Agreement are inserted for convenience of reference only and do not 
constitute a part of this Option Agreement for any other purpose.  Except as 
specifically provided herein, neither this Option Agreement nor any right 
pursuant hereto or interest herein shall be assignable by any of the parties 
hereto without the prior written consent of the other party hereto.

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties hereto have executed this Agreement effective 
on the day and year first hereinabove set forth.

                         99 CENTS ONLY STORES


                         By: /s/ David Gold
                            --------------------------
                         Its: Chairman of the Board,
                              Chief Executive Officer 
                              and President


                          /s/ Mark Ravich
                          ----------------------------
                          Mark Ravich

                                       6


                                   OPTION AGREEMENT

     THIS OPTION AGREEMENT (this "OPTION AGREEMENT") is made as of February 
26, 1998, by and between 99 CENTS Only Stores, a California corporation (the
"COMPANY") and Mark Ravich ("OPTIONEE").

                                       RECITALS

     A.   The Company proposes to make a tender offer (the "OFFER") to 
acquire all of the issued and outstanding shares of Common Stock of Universal 
International, Inc., a Minnesota corporation ("UNIVERSAL").

     B.   In connection with the Offer, Optionee and the Company have entered 
into that certain Consulting Agreement of even date herewith, pursuant to 
which Optionee has agreed to provide certain consulting services to the 
Company as more fully set forth therein, and the Company has agreed to 
compensate Optionee for agreeing to provide such consulting services by 
entering into this Option Agreement and granting to Optionee the option 
contained herein.

     C.   Optionee and the Company desire to enter into this Option Agreement 
to compensate Optionee for agreeing to enter into the Consulting Agreement.

                                      AGREEMENT

     NOW THEREFORE, in consideration of the foregoing recitals, and the 
terms, conditions and covenants contained herein, the Company and Optionee 
agree as follows:

     1.   GRANT OF OPTION.  The Company hereby grants to Optionee the right 
and option (the "OPTION"), upon the terms and subject to the conditions set 
forth in this Option Agreement, to purchase all or any portion of 9,375 
shares of the Common Stock of the Company at a per share exercise price of 
$40.00 (such shares of Common Stock are collectively referred to herein as 
the "SHARES," and such per share exercise prices are collectively referred to 
herein as the "EXERCISE PRICE").

     2.   TERM OF OPTION.  The Option shall terminate and expire on the 
earlier to occur of (x) that date prior to the commencement of the Offer on 
which the Company announces that it has determined not to proceed with the 
Offer, (y) that date following the commencement of the Offer but prior to 
such time (if any) that the Company actually purchases any shares of the 
Common Stock of Universal pursuant to the Offer on which the Offer is 
terminated, and (iii) February 19, 2005.  Upon request of Optionee, following 
the date the Company actually purchases any shares of the Common Stock of 
Universal pursuant to the Offer, the Company will issue to Optionee a new 
Option Agreement replacing this Option Agreement which will restate this 
Section 2 to read as follows: "2.  Term of Option.  The Option shall 
terminate and expire on February 19, 2005."



     3.   EXERCISE PERIOD.  The Option shall become exercisable (in whole or 
in part) on the first business day following the date that the Company 
actually purchases any shares of the Common Stock of Universal pursuant to 
the Offer (the "Closing").  Upon request of Optionee, following the Closing, 
the Company will issue to Optionee a new Option Agreement replacing this 
Option Agreement which will restate this Section 3 to read as follows: "The 
Option is exercisable (in whole or in part)."

     4.   EXERCISE OF OPTION.  There is no obligation to exercise the Option, 
in whole or in part.  The Option may be exercised, in whole or in part, only 
by delivery to the Company of:

          (a)  written notice of exercise stating the number of Shares then 
being purchased (the "PURCHASED SHARES"); and

          (b)  payment of the Exercise Price of the Purchased Shares, either 
(1) in cash, or (2) by (i) delivery to the Company of other shares of Common 
Stock with an aggregate Fair Market Value equal to the total Exercise Price 
of the Purchased Shares, (ii) by withholding from the Purchased Shares due 
Optionee upon exercise, that number of shares with a Fair Market Value of the 
exercise price due; or (iii) in any other form of legal consideration that 
may be acceptable to the Board.  In the event the Option is exercised for 
less than all of the Shares, the Company shall, concurrent with its delivery 
of the Purchased Shares, deliver to Optionee a new Option Agreement identical 
to this Option Agreement representing the right to purchase that number of 
Shares that remain unexercised.

          Following receipt of the notice and payment referred to above, the 
Company shall issue and deliver to Optionee a stock certificate or stock 
certificates evidencing the Purchased Shares; PROVIDED, HOWEVER, that the 
Company shall not be obligated to issue a fraction or fractions of a share of 
its Common Stock, and may pay to Optionee, in cash or by check, the Fair 
Market Value of any fraction or fractions of a share exercised by Optionee.  
"FAIR MARKET VALUE" shall be determined as follows: (1) if the Common Stock 
is listed on any established stock exchange or a national market system, 
including without limitation the Nasdaq National Market, the Fair Market 
Value of a share of Common Stock shall be the closing sales price for such 
stock (or the closing bid, if no sales were reported) as quoted on such 
system or exchange (or the exchange with the greatest volume of trading in 
the Common Stock) on the last market trading day prior to the day of 
determination, as reported in the Wall Street Journal or such other source as 
the Board deems reliable; (2) if the Common Stock is quoted on the Nasdaq 
System (but not on the Nasdaq National Market) or is regularly quoted by a 
recognized securities dealer but selling prices are not reported, the Fair 
Market Value of a share of Common Stock shall be the mean between the bid and 
asked prices for the Common Stock on the last market trading day prior to the 
day of determination, as reported in the Wall Street Journal or such other 
source as the Board deems reliable; and (3) in the absence of an established 
market for the Common Stock, the Fair Market Value shall be determined in 
good faith by the Board.

                                       2



     5.   ADJUSTMENTS UPON RECAPITALIZATION. 

          (a)  Subject to the provisions of Section 5(b), if any change is 
made in the Common Stock, without receipt of consideration by the Company 
(through merger, consolidation, reorganization, recapitalization, 
reincorporation, stock dividend, dividend in property other than cash, stock 
split, liquidating dividend, combination of shares, exchange of shares, 
change in corporate structure or other transaction not involving the receipt 
of consideration by the Company) the Option will be appropriately adjusted in 
the class(es) and number of shares and price per share of stock subject to 
the Option.  Such adjustments shall be reasonably made by the Board.  The 
conversion of any convertible securities of the Company shall not be treated 
as a "transaction not involving the receipt of consideration by the Company."

          (b)  In the event of: (1) a dissolution, liquidation or sale of 
substantially all of the assets of the Company; (2) a merger or consolidation 
in which the Company is not the surviving corporation; or (3) a reverse 
merger in which the Company is the surviving corporation but the shares of 
the Common Stock outstanding immediately preceding the merger are converted 
by virtue of the merger into other property, whether in the form of 
securities, cash or otherwise, then, at the sole discretion of the Board and 
to the extent permitted by applicable law, the Option shall continue in full 
force and effect and, if applicable, the surviving corporation or an 
Affiliate of such surviving corporation shall assume the Option and/or shall 
substitute similar option or award in place of the Option.  

          (c)  To the extent that the foregoing adjustments relate to stock 
or securities of the Company, such adjustments shall be made reasonably by 
the Board.  

          (d)  The provisions of this Section 5 are intended to be exclusive, 
and Optionee shall have no other rights arising under this Option Agreement 
upon the occurrence of any of the events described in this Section 5.

          (e)  The grant of the Option shall not affect in any way the right 
or power of the Company to make adjustments, reclassifications, 
reorganizations or changes in its capital or business structure, or to merge, 
consolidate, dissolve or liquidate, or to sell or transfer all or any part of 
its business or assets.

     6.   WAIVER OF RIGHTS TO PURCHASE STOCK.  By signing this Option 
Agreement, Optionee acknowledges and agrees that neither the Company nor any 
other person or entity is under any obligation to sell or transfer to 
Optionee any option or equity security of the Company, other than the Shares 
subject to the Option and any other right or option to purchase Common Stock 
which was previously granted in writing to Optionee by the Board.  By signing 
this Option Agreement, Optionee specifically waives all rights which he or 
she may have had prior to the date of this Option Agreement to receive any 
option or equity security of the Company.

                                       3



     7.   LEGEND ON STOCK CERTIFICATES.  Optionee agrees that all 
certificates representing the Purchased Shares will be subject to such stock 
transfer orders and other restrictions (if any) as the Company may reasonably 
determines to be necessary under the rules, regulations and other 
requirements of the Commission, any stock exchange upon which the Common 
Stock is then listed and any applicable federal or state securities laws, and 
the Company may cause a legend or legends to be put on such certificates to 
make appropriate reference to such restrictions.  If any such shares are 
issued with a legend, the Company shall promptly cause such legend to be 
removed if Optionee delivers a written opinion of counsel to the effect that 
the Shares are no longer to such restrictions.

     8.   NO RIGHTS AS SHAREHOLDER.  Except as provided in Section 5 of this 
Option Agreement, Optionee shall have no rights as a shareholder with respect 
to the Shares until the date of the issuance to Optionee of a stock 
certificate or stock certificates evidencing such Shares (which issuance 
shall not be unreasonably delayed or withheld following the date of 
exercise).  Except as may be provided in Section 5 of this Option Agreement, 
no adjustment shall be made for dividends (ordinary or extraordinary, whether 
in cash, securities or other property) or distributions or other rights for 
which the record date is prior to the date such stock certificate is issued.  

     9.   REGISTRATION OF SHARES.  Prior to the date upon which the Shares 
first become exercisable under this Option Agreement, the Company shall 
register the resale of such Shares by Optionee pursuant to a Registration 
Statement on Form S-8 or S-3 (at the election of the Company) to be filed by 
the Company under the 1933 Act and shall maintain such Registration Statement 
current until the earlier to occur (x) such time as the Optionee has 
transferred all of the Shares, or (y) such date as the Optionee shall be 
eligible to transfer such shares pursuant to Rule 144 of the Securities and 
Exchange Commission.

     10.  CHARACTER OF OPTION.  The Option is not intended to qualify as an 
"incentive stock option" as that term is defined in Section 422 of the Code.

     11.  GENERAL PROVISIONS.

          (a)  FURTHER ASSURANCES.  Optionee shall promptly take all actions 
and execute all documents requested by the Company which the Company deems to 
be reasonably necessary to effectuate the terms and intent of this Option 
Agreement.

          (b)  NOTICES.  All notices, requests, demands and other 
communications under this Option Agreement shall be in writing and shall be 
given to the parties hereto as follows:

                    If to the Company:

                    99 CENTS Only Stores
                    4000 East Union Pacific Avenue
                    City of Commerce, California 90023

                                       4



                    If to Optionee: 

                    Mark Ravich 
                    [address]

or at such other address or addresses as may have been furnished by such 
either party in writing to the other party hereto.  Any such notice, request, 
demand or other communication shall be effective (i) if given by mail, 72 
hours after such communication is deposited in the mail by first-class 
certified mail, return receipt requested, postage prepaid, addressed as 
aforesaid, or (ii) if given by any other means, when delivered at the address 
specified in this subsection (b).

          (c)  OPTION TRANSFERABLE.  Optionee may sell, transfer, assign or 
otherwise dispose of all or any portion of the Option, subject to Optionee's 
compliance with all applicable laws.  In the event the Optionee shall sell, 
transfer, assign or otherwise dispose of all or any portion of the Option, 
the Company shall deliver to Optionee (and in the event the Optionee shall 
sell, transfer, assign or otherwise dispose of less than all of the Option, 
to Optionee and the transferee of such portion of the Option) a new Option 
Agreement identical to this Option Agreement representing the right to 
purchase that number of Shares so transferred or retained, as the case may 
be. 

          (d)  SUCCESSORS AND ASSIGNS.  Except to the extent specifically 
limited by the terms and provisions of this Option Agreement, this Option 
Agreement shall be binding upon and inure to the benefit of the parties 
hereto and their respective successors, assigns, heirs and personal 
representatives.

          (e)  GOVERNING LAW.  THIS OPTION AGREEMENT SHALL BE GOVERNED BY AND 
CONSTRUED IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE LAWS OF THE STATE OF MINNESOTA APPLICABLE TO 
CONTRACTS MADE IN, AND TO BE PERFORMED WITHIN, THAT STATE.

          (f)  NO RIGHT OF SET-OFF. The obligations of the Company hereunder 
are conditioned upon Optionee's performance of its obligations under Section 
1 and Section 2 of that certain Stockholder Support Agreement, dated the date 
hereof, by and between Optionee and the Company (the "Support Agreement").  
Except as provided in the preceding sentence, the Company shall have no right 
to set off any obligation owing from Optionee to the Company against the 
Company's obligations hereunder.  Further, no breach or alleged breach by 
Optionee under any other agreement with the Company or otherwise shall in any 
manner modify or otherwise excuse the Company from performing its obligations 
under this Agreement.  Upon request of Optionee following performance of 
Optionee's obligations under Section 1 and Section 2 of the Support Agreement 
and delivery of this Option Agreement to the Company for cancellation, the 
Company will issue to Optionee a new Option Agreement replacing this Option 
Agreement which will restate this Section 11(f) to read as follows: "(f) No 
right of Set-Off.  The Company shall have no right to 

                                       5



set off any obligation owing from Optionee to the Company against the 
Company's obligations hereunder.  Further, no breach or alleged breach by 
Optionee under any other agreement with the Company or otherwise shall any 
manner modify or otherwise excuse the Company from performing its obligations 
under this Agreement." 

          (g)  MISCELLANEOUS.  Titles and captions contained in this Option 
Agreement are inserted for convenience of reference only and do not 
constitute a part of this Option Agreement for any other purpose.  Except as 
specifically provided herein, neither this Option Agreement nor any right 
pursuant hereto or interest herein shall be assignable by any of the parties 
hereto without the prior written consent of the other party hereto.

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties hereto have executed this Agreement effective on
the day and year first hereinabove set forth.



                         99 CENTS ONLY STORES


                         By: /s/ David Gold
                            --------------------------
                         Its: Chairman of the Board,
                              Chief Executive Officer
                              and President

                         /s/ Mark Ravich
                         -----------------------------
                         Mark Ravich

                                       6