Hirsch International's Hometown Threads Opens First Oklahoma Store in Tulsa.

Business Editors

HAUPPAUGE, N.Y.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Nov. 16, 2001

Hirsch International Corp. (Nasdaq:HRSH) today announced the opening of its newest Hometown Threads franchise store, located in Tulsa, Okla.

With the success of the Hometown Threads concept, the pace of store openings is accelerating. This is the growing chain's sixth new store since launching the franchise program earlier this year, and first in the state of Oklahoma.

The Tulsa store is being operated by Cho Enterprises, which acquired area development rights for Tulsa as well as a right of first refusal for additional locations in Oklahoma. Cho Enterprises will be Hometown Threads' first area developer, with commitments for at least five stores in the Tulsa area. According to President Michael Cho, his company intends to begin opening additional locations in mid 2002.

The new Tulsa store features the Hometown Thread's signature embroidery entertainment and design creation stations. Customers can "personalize their world" by selecting a design from Hometown's 15,000+ embroidery stitch art files and combining it with personalized lettering. Turnaround time for a custom embroidered product by Hometown Threads can be as short as 30 minutes. For local businesses, Hometown Threads offers custom digitizing services as well as a broad range of premium embroiderable products.

"We are thrilled to be bringing Hometown Threads to the greater Tulsa area," said Mr. Cho, who is a local resident. "The response to Hometown Threads in other areas has been extremely positive and we expect the shoppers in Tulsa will react with the same excitement and enthusiasm for the broad range of personalized products sold by Hometown Threads. Whether it's a thoughtful gift for a newborn baby, new hats and uniforms for our local softball teams or professional looking polo shirts embroidered with a company logo, Hometown Threads is the most convenient, affordable, speedy place to shop."

Mr. Cho has selected the Woodland Hills Mall as the location for his first Hometown Threads store. He continued, "Woodland Hills is clearly one of the top malls in the Tulsa area. I am especially excited about our unique location in the special events atrium, just in time for the holiday season. We will be ready to assist all of Santa's helpers with personalized gifts for the entire family."

Howard Arnberg, president of Hirsch's Hometown Threads subsidiary, added, "We are delighted to be working with Cho Enterprises as our newest franchisee. Michael Cho is an experienced entrepreneur and manager, who has already built and sold two successful businesses. I am confident that he will capitalize on this opportunity to tap into the booming personalization industry. I am also confident that the Woodland Hills Mall store will prove to be the first of many outstanding additions that Michael will add to our growing base of retail locations. Michael's business sense and enthusiasm for our concept are exactly the combination that we are seeking to drive the success of Hometown Threads."

Hometown Threads, LLC is a wholly owned subsidiary of Hirsch International Corp. For more than 30 years, Hirsch has been the world's leading supplier in the sale and development of embroidery technology and business systems. In 1999, Hirsch launched Hometown Threads and since then, Hometown Threads has been delivering personalized products and services to the communities it serves. Today, Hometown Threads has 10 stores opened or scheduled to open this year in Utah, Oklahoma, North Carolina, Tennessee, and Texas.

Hirsch International is the leading single source provider to the embroidery industry. The company supplies electronic computer-controlled embroidery machinery and related products and services. Hirsch offers a line of single-head and multi-head embroidery machines, application software, embroidery supplies and accessories, and flexible financing options. For more information on Hirsch products and services, call Hirsch International Corp. at 800/394-HICO (4426) or visit the website at www.hirschintl.com.

This release contains forward looking statements that are subject to risks and uncertainties, including, but not limited to, the impact of competitive products and pricing, product demand and market acceptance, new product development, reliance on key strategic alliances, availability of raw materials, the regulatory environment, fluctuations in operating results and other risks detailed in the company's filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission.