The Portland daily press., 1864-09-03
Custom Clothing Manufactures.

In procuring data for articles on the cloth
ing manufacturing, we find this branch Of
business is giving employment to large num-
Der of persons, both In aud out of the city,
and keeps in circulation a large amount OF
money. Large contracts have been taken by
parties in this city, during the present season,
and the work readily taken out to be made, by
persons who could not otherwise be earning
anything. We have already given very full
account of the wholesale clothing business of
the city, and of several who are extensively
engaged In the custom and retail manuiactur-
Ing We find Others who are equally worthy
Of notice on account Of the extent and sue
cess of their business operations.
Mr. \. S. Gardiner, formerly Gardiner &
Brown, is successor TO Messrs. Chadbourn d
Kendall, retaining their custom and retail
business, but giving up the wholesale manu-
featuring. Mr. G. is found on the corner Of
Middle and Lime streets opposite the Post
Office, where he keeps a full and well selected
assortment of cloths and furnishing goods
In his manufacturing department he gives
employment, in and out of the shop, to TWEEN
ty-fse persons. Mr.. Gardiner was extensive
i. ly engaged In the wholesale and retail clothing
business In Hallowell, from whence he re-
moved 10 this city two years ago. His bust
ness, principally flrst-class custom work, will
amount to from $4,000 to s25,O 900 year. In
addition to his custom department he keeps
limited stock Of ready made clothing of the
best quality, from which customers, who can
not walt to have suit manufactured TO meas
ure, can make good selection.
Mr.. A. ID. Reeves, who is now found at No.
9S Exchange street, occupying one Of the best
arranged clothing stores in the city, com
menced business about six years ago 10 shop
on the second floor, on Middle street. He re-
moved from there TO Federal street and again
to the store be now occupies. Mr.. r. has had
superior advantages as practical tailor, hay-
Ing had long experience in all its departments
and details. He handles the shears with the
ease and dexterity OF one who understands
their use, and moving, II not living, evidences
of his skill and industry are constantly seen 10
our streets. Mr.. r. employs some twenty-five
girls, all experienced in the business, In max
ing first-class custom work. He was among
the first to go into the manufacture Of mill
tary and navy uniforms, having had large ex-
perience in that business in New York, at
time when but very little of that work was re-
qulred in the smaller cities and towns.
Messrs. Cook & Ayers is the oldest firm,
with perhaps two or three exceptions, in the
city. They commenced business in the store
they now occupy, No. SO Exchange street,
about twenty-six years ago, where they have
remained to the present day. They have at
no time done what would be called an extern
sive business, by keeping a large stock on
hand. but have moved on In quiet way, re-
tanning their old customers until they have
been taken away by death, or removed from
the city, and in fact several who have remoy-
ed to Boston and other places send their or
ders to them regularly whenever new suite
10 required. Some OF the customers they had
twenty-six years ago, are their customers to-
day, a little more round-shouldered perhaps
than then, requiring little change in the for
nation OF the coat. They keep small assort-
ment Of choice cloths and are full up with the
latest styles In manufacturing, SO that they
give satisfaction to young and old.