Nashville union and dispatch. [volume] (Nashville, Tenn.) 1866-1868, 1867-02-10
THE WHOLESALE TRADE OF NASH.
WILLIE.

| THE WHOLESALE TRADE OF NASH
WILLIE.
For many years previous to the war,
constant efforta were made to build up the
wholesale trade Of Nashville. These
efforts were not confined to any one or
two branches Of trade, but to all Of them;
and were very successful Country or
city merchants, dealing here, could make
selections Of drygoOds, clothing, hats,
shoes, boots, hardware, queensware, china,
drugs, medicines, tin-ware, castings, gro
ceries, etc, and get Just as good articles
and better bargains than in the eastern
cities, or any other markets Our Job,
bers understood the wants of the trade,
had large capital, which they invested
judiciously, and could compete, in any
and every way with jobbers elsewhere
Their direct importations from Europe
were large and continually increasing.
The facilities which our merchants
were thus enabled to afford their retail
brethren in Middle and East Tennessee,
North Georgia and North Alabama drew
to our city hundreds Of merchants, who
not only spent their money for goods, but
in various other ways Thus the whole
sale trade, whilst it enriched those en-
gagged in it, indirectly aided in building
up and sustaining other interests, and
added to the general prosperity The
successful merchant constructed fine
stores and dwellings, which increased the
beauty of the city, and afforded employ
ment to numerous mechanics, and other
laborers Every person in the commu-
nifty, in some degree, felt the inspiration
Of the success of the trade, and were
proud of it But the war came, and there
was a vast change yet vast as it was, and
for evil, it can be, and is being, remedied
Capital, enterprise, intelligence, and
skill, are again at work, and what was lost
is being recovered. The wholesale houses
of Nashville are to-day healthy, robust,
full Of life and yigor, and are pushing
their antenne into all the recesses of our
former trade, grasping, and drawing to
them business which win again make
Nashville the commercial center of
great extent of rich country. Of what
has been done, is being done and by whom,
for the approaching spring season, the
Christian ADVOCATE, in timely article
says
The merchants Of Nashville are laying
themselves out for large spring business.
The following well-established houses, Irby
Morgan, OBryan & Co., Evans & Co.,
Gardner, Buckner * Co, Starlight, Thorn
ton g. Co, Fishel & Bro, and others are
preparing TO bring out large stock Of
goods more extensive supply than ever
before. There are also several new houses
entering into business-as Douglas x Co.
heretofore well known in this country as
men of great wealth and large business ex-
perience Cooke, Kinnaird & Settle are
bringing out large and well-selected stock |
of shoes and boots This is an excellent |
firm. We are well acquainted with the |
gentlemen composing it. They have great |
experience in the business, and ample |
means of carrying il on successfully. They |
are in the front rank of our honorable mer-
chants. The hardware business is getting |
upon the old basis of heavy stocks direct |
from the European and American manu- |
factories. o. Ewing & CO.. Hamilton
& Cunningham Craighead Breast & |
f1sl.-..v, No. nrtyra, q pv,,sry, q L
KiFkman, and others, will keep the market /
well supplied in their line In the drug /
business, Even, Pendleton & Co, and Ber- |
~, Demoville & Co, are doing more than
in former years. They lay in immense
stocks, and are able 70 sell at lower rates
than those which rule in many other
places The fear is entertained by some
that the market is overstocked, or is likely |
to be so, in these and other departments of
trade; but we suppose the merchants know
what they are about One thing is obvious,
the laying in of so large stocks, and the
competition we have, will bring down the
prices and build up the business Of Nash
vile. Our merchants must be cOutent to
sell for small demonstrating over their
capital with greater activity than in other
days. Judicious purchase, quick sales,
and short credits, amounting to cash trans
actions, will build up thriving and per
manent trade for Nashville.
In addition to these remarks Of the Ad-
gocate, we may state, that il is the inten-
ton Of our merchants to sell at such
prices az will make it the interest of all
retailers who live within reach Of our
city, to come here for their supplies Of
goods They do not expect to make
heavy profits, but desire, whilst making
an honest living and securing moderate
returns on their investments, to re-estab-
lish the high character Of Nashville and
insure prosperous future.