New-York tribune., 1869-03-29
4 NEW MERCANTILE PALACE.
OPENING OF ARNOLD AND coNsTABLE's NEW
STORE.

\
STORE.
AS the fashionable portion of society moves
further and further toward the upper portion OF the Is
land which, unfortunately the metropolis the nation
is building, ii draws with It all the many tributaries
which administer 10 its necessities it's pleasures IT'S en-
oyment or It's foles The opening OF parks the build
ing Of theaters the erection OF palafa residences and
the construction Of those immense bazars from which
fashion supplies her wants and satisfies lher imaginary
necessities form part Of that great change which Is
rapidly removing the landmarks OF the past and erecting
| the more stable monuments OF the future.
To-day Is opened OF those great centers OF trade
which to be in the future history Of the
CITY, Looking the trees Of Union.square, we see
the iron columns and marble facade Of the store Of
Arnold, Constable Co. suggesting 1t towers above
the buildings which surround it, that dream OF the de-
vout pocian-a white house in the skies The building
Is situated the corner OF Broadway and Nineteenth
st. fronting so feet and inches Broadway, and f2
feet Nneteenthst the measuring 1lO feet, and
the south side 100 feet The Of the block fronting
Broadway is covered by another similar building
TO be occupied by other firms The lots covered by this
building comprise from 1000 to 1900 feet and cost
sS75OOO The building itself cost 100000 The architect has
aimed at stability rather than beauty in his pan and has
succeeded in erecting Of the largest, most commod
ou and best lighted stores to be found the city while
its exterior only boast of massive soidity sug
eesve OF pemanence is destitute Of any real beauty
The marble front on Broadway rests on iron columns
st. Is composed wholly Of brick. The building has no
subcear as the cellar proper reaches within three Iee
OF the water line. The front OF this cellar forms large
welghted room at present unoccuped but to be used
for branch OF trade yet undeveloped Back OF this
the left IL the recev vngroom where goods are depos
tied before being placed on the shelves above.
Adjoining this Is the luncI-room, where all the en-
right is the cloak-room Every employs is known by a
number and when he enters the store gives his or her
calling out the proper number Thus the trouble OF using
checks is avoided The store s provided with two ele
Naf "A nn hal.
upper stores and another the south side OF the build
Ing fitted up as daw5gToom with seats Tor egnt per
Which also force water into tank on the roof containing
1000 gallons The hose from this tank connects
with every floor. Ascending broad Hight
floor or general sacsroom This room is finished in oak
and contains 200 feet of counters In 'front.' 10 Is lighted
by eight while on its north and south side the light is re-
ceived from above In the evening the light is furnished
by thirty elegant bronze chandeliers The counters
tie northern aisle are given up wholly silks. aces,
embroidery and gloves the west aisle is devoted
nshng goods and the south aisle to hosiery and gentle
mems furnishing goods In the rear OF this room IS the
dies can the effect evening light the different
goods they may be inspecting Ihe second ,pS noor
ladies' suits, shaws etc. Here lady can purchase
most elegant silk dress shawl worth sO or one ofthose
wonderful productions Of India which sold for 5000
Some OF these latter arc already on the shelves The
back part OF this floor separated from the by par
ton and is used only for cldrens and ladies outnttng
clerks The third floor Is at present unoccupied and the
fourth and hfh floors devoted to manufacturing
purposes In this department from 800 to 500 women are
constantly employed while the clerks and salesmen mum
ber about Every clerk has charge OF special de-
partmeDt and is expected 10 be perfectly conyersant
with the branch under his charge kznlBranches
OF the house are established In several foreign cities 10
which eight annually sent 10 select and ship
goods To the home establishment. 1t requires only
l3 months order TO receive goods
India the farthest foreign mart AT present the
does deal in carpets, although the large cellar
and empty third floor seem o suggest that that prahen
any goods order for the large assortment OF ready
made Of every description renders IL pOssDle u
satisfy even the most fnstdious taste. a.,
This business was started 80 years ago on the
southwest OF Canal and Mercersts under the
name OF Arnold Hearne q Co The store was then re-
moved the position OF the present wholesale house,
where carried up 10 the present time The
wholesale trade will be confined wholly to the lower
store which will supply the goods for its newer and per
haps, even popular O1sh0ot
The firm Of Arnold. Constable Co. has always been
most liberal its employees To this the conven-
lent lunchroo which is free 10 all would OF Itself bear
witness additional proof OF their generosity,
they Saturday evening gave an elegant supper 10 their
clerks aud made IL the occasion OF presenting each or
with suit OF clothesa testimonial costing in the
aggregate 5000 1t Is calculated that l6O customers
can be served by those clerks every hour and even with
this working force II possible that many Will be Obliged
10 wait to-day.