, 1872-12-01
A TRADE EVENT.
Eight Leading Business Hous-
es Throw Their Latch
Strings Out.
Opening Day On Wabash A7enuc---
What the Shoppers Saw, ard
How The Merchants
nlet Them.

Some facts derive vaEtly-lncreaeed importance
by aggregation. The opening day OF mer-
camille establishment is circumstance Alto
gether usual, but it is an event Of uncommon
occurrence when half dozen adjoining houses
In leading lines Of trade unite in an opening day.
Readers will not need to be told that this does
not mean the literal opening Of newly-occupied
premises, for several OF the firms in question
were long ago settled in the handsome business
quarter, On Wabash avenue. But on opening
day the merchant takes care to see that his 7isi-
tors ARE confronted with the best possible
array Of new stock. It is not too
much to cay that though numerous
handsome stores were months ago finished in
that locality, the recent completion Of the su-
perb jewelry premises OF Messrs. Giles, Brother
& Co., Nos. 2G6 and 26s Wabash avenue, have
lad much to do with the present prominent
claims Of the nelghborhood. The formal open
ing Of this beautiful store took place yesterday
afternoon and evening, though the firm have
been in business in their new quarters for some
weeks. Yesterday everything WAS in place.
The broad mirrors duplicated and redupGcated
the interior effect Of show cases and counters in
silver, marble, plate glass, and rich carved
99e he Tn nG IF be that tna has
fany and Ball & Black in the
trade. Yesterday their premises we're thronged
all the afternoon and evening, and not merely
ply repaid for their visit. But trade was active,
and holiday goods and gift purchases passed
into admlring hands. Never have Messrs. Giles,
Brother g. Co. made more liberal preparations
tinue for the next few weeks. They are to be
congratulated for their seasons achievement in
the erection and occupancy of their beautiful
store, and q multitude Of citizens we're yester-
day witnesses to its perfections.
The upper floors Of the Giles building are oc-
cupied by the
II. IT. STRONG FURNITURE COMPANY,
their retail rooms being those great double
salesrooms at Nos. 266 and 268 Wabash avenue,
and their factory, Nos. 353 to s59 West Randolph
street. Never has this old and successful house
offered more and better attractions to the pub
lie and the trade than on yesterday. It would
seem as if the taste must be faulty which could
not rest With favor upon some one or the other
Of the styles displayed in chamber sets
in all the rich woods, whose trimming had e1-
hausted the upholsterer's art, in the most approx
edmodern fabrics. Furniture for the chamber, the
parlor, the library, the dining-room, the hall, the
Office; for the palace or the modest home, bed
ding Of all descriptions in the choice and uni
fo1m qualities long specially with this house.
Decorative goods, Of all descriptions, cornices and
AA4AANAA ~ N3%~NNAAAAt3
junct of marguerite, bronze, or porcelain, up
bo1sterv goods in marve11ous1y beautiful and
varied lines, and scattered all throughout the
warerooms the rich foreign importations Of
French and Swiss goods, for which the house has
an established name. These and more we're the
features Of the opening OF the Strong Furniture
Company. yesterday, visited by many hundreds,
with large sales throughout the day and evening.
Next adjoining this firm
IRA P. BOWEN CO.,
crockery, glassware, and china, some time ago
occupied their new store, which is admirably
fitted up and arranged for their business. It is
spacious and well lighted. The shelves reach to
the ceiling on each side and are filed with goods
The stands on the floors also hold part of the
immense stock. Their constant throng Of visi-
tors yesterday had opportunity to witness that
their holiday goods have been received and were
freshly shown, though, indeed, every day is
an opening day, as every day new goods
pre- received and placed on exhibition. There
are all kinds Of articles in the crockery, glass,
and china line, besides articles of Uertu. There
decorated dinner, tea, and dessert sets, cologne
sets, smoking sets, card receivers, wall-pockets,
mustache cups. and everything else Of that kind
to suit every taste and wish. There are ex-
the other s60o-both Of exquisite finish. One
ccntre-piece, is labelled 1900, and
few jardinieres are valued at 's75 each.
But every range Of taste and means has its
equally perfect representation: Ne Eaw dinner
Fcts that ale being sold very cheap and in great
numbers. The stock is extensive enough to
suit all classes of patrons. The scene in the
store yesterday WAS animated Ladies' and gen
tiemen crowded everywhere, examining every
thing and the busy attendants we're Jealous to
meet every call. Holiday goods we're in great
nemand and the demand will continue until the
holidays are past. The firm will continue to re-
ceive accesEions to their stock, every day and
whether purchased OF not they are worthy Of
Inspection.
c. D. AUSTEN CO.,
No. 2G0 Wabash avenue, dealers in cutlery,
guns, and powder, exhibited their stock yester-
day Their table and pocket cutlery is from the
best manufactures. The firm deal largely in
the goods made by the Union Knife Company,
Eli OF which are Of superior material and
finish. They also keep a varied assortment Of
shears, razors, and similar articles. Guns and
revolvers Of all kinds arc On hand, and the firm
are agents Of the Oriental Powder Mills. This
establishment is fifteen years old, and has borne
E high reputation, which is the best guarantee
Of its success in the future.
1rEssRs. HEWEs PRESCOTT
have opened in their new and handsome quar-
ters at No. 25s Wabash avenue. They are manu-
facturers and jobbers in straw goods, hat and
bonnet frames, flowers, feathers, and laces, and
sell by wholesale and retail. Their stock is
new, large, and elegant. Their millinery de-
partment is under the care Of competent artists,
and its productions are in the newest styles.
The opening yesterday attracted large crowd
Of ladies interested in fashionable millinery, and
the exhibition was in every way successful. This
firm intend to maintain its past reputation in
tie future, and will keep on hand large assort-
ment Of goods in the newest styles and patterns.
SAMPSON, GILBERT CO.,
furniture dealers, opened in their new quarters
Nos. 267 and 269 Wabash avenue, the first, ne
believe, in their neighborhood. Before the fire,
;hey were at Nos. 113 and LIS State street, and
Tor the last year were located temporarily on the
lake shore. The new building is four stories
high, and has a handsome and massive marble
front: so feet wide by 160 deep, and entirely
occupied by the business of the firm The first
7oor is the general showroom. In it can be
found furniture OF all kinds, samples Of what the
establishment produce. There are fancy
re a-11is:fa 1vnrk1nn nS1i1 and fr;,1.