National Republican., 1875-07-10
THE MARCH OF PROGRESS.
An Enterprising Firm" Nothing Succeeds
Liks suscess "-"old Heniniscsnces.

THE MARCH OF PR0GkksS.
An Enterprising Firm" Nothing Succeeds
Like Success "-"o Old Eeninisesnces.n
Messrs. Baldwin Bros, the we'll known builders,
on Wednesday last commenced operations In the
femodeling Of A. Saks & Co.'s store. The i'm
movements to be made in this establishment rem
der them worthy Of more than passing notice,
while the energy and go-aheadtiveness OF the firm
who are having It done fully proves that thor
ough understanding Of the business one enters
upon is probably the surest guarantee Of sue
cess.
There are very few Of our male readers who are
not familiar with the interior Of the present estab
lshment. We will therefore give them an idea
of what is to be done.
ON THE FIRST FLOOR
the entire side wall (14-inch) 10 to be taken out
and new wall erected, to join that OF Fitznugn
& Co. This will give feet additional width, max
ing the interior 2s feet wide by 100 deep In order
to do this the front stairway leading to the n
store, directly opposite the staircase now existing
on the right side of the store, both of the stair
ssF he on sss dsso Of
stairways handsome dressing. rooms, washstands,
office and cashiers desks will be arranged. AT
long, q large skylight will be placed; this will
light up the entire first floor, which, as before
stated, is 100 feet deep:
be placed to the edge OF the stairway; next TO
which counters used for the display of goods on
the shelves.
FIFTEEN LARGE WALNUT TABLES
will be placed in the centre of the floor. These
tables will admit of fourteen hundred suits being
displayed upon them. On the right side OF the
store the large counter, having thirty capacIous
counter, with its drawers, has had as many as
twenty-five hundred coats upon It. The centre
space in the rear of the stairways will be used as
their boys clothing department, for which ele-
giant fixtures Will be provided.
THE SECOND FLOOR
will also be improved by being enlarged, as the
main building wall will be taken out the entire
height Of the building. This hoor, when com
deep, and will be used as q tailoring department..
1t is to be entirely Brussel carpeted redecorated
and will, when completed, be one Of the largest
tailoring floors In the country.
THE THIRD AND FOURTH FLooRs
will have the dimensions of the second floor. On
the third floor will be placed the duplicate of
stock on the first and second floors; while the en-
tire
FOURTH FLOOR
will be used for their workmen. All necessary
ARRANGEMENTS conducive to the comfort Of these
workmen, together with the most modern imple-
ments for manufacturing purposes, Will be pro.
vided.
THE FRONT OF THE STORE
will be changed by taking out q large window
on the south side and substituting in its stead
another door, these forming double doors, and q
window to match one on the north side. This en-
ables passers-by to glance at the entire first floor,
which, with its brilliant chandeliers, frescoed
ceiling and elaborate pictures, will prove very
attractive. The
HISTORY OF THE OLD BUILDING
is part Of the history OF our new city. AS the
site Of the old Patriotic Bank Selden, Withers
& Co.'s and Sweeny Co. g banking houses, many
scenes have occurred not likely to be forgotten.
When Messrs Saks & Co. commenced business
(eight years ago) the building had not been used
for some time, the upper floors only being occu-
pied as offices. limited amount OF capital caused
the firm to move slowly, and windows, having
four panes of glass in them, were erected in the
front Of the narrow s.one-frame windows of the
bank. Their success from the day Of opening,
which was on the second Saturday in May, 1867,
was assured, the sales on that day being more
than double what they had anticipated. In two
t2) years from this time the firm temporarily re-
vault, lowering the floor, and placing plate-glass
windows in the front. In the pigeon holes in the
Ue Were fUund ons Of them letter on
President Buchananan, addressed to Mr..
Withers, apologizing for the non-attendance Of
rade party, the letter containing great deal of
humor bearing upon his inability as to the fitness
Of the style Of masquerade suit he should wear.
of the letter wrote to Messrs. Saks Co., asking
its donation to q charitable Institution to be raf
fed by them. The letter realized some seventy
dollars.
another change was made in the front of the es-
tablishment. In fact, every year improvements
have been made to accommodate their increasing
sales showing conclusively that they had merlted
and gained the confidence of people, and 1t is
q fact worth stating that every year since their
advent In business their sales have increased In
An amusing Joke, in which Mr.. Saks became
the victim, was unknowingly perpetrated by our
late departed friend and journalist, Col. Thomas
On the attainment of Mr.. as" to his majority,
some seven years ago, THE REPUBLICAN contained
sketch complimentary to the business capacities
Colonel, who was then editing the Constitutional
Union, he called on Mr.. 49," rendering his con-
gratulations, and in order to show his appprecia-
to - copy that local. He did s. 50, % but O1E. un.
fCTtunsteiy placed it siI,, in the advsrtisng
upon the Colonel, and demanded TO know who
had done It. The Colonel taking q copy of the
paper said: THAT is objectionable sir; don't see
how to remedy this, as q correction will only
make matters worse" So Mr.. "S." was com.
PEELED to stand the joke. The Colonel never
mssea mi th an OPpUh%infy hi. frsOd 0i ht meeting MT
from our subject.
1t is unnecessary for us to parade the Individual
merits Of the firm. Both OF them are young men,
attentive to business, and honest and upright in
their transactions. No firm, more than they, un-
derstand the use OF judicious, truthful advertis-
the honor Of having very materially advanced the
best interests of the trade.
Pending the improvements they will occupy
the lower floor, It having been "shoped" up so as
to avoid the dust and dirt. When the new estab-
lishment opens In September, we are promised
of the finest and most attractive places In the
country. One OF the firm leaves next week for
the purpose OF securing the best talent in their
manufacturing departments, and, when the doors
Of the new house are opened, it will be with ian
increased Stock, artistic cutters attentive sales
men, which, with the courtesy and urbanity of
the proprietors, cannot fail TO make it in the fu
ture, in the past, the leading clothing and tail
oring house in the city.