The Somerset herald. [volume] (Somerset, Pa.) 1870-1936, 1878-10-02

7 fitAl AUt iIt.I &Bti1fLN VI III u Az
delphia PHblie L6dgeF. we clip the f1llnw
ing. c-ommendaiory OF a fam who are iib.
eral ~paiToajzefs Of our advertising col
umns. As our readers are aware. the
| Leigcr seldom riyts a n1tiec of this kind
and only When il - highly deserved:
AE EXTENSIVE IarRcvEMsST-TnR
New STORE OK STRAwBRfEGE 81 Clio.
THIER-GBowTH CT. THBlI. BUSINESS
IN 1862, ia az old f,shioned, three stored
brick building, at the NORTH wess corner oi
Eighth and Market streets. Justice G.
~Sirawbridge and Isaac II. ClOihier cem
mencea the dry goods business. Their
capital was not large. the ground floor OF
the store, not more than twenty-five feet
square. and the stock Of goods they had
on band, slth0ueh well selected, was
necessarially small. IS sheir business in
creased they made several extensive i'm
provements, but soon their trade became
too extensive FOR their contracted quarters,
and the question how TO increase their fa
c%iiities, winch had long been under con-
sideratIon, HAD at length TO be solved. SO.
10 1858, the firm transferred their business
70 a stoie across the way, and commenced
the erection OF a building on the Old site,
better adapted 10 the increasing trade
which through tIir dealing and honest eff
fort, had grown from almost nothing TO
ehviable proportions. The new building
was i've stories high. the first story Of the
Market street front being OF iron. and the
other stories Of Pictou stone. The Eighth
street front was OF brick.
as soon as The new building was com
pleted in the latier part OF '6S) the firm
took possession of it, and their fame and
reputation, already weli-foanded in the
city, spread through the surrounding
country, and the result YVES an unexpect-
eddy large increase Of patronage. Ia 1879
they were again compelled 10 increase
their facilities, and this time they extend
ed their building along Eighth Street
thiFiy-thEee feet, making their store
100 feet deep. the frontage o. ~ feet re-
maiuing the sams. The increase of their
business was sill SO marked and rapid
that the firm were again puzzled as TO
what they should do for more room. To
the west of them there were two build
ings 800 and S01 Market street. for sale,
and these they Immediately purchased.
and soon aiterward bought the store at
500. The three buildings had a frontage
Of IS feet and run back a distance of 100
feet. Early this year they determined to
utilize this newly-acquired property, and
on June 1st the demolition of the build
ings was commenced. with a view TO
erecting upon the premises an addition to
the firms already cOmmodious store.
The improvement has just been complet-
Ell, and N Monday the whole building,
which, by the way, IS one of the largest
and best arranged mercantile houses in the
city, viii be thrown open 10 the inspection
the public.
The building as il Rog stands presents
a handsome appearance, lis frontage being
90 feet, depth 100 anu height five stories.
The architecture and material Of the old
and new parts are the same, and immedi
ately in the rear. fronting on Filbert av-
enue, have been erected the counting
rooms and offices of the establishment.
The Market street front of the structure as
II now IS hiss no superior in appearance
among the business-h0uses along that
thoroughfare. 1t is regular and symmet-
rical, being broken only in the centre by
the main entrance on the ground floor,
sunken windows above and q tower,
or observatory, springing from the roof.
heighten the architectural appearance,
has been constructed, of galvanized
iron, a root bearing some relation TO the
French Mansard.
The interval Grrangemcnis Of the build
are complete. 90 the first floor, q
and well lighted apartment,
are many circular and straight coun-
ters, and in the centre Of the ro0m, equal
- handy to all the clerks. are accommoGa-
tons for tour cashiers and those employed
to wrap and pack the goods sold. Each
is devoted 10 some particular line
Of goods, and there are displayed in pro-
fusion silks, gloves, dress materials OF all
kinds, cloths, cassimeres. hosiery, under
wear. fancy goods, dress trimmings, do
nestle and foreign eottons. etc. Back are
he counting Dom ard offices, and imme-
adjoining the silk COUNTER is ozark
room where the night hues and tints of
he silk on sale are shown.
The floor above is handsomely fitted up
md richly carpeted. This is the ready
goods department Of the establish
nent, where ladies' underwear, wraps,
suits, clOaks, shawis, ETC., are sold. Par
and retiring-roons are fitted mp in CON
with this department.
The third floor is principally used as a
iewing-room, where much Of the ready
stock OF the firm is prepared. On
he sIme floor is the mail order depart
ncnt, where the wants Of the people liv-
10 out OF Tie city are attended 70.
The lougth and aah floors are used as
Examination and storage rooms. To this
,lace all goods are sent for examination
being placed upon the counters.
nd here, also, duplicates Of stock On hand
re kept stored.
In the basement of the old part of the
IS where linens, blankets, etc.,
kept on sale, while the basement of
be new part IS devoted to several pur-
'oses. Here are the engines and boilers
furnish the building with steam,
nd the freight and passenger elevators
the first Of which leads to the ground
.oor, and the latter 10 the filth story,)
it'll motive power. There are also in
biz department the package room, dining
oOm, coat room and iabarato cries.
In the whole store about 250 men and
are employed, and all ~conyen.en.
es for their comfort, it would seem, as
veil as facilities for The firms patrons,
.aTe baen provided.