The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1878-07-31
sIx1H hTENNE SHOPPING.
No Lo.s or Trade because OF Noise aud Gin.
ders and Unpleasant Conl Gas.


Intolcrable as the noise from tho running
Of the cars on the sixth avenue elevated rail
way IL. there are some merchants along thnt
thoroughfarc. particularly those between
Twenty-,hird and Fourteenth streets who in
cline to the opinion that moro trade will be
brought TO them from n distance than viii be
taken away.
Mr. Stern. junior Of Mcssrs. Stern Brothers
In answer TO the direct qu stion, What has
been tho effect ~ the railway upon your bust
ness 2" replied.
Wo have not noticed any diminution in trade
ma yet. 1t Is true that the cars began to run
after tho most Of the spring trade was over. but
we have done ns much business for tho Inst
three months IA we ever did any previous year
at this season. Tho noise Ia intolerablo in tho
front of the store and in the upper part OF the
building. Ladies complain great deal. and
80 do the saleswomcn. / am not sorry that we
are going of tho avenue. | am assured that We
will do better business next TALL at our new
ii. O'Neili 4 Co.'S manager thought the nolso
and sparks from the engine together were un-
mitignted nuisances but In spite of all that no
had noticed no diminution in the number OF
ladies shopping for millinery. laccs or fancy
goods since the cars began to run to my
greater extent than during the months OF May.
June. md July Of last year, or any other year,
noyed with the noise. and at times with the
odor OF coal gas but he thought his trade had
been increased 10y shoppers from Harlem Man
ken.
ernl Of his salesmen and his manager express
cd their unqualified annoyance at tho noise,
coal gns. and sparks. Several awnings had
been burned by the sparks. several ladies' had
had their muslin dresses set fire to rs they
walked along Sixth avenue. and the contents Of
ragnlan s cart were consumed Few days ago.
They had no fears OF a dimnution OF trade,
but acknowledged that shopping in Sixth ave-
nun was far from being MS pleasant as formerly.
However when the windows and glass doors
were closed in the winter. they presumed the
noise and other annoyances would be abated.
They have already felt the benefit Of drawing
trade from n distance by the elevated railroad.
One gentleman thought that there should be
more drpots along the route.
Mr. Kinney hoped for the best, but feared the
worst. 1t was impossible to tell as yet what the
effect upon the general amount Of trade In tho
avenue would be. One thing. however, he was
sure OF: II would diminish the amount Of car
rage trade. Ladies' will not have their horses
driven in sixth avenue, and the carriage trade
business brought by the railway from the upper
part OF the city. from Manhnttanvillc and Har-
lem. and from Brooklyn and other cities across
local carriage trade. but he had grave fears to
the contrary. He found the noise during the
kept open. very serious dctrlment to business.
Ladies and saleswomen could not speak loud
enough to he heard above the clattcr OF the cars
rs they swept by, and they came laundering
pust every two and u half minutes. Then, II
the sparks were SO dangerous as to set fire to
awnings and raE carts and ladies dresses. of
course there was danger OF their setting stores
and houses on fire. The odor from the coal gas
emanating from the engines was frequently in
tclerable. Between the noises and the doors IL
was impossible to do ones thinking clearly.
Mr.. Webster. manager at Mays, said that he
Ind not noticed any decrease in business. nor
had other his customers or salesmen ana sales
women complained II the Sc. The store "
X. ii. Macy X Co. is so large the noise is lost in
II. As there il a depot ut Fourteenth street, no
Increased
railroad. The cars make less noise when run
ming slowly. as they do just before stopting Mt
the depot or starting from II. and therefore he
supposes they do not have so much annoyance
from the cars as other merchants. along the
n W., MI Meus'sr WIS 81 op'nion i tnu a
Sixth avenue before. especially from the vicin-
ity of the city. would do so now. because of tho
other.