Smyrna times., 1879-04-30
From a Philadelphia Paper, April 5,
1879.

Fifty years ago and the queer old waterworks that
afforded water TO yc city occupied Penn square.
then objects of great curiosity for citizens and Stran
gers The Mint was soon planted in Chestnut street,
street later on. the Pennsylvania Railroad Company
came along and tore down the Boys High School and
built their great freight station covering the entire
block at Thirteenth street Then the new Public
Buildings dropped down the old site of the water
works, and the four beautiful Penn Squares de-
moshed. the great railroad company had to pull up
stakes and move away, as the freight trains could
neither 80 through nor around the new City Hall.
For two years the old sheds at Thirteenth Street were
closed, and the and cats held undsturbed posses
sion. Then came the transformation and huge towers
grew. as it were. in single night the and
centres of the old depot and where the drays used
enter the building the great door-ways suddenly
became platc-glasS show windows
In a trice. almost, new structure appeared, and
crowds of people wondered at the sign being painted
on the walls John IGHdmIker-G -GruHd DepOt, Mems
ant Boys GoDdS. General Dry Goods House.
1t was Il great innovation to organize such store
such store had ever existed in Philadelphia, never
could exist and some said, ncger should eriS Tn
mindful of all the hub bub. the Grand Depot settled
down to its mission. and though but child yet in
years has done wonders for the shoppers in Philade
phia. Thirty-one stores live i'll peace on one floor
and under one roof sharing one rent and one ex-
pense. If dry goods business could alone afford the
rent of large store building and its ground then All
the other business crowded in are done without eX-
penSe for rent If a small business Savingly managed
is a good thing, larger business economically
managed is much better thing.
One great reason why the Grand Depot can sell so
chCapy is because the Grand Depot has no expensive
DulOlS or H&tuTcs. everything IS OF the simplest
kiud-cheap rent, cheap insurance; no upstairs re-
quring pOrers and steam hOisS. but all on the first
floor where delighted people can wander about. and
without OicOus interference see every description OF
dry goods, fancy goods. clothing, and a thousand
other things
The prices fixed at the Grand Depot seem to fix
lower prices throughout that city.
The determined stick-to-atvcness of Mr.. Wana-
maker is fast improving every part of his huge
prise. After the electric lights and electric bells we
hardly know what to expect next.
The lunch-roOm for tired customers from out Oi
town is not the least appreciated of all the many con
venienCeS and advantages at the Grand Depot.
The saving of time to shoppers is no small thing
Many persons say that that all kinds Of goods
tn be had under one roof they come to town in
the morning and get back at night where it used tC
take them CO full days and out lots of patience
| and shOe-eather beside.
To stock Of goods costing million of dollars
in these times Qt would have cost two millions les
than ten years ago. all spread out before the eye
ticketGd the price to everybody sold subject tC
return of money if desired is just the kind Of sigh
| that most ladies want to see.
What with the stock goods the reasonable prices
| and the Oblging way of doing business. we do no
| wonder at the constant activity of business at tht
Grand Depot The Streecars that pass the doors from
every part of the city let out crowds of customers
take in loads of bundles.