The Cecil Whig. [volume] (Elkton, Md.) 1841-current, 1880-01-03
Iohn Wanamaker.

Take him for all in all, John Wanamaker
is the most enterprising and successful Of
the business men Of Philadelphia. He has
dtne more 10 advance its commercial inter
csts, to tir.ng its streets with strangers, to
extend its rrpute. lie is an embodiment Of
the best and highest ideal OF American com
mercial enterprise, of that far-seeing sa-
gacity, courage and dash which have made
our merchant princes the wonder and adj
niration of the Slow-goipg business mag
mates of tie Old World. Nor is his integ-
rity and fairness less conspicuous than his
activity and pluck. John Wanamaker is Il
quiet hammered young gentleman-he is
only forty -onc-of modest and unaSSuming
demeanor: but his eye is fill of latent pow
err, and his whole heing is instinct with
measurcless energy, under HE control of Il
cool head and rrsoiIttr will. Nothing less
than these qualities in their highest ptrtec-
ton could build up and successfully manage
the largest retail business on the American
continent. In his three Stores-the Grand
Depot, running from Chestnut to Market
and from Thirteenth 10 Juniper: the mag
niticent clothing establishment III Chestnut
Street, and the great and weil-llnown Oak
Hall Clothing House on Market ana Sixth
Of flooring, exliil,ilng the pr,alucts of the
Industry ,iii.i art Of the whole civilized
world. The largest and n,oSt imposing and
interesting is Ike Grand I:epo., None of
our readers should fail when they visit
Philadelphia to 20 through this v oldcrful
emporium. 1t approaches, i'll variety of
display, i'll the almost endless groupings OF
beautiful Objects, i'll he lagniieence of
space, and i'll the moving tirungs OF inter.
t.stGI visitors the Centennial I'y hilir inn,
itself 1t would bc equally difficult to name
the articles displayed OF those not To he
found here. Indeed. endless rs world be
the former the latter would be the harder
task. There art. over fs,,t, acres of exhibits
i'll this wonderful STORE. Beside this i'm
preS$ive space, and This l"iYii ier;Eg stock
of goods. the ftr-lamel Mays in New.
York, sinks into complete insi:.f.ilicance.
Outside of the Main Building, during the
tentsnGial Exhibition, nothing equal to it
has eve. becil seen in this country. The
particular feature ~ this great STORE. which
makes it so attractive 70 visitors. is the iarl
that il extends on one floor over SO enor-
nous All area, and the picturesque and con-
vcnient arrangement Of the counters and
shelves. Nearly Dnc-halt the whole floor
space, commencing well toward the Chest
nut street entrance, is occupied by counters
sweeping "a 81. grs-;it circles round Il conf
Than the last. Back Of he counters are
neat show cases i'll and on which the goods
are t;,steiu!ly arranged The counters are
cut into Sc.mentS of circles Ivy numerous
ai>ics and passages, while broader circular
passages run between tltcln: and down
through he t!.t!llle runs wider aisle from
extremity 10 extremity OF i've igui, y the
center of this network of segment counters,
if we may be allowed to coin an expression,
JS al, ~ la,
structure, around which runs a counter in
Il perfect circle. This gives Il finish to the
whlil
Beyond, tol,:.as Market :tr-rt the body
of the floor is covered with rectangular
counters, and the remaining area ut the
sides and elsewhere is coliItered us best
suits the space and tine goods Ia he dis
,.i:ss4 Extensive galleries have been add
ed on each OF tho ,u.t frQGts seine Of thela
are used as Sale5-room>, and others nor
manufacturing purposes. TO stand i'll the
lunch gallery, at the middle entrance on
Chestnut street, and look over these acres
OF rich merchandise, the moving throngS of
thousands -. hnsy purchasers, and the ar-
tivity and hustle OF .ii.' ,LGt&as9 Jerks, is
well worth visit to Philadelphia to behold.
It presents Il scene of extraordinary and
almost exciting attractiveneSs. When the
vast establishment is Illuminated in the
evening Tith the brilliant electric light, and
the thrCugs are iatger the scene is still
more beautiful and stirring.
Mr. Wanamaker has built up mis- great
business on IN idea. and despite the areers
and opposition Of tnviouS rivals This idea
was that small profits and quick sales, and
strictly honorable dealing, IA uniform and
absolutely impartial courtesy to all, rich
and poor alike, and liberal advertising,
would i.GGetit the community and pay him.
H. la. Il