The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1880-09-23
A SPLENDID STORE.
Eastman Bros. & Bancroft's Opening.

Messrs. Eastman Brothers & Ban croft, who
have moved into their new store in the KIM
ball block on Congress street, are to be con-
graduated ON their commodious and beautiful
quarters. The store is the equal in attractive
appearance of any other dry goods in Portland
and that is saying great deal. Last evening
this splendid establishment was brilliantly
lighted and was thronged with visitors until a
late hour.
The store occupies 81 feet width on Con-
gress street by go feet in depth 1t is thor
oughly lighted by day by means of the great
French plate-glass windows (already noticed in
the PRESS, four windows and large skylight
in the rear. These windows and skylight also
give the best of ventilation. Ten gaseliers of
four lights each furnish lights at night.
On the right of the entrance is small coun-
ter devoted to that delight of ladies, laces of
every kind in profusion. Next on the right is
the counter for household goods, napery, toilet
articles, linens, spreads, fancy embroidered
tides; in fact perfect line of the very best
description, at fair prices.
The counter for ladies' dress goods is situa-
ted at the right rear, just beyond the CASH
iers desk. Never was there such an opportunity
presented for a lady to purchase good, styl-
ish, durable dress as now. The material is all
new and 12a cents or % cents will procure as
nice an article as many of our wealthiest la
dies would care to wear.
In the rear OF the store counter is devoted
to the new and very fashionable worsteds in
black and other colors, with silk brocade eff
fects; also brocaded yelvets and satins, all the
rage now, ranging in price from 81 to IS a
yard. One in particular created great admira-
ton, groundwork of old gold with velvet
figures embossed thereon. The firm also have
full line of the Bonnet black silks and the
finest Lyons velvot.
On the left of the main entrance is the but
ton counter, succeeded by the Eureka spool
silk counter. Next comes the stairs leading to
the second story elevator, and counter for the
sale OF merinos and fine underwear. On the
left rear is the counter for woolens and domes-
tic goods.
The centre of the establishment is occupied
by large circular counter, one half of which
is devoted to hosiery of every description and
OF the best makes, handkerchiefs, underwear
and small wares. The other half is used for
the display of fancy dress goods, and here are
all the latest fashions that will be worn this
autumn. These dress goods are all in solid
colors, in deep, rich plums, garnets, bronzes
and heliotropes. Adjoining these are the
novelty goods for over-dresses and trimmings,
so-called for the novel effects that can be pro-
duced with them, some profusely sprinkled
with gold. Then comes the plaids in profus-
ion, Tor which there is now a great demand
especially the handkerchief plads, many of
these latter at one dollar a handkerchief
There is also splendid line of Cashmeres in
fade colors.
The passenger elevator is the only one owned
by retail dry goods store in this city. 1t is
very large, comfortably furnished and supplied
with a larg mirror. By it we ascend to the
second story. Here we find pretty little par
lor, beautifully furnished and well lighted and
supplied with all the modern conveniences
and intended as a waiting-room for ladies'
Then there is nicely furnished fitting-room
for ladies who wish to have garments fitted to
them. This room adjoins the work-room, a
spacious apartment provided with sewing ma
chimes run by water power.
Off the fitting-room is the main sale-room,
32x66 feet in size. Here we had an opportun-
ity of inspecting the new handkerchief plaid
dress, made up, and the Havelock. They are
very stylish. The fall opening of suits will not
take place until later. Here also can be pro-
cured a ladies' complete outfit of underwear,
the same as at Altmann's, New York.
There is large and commodious basement
which will at present be occupied only for
storage and the sale of blankets and like
heavy articles. All goods are taken into the
store by rear entrance.