Middletown transcript., 1880-04-03


How the great success was wOn
John Wanamakers Grand Depot is
traction of more than ordinary rnSgnlo ~
The tens of thousands of buyers and yisiPTs
that daily throng its spacious aises give t3e
immense establishment something of TIE a
pearance OF the Main Building durine the
crowded days of the Centennial Exhibition,
and there are not wanting the other acces-
sories 10 heighten the Illusion There IS q
vastness about the Grand Depot which is akin
to that of the mammoth structure in which
the wealth of nations was display ed in Fair
mount Park, and there is u multitude OF nov
elites for which almost every country mas
heen mid under tribute The display IS as
tasteful and as systematic, the variety almost
as extensive and the attendance of visitors as
great in the Grand Depot every day, as IN
some OF the earlier weeks Of the great exhl0l-
ton. The Spring Opening, which commence
rates the inauguration Of this gigantic enter
prise, is naturally one of the red-letter days
in the history of the year at Wanamaker's.
The attendance at each is regarded as some
thing of a criterion of the business which may
be expected during the season, and an au-
spicious opening is therefore anxlously de-
sired In point Of brilliancy, in respect TO the
| splendid attractions presented on every side
and the perfection to which every department
| Of the Grand Depot has now been brought
the spring opening Of 1880 was immeasurably
ahead of any that have preceded it.
| MAKING THE GRAND RoUNDs.--Mr JohnWan-
amaker, the head of the vast concern, when one
| Of his visitors approached to congratulate MIN
on the success of the opening, found sufflelent
| time to point out some Of the more prominent
features Of the establishment. One OF the Pc
| culiarities Of the Grand Depot is the perfec-
| ton 10 which the system has been brought
and the thousands of customers who daily
| throng its departments have no conception OF
completeness of the arrangements made lor
! their benefit. The constant unkling of the
electric bells in different parts of the place
give some indications of the extent OF the
sales; but there is as little noise and confu-
sion as one woald expect in an ordinary store.
ITO begin with" said Mr.. Wanamaker, as
he guided the visitor through the Underwear
department, s'you will notice the extension
made here We find that the new and more
elegant goods that We are making specially
Of here hit the popular taste, and our sales
are very largely increased" ''Does the same
increase appear in the other departments? p
"Yes-in all. There is a marked improve
ment in business Of every kind, and we are
getting our share"
In the glove department an immense stock
was apparent and a correspondiDgly large
crowd Of BUYERS THE glove trade is be-
coming early more important branch of our
business, ~ remarked the Head OF the House.
land there (pointing to number OF ooxes),
are our own importations. We import them
direct, and ordering immense quantities at
time, are thus enabled to place them on our
counters here at much less than the usual
prices" -
nent.'' explained Mr. Wanamaker, as that
was visited, sis the largest of any store in
The city, and we take especial pride in ii, our
buler making regular visits to Belfast, Bally-
mepa and other centres of the Irish linen
trade" There are indications of rise in
linen, and the number Of people who were
laving in supplies seemed 10 indicate that
they had heard the news and were getting
bargains while they were available.
Ii was not favorable opening day for UNI
brellas, but from the appearance OF that de-
partment it was evident there were enough
on hand to supply everybody who wanted
that class Of weather protection. One thous-
and of jennings best had recently arrived,
and style called the new Pickwick was
found 10 be the reigning fivorite. Il is fact
that should be known that quite as good an
umbrella as can he bought in London for one
pound is sold at the same price--hge dollars
at the Grand Depot and this is due 70 the
fact that large orders, imported direct from
the manufacturers, give the advantage.
THE GREAT ATTRAt TIoN of the day, however
was in the dress departments, which were
crowded with ladies, all bnsily engaged IL
dress goods and costumes. Some OF The latter
were as UNIQUE in design as they were eeg int
! re hn iunnOTjfVr Of
taste Of the Paris modises is visible on every
side. A light surtout over dark silk appeared
: 10 be. according to the Judgment of one en-
thusi4stic Young lady, Just 100 sweet for
ANYTHING opinion which was fully in
dursed by several other young ladies present.
one even going further, and giving her decl-
sion that it was .just too awtully nice. Il
would be impossible to describe the many
beauties in this department, which divided
with the Paris novelties the attention and in
terest Of the thousands Of fair customers
Some Of these novelties are Of the richest de-
signs both in colors and textures and when
worn in the coming spring days on Chestnut
street will create flutter by their beauty.
India damassero and Hindoo cloths are both
shown in great variety. at is impossible,
remarked Mr.. Wanamaker, "io more than
glance at the number and"
AT TINS moment an Invoice CltIh dppEOdCH-
ed, and handing book 10 Mr.. Wanamaker
for his signature, said "All right"
1t subsequently transpired that there was q
single invoice for 900 pieces Of one class Of
f goods-45, 900 yards in all-which had just
arrived at the Grand Depot
You seem to import by wholesale, re-
marked the visitor; may ask what was the
7 amount of your sales last year p
e ''NEARLY Four MILLIONS OF DOLLARS, wa;
the reply This accounted for the heavy ship
ments. As Mr. Wanamaker resumed hi:
walk, nodding TO friend here, giving a di
| reclon there, and receiving reports almos
. continuously from different parts Of the house
e il was evident that ne had the whole business
: at his fingers ends. "It is impossible" ht
resumed, ITO go over the entire house-ove
= two acres-in this way, but we will inspec
= the new gallery" The immense space whicl
:. the Grand Depot had originally had beel
found insufficient and the new gallery ha
: been added to accommodate departments 70
+" which there was absolutely no room left o.
l. the ground floor. 1t is al the northern ent
lie of the building, above the Market street en-
trance and contains iiue OF house furnish
ing goods which are very tastefuly displayed
Lace curtains, upholstery goods, furnitur
coverings, mats, rugs, cocoa matling-every
thing, in snort which wide-awake and pro
le gressive house in that line keeps, is 10 b
s, found in as much extent and variety as if th
he building were devoted to that class of trad
De alone Returning from the gallery The ruch
10 ing department claimed attention The ma
if terial it was explained, is ordered eXpressl