The Manitowoc pilot. [volume] (Manitowoc, Wis.) 1859-1932, 1881-12-01
WAGNER, RAND & co.
SKETCH OF BIG BUSINESS FIRM THAT
MANrrowoC Is PROUD OF.

MANTTOWOC Is PROUD OF.
In q recent stroll through the North
Side store of Messrs. Wagner. Rand i
Co., we were struck with the immense
proportions of the buildings devoted to
the general hardware business and were
led to the conclusion that few facts de-
scriptive of the combined establishments
would be found interesting to our read
ers, especially as the members of the
firm are all sold timers" in their connec-
ton with the business interests of Man
itowoc.
The South Side store, on the corner
of Eighth and Franklin streets, is so by
100 feet in size. the entire ground floor,
basement and one-half Of the second
story being devoted to the business.
The North side store, with the exception
of the corner room occupied by Robin
son s. Hinrichs, Is accommodated in a
building 50x80 feet, the basement being
used for storage of surplus stock while
the second floor is devoted to the manu-
featuring of tin and copper ware. Ad :
joining this on the east is an iron room
30xSo feet and adjoining that ware-room
4Ox80 feet, two stories high, devoted to
storage of stoves, ship chandlery, wagon
and sleigh stock and builders material.
The entire floor space of the two estab-
lishments covers over 81, 900 square feet
or more than three-quarters of an acre
apd everything is packed with view to
economy Of space. The principal lines
of goods are hardware, iron, stoves and
ship chandlery, but full lines of paints
and oils, wagon wood work, steam fittings
betting, packing, etc., are carried, and
while we do not know the amount of
capital invested, it is safe to assert that
the establishment is the largest in the
state outside of Milwaukee. BY way of
illustration as to the amount of business
done by the firm, the fact that the daily
sales of stoves this season have averaged
twenty will give good idea. To carry
it on requires the services of so hands
and daily outlay of nearly 500 for ex-
penses. The firm opened the stove trade
this fall with stock of one thousand
stoves on hand. To keep the supply up
necessitated almost daily additions. All
kinds of wood and coal stoves are en-
braced in this stock and orders for any
thing in the heating line from an oil
stove to furnace can be filled with ease.
There is to day in the iron-room of the
North Side store sic hundred and fifty
tons of heavy dron-a statement that will
give fair idea of the proportions of the
trade done by this firm.
1t will undoubtedly surprise many of
our readers when we tell them that this
one firm annually sells goods to the
amount of quarter of million dollars,
yet we believe that figure is within rather
than outside of the limit. Their trade is
not confined to Manitowoc county by any
means, for besides selling largely at re-
tail to the people of Kewaunee, Brown,
Calumet and Sheboygan counties, their
wholesale trade north and west is con-
siderable item and one that is steadily
increasing, fact, it would not be sur
prising should this firm double its sales
in the next two years.
The members of the firm are Ernst
Wagner. ST., E. X. Rand, Jacob Roemer,
and Ernst Wagner, Jr. The first named
gentleman is the oldest in business expe-
rience in the city and has been resident
of the county since 1854 Mr.. Rand
came to Manitowoc in 1S-- and has been
prominently before the public. Mr.. Roe
mer began his apprenticeship in tin
shop in this city in 1852 and has worked
up from that to partnership by dint of
perseverance and close attention to his
duties. He is relied upon when any diff
fcult job of tin or copper work is to be
done or large contract requires close
figures. Mr.. Wagner, Jr., was born in
the city and is known as an enterprising
and diligent young business man.
The business of the firm is conducted
in strict, systematic manner, the South
Side store being under the supervision
of the Messrs. Wagner while Messrs.
Rand and R9mer make their headquar-
tiers at the North Side establishment.
Financially, the firm is one Of the strong
est in the city and is backed by expert
ence and degree of popularity which
long acquaintance, strict honesty, bust
ness integrity and disposition to extend
all the courtesies consistent with sound
business rules would naturally draw
toward it.
1t is an establishment to which every
citizen can point with pride, and is an
illustration of the success which follows
the men who do business in such way
as not only to win the confidence but the
good will of those who have dealings
with them; and while the firm is com
paratively young yet, we predict for the
business growth in the next few years
that will ba as much matter of aston
ishment to the members of the firm as it
will be pleasure to all who take pride
in the development of any industry or
trade that will add to the material pros