Lancaster daily intelligencer. [volume] (Lancaster, Pa.) 1864-1928, 1881-05-24

cost $500 and tho working force consisted
Of tine firm and two cutters, the latter also
aiding in the store.
The venture prospered according to the
magnitude from the first, the principles
lying at the foundation of MIR. Wanama-
ker's success being as potent then as now.
It was slow work for a time, however,
and the first Saturday, when the sales
reached hundred dollars, was marked as
an important era. AS trade increased the
place was from time to time enlarged and
altered, the sales going on during the
changes without interruption. The first
was the hiring of second
floor-room in No. South Sixth street
then the entire building was taken, and
the other stores to the cor
ner of Minor street. Oak Hall, now six
stories high, has front of 81 feet ON Mar
ket and runs through with this width 180
feet to Minor street. The premises for
merly occupying this place accommodated
forty-five different tenants engaged in as
many different kinds of business. In place
of the two cutters there are now from
sixty to seventy in the stock and custom
departments together. Oak Hall to day
gives employment to $500 people, being
one of the great centres Of industry
which contribute most largely to the sup
port of the working population of Phil
adclphia. The stock carried by the house
in cloths and clothing approaches q mil
lion Of dollars aud the sales during a busy
time will often reach from s25, 600 to $50,
600 daily.
A large amount of manufacturing is
H. 1,o 1,n Hnnrc 1o-
ing devoted to these purposes. On the
which, taken by itself, would be consider
ed a very large establishment, turning out,
as it does, hundred dozen shirts daily,
Another branch of manufactures, located
on the fifth floor, is that of neckties and
Scar(s, with an output of hundred thou
sand dollars per annum. The cutting
rooms arc also located on these upper
floors, and some idea may be formed of the
extent Of the work done by the statement
that of the goods used for trousers pock-
cts seven bales Of thirty pieces each arc
cut up in one day.
What will strike 4 stranger, however,
as the most remarkable cutting up of
cloths is done in the mail order depart
IHCuO, "hClC OLA OuouosShu ydlOS VI
are annually cut into samples and sent out
partment extends the trade of Oak Hall
and the business done through its agency
is rapidly approaching a million dollars
per annum.
On the third floor is the salcsroom for
fine clothing, the stock OF gentlcmen's $
Il c,,its, hn:,,fv oil
other stocks of similar goods in Philadel-
phia together. This floor also accommo-
dates the immense lines of spring OVER
coats and the wide variety of suits that
como under the denomination of tlan-
ncls.
The customs department is on the sec
ond floor back, very spacious, we'll
lighted and pleasant room, where the stock
Of cloths and the amount of business done
is on the same extensive scale that meas
The first floor is the main salesrOom for
general sock, for furnishing goods, and
for youth"s suits. This is tho great pop,,-
been and continue to bc suitably, ccOnO-
becoming apparel here than in dozen or
J
Tho Chestnut street Store.
Chestnut street is famous for its handsome
stores, and the store of John Wanamaker
& Co., located next below the Continental
hotel, is one Of the l,andsomest on the
street. Its magnificent show windows,
with medieval stained glass upper sec
tions, and artistic displays of choice fabrics
and fine habilimcnts, constitute one of the
most attractive features Of this metropOli-
tan thOrOughfare. The interior of tho
buildings maintain the same elegant char
acter rs the front-thc lofty apartments,
grand stairway, luxurious fittings. artistic
decorations, costly pictures, and general
air Of refinement and good taste conveying
an impression of solid wealth and unstint-
ell libcraIity. The proportions of the
premises are 81 feet front by 2:3S feet
deep, the same depth rs the Continental
hotel, the buildings being four stories
high.
Tho salcsrooms on the ground floor are
the finest in Philadelphia, and are devoted
mainly to the display Of the general stock,
to gentleman S furnishing goods and to
youths and boys clothing. The latter
department occupies the ground floor and
galleries of the store adjoining the hotel,
originally constructed rs u jewel bOx-a
superb casket on Il large scale-ard, in
adapting it to the accommodation of
ladies' and children, the only changes made
arc such as to afford the best facilities for
serving them satisfactorily.
The custom saleSrOOm on the second
floor is by far the largest and finest apart
mcnt devoted to gentlemen's drapcry in
the world. 1t is 12G feet in length by 42
feet wide, with high, vaulted ceilings,
floors covered with deep piled carpets,
walls adorned with fine works of art and
fittings of the most elegant description.
Here are displayed line of fabrics for
wear, comprising everything
rich and fine and everything serviccable
and substantial that the textile industries
of the world can produce.
1t should be especially noted that Of the
choice goods above mentioned examples of
the best and most costly are to be found
made up into garments on the counters
downs stairs. The cutting, trimming and
making of these garments are in every way
worthy of the cloths, the best skill and
best workmanship and the best taste, so
that gentleman in want of 4 spring over
coat, for instance, can obtain one that
shall represent in every respect the very
schc vi Ihc CiIiIoFlHS afC IRON Tile SCOcK In
the salesroOm. This high grade of excel
lencc, however, is not attained by neglect
Of moro popular grades, as the stock,
in value to about $500, 600, also
includes goods that will compare in prices
with any offered elsewhere mems suits,
For instance, rs low rs $3.50, and boys
suits at 1926.
This business was established by Mr..
Wanamaker in April, 1869, and during
tke thirteen years Of its existence it has