The Evening critic., 1882-01-14
A MAMMOTH ESTABLISHMENT,
The Plans and Purposes Of one of
Our Most Enterprisimg Eirns.

Our Most Eutcrprtsiug Firms.
Elbowing his way through crowd of
ladies. and after being brushed and bumped
against by score ofactiyc clerks aud busy
cash boys, the industrious reporter Of THE
CRITIC finally made n safe entrance into
the mammoth dry-goods stores Of Messrs
Lansburgh d Brother, i0l and 400 Seventh
street northwest, today. The establish
ment was alive with brisk buyers aud
sellers, and there was a perfect babel of
voices as the bartcrings progressed.
81 beg pardon, Miss said the timid
wiclder of Fahcr's No. to n handsome
young woman who was engaged in display
ing beautiful piece Of oldgold plush TO q
dove.eycd young miss aud her mother;
"can you direct me TO Mr.. Augustus Lans-
burgh ?"
"He's standing over there, the fair plush
manipulation responded with a busncss-likc
air, nodding her head toward a stout, conf
fortable-appoaring gentleman standing near
q counter piled high with various-hucd
silks.
The reporter proceeded "over there
and, introducing himself applied his pump
and'began drawing forth from Mr.. Lans-
burg some facts concerning his proposed
new store.
"Ycs," he responded to leading ques-
tion, we propose making change and On
larging our facilities to more properly meet
the demands of trade. We occupy consid.
cradle space here, but by no means cont
mudious enough"
"Will you build new establishment 2"
"Of course We have already leased u
site"
Where?"
Just above these quarters on the same
block. Come out with me and I'll show
you."
The reporter followed Mr.. Lansburgh,
and, walking up Seventh street very short
distance, paused Mr.. Lansburgh remark
ing "Tbere. You see these three stores,
occupied by Gusdorf, Kucesi and Petersen ?
Well, we have leased the entire site occu
pied by them from Mrs. Louise Kloman.
All of these buildings will be torn down to
make room for our establishment
about what Dimensions will your build
ing bcf'
at will have a frontage of IS feet and a
depth of 100 feet"
That will be large structure
"Yes, quite imposing. 1t will be four
stories in height, with basement, which
will be utilized for samples and stock for
| wholesale buyers. The first floor will be
the general salesroom, where the stock
| will be more varied and complete even than
| in our present house. The second floor will
be used as a showroom for cloaks and
ready made garments. The third floor will
| be employed as a surplus stock room, and
| the fourth floor will be occupied as a work
| ROOM"
"You will, of course, fit it up with all
modern appliances"
with every convenience. We propose
| that it shall be complete in every respect.
| We will provide one passenger elevator and
an elevator for freight, and the entire
structure will be thoroughly fitted with
| team-heating apparatus. In addition, we
| propose to introduce new features, in the
way of retiring rooms for ladies, and a
| commodious dining.room for the employees
| and our customers"
"Who are your architects p
"Messrs. Cluss & Schulze. They have
prepared plans which are highly satisfac-
! tory"
"When will you commence building {" "
"The work of demolishirs the present
| building and excavating foundations will
begin shortly, and with good luck we hope
! to hold our bouse- warming by the lst of
next September. "
| with more room and additional facili,
| ties, presume your stock will be more
| varied and eXtensivc?" said The Critic.
"Wcll, " with smile, I" it could not pos
| sibly be more varied or complete that it is
now, but We will be better able then to
display our goods to more advantage.
| 1T is mammoth enterprise the re-
| porter ventured
Yes. mammoth, perhaps but it has to
be, and we do not propose to be backward
in meeting, what is apparent to us, an
absolute and necessary enlargement of our
establishment"
Just then several gentlemen called Mr.
Lansburgh away, and, eXcusing himself, he
parted from the reporter and Joined his
| friends.