The daily gazette., 1882-12-16
wANAmAKER's GREAT STORE.
A ksaey Account of the Immense Estab.
iishment--WhatM May Ise Seen There and
Purchased at a BarRain.-A New D.part-
ure Looked For.

/ " seSs 4@A0f htS CBGM ZnSr9 and
Purchased at Bargaia--A New Depart
ure Looked For
PHILADELPHIA, Pa, December l2, 1882.
-Ihe ancient proverb, "All roads lead TO
Rome" Philadelphlans have paraphrased
70 read, "All roads lead TO Wanamaker's,"
| and this Raol Is far easier TO reach and
crowded as IL Is with beautiful creations of
modern industry and genius and well pre.
| served antiques, Is In the estimation of many
people quite as well worth seeing as the re-
nowned cities Of the old word-whose chief
merits lie In their mouldiness and decay. or
IN traditions which are mythical or rhorrible.
"See Rome and die" was another old
| saw, oi which better rendering would be.
"See Wanamaker's and live"
| Nothing can afford more pleasure, even re-
garded as show, than visit TO this won
| derful establishment, so COMPREHENSIVE IN
all things rich and rare, that are open for
inspection to all comers, and where every
Visitor, whether of high or low degree, IA
treated as though he or she were an honored
| guest OF the Iarge-hearted proprietor of the
greatest emporium of the arts and In dustries
| the world has seen. On entering this estab-
lishment at Thirteenth and Market streets
with satchel or other luggage, the visitor Is
AZ once relieved OF these incumbrances
| (they being locked up In receptacles pro
| vided for their care) and check given TO
insure their safe return when wanted. Thus
| at liberty, the guest can descend to the rest
ing room or toilet room In the basement.
where, surrounded by oil homelike luxuries.
chief among which may be reckoned a blaz-
Ing woodhre on the hearth, the fatigued
traveller may enjoy all possible case while
planning for the day business or pleasure.
II Sightseeing be the object of the guest 1t
VIII be well to first inspect the basement. In
n rpa fner aatN. gtt.I-
hoor In extent 10 500 by $50 feet. or this
nearly all of the main building is open to
the public, while that under the Chestnut
street stores 10 used for stockrooms. On
this floor, though excluded from public
view, are the lunch and toilet rooms for the
employees Of the house, all handsomely fitted
up, with attendants in waiting 10 take care
OF their outer garments when they come In
| IN the morning, and TO return these TO their
owners In good order when they leave at
night.
1t is remarkable trait In the character
OF Mr.. Johh Wanamaker and one that am
continually doing homage to, that his pro-
tccting and kindly care, lin spite OF the
multiplicity Of his business enterprfses) is
continually over his household of $500
souls, aud that none of these are In his sight
too humble or obscure 10 claim his sympa-
thy in sorrow or his advice and material aid
when in need.
Under tho vast basement Is sub. cellar,
but to this visitors are not invited, as 1t Is
where the engines are and machinists
work.
just now the season Is almost upon US
when we must think of the coming holidays
and post ourselves In the varieties and prices
of jewclry and fancy goods exhibited, silver
ware, arcss goods, ,chinaware, glassware, up
holstery rs presents for the "grown ups" as
well as fancy goods and toys for the little
folks,
Even people of mature years who have
kept their hearts young will delight in look
Ing at the vast array Of toys, baby coaches,
baskets and bon bons that are here In such
immense quantities.
Later on, when the crowds usual to this
time of year throng the aisles and counters,
o careful inspection of articles needed can
scarcely be made with any kind of comfort,
but for the next week or two all of the new
things In Christmas goods and confectionery
will be presented in their greatest beauty
and freshness, and as the prices In this
house are inexcrably fixed and will certainly
not he lowered before the holidays, or until
It is desired TO reduce stock, those who like
10 examine what they buy and see that 1t is
perfect of Its kind seize the first occasion
that presents itself for visit of inspection.
1t would be well to 60 thoroughly through
| the use-furnishing department and see all
the modern inventions for rendering light
| the work of the household In the interests of
| those whose sphere is home.
People who have gone on for years doing
| the domestic work of their dwellings with
the oid-fashioned utensils for cooking and
cleansing, used by their female ancestors
| from Eve's time to the present, will be
more than surprised by the delightful array
| of household conveniences to be found at
| Wanamaker' 's--convenlences that relieve
much of the hardship and toll of domestic
| life and are indirectly the means of bringing
| peace and comfort to the entire family.
Before purchasing sweetmeats elsewhere,
| for the holidays, parents and guardians
should examine the price and quality of
confections offered by this house These
may be had at the most reasonable rates at
which perfectly pure candies can be manu-
| factured. And that all offered at Wana-
makers are perfectly honest rs to sugar
and harmless as to coloring matter, buyers
may be well assured, Us neither glucose nor
| terra alba confectons are allowed place IN
this department. Thackeray says "that all
| people OF natural and unvitiated tastes, all
| innocent little children and lovely, pure
women are fond of sweetmeats.1 And that
this is true OF lovely women, young
gentlemen who cater TO the liking of their
fair friends for chocolates and French bon
| bons 10 the great depletion oil their pocket
books will truthfully testify. such young
gentlemen as desire to remember the lovely
| Young women of their acquaintance, and
| who wish even on diet of eanby to keep
these charming creatures IN health ana
beauty, should see the stock offered a.
Wanamaker's and cause the hearts OF their
friends to rejoice at all times over liberal
supplies thereof.
ii is frequently asked by customers In
the store, why docs not Mr. Wanamaker
add still further to the convenience OF his
establishment and his own profits by open
ing lunch room, where for moderate
and not fancy price, visitors from distance
NAV In the intervals of their shopping slls-
tain their strength by wholesome refresh
ment of some sort 7 This want like all
others that the shopping world may con-
ceiye. has been anticipated by Mr.. Wana-
maker, who has decided that lunch room or
department of public comfort, is hxea
fact In his plans, and that reireshment
tables may be speedily looked for In the
vicinity OF the toilet and resting rooms.
Tables at which gentlemen and boys may
be- taken care of while waiting the move
ments of wives, mothers or sisters whom
they have escorted hither
II Is possible that these tables will furnish
only hot SOUPS and cold meats, supple
mented with hot coffee, tea and cakes, but
I ali win be served neatly and be Of the best
quality. uo,, !,
How far the lunch table may grow 70
mcat a public demand can only be guessed
I ,.,b, have noted the improve