The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1882-04-17
lDaiy Grsphic.J
Dress Association.

CO-op6I&UlN0 OI0SS ASSOCldO1Ol'
Springing into life full grown, like Minerva
from the head of Jove, the Cooperative
Dress Association is unique attraction in
this city of great enterprises. Founded in
February, 1881, the association began active
business last October, and in the six months
of its existence has more than fulfilled the
promises of the original prospectus. The
truth of this statement is proved by the fact
that the financial success of the association
is largely due to the patronage OF the public
who, not being stockholders, are actuated by
no sentiment, and spend their money where
they can do so 10 the best advantage.
Twenty-third street is the coming dry
goods street, and no building in it is so well
adapted to the requirements of retail trade
as that which has been selected for the first
cooperative dress association in the United
States. Fifty feet wide by two hundred feet
deep--extending from Twenty-third to
Twenty-fourth streets-the great six-story
building is flooded with cheeriest sunshine,
the lightest and healthiest door-the sixth
being devoted to the workrooms. Here sew
able circumstances, their MONDAY meal be-
ing supplied at cost direct from the restau-
rant attached to the association. Go where
you may throughout the building you will
find seats provided for the women.
Men are by no means forgotten in the wei
come extended to the public by this associa-
ton. On entering from Twenty-third street
the first department to the left is devoted to
mems furnishing goods. Gloves, neckties,
hosiery, underwear and umbrellas are all to
be found at most reasonable prices. Oppo-
site is the long counter, where a brisk trade
is driven in ladies' underwear. Facing the
main entrance are gay ribbons that ill the
eye with color and give visitors an appetite
for other good things in store. Beyond is
well-selected stock of laces, and to the right
are ladies' gloves and hosiery, both OF which
departments deserve patronage. In the CEN
tire of this floor are the notions and house,
hold goods, umbrellas and parasols, together
with silks and dressgoods, so attractive in
material and price as to please both eye and
purse.
Taking one of two commodious and swift
safety elevators we stop at the second floor
and wander amid wilderness of ready
made suits and garments for ladies and
children, always tasteful and always cheap.
Here are charming walking gowns from$13
SIS, 500 to 5000. Beyond are admirable
spring wraps of every description, from
Spanish lace silk lined dolmans to camePs
hair shawls made up without being cut.
The costumes for little girls are exceedingly
pretty, while the department of boys suits,
which occupies the Twenty-fourth street end
of the second floor, is worth the considera-
ton of every mother. One more flight OF
stairs and the public are introduced to the
only covered promenade in New York, ON
Que side of which various departments are
arranged after the manner of tue fascinating
little shops at European watering places.
First comes French millinery, both stylish
and moderate in price. Opposite is uphols-
terry of all kinds and qualities Next is an
attractive display of toilet articles and OF
that wonderful ssThompson's wave" which
has so much improved women's appearance
as 10 have made the inventors fortune.
Pause in the excellent department of boots
and shoes before lingering over the counters
devoted to stationery. books, music, JeWelry
and--the best of candies! If you want
basket, or travelling bag or trunk, here
they are for very little money. If you are
going to housekeeping or have had an Irish
bull in your china closet you will devote
hours to the china, glass and silverplated
ware department. 1t occupies the Twenty
fourth street side of the third floor.
Skipping the fourth floor, which is devoted
to offices and to the order bureau, we arrive
at the fifth floor and sit down in bright,
airy restaurant to capital lunch at wonder
fully low prices. Bachelors and married
men about to be forsaken by their families
during the summer, should bear in mind
the toothsome fact that they can obtain
capital breakfast at the Dress Association
from eight to eleven A. NJ.
After the inner man is consoled, we
wander into the cheerful circulating library
where all the new books can be had by the
day week, month or year at absurdly low
rates. And after? why, we sit down in the
beautiful reception room adjoining and read
the London Truth or World, or look at
decorative art for sale, orexamine admirable
specimens of Cincinnati pottery, or study
some admirable oil paintings and wa.er
colors by rising artists, or discuss the universe
With the genius loci. Is not this association
as near an approach TO multuna in pdroo as
has yet been attempted? There never was
a better place for viseitors to New York to
spend an interesting day. Such an effort to
reduce shopping to fine art deserves the
support of appreciative men and women,
quite irrespective of interest 10 co-opera-
ton.