Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1883-06-01
THE bon MARCHE.
An Establishment that Feeds, Shelters
and Educates Its Employees.

Almost everyone knows this wonderful
dry goods store of Paris, but think not
many know that it is benevolent work as
we'll as a successful business undertaking.
Mr.. Boucicaut, the founder, began life as
poor boy, and when able to have q little store
of his own his attention was directed to tie
welfare of his clerks, and he gave them as
soon as he was able home in his own
house. From this small beginning the work
has grown wonderfully Mr.. Boucicaut died
few years ago worth millions of dollars
his widow, employs three thousand peo-
pie.
Two thousand of these people live in the
building, aud the three thousand take their
meals there. The first thing to be noticed by
party making tour of inspection of the
great concern is large hall filed with desks
where great many boys and young men
are studying bookkeeping. They review all
the books OF the store, and are paid small
amount for every mistake they find. In the
evening lessons are given gratuitously to the
employees in English, German, instrumental
and vocal music, and fencing. Concerts are
given by the store in summer, in the square
by the side of the building; in winter on the
ground floor, which can be cleared by the
porters in twenty minutes Of counters and
foods when it is needed for that purpose ol
for balls.
There are four dining rooms, one fol-
J the men clerks one for the girls, one for
. the workmcn, and one for the portcrs, mes
: sengers and drivers. The menu for dinnc
, Of one day consists of soup, one kind o
meat, one kind of vegetables, and dessert
8 and for each person half bottle OF wine
! Coffee is extra it costs two cents for smal
G cup, and three cents for the large ones. Thre
hundred people are employed in the kitchen
S aud as walters in the dining rooms. Th'
: kettles are immense, three feet high, and NJ
e man could meet his arms around one o
y them. OF course, when full and hot, the
l. are beyond the ability OF man 10 move, s
!. pulleys are arranged which lift the kettle
r from the fire and place them where they ar
d wanted.
" For the clerks there is a room for amuse
C ments, where there are billiard tables
d chess, checkers, dominoes, etc., but no car
!, playing
:, The lady clerks have pleasant littl
n parlor where there is piano, and whei
e they can spend their evenings If they choost
4 Each girl has room entirely to herse
" which is plainly, but very comfortably fu
D, nished.
io There are rules to be observed by al
ic but they are not burdensome or oppressive
C, the doors are not closed on week days uni
r, eleven and on Sundays at half past twel'
It. at night, but the occupations and entertai
s, ments make it more enticing to rema
in at home than to go out. Every one in Il
na service of the "Bon Marche" receives
or certain commission on everything sold or d
., livcred, and after certain number of yeaI
of service each acquires an interest in the sto
he that increases yearly.
py 1t is one of the most complete works
re benevolencc known. 1t would be almost il
Dt- possible to think of any details that are n
ot, attended to. There is barbcr's shop in t
he building for the use Of the employees,
es, physician is employed by the store and
I'M services are free to all moreover, there
IA. an infirmary in another partIof the city VIII,
ry, those who are sick are cared for; a pair
boots is blacked for every member of
to establishment every lay. When asked If a
It's. board was paid the answer was NO."
ors suppose at least some difference is made
m the salary.