The Valley Virginian. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1865-1895, 1884-01-31
CHARLES A. GLADKE.

the business economy of the city. none
VIII be more readily or more pleasantly
called to mind by those of our. readers
who make this town their base of sup
plies than that of Charles A. G'adke.
AS Little Buttercup' says, it's "many
years ago since the house was estab
lshed, and these have been years Of
honorable business activity upon its part.
Durlng this. lapse of years scores of
changes have been effected by Time and
circumstance in the business world of
otaunton. Many who were in trade
when Mr.. Gladke came here are long
since dead, others have removed to other
scenes, and few, very few are left to be
recoulnted as among the business men of
the city to-day.
AS matter Of course the character of
the trade of the house has undergone
many changes since its establishment.
The war had impoverished large ele-
ment in the community, but with reyiv-
ing influences of peace and condition
OF general prosperity, has come a. state
OF affairs that is, to say the least, most
gratifying. As the people of town and
surrounding country have acquired
wealth has come an increased demand for
more and more of the luxuries of life.
In the matter of dry goods this demand
takes shape in calls for silks, velvets and
laces, and Mr.. Gladke puts forth his best
endeavor to cater to the demand; in
deed, we a.e assured that the call for
the better, more expensive class of
dress goods is increasing each year, and
lady friend at our elbow suggests that
Gladke sees to it that he leads rather
than follows this demand, and to this
suggestion we add one of our own,
gained by observation and inquiry, to
the effect that this effort not only applies
to these articles but to each department
of the extensive trade Of the house.
Mr. Gladke pleads guilty to the soft
impeachment that his bushes is in good
shape. Without going into details he as
sures us that his sales for '83 were in ex-
cess of '82, and he appears to feel that
the indications all point to a favorable
season now close at hand.
| Were we to hunt for the elements of
success in the case of the house we
should be lost in maze of conjecture
and of fact. Personal popularity, as
matter of course, is one element; hon
orable dealing is another; still another
may be found in the extensive advertis-
ing which the house does.
When Mr.. G.came here it was with no
idea whatever of permanently remain
ing. He was of speculative tempera-
ment; he had few hundred dollars
worth of goods, and these he auctioned
off. He made, as the boys say, ga
strike" at the outset, and month after
month and year after year he continued |
this auction business. Dame Rumor has
it that his customers got value received
at all events an extensive and valuable |
acquaintance was formed, and when he
every prospect of success. A predic-
ton was made, about this time, by the
late Benjamin Crawford, to this effect
Certain remarks had been made relative
to Mr.. Gladke and speculations were in
dulged in as to his prospective success
or failure. Mr.. Crawford said: Gen
tlemen, | believe in the mani like his
energetic action-I think he knows what
he is doing, and fancy he will be at the
top before many years pass" Our read
ers can draw their own conclusions in
the light of subsequent events.
Mr.. Gladke owns and occupies Nos.
10 and IL Main street. Since purchas-
ing the property he has completely re-
modelled and modernized it until it is now
most attractive place of business. The |
changes effected have been brought |
about by degrees, but.the result is GER
tainly praiseworthy. By putting in a
skylight he has made the salesrooms es-
pecial!y noteworthy in this: that there
are no dark corners-goods are submit
ted to the inspection of customers under
the best Of lights.
The store, being double one, and |
representing different lines of trade be-
comes peculiarly attractive. We wanted |
to pass our time in No. II, but Mr.. Glad !
Ike wouldn't have it so. The fact is, that |
No. IL, which is devoted to millinery, is
presided over by Mrs. G., and she has a
corps of assistants whose bright eyes and !
pleasant smiles would "break up the |
average reporter in short time-we pre-
sumo friend" Gladke had the kindest of |
intentions when he insisted upon making
our stay very brief in No. rail the
same, we treasure up a lasting animosity. |
In the language Of the unregenerate,
sit wasn't square deal" However, we
caught glimpse of faces and Of femi-
nine adornments-in all soberness we
may add that more thoroughly equip
ped millinery establishment will not Be
found outside the large cities, and Mrs.
Gladke, who manages it, knows how to
make it attractive. In this department
from five to six ladies are usually en-
ployed, and the Opening days" become
red letter. ones in the shopping expe-
riences of ladies of town and country.
No. 10 is devoted to dry goods en-
tirely. Each department is complete
flrst come domestics, then silks and
dress goods, cloths, cassimeres and
heavy goods, &c. The "horse shoe"
counter shows captivating array of Ia
dies furnishing goods, kid gloves, cor
sets, &C., and closeb it is an exquisite,
ly fashioned case for sewing silks, sup
piled by "Belding as MIR.
OAoSANS nou " Ouy p1,OOO VI DClulllS |
sewing silks in order to obtain the case,
it is fair to presume that he controls a
goodly trade in them.
Another point" we may make is
Mr.: Gladke, in order to further his own
and his patrons interests, maintains an
office at No. 474 Broadway, New York,
(where his brothers are extensively en-
gagged in the jobbing trade) and there
resident buyer looks after his interests,
securing bargains and sending all the
novelties as they appear in the metro
politan markets. The results are GER
tainly appreciated here.
In the store we find gentlemen who
are looked upon by Mr.. Gladke as
valued unavailable assistants. Among
the number are ]. Edgar Smith, Samuel
Rosenbaum.i and P H. Ross, and they.
heartily cooperate in carrying forward
the work which is the special mission OF
the house. By way Of conclusion we
can add that the entire business OF the
house is systematized as thoroughly as
can be imagined, and its affairs prosper,
as thev OuCht t5F