Sacramento daily record-union. [volume] (Sacramento [Calif.]) 1875-1891, 1886-01-05
A MAGNIFICENT OPENING.
A Sacramento Merchant Entertains His
Friends in ROYAL STYLE.

Friends in Royal Style.
One of the largest and most imposing
entertainments yet given by merchant in
this city was that rendered by the proprie-
tor of the Red House, last evening, to the
Sacramento public. The occasion was the
throwing open to the public of the large
additions recently made to that establish
ment. The entire basement, or first floor,
of the building has been elegantly fitted up
and almost doubles the capacity of the store
At an early hour thousands of men,
women and children commenced calling,
and constant stream of humanity was
entering and leaving from to 10 o'clock.
The entrance TO the newly added apart
ments are through the main stores in the
center of the building to a wide and con-
venient stairway that lands the visitor in
the center of the basement, in a room in
size 20x162 This is handsomely fitted up
on either side, well lighted with gas
throughout and is divided INTO several de
partments, each of which is separate and
distinct from all the others, and in which
is TO be found stock replete in every
thing pertaining to that particular line
of goods The trunk department embraces
every article desired in that line, from
the most diminutive hand satchel to
the mammoth Saratoga. The reserve stock
of boots and shoes occupies another por- |
ton of the main room, as also does the !
carpet and mating stock. The bankrupt |
stock occupies large space, and embraces |
goods of almost every character and value. |
which, as the name indicates, were pur-
chased at a bargain. and are sold accord |
ipgly. Off from the main room is the |
country order department, 20x60, and in |
front of this room of similar size devoted |
exclusively to blankets. This room exhib- |
its stock of goods which, in quality and |
quantity, would be a credit to any wooden |
mill. This is what the reporter saw |
so far as the store itself is concerned : |
The immense building was thronged |
with visitors, large proportion of |
whom were ladies. Wishing to enter |
tain an extended welcome 10 all, Mr. Gil |
man engaged the Hussar Band of sixteen |
pieces, the members of which appeared in |
their handsome new uniforms to discourse |
concert music during the evening The |
band occupied position in the carpet de- |
partment, which, from its central position. |
enabled them to fill the large rooms with |
music. Mr.. Gilman's corps of clerks, men
and women, fifty in number were assid- |
uous IN their efforts to entertain please |
and make it pleasant for all who called. |
At long rows of tables, in the country-order |
department, champagne champagne punch |
and lemonades were served to all, and no |
one who entered was allowed to 90 away
feeling that they were not welcome. 1t |
was keeping open house" upon large |
scale, and was grand success. In 1874 the |
Red House commenced business in small |
way, increased i'll strength and size with |
age, until to-day it has attained a full |
growth, and is one of the leading establish
ments in the State, and is as well known
throughout the coast as it is in Sacramento.
Throughout these years c. II. Gilman has |
been the proprietor, and his success is re-
marked by all. In order to accommodate |
the patrons of this store, front entrances |
have been made at 713 and 715 on Oak av-
enue