The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1886-04-06
A SPLENDID STORE.
A Visit to 3. A. Atkinson & Co. g
Furniture establishment.


The well known furniture establishment
of B. A. Atkinson & Co., which has been
located at the corner of Middle and Pearl
streets for year past has been making
great improvements in the stately building
occupied by them, and visit to the store
Yesterday by PRESS reporter gave some
little idea of the extent of their business
and the expense they have put themselves to
for the better accommodation of their
patrons. The large brick edifice, five stories
in height, with dry, well lighted basement, is
100 feet in depth by AZ feet in width. 1t also
possesses the advantage of standing on the
corner of Pearl street, a remarkably wide
avenue, and, having twenty windows to
floor, the result gives one of the brightest
and arrest stores in New England.
The rear basement, 60 x AZ feet in size, is
devoted to the shipping department. ard the
great facilities afforded in this respect is one
reason for the ability of this firm to make
such favorable prices for their goods, as
they do their own teaming. The remainder
of the basement is occupied by the stove
and range department Here can be found
twenty-four different styles of ranges, be-
sides an immense variety of parlor stoves
of which they sold last season over lloo'
Here also is the work room for the httlng OF
all the necessary parts of the stoves ana
ranges.
The first floor is especially devoted to car
pets, of which there is complete assert
ment from the richest to the cheapest.
Probably as nice floor as can be found In
any carpet store in New England 1or the
display of goods has just been laid at cost
of $500. This splendid flooring, with the
exception of the space taken by the offices in
the rear. covers the entire width and depth
of the building. On this floor also can be
found complete stock of baby carriages,
and of refrigerators, the firm having the ex-
elusive right to the sale of the celebrated
Perfection" make.
The second floor is devoted to the sets of
parlor furniture ranging in price from $33
to $3.50, and upholstered in plush, silk, hair
cloth and Ramie. The hall stands are very
beautiful, some costing as high as $50, and
there is large variety of easy chairs. On
this floor, in the southwest corner, is large,
comfortable toilet room for the benefit of
lady customers, especially those from out of
town, elegantly carpeted and furnished
bright and airy apartment.
On the third floor are the chamber sets,
and here can be found everything known to
the trade. There are 8S styles on this floor.
The sets are in pine, ash, mahogany, cherry,
walnut and Eastwood. They cost from SIT
to $3.50, and the elegance of the carving and
richness of the woods of the more expen-
ell OH ind
Probably as fine line of sideboards can
here be found as in any city of large size, in
antique work, cherry, mahogany, walnut
and ash. The marbles used in these side
boards and in the chamber sets are very
rich. The prices range from $50 to S165.
There is also splendid stock of the most
conveniently arranged and lined roll top
desks, placed at prices from $45 to $75, and
parlor beds-With their handsomely carved
fronts and mrrors-valued at $50 to $50.
On the fourth floor will be found an inn
mense stock of chairs, mattresses, springs,
bedsteads, parlor suits, extension tables,
floor alone at $4,000. The feather room is
80 feet long, divided up into pens for all
kinds of feathers, ranging from the most ex-
pensiye live geese to the ordinary hen
fertilizer. At one end of this floor will also be
found large display of dinner and tea sets.
The fifth floor is the work room, well
lighted by six large skylights, and is S0x25
feet in size, and here is the place where the
carpets are made up for the purchaser. A
large line of clocks is placed on this floor,
and also quantity of baby carriages.
All the floors from basement to attic are
reached by large commodious freight and
passenger elevator, constructed by Moore &
Wyman. The business of the firm requires
the services of thirty three people, Gnclud-
ing in the office stenographer and copy
writer, for the transmission of the cor
respon ience) and at night six large electric
lights furnish ample Illuminating power for
their work.
The stock carried by Atkinson & Co. is
immense; $685. worth being placed in the
building. Being iobbers in their purchases
for their many establishments, renders it
possible for them to sell goods at retail at
such reasonable prices. Their instalment
plan works to charm, and the fact that
they never press for payment, when sickness
prevents debtor from paying his install
ments, and the fact that in the fourteen
years of their business they have never had
a lawsuit, shows the good results of fair
dealing Mr.. Atkinson says that the firm
did business of 100000 last year, and at
present indications will do three-quarters of
million this year.