The Memphis appeal. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1886-1890, 1888-04-25

Memphis enjoys the distinction OF being
the largest grocery market, in proportion
TO population, in the world. In this line
its trade and territory is truly remarkable,
4 great deal OF this gratifying state OF
things is due TO natural advantages, yet
much credit belongs OF right TO the large
number OF enterprising, plucly and hon
est business men who control aud foster the
trade. So far as known, only one grocery
house in the city deals in the commodities
lcgtimately connected with the business.
This is the Oliver-Finnie Grocer company.
IT has never handled bale OF cotton, or
gone outside the line pursued by whole
sale grocery houses in the great CONNER
Cial ccntors elsewhere. This fact
is not referred TO in the sense of
even the iaintest criticism, but on
ly for the purpose of comparison. Twcn-
ty-eight years ago both the senior
partners were conducting similar busi.
ness in Memphis. For nine years they
continued separately, each one prospecting
as he deserved. With q keen foresight
OF rapidly approaching greatness for the
city, and appreciation OF the necessity for
at least one mammoth establishment com-
mensurate with this greatness, their issues
were pooled. This occurred nineteen
years ago. Each year marked some adj
vanccmcnt for the firm in trade, addi-
tons TO stock and admiration from the
business and private public. The whole
sale department sent its travelling repre-
scniatives 10 the rcmotest territory Mem
phis could possibly penetrate, and
wherever introduced the hold was perma-
nent. Until recent date the firm has
conducted n retail department, and num-
bered among It's patrons the leading fam
lilies OF the city aud suburbs. Imperative,
heavy and rapidly increasing demands
upon the wholesale branch impcllcd them
TO dispose Of il, and three OF their most
valued and esteemed attaches became the
fortunate purchasers.
A lew months ago Mr.. J. y. Oliver de
lighted the friends ami well.wishes OF
Memphis, by beginning the erection OF n
building which hc promised should be the
most complete, roomy aud handsome in
the city. Pride and sharpencd business
experience were united in the enterprise.
Facility in handling goods was the prime
motive. IL is located at 3j7 Front street,
and towers above its ngighbors in gorgeous
magniiccncc. When the first stone was
laid in the foundation, IL was the occasion
for great demonstration, in which not
only the most intimate friends OF the firm
gladly participated, but the public gcner-
ally. Plans -of the proposed struc-
turc, rs drawn by Mr.. Edwin G. Jones,
the architect, were exhibited, and elected
the most tlattering comments. No time
was lost in commencing building opera
tons. Workmen by the score were en-
gagged, sounds OF the hammer, trowol and
saw were heard from sunriEe 10 sunset
| and in due course Of time II stood well ad-
vance toward completion. About this
! time the wholesale cotton and grocery
house Of Mcssrs. Porter & Macrca, next
door, was destroyed by fire. Mr.. J. T..
Finnie Witnessed the conilagraiion, and
when at It's fury an APPEAL reporter asked
him IL he did not tremhlo for the safety oil
his building. "Not Bit" said hc 1T is
constructed that every house around II
might burn and yet II would remain un'
scathed." For several days past the firm
has given undivided attention 10 remoy
ing It's enormous stock into the new quar-
tiers, and at O'Clock this morning II will
be thrown open for business and inspcc'
ton.
Mr.. ]. p. Finnic, vicc-prcsidcnt and
manager OF the mammoth concern, who h
also the scientific advertising supenntcnd.
cnt, has devoted large card 10 a succinci
history OF the firm and lbs new quarters.
II can be found In another column, and
by reference 90 il tho reader will find much
10 interest and entertain him. But there
are great many features which could moi
be enumerated in that space, and these
will follow In this article. An ArPRAL rc.
rortcr visited the establishment yesterday
afternoon, and, In company with Other
visitors, was courteously shown through IL.
Interest In the inspection began on the
finst floor, on which Is located the Office
packing and sales rooms, together Will
the broken package department. Thii
latter should not confuse the reader int,
donating the firms statement that the,
sell 10 merchants only. This trade neccs
states handling broken packages In larg'
numbers. In front are the desks OF Man
agcr Finnie and the bill clerk, while IL
the center Of the large room 10 the mali
Office and vault Everything Is hnishet
In plain but pretty woods, the style nov
so happily In vogue Ia all prctcntious os
Establishments. On the second floor !
stored sugar and colIe, on the third
flour, meal and soda; fourth, canno,
goods: 9th, wOodcnwarc and nuts; sixth
miscellaneous. Tho lot, extending from
Front Ia Clinton streets, rcccdcs heavily
toward the river, aud this gives the iiru
two caparous cellars, Nos. ! and 2. II
SO. Is stored nails, cider. syrups, mola-
ses. mackercl, etc, in No. ., nails, lard
hams and the shipping department.
Az previous stated, the main objec
which guided In the construction and M
rangcmcnt Of the new building was iacilit
and chcapncss In handling goods. Til
. comes in chiefly at the Clinton street a.
I trance and In the alley on the north sid,
, The railroad tracks on Clinton street M
/ within ten feet Of the store, and u car.loa
OF freight can, by the use Of only two day
, and small force Of men, be unloaded an
/ housed In one hour. From No. celia
into which the draws can be- run wit
. their loads, the goods can be unloaded %
steam elevators and rapidly transferred I
the floors ON which they belong. For cit
, delivery the draws are backed into larg
. recess In the alley whore there are tw
! large entrances. and orders can be- Ellie
r with almost lightning rapidiiy. In bot
\ instances, II rain Is falling, drays or Oth'
!. vehicles may be driven into the cellar, tn
) floors Of which are Of a.phallum.
For shipping, the facilities are OF ~
highest order. A substantial slide q
n tends from the fifth main floor 10 No
|. cellar, with openings on every floor. u
|. this means box, barrel or any kind I