New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1888-04-15
CHANGES IN BROOKLYN.
ITS BUSINESS CENTRE MOVING.
BRIGHT PROSPECTS FOR THE RETAIL TRADE -
GROWTH OF THE POPULATION.

BRIGHT PROSPECTS FOR THE RETAIL TRADE
GROWTH OF THE POPULATION.
Nowhere is there more signal proof Of the growth Of
Brooklyn than in the changes which are taking place In
the chief business centre the part Of Fuonst within
a mile of the ferry. In the early village days the
of trade In the quarter OF mile between tho
ferry which linked the west end Of Long Island with
what there then of this city and sands-st, where
the Bridge begins Men yet living recall the days
when In that part of Fulton-st. and Msn-st II,
were all the dry goods and the other principal
houses Of business and when Sandsst the fashion,
able centre OF society. 1t was regarded as reckless
move uptown when bold merchant ventured above
Ssndsst. and opened store In what was then TO-
gsrded out In the country.
But after the city incorporated and the triang-
ular spot bounded by Fulton JoraemoD and Court ss.
selected as the site for the City Hall, the trade
centre became the three of mile between thai
point and the foot OF Fonst, the tendency being
stantly toward the City Hall. The early banks wee
the ferry, but later established close 10
the political of the city, and gradually all those
further down compelled by force of crcum-
stances to move up.
THE BRIDGE GAVE THE IMPETUS.
For period OF third OF century the dry goods
Interest established mainly in lower Fultonst, but
then Of the older merchants went east OF the City
Hall and formed the nucleus Of new business centre
But 1t until the opening OF the Bridge and the
great impetus that gave TO Brookyns growth in pop
uson that the fact recognized that there was room
needed for larger growth Of the trade OF the city An
impetus given TO the establishment OF great
stores in the portion Of the thoroughfare Of tho
city between the City Hall and Flatbush.ave which Is
constantly increasing
In the last three years a number OF notable business
structures have been erected in that part OF the city,
and there is steady demand for all the available places
This spring number OF firms have made arrangements
m fer I'M ha az
between the Bridge and the City Hall to the portion east
Of the latter and there appears to be demand for tho
vacated buildings One or two firms, long established
in the lower part Of the street. have gone out Of
business, and pe the efforts Of those business men
who property in that portion OF the CITY, its fate
business centre appears TO be sealed 1t Is narrow
and crooked and the elevated road in is far
annoyance the straight and wider part OF Fulton
st., east Of the City Hall Windows darkened. and
there little chance for the effective dis play OF goods
Another disadvantage IS that In lower Fultonst the
the strikes tho windows In the afternoon prevent
ing the display Of brghcoored goods 10 attract shop
pers In the other part Of tho street however. all the
chief shops tho south sde and the window atrao
lions can be fully and freely displayed
BUSINESS MANS PROPHECY. I
welLinformed business man in Brooklyn said rc-
Gently to Tribune reporter, regard tho business
changes OF the last few years most significant OF
what Brooklyn will be in tho near future Already our
stores are larger a5a m psOps @ e
CITY, for instance prefer TO come to Brooklyn to shop,
,ather than 90 New York And the tide OF Brooklyn
ties which used to flow the Bridge and ferries to
the New.York emporums Of merchandise has almost en-
trely ceased. The ladies' ind they can 40 better at
home The erection Of the dry-goods palaces in THAI
part of Fultonst between The City Hall and Flatbush
ave has been followed by the building OF the nness
building devoted to the grocery trade In the city In lat
bus have near Fulton-st and IT'S upper stories have
been possession OF by such organizations as tbe
Young Republican Club the City Mission and Tract So
ccty the CONGREGATIONS and Presbyterian Clubs. and
tho newly organized Young Womens Christian Assoela
ton. ,,,, J
On the opposite corner the largest and finest build
ing devoted to mems clothing IN tho two cities about
10 be erected at cost Of 100000 Several other pro
jects buildings in that part Of the city are being
inaturod In my opinion, the business centre of tho
Brooklyn Of the future will stretch from the CITY Hail
In Fulton-st and Flatbush-ave to the Long Island
Railroad depot. That is tho place where crowds OF
shoppers from all points along that railroad dscmbark
iD Broohlyn, aud trade will soon reach up TO that
point Brooklyn will soon have million people, and
that means a deal of trade. If IL can be Kept
within the city itself, It VIII inure TO the benefit Of
every ope. The opening Of rapid transit In Fultonst'
Will only add 10 the impetus already gained. New
buildings for business and for pleasure Will be built by
the In the heart OF the city, within the next tvol
mr. threo years.