Sacramento daily record-union. [volume] (Sacramento [Calif.]) 1875-1891, 1889-11-11
BUSINESS HOUSES.
SOMETHING CONCERNING AN OLD
TIME ESTABLISHMENT.
The Advantages of This Trade Center
and the Relation of the cred
House" to Them.

In reviewing the history and present con-
dition of the business houses of Sacra-
mento, one of the earliest of the large es-
adjustments that by its commercial prom
inenee suggests itself, is that of THE RED
HOUSE TRADE UNION" more familiarly
known as THE Red House." situated at
ia and ZIG ] street and 713 and 715 Oak
avenue.
1t was founded by G. II. Gilman, the
present proprietor in 1874, and is to-day a
monument to his perseverance, tenacity of
purpose and business skill. Beginning in
small way, being the first to establish the
one price and open marking system, he has
adhered to them faithfully, been compli-
mented by copyists and has built up wide,
strong and constantly expanding trade.
From simple, small and crowded store
room his establishment has widened and
deepened until il now covers over Is 600
square feet, divided into four floors of 20
feet each by 100 feet in depth, besides Is
feet by 40 of storage space additional on the
Osk-avenue lower floor.
The establishment is divided into four
teen departments, the names of which suf
ficiently indicate the varied character of
the stock carried The J-street floor first
on the east contains the boot and shoe de-
partment eighty feet deep; opposite, the
clothing department, eighty feet; and TO
the rear OF this the hat and the mems and
youths furnishing departments, each
eighty feet deep. Next on the west aud
front is the fancy goods department, each
side, and adjoining it the dry goods and the
cloak and wraps departments. To the rear
of these, and running back to the rear wall,
is the millinery supply and millinery man
ufacturing departments.
On the Oak-avenue floor, to which stair
ways lead from those already named, on
the east comes the department of trunks,
valises, etc, supplemented by carpet rugs,
on the west side of this section. The re-
mainder of this floor is occupied by the de-
partment of toys, of which, as we write, an
enormous stock is being unloaded. An en-
tire carload, for instance. of children's
wagons have not yet been put in stock
Adjoining are sections devoted to tinware,
crockery, crystal ware and general notions
in endless variety.
On the west twenty feet of the Oak ave-
nue. floor we find blankets. heavy woolens,
ETC. and to the rear the offices, rooms,
desks and appliances of the country order
department. The country order business,
by the way, if not originated by Mr.. Gil
man, certainly credits him with being a
pioneer of the system. Under it, elaborate
illustrated catalogues of from 10 to 200
pages, quarto form, are issued fall and
spring. These are sent abroad throughout
the Pacific coast, and result in orders from
all points of the compass. If desired, sam
pies are sent, and the orders resulting,
whether calling for the most trifling
article or a full stock of goods,
are filled with as much care, faithfulness
and promptness as if the purchaser stood
before the salesman. The vast majority of
the orders filled are sent out through the
mails, thus insuring speedy and cheap dis
patch. Neither time can be given nor
space accorded to elaboration of this sys-
tenn, into which so many business houses
have now entered. 1t must suffice to say
that under the Red House system it has
now the entire confidence of the Pacific
coast public, which from Washington Ter
ritory to Mexico and from California to the
furthermost Idaho line, sends orders either
to fill by sample or catalogue, in the dis
cretion of the managers of the department
in the Red House.
There are upwards of fifty employees in
the establishment, distributed among the
several departments, and these are engaged
for special fitness for their several tasks.
Concerning the stock carried by the Red
House, it Is to be said that Mr.. Gilman
keeps buyers in the Eastern and home
markets, who purchase for him di-
rect, and the middle man is thus
eliminated from the Red House sys-
tenn. In many departments the supplies
are made to the order ofthe house. Thus, in
the matter of boots an d Shoes of which an
enormous stock is car ried, they are manu-
featured at the East expressly for the house,
and to meet the exact demand of its trade,
upon the pulse of which Mr.. Gilman has
so long kept his finger that he knows pre-
cisely what is wanted. &c. too in clothing
and mems furnishing goods, the house
commands, by sample of the stock, the
manufacture of quality and style, exactly
as needed, and this need is always the re-
Spouse TO the trade demand of the city,
State and coast.
In the millinery department, where
skilled operatives are employed, the man.
ufacture is both for shelf and case and to
the order of the buyer. By a system of
records, any millinery order can be dupli-
Gated at short notice, no matter how far
back the order dates. In the dry goods
department the prevailing trade, fashion
and demand, in either silks or calicoes,
woolens or mixed fabrics, are considered
and met. In fancy goods, all novelties,
from silver service to decorative articles
are kept up to the standard of a substantial
and well ordered establishment, Of wide
trade.
Cheapness, consistent with quality, is
feature of the business, and, in fact, general
cheapness distinguishes the house, due to
direct purchases and in immense quanti-
ties, and to the rapidity with which the
stock is turned over, owing to the very
broad trade area occupied and consequent
steady demand upon all departments of the
establishment.
Whatever advantage Sacramento has as
commercial center accrues to the benefit of
the patrons of the Red House. These are
positive, important and unsurpassed. as, for
instance the centrality of the location of
the city, its many railroad connections.
freedom from dock and drayage charges,
lowness of rental values of property, ease
of handling goods because of the situation
of the business houses and their contiguity
to the shipping platforms, general econ
omy in the conduct of business where
large fixed capital in costly buildings, fancy
priced realty and the expenses of crowded
metropolis, are unnecessary; and finally,
the capacity to receive, fill orders and ship
goods on the same day. While the Red
House is thus general supply establish
ment, it makes an especial address to the
trade of farmers, it having been Mr.. Gil
mans idea from the outset that the agri-
cultural regions needed better facilities for
obtaining supplies and goods especially
adapted to their needs.
WALLS NOTE.