Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1889-10-05
A Decided Revolution,

When it is possible to meet the demands of
developing business without change of location,
and when the premises of an old established
house are susceptible Of expansion. improve
ment and positive revolution, without the OBJ
Iteration or impairment of old and familiar
landmarks, double purpose has certainly been
accomplished.
The opening at Seaton Perrv's on Monday.
Tuesday and Wednesday last was to Washing
ton an occasion of no small historical aud COM
mercial import To many of the older resi-
dents of this city the Perry" building possesses
all the attractive characteristics of an old friend
and when, during the SUNNI Ell. 1T was noticed that
the 9th street side of the building was being en-
tIrely altered some speculation excited as
to the possible determination of good old
forms and outlines" But Mr.. Perry has not
only improved his building by the introduction
of new entrance and six large show windows
He has also beautifed the corner and adorned
the street.
The Interior motive of these changes was not,
however, altogether establishment The dry
goods business. which had been steadily grow
ing for nearly half century, demanded more
expansive accommodations; and, moreover in
the spirit of trade advancement, Mr. Perry de-
termined to transform his establishment from
general dry goods" to a department
store" To do this and to do it in such man
ner as would meet the sanction and apprecia-
ton of the trade that had been built up under
the old regime-and it is safe to say
no house in Washington has a finer
class of custom-Mr. Perry realized
that he must reconstruct with a lavish and
sweeping hand. That he has done so you will
| observe as you approach the building and
notice the marked improvements upon the
9Th street side: Ii you enter by this new door
you will find that while the old store simply
comprised the first floor and basement, there
are now four stories given up to an immense
| dry and fancy goods business, with new
and extensive departments upon each land
ing, connected by elevator and managed
by a small army of skilled statesmen and ladies'.
The noiseless and swiftly moving elevator
| is located in the rear of the building and tray
erses the four landings. The basement is no
longer utilized for any business branches ex-
cept as dark room for the display of evening
goods. 1t is now the home of the superior en-
gines and the steam-heating plant, which sup
plies the entire building. Upon the second
floor front are the Offices of the book keeper,
cashier and the receiving and delivering de-
partment. Adjoining these is Mr.. Perry's
private Office. The cashiers Office is the
concentrating terminus of the pneumatic
tube system of cash carrier and ia
the only one Of this kind in the city operated
by steam. These tubes skirt the ceiling of the
basement and connect every department in the
store with the business Office and some idea
may be obtained Of the rapidity of transit ac-
| quired by this system when a salesman NAV
place carrier in the tube and in ten seconds
IL Will De returned TO MIN from the office. 1t
| is accuracy and expedition realized. This sys-
| tenn was put in by the Meteor Dispatch Com
pany of New York and is the same first used
here in The EVENING STAR office and by the
largest mercantile houses in the principal
/, cities of the country.
In order to convey to the reader some def
mite idea of the extent of the department sys-
tenn, as introduced by Mr.. Perry, it NAV be
stated that on the first floor are to be found the
combination suits and dress fabrics in wool,
cotton, silks and velvet mourning goods, kid
gloves, hosiery, umbrellas and parasols, hand
kerchiefs, notions, buttons, dress trimmings,
&c: The second floor is given up to table and
bed linen, shirtings, hannels. corsets, skirts
and white goods Of all classes. The third
floor contains full stock of ladies' and
| children's cloaks and wraps, shawls, JERSEYS
waterproofs, silk and cloth gossamers, mems
Scotch mauds and travelling shawls; while on
| the fourth floor will be found Q large and COM
plete assortment Of heavy blankets, bed spreads,
quilts, comforts, and other goods Of that class
In short, perry Building" which has been Q
landmark in Washington these many wears,
can surely not be less 30 now that its adopted
beauties make 1t % much more noticeable; and
it L safe to say that under its new inspiration il
will be made and kept more Of q public neoes-
| sity than ever.