The Helena independent. [volume] (Helena, Mont.) 1875-1943, 1890-12-19
RESTAURANTS IN SHOPS.
Growing Conveniences for Women
Who Get Hungry While
Out Shopping.
Fashionable Stores frequently
Provide Places to Procure
Ediblee.
The Idea Has Become Very Popular-Also
Source Of Profit to the
ProprletorA

-
ProprletorA
Several years ago big retail dry goods
house tried the experiment of providing 9
restaurant for its customers. It took up q
large section of one floor, and was fitted
with polished hard wood tables. A space
was reserved on the upper floor for the
kitchens, and an army of glrls was en-
ployed to act as walters. The experiment
WAS success almost from the start, as the
members of the firm knew it would be.
Prior to that time customers had been
interrupted frequently in the midst of their
shopping by the necessity of going out to
lunch. As there did not happen to be a
good restaurant in the vicinity this always
meant considerable loss of time, and, as a
rule, the shopper would not return that
day. If she desired to do any other shop
ping she would 90 to some store more con-
venient to the restaurant where she
lunched. By opening a restaurant
in the store, therefore, the firm was
enabled to keep its customers and the lat
ter we're not interrupted SO much in their
buying. Furthermore, many persons came
w tAC 4C6UouI0AU aAA Wc10 4AOuC6u I'd DuE-
chase by the sight OF the things around
them. SO that the direct profits of the res
taurant were only small portion of the en-
tire profits that came from it in indirect
ways.
The restaurant itself was an attraction.
It was large and airy, and cheerful place
to sit in. Shoppers who were tired out
from standing around bargain counters, or
walking from one place to another, found
it very pleasant to come here and rest. It
often happened that the lunch was consid-
erably prolonged by the chatting of friends
who met at the tables: The food and the
way it was prepared did credit to the place,
and the prices compared favorably with the
other articles for sale there.
The restaurant had not been long in ex-
istence before the firm concluded to secure
still further profits from it. They did this
~, establishing in a separate room res
taurant for their employees. The same kind
OF food that was served in the public res
taurant was served to the employees. but at
reduced prices. As nearly as could be fig
nred, the employees obtained their lunch at
cost. The only proviso made by the firm in
regard to this was that those who took ad-
vantage OF their restaurant would not be
allowed to leave the establishment until the
days work was over. The employees were
not compelled to patroniZe the restaurant,
and, it they wanted to go elsewhere, were
allowed the same time as usual: but it was
soon shown that the firm had made no mis-
take, Because only small number of the
employees went outside.
Within the past year number of other
dry goods houses have established restau-
rants. One of these is very excellent, and
compares favorably with hrst-class restau-
rants elsewhere. The bill of fare is elabor-
ate, the service is very good, and eyerv
attempt is made to please. At the same
time the prices are below those charged for
similar service in regular restaurants,
The New York Sun reporter visited
number OF these restaurants the other day.
The last one referred to was found to be
the most attractive: It is large room
ON the second floor of the building, away
from the noise of trade, and is very nicely
ntted up. There is velvet carpet on the
door, and the furniture is all appropriate
A magnificent carved oak sideboard stands
chased and engraved silver and
elaborate pieces of cut glass, The
table cloths are of the finest linen. All the
china and silverware compare in quality
with those found in any frst-class restau-
rant, and he is the cashier. The manager
IS woman and the walters are all young
girls. The person who selected these evil
IDENTIFY had an eye to the aesthetic, as thew
are all pleasant to look at. They wear uni
form black dresses with pretty white lace
S1Po 0AV oPi OAos A6 reporter WAS looked
at in surprise when he came in, and the
manager came up to him at once and in
formed him that gentlemen were not al
lowed unless accompanied by ladies. An
exception was made in his case, however.
as he was simply looking TO. information.
An idea OF the prices can be obtained
from the list of extras on the bill Of fare:
Chicken soup. 20 cents: lobster la New
burgh. 30 cents: lamb chops, Dreaded, with
green peas, IS cents; chicken croquettes,
with cream sauce, 40 cents; roast beef, Is
cents: roast veal. stuffed, % cents; roast
turkey, with cranberry sauce, 30 cents. A
notice was appended to the bill Of fare to
the eject that no extra charge would be
made when one portion was served for
two. The Importance of this was apparent
when it was found that the portions were
unusually large and that one was always
large enough for two. Leading ont of the
restaurant was handsomely fitted writing
room for the benefit of its patrons. Hand
some polished hard wood tables and pretty
little fancy seats were provided, together
with all the little accessories necessary for
comfort.
All the other restaurants that the reporter
saw were OF cheaper grade than this.
There was more hustle and confusion. and
the mattresses were not 50 polite or atten- |
tive. Ono of the restaurants had pnrIor l
adjoining It for the accommodation OF cus-
somers. Ihe prices at this restaurant were
OoAoANCAoOAy OO4OW tAOb0 OF the uTHt. Rnnak l
turkey was put down ct 30 cents and roast
chicken at the same. The other extras
were: Celery. y cents: Tokay grapes, 10
cents, pears or oranges. 5 cents, and cram
berry sauce. cents. The pioneer restau- 1
rant of this kind still holds its own, and is |
as successful as though there were no com |
petition. Everything is clean. and the |
prices are certainly low, considering what |
is furnished. Men are frequent customers |
at this place, as they are at every other, |
with the exception mentioned. All these |
restaurants do their cooking in the store
building.
Was She Hypnotlzed?
Paris, Dec. 18.-In the EJraud trial to-
day, Eyraud persisted in his statement that
Bompard conceived the de-
tails of the crime and mt tho nonsa oho.A