The Newtown bee., 1890-05-02
A WORLDS FAIR.


There is something more than ozone in
the air of Bridgeport. 1t is progress.
The people of that city are fast outgrow-
ing the accommodations of the past and
reaching out for more room and increas-
ed facilities for business. First they
took Black Rock; now they have COB
bled up West Stratford. They dumped
in 100000 and secured Il large new court
house. Now new post office is going
up. Soon, new warehouse buildings for
government use will be wanted. Last,
but not least among these signs of Il
healthy business growth, come the inn
pOrtant alterations and improvements to
secure more room and increase facilities
for business at the great dry goods and
cloak house of w. b. Hall & Co.
When this firm secured the building
formerly used by the Young Mems
Christian Association, people wondered
where their progress would halt in the
matter of enlargement. Already there
had been number of enlargements and
It was supposed that enough room had
been secured by w. b. Hall & Co. to ac-
commodate any amount of business
which they could do in Bridgeport; but
the constant succession of attractive bar
gains being put before the public drew
such crowds to the store that room again
grew too small for customers and too
small to show as large II stock Of goods
as the firm must keep 10 accommodate an
army of patrons. The establishment now
covers nearly 200 square feet and even
the room under the sidewalks is pressed
into service. Not only Bridgeport pat
rons, but people from all surrounding
towns crowd the store. Excursion trains
and boats from Long Island bring in new
customers weekly and the probability is
that, before long, the cry will be for
more room still.
The only accurate idea of the magni-
tude of this veritable worlds fair can be
obtained by visit to it. On entering the
great store from Main street. a bewilder-
ing sight is opened to view. Scores of
statesmen and saleswOmen are seen about
their respective departments, waiting
tracted by the remarkably low prices on
all goods. Everything is marked in
plain figures at strictly one price.
! TO the right and near the main en-
trance is the gents furnishing depart
ment, which has been increased to four
times its original size and is exclusively
under the charge of gentlemen. On the
left direct is the large parasol depart
ment; also sections for ladies' hosiery
and underwear, ladies' and misses kid
gloves. These departments are eXclus-
lively in charge of ladies. Proceeding up
the main aisle are the lace and ribbon
counters, which have been made famous
by the complete and excellent assert
ments always shown. Taking center
stairway, the rooms for Butterick's pat
terms, ladies' cotton underwear, child
ren's outfits, Hamburg embroideries, cor
sets and children's waists are found
Here are toilet rooms and private rooms
for trying on suits of underwear, when
needed.
Returning to the first floor, the visitor
DtuOluS bilG HtblOIi "diC ut-
partmenf, which is vast bazaar in it.
self and contains fancy trimming braids
buttons, jewelry, art goods, leather anG
willow goods, soaps, perfumery, books
in fact everything from a pin to a worl
of art. Here are the Webster's diction
aries and many famous works, which art
sold ut less than half publishers prices
Passing to the main store are the sect
ions for linens, sheetings, French ant
American prints, ginghams, sateens
chambrays and zephyrs. Here also ART
the great departments for the black ant
colored silks, velvets and the great as
: sortment Of fine and medium dress goods
rich plaids, fine mourning goods, Henri
ettas and cashmeres of their own import
alton and the great collection of fresl
novelties that has given rise to the house
hold saying, mo place like Halls TO
| dress stuffs."
Taking the passenger elevator, we z
to the cloak room, where is everything
for ladies and children in outside gan
ments. The collection of wraps, jackets
. beaded wraps and cloth capes, shawl
r and rubber cloaks is fully up to the mel
!. ropoltan standard. Here also are fittin
and trying on rooms for suits and cloaks
toilet rooms for ladies and the offices G
!. the firm.
Stepping into the elevator car agar
: we go up to the fashion rooms. Here
the custom cloak department for ladie
!. who cannot be fitted below and for thos
+ who wish a very elegant outside ga
y ment. Here are suites Of dressmakin
: rooms where all latest modes for stree
I; reception and wedding dresses can /
u seen. Here also are the seal room
y where seal cloaks are made and repaired
: also werk rooms with so sewers COZ
: stantly employed, besides an army I
, cutters, filters, diapers and designers.
4 This description would not be complies
$ without again taking elevator and d
I. scending TO the basement, where are Il
p curtain, rug, oil cloth and general upho
7 stery rooms. Shoppers can find Swis
! Irish point, chenille and tapestry Gu
tains from So to $50 pair.
Village merchants will find, in I'll
= wholesale sections, goods at fully as 10
prices as in New York. Visitors, whet
II err wishing to buy or not, are always 60
:, daily received nj the progressive Il