Smyrna times., 1890-05-14
The May Meeting at Sharpless
Brothers.
EXHIBIT OF THE GROWTH OF A GREAT
BUSINESS IN SEVENTY FIVE YEARS
FURNITURE sALEsROOMs, NEW
NEW BOOK DEPARTMENT,
ENLARGED RESTAU-
RANT, ETC.

4
ENLARGED REsTAU-
RANT, ETC.
There is something peculiarly inter-
esting in the observation of a great
busines house which has increased and
prOspered under the continuous
control of the same family and in the
same locality for three-quarters of
century not only because of the un-
usual hereditary enterprise and sta
bility of its promoters in this
changing Nineteenth century, but
also for the reason that such
unprecedented success, leads to gen
erous concession to popular taste and
prices on occasions OF special display.
On Monday May, 9Th Sharpless Bros
in their magnificent establishment at
Eighth and Chestnut streets, opening
the third floor. This vast space was
for more than quarter of a century
devoted to wholesale dry goods the
increasing requirments of which have
necessitated large new edifice, Sl2
8l4 Market street, and in the beauti-
full, great room, vacated (fOr the whole
third floor is one spacious open room
there will be displayed. the most
attractive styles of tables, chairs,
sofas, desks, china closets, etc, includ-
ing all the new devises in what is
known as Summer furniture. In sea-
side and country furniture. there are
exquisite designs, and pretty rocking
chairs so cheap that it goes without
saying that they are Sharpless compli-
ments for the occasion. Rocking chairs
of solid oak with deity woven cane
seats for $3.50. Large red wood chairs
with rockers and arms, for 81 SO, speak
for themselves. The white-enameled
gold encrusted settees and tables, tie
latter with top and centrepece of
plush, and the wicker Louis XVI. tab
arettes are beautiful novelties, while
desks, tables, china closets of that de-
sirable new style known as the corner
cupboard, divide the honors with up
holstered velvet and tapestry chairs,
which are regular art exhibition. A
little red folding chair sold at So cents
may be regarded as a gift it is so
good and cheap and well adapted for
use of garden or country.
The new book department is in the
west basement aud may be reached
from the Chestnut street front by a
separate staircase, as we'll as from the
restaurant. All the popular publica-
tiOns will be on sale as soon as issued,
at prices never seen elsewhere A
real bargain in books in the Webster's
Unabridged Dictionary 81 II inches,
1884 pages, bound in half morocco and
printed upon good book paper, at the
marvelously low rate of 50. 10.
The dictionary contains all the words
Webster ever defined, beside ten thous-
and additional ones. One could linger
for a day over the Juvenile books and
inspecting standard authors. As books
suggest burning the midnight oil, :"
word about the beautiful lamps, with
hand-painted shades, must not be omit
ted. They are wonderful lamps, noun
ted in brass with artistic bronze base,
duplex burners and base elegantly dec
GRATED. Only 81 will buy such treas
ure in metals and ceremacs, and for
lamp there is a table with wide top of
cherry or oak, which is marked 9S
cents.
The possibilities of commerce, when
conducted by able hands, are richly
illustrated by this new departure of
the old and honorable firm of Sharp
less.
Not only the superior goods brought
within the reach of limited incomes
but every adjunct of easy and comfort
able shopping is furnished to their GUS
toners. On every floor there is a
ladies' waiting room, and on every floor
there is pageant. which is really a
free exhibition. In the basement the
ever-playing fountain, with it's flowers
and fishes, delights the children, while
they linger enchanted over Edison's
talking doll recting Mother Goose's
melodies On the ground floor the re-
vOlving wax figures show the constant
ly VARYING retails Of fashion in styles
and fabrics. On the second story
there is hall of pneumatic tubes con.
nected with the cashiers desks which
a miracle of science in facilitating the
flight of money. 1t looks like series
of organs turned inside out. On the
the third floor, amid all the pretty and
and luxurious furniture there is blue
baby coach, with running gear of del
icate steel polished to the brightness
of silver, an equipage 6t for a little
princess.
Even refrigeratOrs and ice chests are
things of beauty and as one returns to
the basement to see these, a world of
dress goods may be traversed. TO look
at the lovely bOnnets, choice, elegant
silks and inspect the dainty shoes will
be treat to the fair sex, and it will
be satisfactory to reflect that demand
and supply have been equalized for
seventy five years under the auspices
of the Sharpless.
The memory of this generation does
not reach back to a time when there
was no Sharpless dry goods store, nor
when it did not occupy the very core
of the business centre of Philadelphia.
OuS Girls.
Kitty is witty,
Nettie is pretty,
Lutte is cute and small
Irene Is queen,
Is