Aberdeen herald. [volume] (Aberdeen, Chehalis County, W.T.) 1886-1917, 1891-11-05
THE GRAND OPENING.
Toklas and Kaufman Keep Open
House In Their New Brick
Block.


and G streets, with pride and interest
That this interest was widespread was
shown by the crowd that thronged the
entrances of the store on the night of the
formal opening, Monday of this week.
Everything was as gay and bright as
new paint, glittering varnish and band
of music could make it. Above the sound
of the band rose the voices of crowd of
visitors who moved about between the
counters bright with tempting display
Here and there was to be seen woman
standing beside gracefully draped bolt
of India silk with that peculiar, medita-
tive, far-away gaze that told she was per-
forming that most difficult tasks-making
up her mind "if it would do"
One of the most attractive feaures about
the new store is the way our pretty ma
tural woods have been finished with a
good polish and given coat of clear var
nish. The low counters and modern ar
rangements of the shelves permit the buy
er to purchase and the salesman to display
the goods with mutual convenience,
and the natural finish of the wood makes
the accessories ornamental Another
very important fact in the fine appearance
Of the store is the number of lights
which show all the draping and decora-
tons off to the best advantage. Five
hundred and eighty candle-power of in
candescent electric lights, besides two arc
lamps, pour out flood of light upon the
scene, and attracts the eye of the passer
to the decorated show windows behind
their large plate glass panes.
Beside the full representation of Aber-
deem people, there were present at the
opening Mr.. Nathan kaufman and Saml.
G. kaufman of Olympia and Mr.. Max
Toklas, one Of the members of the parent
firm in New York. This firm has been
the pioneer mercantile house OF the West,
having established large stores in San
Francisco, Spokane, Olympia, Seattle
and Aberdeen. Their business shrewd-
ness is as mukh shown in their quickness
to seize upon good strategetic points as in
conducting their business, when estab-
lished, upon sound business principles.
Architect G. B. Douglas, the designer
Of the building was there to see the FIN
ished product Of his brain, and to appre-
ciate the appreciation of others for his
work. So also was Contractor B. F. Doty.
MI. Douglas has been the recipient Of
much praise for his work in this instance,
and if the architect is praised SO must
the contractor be, useless each without
the other"
DECORATIONS.
Mr.. Nathan kaufman, Of Olympia, ar
rived here on Wednesday and Immediate
ly set to work to decorate the windows
and interior Of the store. How we'll he
acquitted himself Of the task can be
judged by the amount Of praise and con-
gratulations he received from all sides.
To attempt detailed description Of all
the decorations would take up more room
than the present issue Of this paper adj
mits. But we can not help mentioning
the principal features:
First of all, the corner window, the
center of attraction, where an array of
artistically draped dresses were arranged
with sort Of careless elegance, was
very captivating to behold. The sides
were trimmed with fancy articles Of
all sorts, while from the ceiling ribt ons
in harmonious combination OF colors were
Topped, the whole presenting a very
striking effect.
On entering the dry goods department,
the visitor met with a sight which was
beautiful indeed. Suspended from the
ceiling, intermingling thier bright colors
table scarfs and handsome lace curtains
formed magnificent view. All along
the top Of the shelving on the right side,
handsome silk and wooden materials were
draped on boards. The top of the fancy
goods shelving was composed OF pretty
array of handkerchief, fans, hosiery and
corsets, while on the counters fancy work
materials were displayed in splendor
The beautiful plush banner in front
was also admired by everybody. The
names OF Toklas & Kaufman were made
OF cut steel buttons on one side and rib
boris on the other. The display in the
clothing department was arranged by Mr..
Saml. Kaufman. brother of the artist,
and showed off to splendid advantage.
Taking 1t as whole the display was as
fine as any ever seen on the Pacific Coast
1t is estimated that over 1900 people at
tended the opening in the evening.
During the evening, cigars were passed