Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1893-09-30

oh pdicOuy overlooking the man nOOr,
ana is handsomely furnished in oak. Lead
ing on from II is a large tile finished toilet
room for the use of ladies.
On the second floor are displayed house.
keeping goods, linens. silks. all dry goods,
and millinery. In the corner is a dark
room, octagonal in shape, with its walls
made up of plate glass mirros. This is TO
oe USED Tor the display of evening goods by
asuieiai hght Here. as everywhere else,
the nttings are all hard wood CHARTERED
OAK, mahogany, or cherry. The two dark
looms, on the first and second floors, are
.he only dark spots in all the building The
nm isery departments on the south side os
TINS moor are said to have the finest fittin0s
vi any establishment Of he SORT anywhere
ne enIru moor is to be devoted to ladies'
go, Ursoh underwear, corsets. oloaks, suits ana
-, Joys clothing and infants wear ON
the south side are the snacio.,s cfSca. e.
M. Llsner and his various assistants Mr.
Lisner own private office Ia IN the cor
tNir, anu Is ntted up in quartered oak Ad-
Joining Is the large room Cor the boo.x-
keepers, mail, ordering ana auditin,, AZ
Partments and the superinten lents ofice
Inc top floor contains the ;lpholstaryr IL
arr arr , naea,s pictures and picture framing.
tne gooos-receivfng room. where ali con-
signments are unpackcd. There is a room,
Tor the advertising department a room FOR
'a,pns anu sign painting, work ROOM
sample room where travelling men can
Qispiay their goods. and huge stock rcer,
In ADDITION to these there is one large room
winch Is to be used as a lunch room for the
Sn .er with kitchen adjoining. A girl
VIII De IN charge Of this. AMI tea, coffee
ana nourishing dishes will be obtainable by
the Plate at all times. The toilet rooms for
tne clerks are also on this !ioor. The attic
Whch runs over the entire building, is to be
used for storage purposes.
ne new building was started August 10
iosL. Mr. Harvey Page was the architect,
ana the building was constructed under the
superintendency of Mr.. George W. Corbett.
a
T. Bout The building would seem to be a $
complete as 1t certainly Is spacious and
imposing, and reflects the greatest credit
uton .ne enterprise and ability OF the man
wno IN sixteen years has been able to move
business. ~ eAe"'
Naturally something about the person-
fhaSa Vi lie .ne man who has accomplished all
.nese tnihgs Will be of interest in connec-
son win this narrative of a business eyo-
luton. The trite saying There is ALWAYS
room at the top" was never better illus
a,'so lnaii IN the life of Mr.. A. Lisner, who
caihe mere Wnen II seemed suicidal to start
any business, even of the smallest kind
Born In Meiningen, a small German town
ABOUT forty Years ago. he received an &C
aoemlc rather than a business education
exceliing chiefly in music and lane11apas
upon coming to this country, however cir
cumstances made IL necessary that he
should adopt a mercantile career, and he
Iound employment In the firm of Altman a.
co. In New York, where he soon became a
buyer. In October 1877. a small store. of
which Mr. Lfsner was manager, was opened
on the corner of 18th street and Pennsyl-
vania avenue. 1t was soon evident that in
spite OF the adverse condition of trade the
'Palais Royal had come to stay. At that
time Washington was, so far as business
fancy. Many people did their shopping in
New York and Baltimore, while many of
those who patronized the local stores were
conservative. and looked with dIsfavor on
far
their mothers had gone before them But
to determined natures obstacles act as in
centfves, and SO IL was In this case: though
In order to succeed Mr.. Lisner was obliged
TO work In the capacity of bookkeeper
buyer, show-dresser, salesman and man
ager. In a short time gratifying results
came to reward him. People soon found
out that the bargains promised were gen.
uine bargains, and to realize that they were
enabled to buy choice goods at bottom
prices, because they were dealing with a
man who was content with small profits
and many sales. instead of few sales with
enormous profits. And just here is one of
the secrets of the marvellous growth of this
establishment: for it Is nothing short of
wonderful that by the unaided efforts OF
one man. whose sole capital was indom-
liable grit and brains, a small store, en-
ploying seven hands and consisting of six
departments. should in fifteen short years
develop into mammoth business. whose
fifty odd departments give work to about
600 people.
1t is hard to mention all the quail
ties which a man able to build up a
business like this Possesses. but among
them is the power to gain the liking and
respect of his employees by business, gener-
osity and quick appreciation OF merit
Every one in his employment recognizes the
fact that Mr.. Lisner is not only an en-
ployer. but a friend. He inaugurated early
closing in the summer, and is now the first
to provide stationary seats behind the coun-
tiers for his clerks. and by other number
less but transformations acts of Kindness has
SO endeared himself to his employees that II
is a matter OF comment among the clerks
that of the few who leave the p. r. TO
work at any other place most of them ask
to be taken back.
Mr.. Lisner has great power OF concen-
tration, wonderful financial and executive
ability, and, above all. the sterling integ-
rity that makes a mans word as good as
his bond.