Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1893-12-19
WHY MIR. MERrz SUCCEEDED.
Was Satisfied With Quick Sales and
Small PrOfits-HOliday Attractions.

One Of the hveliest places in town these
days is the big drug store at the northwest
corner of 18th and F streets, presided over
by Mr.. E. p. Mertz. From early morning
to frosty eve there is steady line of shop
pers entering the broad portals of this
handsome establishment, and to any one
who makes a visit in person the reason for
this popularity can readily be understood.
For store Of this sort there Is on exhibit
ton an unusual amount of goods that are
suitable for holiday gifts, and this, with
the added fact that the prices that prevail
mere are of the lowest possible, makes the
place mecca for Christmas shoppers.
For two years past Mr.. Mertz has been in
possession Of his present handsome corner,
and prior to that he was located in the store
diagonally opposite. at the southeast corner,
that now looks more than ever inconsider-
able In comparison. 1t seems hard to be-
neve mat only eight years ago he made his
start there, when for six months his corps
OF assistants consisted Of Just one a boy to
heip him about the store. Now he has I'M
Ger INN a force of thirty-one some of them
nign,priced experts In their particular spe-
ciaitles. There are few pharmacies any
Where that are handsoiner than this one
ana probably none that are better equipped
TO supply large and varied demands The
eAPiahatlon that is most natural for this
to two rules Of business-small profits. with
quick sales and plenty of advertising Judi
ciously placed. He began with the idea that
there was no reason why rules that made a
success In other lines should not be applied
10 the drug business, and he at once began
Dy cutting rates and telling people, through
tne press, that he had done So and from
the hrst the growth in his business has
been steady and gratifying He is firm
Deilever In the use of printers ink, and he
told star reporter yesterday that he could
never see the use of keeping an article for
sale unless he could let the public know
that he had 1t and at what price
MI. Mertz Is the sole agent now for the
District Tor Newman's perfumes, a unique
line OF perfumes. that he claims are better
put up and at about half the price that an
article Of the same quality usually costs.
ne is also the sole agent for the Queen
Anne cologne, Of which he sells more than
ooo gallons every year. This is an article
tnat Always makes an acceptable holiday
present, but In addition to this the store is
rich In other things that are sure to make
as suitable gifts Without going into detail
or attempting a complete list, there are
toilet articles Of every description, complete
toilet sets. combs and brushes and manicure
sets that would be just to the taste of any
dainty maid, attractive cut glass stands
that, filled with delicate perfumes, would be
an ornament and article of use on any
dressing table, and dozens OF others equally
desirable. 1t seems rather unusual to as
sociate surgical Instruments with the merry
holiday season, but at Merits there are
sets Of these so daintily and prettiiy gotten
up as to make them thoroughly suitable for
gifts to physicians and surgeons.