Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1893-12-21
A CORNER TRANSFORMED,
A Magic Change Made by the PrOprie.
tor of the Palais Royal.

The transformation Of the neighborhood
OF 18th and G streets from the quiet that
reigned there up till the LIST Of October to
the hustle and activity OF a business thor
oughfare that prevails now tells more con-
vincingly OF the success of the New Palais
Royal than the most eloquent words could.
There have been folks who doubted the
stability of the &c street BOOM" but this
doubt Is now gone, and 1t Is an accomplish
ed fact that the buying public has been
taught to go from their accustomed chan
neis OF trafic to places where they can
get what they want at the prices they want
10 pay. The streams of people radiating
nom this handsome new establishment
snow how much the people of Washington
appreciate the energy, courage and public
spirit OF Mr.. Lisner. the proprietor. At any
time such an enterprise as the starting Of
. business on 80 large q scale as this re-
quires a vast amount Of pluck, but Mr..
Lisner has that quality. and just at the
beginning Of the hard times that the coun-
try is now feeling 10 acutely bought his
ground and erected his building. 80 COM
plete in its modern fittings in spite Of
many gloomy predictions that real estate
would fall in a short time; that soon there
would be no money for buying either real
estate or merchandise. and that he was
AocAudiug HOt oefuB content 10 stay III
his smaller store But these false prophets
are discounted. For in this, the hardest
winter financially that has been known
Tor years. when one Of the leading New
York houses has discharged 500 hands in
December. the busiest month in the year,
and another that usually employs a force
OF 2,1OO contents itself with one of ], 400
the Palais Royal is able to give work to
600 people. many Of whom would other
wise be out Of employment.
Meanwhile the vast emporium is delight
Ing thousands daily with its beautiful
goods, its great bargains and its novelties.
The hunters OF Christmas presents are find
Ing there all they seek. and gifts for old
and young. pretty, useful. in all grades of
cost and all sorts of tastes There is not
human desire that cannot be satisfied
there. 1t Is a veritable wonderland Of good
things. Provided with every convenience
for customers, 1t is the usual thing that
parties Of shoppers go early in the morning
to the Palais Royal and spend the entire
day. leaving with reluctance in the evening
when home duties compel them to leave.
These facts are sufficient warrant for the
popular belief that Mr.. Lisner has made
no mistake in taking his old custom up to
G street and creating a new patronage in
addition there. AS an evidence both of his
success and his charitable inclnations
which lead him to many acts Of unosten ia
tfous giving, mention has recently been
made Of the fact that he sent to the Com
missioners OF the District, in addition to
his usual liberal contributions, the sum Of
s425. or five per cent of one days actual
sales. to be used in relieving the poor Of
the city.
At present the Palais Royal Is undoubted-
ly one Of the most interesting points in the
city. Aside from the rich and wonderful
display of goods II is interesting to observe
how the great business of a modern store
Is conducted. The establishment Is fitted
with elevators. pneumatic tubes for cash
carriers and every device for expediting
business and contributing to the comfort
of customers.