The morning call., 1893-09-10

rate stores was preferable to that submit
ted by Mr.. Feist Accordingly diagrams.
ETC., with that object in view. were pre-
pared and submitted to Mrs. Parrot for
her approval. but were rejected by her.
which action resulted in the severlng OF all
association with these parties. and Mr..
Feist assumed sole charge of the un-
deTtaking, his plans, prepared by Pissls
& Moore, by direction of Mrs Parrott,
and outlined in the following matter, re-
csiVing unqualified approval
The proposed structure will have a
frontage of 275 feet on Market street and
will extend back to Jessie street, dis
tance of $50 feet. 1t will be constructed
of light gray sandstone. resembling gran
ite, will be seven stories high on Market
and four stories on Jessie and will be Of
a modern style of architecture.
The plan of the ground floor is the great
est feature of the edifce and combines
many outlines not 10 be found in any
structure in the country. The two first
stories will, from their peculiar conStruc-
ton. be fgura.ivey but one. consisting as
they will of the ground floor proper and
meZzanine. in all 36 feet in height
a grand passageway will run through
the center of the building from Market to
Jessie street, merging into asplendld court
in the center 100 by $50 feet IN its dimen-
siOns. On each side Of the main entrance
on Market street will be 100 feet OF show
window space two stories N height.
The ground floor and the mezzanine will
be divided into departments for the sale of
various lines of goods 10 be disposed of,
these departments fronting on the court or
or pasSageways of both floors.
In the center of the court an elegant
pavilion will be constructed and used az
cafe. bandstand surmOunting the root
The cafe Will be elliptical in shape. 60XS0
feet, with open paneled sides, and Cir
cular stairway In the center leading to the
bandstand.
The court will be covered by a skylght,
and the mezzanine floor will have prom
enade way fifteen feet wide all around
the inside.
The plan under which it is proposed to
run this gigantic retail establishment
places the first two stories, comprising
sixty-twO departments, under one execu-
tive head. 1t Is proposed to offer for sale
all lines of merchandise, and the one
management plan is introduced as a
means Of economy in necessary expenses.
For instance, in the matter OF advertising
the entire establishment will advertise as
one, the saving being at once apparent in
this particular. and many other expenses
Will be reduced ia the same ratio.
The extent OF frontage utilized by these
slXty-two departments can be better
understood by Illustration. For instance,
If separately located on given street-say
Market-they would reach from Kearny to
Powell, or about 1900 feet
The manner in which the business of
the new enterprise will be conducted
marks an epoch in the business history of
San Francisco TO this extent, tnat while we
are or should be practically the metropolis
of the coast. it is nevertheless a fact that
cities like Portland, Sacramento and Seat
tie have mercantile establishments which
are selling larger amounts of goods during
the year than any in San Francisco, and this
Is due to their concentrating the various
branches of business under one roof.
But the plan here proposed is not in line
with the usual department store system,
where each section-say drugs, for instance
will comprise only some of the features
OF that trade IN the stock OF goods carried.
but will be a complete store in every de-
tail with specialist at its head.
In its general features this store will diff
fer from any other in the country, in that
the ground area occupied will be almost
double that of any other similar establish
ment, and the whole business will be con-
fined to two floors, while others are COM
PEELED to utilize four or five.
By reason OF its novel interior arrange
ment, rendering it practicable for that pur-
pose, it is proposed throw the two lower
hoors OF the building open to the public
every evening for promenade purposes,
on the same principle that the Mechanics
institute affairs are now conducted at
given intervals.
certs every evening by band especially
engaged for this purpose. and which will
be equal in point of merit to any in the
country.
In fact. it is proposed to make the place
a resort for our citizens, where a pleasant
evening can be passed without any at
tendsnt expense. and where strangers
visiting US can be shown the features of
an enterprise which will have no counter
part of equal magnitude on the continent.
The entire mercantile institution will be
operated by a syndicate of leading mer-
chants of local and Eastern celebrity who
will form the main com pany, and who
will, in conjunction with Mr.. Feist, con-
troll the lease. A number of experts in
tile various illness of goods handled will
have charge of the departments.
EWhen the building was first under dis
cussion it was proposed that some single
merchant or firm of national reputation