Morris tribune., 1893-06-07
THE "GLASS BLOCK. .
Erected by Wells Bros. &
Hanson.
A Brief Sketch OF this Firms
New and Elegant Place
of Business.

better and moro modern quarters, con
Guided to build suitable blocE
Work was begun about two month
ago, and with characteristic energ
and enterprise they have "off with tn
old and donned the new" in such
brief period of time and without a PEI
oeptible interruption to their extensiv
business, that it seems almost MAJ
velous,
The old premises have not bee
remodeled, enlarged or improved
they have been simply wiped out 0
existence" all that remains of thos
old landmarks being pile of refus
lumber. The building is therefore al
entirely new one throughout, and it il
not saying too much to add that it il
credit both to Morris and to the en-
terprising firm who erected it. 1t il
commodious, we'll arranged, very sub
stantial, and as attractive as many s
store that graces city avenues.
The premises, with its ample anC
commodious interior, its brick, iron
and plate glass exterior, may be ap
propriately called the "Glass Block
and it is with considerable pride the
TnIBUNE gives space to a description
Of this substantial addition to the
business establishments of Morris.
The building is two stories high,
with fifty feet frontage, and extends
ninety feet to the rear. The front is
plated with heavy galvanized iron of
q handsome and tasty design. This
viii be painted and sanded and will
closely resemble cut stone when COM
plete. The side and rear walls are of
brick and extend above the roof so as
to form fire walls. The entire front
of the first story is almost mammoth
unbroken sheet Of heavy polished
plate glass, which makes a most at
tractiye appearance and besides the
light afforded the interior, gives ample
room for the display Of the many
beautiful goods with which every de-
partnent is stocked.
On entering the vestibuled doors
the interior arrangement is very at
tractive and pleasing. The floor is of
maple, and walls, ceiling and shelving
of Georgia pine, all finished in oil and
varnish. The beautiful natural grain
of the beaded pine shows to good adj
vantage when so handsomely polished,
and being we'll lit by the enormous
front windows, sky-lights, rear and
side windows, makes most pleasing,
bright and cheerful appearance. In
fact there are few salesrooms, outside
Of the large city establishments, where
the arrangement Of space, lighting,
&c, are better or more complete. Now
that the stock is being arranged,
shelves filed, and goods displayed,
one can appreciate how handsome and
well lighted the new quarters are.
The shelving is new and modern in
style, the shelves being broad and
deep thus affording ample space for
the huge stock. Each department
has shelving adapted to its particular
class Of goods, and this gives very
neat and trim appearance to the whole
establishment-one impossible to at
tain unless where a similar arrange
nent prevails.
The grocery department-alway a
leader with this FIRMS situated at
the rear on the ground floor. It is
by a glass partition reach
ing to the ceiling and is complete in
every detail, with cellar, cold room,
butter room and cistern. The crock
cry department is also here, and is
quite original in the special arrange
ment of shelving.
The second story is divided into
Offices in front, with store room in the
rear. Two large, we'll lighted, high
eeilinged, double Office rooms, with
closets, occupy the front space, and
ire separated from the very large
5toreroom in the rear by a hall. This
5toreroom is lit by a skylight and is
finished very complete with drawers,
moth-proof boxes, &C., and is
already piled up with enough surplus
stock to start an average store. 1t
would seem as if ample space had
oeen provided for storing goods, but
every available inch of space
n the new building is filled to its
yet it requires two large
in rear of the premises to
store the extra stock supplies.
The "Glass Block" is certainly a
,reditable addition to the business
district Of Morris, and it is also an in
location of the enterprise and financial
standing of Wells Bros. & Hanson,
hat an undertaking Of this kind, in
7olving an outlay OF many thousands,
should be inaugurated at this time
when money matters are SO close and
stringent. This firm, however, is one
Of the solid financial institutions of
Western Minnesota, and their new
premises are fully in keeping with
and such as their'vast business inter-
ests require and demand. Hard times
don't count for much with them,
seemingly.
This article should not be closed
o,,+ N, lz.,,ce ,,,on4;op Of Tho o,,.o1y