The Democratic advocate. [volume] (Westminster, Md.) 1865-1972, 1894-05-12
OPENING DAY IN WESTMINSTER.
Spring Openings Music Large Crowds of
Buyers and Plenty of Business

lizard times'' has been so long and so per-
sistently complained of in this section thatihe
crowds of shoppers that came to Westminster
last Saturday was an astounding surprise.
From noon until long after nightfall, and un-
til the storm came, the stores in the dry goods
section were thronged. Mere sightseers were
few-the people were purchasers, and the
tempting goods and equally tempting prices
caused large trade and many hundreds of
dollars were left here.
No town of its size has such we'll stocked
dry goods stores as Westminster, or more
snowy rooms to display them. And no mer
chants have their rooms more pret.ily deco.
rated or their goods more pleasingly dis
played than those of Westminster
MILLER EROS.
This firm of popular young dry goods mer-
chants was but recently formed. Each mem
years, but in different lines They desired TO
enter the dry goods business, and the oppor
tnnity offering to secure one of the best loca-
tons in town, they embraced it, and laid in
stock Of goods that many much larger towns
never displayed. 1t was selected with great
care and bought at low figures, and prepare
ton for a grand opening on May 9Th was
made. The services of Mr.. Harry ID. Letcher,
an expert draper and window dresser of Bal
timore, were secured, and his skill and taste
made strikingly handsome arrangement of
the goods. The blending of colors was beau.
tiful, the artistic draping was exquisite and
the tout ensemble was exceedingly attractive.
The Westminster Band, an organization of
which Westminster is justly proud, was en-
gagged to give an all.day concert, and lastly,
but by no means the least important prepare
ton, the grand opening was announced in
fOnr Cd tho
which is by far the best medium to reach the
people of Carroll.
May 9th came, and with it a crowd of buy
ers. The Miller Bros, and dozen or more
clerks were ready to wait on customers early,
and early the days sales began. The crowd
was continually augmented, and by 2 O'Clock
in the afternoon the store was lined with
shoppers, mostly ladies, to each of whom was
presented a pretty souvenir. A lively trade
was done, and opening day for the new and
popular firm was far more successful than
they anticipated.
ANOTHER OPENING.
NJ Schneeberger, who was manager for S.
Kann, Sons & Co. in this city for a number
of years, decided to remain in Westminster
after the old firm resolved to discontinue on
account of having recently opened large
branch of the Baltimore house in Washington.
he secured the newly uJteQ room IN the
Boyle Building, and announced his ''open-
ing for May 5th also. Past experience
proved to him the value of the ADVOCATE as
an advertising medium, and he proclaimed
the opening in two column advertisement.
His stock was neatly displayed and potted
plants and flowers added beauty to the gen
eral effect His callers were numerous and
he had good opening day also.
THEo. DERR son.
Theo Derr & Son had their Opening
several weeks ago, but they decided to keep
up with the procession and be in the swim.
They employed the columns of the ADVOCATE
to announce their attractions in spring and
summer styles, and dressed their stores anew
for the 9Th. An Italian orchestra was EN-
ployed to render music during the day, and
the firm had their share of the days sales.
OTHER STORES.
Nearly all the stores in other lines brushed
up for the occasion and displayed their wares
to attract the shoppers. Wentz, the ieweier,
had n very unique attraction in a show win.
dow. 1t was mill pond with fish swimming
about in it and ducks and geese floating on
the surface. Nearby was mill, "built in
lS47,' and a race carried water from the dam
and poured it on an overshot wheel, which
set il in motion. The mill is still RAINING.