The Monitor-register., 1896-11-20

John Wanamaker's New York store was
opened for business Monday morning. Small
signs bearing the incriplion "John Wanama
ker, formerly A. 7. Stewart & Co.," are the
only outward indications of a change IN the
old block, but the store within is a monument
to the mercantile, skill of Wanamaker. The
store was filled with shoppers of both sexes,
and there were many expressions of delight
in the confidence that the glory of 'Stewart's"
was revived in "Wanamaker's.
The store occupies the entire block bounded
bys Broadway, Fourth avenue, Ninth and
Tenth streets. and no one to day could devise
better store building than this, erected by
"A. T. Stewart thirty years ago. In short, it
is unsurpassed by any other in the world
This statemnut, sweeping as it is, is absolutely
correct In the black goods section this fact
is particularly appreciated, while the space
set apart for silks and velvets in the rotunda
has an environment that gives it a dignity
and agreeableness thoroughly in accord with
the goods displayed. A soft rich green carpet
responds luxuriously to the tread, while the
open circle. extending to the roof, allows the
light to fall with mellow truth-telling persis.
tence upon. the color and quality of the rich
fabrics on the counters
From this central point radate the various
well knows sections that are to be found in the
parent Philadelphia house. The Offices
formerly occupied by A. T. Stewart are now
used by Mr., Ogden, the member of the John
iWanamaker firm who will represent the house
in New, York. The electric plant, the wo.
mems waiting room, the accountants quarters
the invoice and fur storage departments are
all in their way deserving the praises bestowed
upon them. for no matter whether one finds
| hlmself.on the top floor amid the system of
bookkeeping and mail orders. or in tie. base
ment bewildered by thewealth of toys, and
china, and glass, and silver, and housekeep-
ting goods, the impression is the same: the
store is monument Of industry, marvel of
enterprise.
Within the last fofty.five days stocks aggre-
eating at retail value three millions of dollars
have been gathered for this NewYork store =
the combined stocks of the Philadelphia and
New York stores today amounting to six
million, eight hundred and fifty thousand
dollars. The revival of this great business
meant work for factories that otherwise would
be shut down; meant occupation for thousands
who otherwise would have been idle, and it
means that in the face of all the grumbling
about hard times there has been one man SO
well convinced of a renewed prosperity that
he takes unto himself a duplicate business of
one whose astonishing proportions would
stagger the average merchant The estab-
lishment of "Wanamaker'ss' ia New York is
bringing to that city a living tie with Phila-
delphia. Father Knickerbocker and William
Penn can cement their friendship through ties,
of trade. s.2zz.-s-
Neither of the Wanamaker stores can be
considered as branch-bnfh are great and
complete in themselves, each. shelpfa 10 sahe
other--the two houses working together in
perfect unison as do the two lungs Of healthy
man.
The New York store is success beyond
peradventure. Opening day proved that.
And think of the army of people who find
employment in these two Wanamaker stores!
The number will reach eight thousand before
the holidays.