The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1896-09-21
AN INDUSTRIAL PALACE.
j. R. Libby's Superb New Store
Opened Saturday Evening.
A GREAT CONGREGATION OF CIT
IzENS VISITS ESTABLISHMENT.

A scene From Observation-Disclosures Hum
nations, Fragrant Flower and Beauti-
full Observation-Disclosures of Delight on
Every Side.
Saturday night marked an event in the
history IF Portland. it was the compile
ton of the magnificent Baxter block on
Congress street, and the formal opening
in consequences of the superb retail dry
goods store of Mr.. J. r. Libby. 1t was
not an ideal evening for the showers
were frequent, the thunder rolled and the
flashed. But for all that from
{ to 9 o. olook there was a constant throng
of visitors so great that the doors had to
be closed several times, and the COM
ments of surprise and admiration We're
heard on every side. And it was emil
nently fitting that it should be SO tor In
the hundreds of gas and electric hghts
grouped in all manner of designs IN
show windows and about the various
floors Of the building, the wealth OF fra
grant flowers nd tropical plants ana
ferns whose beauty and rich ooloring en-
HANGED the effect of the elegant goods
displayed, and the enhancing strains OF
Chambers full orchestra, taken in con-
nection with the immensely OF the estap-
lishment, left an impression OF fairylano
upon the spectator who gazed from the
balcony upon the charming scene.
Mr.. Libby greeted all his guests cor
dially-that is all who were so fortunate
rs to get anywhere near him. II must
have been source of most intense Salts
faction to him to thiuk over the wonder
full success of his business career as No
stood there last evening and recognized
that he was the master OF the most GLAD
crate and complete dry goods store east
of Boston: a store whose external ap-
pearance will compare favorably with the
great dry goods marts Of the largest cities;
store that when the buildings walls
were raised, the owner sent the architect
to Mr.. Libby that he might plap every
thing just as he wanted 1t, which MT.
Libby did. He went to all the finest stores
Il Boston and New York and combined
their most modern and desirabi features
in the building. Just think OF the
amount of floor space covered by this
seore; over 40, 0OO square feet. Why after
you have walked once or twice across the
room you want to sit down for you have
taken NO little amount of exercise Be-
fore the doors were opened Saturday eve
ming Mr.. Libby made brief address to
his employees. He spoke of the magnitude
of the undertaking and said that with
application on their part and the know
ledge that they were dealing with ansln-
telligent public he had little fear OF the
result. He paid high and deserved com
pliment to his advertiser and SAID tna'
one reason of that gentieman's success
was the fact that he carefully 1nvesti
gated every thing before he called the at
tention of the public to it. So that TN
confidence between customer and pro-
prietor was firmly established. He
thanked them all heartily for the worl
they had done in the past that made thl
magnificent store accessibility and toll
them he should expect the same upright
ness of cond uct in their private life as II
their capacity as employees. De oaiie'
attention to the illuminated motto tina
was suspended over his private office:
"He that excels in service wins pub
lie favor.
and said that to those who worke'
cheerily and willingly for the SUCCESS o
the house he should provide such rewar'
as it was in his power to bestoW.
there are three entrances to the store
One at the corner of Oak and Congress
St.-,he principal entrance, another jus
west of that one. on Congress street, ant
the third at the corner Of Oak and Ere
streets Upon entering this great dry good
ma lace the visitor is at once made con
scious of the size of the store. 1t
pillars stretch far away into the distance
and the eye can hardly take In all tn
various departments that occupy tn
eround floor. 1t is an EXCEPTIONAL
bright and light establishment, for thre
sides of it can be called glass sides
There are over 10 feet of show window
on Congress, Oak and Free streets, on eac
of the three floors, thus affording unpal
allellsd opportunity for the proper oil
play of goods. The counters are all c
polished sycamore, with white front
and all the shelving is also painte
white, thus adding immeasurably to ii
general lightness of the apartment. Th
shelving is all of the most modern d
scription. II is not as high as the n
fashioned kind and there are no owe
hanging cornices. This arrangemel
proyides much better facilities for ii
display of goods.
Two first class elevators, one for passel
gers and the other for freight. run
hydraulic power, built by Wood & Wi
lard of Marlboro, Mass. oars by Oh
YER White of Boston-communlcate vii
each floor. The pillars in the buildi nj
especially those on the second floor, ar
many of then, surrounded by miro
that magnify again and again the size
the establishment and its manifold
sources. broad stairway connects q
first and second floors and then makes