Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1897-12-03
THE COHEN co.'s OPENING.
Extravagance of Their Preparations
for the Holiday Trade Astonishing.

Some one has compared this capi'ai
city OF the Old Dominion 20 a beauuIui
woman. If the smile holds good. theh
to-day she can only be likened to
beautiful woman In curl-papers. FER
haps It would be more correct 10 say
that the present appearance OF the Ie'ah
thoroughfares reminds one unpleasantiy
of some gigantic spring cleaning. Ibe
furniture OF a house, the candeiapra, the
lustres, the pictures, and objects OF value
are on these occasions covered up IN
austere brown holland, the carpets are
taken up and there is a general air Oh
makeshft and transformers about
everything. That is precisely how Ricn-
mond looks now; for Christmas Is In tne
air in more senses than one. and its ap-
proach makes itself felt by the ephemeral
condition of our shop-windows. Rich
mond is preparing her toilet for the hol-
day season, and a most expensive toilet
it is. The process would seem grotesque
and hideous but for the magnitude OF
the operation.
FIRST HOLIDAY OPENING
II a stranger wished to form an idea
of the extent of the preparations he could
not do better than visit the great dry
goods store of the Cohen Company, which
is situated on the south side OF Broad
street between First and Poushee streets.
This enterprising Arm Is always pio-
oeering, and this year IL has been the
FIRST TO complete it's toilet. The extrava-
gance of its preparations Is truly as
tonishing. The cost and problem Of ca
tering to the whims and fancies of the
public. as well as their necessities, the
money they must have spent 10 get their
wares and fabrics where they are from
all corners of the earth; II one con-
siders these obvious matters only, to say
nothing of the infinltesjmal complications
and intricacies Of conducting such vast
emporium, the mind becomes almost be-
wildered.
The store is a great sight. The Christ
mas opening took place yesterday after
noon, and the people focked TO 1t, ana
spent hours gazing open-mouthed at the
remarkable display which the ingenuity
of scores Of decorators had arranged for
them.
1t is Kaleidoscope, and never before
has the Christmas show been made with
such consummate taste or the stocks
been SO complete.
SOME OF THE FEATURES.
Taking the features as thsy present
themselves In their order. TO begin with
the main floor, here one is almost op-
pressed with a sense of vastness. Three
wide aisles are filled, almost crowded,
with dress materials, art work. silks,
silver and leather goods, furs draperies,
books, costly potters wares, lamps,
jewelry, toilet goods. notions, gentle
mems furnishings, and books. AT the
rear OF the store King Cotton reigns su-
preme. From the ceiling hang costhest
draperies, while the arches which span
the openings between the counters are
covered with the most delicate art TAB
rics. Giant palms are among the decora-
tive features. and last night the huge
crowd, swaying backwards and forwards
amid this wealth Of color. under a blaze
Of electric lights. with the music or
STEMS orchestra striking pleasantly on
the ear made the sight a very interesting
1ne.
LARGER STOCKS THAN EVER.
The line Of silks is this year larger tnan
aver before, and the book department Is
twice as large this year than last. when
I was adjudged as large as any ordinary
bookstore. There is very fine coiiec-
ion OF Christmas cards and calendars.
The basement is filled with toys, china,
pictures, cut and fancy glass, lamps. |
pottery, and kitchen utensils. There is |
| full line OF cutlery and all sorts OF ar
.icles designed as souvenirs
On the second floor there are draperies
md curtains from % cents TO $50 pair.
IN extensive cloak and wrap department,
carpet department, which includes brass |
,oods and window shades. mattinss, rugs
md druggets, and a particularly Well |
supplied millinery department.
At Christmas-time every storekeeoer
$ on the lookout for q novelty for his
window, and the Cohen Company have a.
huge doll. which is controlled by cleo
ricity. and Is accomplished IN the art OF
kissing her hand. blinking her eyes. ana
.arforn,ing a wonderful mas do deux