The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1898-10-16
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ABRAHAM AND STRAUs
The Evolution Of a Great Store.

OuA SSOLhDS NSVNN
nearly completed that a brief
account of the many improve.
ments and new features which
have been introduced will not
be inopportune now.
For the past three years hun.
dreds of mechanics and laborers
in every branch of the building
industry have been busily en-
gagged, under the able direction
of MI. G.. L. Morse, our archi.
tect, in erecting the new additions
and remodelling the old struc-
ture. Mr.. Morse was not re.
etricted as to expense, and his
artistic TASTE and practical expe.
rience have therefore had full
scope.-As a result, Brooklyn
can boast of a m%odernized retail
establishment unrivalled by any
in America-and that means in
the world, for America leads the
world in both store architecture
and up-to-date merchandising.
What Has Been Accomplished.
4. We've erected a new nine
story e above and 2 below the
street leveD freproof Building,
90x175 feet, adjoining our main
structure.
=. We've erected a four-story
fireproof building, $4,000 it., run
ming through from Schermerhorn
to Livingston ST., and on the ground
Aoor of it we have built n private
driveway leading directly to the
porte cochere Of the main building
at Livingston st. and Gallatin
place. This driveway is intended
Tor the convenience and safety Of
the driving and bicycling public,
who can thereby avoid overcrowd-
ed Fulton st.
3. Besides enlarging almost
every department in the establish
ment, we have added during the
past year:
A Mems Clothing Dept.
A Mems o Dept.
A Mems Hat Dept.
A Merchant Tailoring Dept.
A Photographic Supply Dept.
A Pattern Dept.
And we have also opened a Restau-
rant for light %lunchin2.
A. We've aided to the public
conveniences of the store, and
those now ready are:
A Branch Post Office (sub-station GA.
An Enlarged Public Telephone Ser
Autograph Office.
A Ladies' Waiting Parlor.
And Others are In course of completion.
). We established the first pri-
vate telephone exchange used in a
department store. The plant COM
prises forty stations. enabling us
to answer every telephone message
without the least delay.
@. We've put in one Of the most
complete private electric light
plants in the country.
=. We've added to our elevator
service and now have seventeen in
all for passenger and freight use.
q. We've entirely reconstructed
our delivery service so that in
~promptness and efficiency it is not
surpassed by any in the country.
D. We've introduced the most
improved heating and fresh air ap-
parstuses. During cold weather
the whole store can be kept at q
comfortable and even temperature,
while at all times the atmosphere
is kept pure and entirely free from
vitiated air
10. We have replaced the pneu-
matte cash carriers We had in oper-
alton with a newer and better
kind, thereby securing the quick
est change service possible.
In a word, every up-to,date
device, that tends to make shop
ping more comfortable and that
will tighten the labor and pre-
serve the health of our en-
iployees, has been made a part
and parcel of the reconstructed
establishment. And, in addi.
ton, we've greatly improved
our store service-by adding to
our force of capable employees,
all of whom are in full sym.
pathy with u high ideals of
bookkeeping. Yet the work of
betterment still goes on-for we
1T not yet satisfied with what
we have accomplished, If per-
lection can be reached, we mean
to reach it.
Blu the store, with all it's ele,
gance, it's facilities and conven
fences, is, after all, only the frame.