The times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1897-1901, 1898-03-18
A MAGNIFICENT SCENE.
Opening OF Kings Palace Attended
hy A Great Throng.


Kings Palace new department store
was thrown open to the public yesterday
in a gorgeous new dress, and was the
Mecca of thousands of shoppers during
the day. At night the promenade con-
cert brought out crowd that thronged
the aisles of the store from 7:3O until 10
p. m, and many had to wait for an OPP
pOrtunity to get in TO obtain a glimpse
Of the beautiful scene.
The daylight opening was very sue
cessful and the many busy buyers in the
store looking over the latest Spring novel
ties, and the army of clerks waiting on
the customers, made an animated scene.
but the night event, when all the goods
were arranged for display and shown I'M
der the soft glow of the myriad of lights,
eclipsed the daylight exhibition and for
beauty and tasteful arrangement has
never been surpassed by a similar display
in this city.
Beginning with the outside. the eye of
the visitor was Immediately attracted by
the brilliantly lighted windows and lobby
that make a part Of the newly finished
front. one of the windows contained a
millinery display. made up of floral dec
! containing the newest creations in bon
nets and hats.
A large model of a church, made of all
coloTed artificial flowers. occupied a part
of this window and was lighted from the
( inside with electric lamps that threw out
i brilliant glow and brought the coors
out in all their beauty. This window was
4 magnet for the fair sex. and the side
walks We're crowded with them all even
ing as they stood admiring things that
appealed strongly to their sense Of beau
~. But the brilliancy of this window also
attracted the men. and they also stood
about it in wondering admiration. The
other window contained a mixed display
illustrative Of the goods contained in the
new departments which have recently
been added. and was also brilliantly
lighted and artistically arranged
The first step inside of the building
brought a scene of beauty to view
Standing at the door. one looked over
counters of billowy snow-white linen. on
10 where the colors commenced, until. in
the back part of the store where the mil
linery salon is located, the eye rested
upon a splash of chromatic coloring that
was beautiful TO behold
The full Marine Band gave a delightful
program OF music during the evening,
playing number of patriotic airs to the
great delight of the crowd
LIVER hiSIlOT received as a souvenir oil
the occasion a well-mounted engraving OF
the battleship Maine, taken from one OF
the best pictures ever made of the Ill
fated vessel, and the appropriateness OF
the selection was very noticeable In the
way those who received the gifts cher
ished them and carried them carefully
! home with them.
The forty years in which Kings Palace
| has done business i'm Washington in the
! millinery and cloak line has given the
! establishment an enviable reputation
among the shoppers, and the news that
/ they Were to add new departments tc
/ their store, attracted great attention
J The old departments, with their array OF
brand new goods, proved TO be as popu.
/ lar as of yore, but the new departments
! received their share of attention, and Il
was demonstrated that they viii be equa
/ favorites with the old. Among the new
| departments are a mems furnishing de
| partment, a dry goods and notion depart
I ment, and housefurnishing department
! In short, the store has been converted
| into one Of the great modern department
! stores where almost everything from ;
toothpick to a locomotive can be found