The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1901-03-05
new QUARTERS.
HsnIsy, Sullivan & Co. Occupy
CommodIouS New Store.

Westward the course OF the Providence
business centre shapes its way. From
Market square. TO Turks Head and
thence TO the vicinity of Dorrance street,
this everchanging phenomena of progress
moves along.
swept with the Irresistible tide the boot
and shoe firm Of Henley & Sullivan again
mIgrates Into the very midst Of the busi-
ness world and at its new store at l5s
Westminster street under the new name
OF Henly. Sullivan a. Company, Mr.. j.
Joseph McElroy, a trusted employe of IL
years standing having been admitted TO
the copartnership. they will be pleased TO
renew acquaintances with old customers
as we'll as to welcome new ones.
Nearly a century OF active business life
constitutes the history of this firm and
from 1872 when IL was founded by Caleb
Arnold IN little store on North Main
street, the present site of the Breck
block. up TO the present day their watch
ward has been honesty and reliability OF
goods and that they have carried this
, out 10 the letter IA attested TO by the
large and evergrowing patronage.
This little store of Caleb Arnold's, out
of which grew the present large estab-
lishment. was opened in 1912 and was
conducted by Mr.. Arnold until 1862. when
he retired from business. The store was
then taken by James y. Arnold. son OF
the founder and Dennis Sullivan, who
formed a copartnership. They soon found
the little store Inadequate TO the de-
mands of their patrons and removed TO
larger and commodious establishment In
the Arnold block at 81 North Main street.
The firm continued TO do business here
until 1878, when u Walter Henley, who
had been connected for IL years with
Charles Snow, one OF the most prominent
shoe dealers, was admitted to partnership
under the name of Arnold. Sullivan a.
Henley and as Mr.. Henley brought
large tSade with him the firm was forced
to vacate into larger quarters at ID North
Main street.
They remained at this stand for nine
years with steady and ever increasing
trade and when they were again compell-
ed TO seek n more commodious establish
ment I'm 1857. they selected the store at IL
Westminster street formerly occupied by
Sidney +. Rider e. Brother and remain
ed there until this. their last. migration.
In 1889 Mr.. Arnold retired and the name
was once more changed 10 the title OF
Henley & Sullivan.
on the shelves of the lower Westmins-
ter street store can be seen over 1000
wooden lasts. models OF shoes worn by
thousands OF Rhode Island best known
citizens From 1862 down TO the present
day the house has had on it's books the
names Of every governor OF the state and
every mayor OF the city well as con-
gressmen. representatives and most OF
the leading professional and business
men OF the city and state.
In the old days a ready made shoe was
a thing unheard OF and even when they
were first introduced they were so crude
and uncomfortable that no one would
wear them. IL was then that the custom
made boot maker reiRned supreme and on
every foot was the handiwork OF their
craft. But the Introduction OF the Mckay
machine for the making Of shoes began
10 produce goods that demanded atten-
tion and from this time the decline Of the
custom made shoe became apparent.
with the inveoion of the Goodyear
system the machine made shoe took an
other leap toward popularity and slowly
but surely superseded the old fashioned
hand manufacturer until today the trade
is almost obsolete.
The new firm holds its opening today
end customers and visitors are cordially
invited 60 inspect the variety OF stock
a has on hand and they may feel
sure OF that same courteous treatment
that is one Of the causes or its great
success