The times., 1901-06-09
FEMININE SHINE PARL0RS
Invasion of the Boot Backing
Field by a Woman.
A Finely Appointed Establishment
Operated by Miss Parkhurst in
New York-Patrons of Her own
sex, But the Employees Are Boys.


Women have entered all sorts Of pro-
fessions and business enterprises once be-
lieved to be exclusively the domain OF
the sterner sex. The field of invasion is
steadily growing. and one of the pioneers
in a corner which has hitherto been mo-
uopOlized by the darkey and the son OF
sunny Italy is a Brooklyn woman The
Coleman shoe shining parlor. at 42 West
Twenty-sccOnd Street. in the heart OF
Manhattan's shopping district. is owned
and operated by Dot" Parkhurst. who
has been known for years in this borough
by reason of her prominence in the per-
formances of some of the leading anna
teUr dramatic organizations.
Miss Parkhurst's mother was formerly
an amateur actress of some note. and
the promoter of this new venture Is a
niece of ]. Sloat Fassett. although she
makes no effort to have the fact known.
as she prefers to depend entirely on her
own efforts for the success which already
promises to reward her departure from
the beaten track.
Miss Parkhurst Is known among her
friends in this borough as of a decidedly
self-assertive character. She says she
thought out the idea Of opening a shoe
polishing establishment for women while
commenting on the trouble and embar-
rassment of having her shoes cleaned, as
she wished them. on the public street,
or under the observation of men. Being
a woman of quick action, the thought
was soon followed by the deed. and she
was the first in the field in either borough
and is reaping the benefit
Ts1 shoe shining parlors which she
opened AT % West Twenty-second Street
are furnished daintily and appropriately,
Just as a woman would desire. There are
lace draperies at the windows, with car
pet on the floor, a writing desk and mate
rials for those who wish to use them and
a long distance telephone At one end
Of the room. shut of by screens, is
platform of Italian marble, on which
there stands six chairs. Here three small
boys polish the shoes Of the patrons. free
from public gaze. a manicure establish
ment is also maintained in conjunction
with the shoe polishing force.
Miss Parkhurst established the place
about six weeks ago. investing eonsidera-
bile money in the enterprise She has had
no previous experience in managing busi-
ness. but has acquired a general know
ledge, which IS serving her IN good stead
To an Eagle" reporter she said:
Il have no desire for nOtOriety IN this
matter as / am in it for the purpose OF
iegftinate money making and not to ex-
plot myself or advertise my reiduoh,
ships. I nope to take care OF rnySeI ana
am succeeding better than hoped Wo-
men patrouize freely and I have frequent
REQUESTS over the telephone for the ser
vices of nv boys. I would Ike to employ
girls as bOotblacks but do not seem able
10 get any. as those who would be neat
in apuearance do not like this sort OF
YORK They may be willing, however 70
l,s7Ssfi+ themselves in the future Ny per-
zonal belief IS that a woman is ordinarily
ls competent to carry on business as
man. I am certainly willing to try -Ane
BROOKLYN Eagle