Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1902-12-16
The Pioneers of
Tailoring at
Moderate Prices.
The Wonderful Growth
and Development of the
Mertz and Mertz Co., the
Largest Tailoring Bust
ness in Washington.

The life story of the well-known
tailoring firm of Mertz and Mertz
Co. is an interesting tribute to enter
prising methods and advertising.
The birth of the business dates
back to 1874 when the original firm
of Seltz & Mertz moved from iii
Pennsylvania avenue to Vernon
Row, at 10th street and Pennsylvania
avenue. In 1876 the firm of Seltz
& Mertz moved to 9th and E, the
first tenants of this building, and
with Mr.. Seltz as cutter and Mr..
Mertz as manager, built UP thriv-
ing tailoring trade.
Soon the need of more room
forced the concern to move to 1000
F street-a building built by Column
bus Alexander and now occupied by
Woodward & Lothrop.
The next move was to 5I4 18th
street, which store was erected es-
pecially for the use of this firm.
In 1893 the building now occupied
at goo F street was completely re-
modelled and an addition covering
the entire lot erected to accommo-
date a tailoring business that had
grown through enterprise and sheer
merit.
Mr. George L. Mertz of the pres
emf firm was employed as GRAND boy
by the original firm OF Seltz &
Mertz in 1874. The partnership
then existing was dissolved in 1880,
and Mr.. George L. Mertz continued
with the new management till 1890, in
which year he was given full half
partnership in the business with his
brother. This move was the conse
quent reward of merit Through
close attention to business, and be-
cause OF his thorough knowledge of
every detail of the tailoring trade, he
was permitted to have sole manage
ment of the firms establishment in
this city.
Every year has developed the
ability of Mr.. Mertz In his chosen
line. The business has continually
thrived under his judicious guidance,
and the recent growth has been such
Is to create the necessity of still more
room.
Back in 1901 the firm of Mertz and
Merit was known far and near as
Mgh-price tailors. But with the ad-
vent of Mr.. George L. Mertz as
full-hedged partner the energy and
ambition Of youth began to take eff
feet and old-time methods gave way
to principles that are being emulated
throughout modern merchandising.
Where $45 was originally charged
Tor business suit the price was cut
10 SIS, and In 1903 the figure was re-
6uced to $50. This firm inaugurated
the first suit to order for SIS, making
The price for merchant tailoring as
low as that charged for ready-made
clothing. From that time Mertz and
Mertz became known as the New
Era" tailors.
Of course, in the early days it re-
quired unusual facilities to turn out
q tailor-made suit for as little as SIS,
but such facilities were acquired and
Bince then developed to such an ex-
tent that thousands of suits have
been made to order for as little as
SIo at certain times, in order to keep
large permanent force Of expert
tailors constantly busy. The enor-
nous output following the lowering
of prices quite naturally attracted
wide attention among wholesale
wooden merchants, who always ap-
preciate an opportunity to sell in
bulk and willingly make concessions
to those who buy in that way.
This one fact fully explains why
Mertz and Mertz can make suit to
order for as little as $40 and earn
fair profit, as the smaller dealers
have to pay at least three times as
much for the same fabrics and con-
Dequently charge much more for the
finished garments.
The lowering of tailoring prices
caused thousands of men to desert
the ranks of the "ready-made," and
this undoubtedly contributed largely
to the growth and success of the
Mertz and Mertz tailoring enter
prise.
Any man, nowadays, can have a
suit made to order for the cost of
ready-made clothes, and have the
pattern designed, cut and fitted to
his individual needs.
In the tailoring workrooms of the
Arm of Mertz and Mertz are gath
cred the highest-priced skilled de-
signers, cutters, tailors and 6nishers
that can be employed. Every man
d an expert, and system prevails
That allows nothing to go to waste
nothing to be overlooked.
Right treatment is accorded every
patron of this concern It's bust
hess built on merit and right treat
0nent Fyery garment made rnrct