The Newtown bee. (Newtown, Conn.) 1877-current, 1902-03-28

There will be special interest in
Newtown in description of the new
store of Foster, Besse & Co., as J. E.
Foster, the popular head of the firm,
passes his summers with his family here
and is intimately and favorably known
to many of our people. This descrip-
tion we take from the excellent Bridge
port Farmer:
The improvements show a handsome
front, the entire building having been
altered and remodeled since last jan
uary, when work was commenced up
on the alterations, and now it is one of
the hahdsomest buildings in Main
street. The huge plate glass windows
and the immense bows are feature of
the Foster & Besse stores in nearly all
OF the Al cities in which they do bust
ness.
It is inside, however, where the
most striking alterations have been
made, and it is pretty safe to say that
nowhere in the state is there a more
convenient or better arranged clothing
store. Bright, we'll lighted, cheerful
and we'll arranged, it will offer splen-
did home for the business of Foster,
Besse & Co., of that city.
Twenty-Five years ago Foster, Besse
& Co. opened a clothing store in Bridge
port, and during the past quarter of a
century they have catered to the cloth
ing wants of the people. AT different
times they have enlarged their quar-
tiers but were never able to secure more
room than the business needed. Some
time ago the building in which they
will make their new home was pur-
chased and extensive alterations plan
ned. ~~4v-+.
The Farmer reporter visited the
store and was surprised at the richness
of the fittings and the convenience Of
the arrangement. Upon each side of
the entrance are handsome show win
dows, about twice the size of the Or
binary plate glass. On the main or
first floor is the clothing department.,
where everything in mems clothing
and furnishings are displayed. New
tables have been placed for. the show
ing of goods. Everywhere there are
mirrors and everywhere there is good
light, so essential in examining cloth
ing. Dust-proof glass cases for the dis
play of furnishing goods extend from
the entrance back into the store upon
the right; the hat racks are also Of a
new pattern, and will collect no dust.
The main floor is occupied with the
clothing tables, while at the right and
left are the furnishings. The entire
floor is devoted to mems apparel.
The second floor is reached by a
handsome red birch staircase, sur.
mounted with iron grill work of a very
handsome pattern. The posts in the
stairway are hand carved and works OF
art. Surrounding each is jardiniere
for the placing of palms or plants. AT
through Mr. Fosters private, is the
cashiers desk, convenient and:roomy
platform with full view of every
part of the main floor. Upon the sec
ond floor is the children's suit de
partment, occupying nearly one-halt
of the large room. At the sides ar
l very convenient trying rooms, and ais
toilet rooms. In this department
everything for children's wear may b
r found.
D The shoe department occupies tn
front portion of the second floor, AM
is one Of the handsomest shoe stores il
:. the state. Here will be found mems
women's and children's shoes. TIL
fitting room is handsomely furnished
and three massive mahogany settles
q upholstered in dark leather, immec
lately attract the visitors attention
j. The third floor will be used as a stoc
# room.
:, The store is everywhere bright, bein
lighted by windows at the front an
: back and by light shaft in the centre
4 Hundreds of electric lights will furnis
illumination at night.
The store is one Of the largest in tt
t city, having total of over ID, 900 squal
. feet of floor space. The main floor
IL 126 by 80 feet in extent. Through tt
e store are six large plate glass mirror
r 1Ox1O feet and there are dozens {
smaller ones, every post in the sto
u being boxed in looking glass.