Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1902-12-16
A PROGRESSIVE HOUSE
SKETCH OF B. B. EARNSHAW,
WHOLESALE GROCER.
From Small Beginning His Business
Has Grown to Splendid
Proportions.

Prominent among the wholesale grocers
OF Washington. doing business not only In
the city, but in remote places in Virginia
and Maryland, is the firm Of B. B. Earn
shaw & Bro, 11O5, 11o7 and HOO 18th street
southeast.
This progressive business house, although
not located In the heart of the city's bust
ness enterprises is nevertheless recognized
as one Of Washington's growing and ever
increasing wholesale grocery establish
ments. The location OF this house has
proven advantageous owing to Its prox-
unity to the railroad and to the river, thus
enabling the firm to receive and ship goods
with dispatch
Mr.. B. B. Earnshaw. the proprietor Of this
largo establishment, started as poor boy.
He was born in Prince Georges county,
Nd. In 1915. He received the limited edu-
cation afforded by the public schools at
that time, and In 1853 came to this city to
seek his fortune. lie found employment as
general clerk in the store Of Adam Gaddis,
Jr., receiving the munificent salary Of IS
per month. He remained with this firm
for seven years. gaining q knowledge of
the business in Its every detail. In those
days one had to pay IS for a shir, that
can now be bought for 80 cents and conse-
quently young men were not spending much
OF their salary for dress or finery
In 1870 Mr.. Earnshaw formed a partner
ship with the late Dennis Ryon, the firm es-
tabiishing wholesale and retail grocery
store. In 1882 the firm dissolved Nben
' the firm first commenced business Mt
Earnshaw was driver, salesman deIiv-
cry clerk and proprietor all combined Their
establishment was originally located at lilo
18th street southeast, remaining there for
twelve years The business had Increased
with such rapidity, however that they
were compelled TO move to 1921 NJ street
southeast, opening there with an entirely
new stock, and doing a strictly WholesaI il
business. These quarters. however, were
also found to be too small for their busi-
ness, and In 1870 Mr.. Earnshaw built his
present large establishment. Besides this
place Mr.. Earnshaw OWES three large ware
houses, where most of his goods are stored.
but nevertheless is compelled to utilize stor-
age rooms IN one OF the city's large ware
houses.
The business has been a decided success
from the beginning. the first years sales
amounting 10 100000. and has increased
constantly. SO that now the sales amount
upward to a million dollars a year. This
shows the wonderful growth Of the bust
ness.
Mr.. Earnshaw employs from ffty-fvs to
sixty people. who handle the enormous daily
output. He has eighteen girls preparing
fruits for the market. He has made q
speciality of seeded raisns. this concern
being the only one outside Of Philadelphia
preparing seeded raisins. The demand for
this article cannot be supplied.
The house has six outside statesmen and
have ten teams to deliver their merchan-
disc.
Another of the specialties which thu nrrn
handles Is the celebrated Cream Blend
Flour, Tor which they have a large trade.
The merit OF this -four has been persist
entity brought to the notice Of the leading
families OF the city, and has resulted In the
nrm receiving q lxrgs trade in this one
article.
Always on the lookout for the best goods.
Il has been the policy OF this firm to carry
In stock that class Of goods desired by per-
sons who demand quality above price.
The success Of the business demonstrates
the value OF deyoting attention to the needs
az the best buyers. and reveals the enerpv
enterprise and spirit Of progress possessed
hY this Uo0-knoUn and reliable house