Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1903-05-07
PATRONS
SOME MEANS EMPLOYED BY DE-
PARTMENT STORES.
Automobile Shows.-Theatrical Enter
tainments-Rainy r. Day Concerts
Bargains at the Lunch Counter.

What Will the department store do next
In the way of attracting patrons and en-
Pertaining them after they enter through
the swinging street doors? The question is
one that many persons are asking. Some
thought that the climax was reached a
week or so ago, when one store gave an
automobile show on its 'steenth floor,
which in area is something like Madison
Square Garden. There were automobile
races, and those persons who desired en-
joyed free rides in fast machines. 1t was
a departure, and a startling one, but the
managers of half dozen rival stores
would never be quiet while any one said
that it was climax
There was time when the big stores
were content with offering extraordinary
bargains. Then came all manner of con-
veniences-ladies' parlors. where one could
meet and entertain friends; free delivery
restaurants, with bargain counter meals;
something for nothing at the food sample
counters; free delivery Of goods at ones
home. II one lived this side of Albany
An this and more the department stores
have been doing for years Then came
the free show idea. At first 1t was in
tended as reward for the women who
ventured out on rainy days. They could
come to the store in the morning, have
luncheon in the store restaurant attend a
concert in the store theater and 20 home
absolutely happy, and it is to be hoped
with bargain or two under their arms.
A Model Flat.
One big store had show recently which
did not appeal to suburban husbands. 1t
was city fat, furnished from parlor to
kitchen in the finest things from every
department.
Il saw a dream Of a nat today" said
Mrs. HacknnSack Ubo bo hor b,,c
band on the ferry. He, tired from a hard
day at the Office; She flushed and excited
and happy from the unusual activity and
change of shopping
Thought you were going to give all
your time to shopping today, and leave rhe
calls for next week., he said.
-"Oh, l didn't call; the fat was in Blanks
department store"
And who lived In it?'
No one. you silly man. she laughed
1T was sample nat, set up to show how
beautiful a little home in the city could
be made. 1t was Observation-Disclosures
don't you think we might move back to
town In the fall? This travelling in and
out every day is so hard on you-and that
fiat was beauty!
Mr.. HackenSack will hear more of that
beautiful fiat and the advantages of NOV
ing back to town.
Bargains and Beethoven.
AS ASPoA SAASAt SlOI0 concert usually DE-
gins at in the afternoon, on the floor de-
voted to musical Instruments. and lasts
couple OF hours. Women are attracted to it
IN various ways. They hear the music while
buying foulard silk at 80 cents or 44-i1lch
lace striped grenadines at u cents, which,
as any woman knows, are wonderful bar
gains. They are passing out, perhaps, when
a floor walker suggests. There's a con-
cert this afternoon on the fourth f1oor
madam. Won't you. go up for little
while?. Sometimes kindly saleswomen sug-
gest the free concert. Anyway. the avail
able chairs are usually filled from the first
number to the last.
Perhaps 1t is an orchestra that plays a
varying succession OF melodies from noon
until o'clock. Then the crowd changes
from time to time, though there is nothing
to keep a real lover from sitting through
the entire concert
The concerts are intended to entertain,
but the chatter is almost as great as it is in
other parts Of the store. When women
who know each other meet in the land OF
bargains they are bound to talk.
'Oh, Mrs. SMITH"
why, Mrs. Jones!'
I'm glad to. see your
I'm delighted to see you!' :.
isn't the music fine!''
"Grand!"
What is 1t they're playing?'
I've heard 1t somewhere before-'Chinese
Honeymoon
"Oh, no: that's from The Silver Slip
per, says the other, with much assurance
Then they look at the program, to find
that it is a symphony by Beethoven.
Peau de Sole Waists.
Just then Mrs. Brown comes sweeping
into the music room. looking a little tousled
from her morning fight after marked-down
things. She sees her two friends and makes
for them.
Did you get one of those peau de sole
waists?'' she cries, in answer to their greet
ings. Marked down from "a to SILT. They
are the gr-reatest bargains In the whole
store"
Where? Where?" exclaim the two wo-
men in concert. Where are theyr'
I'm the basement. near. But they
wait for no more. The music is forgotten.
What Is Beethoven compared with peau de
sole at SIT?
One concern which makes mechanical de-
vices for playing the piano recently gave
recital in their store, at which tenor from
the Metropolitan Opera House sang several
selections. Pipe organ concerts are COM
mon in the display room of another con-
Germ. Still another big store fitted up
small theater, with orchestra chairs, a
stage, curtain, scenery and all that. For
number of weeks they gave entertainments
every day, varying the program three times
a week. One Of the largest stores is show
in itself at Easter and other holiday times
1t is well designed for decoration and the
man in charge is really an artist. Large
sums are spent several times a year in
bunting and ribbon and flowers, which turn
the store into fairy place. Women who
see 1t go home and tell their friends. and
the harvest is immediate and manifold
In several stores the sporting goods de-
partments are giving shows of various sorts
just now. Golf is going to rage again, and
one can learn the game In the very room in
which he buys his outfit. That u.s. they say
one can learn it there. Physical culture
shows are common, and several strong men
are drawing department store salaries.
Tho MOSQUITO War