The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1903-11-04

Few stores in America have attracted
more attention or become such a factor
In the mercantile life OF community as
o'Gorman Co.'S Big Store. Commencing
less than ten years ago in a store sox9O
feet. IL has grown by bounds. until today
IL stands among the largest trade en-
poriums In New England. 1t is a hitting
tribute 10 what energy. perseverance,.
advertising and liberal expenditure OF
money will do.
The early history OF this store is well
known TO readers of this paper They
have followed II from the start and
watched it grow. In passing we will men
tion just few points Of its remarkable
career. From a single floor 30xg0 feet II
passed as II over night 10 the new seven
story building where the business Is az
present confined This building was
opened on March 20. 1898 and al that
tirna only the basement first and second
floors we're occupied. The other floors
were opened up az soon afterward as
they could be got ready up to the sixth
moor This floor was given up TO an audi
torium. where concerts and shows OF vari-
Gus kinds were given A year after II
opened this feature had to be abandoned.
Tor more space. and the floor was opened
up as salesroom The following year
saw the business advance with great
strides. and soon the need of more room
became apparent
The Mason estate. directly IN the rear of
The Big Store. was the first property se-
cured. The work OF buying out leases
and taking possession OF portions Of the
property as fast az tenants vacated was
faN
this work completed and the last obsta-
Gle removed. Subsequently. other prop
erty. the Smith and Church estates ad-
Joining the Mason estate. was secured
and work OH remodelling and making the
building ready 60 become part OF "A
modern department store was commenced
at once These buildings are now nearly
completed and the corner store on Eddy
street will open In few days. with a
splendid stock OF mems and boys hats
and furnishings. The other buildings will
be ready for occupancy a few weeks later,
and II is expected that by the middle OF
December the entire ground floor viii
be ready to receive the thousands OF shop
per who make The Big Store their Christ
mas head quarters.
Few new departments will be added.
as ut the present time O'Gorman company
carry almost everything to be found IN
well-regulated store The most import
ant new department will be Mems and
Boys Clothing. This viii be as complete
mems store as II can possibly be made.
No expense has been spared In fitting IL
up, or In the selection OF the stock 20 be
found therein. For two months past buy
ers have been 10 the markets selecting
clothing for men and boys. which, when
shown, will be revelation. Other depart
ments such as Dress Goods silks. Rib
bons. Laces. Leather Goods Smallwares
Jewelry, Dress Trimmings Art Goods.
Toilet Articles. Handkorchiefs. Hosiery
and Underwear. Gloves. Dress Linings.
Books, Umbrellas. etc, will be given
space twice as large as they now have.
snd will occupy the Main Floor Of both
the new and the present buildings Shoes
VIII also be an important department
which VIII occupy a prominent place on
tne Main Floor IN addition TO the line
OF Womens shoes now carried. will be
aaaea fun line OF mems ine shoes. I
making the department complete I'm every
oe,aL The basement Inv the present
oullulns Will be given up almost exclu- |
10y 70 domestic Goods The linens viii
DC transferred 20 the main floor and viii I
occupy spsce IN keeping with their
prominence.
On the Second Floor win ha ,o,,s
ladies' ready-to-wear apnarei ana ,,,tii,
merry. They will occupy more than tvrico
tNH pfesent space and Win be shown IN
a perfect Hight ~
The Third Floor will DO aovo,oa -,
most exclusively 90 China, Br,c-a .hrac
Housefuruishings. lamps. Cut Glass ana
everything which goes 90 make up n com.
piets bousefurnishing store A mar, -,
the Third Floor IN the building corner
Westminster and Eddy viii be inxur,o,,s.
" ntted UP as Ladies Reception ana
Resting Room. This will be one of the
cosfcst spots IN the store everything
conductive 70 rest ana comfort will be
found within its walls A public tsle-
phone. telegraph rau. postal facilities.
piano. lounging and reclining chairs.
newrpapsrs. stationary. etc. al free %
snyons who wishes 10 take advantage
of them
The entire Fourth Floor on the Wey-
bo~s>f Street side will be occupied By the
Carpet Hsu while the Upholstery and