The Pacific commercial advertiser. [volume] (Honolulu, Hawaiian Islands) 1885-1921, 1904-12-17
BUSINESS
FAIRLY GOOD
Merchants Report That
Trade Is On the
Rise.

| A composite statement of the leading
merchants of the city gives the impress
| sion that business this year is better
than last and that rushing holiday
trade is expected during the coming
week. Furthermore, many Of them be-
Heve that 1905 will be prosperous year
all around
| Some merchants took the occasion to
| mildly criticise the church fair craze,
which, they say, cuts into their business
to an extent hardly realized by the pub
lie at large The merchants in the first
place contribute to the fairs, some
times in money, more frequently in
merchandise, and then buy tickets, etc.
The goods are often times sold for more
than the merchants would charge, but
as it is all done in the name of sweet
charity they have not hitherto been dis
posed to eriticise. Merchants say they
are met on all sides with demands for
contributions and the end of year
shows that through this medium they
have had a heavy drain on their re-
ceipts.
Among those who had word to say
yesterday concerning the state of trade
were the following:
H F. Wichman & Co. jewelers.
Business is quite up to the usual con-
ditions. 1t is going to prove up very
nicely this year in all our departments
In fact, our business is extremely good.
Henry May & Co. (grocers)--We are
getting a good share of the holiday
trade. Our Island orders are very
heavy and equal those of last year, if
not better. We expect the real Christ
mas rush to commence tomorrow.
Gunst-Eakin Co. Cigars and tobac
co)-Business is much better than last
year. It's pretty brisk.
Pearson & Potter (sporting goods and
writers)-Business has been inn
proving materially of late. I expect
the coming week will show good results.
McInerny Company gents furnish
ings)-We cannot say that business so
far has been of the best. OF course
there is week yet to come and that
might turn out to be lively.
McInerny Shoe Company-We're hav-
ing pretty busy week.
Dimond & Co. (crockery)-It is a lit
tie early to estimate Christmas trade,
although business is pretty fair.
think that next week we will have a
pretty good business.
= Hawaii & South Seas Curio Cove
are having a fair trade, especially in
Hawaiian goods. The things mostly
desired this year seem to be particu-
larly of the Hawaiian type or of the
South Seas. Cheap California substi-
tutes are not desired and are not east
~ disposed Of
Wall, Nichols & Co. stationery and
toys)-Pretty fair trade is our report.
We look for large increase of business
next week. Our toy department, or
Santa Claus emporium, has attracted
large trade.
Lewis & Co. (grocers) Business is
fair. We have no complaint to make.
I think the holiday trade will in the
long run prove very good for all the
merchants People are feeling a little
jubilant over the increased price for
sugar Our trade is coming along.
Hebron Drug Co.-Our business is fair
enough. Of course we don't carry what
might be termed a Christmas stock but
we have a large stock which people
generally buy for presents
HOLSTER & Co. (drugs)-Our business
is fair--Iook for better next week.
L. B. Kerr & Co. (dry goods, gents
furnishings, etc.)-Business is very
good, indeed. We are enjoying a good
trade, better than last year. although
we were not quite in readiness then to
take in all the trade that offered. Our
nightly Santa Claus attraction has
! brought many customers. We still have
| two Saturdays and a whole week and
look for a big trade all around.
| Sachs & Co. (dry goods)-Pretty good
| trade. Next week ought to bring in
good business. People are always late
at Christmas time and put off buying
4 until the last moment.
| Pacific Hardware Co.-Business good.
| A. Blom (dry goods)-This month has
| been a pretty good one and good deal
better than December of last year. I
look for prosperous year in 1905.
| Pacific Import Company (dry goods
Business is picking up.
| Honolulu Photo Supply Co.-Pretty
| good business.
| Jordan & Co. (dry goods)-We are do
| ing a pretty fair holiday business.
Bergstrom Music Company-Our brsi-
ness is fine. We are selling lots Of
musical instruments for Christmas
presents. Disposed of a couple of pi-
amos and a pianola yesterday.