The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1907-01-27
THAT OPENING
WAS AUSPICIOUS
DR.. John L. Parker's New and Beauti~
full Store Establishes Itself In Pub
lies Favor the First Day.

why" said the lady, this is like
coming from the North Pole into fairy
land"
The remark was apropos, for she had
just stepped from the cold. wind-swept
street into the warmth and elegance oE
John l.. Parkers new store at the cor
ner of Third avenue and Nineteenth
street, and the melting notes of music.
the fragrance of flowers, the play of
light upon marble and onyx and plate
glass. the vivid eolors of flowers and
the living green of shrubs and vines
suggested the delights of some kiosk in
a tropical paradise.
The formal opening of DIR. Parker's new
store began, as announced In his invita-
ton, at o'clock yesterday morning.
and from that hour until late in the
evening the beautiful place was throng-
ed with ladies and gentlemen who were
outspoken in their admiration. The
souvenirs were carnations.
One must travel far to find an interior
which will compare with this. The mu-
raj decoration is simple but very effect
I've. The ceiling panels are In soft
sky effect. which contrasts beautifully
with the empire red panels Of the side
walls, and the two tones are harmonized
by the cornices and pilasters in quiet
old ivory tone. A small Empire orna-
, ment in gold around the panels further
enlivens and gives vivacity to the color
scheme.
Harmonizng with the general effect OF
the mural adornment and at the same
time offering exquisite contrasts to II, is
the splendid soda fountain, perhaps tho
largest In the south. 1t Is known as
"Lipplncott's Innovation" the latest Gre
alton of that master builder, and is
equipped with every modern device and
appliance Marble and onyx, mahogany
and French plate glass are Wrought into
a superb ensemble. over the grand
pending from which are clusters of ripen-
ing fruit. These enclose electric lights
which shed a soft glow upon the deli
cate silver and glass service.
The illumination plan of the store, by
the way, is unique. Fixtures of dun
brass run vertically along the supporting
columns and the globes are frosted.
Thus an even, delicate light is dlffused-
into the most remote recesses.
All of the woodwork of the counters.
show cases and cabinets Is mahogany.
a perfect foil to the glittering expenses
of glass which they enclose. In the rear
are very large French plate mirrors.
which reflect the charms of the scene as
placid lakes hold in their liquid depths
the changing glories of the sky. The
tables, chairs and other furniture are
mahogany, too and the floor Is overlaid
with the latest patterns and highest
grade Of English lnoleum-
The floral and greenery effects. which
elicit more admiration perhaps than any
other one feature, are to be permanent.
and will be renewed daily from DIR. Par
kers own greenhouse. the largest in this
section of the country.
In choosing this location for his new
store, Dr. Parker has again shown him
self a field marshal on the plains Of
commerce. Here the tides of traffic flow
together from Nineteenth street ana
Third avenue. A great hotel is in the
same block and the store is in the d.
rect path to two theaters. DR.. Par
ker's purpose was not only to provide
place where the shopping and theater-
going public may find fefreshment amid
the most comfortable and elegant sur
roundlngs. but to measure up to the re-
quirements of the new and rapidly de-.
Accordingly. he has reproduced all or
the departments In his now famous store
in the Woodward building-drugs. per-
fumeries. toilet articles, stationery. can
dies, chocolates and bonbons. books and
periodicals. flowers and smokers goods.
The cigar department deserves especial
mention for the beauty of its appoint
ments and the great variety and high
class of it's stock, in which the most fas-
tidious devotee of My Lady Nicotina
will find everything to his taste. The
prescription department will maintain
the standard of excellence and efficiency
already set by DIR. Parker and that is
sufficient to say of it--and there will be
the same smart service in every Inns
which has contributed notably to the
success of his other establishments.
Dr. Parker received innumerable con-
CALCULATIONS during the course of the
day and the the consensus Is that the
vogue of his new store has been firmly
established