The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1907-06-19

customers that are to be, are most cordially
e any time between nine in the morning and six
this event with US. Ices and lemonade will be
n, third floor, and Steinberg orchestra will add
asion Almost forgot to say that we want the
,companied by their mothers.
1907.
lg of the store history to discover striking
and now. A brief review may be of interest alike
ing Of this store in 1883, and others to whom
1t is significant that numerous customers of that
tinuosly throughout the twenty -four years of the
our anniversary celebration tomorrow will hardly be
of these friends, to whom extend a special invita-
~ JUNE 90 1883, the firm composed of
FL. III. Mills, VIM. Mcpherson, Jr., M. j.
~ Mcpherson, E. G. Mcpherson and w. W.
Mills opened the doors for business under the sign
Mills, Mcpherson & Co. The store was located i'll
the building now occupied by the Palace Clothing
Co., at 700 Kansas avenue, and there remained for
four years. It was during this period-in 1886
that installed the first elevator used in any To-
pega dry goods store.
Then the south building at our present location
was erected for us by Mrs. Hammatt. At this time
the firm style became III. III. Mills & Sons-the
store occupying the first floor and basement to be-
gin withholding the entire building after twelve
years In 1894 the business was incorporated. In
1902 more space was needed, and Mrs Sheldon
erected the north building. The two were connect
ed and opened for business in November of that
year. The present officers of the company you
knOw-W. W. Mills, president; A M. Mills, vice
j.
secretary. From the beginning Mr.. W. w. Mills
has retained active management of the entire bust
ness.
Mills, Mcpherson & Co. began business with
$4,000 stock, on $500 square feet of floor space.
The stock on hand today is valued at 100000, and
our floor space measures 81 ,S75 square feet,
cupied by dry goods stocks alone The volume of
this stores business is fifteen times greater
than at the year of its foundation. We began with
six employees, and now have one hundred and thr-
N
purchased for the store then--we now have corps
of fourteen department managers.
Each successive year marks important achieve
ments for the betterment of merchandising in a
broad sense of improved service to customers.
Within the year just closed we have enlarged the
business by the addition of our New Basement
Store, Ca metropolitan feature to Topeka
charging our less expensive lines, and strengthen
ing their position by systematic underpricing. A
departure which in a few months has won it's way
to lasting favor. The year has also the estab-
lishment of Kansas Mail Order Service, now
known and literally patronized throughout the
state.
We are sometimes asked to resolve the stores
success into it's eements-to state the causes as we
them We answer by naming these three
forces:
1.-Unswerving adherence to the plain principles
of honest merchandising.
2-The loyal support of our buyers and salespeople.
3.-Judicous newspaper advertising
While the stores growth is gratifying, our am
bition is not satisfied We would make the good
better. We would labor just faithfully in the
future as in the past to improve the stores mer-
chandise, equipment and service in order to merit
the title E'Topeka's Foremost Store''
THESE EMPLOYEES have been with us more than
five years:
Mr.. Jones, 20 years. Miss Bauman, years
Mr.. Trump, II years. Miss Bates, years.
Mr.. Horton, II years. Miss Diller, years.
Mr.. Thorpe. Is years. Mrs. Seller, years.
Miss Wngert, IA years. Mrs. Glib, years.
Mr.. Tyler, 10 years. Miss Simpson, years.
Mr.Whitlock II years Miss Reising years.
Miss Vesper, 9 years. Miss Chute years.
Miss Blumenstock, years Miss Mulhall, years