Bluefield evening leader. [volume] (Bluefield, W. Va.) 1906-1911, 1908-03-07

MERCANTILE
ENTERPRISES
FLAT roP GROCERY COMPANY.

The pioneer in the wholesale busi-
ness of Bmefleld Is the Flat-Top
Grocery company This corporation
began business in 1892. Not so long
ago, you will say. but remember
Blueheld was only four years old
then. Blueteld has grown like magic
since then, until now we are reach
Ing out rapidly toward that "25, GOO
1910" which is the goal set by The
Chamber OF Commerce. and the
Flat-Top Grocery company has kept
pace with this growth. Last year
their business passed the million
mark.
This company began business I'm
a small warehouse on the corner OF
Pulaski and Peek streets. with the
following officers:
James Il. Mann.
Secretary and Treasurer-G George
r. Dabney.
General Managers. II. Morriss.
The company remained under this
management until December II.
1900. when S. f.. Morriss was elect
ed general manager, secretary and
treasurer. Mr.. Morriss remained I'm
charge OF the company until June,
1902, when the business was pur-
chased by the present company. and
has been under the management OF
the following gentlemen ever since
President Edwin Mann.
Vice-President aud secretary-F
w. Udy.
General Manager and Treasurer
%. J.. Alexander
Before this last change. however,
the old company had built a large
brick warehouse on Mercer street
to accommodate their rapidly grow
ing business. and when this house
was completed tney thought II
would be ample TO meet their needs
for years TO come. II CHANGED, how
ever that with the growth of Blue
field the necessity for more track
age became apparent to the railway
company, and about the time tho
Flat-Top Grocery company began tc
wonder what they were going N dc
for more room, the Norfolk e. West.
ern helped them out of the dilemma
by buying their warehouse at some
thing like $4,000, and permitting
them to retain Il until they could
build a greater one.
Their new house is conceded t.
he the best equipped house OF SIS
kind in tho state, being equipped
with electrical fright elevator. cleo
trical grain elevator. and a storage
capacity OF $1,000 bushels Of grain
thereby allowing them at all times
to take advantage Of the market
and store for their future wants.
Their storehousc IS composed o
/ five stories and contains foo
space of $1,000 square feet, ant
and their trackage IS arranged 81
that they can load and unload fv'
cars at "a time
They have an incommunicatint
telephone system which conccct
the heads of the different derort
ments. and from each floor they ran
talk 10 any one IN the city or field
IN May 1907. they consolidate
with Walters q co., OF Graham, Va.
which added considerable busineai
and provided them with what thel
needed warehouse which woulr
enable them TO- carry suncien
stock Of feed to- supply their greatly
increased business. This warehouse
is also located on the railroad track
and is built OF concrete block; IS
three stories high and has a foo
space of 5000 square feet Tn thii
warehouse they keep their stock o.
hay. straw ana chop
This company ranks second 30
West Virginia iu amount of business
done. and is O monument 10 the
Judgment vim and business hustle
of The young men 1bo have brough
70 to its present commanding posi-
ton