The Washington herald., 1908-02-26
STORE Is YEARS OLD
Woodward & Lothrop Firm
Observes Anniversary.
CAME FROM MASSACHUSETTS
First Place of Business on Market
Space-FOrEerIy known as a.Bos-
ton Dry Goods House"-Grovth
Continues with that of the City.
Decide to Move 10 Street.

Resplendant with flags and bunting,
Woodward & Lothrop's department store
is thia week celebrating its twenty-eighth
anniversary.
Yesterday the actual anniversary was
appropriately celebrated by the offering
OF special values in many of the depart
ments Of the big dry goods house.
For the remainder of the week each of
the seventy departments OF Woodward &
Lothrop's store will contribute one or
more items Of seasonable. practical mer-
chandise. nearly all of which were bought
especially for this occasion, and are to
be offered al an "undervalue" price.
Twenty-eight years ago yesterday SAM
uel Walter Woodward and Alvin NJ. 10th
rop launched the present business. in a
very unpretentious building at 7o5 Market
space. The new firms store was then
known as the Boston Dry Goods House. -
From the outset success rewarded tho
proprietors' diligence, and In the summer
OF 1880 the premises adjoining the store
were added.
Since that time the growth OF the firm
has been contemporaneous with the ad-
vancement of the Capital City
Large Space Unavailable.
Mr.. Lothrop says that early in their
business experience in Washington they
found it impracticable to secure the
needed accommodations IN PENNSYLVANIA
avenue for their rapidly increasing bust
ness, and being satisfied that F street.
between the Patent Office and Treasury
Departn snt, must at no distant day be-
come a desirable business street, they de
termined to leave the Avenue. They pur-
chased the property on the northeast cor
ner of Thirteenth and F streets. intend
ing to build there. Because the adjoin-
ing property, belonging to the Thorne
estate, could not be acquired. they ac-
cepted the proposition OF the late Cal
deron Carlisle for the erection OF a build
ing on the northeast corner OF Eleventh
and F streets.
Notwithstanding the many prophecies
OF dire results in thus leaving the old
confines of the retail trade on Pennsyl-
vania avenue. the removal proved TO be
wise one, and the business Of the firm
prospeFed. From time TO time other mer-
chants followed the lead of Woodward &
Lothrop, and F street gradually was
transformed from residence to a bust
ness street.
Growth Is Continuous.
Steady and continuous has been the
growth OF the establishment. The selling
space Of the store has been added 10 from
time TO time, until to-day it occupies the
entire block from Tenth to Eleventh
street and from F to G streets. with the
exception of two buildings at the corner
of Tenth and f streets OF the buildings
- -
completed several years ago. occupies the
northern half of the block
This new building is one Of the most
substantial. handsome, solid, and per-
fectly constructed hre-proof merchandise
houses in the United States. II is eight
stories high, with not a single inch OF
space overlooked in providing for the
comfort Of patrons and employees.
Exclusive Offices and representatives IN
both New York and Paris. also extensive
connections throughout the entire CONT
nent of Europe are maintained by the
firm, thus affordIng channels Of direct
supplies and advance ideas enjoyed by
but few establishments.
Not more interesting is the big depart
ment stare over which they preside than
is the personality OF the men who have
created the business and carried II for
ward to such large success.
S. W. Woodward senior partner, is a
native Of Maine His first business ven
ture was with Gushing and Ames, dry
goods merchants, OF Boston. He entered
upon the apprenticeship of his ltfe-work
with a characteristic energy. He quickly
learned the details of the dry goods trade
as ii was then in the center Of New
England. While with the Boston firm
he received several rlerited promotions
and became an influential factor in their
large and increasing trade.
First Store I'm Massnckusetts.
About 1873 he formed partnership with
Alvin NJ. Lothrop. who Joined the forces
Of Cushing and Ames in 1870 A close
friendship was formed between the two
young men and they graduated from the
Boston firm TO set up a business in Chel-
sea, Mass, under the name the company
still bears. In seven years, they built
up large business. but soon arrived at
the conclusion that Chelsea did not offer
a large enough field. Their attention was
directed to the South, and shortly after.
they came TO Washington and opened the
nucleus of their present store. in 1880
BOthrop from Massachusetts.
Alvin NJ. Lothrop. junior partner, was
born at Acton, Mass. July 8, ls47. Mr..
Lothrop is a consistent churchman. being
member OF the First Congregational
Church., an active member of the Young
Mems Christian Association, a dis
tinguished Mason, and. affiliated with
many Of the business affairs of the city.
He is member Of the Board Of Trade.
and has devoted some Of his time for
several years to the affairs OF the Ma
tional Geographic Society. He IS also a
member of the Sons OF the Revolution
and of the Mayfiower Society.
From the very beginning Of their mer-
camille career in Washington, these two
men have unremittingly persevered I'm an
tieipating the demands of their patrons.
and making the store the representative
establishment OF the city.