Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1908-02-24
BOSTON HOUSE CELEBRATES
WOODWARD & LoTHROP'S
18TH ANNIVERSARY.
Features Showing Progress Of the
Firm-Program to Continue
One Week.

The firm of Woodward & Lothrop is
celebrating its twenty-eighth business
birthday anniversary today, and the cele-
bration will be continued throughout the
present week. The anniversary proper
will occur tomorrow. but there will be new
features at the big business house each
day of the celebration period of six days.
The attendance of patrons and friends
was large today and it is expected to keep
up to the high-water mark throughout
the week.
The growth of the Boston House has
been contemporaneous with the marvel
Gus advancement of the Capital city. 1t
has Kept pace. step by step. with munich
pal Improvements, and the success of the
firm is said to be largely due to the basic
principles which were introduced into the
business by MeSsrS. Woodward and
Lothrop at the very beginning of their
mercantile career in Washington. These
principles embrace unremitting persever-
ance, never-fagging industry, large pur-
chasing capacity and equally large out
let; absolute justice at ali times; an
ticipating needs of patrons; keeping pace
with the city's growth, and the bending
of each thought, effort and energy toward
making the store the representative eS
tabliShment' of the city.
In this connection the statement was
made today that the business transacted
by the firm last year was phenomenal
and that of 1908 is expected to reach an
even higher altitude, Notwithstanding the
financial depression that has recently ex-
listed.
History of the Firm.
The history of the firm of Woodward
& Lothrop forms an interesting and in
structive chapter, it is declared. in the
annals of the District of Columbia. The
Boston Dry Goods House. or, as it is
more generally termed The Boston
Store is widely known throughout the
United States. In February, $780, in the
unpretentiouS building No. 705 Market
space, Samuel Walter Woodward and AL
win M. Lothrop launched the present busi-
ness. From the very outset success re
warded their diligence, and in the summer
of the same year, the premises adjoining,
No. 100. were added. 1t was not long
before lack of space rendered it necessary
for the firm to secure larger quarters. and
removal was made to 921 Pennsylvania
avenue. Then the year 1881 found their
business increasing to such proportions
that they were again compelled to re-
move for lack of space.
1t was at this juncture of their business
career they determined upon leaving the
then principal business street and finding
the SOrely needed space in a location
where expansion was possible. Removal
was made to the present location 18th
and F streets. and the experience of the
firm since has proved that it was step
In the right direction. The business in
creased and prospered and other mer-
chants followed the lead. of Woodward &
LOthrop and went to f street.
From time to time the firm has added
to its selling space until today Woodward
& Lothrop's immense and modern estab-
liShment occupies practically the entire
block from 10th to nth streets and from
+ to q streets, as was shown by the large
illustration in The Star last Saturday
The building is one of the handSomest
and most substantial structures In the
United States. being fireproOf and splen-
dldly adapted to it's varied uses.
Fixtures and Appointments.
Some of its features are elegance of
fixtures and appointments, exclusive
offices and representatives in New York
and Paris, extensive connections
throughout the continent of Europe,
trustworthy goods at uniformly correct
prices. all purchases returnable within
a reasonable time for reimbursement
If uninjured and accompanied by sales
check and the best possible attention
and service
1t is truly said that business growth
is a magnet that attracts the elements
of continued growth, as each year finds
the firm of Woodward & LothrOp with
stronger trade connections at home and
in Europe. Announcement is made that
there will be features of unusual inter-
est at the establishment every day dur
ing the celebration, which will SAVIOR of
the magnificent bazaar exhibits in the
orient. about which SO much has been
written. These will be confined to no
particular floor or location of the vast
building, but may be seen in almost
every department..
Members of the Firm.
A short history of the members of the
successful firm is added. Mr.. S. w.
Woodward, the senior partner, is q ma
tive of Maine. having been born in Da-
mariscotta, Lincoln county, about fifty
five years ago. His first business VEN
ture was in Boston. He formed part
nership with Mr. Alvin M. LOthrOp in
1873 and started in business at chelsea.
Mass, under the firm name the COM
pany still bears. Later they came to
Washington and formed the nucleus
of the present great department store.
Mr.. Alvin NJ. Lothrop, the junior part
ner. was born at Acton, Mass, July 3,
1S47. He is a progressive and consci-
entious business man, like his partner,
and is consistent churchman, being
an hOnored member of the First Con-
gregational Church and an active
worker in the Y. NJ. c.. A. also a Mason
of high degree and a member Of other
representative organizations.