The San Francisco call., 1908-11-07
CHRISTMAS TRADE
WILL Be DOWNTOWN
Movement of Big Stores Shifts
Shopping Center to Gid
Scenes
Rapid Building and Future
Leases Make Locations
Hard TO Secure

Never in the history Of san Francisco
has the matter Of Christmas shopping
been so important q question. There
was 10 argument about where TO shop
last year for the retail stores were up
town, but it is quite different now. as
the retail section is in three parts Of
the city.
It was thought that fully three years
would elapse before the holiday shop
ping would be downtown. but the
removal OF the Emporium 10 its old
location. and the opening of stores in
the new Phelan building. together with
those in Kearny. Post and Geary streets,
have given a different aspect 10 the
question. and the majority Of people
incline 10 the opinion that the bigger
portion OF the Christmas trade viii be
done downtown.
Among the large new stores that Will
be ready for the holiday trade viii be
RoOs Bros. ana in this connection il
may be mentioned that at one time
some Of the firms that are pushing
forward the work Of starting their
places Of business downtown were
averse TO the speed shown by the con-
tractors and advised delay. Now there
is not one among them who does not
wish that he had been downtown
months ago.
OF all the remarkable changes this
city has witnessed during the last two
years nothing is more remarkable than
the rehabilitation of san Francisco
from the human point Of view. II looks
as II the desire 10 come downtown was
universal and not day or night
passes that the shopping and the walk
ing crowd does not increase.
Saturday night is the same as before
the fire, while the rich shopping crowd
increases steadily every day, showing
that II is the wish Of the public in
all walks Of life to help the downtown
movement.
This was particularly noticeable with
the opening OF the California market
People who had been accustomed to
buying in this market for many years
came back; and finding the old stores
in the same locations felt that indeed
the good old times were here and that
the new San Francisco would retain
some Of the familiar landmarks which
those who had grown TO middle age
in this city remembered when they
were children.
Every real estate. dealer declares that
the inquiry for downtown property
has been greater than ever. and that
Il is difficult to secure locations. An
instance is quoted Of an organization
which has been seeking quarters in the
district bounded by Kearny and Powell
ana l-dI htL ana EOSL streets. ana
though there are numerous buildings
in course of construction in this To-
caiity there are none that can be Sc
cured because Of long leases already
taken by future tenants
A still greater impetus has been
given TO inquiry for downtown prop
erty since the election. and there are
reports that considerable building will
be undertaken shortly, Notwithstanding
the report that the price of all build
ing material is TO be increased
Work is 10 be prosecuted vigorously
on the northwest corner Of Ellis and
Stockton streets, and ii is the intention
Of the builders to have the six story
building ready for occupancy within
six months.
Several teams are at work upon the
big lot at the corner Of Fifth and Mar
ket streets and the building which is to
cover this vast area will be erected
IN record. time.
Ground will be broken shortly for
the Newman & Levfson building. which
viii add greatly to the shopping dis
trict. and no time is 10 be lost in re-
facilitating the City of Paris building.
The contracts have been let already.