Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1909-03-04
MESSER-PER-
& ~. '[EYlST0RE
Opened to the j Public
First Time Yesterday.
Most Up-to-Date Store in The
State.
Complete Mems Furnishing Estab.
lishment.

The wooden false front that has
covered the Messer- Perley store for
some weeks during the remodellng of
II, both inside and out, was taken
down yesterday and for the first time
the beautiful new store stood revealel
IN all its loneliness. 1t was Just like
the rolling up of a<stage curtain upon
the first scene OF a well staged and
we'll mounted production. Absolutely
hot a whisper of what was to be seen
inside has been permitted to leak out
so the surprise was complete.
The whole store inside and out has
been changed. The outside has been
given vastly different appearance
with its two handsome mahogany and
nile green windows, door with a
heavy oval plate glass panel and lead
ed stained glass lights overhead make
up this most attractive feature. The
lighting of the window by the way
for evening use is the new holop ane
system of concealed lights shining
through the holophane globes that fit
tightly over the entire lighting space
and diffuse an even and mellow light
to all parts of the window
The back part of the windows is
composed of hand carved panels and
what has the appearance of wainscot-
ting which. with the heavy green
hangings and fittings makes a scene
Of rare beauty from a purely artistic
standpoint as well as from the stand
point of the firm that desires to show
mems furnishing goods to the best
possible advantage which by the way
is the real reason why it was thus it-
ted up.
But it is inside the store that one
begins to have his eyes fairly stick
out with surprise and delight.
The whole woodwork is in heavy
mahogany natural color and rubbed
and oiled only.
On the left as one enters we find
the hats displayed in ranges accord
ing to styles and colors and SO ar
ranged that sizes may be picked out
instantly. Next on this side comes
the department devoted to suits and
overcoats and here for the first time
in Portland we have q real up-to-date
Fifth avenue clothing store in Port
land. The clothing is not exposed to
view at all. 1t is all kept in wall
cases hung upon coat hooks and these
strung on sliding steel rods which
permit the hanging of about so pieces.
When man desires to look at an
overcoat for instance, he tells the
clerk he wishes to see some middle
length and middle weight chev!ot
goods The case devoted to this class
IF garments is pulled open, the top rod
pulled out and the entire stock of
coats of that kind is ranged in plain
view. each one hanging naturally as
it will hang when worn, and not piled
upon counters as has been the time
honored CUSTOM requiring much LABOR
on the part of the salesman to pull
out and properly display the particular
coat wished. This same system is
carried out all through tn" clothing
department and it is complete and
needs only to be seen to be appreciated.
on the right hand side opposite the
clothing department is fine array ~
collars and cuffs and fine shirts ana
toward the front Of the store ON thus
side is the nec>wear Of which II Inc
is carried that has no equal in TINS
city.
The entire rear portion OF the store
is fitted up for Il reception room
which is provided with writing ma
terial magazines and other convent
ences. The gentlemen who compose
the firm desire it to be distinctly UNI
dcrstood that this reception room j.
for the public and not exclusively f"i
their customers. They want the pe"-
ple of Portland to come in and get ac-
ouainted with them and use their con-
veniences without feeling under any
obligations to spend cent unless they
wish to do So
The gentlemen composing this hrn
have started out with Il very mgr
fdeal. They planned to establish
fine store. the finest Of it's kind OUTSIDE
New York, and they have APPARENT!
carried out their design in the fitting
M of their store. They intend t
carry complete line of mems fur
| nishing goods and by casual loos
around over the store it would seen
they have succeeded in this endeavo
| also
! It now remains for the people 0
| Portland to show their appreciation
the courage and Willingness OF me-
to fit up and equip and stock such
| beautiful store as this ana 10 CIV
them the support they richly deserve
1t is easily the most up-to-date estaD
lishment of it's kind ever seen IN TN
| part of the country.
| The many friends of Fred McCarth
| so long associated with Haskeli {
Jones. will find him in the Messer
| Perley Co.'S store ready as ever Z
greet and serve all his friends-Poft
| land Argus. Vi