Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1909-10-24
LOCAL TRADE GROWING
Enlargement of Business
Houses Is the Rule.
is COSMOPOLITAN CITY
Prices and Goods Make Most Favor.
able Showing.
OUTSIDE TRADE ATTRACTED
Larger Accommodations, Varied
Goods and More Numerous
Shoppers.
OUTSIDE TRADE ATTRACTED

III tHe NdtlOnal capital Inc OBJECT III
all cases is both to provide more room
for the display of larger stocks and to
afford better accommodations for the
ever increasing number of shoppers.
This general movement among the
popular stores in Washington is cited
to show not only many facts of signifi-
canoe that make Mr.. District Of Co
lumbia throw out his chest in real
pride, but to emphasize one main fact.
that Washingtonians and persons liv
ing within a short distance of the Ma
tons Capital are united in their belief
that the goods offered for sale here and
the prices at which they are offered
are right. This means that the stocks
are so large that they afford abundant
opportunity for selection and contain
the same classes of goods in many We
rieties and that the prices quoted by
local merchants are as favorable, il
not more so. to the shopper than in any
neighboring city.
There was time, some of the older
inhabitants in the city declare. when
many persons thought they must go to
outside cities for the lowest prices and
the best selections. That was years
ago. in fact SO many years that it is
generation of shoppers. In the olden
days before the National Capital be-
came a city of real proportions the
stores in larger cities in this section
of the country received much trade
from DISTRICT buyers.
But Washington's stores have been
keeping pace with the growth of the city
and with the demands of it's multitude of
shoppers. AS the city became metropoli-
tan, the stores became metropolitan.
While homes have been building in the
sections within the District line where
cows pastured in days gone by, the stores
have been building wings on their shop
ping emporfums that are larger than the
original buildings or have raised the roof
several stories higher
Patronize Home Stores.
After granting that the sound business
men at the head of these local establish
ments do not provide larger quarters eX-
cept to accommodate larger patronage, it
is pointed out by those who have watched
the development, that this movement
shows plainly that the shoppers who We're
wont, in days past. to go to outside cities
to get their necessaries for wardrobe or
household have visited the loca! stores.
have investigated their prices and their
stocks and have. on the strength of the
inspections transferred their trade to the
local establishments. The commercial
and economical traits Of the citys dwell
Ter are so well known, it is explained,
that this condition is taken to present
conclusive evidence that shoppers have
found that the places to do their shopping
are in Washington.
This policy of the proprietors of the
local stores to give the right goods at the
right prices has been so thoroughly and
generally carried out that not only have
the local stores, held all their old trade
and. attracted the trade of the rising gen.
Grafton but have drawn the trade that
formerly went to neighboring cities
The result has been the enlargement OF
the local stores In almost every instance
to accommodate the increasing trade. BY
the statement that practically all of the
local stores are enlarging their quarters.
it Is remarked, is meant that some are at
present being enlarged. some have just
completed additions removal to larger
quarters and others have the plans ready
for fulfillment to increase their store ac-
commOdatiOnS.
In the variety and quality of goods Of
fered for sale. it is pointed out by those
who frequently visit the shops of this
and other cities, the Washington stores
stand on the same footing as any stores
in this section of the country This is
only natural, it is declared. because of
the policy of the local stores to cater
to the tastes of the shoppers here.
washington is acknowledged to be a
cosmopolitan city: to it come people from
all parts of the world and in large num-
bers. They are shoppers and their tastes
vary according to the quarter of the globe
to the section of the nation from which
they have journeyed.
Large Stocks Necessary.
To meet the varied tastes of the popu-
lation of the National Capital the man
ayers of the local stores have found it
necessary to carry large stocks contain
goods. No city in this section. it is de-
clared, caters to a more cosmopolitan
trade. than Washington, and its stores
reflect. not only it's growth along broad
lines, but it's cOsmopoltanism.
Because of the wide streets and the
general cleanliness of the National Capt.
tai and of it's strict laws for the protec-
tion of people who gather in places OF
public assembly, Washington stores have
special advantage over the shops of
practically every other city in the coun-
try. The wide streets prevent traffic con-
gestions that frequently occur In other
! cities on business streets shoppers VINO
use carriages or automobiles can drive
to the very doors of the local stores not
being compelled to Alright on side street
a block away because of the traffic con-
gestion that frequently characterizes the
narrow business streets of some other
cities.
The broad streets, also, afford ample
sidewalk room, SO that it is not bar
gain-day rush to make ones way to the
front of a large department store. But
the chief advantage derived from the wide
streets is that of light. Wide streets
mean plenty of daylight in stores. What
housekeeper Is there who does not want
TO see piece of goods or kitchen uten-
sill In the natural light. instead Of by the
glare of an electric lamp?
All shoppers declare that there is pleas
ure in being able to shop in clean city.
For cleanliness of streets and Smokeless
air mean clean stores and unsoiled linen
of shoppers And the strict building regu-
Iations of the National Capital make for
safe construction of the huge housing
stores. for plenty of light and ventilation
and for ample exits in case of untoward
| accidents.
Those who have investigated the condi-
tons in the local stores maintain that the
usual advantages which they afford, aided
by the general surrounding favorable con-
ditions, mark them as the true shopping
centers for the people living in or near
the National Capital. The local stores.
they declare, are clean and well lighted
by natures sunlight; they are easily
reached by street car lines. the service of
which is generally satisfactory, or by au-
tomobile or carriage on broad thorough
fares. and their stocks are SO large and
varied for meeting a cosmopolitan trade
their prices so fair and their trade is in
creasing so rapidly, that the enlarge
mentS are a necessity
MILLION CHARITY DECIDED.