Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1909-11-07
8Iackistone's Special Sales
Growing in Popularity.
SHOP WINDOWS PLEASING
Always Afford q Pretty Picture to
the Passerby.
SOME sPECIALTIES IN FLOWERS
Splendid Show Of Seasonable Chrys-
anthemums at Present-All Ready
for Flower Exhibit.

T. d. Blackstone. whose flower shop at
14th and II streets northwest always af-
fords pretty picture to the passerby
throughout the whole year, has the dis
tinction of having established the pioneer
business house in that section of the city.
When Mr.. Blackstone opened his flower
store ten years ago his was practically
the only business house in that immediate
vicinity. The neighborhood was an ex-
elusive residential section, and no evil
dence was given at that time that the
business of the city would move from the
section in which 1t had been maintained so
many years toward the northwest-a
trend 1t took several years ago. and which
has led dozens of firms to give up their
old quarters farther downtown and move
toward the northwest.
Mr. Blackstone is a native of ST. Marys
county, Nd, and II was after his gradua-
ton from Charlotte Hall Military Acad-
envy that he came to Washington. Like
many other boys. under the same cir
cumstances, he supported himself as best
he could for a year. and then entered the
employment of a local florist, where he
remained seven years.
Decided to Branch Out.
During this time he learned the bust
ness thoroughly, and decided t. branch
out for himself. He opened shop In
14th street. and for two years ne re-
manned there, finally moving to the north
west corner Of 14th and II streets. where
his attractive shop has been beauty
spot since.
Although MIR. Blackstone does not
make a speciality of any one plant or
flowers. he has devoted his energies to
another cause. In the past few years.
through a systematic series Of special
sales of flowers on Saturdays. he mas
endeavored to educate the public gener-
ally-not the wealthy people OF Washins-
ton, but those In ordinary circumstance
to the advantage and pleasure OF keeping
a few flowers in the home. MI Blackl-
stone maintains that nearly every one is
able to spend . cents a week for flowers
for the home, and In order to make this
possible, he long ago instituted special
sales when clusters of flowers were sold
at very low prices. He said yesterday
that whereas in the beginning he sent out
probably dozen of these boxes each
week, he is now sending hundreds. There
is no profit in II for him, Mr.. Blackstone
said, but when people get accustomed to
seeing a few flowers around the house
they begin to appreciate their beauty and
understand the pleasure they give.
Mighty Attractive Shop.
The Blackstone shop is exceedingly at
tractive. A small gallery running around
the store is filled with tiny cedar trees.
and the walls are lined alternately with
mirrors and pictures of wedding bouquets
which the firm has furnished for famous
brides. Tall palms and ferns are dis
tributed about the place, and large and
small vases and jars are always filled
with the freshest flowers of the season.
The windows are always attractive, and
Mr.. Blackstone takes especial pride in
this part of his establishment. At Easter
time one is always sure to see the love-
lest flowers of the seasOn-viOlets and
Easter lilies arranged in some unique
manner In his window. At the present
time Mr.. Blackstone is exhibiting some
of the finest chrysanthemums ever seen
in Washington. He will have a splendid
exhibit at this years flower show.