The Detroit times. [volume] (Detroit, Mich.) 1903-1920, 1909-05-12
NEW FIRM TAKES
CHARGE OF BIG
P. & B. STORE
; Crowley, Miner & Co. Succeed
Partridge & Blackwell and Plan
Many Changes Looking to In
creased Success.
New Owners Widely Known Bust
ness Membranes Synonymous
With Commercial Enterprise.

4, The name, Partridge & Blackwell,
30 long Identified with the retail bust
ness In Detroit and familiar to thous-
ands OF people throughout his section
OF the country. has passed into MIS-
Tory, and the corporation which con-
ducts the mammoth store at Farmer
ST., Gratiot and Monroe-aves Will be
known hereafter as Crowley. Miner a.
Co. Formal announcement OF the
change was made this morning.
Early last summer Joseph J. Grow
ley. OF the wholesale dry goods house
OF Crowley Bros. and W. l.. Miner.
one OF Toledo's best known business
men, bought controlling interest AZ
the corporation. They have now &C
CURED complete control, having pur-
chased the entire interest OF Willard
t. Partridge and Henry Blackwell In
the business. Both these gentlemen
have retired from the company. Mr.
Milner is the new president OF the
corporation and Mr.. Crowley Is vice
president and treasurer.
Since Messrs Crowley and Miner
became interested in the establish
ment numerous reforms In manage.
ment and other changes looking 10 the
general Improvement OF the store anu
business have been instituted and Will
be pushed more vigorously than ever,
now that the new owners have secured
complete control These changes have
to do largely with a Encouragement OF
The departments, some OF which VIII
be enlarged and some eliminated. The
grocery, meat and liquor departments,
heretofore conducted III the basement,
AVE been discontinued This will give
ample room for greatly enlarged stocks
Of china and house furnishings anu
Tor sporting goods, toys and trunks
formerly displayed on the upper floors.
The barber shop has also been discon-
! tinued and the space will be utilized
for an employees entrance and locker
loom.
The main floor has undergone and Is
still undergoing great changes. Inc
banking department has been closed
out. A large part OF ne palcony'
where the bank and general offices
we're formerly located, Is being torn
out and the Offices removed TO the
Efth floor, where there Is plenty OF
light and air and great deal more
room This change was made out OF
consideration for the office employees,
vhc formerly worked under electric
light and In cramped and poorly ven
tiIated quarters The moving stair
ay between the first and second floor
vas taken out some time ago as the
snace was needed for additional coun-
ters.
The company is now receiving ng-
ures on the installation Of new res
taurant on the fourth floor, which. "a
planned, will be one of the hnest store
restaurants In the city. A high-class
man with wide experience In depart
ment store catering has been engaged
az manager.
For the benefit OF the women EN-
ployes. rest, toilet and lunch rooms are
being fitted up on the sixth moor. Ihese
will give restful and cheerful surround
ines for the employees during the lunch
hour and a place to lie down when
they are indisposed. The furnishings
will include sanitary couches, reading
facilities and a piano. Meals VIII De
served TO the girls at nominal COST
and the food will be OF the very best.
Other changes are contemplated,
though not fully determined upon as
vet. all looking TO the Improvement
of the establishment and 20 the greater
comfort and convenience OF patrons
end employees alike.
Likewise a number OF changes In or
SANITATION are contemplated with
view to greater strength
I'VE want to make this the strongest
establishment of its kind in this sec
ton" said Mr.. Miner we believe
Detroit has great future Ia store. ana
this company proposes 20 contribute
it's full share to the city's develop
ment and particularly toward building
mn the retail business OF the town. TO
that end the business will be conduct.
cd along modern and aggressive lines.
Mr.. Miner is president and principal
owner OF w. l.. Miner & Co, when
conducts the largest department store
I'm Toledo He Is looked upon as
leader I'm his field and Is one OF To-
ledo's staunchest business men.
Mr.. Crowley. previous TO the estao-
lishment OF the wholesale dry goods
house OF Crowley Bros. eight years
ago was a member OF the Arm OF burfE
nam Stoepel & Co. He served on the
water board from 1901 to 1905 and was
vice president OF the Detroit Board oil
Commerce in It's second year. He en-
lows a very wide acquaintance and IN
tis new undertaking has the best
wishes OF a host OF loyal friends.