The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1909-11-06
W0MAN'S PARADISE.
Where IIuffs and FriIls Attract the
Feminine Fancy.

other day, of being a recluse. HIS
friends had not seen him for several
days. This is, however, untrue. Any
one NAV see Sol Berkson almost any
time of the day but to talk to MN Is
another thing He is too busy giving
his time and attention to the wants OF
the many customers and directing his
salesladies.
The Berkson brothers have been in
Topeka but two years but during that
time they have made host of friends
by attending to their own business and
giving everybody a fair deal They
have built a business from a peanut
stand figuratively speaking, TO almost
a monopoly on the suit and gown busi-
ness in Topeka and Kansas City where
thew have two stores. They also have
factory in New, York for making
tailor made garments.
From boyhood the Berkson Brothers
have been engaged in the ladies' gZr-
ment business which explains their ex-
pert knowledge in their line.
Style quality and price ere the re-
quisites demanded by the public" SAID
Mr. Berkson, land these we furnish.
Not garment in the house but we can
recommend to our customers"
ITO what do you attribute your sue
cess?"
"That is easily explained. close at
tention to our own business and our et-
fort to please"
do you ma a Strictly CASH puSiilcSS
profitable in town of this size%
81 certainly do replied Mr.. Berkson.
.'In fact most people would rather pay
cash especially when they know 1t
saves money. We inaugurated the cash
system when we started in the business
| and it has proved entirely successful.
Many told us we could never succeed
| on that basis but our business has in
creased As per cent this year over last
years total, which speaks for itself for
| the cash system.
I'VE pay cash for every dollars worth
of merchandise we buy and receive the
| benefits and favors shown only the
| largest cash buyers. Our customers al
| ways receive the benefit of our savings.
| We are always looking for an oppor-
| tunity to save money for the trade AMI
| by so doing we are saving money for
| ourselves. No lot is too large for us
| to buy providing the style and prices
are right.
I'VE figure a certain per cent of profit
on our merchandise regardleSS of the
prices we pay. This season we have
| shown four hundred different models of
| suits and cloakS in our several stores
| and gowns have been shown in at least
| $50 different designs. Every model up to
! the minute in style and entirely differ
ent from any shown in the city. Gus
| toners unable to find the style or model
| in the Topeka store are supplied from
| the Kansas City house.
| 1.-The cloak or gown brought over
from Kansas City may be examined
| and yet the customer need feel no hest
| fancy in refusing the garment if not
pleased. Another thing. our stock is al
| ways fresh and there is not day in
the season we do not show something
| new. No old stock is carried over to
| the next season"
| Berkson led the way to the work
room where thirty men and women are
| employed altering and refitting gar
ments already sold. Four sewing ma
| chimes operated by electricity and four
electric irons, are buzzing and sizzling
! away all day long, while in the stock
room eight clever clerks attend tbs
customers. In the French room, the
| reporter for the State Journal became
seriously tangled and enmeshed in the
| Silken finery. This is a paradise for
women but no place for a man. Gowns
of silk and satin, complete and incom-
| plete. some trimmed in lace, others III
Persian and ribbon trimmings, run
ming northeast and southwest from the
shoulder to the portion of the garment
| using the least material; well, it Is
useless for man to attempt to tell /!
but they are all exquisite and sell from
| $500 to $50 per.
The Berkson Brothers have adopted a
system whereby the customer who feels
unable to pay cash at the time of the
purchase may select the garment de-
| sired and that article will be held by
making a small cash deposit until the
| remainder is paid. In the hold room
two hundred suits and gowns are hang
| ing waiting for final payment.
/ 'Our pay roll runs about $500 j
| week." explained Mr.. Berkson, as the
clerks and seamstresses begain check
ing out last night. ''you see we leave a
vast sum in Topeka if we do take in a
large amount. Every woman employed
is a specialist in her line, in fact We
employ none but experts. A garment
/ when It comes from the work room
must be a perfect fit or the customer
may return or exchange the garment OF
the money is refunded as cheerfully a.
| it is TAKEN
4 From early morning until closing
/ time the Berkson Brothers store at 707
Kansas avenue is swarming with
ladies. The reporter attempted to Sc
cure an interview with Berkson five
different times in as many days before
he accomplished the task. It is a remark
able fact that seldom can a person
walk into the Berkson store but he
finds every clerk busy and Berkson IS
smothered in a mass of the latest
y cloaks and gowns.