New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1910-09-30
RUSH TO SEE G|MBELS'
Bio Crowd Pleased with Every
thing at Stores Opening.
MUSIC FROM HIDDEN BANDS
Many Who Went to See Stop to
Shop Amid Masses of Floral
Decorations.

Gimbel Brothers new store, on Sixth ave
nue. between 32d and SD streets, on the &C.
casion of its opening yesterday could fall
10 marvel at the skill that carried the gi-
gantic enterprise to such state of per-
lection.
While it was impossible in such a vast
place, with its thirteen stories and twenty
six acres of floor space. its S605O,Oao worth
of merchandise and its mile and a half of
show cases, TO get any adequate impress
sion Of the resources of the store, yet
every one felt that in all those acres of
floor scape. with their manifold depart
rsents, detail had been neglected.
Until yesterday it was a store without
a customer. Twelve months ago no store
was there at all-only bare rock and earth
But no one would have known. unless from
the extreme modernness of the appoint
ments, that it had not been in operation
| for years. Many of those who went out
of mere idle curiosity in regard to the
new shop found il so ready for service
that they soon abandoned the joys of
sightseeing for the more serious occupa-
ton of buying
Splendid Decorative Scheme.
Not only had those at the head of this
enterprise been able to get into complete
/
ordinary machinery of combination of 164
stores in one. but they had. in addition, ar
ranged a splendid decorative scheme in
honor Of the opening. Branches and fes-
toons Of evergreens gave a festive appear
ance to the various avenues of approach,
and inside there were flags. bunting.
autumn foliage and immense quantities of
cut flowers, together with a great number
of large and elaborate floral pieces. The
latter We're testimonials from other firms.
and in addition to their ornamental value
they served 10 illustrate the extensive re-
lations of Gimbel Brothers with the bust
ness world AS if these attractions com
hined with the varied allurements of the
counters, we're not enough TO make the &C
casion a memorable one. strains of music
from concealed orchestras greeted the ears
ar every turn.
The third floor, where gowns, millinery
and furs were displayed. was scene of
enchantment The floor was luxuriousy
| carpeted, and the beauties of the mer-
chendise We're advantageously shown in
! cases of mahogany and glass, and here also
there were music and flowers TO aid in
delighting the senses In this department.
! as elsewhere, courteous and capable at
PENDANTS waited upon customers. and owing
10 the excellent organization, which was
equally manifest in all branches of the
great establishment were able to supply
their wants with delightful promptness.
No Long Waiting for Change.
No expense has been spared to do away
with the irritating and familiar delay in the
making Of change and the wrapping of
parcels from which the shopping public has
so long suffered. In this way the firm
hopes TO win the patronage of busy men.
but the system will be none the less appre-
ciated by women, who in this day of stuff
rage agitation and multitudinous interests
often find ii difficult to secure time for nee
essary shopping.
Gimbel Brothers evidently understand
! that there is no more exhausting labor than
that Of shopping, and they have therefore
made their tesroom on the eighth floor a
place where the cup that cheers without in
ebrlating may be taken under conditions
that are restful and soothing Here again
there is a soft, thick carpet most grateful
TO weary feet.
! Red Mexican mahogany pillars, with gold
! finished panels. support the ceiling, and the
small. round tables and chairs, like all the
/ other fixtures of the store-show cases.
counters and even partitions-are of the
same wood. Each of these tables bore yes
| terdav vase of carnations roses or other
flowers and mattresses in white attended
on them.
/ Nothing seems TO have been forgotten
that could conduce TO the comfort or con-
venienee Of the shoppers and the welfare of
| the employes-now numbering ALSO, and
soon to be increased TO six thousand-has
not been forgotten. A prominent feature is
an emergency hospital, with a physician
constantly in attendance. This IS designed
primarily for the use of employees but
patrons will also be treated there when
necessary.
Three and half acres of floor space have
been set apart for the general comfort of
the employees and in one of their two res
taurants meals will be served free 10 those
who receive the minimum wage.
Another novel feature is a nursery for the
children of shoppers.
HOusekeepers viii be interested in the
provision made TO insure perfect scientific
cleanliness There are no raised mouIdinRs
nor cracks 10 catch dust, and no fixture
cannot pass underneath.
Something OF the capacity of the store
can be imagined from the fact that, I'm
spite Of the vast numbers that visited II
yesterday. there was almost no crowding
or confusion either on the floors or in the
elevators. II was only occasionally. where
there was some special attraction, that the
%