The Detroit times., 1910-05-26
THoRoUGHFARE Is SCENE OF
GREAT BUSINESS ACTIVITY
tcontisusd from rage s.vsaJ


consider no other location than Graf
iot-aye. No building was available
then that would suit the purpose. so
the only thing left to do vas to create
one. The company interested Dodge
Bros. In the proposition and the orna-
mental structure that now towers ma
Jesticall.' at the southwest corner or
Gratiot-ave. and Brush-st. was the re-
suit.
In les immaculate exterior coat or
white enameled porcelain. the Owen
building stands not only rs an orna-
ment to the street but also as a testi-
monial OF the firms enterprise and Its
faith In this thoroughfare. AT first II
seemed like rather long jump from
the old location. There were those
who opined that the company was
moving too far away from Woodward.
But they didn't know Gratiot-ave. as
Mr.. owen knew H. and his good judy
ment is being confirmed by q steadily
increasing volume OF business. And,
as a matter of fact, the new location
Is only 500 feet from the old. by ac-
tual measurement.
The new store Is q model In every
particular. There is nothing like II
In the entire middle west. In the
matter OF light, arrangement Of depart
ments, completeness OF stock and con-
struction, the establishment is as near
perfect as modern architectural skill
and business ingenuity can make IL.
owen & Co. occupy the entire eight
floors and basement and from base
ment 10 roof there Is not a detail miss
ing. Light pours In from three sides
in such quantities that II Is necessary
to draw the shades when the sun
shines. The customer makes his Sc
lection in the broad light of day AMI
the prices are plainly marked on every
article.
A feature OF the establishment that
Is absolutely new are the model apart
ments provided on every sales floor
for the display of stock. Thee are
miniature bed roomsf dining COWS,
parlors and reception rooms. artist.
cally decorated In varying color
schemes TO suit varying tastes. BY
this means the salesman is able 20
show the customer how a certain set
OF furniture will look In certain
room. This feature is proving very
popular.
The stove room, In the basement
Is one OF the most complete depart
ments of It's kind In the entire coun-
try. On the two upper floors an i'm
mense reserve stock Is carried There
are, for example. some 900 beds.
enough TO supply almost any OF the
country's largest hotels. The build
ing is of concrete and tile construc-
ton and Is declared to be absolutely
fireproof The Kahn system was
used
The owen building has materially
enhanced real estate values on Ora
tiotave. and doubtless will act as a
spur &c further Improvements along
the street in the near future. As an
instance Of how values have scared
II Is related that one concern I'm the
immediate neighborhood recently re-
fused an offer Of 1900 per foot for
property that sold two years ago for
5000.
Oliver Grunow, OF Grunow & Pa,-
terson. druggists at Randolph-st and
Gratiot-aye., recently secured a long
term lease OF his present location and
three other stores In the immediate
vicinity. He Is planning extensive al
terations OF the present store along
strictly modern lines.
Miss Lillian LEM, at No. lie Ora
tiot-ave., has taken over the millinery
stock OF X. Kreibich and has greatly
enlarged Il.
One Of the best known institutions
on the street Is the big Brushaber
furniture house. The firms east side
store Is located at Nos. 259, 26I and 26S
Gratiot. The stock Is one of the larg-
est and most complete TO be found
In this section OF the country.
Mr.. Shredder, the Randolph-st. shoe
man, has taken lease OF the building
adjoining Owen q Co. on the west.
Among the prominent Gratiot-avc.
firms within the halfmile circle are
the following:
VI. Ramshaw, at 80 Gratiotave., and
Gustave II. Taepke. florist, 95 Gratiot-
ave.
G. Lingemann e. Co. In the Bret
meyer building, who carry the largest
stock OF umbrellas In town, are a
credit to the district.
Bualneas-lfke printinu No fuas ma