The Washington herald., 1911-10-06
CORNWELL & SON
, WELCOME FRIENDS
Old Firm in New Home Is
Warmly Congratulated.
VISITORS LOUD IN PRAISE
Splendid Building the Third Step
ping Stone in History of Pro-
ments Delight PatronS-Rssep-
tion Lasts Until Near Midnight.

Washingtonians hocked en- masse yes
terday to the formal opening Of the new
and commodious establishment Of G. G.
CornweIl & Son, 1415 and 1417 H street
northwest. During the day, and, in fact,
until nearly midnight, there was a
stream Of sightseers. well-wishers. and
hundreds Of customers.
The establishment is a grocery" in no
ordinary sense of the word. There is no
suggestion Of the warehouse or shop
about the entire building. One can hard
ly believe that the structure as viewed
from the exterior Is a grocery store. 1t
has more of the appearance Of a bank
or q business office, being constructed Of
white granite and limestone in most
pleasing architectural style.
Upon entering, the attention Of the
spectator is first caught by a varied fruit
display, banked artistically around a pill
lar near the door. Yesterday the en-
tire establishment was bedecked with
palms and a myriad Of cut flowers.
Among the fruit were arranged flowers
In the most artistic designs. At every
turn one was confronted by the floral
displays.
The MeEzanine Gallery.
One Of the most attractive features of
long mezzanine gallery Of colonial de-
sign. extending along the sides Of the
room, and joining about two-thirds Of
the distance from the front OF the build
ing. The joining OF the galleries forms
an open court at the rear OF the room
which affords ample space for ship
ping purposes. The rear end OF the gal
lery will be used for business offices
Yesterday the galleries were banked
with large palms. giving an artistic I'm
ish to the decorative scheme OF the room.
Along the sides of the building are con-
tinuous mahogany shelving and counters
OF the same material. The woodwork of
the entire building is mahogany, making
the color scheme dark red and white. In
the building there are thousands of feet
OF shelving. The shelves are arranged in
rows five deep. Rows upon rows of dry
groceries" including everything a first
class grocery should contain, are visible.
Bottles and cans and packages are ar
ranged in apparently never-endlng line.
Everything one could desire is at hand.
Wine Rooms Well Stocked.
The list OF wines and liquors includes all
that man could wish for, Peres Chartreux,
cognac. claret, sauterne. champagne, and
burgundy Every conceivable variety OF
liquor Of high class is in stock.
Near the entrance is a large showcase
for the display OF a hundred kinds of
candies. The case Is one of the largest
which has ever been constructed. The
boxes of candy are artistically arranged,
and a series of mirrors reflect the beauty
of the display. The showcase Is one OF
the four structures crossing the room
latitudinally.
One Of the features Of the store is the
mahogany bin for keeping coffee, sugar,
teas, Spices and such articles. 1t was
found some time ago that coffee kept in
drawers which were frequently opened
and shut, soon deteriorated In strength
and value. The establishment consequent
ly designed the present bin, which has
received the admiration of so many of
the persons who attended the opening.
In each bin there are two drawers. one
above the other. The coffee, or whatever
article 1t may be. is placed in the air
tight drawer at the top. The bin is so
arranged that when the bottom drawer
is opened the amount Of the product de-
sired is released from the upper drawer.
The amount of the product to be re-
leased can be regulated by q sliding bot
tom to the upper drawer. It is discov-
cred thot by this arrangement coffee and
spices can be kept in the bins for years
without the slightest deterioration.
A score of devices such as this have
been introduced in order to protect Gus
toners and make possible the sale of
only the best quality groceries andlpro-
visions. Between fifty and sixty Parsons
are at present employed by the firm, but
it is expected that the force will have to
be increased considerably.
Practically Fireproof.
There is practically no woodwork in
the building, with the exception Of the
furnishings. The entire building is Of
steel and concrete construction. The
sanitary conditions of the building are