Omaha daily bee. (Omaha [Neb.]) 187?-1922, 1912-03-17
Founder Great Mercantile House and His Sons Who Succeeded Him

Every move made by the firm Of J.
L Brzndsis & Sons has been toward bet
ter things not only for the firm. bur for
Omaha As the firm has made money, It
has spent money In growing amount,
until today its Investments In Omaha are
known to every citizen. and there is no
person in the city who does not feel
thrill Of pride In the accomplishments Of
the Brandeis stores. ...
As indicated in The Bee last Sunday,
the firm is this week giving its attention
to the proper celebration OF its thir-
tieth anniversary. That the preparations
for the event have been made on a broad
and generous scale Is amply emphasized
by the advertising pages. ...
When the late Jonas L Brandeis moved
from Wisconsin to Omaha. in IsSs, he
took possession Of the most available
building he could find. This was a very
modest storeroom on lower Farnam
street. between Twelfth and Thirteenth,
in the heart OF what was then the busi-
ness center. The founder of the firm and
his sons liked the appearance of Omaha,
and from the beginning OF their residence
here made up their minds that Omaha
WAS 10 be tie scene OF their activities
for the future. They needed strictly the
admonition of Ben Franklin. Take care
of thy shop and thy shop will take care
of thee
Solid Progress on Big Lines.
The Farnam street store, where a mod
est line of dry goods was sold. being
soon outgrown by the increase of bust
ness, move was made to Thirteenth
and Howard streets. where larger store
was taken II was called THE Fair"
was well stocked and well kept. and the
patronage 1t attracted assured a success
full venture. Advanced methods OF adver-
Using were used. as the sons began 10
grow In business acumen under the faith
er's excellent training. Soon another move
was necessary.
Then tho property on the northwest
corner Of Sixteenth and Douglas streets
was purchased, about ten years after the
opening of the first store, and the original
Boston store was soon q fixture. A fire
DESTROYED the structure In February,
1924. with o loss OF over $,50Oo While
the debris was being removed and the
site cleaned up for another building, the
firm went on with its business in tenn
porary quarters at Fifteenth and Dodge
streets. Additional property was secured
adjoining the site OF the burned store.
and q much larger new building was put
up. On this quarter block, with four
floorS J. L Brandeis & Sons managed
No worry along for a goodly spell of
years. until It was decided to branch out
some more. The firm had bought the
lots opposite the old store. on which the
Young Mems Christian association build
ing formerly stood. and as there seemed
to be demand for an additional office
building It was decided to combine such an
edifice with grand store building. Here
was built the main home OF the firm,
known as the Brandeis stores. which has
won a reputation extending far beyond
city and state lines ..
An Army on the Pay Roll.
II requires vast volume OF business TO
keep between 100 and LOO men and
women busy buying and selling goods.
Likewise a big working space is neces-
sary. and the Brandeis staff Of workers
covers in the neighborhood OF ten acres
in the various departments. Any city
two or three times the size OF Omaha
would find cause for pride in possessing
such a store and such citizens as direct
the activities Of this high class mart
of commerce. II has features distinctive