Bisbee daily review., 1915-11-21

That in cities the size Of Bisbee and Douglas. the one a mining camp the other a "smelter town, there should be found department stores housed and stocked in a manner that would be highly creditable to com munuies of 100000 or more popula- tion. is ever am occasion for surprised comment Further inspection Of such stores and subsequent visits to them with resulting understanding of how their vast business is handled tend 10 further increase the suprise and the wonder. There are immense public utility concerns designed to furnish to the people Of Bisbee and Douglas the most desirable classes of goods and at reasonable prices. They per factIy fU the purposes for which they are designed. These are the stores of the Phelps Dodge Mercantile Com pany
 The Bisbee store of the Phelps Dodge Mercantile Company was the first of a number of stores that came into existence in various mining com muniues Of Arizona and New Mexico Today it is the largest store owned and operated by the company and in it are housed the offices of the general manager. W. H. Brophy. whence emf mates the general supervision Of 8 great mercantile business. A the pioneer" store, the history of ifs be ginniug and growth is interesting.
 Designed to Meet Needs.
 Tn the early sos the management of the Copper Queen Mining Company became convinced that the interest. of its employees demanded. and would be conserved by. the establish ment of a store where goods of a clas. demanded and required. might be ob tained at prices within bounds for inc mine worker The individual mel chant was not generally in a position to make purchases in sufficient quan titles to obtain goods al prices tha were attractive to the customer No were qualities of stock carried alway satisfactory lt was decided that
  evils that were complained of Ina the plan was wise and has been a sue cess has been witnessed not only il Bsbee but in every other mine com munity where these stores were open ed. It has proved of much satisfaction and benefit 10 employees Of the mine and smelters and other residents e an such communities
 First Start Small.
 Having determined that a store wa required in Bisbeo. action was at one taken There was a small store owr ed and operated by Mrs Mary Cros. ey. and this was purchased. It stoo on lot that is now a part of the sit of the great Bisbee store of the Phelp Dodge Norchantile Company Thu was started the Copper Queen Stor and in it w. H Brophy present con pauy manager, started his mercantil career as a clerk, to rise to the hea through perservering and deseryin effort
 Larger stocks Of goods were pu chased for the new store It was d signed to meet the needs of the con munity. It struck a chord that al pealed and was success from tn outset From this small beginning h5 grown a great department stor From time to time enlargements weI made and its present magnifcel brick home was built in 19O4, sinC which time it has been enlarged an improved In 1909 the business Ina 0utgrovn dts warehouse facilities an the present large concrete buildin with ample trackage facilities, WI erected
 Branch Stores Needed.
 As the busineess of the district gre branch stores were opened at Lowe and '1aco and later at Warren, d signed to meet requirements
 these suburbs of Bisbee. The Lowe store outgrew its quarters and a ne building became required to house business. This is naturally not large as is the Bisbee store, but construction. equipment and stoi carried it compares favorably vi other department stores. These thr branches. with the Bisbee store, a