Norwich bulletin. [volume] (Norwich, Conn.) 1895-2011, 1916-03-25

entire ave aoors CT the bulletin build
ing. were leased. This gave the Arm
a continuous frontage on Main street
Of $50 feet cnd enabled them 70 make
many improvements. A modern ele-
vator was installed, new departments
were added and practically every de-
partraent OF the store was enlarged.
IrsorPorsted IN 1906.
About three years after the Norwich
openAls branch ssore was started in
New London and James Hislop went
there TO take charge OF the firms IN
terests- Tnis wes but q forerunrer Of
branch stores in other sections Of the /
country. In 1889 change took place
In the personnel Of the Arm. Mr.. Hisiop /
taking over the New London store and /
MeRsrs. Porteous and Mitchell obtain |
ing control OF the Norwich store. In /
line with the progressive policy OF the |
flrnii the business was Incorporated IN |
1900 under the title oS .rhe Porseous |
e Mitchen Company" and several Of |
the employees that had been 10 the
service OF the arm @ number OF yearn
We're taken into the company at that
time. The present officers Of the COM
pany are: John Porteous, president;
Archibald Mitchell, vice president;
Q. z. Wulf, Secretary and treasurer;
John Porteous. Archibald Mitchell, o.
Z Wulf and John oI. Lee, directors.
Working System Established.
One fectcr which contributed largely
70 the prosperity OF the business wac
the 1udicious division OF the work,
which insured thorough efficiency In
each department. Nr. Mitchell exe--
ctsed q general supervision over the
financial interests OF the firm and with
an executive ability OF a Ligh order he
has proven himself q wise and AZ the
| same time conservative hnancier.
His conservatism and wisdom in de-
termining the early financial policy OF
/ the firm has contributed largely toward
establishing the position OF stability
which the present company occupies
i in the mercantile world. Mr.. Porteous
4 had charge OF the buying. He early
recognized tho Importance OF the buy
| Ing end OF the retail business and real
lied that economical purchases OF
] stock, made subsequent low retail
that many conOmies-margins so
email as TO represent but a fraction OF
q cent-taken in the aggregate, form
large savings, that allow much leeway
n fixing retail prices. This was an
/ other SUCCESS factor as Il enabled the
making Of prices that captured the
buying public. The buying end Of the
/ business, therefore, received his close
| personal attention. He secured the
markets with an eye trained to ac-
curing stock a. the utmost advantage.
| AS q result OF his buying activities,
| Mr.. Porteous has IN extensive ac-
quaintancs with dry goods merchants
all ever the country and is generally
regarded as one OF the most competent
| buyers OF general dry goods IN New
York and other markets.
Advantageous Buying Connections.
Messrs. P5rtcoUs and Mitchell are
now interested IN three stores. the
other two being located, respectively
in Grand Rapids, Mich. and Portland
Ne. i IS not only BY these several
branch stores that the company has
l increased rs buying capacity. they are
one OF the founders of and hold a
membership in the Dry Goods Union OF
! New York city, with \ central office
a. So Fourth avenue. This is one OF
the largest examinations OF its kind In
America, with = purchasing power Of
more than twelve millions OF dollar.
annually. In their New York ONCE 6
competent force cf buyers IS main
tanned who are in daily cOmmunica-
ton with the largest producers o.
| every kind OF merchandise that ID
handled by department stores. The
members OF the union eo-m a purchas-
ing unit, the MAGNITUDE OF which &
known and respected BY every JObbel
end manufacture. This important
connection gives the patrons of The
PorteOus & Mitchell Company. n serv.
Ice which from the standpoint OF new
ness in merchandise and economy II
prices. IS uEsu-T EEscd by any othe
| aLOEG N N04lLtEH---L.
complete stosl;7 of Merchandise.
But while The Pcrtsousy & Mitchell
| Company IS recognized as the larges
business institution, OF its kind Il
eastern Connecticut, Il Is not its grea
| size. alone, that interests the buyin
| public. Rather. # S. the variety an
| character OF the stocks Of merchandis
which Il carries that has the creates
appealing force. Il rhere are any VIII
| visit the store fer the first time durini
| the anniversary celebration they vii
be surprised and delighted at the ex
| tent and variety OF the display
Starting at the -op or third floor the
will find a broad and satisfying ex
materials, everything for beautifyin
the home. On this fioor are ais
shown The Free" and the famOu
Up. & NJ" sewing machines which ar
giving satisfaction in hundreds Q
homes hcreabouts and which hav
revolutionized the selling of SEWN
machines by affording an opportunit
to purchase q dependable sewing ma
chine at about one-third the pric
formerly charged for these necessar
= household articles HOusekespers wi
Il also be interested in knowing that III
: latest labor-saving devices for house
n cleaning are exhibited in this depart
\ ment. The "sweeper-vac," a cleane
n which IS easily run by hand and com
n bines the properties OF \ carpet sweep
n er and n vacuum cleaner. The "elcc
"a | trfc-vac," an electric cleaner which
: also a combination OF sweeper an
II vacuum cleaner and the "Frantz
IA Premier" one OF the best known elec
" trio sweepers on the market. AL {
= these articles are offered on the ne
"a selling MAN known as the month