The Mankato free press. [volume] (Mankato, Blue Earth County, Minn.) 1879-1924, 1919-10-31
LIGHT UP THE STREET
ADVERTISING CLUB, HAS
PLANS IN MAKING
BRIGHT GARB FOR TOWN
November 18th Is the Date of
Festivities; Business Before
Organization

Cbristmastide will be heralded To
Mankato people with one grand
opening of all Mankato stores this
year. Members of the ManEato Adj
vertising club decided last evening
10 adopt this innovation as anotle:
means of affording merchants an
opportunity to put their goods be-
fore the public to the best advant-
age and ut the same time put Man
kato on the map as the liveliest city
outside the twin cities"
November 18th Is the date, and
1:30 o'clock in the evening the
hour. All stores will be darkened,
the streets quiet. Promptly at the
given hour the band will appear on
Front street to play during the en-
tire evening. simultaneously the
curtains OF all show windows will
be raised and the holiday display
will blaze forth in all their splendot
for expectant spectators.
II will not be necessary to wait
for the "Christmasy" feeling TO
reach you this year. The Advertis-
ing club plans to carry it to Man
kato people and those of the sur
land" Between now and the date
of the Christmas holiday opening.
inaugurating the holiday season."
every effort will be put forth 20
arouse the interest of people in
Mankato and the vicinity, in the
event.
Must Have Sig Feature.
Secretary Julsrud brought to the
attention of the club the fact that
il would be necessary to taKe some
steps. innovating a feature week or
something of the sort this season, If
the Advertising club is to win the
silver loving cup offered by the state
association President Druckenbrod
stated that he considered the state
cup a good prod to get decisive ac-
tion out Of the club. He then pro-
posed the idea of Christmas festiv-
al or grand opening, inaugurating the
holiday season.
Numerous plans were discussed,
including a Dollar Day" for all
stores in Mankato, a market week
and other features. The general
impression was that a dollar day
could better be held later in the
season when real bargains would be
offered.
Have big Christmas opening"
said Secretary J. r. Jensen Of the
Potail Np~ohnnts'' association. Have
all the windows decorated. Unveil
them at 4 given hour Get the band
out and make the affair big sue
cess Mankato is the ideal place to
pull off such a plan. Get every
merchant behind the idea"
President Druckenbrod heartily
agreed with the idea suggested.
Some of The merchants declared
they feared all businessmen would
not pull tocethe, on the plan. Mr..
Jensen stated that was one trouble
with having so many organizations.
He stated II all were in one body
they would work more in unity.
Secretary Julsrud offered to run
free advertising spare in The Free
Press announcing the event. 1t was
moved by Mr.. Julsrud that the presi-
dent appoint a committee of five TO
make a personal call on all mer
chants, asking them to take part in
the grand opening and to generally
supervise the event. The date for
the opening was set as Wednesday
November IL.
Will Seek Support.
ITO continue straight through un-
til Christmas eve," declared Presi-
dent Druekentrod in putting the mo-
ton and it was unanimously car
ried. On motion of ]. Z. Brett it
was voted to have Secretary Jensen
confer with the Retail Merchants as
~o;, in,
move Mr. Jensen stated this was
hardly necessary as he felt assur-
ed the association was heartily be-
hind the plan.
Merchants were agreed that No
vember IL was not too early for
the holiday opening. ]. E. Brett
stated that the windows of the
George E. Brett store would be com
pleted and ready for the event. The
big opening will not be the only
single event of the holiday season as
merchants hope to keep up the
Christmas spirit from then forward
by changing displays, interior decor
atoms etc.
Repoyts of committees were made
at the club meeting last evening al
so. Leo Landkamer, chairman of the
window display contest committee
reported that he believed the con-
test had been as great a success as
eyer. The various winners were
named by Secretary Julsrud and Mr.
Julsrud expressed the opinion that
the Judge, William Edstrom of Red
wing was neutral in his awards
Scoring sheets were passed around
that all might see the points or
which they scored high and where
they failed to win. President D-uck.
enbrod expressed the opinion thai
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