Indiana daily times. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1914-1922, 1921-10-08
10000 VISITORS
HERE EACHDAY
OF ENTIRE YEAR
Out-Of-TOwn People Con
tribute to Quarter Million
Retail Trade.

According to he best available figures
indianapolis entertains 10000 visitors a
day the year around. The vast majoriy
of this swarm of travellers come to buy,
contributing largely to he $3.50, 900 in
business transacted by the city's retail
stores.
city's reputation for culture and
meropolitanism is builded upon the en-
terprise and intelligence of its merchants.
Keen competition with neighbOring cities
throughout a period of years fitted In
dianapolis for the uncontested position it
now occupies as the retail market for all
of Indiana.
COMPETING WITH i
FOUR LARGE CITIES.
Situated in the center of square
formed by the Big -Four Railroad this
city has been forced to compete with
Chicago, Cleveland, Cincinnati and St
Louis for its most important trade
Louisville on the south and a number of
thriving, prosperous Indiana towns also
have offered trading opportunities which
forced Indianapolis to unusual efforts
In this rivalry as in the MANUFACTURE
Ing and wholesale businesses the spIen-
old railroad facilities of the city have
played an important part.
0ianapOlis today employ more than 1900
men and women, all exceIleutIv trained
IN the art of selling and giving service.
Eight large department stores maintain
the leadership in merchandising. The
standards set and ethics established by
these great institutions are followed
faithfully by the 134 dry goods stores
201 drug stores, 1,294 grocery stores. &c
shoe stores. 56 hardware store, 10 bakery
shops, 50 furniture stores, 20 lumber
stores and 50 jeweiry stores of the city.
The finest stufrs the markets Of the
world afford are brought to this great
Hoosier mart and made available for
the shopping thousands at fair prices.
Fashions from Paris, fine fabrics from
the Orient, diamonds from Africa and
foodstunfs from all parts OF the world
are TO be found here on such quality that
residents Of this trade territory never
shop abroad.
Notwithstanding the comprehensive
scope of the downtown merchandising
market the city abounds in prosperous
neighborhood stores Of every class The
city is fortunate indeed in the character
OF the men who have engaged in bust
ness here and the keenest connection
seems only to build up all the houses
concerned.
Failure is practically unknown among
the merchants of the city.
RETAIL DISTRICT
WELL LAID OUT.
The geography Of the retail business
district has evolved along advantageous
lines, so the district is very compact All
traffic of the city flows through the mile
square. Shoppers, having several stores
to visit, may easily attend to their busi-
ness afoot.-
Prices in Indianapolis reflect the GEN
eral stability of the city's business life.
Throughout the war period dry goods.
clothing, foodstuffs and other necessities
were quoted at lower figures here than
IN other cities. Indianapolis merchants
understand the advantage of frequent
turh-Overs and the economically minded
are able to make great savings by watch
ing for opportunities.
The appearance OF Indianapolis stores
does credit to the community and terri-
tory which they serve. Progressive meth
DDS have kept the larger establishments
ABREAST with the worlds finest merchan-
dlslng establishments The buildings 81
the retail district make a beautiful and
impressive skyline The windows OF the
stores display the last word in mercantile
Interest, fashion and culture
employment is furnished for more per-
sons by the stores Of INDIANAPOLIS than
by any other class Of business Twelve
Thousand men and women and their de-
pendents derive livelihood from the re-
tail trade.
INTERURBAN LINES
BRING MANY HERE.
The network Of interurban railroads
experimenting the steam lines brings
tl0uEandE NJ
dlanapolis each day. The estimate of 20
goo daily visitors is based on interurban
figures. In addition to those visitors
many hundreds come in automobiles over
the fine roads which lead to the capital
from all points in the State A com
munity of 10000 is embraced in the
territory within one hours ride of the
downtown district.
The moral and ethical influence Of these
2.300 high class establishments cannot he
overestimated. Sharp dealing is quickly
discouraged by the keen minded business
.'en whose influence must be enlisted for
ali 'Srge operations. In protecting their
oEc Il terests and those OF their en-
ployes and associates the merchants Of
the city through their thoroughly organ
lied Merchants Association, do much to
keep the city free Of all forms Of graft
ing and money wasting.
Perhaps the most striking statement
that might be made with regard to In
dianapolis retail merchandising concerns
the steadiness OF the volume Of business
done. The stores of the city are doing
today practically the same volume Of bust
ness that was done a year ago and that
in the face Of the general price decline
throughout the country Normally bust
ness has maintained a strong upward
trend here for many years. The dull
period Of wartime readjustment has
halted temporarily the regulad increases
but has not caused any considerable set
back.
The average visitor to a city forms his
general estimate Of the city on his obser-
vations and experiences in its stores. That
Is one Of the best reasons why Lndianap-
oils is known as a ''fne town" wherever
travellers are encountered.
GOLD MINES IN