The Birmingham age-herald., 1923-10-17
THOUSANDS AT
 OPENING NEW P|z|Tz STORE.
Streets CongeSted For Blocks
 By People Eager To Pay Tribute To Mercantile Ge-
 nius Who Had Faith In City
MAMMOTH STRUCTURE IS BUILT AT COST $1,25O, 900
Doors Thrown Open To Visi-
 tors Following Formal Dedi-
 cation Exercises Held Under Glow Of Myriads Of Lights

Crowds that packed Second avenue from Eighteenth to Nineteenth street, causing traffic to be suspended and a block detour by pedestrians Tues day evening greeted the formal open ing of Louis PiZit2 $ magnificent new million dollar department store.
 At the formal dedication exercises held in the temporary stand built in front of the new structure, leaders in the city's commercial, insdustrial and religious life, in the presence of multitude of people, paid tribute to MT. Pizitz and his organization for the achievement marked by the open ing of the new mercantile establish ment.
 oscar Wells, president of the First National bank, presided over these exercises. and in his address referred to Birmfngham's wonderful develop ment and pointed out that MT. Pizitz had improved the opportunity offered by this city and had himself con- tributed to it's development and prog ress, and shown his faith in the fu- ture of the city by the structure he has erected. Other speakers dWelt upon the thought that there was then being dedicated monument to the foresight of MT. Pizitz and an en- during monument to Birmingham and the opportunities this city offers, and expressed the hope that the second unit of the building would soon be realized.
 The invocation was pronounced by the Rev. Middleton s. Barnwell. rec tor of the Church of the Advent, and the benediction by Rabbi M. Newfield of Temple Emanu-El. Speakers Of the evening who paid their tributes to MT. Pizitz included Rev. pr. George R. Stuart, pastor of the First Meth odist church; Col. T O. Smith, presi- dent Birmingham Trust and Savings company; Frederick I. Thompson publisher of The Age-Herald and commissioner of the United States shipping board; R. A. Brown of K. A. Brown & Co.,, former president of the Chamber of Commerce and Alabama State Fair association; Victor H. Han son. publisher of the Birmingham News. and Mir. venslick of the archf- tectural firm of Sterrett & Vensltck. A golden key to the new building was formally presented to MT. Pizitz bv President D. E. McLendon of the city commission. Music for the occa- sion was furnished by the Avondale Mill band, and following the exer- cises Mr. Pizitz formally threw open the doors of the new structure to the public.
 Monument To Birmingham.
 Not a material building of brick and mortar was it they praised, not store among the finest in the entire country, not the over one million dol lars it represents but as monument to the head of a great establishment did they praise it. As a glowing compliment to the judgment of man who has staked his all for Birming- ham and found his judgment good. That it has been so, was attested by the outpouring of people to the open ing of his store Tuesday night.
 On corners block away the less venturesome stood at o'clock anxi- ously awaiting an opportunity which they were sure would not come, chance to inspect the interior Of the store. Already it was filed to ca pacity. and there were two ready to take the place O. every one person who passed through the exit doors.
 A glance at the interior of Pizitz' new home, brilliantly lighted through out it's sht floors for the opening, was a vivid reminder of fairyland scene. Beautifully gowned women lent an added charm to the scene. Courteous attendants showed visitors every point of interest and explained in detail the appointmc of the new store Sales girls and clerks enter ing into the spirit of the occasion and aglow with enthusiasm al the open ing of their store, eagerly awaited chance to be of service. Souvenirs were literally passed out to women and children.
 O O O
 Store Interior FlOwer1and.
 The interior of the store was a veritable flowerland, with it's thou sands of myriad colored blossoms, many of them forming elaborate wreaths. Flowers there were every where. Each floor had it's quota, and their beauty was to be compared only with the beautiful women who hd- mired them on every hand.
 Visitors tC the opening of Pizitz new store were never at loss for something to occupy their minds. Women expressed open and enthu- siastic admiration for the thousands of feminine creations, treats saved
 (Contisi- On Page Two)