New Britain herald., 1928-09-29
B. C. PORTER SONS OPENING
 LARGE ADDITION TO STORE
New Building Win Double Floor Space, Giving . Larger Display Area For Big Plant.

 and to which the public is invited.
 It is a far cry from the small store which Abijah Flagg ope-ied in 1859 to the big plant which B. c. z Porter Sons are opening for public inspection tom orrow, and yet its history and growth is analogous with that of the history and growth of the city.
 Bryan C. Porter, an expert cab inet maker from Thomaston. Con- necticut, purchased the small bus!- ness in 1869. Mr Porters personal ity, and honest business principals soon won him a host of loyal friends, and lie served the growing community in such fashion that he rapidly forged ahead.
 The original small store, which stood where the new Leonard Building" now stands, soon became too small for the steadily growing business. and additional warehouses and display space was rented in adjoining premises. This however, was only temporary relief and in 1885 Mir. Porter built a fine brick block opposite Central Park. This building had five floors and base ment, two elevators, and was formally opened by the Grand Army . fair early in 1886. During the East forty-two years this building has been added to and altered from time to lime to care for the ever in- creasing volume of trade.
 At B. c. Porter's death in 1891 his two sons, Frank J. Porter and Eugene J. Porter formed a partner ship under the name of B. C. Porter SonA The third generation is now represented by Maxwell $. Porter who became partner February lst of this year,
 The new building has been un- der construction since the first of the year and just doubles the previous floor area.
 Among some of the features in the building are the two automatic electric elevators of the most mod ern type. complete automatic sprinkler system with an outside water curtain, heating plant with oil burners.
 Simplicity and conservatism is the keynote of this new store. Colonial affects in decorations have been employed throughout the en- tire building in the wood work and trim. All windows on every sales floor are draped with natural color mohair easement cloth. The older ideas of displaying furniture and rugs in imitation room settings have been discarded and the newer methods of having wide open spaces" following the precedent of the Grand Rapids and Chicago Furniture Propositions, are en- pIoyed. ... .-.
 This allows the purchaser a maximum of freedom to view an article from all angles and judge its value in relation to other articles. Everything has been done to make it pleasant and easy for customers.
 The new store has 6O,000 square feet of floor space largely given over to the display of furniture and rugs. The six story warehouse which was built in conjunction with and connects the main building has an added area of 5000 square feet of floora
 A large portion of the basement has been finished off as linoleum display room. and its light walls and powerful lights give most pleasing affect.
 On the main floor are shown dining room furniture and many handsome Colonial reproductions and fine odd pieces. The main and private offices are located at the rear of this first floor.
 The second floor has been carpet ed and is used for displaying living room and bedroom furniture.
 One half of the third floor. a space 50 feet py 100 feet has been reserved for rugs and draperies. The other half of the third floor is de- voted to reed and fibre furniture. children's furniture and carriages and the bedding department.
 On the fourth floor is displayed kitchen furniture. together with breakfast sets. unpainted furniture and refrigerators.
 The office furniture departIeent is also on the fourth floor and has been doubled in size.
 The five work rooms where Lp- holstering. cabinet work and fin- ishing is >done are at the rear of the fourth floor.
 This fifth floor is used for stor- age but is so arranged that it can easily be made into an attractive sales floor if necessary
 The work on this new $l0o. 900 addition was done entirely by New Britain concerns.
 Perry & Bishop were the arcLi- tects. The Carlson X Torrell Con- pany were the general contractors. The steel work was done by the Berlin Construction Company, j. l. ing by Parker & O'Connor, plumb ing by Ericson X Johnson. electrical work by Spring & Buckley and dec orating by Morgan. Kingsley and Thompson.
 The owners of Porters are men of prominence in business and civic affairs of the city and many Of the employees such as C. E. Andrews, who has been with the firm for over forty years. and E. R. Ram mage head bookkecper are well known throughout New Britain.
 The oldest employee in term of service is Andrew Hayden of Pros pect street who started with the concern nearly fifty years ago.
 The younger men such as Frank Hart. Irving Ellis and Merton kir- by are experts in their lines and are keenly alive to present day home furnishing methods
 The public is cordially invited to