Putnam patriot., 1930-04-03

Griffin acknowledged that there was no possible way to check the persons who may have entered the store two or three times. It is known that some did enter several times. However, allowing for the comparatively few who may have entered more than once. the number of people who pass ed through the doors of this new store on the opening days is astonishing. It is also enlightning as to the possibiii- ties of Putnam as a trading center.
 Send Flowers
 A number of people sent flowers and best wishes for the success of the new enterprise. Among these were Charles Seder. owner of the building, Mir. and Mrs. D. k. Foley. J. Dyer Potter, treasurer of the Cargill Trust Company, the Observer Co., and The Patriot Press Inc.
 A coincidence of the opening was the fact that Saturday was Manager Grifiin's birthday He was in receipt of number of personal bouquets as we'll as letters and telegrams expres- sing congratulations and best wishes, for his success and for the success of the Putnam store. On Manager Grif- fms desk reposed beautiful electri- cal clock, a birthday gift from Mrs. Griffin.
 Manager Griffin spoke in the high est terms of the forty-fve high school girls who were engaged for the open ing. He gave credit for the idea of hs ..wi rt..ia t.s .ue mat Manager Foley. "The type of per sonnel was outstanding. It was won derful" said Mir. Griffin, 'how well these high school pupils did. I can only speak in the highest praise of the high school pupils and commend Mir. Foley's idea in employing them"
 Staff and Sales Force
 The permanent staff and sales force numbers approximately thirty-five. These include Manager Griffin and As sistant Manager Foley. George +. Davignon. of Danielson, head of the furniture department, E. O. Burke, Putnam. household appliances depart ment manager, Mrs. Harry Wallen, Putnam. ladies ready to wear de- partment, Lionel Charron. Putnam, shoe department, Alfred Bonneville, Putnam. mems clothing and furnish ings. Leo Auger, Putnam radio de- partment, W. ]. Burke, automobile tires and accessories. In addition to the heads of the departments there are twenty sales people. all from Put nam and nearby towns, and several men engaged in the boiler room, ship ping room and other departments.
 The office force includes Miss Elm. ma Hall. bookkeeper. Miss E. M. So bosik, stenographer, and Miss E. M. Fish. cashier, all of Putnam.
 There are also two ''trainees" F. F. Comins and A. T. Ledwidge. young men who are here to get experience that will eventually lead to their be- ing promoted to store managers.
 District Manager Pleased
 Present for the opening was Jame. P. Barr MT. Barr has recently come east from Portland, Oregon, where he was district manager, to become district manager in this section. with headquarters in Springfield. Mr. Barr also expressed his qualification at the successful opening of the Putnam store. before he returned to Spring field.
 Stimulates Trade
 The volume of business done in the stores of Putnam, Saturday, substau- tiated the statements of officials oi Montgomery Ward & Company that the location of one of their stores in city benefited other merchants by stimulating trade through drawing people from a wider surrounding ter. ritory. Since Saturday number of merchants in the business section have been interviewed as to what effect the opening of the new store had on their own business. Without excep- tion they said that Saturday had been the best day for some time. Several said that they saw new faces in then stores. One store reported the best volume of business since the Christ mas holidays. Another merchant saiC their ladies' department had beer rushed. Each merchant interviewed was asked: Would you rather have the Montgomery Ward & Company store in Putnam or in some nearby city or town?" The answer was ont hundred per cent for Putnam.
 Favorable Reaction
 The reaction following the opening of the new store is apparently unan' imously favorable. The number oi visitors and the volume of business on the first day surpassed expecta. tions. This was gratifying to the dis, trict manager, the manager and as- sistant manager of the new store. Ii is evidence to support the wisdom of locating a large chain store in city the size of Putnam. 1t also supports the contention of Mir. Seder that this city is a natural trading center for thousands of people and that the whole mercantile life of the city will be stimulated by such store as Mont gomery Ward & Company; 1t further substantiates his business judgment in building such fine block as this store now occupies. It also tends to prove that the location of the store here will benefit other mercantile en- terprises, and that the field of Put nam's shopping district has been wide ly extended. The comments heard and the volume of business done on the opening day also denote that the thousands of shoppers in the extend ed Putnam shopping district appreci- ate the opening of the new store and will be attracted to this city as never before as their natural trading center.