The Republican. [volume] (Oakland, Md.) 1877-current, 1939-11-09
LARGE STOCK FOR
HOME AND FAMILY
IS NOW HANDLED

~ = ~ w ~ - ~ 49,
Just eight years ago, in Novem-
Der, 1881, the first Half Price Store
was opened in Oakland, Maryland,
with limited assortment of cloth
ing and dry goods.
Many Of our present Oakland
customers will undoubtedly re-
member that first store room-a
small crowded space measuring
only 20 feet in width and 25 feet
in depth. However, from the open
ing day, gratifying customer re-
Spouse strengthened our determi-
nation that we had hit upon the
right idea Of stocking what people
needed, at prices that they could
afford to pay. Almost from the
start, expansion began, as the addi-
ton of new lines demanded more
space. Finally in the fall of 1884,
after many engagements, we
moved into our present location,
This building also houses the large
warehouse, which serves as the
central supply depot to which all
merchandise for our other stores
is received and from which it is
re-distributed by our own trucks.
Rapid Expansion
In June, 1884, our first branch
was opened in Petersburg, W. Va,
followed by additional locations in
August, 1885, at Parsons, W. Va;
in November, 1885, at Moorefeld,
w. Va; in February, 1887, at King
wood, W. Va, and in January, 1888,
at Franklin, W. Va. With the open
ing Of each new unit enthusiastic
response by customers paved the
way for the next Negotiations are
under way at present for several
new locations in various towns and
further expansion is to take place
in the near future.
From that small beginning eight
years ago a great institution has
arisen, and the reputation of The
Half Price Stores for greater val
ues has been spread throughout the
sections where they are located.
All this has taken painstaking work
and constant effort on the part of
our managers, buyers, supervisors
and general personnel, who were
ever on the lookout for great econ
omies in their field that could be
passed on to our customers.
At first most of our merchandise
had to be purchased from whole
salers, due to the small quantities
bought. AS time went on, and
greater amounts of each item could
be handled, more and more orders
were placed direct with the manu-
facturer, thus eliminating the mid
dleman's profit. Now the process
has progressed even further, with
the great bulk of our goods COM
ing direct from the maker and much
of it is being made according to
cur own specifications.
Fair Pricing Policy
Fair pricing of merchandise has
been our policy from the beginning.
Our business depends on a large
volume of sales at a very low profit
on each item. 1t will continue this
way, for we feel that we are rem
dering a great service to the buy
ing public by enabling you to buy
more and better merchandise in
proportion to your income than you
could at the usual higher prices. In
addition, our aim is to have in
stock what you want, when you
want it. Complete assortments of
sizes, styles and colors are always
on hand for your inspection, and
large force of salespeople is al
ways present in every one of our
stores to serve you.
In looking back over the eight
years we feel justly proud of the
accomplishments of our organiza-
ton, its growth and expansion. We
wish to thank every one of our
customers for their patronage and
our employees for their loyalty and
effort. We also hope that the next
few years will see more and greater
of our stores serving your needs in
every section.