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-THE NEW NORTH WEST, THUHSDXY DECEMBER 22 188L
11
METROPOLITAN MERCHANTS.
THE EDITOR'S VISIT To'aXD REVIEW OF LEAD
1 INO BUSINESS IlOUStS Of PORTLAND.
V
KCMEKOUS. WTABLtHr.irrt OT I XT KH BHD1 TO WOMKX J
SKVSBAI. OF IXTKBKST TO N EK KMfORIUMS
T'T,-, OV TBADK, FASHION, A3D AKT. ' ..
N Foremost amon&the old established, and success
ful wholesale houses of 'this city may be men-
tion.edi.he well-known jobbing house of i , "
Y- . FLEIBCHSEBV MAYER A CO.j '"' . ,
An immense three-story brick, withelevators and
all modern Improvements, extending Jrom Front
to First streets, In the center of theblock between
Ash and Vine, and stored from' basement to attlb
with complete assortments of everything to be
desired In the-wholesale TOllIlnery or furnishing
trade.. This extensiTe business was Inaugurated
over a quarter of a century ago by Mr. Jacob
Mayer, in a little well-kept store on First street,
where Mrs. Mayeranestlmable Jady and thorough
um,iKw business woman, assisted her husbandf and by her
judicious dealings with customers and her sound
Judgment In all matters pertaining to their rapidly
increasing business, proved an invaluable and en
terprising helpmeet in laying the foundation for
the immense trade enjoyed by the present firm. "
- Portland contlnueti to Improve rapidly In trade
and commerce, and the profits of Mr. and Mrs.
Mayer's business as rapidly Increased, enabling
them to enlarge the! restock and add new attrac
tions yearly. -With the increase of business came
the. added care of a large and growing family, to
which - Mrs. i3Iayer finally - devoted ; her" time,
proving that slie could be quite, as successful as a
'domestic manager s she had been as a business
woman. - ''
Years passed, andr the retail-trade grew Into
wholesale proportions. The smaller store was
given up for a larger one, "and a numerous band of
clerks were required to perform the duties of an
, establishment which soon, to a large extent, con
trolled and regulated the prices and profits of the
"TetaItlradeor boUfTJregon and "Wasulngt
Ion.
......
-
Mr. Mayer clearly comprehends the judicious
use of printer's. Ink, and so thoroughly has he
been advertised through these columns during the
past eleven years that thousands feel personally
acquainted with him who, have .never seen his
face, andother thousands have extensively patron
ized his business who but for this journal would
scarcely yet know ofthe. mammoth house which
is the subject of this sketch.
As the years rolled on, the rapid growth of Mr,
Mayer's business required the cooperation of other
capable and enterprising merchants. In the year
1874 Hon. Sol. Hlrsch was admitted to a copartner
ship. Thjs gentleman occupies a high position .In
State polltics-wlth-falr prospects for greater pro
motion Incoming years. He' has served several
f terms in the Legislature, and was honored with
the position of President of the Senate during the
session of 1880, an office which he filled with credit
to himself and satisfaction to others. He. bad
years before exhibited his native good sense by
becoming a son-in-law of .Mr. Mayer, and so ca.meJ
Into the nrm under lavorabie auspices. The bust-
nesa still increasing, (.became necessary to estab
" llsh connection . with a New York house, and
Messrs. rttehluisel nofFlelschneruhlted wTlli Ttihe
firm, which has since been known under the firm
name Of Flejschner, Mayer. & Co. Mr. Kchlussel
resides f n New York, and regular transit between,
. the New York and Portland houses is established.
This union puts the firm on a still better foot
ing' financially, at the same' time enabling its
members to greatly oblige their patrons by placing"
in tnei r -nanus tne laiesioraersairecurorn ratrterii
and European manufactories. ; The proprietors are
specially urbane and obliging, and the clerks in
voluntarily Imitate the Innate gentility of the
firm. ' ' - ' .
Mr. Mayer, on account of his long and thorough
expenenofHn buying to suit the wants of the Ore
gon and Washington trade, was unanimously
chosen Jo represent the firm as buyer, and for
several years has spent at least half his time In
. " the Empire City, superintending the manufacture
and purchase of everything likely to be demanded
by the-firm's numerous customers In Oregon,
Washington Idaho and Montana. - He Is now In
New York,' 'ordering and selecting goods for the
v coming Spring.
s v The reader will now be introduced to the Interior
of the three-story building In Portland, already.;
mentioned, where he will encounter long rows of
tables, extending through. the building, stocked
v ... with many tons of staple merchandise. The tables
on the north end are given up to a fine display of
fancy 'goods, consisting of silk handkerchiefs and
neckties, lace fichus, sample ribbons and numer
ous unnamable k nick knackery. Tlte adjaeent
shelves are ...crowded wltb-hoxed goods,., gloves,
hosiery, buttons, napkins, towelings, trimmings
and novelties. ' ' '.
We reach the second story, by a broad staircase
nd enter the department devoted to millinery and
otner light good, including totitiel. hats, rrames.
feathers, flower, plumes, gimps, braid, orna
ment, linen goods, cotton good, fringes, veilings,
tlssireiVv niching, parasols; umbrellas,, plushes,
silks, eHns, Surahs, furs, velvets, handlmxe, etc.,
etc., and encounter in the center of the extensive
apartment long rows of boxes filled In appropriate
Seasons with prints, cambrics, ginghams, lawns
and white goods. One department given up to
bed-quilts, comforts, blankets and sheetings:
another to gentlemeu'a furnishing goods, and still
auothertoe urtai ns N ottirighamLiaeeiy counter- acaclajreesj JapMijcas, fuch si as,
pauea-anu cretonnes, -uut- wie crowning aiiFao
tion for ladies Is found In the millinery depart
ment, as this Is the mercantile branch in which
they are 'generally engaged, and as Fleischner.
Mayer & Co. do only a Jobbing business, retail
shoppera artf not interested. Tlie-puu'hases for
this department are-made under Mr. Mayer's per
sonal survtiin in NewYorkwhlchluurilw
latesrstyles and freshest Invoices of goods to meet
every requirement In Its turn. .
The third story of this Immense etaiunment
-to meet any-of the-iteulemandit whlciyihe1f"cbu
sianuy increasing trade Is regularly eauug. v
Mr. Mayer will return from New York early In
February with advance stock for the Spring trade,
selected with hit usual good taste and aouur Judg
ment in supplying the wants of the firm's numer
ous customers...
!""'"s -' ' . ' " r'
LEWIS A STRAUSS' " WIIITE'lfl'olTSE
Is the next first-class mercantile establishment
which the reader Is Invited to visit it location,
No. 123 First street, nea Washington, Is central,
and It does a large wholesale and retail business.
Mrs. Lewis, the. founder of this well-known house.
Is a thoroughly accomplished lady, well skilled In"
mercantile pursuits, and-possessed of a naturally
amiable disposition tha) easily wins the custom
er's confidence and always retainsH. Mrs.-Lewls,
formerly Mrs, Levy, like a sensible woman, grew
weary of single blessedness In ,due course of time,
and accepted In marriage Mrf R L. C. Lewis, a
gentlemanly, Intelligent and capable business
man, who has frequently been honored with posl
tlons,pf emolument and trunt In connection with
the municipal affairs of the city. The business
was still further augmented in power and Impor
tance by the admission to 'the firm of Mr. Jacob
Btrauss, brother to Mrs. Iws, also a thorough
business man, and a great favorite with the firm's
many patrons. . r--- -
The White House is a commodious two-story
brick, with nothingpfetentious about its exterior,"
ifwe exceptlts iurrwh1tfront"and attractive
show windows, the latter draped in choice lines of
display goods. Including the latest novelties in
millinery, laces, scarfs, dress goods,-silks, satins,
cloaks," etc,, etc. never too much In sight, but
always enough to entice the beholder to look
further. . pir 1 " t -
Upon entering the store, the customer is pleas
antly and politely greeted by one of the pronrle
tors or one of the clerks, who are always ready to
show goods, but never officious In forcing a sale.
Everything you. may want In dress goods, cash
meres, foulards, basket cloth, alpacas, serges, pon
gees, momle cloth, ladies' cloth, silks, satins,
moire antique, 8urah silks,' plushes, plaids, vel
vets, shades, stripes, figured goods, plain goods,
buntings and other varieties too numerous to men
tion, can be found on the shelves or displayed on
the counters. (Joods are never misrepresented In
order to complete a sale. ' A child may go to the
store with an order he cannot read and the Mrson
sending-him -may-rest secure itt'the: knowledge
that the order will be filled totlie letter and the
prices charged'wlll he the same as if he hadjnadeJ staple goods of every description ; and last, but by
the purchase himelf.
luTh isfl rra jna kes f lpakfl.anl.clQaklrimml ngalP.'!?!!
one or the many elegant specialties pf their very
reliable business. Borne of the fur-lined plush
and satin cloaks now on, exhibition In their win
dows and sales-rooms are so exquisitely beautiful,
and withal so suggestive of warmth and comfort,
that they tempt the bottom dollars In the behold
er's pockctOthersTlessHeXpehsive, but equally
servicable, are exhibited, their prices ranging from
$10 to $25 or $30. A
Th'e real laces offered for sale by this firm ar-'a
great attraction, consisting of a complete -variety
of patterns In guipure, Spanish,' Maltese, Dutchess,
Valenciennes, Chantllly, Point d'Aleficon, cluny
thread, woVeh and bugled styles, of which all are
exactly as represented,-ind- lionestry worthtths
bed-rock prices at which they are sold.'
Paisley shawls, broche shawls, single or double
Bay State shawls, chenille shawls, and 'shawls In
plain or mixed or shaded colors,-or in plaids or
stripes or neutral tints, are on sale In endless vari
ety.. Zephyr nubias, scarfs, hoods, mittens, tippets,
muffs,' pockets, wristers, raglans, leggins,sacques,
cloaks anl underwear, for children form another
superior attraction." ' ' ' '
Ladies underwear, jfevery style and "price, In"
inerlno, silk, flannel, or ran Klin goods, Ts carrietT
in extensive varieties. .Oloves,. handkerchiefs
and hosiery comprise one Important v line, and
prints, ginghams, sheetings, table linens, napkins
and towelings another.
Passing through these tasteful arrays of attract
ive and useful commodities, we ascend an easy
flight of well-lightel stairs at the rear of the first
sales-room and enter the -wholesale ' and retail
millinery department MlsrfCapps, who has for sev
eral years presided over the extensive retail branch,
Is a tasteful trimmer, always ready and willing to;
oblige the numerous customers of the firm. "
Great advantages to millinery dealers In country
towns are pffered by this house, as Its own retail
trade often enableslihe.flrm to make use of the
broken gross or. dozemrwhlch small dealers can
not afford to purchase because of the limited ex
tent of their sales at home. Large dealers also do
well to patronise this firm, the well-known char
acter of the goods purchased for the trade by Mr.
and Mrs. Lewls.always Insuring satisfaction, even
if bought for neighborhood trade by. country mer
chants who are much better prepared by. experi
ence to Judge of the quality of the butter, eggs,
poultry and dried fruits they receive In exchange
for merchandise, than of silks, satins, laces, glmiMt,
flowers, ornaments, plumes, tips, feathers and rib
bons, of which farmers' wives and daughters are
often excellent Judges and- always ' passionately
fond. No better proof of the excellent taste dis
played in this department need be cited than .the
trnonnmia city trade . H command. renter the-
store at any time during the day, and you will
meet a goodly array of shoppers intent upon ex-
assortments always on hand.
Mensrs. Lewis & Strauss are always alert In per
ceiving the advantages to be gained Irnm the In
troduction of reliable novelties, their superior
taste and skill In this direction being universally
admitted. As an evidence of this gift to attract
and please, we Call special attention to their late
extensive importation of "Artificial Window
Plant," which are exceedingly appropriate for
holiday presents, and can be had in great variety,
so true to nature that their artificial character can
only be ascertained hy the closest scrutiny. Ge
ranium of all clashes, lilies, heleotropes, roses.
, camel las, begor
iiia,-JMills,-liyaelMttis,--mTghoniW
and other varieties await the purchaser, who has
but t place them In pots like natural flowers and
put 'them In the windows-and" let them alone.
They 'will need neither warmth nor water, will
never freere nor fade, and will require no back-
4hm-altemate!ytalhe sun and rain, or shield
them from the frost and snow. If ladies Would
use these plants for windows and spend the time
usually occupied In caring for window garden sin
the o n air exercise required to cultivate flowers
s filled with innumerable canes of Staple goods, of
inner nomes. neauuier-iionipa ann nappiag,p?oaai music. a-Pfmeasniw in wini'ii iu wkm tail-
su
lies rts.
With these reflections, accompanied by a linger
ing oovetousness that almostjlempta us Into pur-L
chasing more than we can afford to pay for, we
leave th.Jhlte House and saunter up the street
JOHN CRAM 4 CO'a ',--.".
Magnificent retail house at Noa, 131 and m First
street attracts us a largellgh(, convenient and
commodious double dry gooxls store, where the
customer rosy at all times find a complete and full
assortment of staple and fancy goods and millin
ery and novelties of the latest sty leaand best qual
ities. ; Ilesides the side couuters, an oblong double
one rims through the center of. the building, ter
minating in an oval curve near thefront entrance,
elaborately fitted up with show-cases; in which
a magnificent collection of laces, barbes, handker
chiefs, ties, scarfs,. collars, fichus and fancy rib
bons are attractively displayed, Inspiringyoii with
a wish to purchase that Is almost uncontrollable.
. In .bygohe years, Mr. Craa, who Is yet a young
man,' held the position of head clerk In the now
defunct house. of Clarke, Henderson &, Cooke, an
establishment which, during his connection with
It, was considered the most fashionable empo
rium in the-city. Sound sense, a clear head,
courteous, manners and honest Intentions are
requisite in all business, jmd these qualities
are possessed by Mr. " Cran In an eminent
degree H is.' store "Is 'arranged - after' the. same
plan as the one mentioned, but is better managed,
and In every way a great Improvement on the old
one. The window are always tastefully filled
with attractive staple and pleasing novelties, of
which Mr.-Cran Is careful to secure the first In
market.. The visitor is always favorably '1m-
tressed with the appearance of this store, which
las ample room for the best possible display of
every article In Its appropriate place. The ap
pearance of the stock betokens the thrift, energy
and good Judgment with which) the large business
is conducted. ' '
Everything to be desired In fashionable,' con
venient, beautiful wcomfortable clothing, or for
the adornment and use of the human form femi
nine, is to be had here In its season. Ijacea. so
filmy as to be stirred by a breath, and so rare that
they resemble the artistic tracery of moonlit skies,
shawls from India looms, containing the delicate
tints of Springtime sunsets, with the gorgeous but
mellowed hues of Autumn's foliage; dress goods
as rare In colors and texture as Winter rsinbows:
cloaks of the best and latest styles and material ;
no means least, a first-clasa.mlllinervdenartmeni.
... . ' ... r. . . ..
ided over by i.rst rHeersr a capable anaobiigr.
ing lady-who thoroughly understands her art,
will greet you with a display which will cause you
to pause aud wonder whether ypu are In Paris or
New York. You are not surprised when Informed
that the rush, here In busy seasons Is enormous.
Hut your wonder Is constantly Increased aayou
watch the great rush of business in all depart
ments, and note, the superior, character and qual
ity of the goods displayed and sold. Surely the
"hard times" complained of In Oregon must be a
myth, forln all the stores we have thus far visited,
the same rush Is noticeable, and everybody ..who
comes to buy has money.
Cran & Co. carry no old goods. Everything in'
f the store beararthe Imprint of thrift, progress and
fair dealing. You can purchase anything from
this house that you may want from a pair of blan
kets to a paper of needles; from a silk dress to a
roll of tape, or from a fashionable bonnet to a
cambric handkerchief, and go away satisfied that
you have purchased -a first-class article of Its kind
and have not been overcharged In the bargain.
The clerks are affable,, feady and obliging, and
though acting on the principle of "no trouble to
show goods,". will, not press you to purchase, If,
after Investigating, you are not Inclined to buy.
. . PRENTICE'S MU8IC HOUSE. T - -
The first-class muslo emporium of I). W. Pren
tice & Co., No. 107 First street, is 'next entered.
Here we find a fine assort mefft of elegant pianos,
and would specially -commend ihe Nugent up
right, a new Instrument of . moderate price and
superior workmanship and finishcelebrated for
Its beauty, tone, cheapness and durability. These
pianos range In price from $350 fcf $.V)0, and are
warranted first-class In every particular. Mr.
Prentice also has the Weber piano, a higher
priced Instrument, that is preferred by some cus
tomers, whlehican be purchased, in. the grand,
sjuare and upright styles.
Mr. Prentice deals largely In the famous Estey
orgnns, which are celebrated the world over for
their superlorltjr In tone, finish and style. The
Orchestra organ Is ad mirabjy adapted to churches
or concert halls, and the pipe organ Is. also In
greafdemand for. the same purpose. The Organ
ette a little Instrument costing only fourteen
dollars, a gem In-Its way, Is sold by Mr. Prentice,
with muslo prepared specially for. Its use. which
can readily be reeled oft by turning a crank. The
music of tjieOrganette possesses the advantage of
always being played In time and never making
discord. .
.The largest and Le's'lT assortment of sheet music
in-therity can befouTTd at Prentice's; also, aflne
collection of cornets, flutes, tuning forks, guitar
and vionn strings, and everything eiseusually
'amiuiitgafltlpufchasing gmm
East
- Mr. Prentice ha extensive dealings throughout
the Northwest and never fails to give satisfac
tion. Customers may rely Implicitly upon his
representations In relation to Instruments of all
kinds. He sells at reasonable prices on the In
stallment plan, and gives remarkably cheap bar
gains for cash in hand.
Some years ago, when Mr. Prentice began busi
ness in Portland, some rival firms shook their
heads knowingly, predicting failure from want of
room for Increased competition. Hut their prog
nostications have been summarily defeated, as is
abundantly proven by his JargeL and constantly
1 ncreastng-busl ness,- which -em braces large - and
rapidly Increasing orders from all parts of the
country. During the first year of his enterprise,
Mr. 'Prentice was almost always In the field, call
ing the attention of customers to his business, and
maklngthe personal acquaintance throughout tbe-
breaking services in lifting and carrylug to exprfeountrrhtch tiar proved a valuable auxiliary In
enlarging Ills trade. He very readily convinced
the people wfth whom he came In contact that it
was more unsatisfactory as well as much mora
eXpeusive to deal with Eastern or San Fran
cisco houses than to ptmn1 flrmjr.. pt?
tieutly successful for a number of years prior to
engsglng In trade, enables him to Judge accu
rately concerning the merlta of the musical In
strumentsln which he deals. Those living at a
distance who order instruments from him may
rely upon the selections being as carefully ana,
conscientiously made as though they were present
to superintend the purchases In person. Organs
and pianos thus ordered "from his house have Been
sent to Lewiston, Mt Idaho, Moscow, Colfax,
Palouse, and many other Washington and Idaho
towns.; They are found In Jacksonville and Ash
land, in Southern Oregon, and In many towna
along the coast They enliven numerous farm
houses all over the country, and appear aa harbin
gers of advancing civilization In many out-of-the-way
dUtricts. In no case have they failed to give
satisfaction or to meet every claim made for them.
Such a record bring Its sure reward as the years
advance. . Catalogues are sent, on application, to
any address. '
VAI NRDEIV THE JEWELER. -
The flpe display' In the elegant Jewelry estab
llshment of Mr. . J. Van Beurden, NoV"T07 First
street (In same building with Prentice), is the
next to 'receive attentlou. This gentleman baa
acquired a reputation second to none on the coast
as a skillful and tasteful jeweler always up with
the times and always ready to fill any orderj from
a complete set of diamonds in rare and costly set
tings to a plain gold ring or a silver thimble.
Mr. Van lleurden's Christmas display Is espe
cially attractive this year. At least twenty thou
sand dollars' worth of diamonds of the purest,,
water may be seen In his windows and show
cases, not to mention the many which have
already been hidden away for customers, set In
rare and curiously wrought devices of solid gold,
or golden filagree, selected from his stock by mu
nificent gift-makers, In anticipation of the near
approach of Christmas Eve. 'Bracelets In Etrus
can gold, In braided bands. 6r colled to resemble
serpents, diamond-mounted and delicately chased,
gleam at the beholder from satin-lined cushion.
Brooches, in new and chaste devices, some of
them with a large diamond flashing from the cen
ter, with clusters of smaller one here and there;
others resembling pansles, with glittering centers
of the same costly Jewels; ear-rings, from which
elegant chasings depend In tremulous vibrations,
holding In their strong but tender clasp the Irides
cent, tremor-like purity of a pair of well-matched
brilliants, of exquisite beauty ; rings with dia
monds In clusters or set as solitaires, and hair-pins'
and shlrtstuds of equally elegant designs and'
faultier workmanship.-mounted by the-samenn"
rivaled conceptions of the beautiful In nature and
art, are all viewed In turn arid altogether.
The beholder Is next attracted oy a complete
display of jewels of lesser note, such as rubles,
pearls, garnets, amethysts, cameos, sapphires,
emeralds, and-onyx stones, many of them set In
costly chasings, where they form the chief orna
ments In ringsbroohes. ear-rings, plus, brace
lets, sleeve-buttons, studs, charms and lockets.
Watches are seen of every desirable style and
quality, ranging In price from $60 to $ 'i00. Chains
In every-Imaginable style are exhibited. .Clocks
of rarest designs are shown, some of them encased
in French plate glass, with all their workings vis
ible; others resemble globes.' surrounded . with
golden belts like the rings oi Saturn, and one
that the writer particularly noticed was encased
iH-a box-work of crystal. It pendulum moving by
a sort of doubled-and-twlsted, reversible, back-and-forward
action, as ingenious as novel. This
clock attracts 'crowds of spectators, and will be a
.taking Christmas gift for some lucky recipient
Mr. , Van Beurden's business has always been
conducted upon the strictest principles of Integ
rity and honor. Fair dealing with ail customers
Jnsures-ihe continuation of- their patronage, and -adds
large numbers yearly to his hosts of friends.
Much experience In Ailing orders from a distance
enables him to give general satisfaction In sup
plying goods whenever the choice In selecting de
pends upon -himself. -All articles are bought di
rectly from themanufacturers upon a strictly cash
basis. , He pay no commission to any broker or
dealer, and keep no rolled gold or plated Jewelry.
Of course, It is -understood that silver tea-sets,
knives, forks and stKonsj of which he has a full
line of the best quality, are not Classed as Jewelry.
Mr. Van Beurden manufactures his own diamond
mountings, from Eastern and European designs,
and by doing a strictly cash business Is enabled
to offer excellent bargains. . . -
MF.LI.IS RROH. A CO.'s
.Immense wholesale and retail establishment next
claims our attention. It extends through the
block from Its First street entrance, No. 120, to Its
Front street entrance, No. 127. This firm, though
established among us only about three year ago,
with a force of only three persons, has grown to
such large proportions that it now employs over
forty assistants. They have branch offices In New
York, Philadelphia and San Francisco. Their
country, order department Is a faa timlle of the
city ost office. " Numerous orders arrive dally,'
accompanleil by money order and large number
of (Mtstage sTamps, country boy era having learned
by experience that honest merchants at the me
tropolis can suit them better In prices, style and
q uali 1 1 ca t ha ii th e y can su It th emsel vus le wh ra.
This firm makes these orders one of their leading
specialties, a large force being required to attend
to Its details alone. .
The millinery department I also -extensively
patronized,1' as the firm deal only In desirable
foods, which they sell at the popular price that
nsure stesdy demsnds. Their motto Is one price
to everybody, from which there Is no deviation.,
Each steamer. arriving in Portland brings them
numerous packages, boxes and bales of goods,
ordered ex presly for the Portland trade from their
New York and San Francisco houses. I
Mellls Bros. A Co. comprehend the Value of Ju-illdoua-julvertislugheEML3IoRTUwi:8Trlr
oulatesextenslvely among their numerous patron a,
and the senior editor I frequently entrusted with
orders for their house from the different and dis
tant localities which, she visit annually. They
EiiblUh a semi-annual "Fashion Magazine and
iry-lloods-l'f iees-Ottrretif,-wnlClr IsmalleJ post
free for 25 cents per, year. Orders 'are filled
ftromptly to the letter, al If goml are not per
ectly satisfactory they receive them back and re
fund the money. r -tm ' . . ' ,
lioet and h dealer, Nu: ltftyHmt treeVW"
tween Alder and Morrison, next receive, a call
from us. Every honorable business that Is carried
on In a legitimate manner succeeds In Portland
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