"C. SMITH'S"

Dominion, Volume 8, Issue 2269, 1 October 1914, Page 9

"C. SMITH'S"

— $ NEW PREMISES TO OPEN TO-DAY. To-day will be a red-letter, day with tho old-established drapery firm of t). Smith's, of Cuba Street, established for well over a quarter of a century. Mr.' Smith has in hand a very big building scheme, which moans that there will be no more modern or better-fitted establishment in tho Dominion when tho entire block is completed. Practically only half tho new premises are finished, and to-day that half will be opened with a grand. promenade show, when the public will be able to judge for themselves the many novelties which have been embodied in the building and its interior arrangements. Tho building, ivlion completed; will have a frontage to Cuba Streot of 87ft. Gin. by a depth of 100 ft., but tho part now occupied has a frontage of 55ft. The building is three stories in height, of brick and steel construction, with a red pressbrick finish, brightened witll panels of green tiles, in which is inscribed' the name of .the firm. The show windows are a special feature. " There are to be four complete- .'.'island" windows surrounded by an Bft. promenade, and bohind the "islands" are tho very large and well-lighted show window of -the $hop proper. These windows gain the ftill light of day by an ingenious arrangement of refractory glass windows, Which are let in on the incline over tho top of tho suspended verandah.. Not only does this extra top light benefit the show windows, but also suffuses a capital light throughout the front part of the Bhop. The middle and back of the shop are lighted by two large lightwells, each 32ft. square, so that customers will never be at a loss to match tints in true daylight. ■ The premises within are spacious, airy,., and, equipped in up-to-date sty'e. Tho ground floor is of concrete, covered with two layers of felt, on which is laid a heavy-weight linoleum (imitation' parquet). The ceilings (of stamped- steel) have been supplied by the Wunderlioh Company, and tho fittings—show-cases and counters, dress-stands, goods' drawers, otc., are .the work of Messrs. W. Hoyland and Co. Tho top, sides, and ends of each counter are of plate-glass, so that ovcry ■ counter throughout. the establishment becomes a dust-proof show-case, and, in American parlance, "a silent seller."

The ladies will find the show-room and tho lint salon at tho back of the main •shop awl right beneath one of the big light, wells. This apartment is surrounded 1 by 'novel dress wardrobes, in winch-each dress or robe is suspended on a wooden shoulder, which, hangs by a hook to a sliding-rod. At the end of the rod is a brass-handle, with which the rod can be pulled out, showing twenty dresses suspended before the eyes for inspection. This clever idea is American —Mr. .Smith admits that he did not invent it. Even the doors of the wardrobes follow a new principle. Tlioy travel along a littlo railroad of their own on contre pivots, and disappear down the side of the wardrobe when one wishes the latter opened for the inspection of the goods. > This is the "fioyland" patent door, an ingenious and hi'idy notion which might.be applied to larger doors. Throughout tho establishment tliß pneumatic system of cash carriers has been installed, and along the ceilings are dotted tho little valves that, denotes the provision of the Gi-innel sprinkler for fire suppression. On the first flbor in front is tho furnishing department, in tho centre aro the offices, and at the back the reservo stock for tlio fancy and haberdashery departments is held in cor.»enieiiriybuilt bays. Tho second iloor is devoted to tho dress and mantna-making departments.' The Mftlthoid-covored fiat roof' makes a splendid promenade , for the staff.

Tho new building was designed by Mr. J. Oharlcsworth and erected by Messrs. A. Scamer and Co. (who are now demolishing the old shop next door to continue' the erection of the rest of the now block). Tho sub-contractors are: —Plastering, Messrs. Pack and Channan; plumbing, Messrs. Levistam and M' Lough I in; electricity, Messrs-. Tolley and Son; painting and glazing, Mr. T. A. Wells. Tho clerk of ivories is Mr. Alex. Macgregor.