THE NEW DRAPERY STORE

Dominion, Volume 8, Issue 2519, 14 July 1915, Page 11

THE NEW DRAPERY STORE

'A FINE . ESTABLISHMENT. Th© New Drapery Store (C. Smith, • of Cuba Street), which, opens to-day with its big half-yearly \sale, now that it has undergone extensive alterations and additions, presents a very fine appearance, and is perhaps one of the best lighted as well as best-equipped business establishments to bo found in Wellington. Situated in the heart -of the shopping centre, this line threestoried Duilding at,'once commands attention. ' It has a frontage of eightysix f<Mjt, tho island windows with which it is inset forming one side of an eightfeet wide tiled vestibule promenade, extending _ the whole the frontage, ; its other side being formed by a set of show-windows i divided by three entrances. Two hug© light-w©lls, each 36ft. square, with • a frosted glass roof over each, floods the whole of the establishment with clear daylight, while for purchasers of evening materials or of- materials for which an artificial light is needed,a dark-room fitted with electric light has been pro-. vided.\ The latest type of fixtures' has been \ installed throughout, including the" American crystal wardrobes in tho mantle and mon s clothing departments. Glass counter-cases are ' also greatly in evidence, and enable a much greater and more effective display of novelty goods, to be made than would otherwise bo the ease. Attached to tho mou's clothing, tho mantle, and the. corset departments, are excellent fitting rooms. .. In addition to an electric pas-senger-lift there is a wjdo staircase on, either side of tho store leading from the ground floor to tho roof. A very useful innovation should bo the parcel and inquiry office, situated on the mid-; die of the ground floor. . Both electric and gas 'lighting and heating systems havo been installed, so that shouldeither the gas or the electric light fail there will bo tho other to fall back upon. The furnishing department occupies about half tho second floor, and here again the clear bright dayliglit is a feature enabling tho most subdued tones In carpets, rugs, or curtains to bo distinguished without difficulty. The remainder of the floor is given over to reserve stores, and .tho general and private offices of the store. On tho top floor are tho various workrooms of the establishment, each one being provided with its own lunch-room, and oach being well lit, airy, aiid comfortable. Here, again, havo been provided largo reserve stores, as tho establishment lias so many branches in different country towns to cater for.