DRAPERY IMPORTING COMPANY.

Otago Witness, Issue 2895, 8 September 1909, Page 55

DRAPERY IMPORTING COMPANY.

ALTERATION OF PREMISES. Bright, attractive, and pleasing as the varioue departments of the Drapery and General Importing Company always appear, the effect has been greatly enhanced lately by a number of important and extensive alterations and improvements in the premises. The sale of heavy furniture has been relinquished, and, a large floor space being thus set free, she company has been enabled to make a readjustment of several of its departments. The result is excellent. There is more accommodation for customers, and there is a larger area for display purposes. The alterations, which have been in progress for two months, are now complete. They have been pushed ahead rapidly in the past week to allow for the show of spring goods, which commences today. Under the new arrangement the ladies' costume "department assumes an altogether different aspect. At the Lead of the staircase is a profusion of costumes, mantles, etc., many of the articles being hung l# n elaborate wardrobes possessing either mirror doors or miri-or ends. One of the wardrobes is 24ft long, with 10 doors on ballbearing runners, every other door holding a mirror bft high and 2ift wide. Formerly there were two fitting rooms here. These have been removed elsewhere, and the space they occupied is a welcome addition for showing costumee. A nandeome aroh leads into the underwear department, which takes. up the area recently held by the fancy goods. Here a magnificent assortment of goods is displayed in the showcases and the glass-top counters. The largest showcase is a euperb work of art. It is 7ft high, and its sid'ss are Sft wide, another large sheet of glass filling ;n; n the top, while on one side there is a door by which to enter. The glass-top counter, 12ft long, is really another showcase. It is filled with lace and other pretty work, and adjacent to it is a solid walnut counter. Passing out of this department, <^ne enters the millinery Eectjon, which has been enlarged by tbc addition of part of the old tea room-. Around the walls in thes^ departments there are numerous mirrors, the presence 1 of which edds much to the attraetivenes, of the rooms. The floor is covered with v green ca.rpet jpon which is worked tho D.I.C monogram in a shield, and the walls are adorned with a 6triped paper, which tones with the carpet The samekind of carpet covers the floor in tho costume department. It gives the. rooms an appearance of comfort and cheerfulness, and is agreeable and restful to the eye. The ne»v fitting room possesses iarg« mirrors, and is heated with a gas radiator. The Humphrey gas lamps, with which those departments are supplied, ensure sufficient light during the winter evenings. On the same floor, but in the- Rattray street building, four fitting rooms and a cloak room have been provided in connection with the dressmaking department. Thes« rooms are comfortable and adequate in all respects. A new style of art paper covers th-e walls, and the dado is 6ft high, surmounting a 6tained moulding. Downstairs, the section formerly occupied by furniture is now utilised for fancy goods and household ironmongery. The department is arranged on the American principle, being divided into bays. Entering from Rattray street, on the left one finds compartments for stationery, silver, and leather goods, and on the right for cutlery, plated goods, enamel and brush ware, hollow-ware and tinware-, and lamps. Showcases, with plateglass shelves, and glass-case counters are provided for the display of a multitude of goods. The toy department is at the far end — -a fairyland for all young people and a delight to all juvenile hearts. Then the interior of the windows has been rebuilt. Fitted with large mirrors and lit with Humphrey lamps, a splendid show may be made with capital effect. The china and glassware department has been enlarged by the addition of the space formerly taken up by the ironmongery. The glass cases, mirrors, and the general fixtures are all that could bs desired. In the crystal section there is a minor counter 20ft by 2ft, the effect of the crystal upon It being exceedingly pretty. Patrons of the D.I.C. premises will find them more commodious than formerly, with the goods in e\ery department shown to excellent ad^antage and under the- best light.