BIDDING FOR CUSTOM.

Temuka Leader, Issue 1179, 27 November 1883, Page 3

BIDDING FOR CUSTOM.

The Melbourne Argus mentions a new departure by a firm of drapers in that city in the manner of conducting a retail business. The business, says our contemporary, like that of many other iiniilar places in England and America, is on the cash principle, but the use of the telegraphic communicators from the counters will do away with the annoying cry of ' cash' when a visitor makes a purchase. At the back of the shop proper is a large space set apart for the purpose of a jardin elysee, where customers may obtain refreshments in a cool grotto, made attractive by aviaries of birds, salt and fresh aquaria, and the music of a band, which will be seated in a fernery situatedin a picturesquely-painted landscape. There will also be pianoforte and other recitals. The basement which coniprisas a very wide area, will be converted into a gentleman's lounging club with lavatories and refreshment buffets, and will be accessible from the street by a private entrance not leading through the shop. Here gentlemen may read, or talk, or smoke, while their lady friends are making their purchases upstairs. A cosy room, comfortably furnished and decorated, will be devoted to the use of ladies as a private club, while another and similar apartment has been termed the ' dark room,' for the somewhat paradoxical reason that it is lighted by artificial light alone, the object being to give ladies an opportunity of duly observing the effect of harmonies and contrasts in colour under the influence of gaslight.