"THE BIG STORE."

New Zealand Herald, Volume XLVIII, Issue 14868, 20 December 1911, Page 5

"THE BIG STORE."

GEORGE COURT AND SON'S DISPLAY. • One of the principal centres of business in Auckland is Karaugahapo Road, and " The Big Store," Messrs. Geo. Court and Sons' establishment, is responsible in a great measure for the business activity in. this thoroughfare. A two-storeyed building with lengthy frontage and considerable depth, the premises have been aptly called "The Big Store," and one has only to pass through the different departments to realise that the store is truly a big one, not only in dimensions but in the quantity, variety, and excellence of the stock carried. At the present time the windows and interior of the store present a particularly brilliant and inviting appearance, as a largo stock specially imported for the Christmas trade has just been opened tip.. Six largo plate-glass windows give the firm plenty of scope to display much of their stock, and after viewing the tasty and attractive articles shown in the windows one is tempted to become more bold and penetrate further, to be rewarded on entering the store by finding it resplendent in everything that would make the f,air sex wax enthusiastic. Each of the six windows presents an especial feature, such as ladies' summer hats, laces, ready-made blouses, and men's wear. Inside the store four sections are set apart for hosiery and gloves of all sizes' and shades, while near-by is a wide range of sunshades in great variety. . A feature of the store is the lace department, where lace neckwear may bo purchased at from 4id to seven guineas. Very beautiful is some of the lace, and this department affords the most fastidious an opportunity to satisfy their desires. Fancy goods occupy a prominent position, and a wide range of articles suitable for presents arc stocked. The firm carry a large stock of ready-to-wear goods, especially in costumes, blouses, and children's wear. The men's department is a prominent feature of the store, and here, the manager pointed out, " everything is stocked in the way of men's wearing apparel, from a button to a suit of clothes." The ladies' millinery department forms tho most beautiful section in the store.. Hats of all shapes and sizes, some modest, others gaily bedecked in bright flowers and trimmings, are stocked, while packed around the department with brilliant effect are some two thousand floral sprays. The household goods section, which comprises quilts of all descriptions, carpets, oilcloths, etc., is well worthy of a visit, for the goods shown are all of excellent quality. Every department is heavily stocked with the usual everyday wants. In all of the many departments wide ranges of new goods have displaced the old stocks, and the variety and excellence of the materials displayed is a special feature. The extent of this firm's operations may be judged from the fact that some two hundred employees uro necessary to attend to tho wants of the firm's many customers and cany on this rapidly-expanding business.