LEWIS AND CO’S. NEW SHOW ROOM.

Southern Cross, Volume 4, Issue 1, 4 April 1896, Page 9

LEWIS AND CO’S. NEW SHOW ROOM.

This enterprising drapery importing firm finding their business increasing, have hwd to make several alterations and additions to their premises in Dee street. The most indispensable part of a leading drapery establishment nnw-a-days is a first-class show room, where ladies can make their selections with ease and comfort, apart from the gaze of customers in the shop. The importance of this has been further impressed upon the firm, since their Mr Dobie returned from a recent trip to the leading centres up north, and as the result they have been busily engaged for some time fitting and dressing their new show-room, which has been specially built for the purpose and designed upon the most modern principles. Messrs McKenzie and Gilbertson were the architects, Mr Ramsay the contractor and Mr Strang the painter, and each have done their work very creditably. The show room is situated at the rear of the clothing department, and has a fine entrance where the office was formerly located, but which is now removed into one end of the new building. The show room is 70 feet long by 30 feet in width and is connected with the furnishing department, now where the old show room was, by a platform around which a balustrade is erected. The lighting has been a special study, and is obtained from two rows of “ Lantern ” lights fixed on the sloping sides of the ceiling —the only means by which a perfect light can be got upon various shades of material, and a large stained-glass window at the back and for gas light two star crown gaseliers depend from the ceiling. One side of the room is fitted for showing millinery, the hats and bonnets being arranged on receding shelves and display ed upon stands, whilst right round the interior large mirrors are placed so as to give front and back views at once. The other side is devoted to general goods such as underclothing, etc., and at the back there is a display of all the latest fashions in mantles and. other goods of that class. Besides a long table in the centre a large glass case gives an uninterrupted view of articles which arouse admiration at a glance. In view of the completion of these alterations Messrs Lewis and Co., have just landed a new lot of goods which are shown with a very fine effect and will no doubt be appreciated by their numerous town and country customers. It may be mentioned that there is now on view in theshop five lengths, threedresses in each, of the same dress tweeds as those recently made to the order of the Princess of Wales at the Kiapoi woollen factory.