BUSINESS ENTERPRISE

Southland Times, Issue 14580, 22 November 1910, Page 6

BUSINESS ENTERPRISE

B. & J. SMITH’S NEW SHOE. A great deal of Interest lias been taken for some months past in the construction of H. and J. Smith's new shop in Tay street. The building is now bn the point of completion, and the linn’s employees have been busy during the last day or two removing the stock from the temporary. .premises, and getting everything In readiness for the opening to-day. Yesterday afternoon a large number of prominent business and professional men, who had assembled in the new shop at Aliss Smith’s, invitation, were shown over the premises and took interested notice of the new features for which the place is remarkable. When a suitable occasion offered the health of the firm was cordially toasted, and a similar compliment was paid to the architect (Air E. R. Wilson), and the contractor (Air H. D. Preston). Mr P. S. Brbdie. in proposing the health of the firm of H v and J. Smith, expressed the opinion

of the business men present of the pluck and entcrjjri.se that had been shown b.v Miss Smith. He referred to Ilic success that had attended the business up to the present, and strongly urged that the policy of specialising in certain lines for which the firm hud become noted should be continued. Air Crosby Smith endorsed the remarks made by Air Brodie, and Miss Smitli suitably acknowledged the good wishes that had been expressed. Air Eustace Russell proposed the health of the architect and the contractor in complimentary terms, and Mr Wilson and Mr Preston responded In appropriate speeches, touching upon certain aspects of the design and construction of the building. Of the new shop it may coufidenUy be asserted that it is a distinct gain to the architectural beauty of Tay street. Air Wilson lias earned well-deserved praise for his work and Mr Preston has admittedly made an excellent Job.of the building. A remarkable feature of the

two-storey shop of 10 feet frontage is ►hat there is only one iron column in .ho whole place. The entire floor space s thus left quite clear, without the inerference of intermediate columns, for he arrangement and re-arrangement of die goods in such a manner as the taste and requirements of the proprietors nwv dictate. The very bright lighting from windows both at the front and the back Is especially noticeable, and this may be toned down by blinds to any required degree. The shop fittings such as shelves, etc. rise to a height of only 7 feet along the side walls, and this gives an open airy appearance to the shop. It Is proposed to utilise the space on the top of the shelving for the disposition of lay figures, ornamental dressings to display the goods, palms and pot plants ami so on. The men's department is entirely separated from that which is devoted to the ladies’ side and Is adequately fitted with all conveniences. At the back of the ladies' department on the ground floor is the factory, and in this portion of the building are situated machine and store rooms, laundry, dining room for the employees, ami separate suites of lavatories. The whole of the yard Is asphalted, and the drainage and sanitary appliances are of the very latest type, while provision has also been made for the subsequent connection of tbe building with the proposed new drainage service of the town. In the construction of the shop windows Mr Wilson lias successfully curried into effect an entirely new idea. The shop windows do not rise to the full height of the ceiling, but have a separate glass ceiling of its own. The . roof of the outside verandah is semicircular in shape, and falls to the level of the shop-window ceiling, thereby aliowing provision to be made above it for four feet in width of glass window, giving an Interrupted lighting area from he sky. By this method light is brought direct into the front of the shop where in ordinary circumstances it has to come through at least two thicknesses of glass. The appearance of the verandah from the street front is decidedly artistic and is quite new to Invercargill, and, so far as can be ascertained. to Xew Zealand. The mosaic tile work at the door entrances was specially designed for the firm by the architect and was manufactured in England. The stair-case leaching from the ground floor to the show-room on the second storey is of very easy ascent and has three intermediate landings. It is beautifully constructed of figured rimu.

and is quite new in design. Below the stair Is ■ situated the cash office from which is controlled the cash service diat has been fitted up throughout the building by a Sydney firm on the latest gravitation principle. ' There are also three fitting-rooms on the ground lloor. The upper lloor is the main show-room and is very handsomely appointed. Here provision lias been made for a large rest room, healed with gas stoves (the whole building is gas heated), and to be supplied with magazines, books, etc. for the convenience of country clients waiting for their trains. One end of the upper show-room is richly carpeted and has been set aside fob the special display of the finest quality of goods. A feature of the shop appointments is the introduction of glass counters m which gpods may ho displayed and examined without danger in any way of being shop-soiled. These, which are quite new to Invercargill, were manufactured by Win. Smith and Co., Ltd., who have made a* splendid Job of them. The shelves, also, instead of being lire usual-open kind where goods are stored in paper wrappings, are more like a series of boxes with dust-proof lids, in these tlie goods may safely be stored without fear of deterioration from dust, and an additional advantage is that an article may quickly be procured and suhmited for inspection without the loss of time occasioned by the necessity to untie paper wrappings. . The ceiling throughout is composed of Wunderlich stamped steel of bold and simple design, the artistic effect adding considerably to the attractiveness of the shop and show-rooms. The building lias been so constructed as to enable an additional storey to be erected over the factory at the rear, and already the great increase in this department has made, tlie matter of additional factory accommodation one that will have to be faced in the immediate future. Miss Smith has on order even now. it may he mentioned, several new machines for her factory, so great lias been the increase in tlie work called for since this portion of the new building was taken over some little time ago. This encouraging indication of tlie practical recognition of her enterprise and courage will be gratifying to Hie large number ot people who wish her every success m her new venture.