MESSRS. E.W. DEE AND SONS' NEW PREMISES.

Colonist, Volume LVII, Issue 13825, 21 July 1915, Page 2 (Supplement)

MESSRS. E.W. DEE AND SONS' NEW PREMISES.

(From "Tho Colonist," July 6.) To meet the rapidly growing requirement:; of their already extensive business,- the old-established firm of Messrs E. W Dee and Sons, tailors and mercers, have erected what are practically new premisevS on ihe old site at the cornei of Trafalgar and Bridge streets, all that remains of the forrm-i building being the wall on tho Bi'idge street frontage. In order to extond the Trafalgar street frontage, two shops which adjoined the firm's old premises wero demolished, and the new building, a handsome two-storeyed brick structure, now covers an area of ground Gift by 60ft. The. shop is divided into three main departments. The corner shop is devoted to the mercery branch of the basioess, and is elaborately fitted with modern du.stpronf showcases. In the centre are two oblong glass cases, with revolving mirror stands for the display of gentlemen's evening wear, etc., whilo at the back are thc> latest st.vle of American glass-front wall cases for exhibiting overcoats, box suits, etc. On either sido of these cases are smaller cases, for showing hats and caps, whilo underneath each are drawers for holding stocks of tho same articles. The counters are fitted with plate glass and mirror backs, enabling all the smaller articles worn by men, such as collars, ties, .handkerchiefs etc., to be displayed to advantage The size of this department is 26ft by 60ft. The firm's office is located at the side of the shop, and adjoins the tailoring showroom which is reached through a broad archway. Here the old. style of displaying trvyeeds in heaps is done away with, and in this department the ■ tweeds are laid out on wall fixtures, held in by brass bars, and divided into sections accord ing to the qizah'tiy of the tweeds. At the .'ear of this shop, which is lfift by. 20ft, is the clerks' office. From tho showroom a staircase leads1 to the fitr ting and work rooms on the upper floor. The increase in ladies' tailoring has rendered it necessary for the firm to have a separate fitting room for ladies, and this has been elaborately furnished. Ther'p is also a gentlemen's fitting room, a cutting room, and a spacious workroom,, all of which are well lighted. Ad,joinin" the tailoring showroom is the boot department, 20ft by ,60ft, and_ a wooden . partition, with leadlight windows, jjivides the ladies' and men's sec"ns both of which are furnished'with tio. '!Here3';f.fib' n'fcre chairs and mirrors. TH W°J£, **9 S steel" iryssel •■ and plaster, and aie . . . soundprqot. - lAc <- +]^°lipper floor is table plAstef, a^tfal& V®?< Sf front are fiv« iw-ge sfoVw windows, S the latest v Lorn,; aid there .is an ■»«tranc£to > ci ' o£. tfce three .main^overanda^ i.,l+Tr Ipadlie is,-■setting forth. >ne SrHf :■■ aft business, extends "S^&•■"■■ -'Mwr. -street frontage, SSn^eni ■'= ■>. Jo s6V^;lar^.ltjhts> ; Svelv Kftnt displayed- m the il^l %v «Mk ■■»■ Griffin» architect,

who lias embodied numerous new ideas, which he obtained when on his recent; tripJ to Australia.' As far as possible, the firm./has- employed; local tradesmen to, carry out the work. Messrs; Cliainberlain.ancl'Stannard were the contractors for the new building: Messrs Robertson Bros.; Ltd., supplied the show windows and the leadlights • Mr H. J. Flat t< executed cho plnmbing and gasfitting, .Messrs Louisson Bros, the painting, Messrs Hollingsworth and Gaskell the . signwfiting, and Messrs Pago and Sons the furnishings. , The new building is substantial evidence of | the faith Messrs Dee and Sons have in the future of th© city, and to commemorate the opening of the new premises the firm intend /holding a sale, particulars of which will appear in a full-page advertisement in to-morrow's issue.