Evening Republican, Volume 18, Number 204, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 29 August 1914 — BEAUTIFUL STORE HAVE ROWLES & PARKER [ARTICLE]

BEAUTIFUL STORE HAVE ROWLES & PARKER

Opening Friday Brought Out Many Notwithstanding Rainy Day— Splendidly Appointed.

The beautiful new store of Rowles & Parker was formally opened Friday, when many responded to the invitation to visit the store, listen to some fine orchestra music, partake of a luncheon furnished by the Club House brand of goods, look over the store and enjoy a pleasant afternoon and evening. (Messrs. Bowles & Parker have left nothing undope to establish in this city a store worthy of the progress of the large cities, and the beauty and convenience is alike' creditable to the owners and to the city. The building belongs to Benton Forsythe and it was extensively remodeled following the fire df last January which put Rowles & Parker out of business until the store was reopened sortie two weeks ago. The interior changes are extensive. The office and cash station has been moved from the center of the room to the wfest side and the stairways which flanked the old office were torn out apd a new one built on the east side. A passenger elevator has also been constructed at the side of the stairway. The high shelves and show cases which practically divided the large room into three smaller ones were all removed and all furniture which was retained was stained mahogany and much new furniture of the same finish installed. The large table method for display of goods has been inaugurated. These tables have eight large drawers each and have proven the best method for display and handling of goods and are used by the largest city stores. As before the dry goods depart ment occupies the west side of the room and the shoes the east side. The clothing department has (been moved to the main floor and is on the same side with the shoe department. New sliding hat racks and new shoe cases are employed to better display and care for the stock.

The grocery department is in the rear and makes a fine appearance, being plainly seen from the front. The high ceilings of metal have all been-repainted and a new semi-in-direct lighting system is used, making an even and mellow light throughout the large room. The store room was completed several weeks ago and is as fine as can be found in any city. The arrangement gives several show windows, affording a fine opportunity for artistic display, which the window dressers will take the best advantage of. The floors at the entrance is tiled and prism glass above the show windows gives a splendid lighting advantage te the interior. The second floor is devoted to the millinery department under Mrs. Beam, and to ladies’ ready-to-wear apparel, to cloaks, coats, trunks and leather goods, rugs, carpets, linoleums, etc. The arrangement is excellent and the new stock attractively displayed. Jardaniers filled with goldenrod furnished the special decorations for the opening day, while several large bunches of rosebuds were distributed over the tables and show cases. These were distirbuted during the evening among the ladies. Mrs. Rowles and Mrs. Parker, wives of the proprietors of the store, aided in showing visitors about the store during the afternoon and evening. The Club House company was represented by their traveling representative, the jovial Ed Mahoney, who donned a white apron and servpd coffees from a percolator and peanut butter sardines and peaches, cherries, apricots, strawberries, salmon, olives and everything else that bears a Club House brand. Ed becomes enthusiastic when talking about his “house” and he vied with the fine flavor of the coffee he served In arguing the excellence of his wares. The four-piece Italian orchestra was seated in the office, which is on an elevation of several feet, above the main floor and the sweet strains of music from harp, violin, cello and flute floated throughout the

store, greatly to the” delight of all who attended the opening. Unfortunately the day was a miserable one on account of rain and many were unable to go who had expected to do so, but as one of the proprietors of the store remarked, ‘ Probably the rain would do much more good than the opening and it s the good of the community that we are all mainly interested in.” . Rowles & Parker certainly have a magnificent store, finely appointed in all departments and with a brand new and clean stock they will doubtless come in for a large share of the business of this community and furnish another reason : ! or careful and exacting buyers to come long distances to trade with them.