FOUNTAIN’S GRAND FALL OPENING A MOST BRILLIANT SUCCESS
The Magnificent New Big Busy Store Not Only a Credit to Greenwood But to the State and Delta Alike
Many an eager shopper standing Thursday morning before the splendid expanse of plate glass which forms the lower front of the great department store of W. T. Fountain, sought to get a glimpse of the beauties there concealed by the heavy curtains which were so arranged as to hide them until the doors were opened for the formal opening of this wonderful place.
Eager were these beauty-seekers because of the well-established reputation of the firm’s decorator, Mr. W. R. Chandler, who never fails to build within his windows pictures well worth seeing, the component parts of which are made up of the finest fabrics, graceful figures and all the dainty details of the toilette of well dressed men, women and children, which draw the beauty lover with unfailing regularity, and keep him or her enthused with the pleasure of view, and turns and enters into this paradise of shoppers there as to stay as long as duty allows, delight persuades, or purse permits.
During all the weeks of this early fall since moving into his metropolitan department store, Mr. Fountain and his army of assistants, have filled this great store with materials of such rich worth, and stock of such rare beauty, that every day has been an opening day for them and a holiday for their friends. Therefore, theirs was a task, indeed, to so arrange yesterday as to give the friends aught worthy interest. But this they did. And the pleasure their friends enjoyed, when at nine o’clock the doors of his magnificent store opened up on the brilliant panorama of fashion’s fabrics and style’s chic accessories more than repaid them for their efforts and thoughts.
First, the building proved itself a monumental consummation of the progressiveness, stick-to-it-ivness, and the general ability of it’s genial owner, a credit to the “Queen city of the Delta”, as well as a reflection upon the growth and prosperity of the county and state. Three stories of brick with pretty rough shale brick facing, with every interior appointment and accessory conceivable for the later day department store, lends its most delightful complexion to the get up of the little city in the Magnolia State.
And yesterday morning it lent a more suspicious impression than ever when throngs poured through its front to feast their eyes upon the artistically arranged interior. In the center of the first floor, the intensely interested guests found themselves in the hands of the genial superintendent of the store, Mr. P. L. DeLoach, who with Mr. Fountain makes all the purchases for this mammoth concern. The splendid arrangement of this floor, and of the building, was the following of the suggestions of Mr. DeLoach and Mr. Fountain, and Mr. Fountain is fortunate to have the services of so thoroughly capable a manager of his stupendous business. In this center aisle the shoppers found themselves first in the presence of the affable Mrs. Maud Hodges, who has charge of the handkerchiefs, ladies neckwear, jewelry and stationery. Next they passed the notions, purses, handbags, etc., over which department the dainty Miss Myrtle McCorkle presides. Further they came to the hosiery department where Mrs. Jena Duggan is found with her characteristic loveliness. This aisle is concluded with the knit underwear for ladies and children, where Miss Zilpali Cain pleases the shopper with her charming courtesy.
To the right as you wind back to the entrance, Miss Edna Morgan has charge of the silks, velvets and white goods and sends away many a pleased customer. Mr. Wade Reeves’ department, piece goods, is just across the aisle, and next to the toilet goods, ribbons, art goods, gloves, and patterns, where Mrs. J. T. Hodges exercises such splendid taste. The department of Mrs. Ethel McMahon, who is so popular with her tasty selections, are button and dress trimmings. To the left as you enter this big busy store you find yourselves in the hands of Mr. B. A. Walker, who before you leave, gets a sale on his umbrellas, parasols and gents furnishings, which stock he has charge. Mr. J. I. Price has special charge of the large assortment of shoes, while Mr. O. S. Coleman assists Mr. Walker with the stock and has in charge the boys’ clothing department.
In the rear of the first floor is found the bookkeeping department and Mr. Fountain’s office. Mr. W. C. McBee has charge of this department and is assisted by Miss Mary Wilkins. This office is handsomely appointed and could hardly be improved upon. The general color effect of the first floor, golden oak mission fixtures and cream tinted walls is carried out in the offices.
As you forget the elevator and “trip” it to the second floor, you pass through the pretty rest room and toilette for the ladies on the mezzanine floor, which is a most necessary adjunct in modern shopping, and was one of Mr. Fountain’s first thoughts when he contemplated the erection of his new store. To the left of the rest room is the cashier’s office in the charge of Miss Teresa Casey, who is the general cashier, and is assisted by Misses Teresa Harris and Lula May Upshur.
In this department all sales of the first floor are handled by baskets, and on the second floor, Mrs. Morton is the cashier, where all goods are checked, wrapped and sent down by the handy dumb waiter. A splendid system has been installed and every minute details of this important end of the business perfected.
But as you go on to the second floor, the interest of Milady is accelerated, for there is to be found a collection of ready to wear evening duds and accessories, almost incomparable. Almost, it seems as if there had been gathered there a mass of foamy clouds through the smoky film of which the cerulean blue brilliantly shines, or, through lighter films a darkened mass made harmonies of hue. Here and there in this heaped up mass of fluffy beauty, there shone a touch of the rose without which no costume seems complete, and together the effect was as perfect as though nature had designed the scheme. The myriad charms of these departments tempts the visitor and the scribe to linger indefinitely discovered immediately after the second floor is reached, but it was a difficulty throughout the day to get a good view of the chief attractions because of the throngs of interested ladies who were all day gathered in the millinery, suit and other departments.
On the left side of this floor is found the millinery department, this season offering creations and adaptations from the tasty Mrs. John Bond, and indeed it was a rich display, with milliners such as Mr. Fountain has secured in Mrs. Bond, and her assistant, Mrs. Pid Wright and Misses DeLyle Elliott and Sadie Taylor, our people may be fully assured of a continuance of the opening day’s splendid display and willing service. There, on pretty forms and frames were shown the latest confections in the millinery line, with trimmings of distinguished beauty and richness. The millinery department of the French room, work room and display booths, which show off these exquisite creations to their real advantage.
The large ready-to-wear department could not be placed in cleverer nor more capable hand than in Miss Annie Hobson, Mrs. G. S. Pate, Miss Pattie McGlathery, who are assisted by Misses Sadie McNamara and Janette Ferguson. At the south end of this floor are the corsets and braissiers, sweaters, waists, domestic underwear for ladies and children and the infant department. A snug corset try-on nook adds interest to the make-up of this section. From this, on to the rear of the south wing of this floor, are the displays of the handsome, ready-to-wear doll-ups. In coat suits, cloaks, negligee, evening dresses, reception gowns, street dresses, skirts, and all ready-to-wear for the ladies and children are found everything possible to fashion’s demands. Beginning with the inexpensive but admirably tailored suits for the busy girl who goes about her daily duty always trim and chic, all the way up to the most splendid visiting toilette of the woman in society, is found everything and exactly what our women want. Indeed the stock is so extensive and the quality so varied as to make one wonder, as he stands before the well-packed cases and booths, if it is really Greenwood in which all these marvels of the trade are displayed. On this floor, French gray with blue gray tinting forms a lovely color for the setting of Milady’s eye-feastings.
On this floor is also to be found the alteration department under the charge of Miss Naomi Taylor, who has given this department so much genuine satisfaction since her connection, and is so ably assisted by Misses Vashti Matlock and Mary Coombs. To the other side of the alteration department is the drapery department.
The center of the top floor finds a splendid assortment of trunks, bags, blankets, toys, and general house furnishings over which Miss Bettie Casey and Mr. Fred L. Fountain have charge. Here are also found Japanese china, aluminum, glass and chinaware and general bric-a-brac of every imaginable kind. To the right of this floor is the general supply of all stocks always carried in large quantities and ready to replenish the wares on display on various floors. To the rear of the top floor is the department of window trimmings, decorations and advertising under the able supervision of Mr. W. R. Chandler, who is quite an invaluable attaché of this house. Between this department and the elevator entrances is the receiving room, for all merchandise to be opened, marked and distributed, and also a sample room for displays from which portions of Mr. Fountain’s stocks are displayed, quite a consideration for the drummers with whom Mr. Fountain is such a favorite.
In all, Mr. Fountain has 22,500 feet of selling space, and has 80 feet of front window display. Two elevators, passenger and freight, installed by the Otis Elevator Company, make shopping a keener pleasure at his store. In the rear, he has converted a covered concrete driveway for deliveries and auto shed room. In fact, throw your lamps all over the place, and it will take some thinker to find anything the least noticeable by its absence.
On this delightful opening day, Mr. Fountain had a dedicatory service, which was auspicious and appropriate. The services were presided over by Dr. Jos. Rennie, who delivered the able dedicatory address. Most of the local clergymen took part in the exercises. Mayor G. L. Ray spoke for the City of Greenwood at large, and the best of the city churches rendered acceptable selections. Music throughout the day was furnished by the local Big Six Orchestra, selections being rendered at the dedicatory service, during the afternoon while the living models were exhibited, and during the evening when the program was happily completed. Dainty souvenirs were given to all Mr. Fountain’s guests, the Jap teapots for the ladies, pencils for the men, and the indescribable balloon for the kidlets.
The attendance upon the opening was significantly expressive of the appreciation by the shopping interests of the city of the faith this popular, successful and progressive citizen has placed in the futures of Greenwood and Leflore County.
From the Greenwood Commonwealth, September 25, 1914
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