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THE MUSIC TRADE REVIEW
which the sales could be doubled if well-
directed efforts were applied, together with
the expenditure of some money to insure
results.
What are you doing to develop your
business along the. line of carrying some
better goods than you have carried for the
past few years? You must be aware that
the demand for better goods is steadily in-
creasing. Generally speaking, consumers
buy as good a grade of goods as they can
pay for. It is the general inclination to
be " as good" as one's neighbor, or better,
'that Tarings about this condition. It is a
pride in one's self that is commendable.
It is also the first ambition to make a good
impression in one's community. Besides
this, consumers have learned by experience
that a good article is the cheapest in the
end.
There existed a tendency during the
depressed times of a few years ago, when
the purchasing power of the masses was
curtailed by reason of scarcity of work and
small wages, to hunt out the lowest priced
instrument sold. But happily this con-
dition does not exist now, and is not likely
to in the near future. Therefore strength-
en the higher end of stock in all depart-
ments. It is always the more attractive,
and the only reason why people ever buy
the cheapest thing to be had is because
they are forced to at times on account of
the scarcity of money with them.
In recommending the addition of better
goods to your stock we also recommend
that it be done carefully, cautiously and
conservatively. Do not overdo it. All
that you might have gained will be lost if
you make mistakes in why you buy and in
the quantities you buy.
Overbuying is the rock upon which
many a promising business has been
wrecked, therefore the greatest judgment
and discrimination must be exercised in
determining what to buy and how much
to buy. Some buyers appear to be de-
sirous of establishing a reputation as big
buyers and usually pay dearly for this
glory. It is much more creditable to be
regarded as a careful, exacting and dis-
criminating buyer.
Anent Mr. floore's Venture.
We clip the following items from the
Norwalk, O., Reflector of Jan. 9:
BELLEVUE PIANO FACTORY.
The committee having in charge the
matter of subscriptions to the stock of the
proposed piano factory at Bellevue reports
that it has succeeded in placing all the
stock but about $2,000. This it hopes will
be taken within a few days and the matter
brought to a successful issue.
This is the factory of which H. R.
Moore, of Norwalk, is the promoter.
A NEW FACTORY.
It is understood that H. R. Moore has
succeeded in interesting a number of San-
dusky men in the idea of establishing a
piano factory in that city and that the
necessary stock has been subscribed. An
unoccupied factory building has been se-
cured and work will begin soon, it is said.
Wanamaker Secures the Chickering.
The suspense is over. No more theories and speculations are in order regarding
the future of the Chickering piano in New York. Wanamaker secures the plum.
It is now definitely settled that John Wanamaker, America's greatest merchant,
has that important acquisition to his piano department in New York—the Chickering
piano.
Mr. Chas. H. Eddy, treasurer of Chickering & Sons, has beenin town this week
arranging the details of the transfer,
No definite statement has been made public as to the date precisely when Mr. Wana-
maker will take active control. He is anxious to secure the full benefits of the spring
trade as the lease of Chickering Hall expires next May. It may be a few weeks, how-
ever, before all details incident to the change are perfected."
Mr. James B. Woodford, manager of the piano department of the Wanamaker estab-
lishment was in town several days this week, and will probably make New York his
headquarters for a few weeks to come, while planning special features for the business
augmentation of the New York piano department.
Certain events have transpired of late which bore evidence of some radical change
in the local Chickering business, and it will not be a surprise to many to learn that
Wanamaker has obtained the New York representation of the Chickering piano.
While much could be written regarding this important move, the facts as we view
them, succinctly stated, are that Chickering & Sons deem it to their interests to con-
centrate their energies upon the manufacturing departments of their business. When
Chickering Hall shall have been closed their retail business outside of their factory
warerooms becomes but a memory. They will be manufacturers pure and simple,
leaving to others the responsibilities of disposing of their product at retail.
When their instruments were first placed with Wanamaker, in Philadelphia, it was
purely as an experiment. That the experiment has proved a success is demonstrated
in the fact that they are willing to transfer the agency for their instruments in such an
important city as New York to the same merchant.
Opening of New Grunewald Store
[Special to The Review.]
New Orleans, La., Jan. 9, 1900.
The formal opening of the palatial music
store of the L. Grunewald Co., at 735
Canal street, was one of especial brilliancy
and entertainment. In response to invita-
tions a large crowd of our leading peo-
ple attended in the evening.
They
were conducted through the establishment
and shown a magnificent display of musi-
cal instruments of all kinds, and were
particularly well pleased to see how admir-
ably the display was arranged. The ground
floor, which, of course, is the general dis-
play-room, was beautifully decorated with
bunting and flowers and ferns, and in a
prominent place stood two beautiful floral
offerings, presented to the house by the
clerks. One was an immense horseshoe,
of carnations, presented by Mr. W. J.
Uter, and the other, a beautiful lyre, by
the other employes—the one the emblem
of good luck, and the other symbolic of
the business of the house.
The second floor is devoted exclusively
to a display of pianos, arranged symme-
trically and with considerable taste. It is
exquisitely fitted up, and the fine line of
goods is shown off to considerable advant-
age. The next floor is devoted to organs,
both for churches and the home, and to
music boxes, while the fourth floor is used
as a storeroom.
The fifth floor is divided into two apart-
ments, the forward half of the floor being
fitted up for a meeting place and for musi-
cales. There is a very neat platform, the
place is well lighted by electricity and gas,
the walls are prettily papered and adorned
with a number of handsome oil paintings,
while there is ample seating capacity for
quite a crowd.
This little auditorium contained a large
crowd all last evening, enjoying an im-
promptu program of music and song car-
ried out by Wolf's orchestra, assisted by a
number of noted artists. Meanwhile pretty
souvenirs were distributed among the
guests.
There is a new and commodious elevator
in the building, which makes a visit all
over the establishment one of comfort and
ease, aside from the pleasure to be derived
from, the variety of superb musical instru-
ments on display.
In Town.
William Knabe, of William Knabe &
Co., arrived in town yesterday. He will
probably remain until this evening. Other
members of the trade in town this week
were: J. M. Lockey, the well-known piano
case manufacturer of Leominster, Mass.,
Marcellus Roper, of Worcester, Mass., and
Jos. M. Mann, of Mann & Eccles, Provi-
dence, R. I.
Steinway Opening.
To-day the new quarters of Steinway &
Sons, 1111 Chestnut street, Philadelphia,
Pa., are to be formally opened.
H. B. Fischer Leaves To-Day.
Henry B. Fischer, of J. & C. Fischer,
starts to-day for a six-weeks' Western trip.
The firm's business report for the week is
decidedly encouraging. Trade is active
among Fischer representatives in every
section of the country.