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THE MUSIC TRADE REVIEW
IS THE BUSINES TREND NORTHWARD?
During a call at the Sohmer warerooms
on Tuesday, The Review asked Hugo
Sohmer if he thought the northward trend
of business in the Borough of Manhattan
would not, within a comparatively brief
period, necessitate a move further uptown
of numerous retail piano warerooms now
situated on and near Fifth avenue between
Fourteenth and Twenty-third streets.
" I n my opinion," he replied, " no gen-
eral move northward will be necessary for
twenty years to come. The shopping dis-
trict, particulary on Sixth avenue and
Twenty-third street, may reasonably be
considered permanent. Geographically, it
could not be more conveniently situated.
Many shoppers come, it must be remem-
bered, from Brooklyn, Queens and Rich-
mond boroughs. Quite a few from New
Jersey are regular visitors. For all of these
the neighborhood is decidedly most acces-
sible. This is trne to-day and will be still
more so when the new bridges are built
across the East River.
"So far as the demand for high-grade pi-
anos is concerned, there will never be any
real necessity, from my point of view, for
another move. Piano purchasers living
above the Harlem River, and even those
whose residence is some considerable dis-
tance below it, will never hesitate to travel
downtown if their mind is set on securing
a valuable and lasting instrument."
• • • « •
Ludwig Tietz, of the Regina Co., when
asked for his opinion as to the northward
trend of business on Manhattan Island,
particularly that portion of it between
Fourteenth and Twenty-third streets,
said: "There is no doubt that in course
of time many firms will have to keep
pace with the movement by remov-
ing their headquarters or establishing
branches somewhere between Madison
Square and Forty-second street. At the
present rate of progress, I think, two or
three years will bring about quite a change
in this respect. Events have been has-
tened by the erection of large hotels be-
tween the two points I have mentioned.
"In addition to these immense struc-
tures we have to realize that quite a large
number of first-class commercial establish-
ments have already taken up permanent
quarters on Fifth avenue and nearby
streets along the line of route. Then
there is the new Windsor Arcade in pro-
cess of construction. That will be a factor
in the development of uptown business,
which will have to be considered by those
who are now to the southward.
"So far as the Regina warerooms are
concerned we may move from this partic-
ular spot—I do not say we will, but we
may—but in such an event, we would re-
main in the shopping district. Our suc-
cess here has shown conclusively that the
area bounded by Broadway and Union
Square on the East, Sixth avenue on the
West, Fourteenth street on the South and
Twenty-third street on the North, is the
proper location for business headquarters
in our line.
"Although, as I say, something will have
to be done a little later on by many firms
to keep in touch with the trend of trade, it
Will, I think, be a long time before the
shopping district, as a district, will feel the
necessity for a general move. One reason
for remaining—and a substantial reason—
is that people from every other borough,
excepting the Bronx, can more easily reach
stores where they are now located than if
they were at some point higher up."
# #• • • #
Hamilton S. Gordon, interrogated on
the same subject, said that he had not
given the matter any serious thought so
far, but there was no doubt in his mind
that a strong northern movement was in
progress, and would continue. Just how
long it would take to bring about a gen-
eral move from the portion of Fifth avenue
in which the Gordon warerooms are now
located, he was not prepared to say.
"These changes," he continued, "take
place much more rapidly than we some-
times realize. I remember, a number of
years ago when I moved my residence up
to the neighborhood of Eighty-first street
and Central Park West that a friend of
mine, then on a visit, said, as he surveyed
the landscape: 'I suppose in twenty years
from now your view will be obstructed by
buildings?'
"We did not dream that any obstruction
would appear for a considerable time, at
any rate. As a matter of fact, obstruc-
tions to the view began to appear within a
year from the date when my friend had
spoken, and within two years, all the sur-
rounding lots were being broken up. I
would not care to make any prophecy re-
garding the matter, but that the trend is
decidedly northward there can be no doubt
whatever."
Henry & S. Q. Lindeman Expand.
Henry Lindeman, of Henry & S. G. Lin-
deman, informed The Review, on Wed-
nesday, when a call was made at the fac-
tory, 159 East 128th street, that arrange-
ments have been completed for the occu-
pancy of another entire floor, 50 x 90, in
the same building. Possession has been
taken of the new premises and a big stock
of material has already been moved in.
"We find ourselves cramped for space,"
said Mr. Lindeman, "and as we have al-
ready three hundred pianos on our books
to deliver during 1901 and a number of
other orders coming along, it is deemed
best to make arrangements accordingly."
Ludwig's New Trade Mark.
The new trade mark of Ludwig & Co.,
an illustration of which appears in their
advertisement elsewhere in this issue, is an
artistic effort which emphasizes the dis-
tinction this house gained at the Paris
Exposition. Dealers will find it a good
talking point, more especially because it is
being placed on instruments which Lud-
wig & Co. are steadily improving in every
essential.
The Krell Piano Co. has certified to an
increase of capital stock to $200,000.
Emerson
Re-union.
The employees of the Emerson piano
factory, Boston, will enjoy this evening
their annual dinner. It will be a Teutonic
affair with all the customary fixings, and
will conclude with an entertainment and
some impromptu speeches. This gather-
ing, which is always a notable affair, will
be up to the usual standard this year
and the men who make the Emerson, as
well as those who sell them, will be well in
evidence. "May good digestion wait on
appetite."
flusicale at Wanamaker's.
There was a large attendance at the
Wanamaker Musicale, which occurred in
the art gallery near the piano warerooms
on Thursday afternoon. The soloists were
Dr. Carl E. Dufft, baritone, and John
Cheshire, the celebrated harpist. The
program called into play the hymnolia pipe
organ, the symphony organ, the Angelus
piano player and the Chickering piano.
Before and after the musicale the piano
warerooms were thronged with visitors
who took the liveliest interest in the fine
exhibit of instruments displayed so taste-
fully by Mr. Chapman.
A Club Han.
R. S. Howard, general traveler for the
Baldwin interests, is one of the most club-
bable of men, and enjoys club privileges
in the principal cities of the country. In
San Francisco he usually makes his head-
quarters at the Bohemian Club, and he al-
so has cards for the Pacific, Union, Olym-
pic and Cosmos clubs. When in Chicago
he is always to be found at the Union
League.
Now Winter & Son.
F. A. Winter the well-known dealer of
Altoona, Pa., will admit his son, Arthur
E., into business partnership, and the firm
name will hereafter be, F. A. Winter &
Son. The young man is a particularly ca-
pable salesman and tuner.
A "Grip" Victim.
Frank C. Decker, of Decker & Son, is
suffering this week from the prevailing-
"grip" disease, but hopes to be on hand
again on Monday.
WE HAVE FOR SALE OR
EXCHANGE FOR PIANOS
Symphony Self Playing Organs
Style 950 Mahogany,
'• 558
"
u
" 44 458
3J0
"
44
600 Oak
new
Price $800
"
"
600
"
"
500
(finish) used "
260
" "
500
/Eolians
Style Grand, Dark Oak,
used short time $750
" 44 J500 Light u
"
500
J500 Dark "
**
500
" 44 700 Walnut
"
2*0
A
Oak
new
400
S^(et prices *\*>ilt be furnished upon
application.
GRINNELL BROS.
DETROIT,
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-
- • -
MICHIGAN