THE SHOPPERS’ PARADISE.

Gisborne Times, Volume XXVII, Issue 2500, 13 May 1909, Page 2

THE SHOPPERS’ PARADISE.

A LONDON INSTITUTION

In London a few weeks ago a mammoth drapery and dry goods establishment opened its doors, representing an invested capital of a million sterling. The institution is not the outcome of a firm’s steady financial advancement, but lias sprung into existence full-grown at its birth. Among tho novel features incorporated with the general scheme of attractiveness, and which should commend itse’f to ladies who are fagged and frayed after a long day’s shopping, is a “silence and rest room,” where double windows exclude the street noises, and soft lights, soft cushions, and deep chairs enable the occupants to find peace and recuperation. There are other rest rooms in which the solace of a refreshing conversation with a friend is not prohibited; thorcy are rooms in which letters may be written; there is a handsome restaurant, and a roof tea garden, whero there will bo music in the summer; but in the silence room there is only comfort and quiet. A suite of dressing-rooms finds a prominent place. Each of these has a maid and a ski’led needlewoman in attendance to execute littlo repairs to apparel rendered necessary, perhaps, by the hurly-burly of bargain-hunting. _ A French salon, with a French lady interpreter, awaits tho pleasure of Madame and pretty-Fifi from Paris. Similarly there is a German room and a colonial room, where tlie respective languages are spoken by specially selected linguists. The American lady interpreter in the apartment set aside tor shoppers from that spacious country is said to be endowed with an accent that makes London sound like home. A library, a general information bureau, a post-office, a fresh air ward, and the finest American soda fountain ever installed are numbered among tho miscellaneous delights of the commercial Eden, which, by the way, has been designed and is controlled by the genius ■of one man. Something ’ike a thousand assistants are employed, and on the premises there is a college wiierc salesmanship in all its branches is taught. Periodical examinations are held, and those who qualify are granted promotion according to their knowledge of the mysteries appertaining to the gentle art of selling things.