Page:The Granite Monthly Volume 7.djvu/137

 IN NEW QUARTERS.

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��IN NEW QUA R TERS.

��A leading wholesale house of this city •and state, Messrs. Woodworth, Dodge & Co., begin the year 1884 most auspi- ciously by opening their new business home in the Dow building on Free Bridge street. What the change signi- ties. the general public may little realize ; "but to this popular and successful firm and their many patrons it means a great •deal. It means a change from quarters which were much too small for the busi- ness the firm was doing, to as convenient and commodious ones as any wholesale grocery house in New England can \ oast ■of. For the city it means that there is now located in it, and identified with its business interests, probably the best ap- pointed wholesale grocery store in New England, when all its facilities are taken into account. Of the building in general we spoke at length some time since. In a word, it is in every way adapted for the purpose to which it has been de- voted.

To begin with, its location upon the railroad is such that no trucking what- ever is required, thus effecting an impor- tant saving at the outset. From a side track on the east side of the building three cars can be unloaded at the same time, directly into the basement, through three large entrances, while from the south end are two more for the delivery of goods. At the lower end of the build- ing grain is shoveled from the car into the hopper, whence it is carried to the upper story, which is fitted for its recep- tion with bins holding 10,000 bushels, and a conveyer for its delivery at any point in the room. A second conveyor will carry it back as it may be wanted below. In the lower story ave two port- able corn mills, with a capacity of fifty bushels an hour. These will enable the firm to gTind the meal to supply their wholesale trade, of which flour and grain are important features. Separated from the main building is an engine-house containing a 35-horse power engine and boiler, made by Nathan P. Stevens, of this city, and which furnishes ample power to run the mills, elevator, etc. The remainder of this floor is used for the storage of lime and cement, and also

��contains a spacious pork, lard, and fish cellar.

The second floor, which is reached through two entrances on Free Bridge street, is devoted to the grocery depart- ment, and also contains a packing room, sample room, and a fine office. The lat- ter is in the north-east corner, is hand- somely finished in stained basswood, is light and pleasant, and is in keeping with the store in general. Out of it opens the sample room, which is conven- iently fitted with tea table, etc. The grocery department is admirably ar- ranged for the display of goods. The floor above, which is really the second story of the building, is devoted entirely to flour aTul sacked feed, the capacity for flour alone being 5,000 barrels. An ele- vator of improved pattern almost makes the four floors as one, furnishing safe and speedy communication from base- ment to attic.

Even from this hurried and incom- plete description it can be seen that Woodworth, Dodge & Co. have, in their new establishment, every facility for car- rying on their large and constantly in- creasing business. Eight years ago, when the firm began the wholesale busi- ness here, they encountered on all sides predictions of failure. The generally ex- pressed opinion was that a wholesale grocery business could not be made to pay in Concord. To-day they carry a stock so large and complete that they can stock a grocery store entire, and they are doing this all through this state and Vermont, for their many customers include the leading grocers in both these states. The firm is composed of three wide-awake, square-dealing business men, A. B. and E. B. Woodworth, and K. E. Dodge, who have been successful in spite of the discouragements they encountered at first, because they have deserved suc- cess. While the firm is to be congratu- lated upon having such a fine business home, the man whose enterprise has fur- nished them with it, Samuel II. Dow, of Warner, should also be remembered, for to him the credit for the addition of such an establishment to our city is due, in part, at least. — Concord Monitor, Jan. 1, 1884.

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