Leading Business Men of Fairfield County

LEADING BUSINESS MEN OF BRIDGEPORT. Ill Conrad F. Stein, West End Meat Market, Bassick's Block, State Street. — Among the many and varied industries pursued in Bridge- port, the establishment prominently known as the West End Market is deserving of particular attention in a work of this kind, which is devoted to the investigation of the various enterprises of the city. This market was established in 1884, by Con- rad F. Stein, who has so successfully managed his business during the three years since that date, that to-day his establishment holds a prom- inent position in this community. The premises utilized are located in Bassick's block, State street extension, and comprise one tloor, 35x20 feet in dimensions, and is well stocked with a choice assortment of meats, etc., which include prime beef, mutton, lamb, veal, pork, and all kinds of vegetables in their seasons. The ex- tended trade of this market requires the employ- ment of three assistants in addition to the close personal management of the proprietor. This house deals exclusively in first class goods; therefore, customers can depend upou here obtaining goods that will meet with their ap- proval in all respects. Mr. Stein is a native of New York Slate, a gentleman familiar in every detail with all that appertains to the business and the wants of the market, carrying a stock made up of the best and most reliable goods known to the trade. It is incumbent on buyers in the advancement of their own interests, that in making purchases they bear in mind the above house, where the variety is complete and the«piices invariably satisfactory. Robert Cartier, Dealer in Fine Groceries, Provisions, Teas, Coffees, Spices, Bassick Block, State Street Extension. — No class of houses is more deserving of consideration in review of the commercial attractions of any business center than those engaged in handling the staple neces- saries of life, and first in importance must be ranked the retail grocer. Bridgeport numbers with her best business men several engaged in this line, and among these we note with pleasure the character and extent of the trade conducted by Mr. Robert Cartier. Occupying a complete and finely appointed grocery establishment, this gentleman has, since 1884, been recognized among the leading expo- nents of the trade in this city. The premises occupied are located in Bassick's Block, State street extension, and comprises a store 30x15 feet in dimensions, with a basement of some size for storage. The stock deserves a more extended notice than our space will permit, as it includes an unusually fine line of groceries, provisions, teas, coffees, spices, smoked meats, foreign and domestic fruits, also fine brands of family flour, of which he makes a specialty. The extensive retail trade of this house re- quires the employment of three very capable assistants, and the business is ably managed under the direct personal supervision of the pro- prietor. Mr. Cartier is a native of Montreal, Canada, and since his residence here has identified him- self with the best interests of the community. M. W. Hall, Dealer in Pure Drugs and Medi- cines, 224 East Main Street. — Among the best known establishments in East Bridgeport, devot- ed to the above-named line of trade is the one conducted by Mr. M. W. Hall. This house was established by its present proprietor in 1887 and located at 224 East Main street, where he has built up a flourishing retail trade. Mr. Hall has earned his wide spread reputation by the excel- lence of the goods he deals in and the prompt and accurate manner in which all orders are tilled. The premises occupied for the business consist of a finely appointed store 18x50 feet in dimen- sions, where will be found a full and complete stock of pure drugs and medicines, also a choice selection of elegant fancy and toilet articles such as combs, brushes, sponges, soaps, perfumery, etc., and in connection with the above-named articles Mr. Hall carries a fine and choice line of liquors, etc., for medical uses, and a full line of druggists' sundries. 'He also deals extensively in fine imported and domestic cigars. The retail trade of this house gives employment to two very capable clerks, and the details of this busi- ness are most efficiently handled. Mr. Hall, who is a most reliable pharmacist, gives personal supervision to the compounding of physicians' prescriptions and all medicines are most carefully prepared. Mr. Hall is a genial and well informed gentleman, highly es- teemed and possessing a full share of the confi- dence of the community. Henry Woodhull, Dealer in Staple and Fancy Groceries, Main Street and South Avenue. — It is almost an invariable rule that in all great centers of business there are certain houses in each line of trade that stand pre-eminent and have by close attention to the wants of their customers a thorough knowledge of the business, and pur- chasing goods direct from first hands, built up a trade that goes ahead of that of many of their contemporaries. Such an establishment in this citv is the grocery store of Mr. Henry Woodhull. This house was founded many years ago by a Mr. Alfred H. Robbins, and later conducted by W. E. Mclntire, who was succeeded in 1884 by the present proprietor and ever since has been the center of a first-class trade which, both in ex- tent and quality, has few, if any successful rivals in Bridgeport. The premises occupied for the business are located at the corner of Main street and South avenue, and comprise a store 24x70 feet in dimensions, where is to be found a full and choice assortment of staple and fancy groceries which embraces everything usually handled by a first-class house in this line of trade, and are guaranteed to be the best goods to be obtained in the market. Constant employment is given to two capable clerks and all orders are prompt- ly attended to and delivered to all parts of the city free of charge. Mr. Henry Woodhull is a native of Long Island. His high personal character is a suffi- cient guarantee of the substantial and reliable manner in which all business is transacted, while the ability exhibited by him in successfully con- ducting his large and growing retail trade must continue to assure him a liberal patronage. 112 LEADING BUSINESS MEN OF BRIDGEPORT. Bridgeport Paper Box Co , Manufacturers of Paper Boxes, and dealers iu Paper and Twine, 76 Middle Street. — One of the most curious as well as one of the most useful manufactured products of the present day is paper. It enters so largely into every-day use that it is difficult to see how we could dispense with it at all, and a sudden stoppage or even a serious curtailment of its pro- duction would inevitably cause much inconveni- ence and even distress. The uses of paper are as various and different as they are important, for not only is it consumed for the purposes with which all are familiar, but paper car-wheels, paper boats and paper images are now made in the ordinary course of trade. One of the best- known uses of paper is in the form of paper boxes, which by the aid of improved machinery are now manufactured and sold at marvelously low prices. One of the largest factories in New England devoted to this industry is that of the Bridgeport Paper Box Co., located at No. 76 Middle street. Three floors are occupied of the dimensions of 60x30 feet, and 150 hands are em- ployed. The company began business about eleven years ago, so that its present enormous business has been built up in a remarkably short time. The concern is made up of Messrs. E. N. White and E. W. Smith, both these gentlemen being natives of Waterbury. In addition to paper boxes, paper and twine are also extensively dealt in. Plumb & Beardsley, Post Office News Room, 40 Bank Street. — A very convenient feature of city life is the ease with which one can subscribe for a magazine, newspaper or other publication by dropping in at some reliable house which makes a specialty in periodicals, etc. , and there leaving your order for anything you may desire. The oldest and leading representative Bridgeport house in this line of business is that conducted by Plumb & Beardsley, better known perhaps as the Post Office News Room. This establishment was founded in 1859 by Mr. Andrew F. Wales, and afterwards conduct- ed by Mrs. Lucy Wales, succeeded in 1880 by Mr. P. Kane and again in 1885 by the present firm. This house will receive orders and fur- nish all magazines, newspapers, American and foreign, and will guarautee the prompt and regular delivery of the publications ordered through them. The building No 40 Bank street is occupied, and employment is given to twelve assistants. The house aside from its periodical and newspaper trade carry on a very large business in books and stationery, keep all the latest novelties, and are the only house in the city that carry a complete line of Harper Handy Series, Franklin Square, Lovell's, Munroe, Cassell, and Pocket Seasides. The individual members of the firm are Messrs. L. D. Plumb who has had sixteen years' experi ence with the house, formerly with Mrs. Wales and afterwards with Mr. Kane, and thoroughly understands the business in all its details. W. H. Beardsley has conducted successfully the paper agency of the Naugatuck R. R. and through the Naugatuck Valley for many years, therefore they are both well qualified, and are gentlemen of energy, enterprise and experience and highly esteemed throughout the city and surrounding country. J. E. Porter, Dealer in Beef, Veal, Mutton, Hams, Poultry, Vegetables, etc., corner Warren Street and R. R. Avenue. — We have before re- marked upon the character of those enterprises which have done much to promote this city as a trade center. Taking up such industries' in de- tail, however, it becomes necessary to devote a brief space at least to the house of J. E. Porter, which in the meat and vegetable trade occu- pies a prominent position in the commercial community and is entitled to due consideration. This store was established in 1883 by its present proprietor.