Leading Business Men of Fairfield County

The products of this factory rank among the best goods on the market, and are in great de- mand. They are made from superior selected and well seasoned timber by the best skilled workmen, which makes them durable and popular with those who use them. All kinds of Carriages, Buggies, Wagons, etc., are the products of the factory, and are made to order when desired. Their repository is always filled with a handsome array of fine vehicles. The factory consists of a three-story building 30x100 feet in dimensions, where are employed twelve or more experienced hands in the several departments. The "Phoenix Company" was established in 1850, and is therefore one of the oldest carriage manufactories in this section. Mr. JohnB. Reed, who has charge of the business, is an enterpris- ing and energetic gentleman, thoroughly ac- quainted with all the details of the business, aud one of Stamford's most esteemed citizens. • Allen, Smith & Co., Dealers in Fancy Dress Goods, Trimmings and Notions, Oilcloths, etc., No. 26 Atlantic Square. — Though but recently established this house bids fair, ere long, to rival its contemporaries. It was originated in July, 1886, by the present firm, and has built up an extensive trade rapidly. Being well experienced in the wants of the pub- lic and making their prices as low as anv like house in town, they have at once established con- fidence throughout the community. Tbe store occupied is 22x70 feet in dimensions, and contains a full and complete stock of fancy Dress Goods, Trimmings and Notions, also Oil- cloths, etc. They occupy one of the most eligi- ble and central locations, being at No. 26 Atlan- tic Square, and their stock contains no shop- worn goods as only new goods will be found upon their counters. Several experienced clerks are employed, and customers are shown every attention possible. The individual members of the firm are Messrs. Frank R. Allen and Alf. E. Smith, both young men, are natives of Stamford, and well and fav- orably known throughout the community. We feel assured that they have every prospect of a brilliant future before them, as they give every attention to even the smallest details of the busi- ness, and being energetic, far-seeing and capable, are bound to meet with success. 168 LEADING BUSINESS MEN OF STAMFORD. Stamford China Store. Ayres Brothers. Cash Jobbers in Foreign and Domestic China and Glass, Cutlery, Stoneware, etc., Atlantic Square, opposite the Post Office. — One of the representative business houses of Stamford, and one 'which by the extent of its operations and the signal ability with which it is conducted would do credit to a city of much greater popu- lation and pretension. is that known as the Stam- ford China Store, located in Atlantic square, op- posite the Post Office, and conducted by Messrs. E. M., H. M., and B. M. Ayres, under the firm- name of Ayers Brothers. Although established but eight years, the transactions of this firm have reached, as before stated, imposing propor- tions, and this desirable state of affairs is not by any means due to luck or chance, but is the legitimate and inevitable outcome of the fore- sight and discriminating energy which have marked the firm's career. Both a wholesale and retail business is done and 2*^ floors, each 18x20 feet, are fully occupied by the enormous and varied stock on hand. Foreign and Domestic China and Glassware of all descriptions is on hand as is also a full line of Cutlery, Stoneware, Agate, Majolica and Rockingham Ware. Bird Cages, Feather Dusters, Solid and Plated Silver- ware, Tinware, Fruit jars. etc. A specialty is made of Lamps and Lamp Fixtures. These goods are all offered at factory prices and are full}' warranted. Employment is given to six salesmen and customers are assured prompt and courteous attention. J. K. Lawrence & Co., Pharmacists. — A most elegantly fitted up pharmaceutical establishment which is a great favorite with residents of Stam- ford, is that so ably conducted by Messrs. J. K. Lawrence & Co. Finished in hard-wood through- out, the store presents a most beautiful and at- tractive appearance, the stock being displayed to excellent advantage, and neatness and order reigning supreme. The firm is made up of Messrs. J. K. and C. W. Lawrence, and began business three years ago. The store occupied is of the dimensions of 18x90 feet, and contains a very large and com- plete stock of Drugs, Medicines, Chemicals, Fancy Goods, Choice Cigars, Confectionery, etc., especially excelling in the latter department, as the Messrs. Lawrence are agents for Wallace & Company's justly celebrated Chocolates and Bon-bons. A large assortment of fresh, pure and desirable Drugs and Chemicals is constantly carried, and physicians' prescriptions will be filled at all hours with the utmost care, skill and promptitude. Every precaution is taken to en- sure against errors of any kind, and orders of this nature are filled at very reasonable rates. Many elegant novelties in Fancy Goods are shown, and those who wish to replenish their supply of toilet articles will find everything needful at this popular establishment. This firm is known near and far for its Soda Water and Ice Cream Soda, which is a specialty. The magnificent fountain apparatus, etc., cost $2,500. They manufacture their own Soda, and use only purest fruit syrups. During the summer sea- son two clerks are kept busy attending to the fountain alone. Franklin House, Cottage Place, near R. R_ Depot, Fred. Berg, Proprietor. — Experience will do wonders to smooth and make easy any under- taking or pursuit, and certainly, traveling is no exception to the rule, some even going so far as to say that by the time a man learns how to travel properly, he is too old to leave home at all, but however this may be, there can be no doubt that one of the fundamental rules of com- fortable traveling is to know how and where to find the best hotels. It is by no means always the most pretentious or high-priced houses that are the most desirable or home-like, and a conspicuous example of this truth may be found in the case of the Franklin House, of which Mr. Fred Berg is the proprietor, located on Cottage Place, convenient to the rail- road depot. Although the terms of this es- tablishment are but $1 per day, the accommoda- tions for both transient and weekly boarders are eminently comfortable and complete. Mr. Berg opened this hotel, which is four stories in height and 40x80 feet in dimensions, four j'ears ago, and early established a reputation for unremitting efforts to please and satisfy his- guests. He does a large business and fully de- serves his success, as it is but the legitimate re- sult of his liberal management and fair treatment. L. B. Gaylor & Co., Dealer in Foreign and Domestic Dry Goods, Notions, Fancy Goods, Etc., Washington Place. — Among the foremost dry goods houses in Stamford is that of L. B. Gaylor & Co., located on Washington place. Mr. Gaylor established this business four years ago, and has met with marked success, being a gentleman of unusual business ability, besides paying strict attention to the wants .of the public, he bids fair to rival his contemporaries in the future. His store is finely situated, is light and airy, and occupies two floors 20x80 feet each in dimen>ions. Filled with the most tempting dis- plays, it is the delight of the fair sex to wander around among the piles of foreign and domestic goods, counters of notions, fancy goods, etc. Six attentive assistants are employed, who are ever ready to wait upon customers in an intelli- gent and courteous manner. Mr. Gaylor is a gentleman of exceptionally fine taste, and as he personally selects his stock, only the latest fash- ions and the choicest goods are to be found in his establishment. Mr. Gaylor is a native of Stamford, and has hosts of friends and acquaintances throughout this section. Business has been very satisfactory so far, and the future is very promising. We advise all who have not already done so to give Mr. Gaylor a call, and we feel assured they will be satisfied with both his selections as well as prices. S. Adams, Clothier, 89 Main Street — Travel- ers in this country from foreign lands, however much else they may see to admire, always find time to notice and to express their surprise at the well-dressed condition of the people here as a whole. There is no such attention paid to the wants of the people by clothiers abroad, as there- is here, where the competition amoug those en- gaged in the business is so keen that $2.00 is. more often made on suit of clothes than $5.00 LEADING BUSINESS MEN OF STAMFORD. 169 and where most of the dealers helieve it is better to sell a large quantity at a small profit than a small amount at a large profit. The Clothing business is so arranged now that dwellers in the metropolis have no advantage whatever over those living in the surrounding smaller cities in the matter of purchasing clothing. It is a well known saying, and one of no small amount of credence that " the clothes make the man." But they must be good clothes, however, which is quite another thing, and the trouble is now-a-days to find an establishment where gar- ments suitable for the outer covering of a gentle- man are made of good, honest material, which are of fashionable style, perfect fit, and last, but by no means least, at a reasonable outlay. Among ladies the belief exists that in the largest stores with large show-windows, and situated on a main thoroughfare, the " best" goods are to be had. They do not but believe that goods are made for them only, although a smaller establishment buys their articles from (he same sources, and by employing less help and the rent of course is considerably less, these smaller stores not exac'ly located on the fashionable main street, can sell the goods at least one-third less. This belief is nevertheless commenc- ing to vanish, and the fair sex is now as full of business thoughts as the stronger sex.