S.H. Heironimus Faced With Rapidly Moving World In Time Since Inception
From the 1938 centennial edition of The Times-Register
Great oaks from little acorns grow. The truth of this adage is proved by the growth of the S.H. Heironimus company which started in 1890 in the small two story building which is shown in the accompanying picture. That building which was located near the southeast corner of 206 Second St., S.W., was razed about four years ago and is now but a memory but it was the foundation of a great department store. Like many other successful mercantile firms the Heironimus company started out in a small way and built substantially year by year.
Just what kind of merchandise was displayed in the window at that time is not clear from the early photograph. A little imagination is needed to picture the merchandise of that time for that was an era when styles were far different from what they are today. Derby hats were popular and the gay young blades wore fancy vests. In those days a young man who had a flare for a flashy appearance selected a vest that fairly screamed with color. High, stiff collars were in style as were bright and shiny patent leather shoes. Women wore long dresses with plenty of ruffles and when such styles were discarded the amount of cloth in a dress was shortened so much that the textile business suffered greatly. Wide hats adorned the heads of my lady and large feathers in them were not uncommon. Lest we forget it should be mentioned that bustles were used to make figures appear unduly plump.
Keep Ahead In Styles
These were the styles that the Heironimus company furnished to the grandfathers and grandmothers of the young people of today. In the years that followed this firm served the fathers and mothers of the present generation and today the present generation patronize the Heironimus store as an institution that has proved its worth. When styles changed this firm always kept in the lead with the newest lines of reliable merchandise. Their steady growth is the best testimonial of their ability to meet changing conditions.
It will be seen that the store which was used in 1900 was a bigger and better store than the one in which the firm started. Here the Heironimus company continued to do business for about fifteen years but in 1915 their business had outgrown these quarters and it was necessary to move the Church avenue building.
Today the Heironimus company occupies spacious and commodius quarters at Campbell avenue and First street, S.W., and when this building was remodeled for a modern department store convenience for the customer was foremost in the minds of the owners.
The New Store
The interior of the new store that was almost rebuilt in 1935 presents a most attractive appearance. The lighting effects are one of the main features with approximately seventeen and one-half miles of copper wire used in the building. Much electric equipment is used throughout the building as the elevators are operated by electricity and even the awnings are raised and lowered electrically. The store is modern in every respect.
Such equipment and such furnishings as the customer sees in the present quarters marks a great contrast to the first store of the firm. This establishment was grown because of the fact that a firm foundation was laid. Looking ahead the founders realized that to be successful a firm had to realize that they were not in business for today or tomorrow but for the years to come.
This firm is still marching ahead under the able management of Robert L. Lynn, Jr., and there seems to be little doubt but that as much progress will be made in the future as has been made in the past.
– Prepared by Lingjie Gu
