The Grand Opening of Marshall Field's Department Store was BIG! Boys liveried in blue uniforms with brass buttons held open the door for customers in silks and top hats. New steam-powered elevators carried shoppers from floor to floor.
The Retail Floor, the main floor, had counters of walnut, frescoed walls, gas fixtures designed to throw shafts of light on the dazzling displays--of Balmoral petticoats, hoop skirts. In the Cloak Department, one could buy satin and striped silk at $19 per yeard, embroidered silk robes in rose and white $125 rich velvet cloaks lines with sable and a striped plush Bedouin opera cape, trimmed with cords and tassle of gold. Oh, and sealskin cloaks and black and white astrakans.
That's what the ladies could find at Marshall Field's, but what about the gentleman shopper?
Drop by next Tuesday and find out! <g>