The talking machine world (Jan-Dec 1915)

62 THE TALKTNG MACHINE WORLD. TALKING MACHINE BUSINESS EXPANDING IN DETROIT. Heyn's Bazaar Opens Attractive Talking Mach ine Department and Will Handle the Columbia Line — E. K. Andrew Discusses Plans for J. L. Hudson Talking Machine Department Babson Bros. Open for Business — Piano and Talker Dealers Get Together — Other News. (Special to The Talking Machine World.) Detroit, Mich., April 10. — Of the dozen or more talking machine dealers interviewed in the past ten days on trade conditions, there was not a single one who did not report business excellent and increasing. It is a fact there are now very few exclusive dealers in pianos, mostly everybody finding it necessary to add a talking machine department to successfully operate, Not only is the talking machine becoming a feature with dealers of musical instruments, but department stores are finding it a very profitable side 'line. The latest department store to add phonographs is Heyns' Bazaar, on Woodward avenue, Detroit, cue of the oldest institutions and one of the largest in the city. The department is located on the mezzanine balcony overlooking the main floor, being officially opened on Saturday, April 3. The Columbia line exclusively will he handled, both machines and records. This new department is under the management of Philip B. Long, a Columbia man for many years, who has been with the company in Washington and Baltimore. The Hcyns Co. has chosen an excellent spot for this department. The balcony has been partitioned with glass on all sides, and sub-divided into five rooms, one large one and four smaller ones, which will be used for the display of machines and demonstrations. In the rear, against the wall are contained the records. R. J. Keith, of the Talking Machine Co., Chicago, and its representative, George Cheatle, were in the city the last week in March. E. K. Andrew, manager of the J. L.' Hudson talking machine department, said to The World : "Our business is entirely satisfactory; collections are good, and we are naturally optimistic about the balance of the year. We are, of course, anxious to get into our new quarters where we are banking on having the finest talking machine store in the Middle West. One feature of our department in the new building will be a small recital hall, thirty by fifteen feet. We will install a Pathescope moving picture machine and on Saturday mornings will give free picture shows for the benefit of the children. We will use educational, historical and comedy fibns only. We believe this feature will make a hit with the kiddies." As previously announced, the J. L. Hudson Co. some months ago took a long-term lease of the building at 188-190 Woodward avenue, where suitable alterations will be made to house the company's piano, piano player and Victrola departments. The company got possesson April 1 and immediately started to remodel. The building has five floor and basement, each thirty by 100 feet. The Victrola department will be on the first floor, which will be divided into a reception room and eleven demonstration rooms. There will be a mezzanine balcony which will be used for the offices. The main Victrola department will be on the second floor where there will be twelve rooms, displaying all the different kinds of machines. •Over these booths, on a balcony floor, will be kept the reserve stock of all machines. It will take some five or six weeks to remodel and decorate this new building, which means that it will be the middle of May before it will be ready. Music dealers of Detroit some weeks ago got together and practically organized a new association, the old one being a thing of the past. The new association consists of piano dealers, and practically every talking machine dealer is also a member. The constitution and by-laws were revised to take in the talking machine men. The association starts out with new life and with a larger membership than ever before. Arthur H. Howes, of Grinnell Bros., is president; A. E. Trebilcock, of the Detroit Music Co., is first .vice-president ; W. H. Goldblum. of Story & Clark, is second vicepresident: C. A. Guilford, of Crowley, Milner Co., is third vice-president; F. A. D.nnison, manager Columbia Phonograph Co., is secretary, and Wallace Brown, of the Wallace Brown Phonograph Shop, is treasurer. The object of the association is to create harmony and goodfellowship among the dealers and to discuss topics of general interest to all the members of the trade. It wa; generally believed that E. Percy Ashton, who for eighteen years conducted the American Phonograph Co., in Detroit, would find a new location and continue in the business, but about the middle of March he issued an announcement that he would retire from the field April 1, having turned over his accounts to Wallace Brown, of 21 East Grand River avenue. Mr. Ashton was a pioneer in the talking machine business. For years he was located on lower Woodward avenue and about five years ago moved uptown to 252 Woodward avenue. Mr. Ashton did well and made a lot of money. He will now devote his efforts to the real estate business. The balance of Mr. Ashton's Victrola stock was purchased by Grinnell Bros., the Edison cylinder records by Frank Bayley, and the Edison disc records by Wallace Brown. "With us it isn't a question of selling as much as it is a question of getting the goods," said Wallace Brown. "Business itself is fine but the trouble is that we cannot get the goods." Mr. Brown deals only in Edison disc records and machines. He is now operating his business under the style of "Wallace Brown's Phonograph Shop, Edison Diamond Disc Phonographs and Records." Bayley's Music House is now the only Detroit shop handling the Edison cylinder record. The Goodfellowship Club, consisting of male employes only of Grinnell Bros., Detroit, gave its •first annual masquerade at Clark's Dancing Acad Talking Machines, Typewriters, Phono. graphs, Adding Machines, Cash Registers, Guns and Tools and all Polished Instruments. THE FINEST OIL MADE. It absolutely prevents rust. NYOIL now sold everywhere by all hardware and sporting goods men. Large bottle (cheaper to buy) 25c; trial size, 10c. WM. F. NYE, New Bedford, Mass. For polishing varnished woodwork it is extremely satisfactory. No oil is so clean. Jlsk your watch repairer whose oil he uses on your watch. emy, Thursday evening, April 8, to which the ladies were invited. The attendance was about 150. Everybody masked and had an enjoyable time. The committee handling the dance comprised P. W. Guest, chairman ; Howard Minor, jack Read, Joe Gallagher and Julius Weiss. The fact that the 600 or more customers of the American Phonograph Co. will be calling at the Wallace Brown shop to pay their instalments, most of which were for Victor goods, is going to stimulate business for Max Strasburg, who sells the Victor, as he is right on the way to the Brown store. In other words, the patrons who go to the Brown store to pay their bills will pass Mr. Strasburg's store, and being Victor customers and having Victor machines, it is only natural that they will do more or less of their business with Mr. Strasburg. This is a case where Mr. Strasburg will get some extra business without going after it. As previously predicted, Babson Bros., who will job Edison disc records and machines in Michigan, have at last opened for business. They have secured a large portion of the fifth floor of the Liggett building, Gratiot and Farmer streets, Detroit, and have fitted it up to suit the needs of the business. The Michigan business will be in charge of R. B. Ailing, who has been associated with Babson Bros, since they have been a going concern. Mr. Babson will make his home in Detroit. The present location is only for the summer, as it is Mr. Ailing* s intention to keep looking meanwhile for larger quarters. By fall he hopes to have a retail store in operation on one of the main thoroughfares. Locations are, of course, hard to get, especially at a reasonable price. J. H. Heinsman, for ten years with the American Phonograph Co., and very popular throughout the State, will travel in Michigan for Babson Bros., covering the same territory as formerly. Business is good — There's a reason. A trial order will show you. WHY? The goods and the service is the answer. VICTOR and EDISON Distributor RECORD CASES DOME should be in your stock. Holds 20 records. Made in 10" and 12" sizes. Equipped with lock and key. Order samples to-day, with the list of records and that particular style of finish of Victrola you are unable to get elsewhere. The completeness in filling and promptness in shipping your order will convince you we have both goods and service. W. D. Andrews Buffalo, N. Y.