The Fair Store

The Bisbee Daily Review, 22 Feb 1902, Page 1

Transcribed by Jean Walker

Leading Pursuits

The Fair ---Frankenberg

Brothers and

Newman

Extensive Wholesale and Retail Business Suddenly Sprung Up from Small Beginning as the Result Of Business Acumen

One of the leading firms of Bisbee which is doing an extensive and daily growing business, which carries a complete and entirely first-class line of every branch of the numerous departments, is the house of general merchandise commonly known as the Fair. From slender proportions of a few years ago, when the senior member of the firm launched the nucleus of the present business this enterprise has swiftly leaped forward in a presumably short period until it has become one of the leading business firms of the southwest.

Less than four years ago Mr. Ben Frankenberg began business in a little 15x20 room on Brewery avenue which was soon found to be entirely inadequate, when in October of 1899 he moved into the building then known as the Costello building, which is the location of the present firm of Frankenberg Bros. and Newman. But the business soon outgrew these quarters, and in December, 1900, the adjoining room was taken in, giving the company large, commodious compartments, which it now owns. In addition to this, the company has a large 36x80 ware-room being constantly filled. The double store building is heavily stocked, having passages leading from one department to another in an entirely metropolitan manner.

Under the able management of Mr. Ben Frankenberg the business has arrived at its present magnitude.

The dry goods department is one of the departments of which the company feels a source of much satisfaction. A mere glance around gives the customer an idea of the extent of this essential line. Miss Nellie Burney, formerly in charge of the department in one of the leading Chicago houses, oversees this department. Miss Agnes Hallinan, lately from New York city, has charge of the notion and underwear department, having had extensive experience is eminently qualified. The artistic work of decorating is done by C. J. Gainsley, of Detroit, Mich., whom the management was especially fortunate in securing. The complete stock of millinery and furnishing materials for this particular line is one of the biggest in the territory.

One of the features of this extensive business is the elegant line of clothing and gents’ furnishing goods and hats. No firm takes more care in obtaining goods for this especial branch than the Fair. Besides the excellent assortment of clothing they keep continually in stock a department of the best known line of hats. The Knox stiff and dress hat and the extensively used Stetson soft hat are always found here.

The shoe department of the Fair is one of the branches that the management particularly prides itself upon. One entire side of the store is devoted to neatly arranged boxes which are carefully placed seemingly without a crevice. New grades of shoes of the latest styles are every day augmenting the shoe stock. Men’s high grade shoes all come from Johnson & Murphy of Newark, N.J. The walkover is one of the medium grades for men. The fine and elegant ladies’ shoes for the most part come from the famous Grew, Selby & Co. Shoe company. Iaace Ferris and the Star Shoe company, both well known, furnish the Fair with children’s shoes.

Mr. Sam Frankenberg has entire charge of the men’s furnishing goods, clothing, shoes and carpets.

The system employed by the Fair is eminently simple and entirely efficient. It is so arranged that business goes off like clock work and without a hitch. There are twelve connected with the Fair and a bookkeeper is now on his way to take entire charge of the books.

Mr. Newman entered partnership with Frankenburg Brothers in 1901, making a strong member of the company. Mr. Newman is interested in a general merchandise store of Colorado, carrying from $50,0000 to $75,000 worth of stock the year around. He was many years ago in New Mexico when the celebrated Prairie Schooner cases grew up which raises a pretty point in the history of the southwest. The English owned an extensive grant of Territory which they were desirous of unloading and the story of the Prairie Schooner soon floated to the ears of Holland which the Dutch interpreted as being great ships bearing their cargoes of freight. They were furthermore informed by the English that they received great revinues (sic) from this particular branch of the industry. This tickled the fancy of the Dutchman and he grabbed at the chance. A little later when he found that the prairie schooner was simply a white topped wagon drawn by a lean pair of oxen and carried a few adventurous pioneers looking for homes, they were like the Indian who wanted to trade back.

Mr. Ben Frankenberg, the manager of the concern under whose supervision the institution has grown, came west some ten years ago. He was formally in the employ of Marshal Field & Co. in their famous dress goods department and later in the Mandell Brothers in the linen department. After coming west Mr. Frankenberg was general manager and advertising agent for four years for Newman and Mendleson at Raton, New Mexico, then one of the largest concerns in the west. After that he represented a Chicago house in Arizona and New Mexico and later established the Fair, first as sole proprietor, then as Frankenberg Bros and then as Frankenberg Bros. and Newman. Personally Mr. Newman is an excellent and thorough business man and enjoys the confidence of a broad and growing patronage.

The Fair does an extensive wholesale business throughout Arizona and New Mexico in addition to the extensive retail trade. The excellent stock in trade the management of the enterprise and efficient assistance in the several departments, all unite to make the Fair one of the most successful business institutions in the Territory of Arizona. Mr. Sam Frankenberg is in the east now buying an extensive supply of spring goods for the gents furnishing and clothing department with Mr. Newman who is buying for the dry department. The Fair will soon have the largest stock of its history.

Modern Emporium      NEW OWNERS

Note: The Fair store is located at 37 Main Street in old Bisbee and currently houses The Bisbee Restoration Museum, which is open to the public.

USGENWEB NOTICE: These electronic pages may NOT be reproduced in any format for profit or presentation by any other organization or persons. Persons or organizations desiring to use this material must obtain written consent of the archivist or submitter.

---