CHAPTER XXV.CANDIES AND FLOWERS.
A community’sprosperity is always to be gauged by the amount of money it is able to spend on luxuries. And if candies and flowers are to be classed as luxuries Chicago must be very prosperous indeed, for the city supports a large number of large stores that are devoted to the sale of one or both of these articles.
A high-class florist in these days simply coins money. He ought to do so, with Jacqueminot and La France roses often at $12 a dozen. There are several Chicago florists who are in a fair way to become millionaires. The immediate profits of the candy business are not quite so large, perhaps, but there is less risk. Roses fade in a day, and if they are not bought are a dead loss. The sweet stuff on which the youngladies of the period dote lasts a little longer and is disposed of more readily. Perhaps the best customer of the florist and the candy man alike is the susceptible youth who wishes to make the fair object of his adoration think her best of him, and for that reason bestows gifts of flowers and candy upon her as long as he seems to entertain the ghost of a chance of getting any sort of return for his money. It is the proper caper, if you are an engaged man, to send yourfianceeflowers and candy every day. This is where the profits of the purveyor of these luxuries come in, for, when a marriageable young man gets what is known as “the mitten,” it stands to reason that he is very soon going to find somebody else upon whom to lavish the same gifts so fruitlessly bestowed upon the cruel one. Of course when he actually does marry, the florists and candy men may mark him off their books, for who is so foolish as to suppose a man is going to buy flowers and candy for his own wife? But, while the flower and candy men are apt to deplore marriage on this account, they find comfort in knowing that for every marriage that is taking place there are twenty young men arriving at a marriageable age and thereby taking the place of the rescued victim.
To mention all the florists of Chicago wouldtake up too much space. There are over two hundred of them. It is the fashionable thing nowadays to join the two businesses, having flowers for sale on one side of the shop and candy on the other. This is the case with the Spencer store in the new Masonic Temple building, on State street, at the corner of Randolph. The windows of this store are adorned with rare palms and other handsome plants that prepare one for the beauties to be found within. It is a splendid stand for a store of this character and commands a large patronage. An establishment of a very similar character, and quite as imposing, is the store of P. J. Houswirth (successor to Charles Reissig), in the Auditorium building. It is a convenient place to rush into during an operatic performance in the Auditorium and purchase a $1000 bouquet to fling to a favorite singer. Perhaps the best-known florist in Chicago is Michael H. Gallagher, whose store is located in the Palmer house block, 163 Wabash, and whose greenhouses are at 5649 Washington avenue. Mr Gallagher’s trade is very large. “The superb floral decorations were by Gallagher,” is a familiar phrase in the newspaper reports of weddings, receptions and kindred gala events. Mr. Gallagher is said to have made a large fortune at the business. Among the other prominent down-town florists may be mentioned the following:
Joseph Craig, 84 State street; Charles Fisk, 149 State; Joseph Curran, 242 Wabash avenue; Walter Krintberg, 231 Wabash avenue; J. C. Vaughan, 88 State street (with a branch at 148 West Washington).
Coming to the consideration of candy, confectionery, and fine fruits, the name of Charles Gunther first challenges attention. The Gunther store, 212 State street, is without doubt one of the sights of the city, containing, as it does, in addition to the regular stock-in-trade, the Gunther museum, which the proprietor has spent the best years of his life in collecting. The museum embraces curios of all sorts and some of them are of great value. The entire collection is worth a fabulous amount and there is a well-defined impression abroad that the owner intends to give it to the city some day.
The furnishings of the Gunther store are magnificent. Tall mirrors reflect the customer’s shape at every step. The rear part of two floors is dotted with tables, at which iced drinks, ice cream, and light luncheons are served. Whether with a view of purchase or not, the store will well repay a visit. Gunther’s candy is advertised the country over, and the concern enjoys an enormous out-of-town trade.
The new Berry candy store, at the north-east corner of State and Adams streets, challengesGunther’s for brilliancy. The walls and ceilings are lined throughout with mirrors, set at all angles, and the effect at night when all the electric lamps are in full blaze is one of dazzling brilliancy. The usual soda water fountain and ice cream branch is also to be found here. The store is the head-quarters of John Berry, the proprietor, who, however, has branches at 155 East Madison, and 167, 241, 581 West Madison streets. The factory is on Washington boulevard, corner of Sangamon street.
Huyler’s, 161 State street, is a branch of the famous New York house of that name and enjoys a large patronage. It is a favorite resort for ladies who, tired out with shopping journeys, stand in need of a little refreshment. Plow’s, in the new McVicker’s theatre building, is another popular store. On matinee days especially it is crowded with purchasers. Boles & Kehoe, in Central Music Hall, claim that their candy is equal to the best, and to judge by the size of their trade the claim is well founded. The Kranz store, on the opposite side of the street, is particularly gorgeous in its furnishings, and its refreshment tables, as well as its counters, are always crowded.
There are many others that might be mentioned.The candy purveyors of Chicago number over a thousand, and no one who is in need of a package of the toothsome stuff need go away disappointed.