Ackmans and Co, Smith Street, Fitzroy, C.1900
Weekly Times 26 May 1900
The accompanying sketch will give
some Idea of the business premises owned and occupied by Messrs H. Ackman and Co., of 243, 245, 247 Smith street, Fitzroy.
In no portion of the Southern Hemisphere, perhaps, has such wonderful progress been made in any business as in the case of the one under review. Established some 25 years ago by the late Mr H. Ackman, it has been conducted as a furniture establishment ever since, every year seeing some addition in the way of building to meet the constant expansion of trade, until at the present time it may be cited as one of the largest furniture warehouses on this side of the globe. The business is contained in a brick structure of four stories, the principal frontage in Smith street being 60 feet, while it has a depth along Hodgson street of 156 feet, the total floor space being no less than 37,440 square feet.
Entering by the main door in Smith
street, and to the left of entrance, is the ironmongery department. Here are to be found all the necessary articles for kitchen use, while great attention has been paid to the selection and stocking of electroplated ware, in the shape of articles both useful and ornamental, and suitable for cottage or mansion. Lamps and lampware, brush and tinware, also a varied assortment of marble, wood and other clocks, go to complete this branch of the business.
To the right are the china and glass
departments, where one can make a selection of earthen cups and saucers of the common order to the most beautiful and chaste designs in Royal Worcester, Crown Derby, and other wares. In fact, it appears to be the aim of Messrs Ackman and Co. right through their warehouse to cater for all classes of trade, and the variety and extent of their stock should enable them to do so. In the course of our visit we were specially interested in this department, in viewing, the different patterns and unique designs of the many fine examples of high-class pottery exhibited, and the arrangement by which their customers are enabled to see at a glance all the varied articles displayed impressed us as being excellent. Continuing along the ground floor we come to the fancy and toy department.
Here also can be found in great assortment articles of decoration and usefulness for the household, such as fire-screens, artificial flowers, photo frames, and albums, purses, satchels, etc. Want of space prevents us from enumerating all the articles for sale in this department, but we must not forget to mention that here the little ones are also catered for, and such delights as rocking-horses, wheel barrows, bats and balls, etc., are sufficient to make their young hearts joyful.
On the same floor at the extremity of
the building is one of the finest shows of carpets and floor coverings in the city.
Not only is the lighting all that could be desired in the selection of the delicate patterns in velvet-pile Axminster, and Brussels carpets, but the room for the display of same is spacious. Curtains, blankets and bed and table napery are here also to be seen, together with art furnishings in the way of bed hangings and accessories.
Ascending the stairs we find ourselves in the first show room, containing bedsteads in endless variety, several examples of which are worthy of a place in any exhibition, being beautifully treated in art enamels and inlaid with pearl. On the same floor are to be seen drawing room suites in brocatelle, plush, stamped velvet, etc., and bedroom suites in walnut, mahogany, ash, maple, etc.
The next floor is devoted to dining room and office furniture, and here also are the more necessary articles for every-day use in the shape of kitchen tables, dressers, etc., and the ordinary bedroom requisites, such as dressing tables, washstands, toilet ware, etc.
Continuing our journey we reach the
top department, which is used as a bulkstore, from which the firm draw their supplies of every conceivable article required in household furnishing. Case upon case are here stored, and if they were breadstuffs, instead of furniture, one would be inclined to think that Messr.
Ackman and Co. had laid in a supply to withstand a siege equal to that of Mafeking or Ladysmith.
Our pleasant visit was brought to a
conclusion by our being conducted to a "look-out" on the roof. From here a splendid view can be obtained of the city and its environs for many miles around, and on a clear day the sea can be clearly discerned on the one side, while views of the outlying mountains and of the various factories situated in distant suburbs are clearly visible.
The firm have a reputation for being
specially courteous to all, whether they be patrons or visitors, and we are certain that none will be more ready to make a visit to their establishment bothpleasant and profitable than Messrs Ackman and Co.