New England's Largest Retail Store Jordan Marsh Growth
Jordan Marsh Company occupies twenty four acres of floor space across two buildings, expanding from 4000 square feet in 1851 to 1 100 000 in 1912, earning the title The Mercantile Heart of New England. The third floor of the new building houses All the Year Round Toy Store with the Doll Parlor, music, sporting goods and trunks.
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
New England
Boston Common
Jordan Marsh Company
United States
Boston
Jordan Marsh Co Guarantee Backed by Broad Trust in New England
The Jordan Marsh Company has earned a years long reputation in New England for reliable goods and guaranteed satisfaction. Shoppers say the store stands behind its guarantees with prompt remedy and little quibbling.
Boston store debuts largest eight station branch exchange
The eight station branch exchange is the largest in Boston with 26 pay stations across two buildings. It includes 145 connections to departments and 45 trunk lines. Oxford 3200 is never line busy and is available day or night through the Telephone System Carriage Entrance.
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
Boston
Oxford 3200
Rise of the Jordan Marsh Company From Danville Boy to Boston Store
D. Jordan, a poverty stricken Danville Maine youth, moved to Boston to work as an errand boy. He started a one room dry goods shop on Hanover street in 1841, then formed Jordan & Marsh in 1851 at 129 Milk street. The business grew into jobbing wholesale goods before adding a retail branch in 1861 on Washington street. By 1894 the retail side surpassed the jobbing operation as the Main Store expanded on Washington and Avon streets.
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
D. Jordan
Danville
Boston
Hanover Street
Jordan & Marsh
Milk Street
Jordan Marsh Company
Washington Street
Avon Street
Washington
Avon Streets
Growth and Expansion of Local Furniture Store
The furniture business outgrew space prompting an Annex later named the Furniture Building on Avon Chauncy and Bedford streets. Construction of the nine story New Building with two basements began in 1909 and completed in 1911. The Main Store was remodeled to create broad aisles and expanded departments in the New Building.
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
Avon, Chauncy
Bedford Streets
Jordan Marsh Basement Store Sets New New England Record
The Jordan Marsh Company Basement Store opened in March 1910 and within two and a half years has become a major retail success. Marketed as a store within a store, it offers bargain weekly lots and a steady line of popular priced goods, driving significant business in the region.
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
New England
Jordan Marsh Company
Luxurious Interiors Elevate Store With Mahogany Fixtures
The counters and fixtures are mahogany and custom made for each section. Large electric display cases showcase merchandise with modern lighting. The refined interior is enhanced by over 40,000 yards of green Wilton carpet, creating upscale ambiance for shoppers.
Store Layout Distinguishes Goods in Main and New Buildings
To aid shoppers the dry goods dress accessories and apparel for all ages are in the Main Store while the house furnishings and fancy goods are housed in the New Building.
Women’s Accessories Listed in New Printing Catalog
A catalog features items for women including neckwear umbrellas veils ribbons gloves handkerchiefs laces trimmings braids buttons smallwares belts paper patterns linings wash goods dress goods and silks to aid garment makers and shoppers.
Men's Store Showcases Latest European American Apparel
On the Street Floor near the Summer Street Entrance the Men's Store presents a distinct display of shirts gloves furnishings hosiery underwear shoes hats clothing and automobile apparel.
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
Summer Street
Europe
America
Fashionable women's outer apparel on display in New England
Eight buyers from this floor traveled to Europe last summer to source the finest garments for an upcoming showing in New England. The collection includes coats suits costumes furs skirts waists and both trimmed and untrimmed millinery.
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
Europe
New England
Floor plan highlights children and women wear on third floor
On the Third Floor of the Main Store a complete display of Boys, Misses, Girls and Infants wear is arranged in large separate sections. The area also features House Dresses, Kimonos, Negligees, Art Embroidery and Women’s Shoes, all grouped to save parents trips between floors.
Great White Floor Exalts Domestic and French Underwear Stock
A vivid notice extols the Great White Floor with vast stocks of domestic and French underwear, corsets, knit wear, hosiery, sweaters, plus linen, linens and bed clothing. It highlights large counters and cases filled with linens, embroideries, flannels, and cottons as a wondrous merchandise collection.
New Building Street Floor Offers Jewelry and Gifts
A bright display announces a new building street floor featuring jewelry silverware cutlery optical goods stationery toilet goods leather goods luggage clocks and books for shoppers seeking a wide assortment.
Second Floor Showcases World’s Largest Salesroom
The new building features a second floor labeled the largest salesroom of its kind in the world with bright airy aisles and extensive stock of kitchen utensils hardware bathroom supplies baskets and brass goods on display rather than stored in a basement.
Brilliant display of fine china lamps and art glass
A brilliant gathering of handsome china cut glass lamps and pictures is shown in a premier store setting. The collection is described as a revelation to New England, underscoring the quality and breadth of the stock on view.
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
New England
Remark on Fifth Floor Rugs at Jordan Marsh
A Boston man praised the Fifth Floor display at Jordan Marsh Company noting he has traveled widely and never seen a finer stock of Oriental and Domestic Rugs Carpets Mattings and Linoleums. The firm is described as doing an enormous business in this line.
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
Boston
Jordan Marsh Company
Lace Curtains and Upholsteries On Display
A display of imported and domestic lace curtains and a complete line of upholsteries is open for inspection on this floor. The office of interior decorating is also available for consultation.
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
Office of Interior Decorating
New Building Displays Eight Floors of High Grade Furniture
The New Building will house eight floors and two overflow levels to display a stock of high grade furniture. A special feature highlights Period Furniture and the August and February Furniture Sales are well known to the New England public.
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
New England
Furnished Suite of Rooms Inspires New Home Decor
A store presents a furnished suite of rooms featuring distinct decoration schemes. The rooms are refurnished entirely in spring and fall each year, drawing thousands of visitors who gain valuable ideas for decorating their homes.
New England stores lead in sending buyers abroad
The passage praises New England stores for sending a greater number of buyers abroad than all other region stores combined and more than any single store in the country. It emphasizes pride in offering the finest merchandise to customers and highlights regional achievement.
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
New England
Interior Decorating Corps Offers Free Home Makeovers
A corps of experienced interior decorators provides planning and furnishing services at no charge. Their expertise has shaped harmonious schemes for mansions and public buildings across New England, yielding noted results and beautiful spaces.
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
New England
Antiquities Showcased From England to Scotland Gathered
A large collection of antiquities and objects of virtue from England France Brittany Holland and Scotland is displayed. Curators spent two years assembling pieces including tapestries furniture armor weapons spinning wheels pictures silver copper and gold and many other items.
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
England
France
Brittany
Holland
Scotland
Inside the Buildings Are Numerous Workrooms and Stock Rooms
In many parts of both buildings are situated workrooms of different kinds, engine rooms, receiving rooms and stock rooms.
Main Store Fur Storage and Manufacturing Office
The second floor houses the Office and Cold Storage where customers store furs rugs woolen wear at low charges. Goods hang on pegs or sit in bins with dry circulating air at correct temperature. A large assortment of skins trimmings is on hand and custom fur work is done extensively. The shop also does a thriving fur repair business with modern machinery and expert staff.
Modern shipping room drives speedy city deliveries
The New Building houses a sub-basement shipping room serving as a model for department stores. Individual bundle desks and cashiers reduce delays while spiral chutes and moving belts route parcels to central stations and correct bins. An all night packing service enhances the store's delivery efficiency.
Large South Boston Storehouse details and stables
A large storehouse in South Boston spans 120000 square feet on a five story structure on Harrison avenue. It houses horses delivery wagons and auto trucks used for operations and transport.
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
Boston
Harrison Avenue
The Store at Night Keeps Watch and Cleans Deep
A dozen night watchmen patrol the property, each visiting various stations during rounds. A large cleaning staff washes floors removes rubbish and vacuums carpets powered by a special engine in the sub basement. Morning reveals remarkable overall cleanliness praised by many.
Jordan Marsh Sets Buying Strategy From Europe
Being the largest retail store in New England Jordan Marsh Company acts as a major buyer of merchandise. It prioritizes American manufacturers but acknowledges European excellence in finer goods and sends about six buyers to Europe annually to obtain top selections for New England customers.
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
New England
Jordan Marsh Company
Europe
Jordan Marsh Store Upholds Boss Customer Ethic
In this store the customer is boss and sales staff are trained to ensure no customer leaves dissatisfied. The Jordan Marsh Spirit defines strict service standards and accountability for all employees.
Postal Telegraph Office at Main Store Branch
At the foot of the Main Stairway on the Street Floor of the Main Store lies the branch Postal Telegraph and Cable Company office. Messages can be sent worldwide and a regular messenger bay service is available if desired.
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
Postal Telegraph & Cable Company
Elegant parlors and rest rooms in flagship Boston store
Beautiful spacious parlors on the Fourth Floor and rest rooms on the Seventh Floor of the New Building offer writing materials daily newspapers periodicals checkrooms lavatories and every convenience. A popular meeting place for the ladies of Boston and vicinity.
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
Boston
Store Atmosphere Highlighted As Homelike And Easy
A store touts its rare homelike atmosphere and readiness to assist customers. Sales personnel pledge polite, compliant service for any information requests, claiming no other U S store matches its easy environment.
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
United States
Value to the Community from the Modern Department Store
The up-to-date department store groups goods from around the world in a single convenient space. Large purchases enable low prices, lowering the cost of living. The store educates the public by letting people explore and view global handiwork and the latest ideas from bright minds.
Downtown Boston Store Reaches for Customer Comfort
The store employs every practicable method to enhance the shopping tour for customers. It ensures the comfort and well-being of all visitors to the fullest extent, presenting itself as the downtown house of the Boston shopping public.
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
Boston
Till Book System Streamlines Multi Purchase Checkout
A shopper may obtain a Till Book from a floor supervisor to record multiple purchases during a single store trip. Bundles are grouped in the book and presented at the Transfer Desk for payment, simplifying the final checkout process.
Post Office Substation Ad For Stamps and Mail Services
A regular sub station of the Boston Main Store offers stamps in any quantity or denomination postal cards and stamped envelopes. Registers letters and sells special delivery privileges. Carrier collections are made every hour.
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
Boston
Private sick rooms with nurse care in the store
The Fourth Floor main store and the Seventh Floor in the New Building offer well equipped sick rooms adjoining the women's parlors. In these rooms customers can be attended by a trained nurse with hospital experience and medical attendance can be arranged within minutes.
Personal shoppers offer attentive mail order service
Mail order customers may rely on personal attention from experienced shoppers who select the goods ordered. This tailored service is used by thousands of customers even when they are away from the city.
Lost and Found Items Recovered by Honest Store Employees
Items valued in the thousands of dollars were found by store employees and returned to owners. The Lost and Found Office is in the Basement of the Main Store, reflecting the honesty of staff.
Bureau of Adjustment Handles Customer Complaints
In the Basement Main Store, the Bureau of Adjustment handles delays and mistakes in customer transactions and arranges matters in a satisfactory and expeditious manner.
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
Bureau of Adjustment
Clergy Reception Office on Second Floor Main Store
An office for reception of clergymen and religious representatives is located on the second floor of the main store. Competent attendants offer experienced guidance on arioleg selection and delivery.
Efficient Crowd Handling at Major Holiday Events
A description of procedures and practices that enable fast and courteous service for large holiday crowds. Emphasizes organization, staffing, and customer flow to reduce wait times and improve visitor experience during peak periods.
Jordan Marsh Company staff praised for training and growth
The army of employees of Jordan Marsh Company form one of the finest bodies of its kind in the country. They are all carefully chosen and trained in the system peculiar to that organization. Each individual is considered one of the store family and is given opportunity to obtain knowledge and experience in any branch, the house supplying the ideas and teaching every minute detail of the business. The constant growth of the capacity of each individual and the efficiency of the organization as a whole show strikingly the effects of this plan.
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
Jordan Marsh Company
Salesmanship School trains store employees for service
Every employee completes a course in the Salesmanship School under competent teachers before starting work. Advanced classes are offered with lectures by various authorities on department store work. A well trained, polite, efficient staff is a major asset and is appreciated by customers.
Promotion Policy From Within The Store
The policy favors filling trusted roles from long time employees raised in the business. It argues strict work, section mastery, and steady attention lead to promotion and higher pay. It notes buyers and executives largely grew up in the store from youth, a pattern echoed across staff.
From office boy up in a great store careers rise
A brief editorial urges young men to begin in lower store positions and strive upward to shape their own future within the firm. It touts steady climb, self improvement, and long term opportunity as the path to success.
Employee Suggestions Prompt Store Improvement
A store offers a one dollar prize to any employee whose suggestion for improving service is adopted by the firm. The program ensures even low level staff have direct access to officers, keeping management close to workers to drive customer benefits and improvements.
Mutual Aid Association Benefits Respect Employee Fund
A mutual insurance society governed by its employees has paid out over 40000 in sickness and death benefits during its seven years of operation. The group provides member benefits derived from employee contributions and governance.
Employee comforts in store facilities and health services
Spacious dining rooms offer wholesome, cost meals from the store kitchens. A large rest room houses a 6000 volume library. Each building includes a sick room with a trained nurse on duty and free physician consultations each morning.
Mutual Aid Association Field Days and Dances
Every year employees hold family outings and dances to raise funds for especially needy cases brought before the board. Social events strengthen bonds among workers and support the association’s charity efforts.
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
Board of Government
The
Mutual Aid Association
Store Topics Magazine Description From Employee Publication
Store Topics is a monthly employee magazine featuring personal experiences useful advice on store service and other beneficial matters. It is popular with workers who eagerly await its 30 day publication cycle.
Christmas Gifts and Summer Vacation for House Employees
The house gives money gifts to all employees during Christmas. Sales staff receive a December bonus based on sales from December 1 to 24. The store closes at usual hours during holidays. Employees with a year or more of service get two weeks paid vacation each summer, including younger workers.
Representative Marsh Company Shines as New England’s Leading Store
The text extols a Boston founded New England merchant, celebrating 61 years of growth and a worldwide reputation for reliability and fair dealing. It claims the store leads New England and ranks among the world’s great stores, praised by travelers and locals alike as a symbol of Boston’s Marsh Company.
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
New England
Boston
Marsh Company
Toes
Jordan
Also Mentioned on This Page
Sid
Miresa
Nashua
Pittsfield
Burlington
Massa
Hse
Springfield
Rutland
New Haven
Brattleb
Yseae
KEENE
Eo Fitchburg
Igu
Manchester
Washington and
Concord
Maine
ST. Albans
Postoffice
Bureau
This is just the beginning! Our collection holds over 300 years of history, including rare newspapers, obituaries, marriage records, birth records, and so much more—most of which you won’t find anywhere else!