A FINE HARDWARE STORE: RAPID GROWTH OF TAYLOR & CROW’S BUSINESS

Three Floors and a Basement Filled with Goods-Convenient Premises-An Enterprising Firm

[Welland Telegraph. 1 May 1891]

In 1886 when the firm of Taylor & Crow was established, the firm did a grocery and hardware business, dealing more largely in the former than in the latter. In the fall of the same year Mr. J.B. Taylor, whose interest in the business had been purchased by Mr. Crow, was again admitted into the firm, and though it consisted of three members, the business was transacted under the name of Taylor & Crow. In the spring of 1888, Mr. J.B. Taylor went out and the business was divided, the retiring member taking the groceries, and Messrs. Taylor & Crow devoting their energies and store space to an exclusive hardware trade.

Both members of the firm were young men, endowed with plenty of energy, enterprise and ambition. Careful attention to the trade, judicious buying, the proper amount and right kind of advertising have been the factors of success, and step by step the firm has advanced in the business arena, until today it is classed as one of the most honorable and substantial in the Niagara district.

In the spring of 1890 the stove and tin ware business of Mr. B. Chambers was acquired, and the dealings of the firm extended to a wider range of customers.

To accommodate the rapidly increasing trade, their premises were too small, consequently the establishment required remodeling, and the alterations and extensions required have just been completed. The large basement is devoted to the storage of rope, wire fencing, oils, nails and glass. Of nails they carry a very heavy stock, receiving consignments of several car loads. Glass is imported direct from Belgium, a great deal of room is required for the storage of the immense stock they carry. On the ground floor is the general show room, and retail part of the premises, where almost every small article known to the hardware trade is kept. In the rear of the basement and retail store is the iron house, well stocked with bar irons of all sizes. On the second floor the front part is used as a show room for stoves and tinware, which stock is kept full at all times, and some of the finest stoves manufactured are there displayed. In the rear of the stove room is the work shop, with a good force of tinsmiths constantly employed. Eavetroughing and roofing being a branch of business extensively looked after by the firm, there is always plenty of work for the employees either outside or in the shop. Up on the third floor the space is used for storage of lighter articles, and just now the whole room is occupied with surplus stock.

An elevator runs from the basement to the top floor, so that transportation of goods up or down is accomplished with the utmost ease and convenience. Every department is well arranged, and there is no delay in filling orders for the ever increasing army of customers which patronize the firm.

The establishment is one which would be a credit to any town of much larger size than Welland, and it is a satisfaction to people to know that their every want in the hardware line can be supplied at home.