Page 204 - One Thousand Ways to Make $1000

in the center of Denver’s most popular downtown section. A lease was
secured on an eight-foot-wide store at a nominal figure. A few alterations
changed the front to a “baby store” with two miniature windows and a three-
and-one-half-foot door. The store, extending back to a thirty-foot depth, was
carpeted with a remnant “buy.” Fixtures included the regulation side cabinets,
two display tables, and a specially made “bar.” The side cabinets and the
tables were cut down approximately twelve inches in their widths, finished in
glistening ebony paint, and trimmed in chromium.

The “bar,” the main attraction in the place, was constructed on modern lines,
being a single piece of compo-board covered with ebony linoleum and
protected and supported on each side with heavy chromium strips. Fashioned
in the form of an elongated “J,” the curve or tail was placed to the front of the
store so that it curved under, forming one end support. The arm extended
back to serve as a twelve-foot service counter. All fixtures were purposely
narrowed in their width to create the illusion of more space in the shop. These
fixtures, which were purchased second-hand, ran around $90—exclusive of
the “bar.” The latter ran about $60, remodeling of interior $200, extras about
$50.

The original stock was approximately $500. Stocks are purchased by Miss
Hilb through an eastern buying agency, which enables her to get full
discounts with small orders. An average inventory runs about $1,500. With
this amount of stock, Miss Hilb can offer her clientele a full range selection
and gross volume of approximately $50 a day.

The location of the Hosiery Bar is such a good one, Miss Hilb feels that it is
sufficient advertising in itself. A special stimulant for introductory business is
used, however, in the form of a card which is presented to new customers.
When this card is punched out through the sale of twelve pairs of hosiery, it
is exchanged for one free pair.

The Fat Men’s Shop

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