Patterson’s
Department Store, A Feature of Local Business. . . Success Achieved by Fair
Dealing, Good Nerve and Hard Work
Some of the most interesting stories are the true ones, and
not infrequently the life story of a business shows courage and nerve well
worthy of “honorable mention” in the history of a town. A case in point is the
business whose name heads this column.
In September 1906, Mr. H. Patterson came to Hendersonville
from Kentucky, where he had two mercantile businesses. He started business in a
small way here, opening a dry-goods store in a floor space 20 by 75. Mrs.,
Patterson conducted the business, while Mr. Patterson devoted his time to the
two stores in Kentucky and also one which in the mean time he had opened at
Brevard. The little business started off well enough, but illness in the family
and the demands of the other stores brought troubles, and in September of 1907,
the “panic year,” an assignment was necessary. The creditors, however, were
satisfied with the payment made, and another start was made at Third and Main
streets. This venture was so well on the way to success that Mr. Patterson was
enabled to pay up every cent of the indebtedness left after the assignment, the
creditors thus being paid in full. However, the payment of these back debts was
a heavy load and to lay in more stock he was obliged to borrow. The lender
unexpectedly demanded payment in full, and a sale of the entire stock was
forced. The proceeds of the sale met the obligation, but Mr. Patterson had to
start all over again, with nothing to show for his hard work, and practically
nothing with which to make another start.
Unable to float another mercantile venture, he opened a
pressing club in the old Toms Building where the Citizens Bank now stands. To
help him he had no one but Mrs. Patterson and a sister, and he himself had the
work to do; he did it by getting on the job at 5 o’clock in the morning and
staying on it until far into the night. Good work, however, brought its reward
in increased business, and the pressing club, with better equipment, was moved
into larger quarters where Dotson’s Harness Shop is now located. After a time
the profits of the business made it possible to put in a small line of men’s
clothing.
Again the story was one of hard work and slow but steady
growth, and another move to larger quarters was made, the business being moved
into half of the Station Rock Building on Main Street, and by 1913 continued
growth demanded the entire building. A year or two more, and it became evident
that even this was going to be outgrown shortly, and in January 1917 a contract
was made with J.M. Gudger for the erection of a really modern department store
building at the corner of Fourth Avenue and Main Street, the very center of the
town’s business life. Work was started on the new building in April, and the
contract called for completion by July, but war conditions delayed the actual
completion until January of 1918, when the business was moved into its present
home.
The business as it stands today is a splendid monument to
good nerve, hard work, and fair dealing and final success has been wrung from
repeated disaster. One of the largest mercantile businesses in this section of
the state, it is housed in quarters that would do credit to the retail district
of any city in the country. The store now employs 15 people regularly, and adds
many more at busy seasons. The two floors 54 by 108 feet, as well as the large
mezzanine floor, are taxed to their capacity by the demands of the business and
arrangements are now being made to convert the large hall on the second floor
into a stock room. Many thousands of dollars are invested in the handsome
furniture and equipment, mahogany and plate glass are everywhere, while
overhead a modern cash trolley connecting the cashier’s desk with every part of
the store is kept busy handling its load of money. While the stock of goods
literally includes every item of clothing which can be wanted for man, woman or
child, from the top of the head to the sole of the foot; nothing is omitted.
The atmosphere of the whole establishment is one of
prosperity and growth; of success; of good business. And it is deserved. This
sketch gives but an outline of the difficulties which have been met and
overcome in the building up of this establishment. The result is one which has
been achieved by hard work and unfailing nerve, by close attention to every
feature of the business, and by unvarying fair treatment of the patrons of the
store.
In addition to achieving business success Mr. Patterson has
written his name plainly as one of the most generous and public spirited
citizens of the town. In outright gifts for different charitable purposes over
$500 was expended last year, and Mr. Patterson’s name appears unfailingly
opposite a generous subscription in every movement for the benefit of Hendersonville.
He believes in the town, and his faith is backed by works—and hard cash.
No comments:
Post a Comment