One of the handsome business houses in Brookings
It affords the Register great pleasure this week to be able to furnish its readers with an illustration of the Binford block, one of the fine structures erected in this city last season. The ground space occupied is 50x110 feet; first story has thirteen- foot ceiling and second story eleven- foot ceiling.
A.L. Binford’s Pharmacy
Mr. Binford has spared no expense to make it convenient and it is certainly a credit and an ornament to the city in which it is located. The main room is 25x68 feet. To the rear of this is another room 25x13 that is used for glass, paints, and other goods of its class.
Both rooms referred to above have ornamental steel ceiling and are large, airy, and well-lighted. The main entrance to the store is at the corner of the building, although there is another entrance to the rear on Williams Street.
The room is lined with solid oak shelving finished in oil, corniced, and ornamented here and there by small French plate mirrors. On the north side is the book department and patent medicines, everything under glass doors. These doors are weighted and slide easily up and down.
On the south side is the drug department. At the end of the shelving and near the entrance is a handsome wall perfume case. On the opposite side of the room and next to the large plate glass front will be found a French plate pier-glass 35x65. Adjoining this is a handsome wall case for the reception of silverware.
There are seven handsome floor cases with heavy plate tops which answer the purpose of counters. One of these cases is a curved corner case and is very fine indeed. There are several other oak counters and one combined sponge case and counter.
But the crowning feature of all the fixtures is the prescription room. It is one of the most complete to be had, and must be seen to be appreciated. Like the rest of the woodwork, the front is of oak, corniced, paneled, carved, and polished. It is embellished with seven French plate mirrors and some ornamental bronze work, while on the north side, the upper half of the case is composed of chipped glass panels.
The case is ten feet high and encloses a floor space of 10x12. The inside of this room is lined with shelving for drugs, drawers, lock boxes, and many other conveniences dear to the heart of a pharmacist. The shelving, counters, and cases were all made to order and fit the room to a nicety.
Among other conveniences of this model establishment are water and sewerage connections, electric lights, and telephone.
Mr. Binford had arranged for water heat, but it got so late in the season and, as he was desirous of becoming settled in for the winter, he cancelled the order and will postpone putting in the plant until next spring.
Kaufman Bros.
The north half of the building will be occupied by Kaufman Bros. clothing and furnishing establishment. This portion of the block is 25x110x23, having a west front entrance on Main Street and south side entrance on Williams Street. The interior is finished similar to that of Binford’s pharmacy and will be fitted in the latest style. It will be lighted by electricity and will require thirty-eight incandescent lamps. This will make the most commodious establishment in the city.
The basement, which covers a space the full size of the entire building, is divided into two parts, Mr. Binford using the south half and Kaufman Bros. the north portion. A modern elevator is provided to conduct heavy merchandise to and from the basement.
Second floor
Entrance is gained to the second floor by two stairways arranged for the convenience of tenants, and a well-lighted hallway affords entrance to the different offices. Upon entering the front stairway at the left, one finds himself in a large, well-lighted reception room 17x21, nicely carpeted and furnished. Opening off from this are the operating rooms. The one used by Dr. Borst is 16x16 in size and is one of the finest rooms in the city, occupying as it does the circular corner of this block, and commands a fine view of the city and makes it very pleasant within. Opening off the operating room is the doctor’s laboratory, which has been fitted with benches, tables, water, sewerage, and everything for convenience. Dr. Miller’s operating room is the next room to the north and is 12x16, well-lighted and ventilated. All of the rooms are finished in hard pine and are well furnished, giving the gentlemen superb quarters for the practicing of their professions.
Cornell Garment Supporter Co.
Occupying the northwest front room of the second floor, we find the office and workroom of the Cornell Garment and Hose Supporter Co., employing a half dozen ladies, who find steady employment with needle and machine sewing. W.H. Cornell’s company is making ladies and children’s hose supporters and gents’ garters of various styles that do not wear holes in the garment and are easily attached.
Cooke’s Photograph Studio
W.L. Cooke occupies a portion of the upper floor with his photographic studio that is neatly arranged with an office, reception room, and finishing room at the south. Off from the reception room is a dressing room and at the north side is an operating room, fitted with modern appliances with which to produce the very best work in the art. There is also a well-arranged dark room, with water and sewerage connections. Adjoining this is a stock and retouching room. All are nicely furnished.
The second floor, like the first, is provided with electric lights and has proper sewerage connections throughout. The building is 35 feet in height from the sidewalk to the upper portion of the battlements in front and being built of brick, presents an imposing appearance.
