The Hood River Glacier, Hood River, OR., March 30, 1905, page 3
CRAM HAS BIG ESTABLISHMENT
Frank A. Cram, the up-to-date merchant, has been pursuing
a vigorous policy of expansion since the first of February, and today has
one of the largest clothing and dry goods stores in the county.
The former location of the Williams pharmacy is now filled
by Mr. Cram with a large stock of clothing and shoes. The floor space of
this foremost establishment has been almost doubled and an eight- foot basement,
extending the full area of the Otten brick affords room for storing an enormous
quantity of goods, making it possible for Mr. Cram to carry by far the largest
stock of goods in the city.
When Mr. Cram left the employ of Williams & Co. of
The Dalles to branch out for himself, he was advised by some of his best
friends in that city that it would be the mistake of his life to come to
Hood River, where they said there was no business. "Go out to the interior
where people have money," they pleaded. But Mr. Cram came to Hood River,
looked the situation over, and the possibilities of this city appealed to
his business eye.
Today the business of the Up-to-Date store speaks for
itself. No other business in the county has made the rapid advancements this
store has since September 1901. Mr. Cram has no intention of sitting down,
content that his business is big enough, but has solved extensive enterprises
in contemplation for the future.
Mr. Cram's business affords a splendid gauge of the thriving
condition of Hood River valley. Although 1904 was not a successful berry
season in regard to prices, and the sawmills were not in operation, his business
for December last year was 16 percent above that for the same month in 1903.
The increase for the whole year was 20 percent over that of the preceding
12 months. "February and March are what may be called dull if there are any
dull months in business in Hood River," remarks Mr. Cram. "April has always
opened out with a good lead, which is maintained all through the year. Yes
sir, there is money in Hood river, and it can well be said that every month
is a good business month.
"Hood River people all are intelligent and careful buyers.
While, of course, there is bound to be some business done out of town, from
actual observation I am able to say that twice as much goes out from The
Dalles as from Hood River, taking into consideration the relative size of
the two cities.
"Hood River people are learning more and more that it
pays to buy goods at home. While local merchants expect to be in business
for years to come, and here to make friends with each customer, an out-of-town
businessman will endeavor to drive the best bargain he can for he knows he
may never see the customer again.
"My business is conducted strictly on a cash basis. In
this way I am enabled to secure goods on close figures from the wholesalers
and by taking advantage of the discounts can place the clothing and dry goods
on the market at astonishingly low prices. In this way the customer has come
to realize that he can make money by paying cash for his goods. It is astonishing
what a lot of people in the town and valley have learned to do business on
this basis."
Mr. Cram, has introduced another metropolitan feature
in his store fixtures by the addition of a cash carrier system, which an
expert from San Francisco installed the first of the week. Mr. Cram proposes
in this way to secure the services of a competent man to take his place at
the desk, while he himself gets into the store to assist personally in the
sale of his goods.
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© Jeffrey L. Elmer