Buchan & Petrie

BUCHAN AND PETRIE, Fairfield Drapery Mansion House, 2, 4, 6, 10, Helen Street, Govan, Glasgow.

    The constant expansion and development of trade and commerce on the borders of the Mercantile Metropolis have brought into deserved prominence many notable instances of rapid and successful business enterprise, among which may be mentioned the immense business concern of Messrs. Buchan & Petrie, who, within a period of ten years, have developed what is now undoubtedly the largest house of the kind in this City’s suburban trade.

    The Fairfield House, so designed after the famous shipbuilding yard which it closely adjoins, occupies the most prominent location in Govan, whether from a structural or commercial point of view, and the manner in which it has been adapted, arranged, and planned to suit the purposes of a large and comprehensive drapery trade reflects the highest credit on the foresight of Messrs. Robert Buchan and William Thomson Petrie, the esteemed partners of the firm. Situated at the corner of Helen Street and Morrison Street, and directly facing the Govan Cross and Govan Road, the Fairfield House stands as one of the great familiar features of this vicinity ; and its large window frontage facing Helen Street, Morrison Street, and Govan Road at once presents to the public a clear and attractively arranged index to the many features and trading departments which the firm specialise and exemplify.

    The warehouse comprises three flats : the first in the basement, the second on the street level, and the third above. The principal sale department is on the street level, and here the magnitude and variety shown in all the details of general and fancy drapery attest how fully and exhaustively the firm enter upon the whole phases of the trade with the view of satisfying every possible requirement of the widespread family connections by whom the Fairfield House is patronised. Visitors will find much to admire in the distinct system of departmental supervision observed, each section being in charge of a capable and experienced assistant. The basement is reserved for a large stock of cottons, linens, blankets, flannels, sheeting, and all kinds of heavy or furnishing draperies, and, like the floor above, it is spacious, commodious, and well arranged. By a handsome new stairway access is gained to the large upper flat, the range of windows all round which convey effective light, and here are illustrated the various specialties in mantles, millinery, ready-mades for men and boys, carpets, waxcloths, and bedding.

    While it is impossible to devote adequate attention to each of these departments within the space at our disposal, it may be said that each division of the stock is representative in its particular line, and that the goods shewn embrace the products of the best centres of supply purchased in the most advantageous markets, and listed at prices fully in accordance with every requirement of a pushing and competitive age. The workrooms are apart, though possessing every convenience and facility to secure alike due promptitude in all orders and the sound excellence and finish for which the productions of the Fairfield House are more than locally famed.

    Besides carrying through the operations of general drapers, milliners, mantle makers, clothiers, fancy goods and small wares merchants, hosiers, glovers, and gents’ mercers, Messrs. Buchan & Petrie have set aside a special branch of their premises, further up Helen Street, as a first-class hat emporium for the supply of all the latest novelties in men’s and boys’ hats and the other details of minor outfit. In bespoke tailoring they employ a large staff of well-selected workmen trained in every specialistic phase of the sartorial art, producing excellent, well-made, and fashionable garments at less than one-half of the prices charged by many City houses.

    Being a practical tailor and cutter, long experienced in the mutations of taste and season, Mr. Buchan himself undertakes the work of designing, with results that have placed this house first in the tailoring trade of Govan. On the other hand, Mr. Petrie bestows entire personal attention to buying and the general conduct of the business, and the management of a staff of about 40 hands. Both gentlemen are well known, not only in Govan, but all over the south side and in the City, where their sociable, genial, and agreeable dispositions have earned universal esteem.

    As a firm ever zealous in promoting the interests of the middle and working classes, for whom they more especially cater, their ostensible aim is to provide for the wants of a large and appreciative community in a manner profitable alike to themselves and their constituents. Their annual clearing sales are anticipated with eagerness by the people of Govan, and in the systems and methods adopted by the firm to render the Fairfield House a popular and satisfactory medium of domestic supply, the ability and commercial talents of the principals are well signalised.

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