Manuel and Webster
MANUEL & WEBSTER, Italian Warehousemen, Family Grocers, and Wine Merchants, 137, Buchanan Street, Glasgow.
It would be indeed difficult to find either in Glasgow or its environs an establishment associated with the Italian goods and grocery trades standing in higher repute than does the well-known and old-established house controlled under the above-mentioned style.
The business was founded by Mr. Isaac Baxter some fifty years ago, and has been successfully conducted by the present firm for the past thirty-five years. The premises, which have now been occupied for twenty years, comprise a magnificent double shop of exceptionally large proportions, the far-extending rear being admirably lighted from a single glass-covered bay. Beneath the shop are the extensive wine cellars, as well as the bakehouses occupied in the making of the choice confectionery and fancy bread which grace the windows and counters of the emporium. The entire establishment is admirably adapted to the carrying on of an extensive and thoroughly select trade, neither pains nor expense having been taken into account in fitting it up with the most improved appointments, fittings, machinery, and appliances. The firm employ a large staff of warehousemen and confectioners, and their vans cover Glasgow and its environs delivering the produce of the establishment to patrons in all parts.
The stock of goods, as becomes a business of this magnitude, is very large and comprehensive, being replete with all the best features of the various lines engaged in, and fully representative of the trade in all branches — indeed one of the features upon which the members of the firm pride themselves, apart from the quality of the goods, is the large and varied stock always on hand ; and in the several departments of this extensive establishment is probably to be found the largest, and certainly the best selected, stock of general groceries, Italian goods, teas, coffees, spices, chocolate, confections, wines and spirits, and elegant comestibles to be met with in this great industrial metropolis. In the selection and purchase of their goods Messrs. Manuel and Webster exercise that great care which is acquired only by long and continued practical experience, and the extensive and rapid sales enable the firm to buy in large lines direct from the importers, whereby they are in a position to offer these goods to their customers of a quality and at a price with which it is impossible for small dealers to compete. The bakery is equipped in first-rate style for the production of bride cake, sultana cake, Scottish short cake, buns ; plum, seed, currant, and other cakes.
Every feature of this attractive establishment bespeaks the studious care with which every minute detail of the business has been evolved. The conduct of the house could not be in more acceptable hands than Messrs. Manuel and Webster’s, and these gentlemen have long enjoyed an enviable reputation in Glasgow circles, both on account of their individual private work and accredited commercial excellence.
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