Thomas Muirhead & Co.

THOMAS MUIRHEAD & Co., Silk Mercers and Warehousemen, 4, Argyle Street, Glasgow.

    One of the most prominent features of the busy thoroughfares of this great Metropolis of the North is the magnitude and importance of those “temples of commerce” which form the backbone of Glasgow’s mercantile supremacy and constitute a centre of attraction to the numerous visitors who daily throng her leading streets. One of the most important establishments of this character is that of Messrs. Muirhead & Co., the well-known silk mercers and warehousemen, whose popular emporium at 4, Argyle Street, supplies the material for this brief descriptive sketch.

    This business was founded about the year 1835 under the title of Messrs. Muirhead and Morgan, and some time afterwards, on the retirement of the latter gentleman, was reconstituted under the style by which it is still known, Mr. Muirhead continuing the undertaking until his death in 1882. At this time the estate was vested in the hands of the deceased gentleman’s trustees — the present tenants, Mr. William McWhirter and Mr. Robert Reid — both of whom had occupied positions of responsibility in the house for many years previously, and who elected to trade under the title so long associated with the concern.

    The premises occupied by the firm comprise handsome and commanding block of building in the best part of Argyle Street, of which the upper portion only was rented at the time the business was commenced, the general plan then in vogue being to locate the warehouse on the second floor, customers at that date being under the impression that they were not obtaining value for their money unless they went to the “warehouse”. In order to dissipate this prejudice, Messrs. Muirhead converted the ground floor of their premises into a sales department, and as pioneers in this movement created much sensation by the appearance of their immense plate glass windows and the attractive character of the establishment generally. The building is of four storeys and basement, of which the ground floor is occupied as showrooms and sale department, and possesses fourteen fine plate glass windows devoted to the attractive display of the high-class assortment of goods submitted for inspection. The stock, selected with critical judgment, embraces all the new season’s novelties in silks, velvets, and other ladies’ dress materials ; and also blankets, flannels, down quilts, napery, sheeting, towelling, cretonnes, and every description of general drapery.

    The interior is suitably appointed, providing ample accommodation for the operations of the business, and is heavily stocked with a great variety of goods of the above description, and, in addition, there are large quantities of cloths, ladies’ and gentlemen’s silk umbrellas, gloves, and other fancy goods. The gentleman’s department shows a comprehensive assortment of hosiery, white and fancy shirts, collars, cuffs, and scarfs and ties in the newest styles and of the best material and make. The second floor is devoted to the mantles, millinery, lace curtains, and furs departments, and here, again, the firm offer for inspection a splendid selection of the highest quality of goods. The flat above provides convenient accommodation for the counting house, in which several clerks are engaged, and on this floor are also situated the workrooms and fitting rooms. The whole arrangements of the business are admirably complete, the firm employing in the various departments between sixty and seventy assistants, in order to wait upon the requirements of their wide circle of patrons, who have for many years past extended the most substantial support to the establishment.

    In conclusion we may add that the undertaking is conducted with well-directed energy and enterprise by the principals, who devote their unremitting attention to maintaining the best traditions of the house for a uniform standard of excellence in every department, and to sustaining the high reputation for so many years enjoyed by this widely patronised and popular establishment.

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