The Galveston Daily News from Galveston, Texas • Page 12

mart THURSDAY MOHNINC, JULY 17. 1969 ens This Mornin Record Crowds Expected For Opening rl from the mart brings to Galveston general merchandising i department store O'D Galveston's brand new mart opens this morning at 9. The ribbon will be cut by Mrs. Cliff Markley, wife of the store manager, to officially open the new store at 61st and Stewart Road. Everyone is invited to attend the ribbon cutting ceremony and to visit the new store immediately afterwards.

City officials and top executive of the S. S. Kresge Company will take part in the brief ceremony. mart is expecting record crowds to participate in the grand opening. The Chamber of Commerce honor guard will participate in the ceremonies, and Eddie Weiss, admiral of the guard, will present a plaque to the new firm.

Prior to the ceremony, the mart officials and local dignitaries will meet at a "get acquainted coffee." mart executives from the Atlanta regional office and the Detroit home office and the Galveston Chamber of Commerce honor guard will participate In the opening ceremonies. R. H. Griflin, vice president of mart operations, C. K.

Bowles, vice president and southern regional manager, W. Marshall, vice president subsidaries and licensees and Hodgson, executive vice president auto division, will attend the opening ceremonies. Other mart officials attending the event will be J. B. Lynch, regional personnel director, C.

i i merchandizing auto division, D. Monies, operations manager auto division and K. G. Sanger, senior buyer, toys, games, hobbies, crafts. Bowles and Lynch are from the Atlanta regional office and the other mart officials are members of the Detroit home office.

mart brings to Galveston many years of merchandising experience. A total of 291 mart stores are currently open in 191 cities across the United States, Canada, Puerto Rico and Australia, making up the largest discount department store chain in the world. marts are only part of the business of the S. S. Kresge Co.

founded in 1399 in Detroit, by Sebastian S. Kresge. Kresge also operates Kresge variety stores and Jupiter discount stores, limited selection stores. Kresge, founder of the fast expanding businesses, bought full ownership of his first dime store in 1899. Within 15 years, his was the second largest dime store chain in the world and kept that ranking as the dime stores evolved into today's variety stores.

Krtsge today stands one of the leaders among the world's general merchandising firms -and Is still growing. Fifty seven new mart department stores were opened during more than the total existing volume of 9(1 per cent of the companies in discounting. Plans arc set for mart to schedule expansion at Uie rate of 00 marts in 1969 and an additional 60 in 1970. With a sales volume of in Kresge executives visualize reaching over two billion dollars in. sales In IMS and three billion by 1872.

Police were asked to give special attention to traffic on the streets surrounding the store during the first few hours of the opening. "This is for the safety of motorists driving by." Markley said. "Once a car is in our 907 car parking lot, there should be no congestion." Galveston was chosen as the location for a mart, "because of its economic growth and tremendous need for a department store in this area," Markley said. mart is a Division of the S. S.

Kresge Company, for 70 years has operated some of the most popular stores in the nation. "The new mart, selling nationally advertised products and backing all sales with a satisfaction or money back guarantee, will be a discount department store in its pricing said. Following are highlights of the merchandise the department store will carry: Major appliances, including color television sets, washing machines and refrigerators, small appliances, furniture, building tools and supplies, floor coverings, draperies, yard goods and sewing materials, women's fashion, men's, boys', girls' ami infants' clothing, i jewelry, camera supplies, books, records, pets and pet supplies, health and beauty aids, complete automotive center with enlarged auto music center, featuring tapes and tape players. Several bays are available to expedite service for light maintenance and replacement parts. They also offer wheel alignments and balancing brakes, tail pipes and mufflers are quickly checked and repaired.

There's a full line sporting goods department, a full range grocery supermarket, and a self serve snack bar with booth seating. "More than 163 Galveston residents will be given permanent employment when the mart opens," Markely said. "In addition, up to 75 more will be hired part time during holiday seasons." "A staff made up entirely of local people will assure our being alert to all of the needs of our Customers." Markley commented. GALVESTON'S BRAND NEW MART Ribbon To Be Cut Today At 9 a.m. WIGS OF ALL KINDS AVAILABLE AT MART Selection Designed For Varied Tastes LADIES APPAREL DEPARTMENT AT MART All Fashions Get Special Attention MART'S CHECK OUT STANDS Real Convenience For Customer Southern Region Veep Coining Here Clyde K.

Bowles, vice president for the S. S. Kresge Company in the Southern Region, will attend the new mart store opening. He Is responsible for more than 170 stores In IS Steles. The Stores are of three kinds: mart department stores, Kresge variety stores and Jupiter discount stores.

Bowies' responsibility is supervision of store operation in this region, and working closely with his district managers to see that each store manager tailors his merchandise assortment to meet the shopping needs of its particular Community. Among other duties, Bowles sees that the quality of goods high, that the money back guarantee policy is maintained, and that outstanding leadership ability Is recognized within all personnel ranks. The retail business offers golden opportunities for young people trying to decide on a career, Bowles believes. "Of course." Bowles said, "the work can be hard, but rewards for those who put in their best effort come more quickly than in any other field." Bowles own career is a testimonial to his beliefs. He started In tbe retailing business In 1931 as a stockboy In a Kresge store shortly after graduation from the University of Illinois.

He has served as a store manager, district manager, Assistant to a top executive, and buyer before becoming a top executive himself in 1960, as Regional Manager. In January 1963 Mr. Bowles served as midweslern regional manager lor four years. In December of 1966, he was elected regional manager in the southern region; and in May, 1968 he was elected vice president for the Southern region. CLYDE K.

BOWLES Southern Veep GARDEN SHOP, PETS, AND PICTURES mart Has Many Departments APPLIANCES DEPARTMENT AT MART Many Known Brands Are Carried MART'S LARGE GROCERY DEPARTMENT Wide Aisles Big Aid To Customers Welcome to Galveston From Your Neighbor HANDYPAK FOOD STORE "A BETTER DRIVE-IN" 6328 AVE. OPEN 7 A.M. to 10 P.M. Another Step Ahead For This Community AMERICA'S FASTEST GROWING DISCOUNT DEPARTMENT STORE COMES TO GAIVESTON BEST WISHES ON YOUR OPENING PLUMBING WORK BY A.J. WARREN PLUMBING HEATING SALES SERVICE OUR 53rd YEAR 30331st PHONE SO 3-6444.