MITCHAM FOR BARGAINS.
THE WEEK OF WEEKS.
The third Mitcham Shopping Week held under the auspices of the Mitcham and District Chamber of Commerce opened on Saturday in a deluge of rain. This did not daunt the spirit of the traders, however, and when the weather cleared later in the day they commenced reaping the reward of a month’s preparation.
Mitcham housewives know a good bargain when they see it. And it was not long before they were out complete with shopping baskets and perambulators, joining in the great hunt for bargains and still more bargains. In this connection it should be mentioned that those taking part in the “Treasure Hunt” have to search until they find an article in a shop window ticketed with a number corresponding to that on their Treasure Hunt form. The article can be claimed on November 24th but only adults will be allowed to stake a claim and they must produce their form at the time of doing so.
The Children’s Limerick competition is open to any Mitcham child attending school. There is no entrance fee. Prizes will be awarded to the competitors who, in the opinion of the judges, add the most original and topical last line to the given rhyme. Forms may be had from any of the members of the Chamber of Commerce and must be returned on or before Tuesday, November 24th. Prize winners will be notified by post.
The window dressing competition is, of course, for shopkeepers only, though nobody will object if private householders decorate the aspidistra in the parlour window with bunting. It will all add to the gaiety of the occasion and put Mitcham in good form for next year’s Coronation.
A REVIEW OF THE SHOPS.
In spite of the healthy growth of the Mitcham and District Chamber of Commerce, there are always the few dismal persons who, by word and lack of action, attempt to “throw a spanner into the works.” These may or may not reap benefit from the shopping week. But this can be said with certainty, that those traders who are taking active part in the event are bound to get their reward. There are plenty of shoppers in Mitcham and, after all, the shopping week is only an organised effort to keep Mitcham shoppers IN MITCHAM, by offering them as good and better value than they can get elsewhere. A survey of the shops is the best proof of the fine bar- gains offered this week.
Starting with Lower Mitcham we find Birketts displaying good-value ladies’ underwear and some extra special bargains in hosiery. Allen Bros, the wireless people, are making a special feature of the famous Exco sets. Mr. Etheridge, the linoleum specialist, has a wide range of floor coverings in various patterns and prices to suit every taste and pocket. Owing to the particular nature of their business, Robinson’s Dairy may not be in a position to offer many specified bargains, but they do supply excellent milk and dairy produce all the year round. Another trader in this category is Mr. J. N. Cheshire, whose Brookfield Nurseries supply plants to local gardens for every season of the year. Along Church-road, we find that Mr. W. Musco, who has recently acquired the business of Mr. W. Parker, has a shop well stocked with fish, poultry and game.
Leaving the Cricket Green behind, we come to London House, where Francis’s are offering, among other things, very attractive shopping vouchers. In the ironmongery window of this well known store is one of the shopping week attractions a bricklayer’s trowel that would break the heart of any man who lays bricks. Birch, the butcher, having made a particularly keen purchase of prime English beef, is selling it at the same price as foreign beef for Shopping Week. Reynolds, the bacon specialist, is giving away one shilling in the pound discount.
The shops of Mayhew, Spence and Haymes offer a fine selection of toys and fancy goods at rock-bottom prices, suitable for Christmas presents, while Madam Lila’s premises are an attraction to the woman of fashion. Not intending to be “left out in the dark,” the County of London Electric Supply Co. stress the cheapness of electricity for both lighting and heating.
Coming to the Fair Green, we stop and feast our eyes on the tempting cooked meats at Mrs. Haywood’s and the well arranged window of Turner’s, the bakers. It is a pleasure to look up the infinite variety of bread shapes and sizes in Turner’s window, not to speak of the rainbow of pastries and “The Gateway of Health,” which are the work of Miss Turner. There is a fine range of bargains offered in ladies’ wear by H. C. Smith and the newly opened premises of Mrs. Drewett. If we were thinking of moving we would most certainly see what Messrs. Leonard Davey and Hart are offering by way of houses. Miss Ruth Cole suggests that the gift of a permanent wave would be a delightful surprise for a lady, and we agree!
On the other side of the Fair Green we while away a quarter of an hour in Fair Green Market and on our way back to London-road we note the fine quality meat, rabbits, sausages and fish displayed by Hutton’s, the butchers. Mr. F. K. Harvey’s windows also draw our attention by their neat array of medicines and surgical requisites, while our dog’s attention is attracted by the animal foods at Gutteridge’s.
Such an array of bargains has already caused our eyes to bulge, so we stop and have spectacles adjusted at the consulting rooms of Melson Wingate, the dispensing opticians. Three ladies whose adjoining pre- mises have been in existence as long as we can remember are next on the list. These are Mrs. Hicks, the baker, Miss Hicks, the ladies’ and children’s outfitter, who, by the way, is giving a penny in the shilling discount; and Mrs. Hudson, the watchmaker and jeweller. Across the road, Dyne’s offer a wide range of wireless sets and bicycles and Mr. E. C. Morris urges us to buy the children’s Hornby trains and Meccano sets locally.
After seeing what Mr. Spicer, the butcher, offers by way of tempting week-end joints, we continue our way till we come to the Borough Furnishers, noted for modern furnishings at low prices. The windows of the Acme Printers, noted craftsmen at their work, are the next to draw attention. These well illustrates the motto, “Bright Days in Dull Times.” The sun is rising there all the time and in the most gorgeous colours. Next we pass on to the Mitcham Builders Supply Co., who are offering 10 per cent. retail discount during shopping week. There’s a man in the window of the Mitcham Builders Supply Co, who has been painting a door or something for days and days, and he is still painting it. That’s persistence, that is.
NORTH MITCHAM.
A bus along Streatham-road brings us to Hill’s Dairy, noted for fine creamy milk. And whether we agree or not that “beer is best,” we are delighted with what Mrs. B. E. Bird has to show. Special bargains in hosiery, vests, gloves and knitting wools are offered by Mr. H. A. Westbrook, who has done so much in this particular area to promote interest in shopping week. Among a large stock of medical requisites Mr. Prenninger always keeps oxygen in stock, a point well worth remembering in cases of emergency. Harking back to meat, Mr. G. F. Cox, the butcher, is noted for his choice quality English, Scotch and imported meat.
On the other side of the bridge, Messrs. Girdler’s premises display a wide selection of radio sets and “The Dainty” shop, with brightly illuminated and well-dressed windows, has a fine selection of chocolates, confections and tobaccos.
Last, but certainly not least, we note the well-stocked windows of Messrs. Harry Cusden, Ltd, the well known grocers and provision merchants, of Manor-road and Sherwood Park-road.
Mitcham History Notes 