The following text may have been generated by Optical Character Recognition, with varying degrees of accuracy. Reader beware!

June 29, 1928 . . WILMETTE LIFE Wolff-Griffis Hold Open House Totrlorrow PUBLIC TO INSPECT NEW HARDWARE STORE Wolff-Griffia Building Distinctive Contribution to Central Avenue Block Wolff-Griffis, one of Wilmette's leading business establishments, will hold open house and formal opening in. the new and spacious hardware store in the ' Wolff -Griffis building, 1119-1121 Central avenue this Saturday. Several weeks have elapsed since Wolff -Griffis took possession of their new quarters, transfer from the former location in the Rockhold building on Wilmette avenue, oppo3ite the Village hall, having b_ een e ff e c t e d without a moment's cessation of business. Tomorrow, however, will mark the gala opening of the handsomely appointed establishment which has been termed bv leaders in the hardware business as the most effectively arranged and best equipped store of its type in the entire north shore area extending from Devon avenue on the south to \Vaukegan on the north. Arrange Every Detail Ernest Griffis and Alfred C. Wolff, active heads of the Wolff-Griffis concern, haye been working ceaselessly for several weeks, with the assistance of a sizeable force of helpers, in completing arrangements for tomorow's formal opening and house warming in which every resident of the north shore community is heartily invited to participate. Ko detail of arrangement has been overlooked in the determination to make this occasion one of the notable events in Vvilmette's commercial history. The house warming has been purposely deferred from an earlier date in order that all will be in readiness }vhen the doors swing open to welcome the hundreds of visitors who will want to inspect this newest business establishment. Fireproof T}:lrougbout · The Wolff-Griffis building, work on which was started early this year, is one of the outstanding contributions tO\\ ard the development of the central business section along thoroughly modern lines. Designed by Howard Bowen, Wilmette architect, the structure houses, in addition to the hardware store, another store space on the ground floor, and eight apartments on the two upper floors. The three-story building, having frontage of fifty feet and depth of 100 feet, is of fireproof tile, brick, and concrete construction of the latest type. The sash material is of steel. · The structure is situated on a lot of SO x 200 foot depth. Apartments Ready September 1 \Vhile work on the ground floor and extensive basement has been virtually completed, the apartments on the two upper floors will not be ready until about September 1. Of the eight strictly modern apartments, four will be of three rooms and four of four room proportions. They will be equipped with electric refrigeration, ina-door beds, tile baths and showers. The entire structure will be heated by oil. With John Blaylock of Wilmette retained as engineer of construction, the more important contractors who contributed toward the erection of the imposing structure were, Stromberg and Sederberg, mason work; E. V. flolding, carpentry ; \Vittiam B. Lucke, plumbing and heating_; Lake Shore Electric company, electrical work; Hugh Orr, plastering; Waukegan Roofing company, insulating and roof- Enhances Central Avenue Com,zercial Row ing; Sharp Partridge company, wmdow front and glass. The interior of the Wolff-Griffis hardware store was designed with utmost care to provide adequately for every present and anticipated need of the constantly growing business, and with particular attention to comprehensive departmentalization. Augmenting the main floor space, a large President Eraeat Griflia section of the expansive basement is utilized for salesroom purposes. The sales floors are perfectly lighted arid unusually roomy, and thus capable of housing a vast amount of stock with absolute avoidance of crowded conditions. There is a total floor space in the establishment approximating 7,120 square feet. The main floor has bel'n designed to permit the construction of hanging balconies throughout the length of both east and west walls when future demands upon space make such an addition necessary. The cashier's office and vault occupy an alcove set back from the east wall, while the officers' desks are located directly above the cashier's office, on the proposed balcony level, affording an un0bstructed view of the entire main floor. Veteran Business Men Officers of the Wolff-Griffis company, who tomorrow will serve as the official reception committee, are Ernest Griffis, president; Alfred C. vVolff, vice-president and treasurer, and Frederick Moore, secretary and legal advisor. Mr. Griffis. with his father, established the business five years ago, occupying space in the Rockhold building on Willllette . a venue opposite the Village hall. He has been engaged in the hardware business all his life and before coming. to Wilmette was associated with his father in their Lake Forest store. Mr. \Volff ranks with Wilmette's pioneer business men. He has been engaged in the sheet metal roofing and furnace business here for 25 years, that enterprise now comprising one of the important features of the WolffGriffis business. Mr. Wolff joined Mr. Griffis four years ago when he purchased the interest of the elder Mr. Griffis. Mr. Wolff is in charge of the roofing, sheet metal and furnace work and contractors' supplies departments, while Mr. Griffis is in supervision of the hardware store, includit~ household · furnishings, an_d general hardware, garden and sporting goods supplies. , Vice-President Alfncl C. Wolff