Since R. Coble & Sons succeeded to the business formerly conducted by Kimmel and Sponsler, in 1896, the enterprise has occupied a most prominent place in the commercial life of Lykens. Its growth under the new management has been vigorous and steady, constantly requiring more room until, within the last year the building has been enlarged to twice its original size. Today, this splendid retail trade convenience has two floors 26 x 111 feet, with a cellar under the entire building, and a third floor more than half the store’s length, which is used for reserve stocks. The other two floors, including the cellar, are crowded with goods comprising a fine line of general merchandise to be found anywhere in the Lykens Valley, embracing pure food supplies, dry goods, dress materials, furnishings, confectionery – in fact everything to be found in an up-to-date department store. This model establishment is lighted by its own ascetylene gas plant, has ladies and gents toilet rooms and supplied with modern trade facilities seldom found outside of the large cities. That the efforts of R. Coble & Sons to give this brough such an up-to-date trade convenience have been appreciated is shown by the fact that the patronage continues to grow more rapidly than the store. The firm enjoys a high standing here commercially, and is justly looked upon as foremost among the active, substantial and successful mercantile concerns of the borough.
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From a special Souvenir Edition of the Lykens Standard, March 13, 1908, obtained via Newspapers.com.
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