Page 36 - Industries_of_San_Antonio

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SAN ANTONIO-HER TRADE,
THE GROCERY TRADE,
which should probably take first rank in this innumeration, is one of more
than ordinary importance. There must be a great difference between the
wholesale and retail receipts, inasmuch as the retail must be confined
almost entirely to the city and suburban buyers. However in the retail
business we find in the limits of the city 120 different establishments with
an annual trade of $1,500,000. This of course is approximated, for the
reason that, in all cities of recent growth, so many establishments deal in
general merchandise ; and besides we are not able at present to procure
any board of trade authorities. The wholesale grocery business occupies
the attention of several very extensive institutions, and the sum total,
from close reports, give a trade of $1,800,000.
THE DRY GOODS TRADE,
like the grocery business is hard to arrive at satisfactorily in its propor-
tion, but an addition of the total wholesale and retail grocery business with
the wholesale and retail dry goods, will give a correct knowledge of its
extent, and the amount of money constantly changing hands. The mer-
chants in this branch, many of whom are originally from eastern cities,
explain a material difference in the general class of goods disposed of, but
are equally happy over the fact that it examplifles the class of workers we
have, and as they will acknowledge, the proportion of receipts is aug-
mented thereby. At the close of the year it was evident that despite the
hard times generally, the trade had never been so heavy, or receipts so
great. From sixty-eight retail establishments, few carrying very large
stocks, and several exclusively wholesale, a business of over $3,600,000
was transacted. It is a traffic requiring superior intelligence and practical
judgment to manage properly, and the field is open for large investments
still.
AGRICULTURAL IMPLEMENTS.
As yet the field for opening in the handling of this branch of industry
is scarecly entered, and for reasons which the average American enter-
tained years ago, that the country was not one suitable to agriculture.
To-day, however, we are enlightened, and indeed is the entire south and
north, who take an interest and opportunity to apprise themselves of their
neighbor's welfare and resources. One half the implements which are
daily bought throughout her tributary lands, are ordered from other cities,
not that the buyers would not prefer the home market, but the supply is
not sufficiently varied nor ample. It is one of the important subjects that
our capitalists have taken to heart, and are endeavoring now to establish
an emporium for general disbursement. When the fields of northern
Mexico are opened, the demand for the articles will be so sudden and so
extensive, that even the factories beyond us must feel a sudden impetus.
Soon their owners will realize these facts, and in anticipation of the de-
mand, our city must reap another benefit from competition in our midst,
and more than a probability of self-manufactures.