1915-04-15tt

The retail business in downtown Hamilton was extremely competitive in 1915. In close proximity, mainly located on James Street and King street, were a large number of large department and clothing stores which competed mightily for the business of shoppers.

Clever newspaper advertisements and innovative promotional schemes were employed to catch the potential customer’s attention and attract him or him to the store.

In April, 1915, the Begg & Shannon Store, a popular clothing firm on James street north unveiled an unusual promotion with an eye-catching ad in the local press.

The idea involved the placement of a small automobile in the store, and invite potential customers to come to the store to see the vehicle and to learn how a boy or girl might win it.

The automobile was called “the Lad’s Car” and was in almost every way was the same as any other automobile be driven at the time, except for its size.

Here is the copy which accompanied an illustration of the auto read as follows:

“BOYS ! Work for this car. PARENTS, enter your son in this contest.

This is a real, live automobile that will run about fifty miles on one gallon of gasoline, and can attain a speed of about twenty miles an hour or more. It will make the heart of any boy glad beyond description, and is a practical means of locomotion

EVERY CENT PURCHASED FROM THE UNDERSIGNED MERCHANTS COUNTS ONE VOTE IN DENOMINATIONS OF TEN CENTS OR MORE. THE CAR WILL BE GIVEN ABOSLUTELY FREE TO THE BOY OR GIRL RECEIVING THE MOST VOTES BY MAY 26, 1915.

 

BOYS ! Look up all your friends – families that have no children – and have them buy all the merchandise that they need from the undersigned merchants and save the coupons for you. Tell them about this wonderful opportunity to obtain this automobile and they will be glad to help you win. See big announcement cards in all the undersigned merchant’s windows.”

The Begg and Shannon Store owners had canvassed Hamilton, visiting a large number of firms seeking those wishing to get involved with the promotion.

The final, carefully-selected thirteen firms were selected, with no two firms involved in the same line of business:

BEGG & Shannon. Clothing, Men’s Furnishings, Hats, Shoes.

The FRANK E. WALKER CO. LTD. Furniture, Carpets, Stoves, Hoosier Cabinets.

KENT, GARVIN & CO. Hardware.

CULLEY & BREAY. Electric Fixtures, Lamps, Irons, Toasters, etc.

PEEBLES, HOBSON & CO. Groceries, Meats, Liquors, etc.

JOHN LENNOX & CO. Trunks, Dress Suit Cases and Leather Goods.

HAMILTON GASOLINE & OIL CO. Gasoline and Oils.

HARRY RUSSELL. Millinery and Ready-to-Wear.

F.W.SCHWARZ. Cigar Store and Royal Hotel Cigar Stand.

J.W. NELSON. Sporting Goods and Bicycle Supplies.

EAST END GARAGE. General Repairs, Cadillac and Dodge Cars.

IDEAL TIRE REPAIR CO. Auto Tires and Accessories.

H.C. LINKERT BROS. Bread and Rolls.

 

The ad ended with the following invitation:

This Wonderful Automobile is Now on Exhibition at The Begg & Shannon Store.

COME AND SEE IT.