The Morning Star was careful to give equal praise to both competing downtown Glens Falls dry goods merchants.
“Note the array of bargains for today at the Boston Store,” the Glens Falls daily newspaper reported in its business column on March 12, 1887. “See B.B. Fowler’s big advertisement on collars, cuffs and shirts.”
George F. Bayle and junior partner W.T. Marsh opened the Boston Store on Glen Street on March 11, 1884, bringing new competition for B.B. Fowler, a long-time downtown retailer.
The store was located across Glen Street from Fowler’s, in a previous structure at the location that now is the Charles R. Wood Theater.
The Boston Store on Glen Street, circa 1890 • Photo courtesy of Bob Bayle
“The interior of the (Boston) store presented a very inviting appearance, and from early in the morning until the doors were closed at night an almost continuous stream of visitors passed in and out of the building. All were loud in their praise of the new establishment,” The Morning Star reported.
“Mr. Bayle is well known in Glens Falls, and he has a long experience in the dry goods business. He is ably assisted by William Donnelly, well known as a competent salesman. The firm starts out with every prospect of success.”
Bayle had previously worked for B.B. Fowler from 1874 to 1880, when Bayle left to work in New York City.
He returned to Glens Falls to open the Boston Store.
Competition between the Boston Store and B.B. Fowler was friendly, whether it be in business or in sports.
Employees of the Boston Store defeated employees of B.B. Fowler 22-18 in a baseball game on June 21, 1886.
The Boston Store team went on to defeat employees of the Rochester Clothing Company store 14-1 on June 26.
Baseball wasn’t the only social activity employees enjoyed.
“The salesmen employed at the Boston Store enjoyed an oyster supper at the Globe Hotel last evening at the expense of Messrs. Bayle and Boyd,” The Morning Star reported on Nov. 4, 1886
The Boston Store • Photo courtesy of Bob Bayle
Bayle and his associates quickly became known for quality and value.
“The firm marks goods in plain figures and have only one price,” The Morning Star reported on March 31, 1884.
“The good results of enterprise, industry, fair dealing and a vigorous application to the details of one’s business are truly exemplified in the career of the young and successful dry goods house of G.F. Bayle & Co.,” The Morning Star reported on May 16, 1886.
“The name of G.F. Bayle & Co., of the Boston Store, has evolved into a synonym of enterprise and business sagacity,” The Morning Star reported on Dec. 16, 1889.
The store sold clothing, fabric, home decorating items, books and more.
In May 1884, Bayle opened a women’s hat department on the second floor, and hired L. Bidwell, “an experienced milliner of New York” City to manage the department.
Revenue in September 1885 was triple that of the previous year.
Christmas season business was brisk in 1885.
“G.F. Bayle, of the young and enterprising G.F. Bayle & Company, was too busy to give the reporter much information, but it was evident from the throng about the counters that the firm’s goods and prices are elements that constitute a strong magnet.”
In 1886, an interior wall was removed to expand into space of an adjoining storefront, nearly tripling the amount of floorspace.
Electric lighting was added in 1887.
“G.F. Bayle & Co., the enterprising proprietors of the Boston Store, have placed two electric lights in the north section of their store and it now presents a most affordable appearance.”
The Boston Store • Photo courtesy of Bob Bayle
By 1888, the Boston Store book department numbered 1,000 volumes.
Bayle left active management of the Boston Store, but remained its primary investor, in 1893 to become vice president and general manager of Denholm-McKay Company in Worcester, Mass.
He returned to Glens Falls in 1905 to become president of Glens Falls Portland Cement Co.
The Boston Store closed on Jan. 20, 1932 after nearly 48 years in business.
Merkel and Gelman department store, another downtown retailer, paid tribute.
“One of Glens Falls’ oldest institutions, one of our best friends and neighbors, the Boston Store! Tonight, its doors will be closed, terminating a notable business career,” read a Merkel and Gelman display ad in The Post-Star. “It is with regret that the entire Merkel and Gelman organization says good-bye.”
Bayle died March 10, 1939 at age 79.
“Mr. Bayle was one of the city’s foremost business men, and his career was one of success and achievement, coupled with a philanthropic activity practically unlimited in scope,” The Post-Star reported.
Bayle served on the Glens Falls Charter Committee in 1908, when Glens Falls became a city.
Previously he was the village Board of Public Safety and Glens Falls Board of Education.
In 1887, Bayle was a charter member of the Glens Falls Board of Trade, a precursor to the local Chamber of Commerce.
Bayle was president of the Warren County Committee for the Prevention of Tuberculosis from 1910 to 1928, and was a charter member of the Glens Falls Rotary Club in 1922.
In Dec. 1922, Bayle announced at a Glens Falls Rotary Club meeting that the Warren County Christmas Seal campaign for prevention and treatment of tuberculosis raised more money per capita than any other county in the state.
He was grand knight of the Glens Falls Knights of Columbus in 1923, ‘24 and ’25.
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Sources: The Post-Star Jan.20, 22, 1932; March 11, 1939; The Morning Star March 31, May 17, Nov. 4, 1884; May 11, 17, June 22, 28, 1886; Feb. 3, 27, March 12, 17, 1887; Dec. 16, 1889; “Glens Falls: The Empire City,” 1908
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