Thomas A. Hensel Clothier was located on the northeast corner of Main Street and Market Street, Lykens, Dauphin County, Pennsylvania. The view shown above is one of many that were reproduced on picture post cards as part of an advertising campaign by Mr. Hensel. An article in Men’s Wear, Volume 20 (1906), No. 9, said the following about the Hensel business:
FROM MINER TO MERCHANT
Thomas A. Hensel, the oldest clothier of upper Dauphin County, Pennsylvania, located at Lykens, has proved to what standing and success a man may attain who tends to business and uses brains and discretion in the conduct of his affairs. Seventeen clothing stored have left Lykens since 1892, and the next oldest, which was established in January, 1901, recently sent out a statement asking creditors to accept a settlement at 25 cents on the dollar, but Mr. Hensel has steadily grown and progressed, and establishing on a firm foundation a clean and remunerative business.
Merchant Right, Store Right
This he has accomplished not only by courteous and considerate treatment of his trade, but by the use of modern methods, and more than all else, by having the right stuff and selling it at very reasonable prices. He has always made it a point to handle the best brands of merchandise that the market afforded. Another point about which he has always been particular, and with good results, is the appearance of his store. When in March 1904, he moved into his present quarters in the Israel Building, at the corner of Main and Market Streets, then just completed, he had and still has the largest and finest clothing house in either Dauphin or Schuylkill counties. It has nine show windows, in which the Frank patent window lighting is used, over a hundred electric lights, and floor space of 3200 square feet. He had started in a room that measured 18 by 65 feet.
Is a Good Advertiser
That Mr. Hensel is a clever merchant and a man of ideas is very well illustrated by the novel way he takes of giving publicity to his business. As an advertisement he distributes souvenir postals showing photographs of his establishment and selling force….
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Information contributed by Brian S. Miller, from his family collection.