Those basement doors in the sidewalk can only lead to a stairway with possibly a wooden slider chute on one side. The later 'sidewalk elevators' didn't need the slope and were placed right up against the foundation. I loved to watch the deliverymen heaving crates and bales down those slides, it must have been rough downstairs, though.

I love the reflections in these windows. There are ropes and pulleys hanging out of the window of the building across the street, and the reflections of two people: one standing next to the photographer (reflected in Detroit's door) and another standing next to or leaning against the building across the street (reflected in the rug merchant's window). Together with Adolphe in the second-floor window, I count three people.

Good to get a glimpse of the source of so many unique and interesting photos!

That bad, it couldn't be!

So am I right in thinking that this country is still around and providing all the photos to Shorpy itself?

[The country is indeed still here. And just celebrated its 234th birthday. If you mean "the company," Detroit Publishing went into receivership in 1924 and was gone by 1932. - Dave]

The caption states that this is the 26th Street side entrance to the store, and the photo shows specifically that the side entrance address is 5 West 26th Street. This is on the north side of the block, just off 5th Avenue, and just west of Madison Square.

There must have been another entrance. The board across the two doors with the company name seems to effectively bar the door.

[What does it say on the board? - Dave]

Now, having worked retail, I'd have been ticked off with the 99% of customers who tried to open the door when it clearly says the entrance is around the corner.... and then been one of the 99%... Sigh....