House number 14 on Tverskaya in Moscow is known today for the fact that it houses the famous Eliseevsky store. Over its more than a century of history, it has withstood many tests, changes, but has always remained a symbol of high quality trade and culture of service.
On February 5, 1901, on Tverskaya Street in Moscow, the grand opening of the store took place with a large crowd of distinguished guests, who were treated to exquisite wines and expensive snacks. This is how the “Eliseev's Store and Cellars of Russian and Foreign Wines” appeared. Everything was unprecedented and unusual in this store. From an unusual assortment to a well-trained staff. It was in Eliseevskoe that wooden oil (olive) was first sold. Thanks to this trading establishment, Muscovites have acquired a habit of truffles and oysters, and exotic fruits (mango, coconut, bananas) have become popular. And domestic products (white fish, caviar, balyk) were so excellent that the quality of products from Eliseev became proverbial. Even one crumpled berry, one stale fish were unacceptable. Soon the store itself received a semi-official name - "the temple of gluttony." The architecture of the store was also unusual. The trading establishment was located in the former palace of the princes Beloselsky-Belozersky. After the alteration, the outside of the store looked like a two-story store, and inside, both floors were combined into a single space. Rich gilding, stucco molding on the ceiling and walls, huge chandeliers made of expensive crystal, mirrors amazed the eyes of buyers. The clerks (sellers, as they would be called today) were carefully selected. Everyone knew several foreign languages. Courtesy to any customer was a must. But the salary to the clerks was paid simply tsarist for those times. In Soviet times, the store received the official name "Gastronom No. 1", but, as before, remained one of the symbols of Moscow. Visitors from other cities always visited it to admire the unusual atmosphere and purchase scarce products. At the beginning of the 21st century, the grocery store was closed for restoration. The restorers have done a titanic job and have practically restored the original appearance of the famous merchant Eliseev's shop. Wooden trim panels were recreated, crystal chandeliers and mirrors with gilded monograms were again hung. Today, the famous Eliseevsky is a place where, as before, you can feel the spirit of old Moscow, where you can literally touch history.
