(Source of image: Florida Collection, Main Public Library, Jacksonville, Florida)

When frugal Furchgott shoppers descended "far below the street level," they found a place where "the prices are low and bargains universal."  During the Forties, basement items included curtains, blankets, corsets, girdles, cotton goods, men's work clothes, and uniforms for nurses and maids.

An added attraction was the basement delivery room!  Explained the store brochure, "Here one may view the delivery chute. Packages for delivery or mail are sent from any of the five floors down the spiral chute where they empty into a tunnel that slightly resembles a dairy silo.  From this point they go to the delivery room, where merchandise for delivery or mailing purposes is held."

As thrilling as delivery rooms can be, the basement's excitement level probably increased a notch after Furchgott's closed.  In recent years, the basement housed a club, The Milk Bar, named after a drinking establishment in the shocking movie "A Clockwork Orange."  Jacksonville's The Milk Bar featured live bands playing alternative music, often with mosh pits.  The venue was credited with helping to launch Limp Bizkit, the mega-popular group from the River City.  The Milk Bar or Paradome Club eventually evolved into another nightspot called 618, located on Forsyth Street in La Villa.