Bealls is a privately held company, rich in tradition, owned by the founding family and its employees. The company's principal operating strategy is to grow the corporation through the use of its profits. A long history of strong ethical values and commitment to customers, employees and community has earned the company trust and respect in the marketplace.
Disclaimer: Stores operated under the Bealls name located in Texas, New Mexico, and Alabama are managed and owned by Stage Stores, Inc. Stage Stores, Inc. is not affiliated with Beall's, Inc. or its subsidiaries.
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The Dollar Limit In 1915 Robert M. Beall, Sr., age 22, opened a dry goods store in Bradenton. At that time the town had a population of just over 3,000 people. Beall wanted to spend his entire investment of $2,500 on stock, so he used over-turned wooden crates to display the merchandise. Since nothing he sold cost over $1.00, he named his store the Dollar Limit. 1915 - The Dollar Limit on Main Street on the ground floor of the St. James Hotel
V(Five) Dollar Limit With the inflation that followed World War I, prices increased and in 1918 he changed the name of the store to the V (Five) Dollar Limit. As his business grew he bought property and built a larger store a few blocks away on Manatee Avenue. Early 1920's - Robert M. Beall, Sr. and employees in front of The V Dollar Limit on Manatee Avenue.
Beall's Department Store In 1940, Robert Beall's son, E.R., joined the family business following his graduation from the University of Florida. In 1946, father and son changed the name to Beall's Department Store. Robert Beall ran the original downtown store until just a few months before his death, at age 86. Bealls continued to operate that store until 1987 when it was torn down to make way for new construction. The proceeds from the sale of the building were used to establish the R.M. Beall, Sr. Foundation which supports youth and education. Early 1950's - Robert M. and E.R. Beall admire the newest Spring merchandise.
The Dollar Limit Expansion It was E.R.'s vision that began the company's expansion into the shopping centers that served the middle income retirees who were flocking to Florida. In 1956 the second store was opened in Bradenton and the third store followed in Venice, FL in 1961. 1956 - E.R. Beall and Robert M. Beall, Sr. reviewing plan for the second Bealls store in Westgate Shopping Center.
Three Generations In 1970, E.R.'s son, Robert M. Beall, II (Bob) joined the business after completing his military duty and earning an MBA at New York University. The three generations were active in the company until Robert, Sr. died in 1979. In 1980, when Bob Beall assumed the presidency, the chain had grown to $38 million in annual sales.
Employee Ownership
In 1986, Bealls established a 401K plan that enables employees to purchase company stock as one of the investment options. Bob Beall believed it was important for employees to be able to own company stock and share in the growth of the company. Today many of Bealls' employees are stockholders.
Beall's Outlet
In 1987 we created the Beall's Outlet chain of stores. Chairman E.R. Beall conceptualized the new model in response to the growing number of outlet malls in Florida. In 1992 Beall's opened an Outlet store in Arizona, its first store beyond the state of Florida. Today the Outlet chain has grown to over 400 stores in 14 states.
Beall's Inc. Corporate Offices Phone: (941) 747-2355 Fax: (941) 746-1171 Web: www.beallsinc.com Address: Beall's, Inc. 1806 38th Ave East Bradenton, FL 34208 Bealls Department Stores Please view our customer service page at www.beallsflorida.com. Bealls Outlet Stores Phone: (941) 747-2355 Fax: (941) 746-1171 Web: www.beallsoutlet.com Address: Bealls Outlet Stores, Inc. 1806 38th Ave East Bradenton, FL 34208 Burkes Outlet Stores Phone: (941) 747-2355 Fax: (941) 746-1171 Web: www.burkesoutlet.com Address: Burkes Outlet Store, Inc. 1806 38th Ave East Bradenton, FL 34208