With headquarters based in Bradenton, Florida, Bealls was originally founded in 1915. It is family owned and has more than 650 stores, with diverse names such as Bealls, Bealls Outlet, Burkes Outlet, and Home Centric.
In 1915, R.M. Beall opened a small-town five-and-dime in a quiet Florida town. Its location was Bradenton, which went by the name of Bradentown at the time. The early store was called "Dollar Limit," with the price of goods never exceeding a dollar. R.M. Beall made frugal decisions, such as turning the wooden merchandise crates into display tables. The location of the store proved important as well; it was very close to the docks where passengers departed from steamers from Tampa.
Despite losing the company during the Great Depression, R.M. Beall stayed on as manager. Actively involved in civic work, he was able to save money and repurchase the store as times improved. By the 1940s, his grown children joined the store, and it was renamed Beall's Department Store.
After the war, things began to boom again, as people and retirees moved down to Florida. Bealls expanded to a store in Bradenton's first shopping center, West Gate. Bealls then had a location both in downtown and West Gate. Working with Publix at West Gate, the store grew and evolved.
Going beyond the borders of Florida, Bealls opened Bealls Outlet in Arizona in 1992. Soon after, there was a store in Alabama, with the name of Burkes. As e-commerce evolved, beallsflorida.com emerged as an active place for shopping.
"Live the Florida Lifestyle" became the slogan when Bealls opened its own design studio to develop Florida-friendly labels. By the 2020s, Matt Beall, the great-grandson of R.M. Beall, was named the chief executive officer. Introducing the first Rugged Earth Outfitters store, the company recently expanded to themes of hiking, fishing, hunting, and workwear.
Today, you can find a variety of merchandise in the Bealls stores. Families and Florida guests can find clothing for men, women, and children, as well as gifts and items for the home, bed, and bath. Bealls also sells shoes, and when the holidays come, they feature a holiday decor show with coastal and traditional decorations. Included is a collection with the name "Florida Friends," where you might discover a flamingo to grace your tree. At Bealls Outlet, you can find brands, fashions, and styles with up to 70% off prices at other stores.
Bealls believes in strengthening ties with its communities and associates, as well as offering a culture of acceptance and compassion. In stores, they highlight exclusive brands and a wide variety of clothing and home merchandise with the Florida lifestyle in mind.