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HISTORY
The story of
Bealls Outlet dates back nearly a century!
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The Dollar Limit
In
1915 Robert M. Beall, Sr., age 22, opened a dry goods store in the small pioneer
community of Bradentown (now Bradenton), FL. At that time the town
had a population of just over 3,000 people. Beall wanted to devote his entire
investment of $2,500 on stock. When the wooden boxes of goods arrived by train,
he emptied them and overturned the crates for display tables. Nothing he
sold cost over $1.00, so he named his store the Dollar Limit.
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1915
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The Dollar Limit on Main Street on the ground floor of the
St. James Hotel
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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 Five Dollar Limit. As his business grew he bought
property and built a larger store a few blocks away on
Manatee Avenue. The store prospered in the boom 1920s and
weathered the hard times that followed.
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Early 1920's - Robert M. Beall, Sr. and employees in front
of The V Dollar Limit on Manatee Avenue.
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Post War Growth
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* (see note at bottom). Robert Beall ran
the original downtown store until just a few months before his death, at age 86.
The store continued to operate until 1987 when it was torn down 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.
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Early
1950's - Robert M. and E.R. Beall admire the newest
Spring merchandise. |
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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.
The fourth generation of family service began in 2004 when
Bob Beall's son completed his MBA and joined the
organization. |
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Bealls Outlet
The outlet idea originated in the early '80's when E. R.
Beall became intrigued with the outlet store businesses he
saw while vacationing in North Carolina. The Outlet was
launched in 1987. The new chain opened with 3 Florida
locations under the banner of Bealls* Outlet. The idea was a
hit in Florida too. The next year brought 9 more Outlets.
In 1992, 2 stores opened in Arizona. In 1998 the Burke's
name was introduced for our store in Bay Minette AL., and is
now used for our stores in 11 states from CA to NC. The
Bealls Outlet name is used in AZ, FL, & GA. Our explosive
growth has
continued to the present with over 450 stores now
open or under development. |
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* Disclaimer: Stores operated under the Bealls name
located in TX & N M are managed and owned by Stage Stores,
Inc. Stage Stores, Inc. is not affiliated with Burke's Outlet,
with Beall's Outlet, or with Beall's Department Stores of
Florida. |
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