Bealls Rings in Praise, Gets its Day

By Lisa Neff

The Manatee County commission chimed in with praise as it celebrated a non-calendared holiday: Bealls Day.

During a final board meeting of the month, the commission proclaimed March 25 as Bealls Day and recognized the 110-year anniversary of Bealls Inc.

The proclamation contained a series of “whereas” statements detailing the retailer’s origins, expansions and commitments.

• The beginnings: Robert M. Beall launched The Dollar Limit Store in Bradenton in 1915. In 1920, the retail operation became the 5 Dollar Limit Store. In 1946, the business became Beall’s Department Store.

By 1988, Bealls got its outlet stores and in 1991 Bealls incorporated. The evolution continued in 2023 with Bealls, Bealls Florida and Home Centric.

• The growth: The family, led by Robert M. Beall, E.R. Beall, Bob Beall and Matt Beall expanded Bealls Inc. into a chain of more than 660 stores in 22 states.

Bealls employs nearly 14,00 people, including 7,000 in Florida.

• The pledge: Bealls, the proclamation read, prioritizes charitable endeavors supporting family, children and education and promotes sustainable environmental practices.

Commissioner Mike Rahn, District 4, read the proclamation and introduced Bealls reps.

Before reading the “whereas” statements, Rahn said, “Everyone in this room and probably (watching) on TV has probably shopped at Bealls Department Store. … Thank you, guys, so much for what you do in the community.”

Commissioner Tal Siddique, District 3, noted his father-in-law has worked at Bealls for about 35 years.

“It’s a great company,” he said. “Treats you like family. … The impact Bealls has had in our community, it’s incredible. … It truly is a success story.”

Dan Doyle, Bealls’ chief people officer, accepted the proclamation during the meeting at the county administration building, 1112 Manatee Ave. W., Bradenton.

“It’s particularly fitting that we’re on this site to do this because, if you don’t know it, our first store, The Dollar Limit that Commissioner Rahn mentioned, was actually right down Main Street just two blocks,” Doyle said. “And on this particular site, where this building is, was our first Bealls Department Store. It was here for several decades. So, it’s wonderful to be back in that same spot where it all started.”

Doyle, to the audience, added, “Please, come see us if you haven’t’ been in a while.”