HISTORY

The story of Burke's Outlet dates back nearly a century!

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.

 


1915 - The Dollar Limit on Main Street on the ground floor of the St. James Hotel

 

 

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.

Early 1920's - Robert M. Beall, Sr. and employees in front of The V Dollar Limit on Manatee Avenue.

 

 
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.

Early 1950's - Robert M. and E.R. Beall admire the newest Spring merchandise.
   
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.

   
Burke's 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 first used, for our store in Bay Minette AL. Burke's Outlets are now found 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 500 stores now open or under development.

 

*  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.