About Us

In 1915, Robert M. Beall, age 22, opened a dry goods store in Bradentown, FL on the banks of the Manatee River. At that time, the pioneer town had a population of just over 3,000 people and was most easily reached by steamboat from Tampa. Beall spent his entire investment of $2,500 on stock, so he over-turned wooden packing crates that his goods arrived in and used them for display tables! Nothing was priced over $1.00, so he named his store The Dollar Limit.

Following World War I, inflation pushed up prices and in 1920, he changed the name of the store to the V (Five) Dollar Limit. As his business grew, he bought his own property and in 1924, built a larger store a few blocks away on Manatee Avenue. During the Depression, he lost his store to the bank but continued to operate it. In 1944, he was able to repurchase the company.

In 1940, Robert Beall's son, E.R., joined the family business after graduating from the University of Florida. In 1946, after serving in the army, E.R. rejoined his father. That year they 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. The original 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. Charitable Foundation in support of youth and education.

Florida experienced explosive growth during the 1950s. Americans were more mobile than ever before and air conditioning transformed southern living. E.R. foresaw the company's future growth in the new shopping centers serving middle income retirees who were flocking to Florida. In 1956, the first expansion store was opened in Bradenton. The third store followed in Venice, FL in 1961. The following year, sales passed the million dollar mark for the first time.

In 1970, E.R.'s son, Robert M. Beall, II (Bob) joined the business after completing his military service and earning an MBA at New York University. The first three generations were active in the company until the death of Robert, Sr. in 1979. In 1980, when Bob Beall assumed the presidency, the chain had grown to $38 million in annual sales. The family tradition continued when Bob's son Matt Beall joined the company in 2004, marking the fourth generation.