Bradenton’s Bealls announces new store in a growing Manatee County area
Bealls Inc. has an opening date for its newest Manatee County store.
The retail giant, which was founded in Bradenton more than a century ago, is opening an 18,000-square-foot bealls in the Gateway Commons shopping plaza at 9560 Buffalo Road, Palmetto.
A company spokesperson said they are planning a soft opening on August 4 and a grand opening event for Aug. 8-10.
Publix anchors the shopping center near Interstate 75 and Moccasin Wallow Road. The new bealls marks the company’s 245th store in Florida, a spokesperson said. The new Palmetto store is expected to hire roughly 15 employees.
Bealls Inc. operates multiple brands: Bealls Florida; bealls, formerly Bealls Outlet and Burkes Outlet; and Home Centric; .
The Palmetto store will have fashion apparel, footwear and accessories for the family in various sizes.
It will also have home merchandise, housewares and gifts, with new merchandise arriving weekly, a company spokesperson said.
Bealls Inc. is celebrating its 110th anniversary in 2025, and the company plans to open 22 new stores in 10 states this year.
How the company started
Robert M. Beall founded Bealls Inc. in April 1915 on Old Main Street in Bradenton, according to company history. He opened it as a dry goods store called the Dollar Limit.
Beall is also credited with bringing Major League Baseball to Bradenton, with the St. Louis Cardinals arriving in 1923 for spring training at what is now called LECOM Park, according to company history.
To date, Bealls Inc. has more than 660 stores in 23 states.
For information, visit Bealls.com.
This story was originally published June 9, 2025 at 5:50 AM.
