The story of the Beall family, a true embodiment of the American dream built on resilience and entrepreneurship, began in 1915. That year, Robert Beall, a humble cotton farmer from Georgia, saw his crops devastated by a boll weevil infestation. Rather than give in to despair, he made a bold decision: to leave his homeland and seek new opportunities in Florida.
Settling in Bradenton, Robert opened a small dry goods store called Dollar Limit, where nothing cost more than one dollar. This simple principle—offering affordable products for everyone—would become the foundation of the family business. Over the years, Dollar Limit evolved and grew into Bealls, a department store chain known for its great value, even if prices rose slightly above a dollar.
More than a century later, Robert Beall’s legacy is alive and well. His great-grandson, Matt Beall, now leads the family business. Under his leadership, Bealls has grown into a major player in American retail, with 660 stores across 22 states, operating under the banners Bealls, Bealls Florida, and Home Centric. The company employs nearly 14,000 people and generates over $2 billion in annual revenue.
The COVID-19 pandemic marked a strategic turning point. When Texas-based Stage Stores—operator of another, unrelated Bealls chain—filed for bankruptcy, the Florida-based Beall family seized the opportunity to acquire the nationwide rights to the name. It was a decisive move that enabled them to realize their dream of creating a national brand under the name Bealls, pronounced “Bells.”
In addition to leading the company, Matt Beall is a successful podcaster, passionate about entrepreneurship and inspiring stories. He represents a new generation of business leaders—rooted in tradition, yet forward-thinking.
Remaining true to his great-grandfather’s original mission, Matt ensures that Bealls continues to offer branded and private-label products at competitive prices, combining quality and affordability for American families.
Today, as the company celebrates its 110th anniversary, Matt Beall is already looking to the future—with the ambition to carry his family’s pioneering spirit into the next 110 years. A true “Family of Dream”, built on courage, adaptability, and a lasting vision of retail that serves communities across the nation.
FM