Belk makes comeback at Madison Square

Department store grand reopening set for March 8

Friday, February 24, 2006

By MARIAN ACCARDI
Times Business Writer accardi@htimes.com

A name that disappeared from the retail scene in Huntsville about a decade ago is returning.

Belk signs were being installed Thursday at the former McRae's store at Madison Square Mall.

Charlotte, N.C.-based Belk Inc., the largest privately held department store company in the country, bought 25 McRae's stores, including the one in Huntsville, and 22 Proffitt's from Birmingham-based Saks Inc. last year.

"We think the big win (in the transition) for customers is the expanded assortments and more variety and choices," Belk spokesman Jeff Simpson said. Belk is more focused on offering national brands and is more fashion oriented, with less emphasis on private brands, he said. "We're going to be able to bring a lot of new brands into the stores that customers had to go elsewhere to find."

A grand reopening at the Belk store is planned for March 8.

McRae's had been at Madison Square Mall since it opened in 1984.

Belk Hudson executives announced in 1993 that the store on South Memorial Parkway was closing. The department store, at first located in downtown Huntsville, was in business in Huntsville for some 50 years.

Some of the new and expanded assortment of brands that will be available at Belk are Rockport shoes and Chap's, Levi's, Haggar, Perry Ellis and Savane for men and Izod and Liz Claiborne for women. There will also be an expanded assortment in the home furnishings area.

Belk is sending Belk credit cards to customers to replace McRae's cards, Simpson said. But customers will be able to use their McRae's cards until they receive new ones.

"We're thrilled about being able to get into Huntsville to do business," Simpson said. "We're excited about the changeover from McRae's to Belk."

Belk now has 276 stores, including 14 in Alabama. New stores in Alabaster and Guntersville opened just last fall. Plans have been announced to close the Roebuck store at the end of March.

"Belk is growing very rapidly," Simpson said. Over the next three years, the company plans to build 31 new stores and expand 22 stores. "I'm not in the position to name the markets" where new stores will open, he said.

Tonya Kelly is the manager of Belk-Huntsville.

Belk founder William Henry Belk opened the company's first store in Monroe, N.C., in 1888.




Belk makes comeback at Madison Square Department store grand reopening set for March 8 Friday, February 24, 2006 By MARIAN ACCARDI Times Business Writer accardi@htimes.com A name that disappeared from the retail scene in Huntsville about a decade ago is returning. Belk signs were being installed Thursday at the former McRae's store at Madison Square Mall. Charlotte, N.C.-based Belk Inc., the largest privately held department store company in the country, bought 25 McRae's stores, including the one in Huntsville, and 22 Proffitt's from Birmingham-based Saks Inc. last year. "We think the big win (in the transition) for customers is the expanded assortments and more variety and choices," Belk spokesman Jeff Simpson said. Belk is more focused on offering national brands and is more fashion oriented, with less emphasis on private brands, he said. "We're going to be able to bring a lot of new brands into the stores that customers had to go elsewhere to find." A grand reopening at the Belk store is planned for March 8. McRae's had been at Madison Square Mall since it opened in 1984. Belk Hudson executives announced in 1993 that the store on South Memorial Parkway was closing. The department store, at first located in downtown Huntsville, was in business in Huntsville for some 50 years. Some of the new and expanded assortment of brands that will be available at Belk are Rockport shoes and Chap's, Levi's, Haggar, Perry Ellis and Savane for men and Izod and Liz Claiborne for women. There will also be an expanded assortment in the home furnishings area. Belk is sending Belk credit cards to customers to replace McRae's cards, Simpson said. But customers will be able to use their McRae's cards until they receive new ones. "We're thrilled about being able to get into Huntsville to do business," Simpson said. "We're excited about the changeover from McRae's to Belk." Belk now has 276 stores, including 14 in Alabama. New stores in Alabaster and Guntersville opened just last fall. Plans have been announced to close the Roebuck store at the end of March. "Belk is growing very rapidly," Simpson said. Over the next three years, the company plans to build 31 new stores and expand 22 stores. "I'm not in the position to name the markets" where new stores will open, he said. Tonya Kelly is the manager of Belk-Huntsville. Belk founder William Henry Belk opened the company's first store in Monroe, N.C., in 1888. © 2006 The Huntsville Times © 2006 al.com All Rights Reserved.