Belk

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Belk, Inc.
Formerly
  • New York Racket (1888–1898)
  • Belk Brothers (1898–1909)
Company type Private
Industry Retail
Founded1888(136 years ago) (1888) in Monroe, North Carolina, United States
FounderWilliam Henry Belk
Headquarters Charlotte, North Carolina, United States
Number of locations
293 (2019) [1]
Key people
Don Hendricks (CEO)
ProductsClothing, footwear, bedding, furniture, jewelry, beauty products, and housewares.
RevenueDecrease2.svg US$ 3.7 billion (FY 2017) [2]
Owner Sycamore Partners
Number of employees
10,639 (2022)
Website www.belk.com

Belk, Inc. is an American department store chain founded in 1888 by William Henry Belk in Monroe, North Carolina, with nearly 300 locations in 16 states. Belk stores and Belk.com offer apparel, shoes, accessories, cosmetics, home furnishings, and a wedding registry.

Contents

History

Early history

The first Belk, established as New York Racket, in 1902 NYRacket1902BELK.JPG
The first Belk, established as New York Racket, in 1902

Belk was founded in 1888 by William Henry Belk in Monroe, North Carolina, outside Charlotte. The store was first called New York Racket and then Belk Brothers, after Belk made his brother, physician John Belk, his partner. [3] Belk bought in volume to pass savings on and sold at fixed prices, then a relatively unusual practice. [4]

1900s

By 1909, the company had moved its headquarters to Charlotte and built a huge flagship store on Trade and Tryon Streets in downtown Charlotte, which would remain the company's headquarters until it was closed in 1988 to make way for the construction of what is now Bank of America Corporate Center. The business grew steadily, relying on "bargain sales" and advertising to grow the business and increase its influence throughout the South.

Beginning in 1921 with the Leggett Bros. stores of South Boston, Virginia, the Belk company grew by investing in various partnerships with local merchandisers in nearby markets. [4] Belk's growth out of the Southeast was pushed by Earl Jones Sr and the Belk-Jones brand that opened the first Belk west of the Mississippi in 1947. The Jones family and the Belk-Jones brand continued to grow Belk's westward expansion. This complex story is chronicled in a book published by Belk – Belk, Inc.: The Company and the Family That Built It – about the evolution of the company. [5]

Belk Bros. store in Charlotte, North Carolina, c. 1910 Belk-1910.jpg
Belk Bros. store in Charlotte, North Carolina, c. 1910

This structure allowed Belk to expand quickly and permitted local variation, but resulted in a diluted brand identity since most stores were co-branded. By the 1990s, the system had become increasingly untenable: stores were held by over 350 separate legal entities, Belk family members disagreed about whether to maintain or sweep away the structure, and some local partners threatened stability by selling their stakes. For example, the heirs of John G. Parks, majority owners of the Parks-Belk chain, sold their interests to Proffitt's, a competitor. The Belks quickly sold their stake as well, although Belk would later purchase the stores back as part of its later acquisition of the entire Proffitt's chain. When Proffitt's made an offer for the Leggett family's stake, which included 42 stores comprising about 20 percent of Belk's revenue, John and Tom Belk were forced to respond by forming a new company in 1996 that bought the Leggetts out. This move accelerated the slow trend of consolidating the store's ownership under the Belks. [6]

In April 1997 Belk closed its smallest store located in the smallest town with a Belk—Chesterfield, SC—with a population of less than 1,500. In 1998, the company formed a new entity (Belk, Inc.) that merged the 112 remaining Belk companies, swapping the existing partners' local interests for shares in the combined entity; for example, the Hudson family in Raleigh received almost 5% of the shares. [7] The same year, Belk made a deal to acquire seven Dillard's locations in exchange for nine of theirs so that each could build on regional strengths. Slowly, Belk eliminated the dual brands, completing the process with a chain-wide Belk rebranding in the fall of 2010.

2000s

One of the earliest prototype 1960s-era stores to feature the trademark Belk arches, Southgate Mall, Elizabeth City, North Carolina, as shown in 2015 Belk, Southgate Mall, Elizabeth City, NC (east anchor 1969- present).JPG
One of the earliest prototype 1960s-era stores to feature the trademark Belk arches, Southgate Mall, Elizabeth City, North Carolina, as shown in 2015

On July 5, 2005, Belk completed the purchase of 47 Proffitt's and McRae's department stores from Saks Incorporated, primarily in Tennessee and Mississippi. Belk downgraded the 39 Proffitt's and McRae's stores to the Belk nameplate on March 8, 2006. [8] Just over a year later, Belk purchased 38 Parisian department stores from Saks on October 2, 2006. Although most Parisian stores were downgraded to the Belk nameplate since September 12, 2007, some duplicate Parisian stores were closed, as at The Mall at Barnes Crossing in Tupelo, Mississippi, Richland Mall (then known as Midtown at Forest Acres), Columbiana Centre in Columbia, South Carolina, and Citadel Mall in Charleston, South Carolina. Four Parisian stores in Indiana, Michigan, and Ohio, plus a store under construction at the time in Michigan, were sold by Belk to The Bon-Ton Stores, Inc. Integrating the larger, more upscale Parisian stores proved a challenge for Belk, and spurred the creation of the company's flagship strategy. [9]

During the fourth quarter of 2005, Belk completed the sale of its private-label credit card division, Belk National Bank, to GE MoneyBank, a division of GE Consumer Finance. [10] Consumers were issued new Belk credit cards replacing the old ones issued by BNB. All new Belk cards are now issued by GE MoneyBank, now known as Synchrony Bank. [11]

Former Belk logo used from 1968 to 2010. The "All for you!" slogan was used from the late 1990s onward. Old Belk logo.png
Former Belk logo used from 1968 to 2010. The "All for you!" slogan was used from the late 1990s onward.

2010s

Belk at the Mall of Georgia in Buford, Georgia (2019) Belk at Mall of Georgia.jpg
Belk at the Mall of Georgia in Buford, Georgia (2019)

On October 3, 2010, the News & Observer reported that Belk planned to update its logo. [12] On October 12 at SouthPark Mall, Belk introduced the new logo, its first since 1967. The chain embarked on a $70 million marketing campaign that replaced the old slogan "All for You!" with a new slogan, "Modern. Southern. Style." Sixty stores got new signs in the first phase, with the remainder getting new signs throughout 2011. [13] Advertisements for Belk & Co. jewelry continue to use a variation of the old logo.

By 2014, the chain operated 293 stores in 16 states, generating $4 billion in sales in 2014. The state of North Carolina leads in the number of Belk stores with 65 stores followed by Georgia and South Carolina with 45 and 35 stores respectively. [1] Its typical store covers 100,000 to 180,000 square feet. 50% of its stores are in regional malls, another 40% in open-air community or retail parks, and 10% in open-air lifestyle centers. [14]

Acquisition by Sycamore Partners

Belk store at Haywood Mall in Greenville, South Carolina (2016) BelkGRNVLE.jpg
Belk store at Haywood Mall in Greenville, South Carolina (2016)

On April 3, 2015, news reports revealed that Belk was exploring "strategic alternatives," including a possible sale of the company. [15]

On August 24, 2015, Belk announced that it had entered into a definitive merger agreement to be acquired by New York-based private equity firm Sycamore Partners. The acquisition was completed on December 10, 2015. [16]

On June 29, 2016, Belk announced that effective as of July 5, Lisa Harper, CEO of Hot Topic (which is another Sycamore Partners-owned company), would replace Tim Belk as CEO of Belk. This would be the first time since the founding of the company that a non-Belk family member would head the company. [17]

Even as Belk has made its recent acquisitions, the chain has operated limited electronic commerce on its website, and those websites acquired and redirected to Belk.com. Home furnishings such as bedding, small kitchen appliances, crystal, dinnerware, and china have been offered for several years to online shoppers as a part of the chain's online bridal and gift registry. The chain revamped its website and registry on September 15, 2008. Celebrity-branded product lines are another pursuit, including a partnership with actress Kristin Davis for a ladies apparel and accessories collection which debuted in fall 2008 in 125 store locations and online. However, that product line was discontinued in late 2009.

In July 2020, it was announced that Sycamore Partners had made a $1.75 billion offer to acquire department store chain and competitor JCPenney out of bankruptcy. Under the terms of the plan, two hundred fifty JCPenney stores would have been rebranded as Belk in an effort to compete directly with Macy's, while the remaining JCPenney stores would be liquidated. [18] JCPenney was ultimately acquired by Brookfield Property Partners and Simon Property Group instead. [19]

2021: One-day bankruptcy

On January 20, 2021, it was announced that KKR and other major lenders were in talks with Belk to prevent the chain from declaring bankruptcy, having proposed a deal under which a portion of Belk's $2.6 billion debt would be converted to equity and Sycamore would retain an ownership stake. [20]

On January 26, 2021, it was announced that Belk would file for Chapter 11 bankruptcy, continuing to operate normally through the bankruptcy process, which Sycamore expected to exit by the end of February 2021. Sycamore would retain majority control of Belk, while private equity firms KKR and Blackstone would receive a minority stake in the company following its emergence from bankruptcy. The plan would liquidate about $450 million of debt and raise $225 million in new capital, with no employee layoffs or store closures anticipated. [21] [22]

On February 23, 2021, it was announced that Belk had filed Chapter 11 bankruptcy in Houston, the first step in an organization plan that would allow Belk's owner Sycamore Partners to cede a large stake in the company to its lenders while maintaining control of the company. If the bankruptcy plan were approved it would give Belk new capital while cutting its debt load by about $450 million, reducing its total debt to about $1.46 billion, according to the company. [23] [24]

On February 24, 2021, just one day after filing for Chapter 11 Bankruptcy the company announced that it had successfully completed its financial restructuring, finalizing an expedited pre-packaged, one-day reorganization and emerging well-positioned for long-term growth. As part of the restructuring, Belk received $225 million of new capital, reduced its debt by approximately $450 million, and extended maturities on all term loans until July 2025. The plan received nearly unanimous support from existing lenders, supply providers, and landlords to be paid in full as normal operations continue at all store locations. as well as on Belk's e-commerce platform. [25] [26] [27]

New Growth

On July 6, 2021, Belk announced that Nir Patel has been promoted to CEO from his previous position of President and chief merchandising officer. Patel replaces Lisa Harper who has been the company's CEO since July 2016, but will now serve as executive chair of the Belk Board of Directors. It was not disclosed what prompted the leadership change. [28] Along with the CEO change, Belk also announced that Don Hendricks will be promoted from Chief Operating Officer to president. The company also hired Chris Kolbe as EVP, Chief Merchandising Officer.

In May 2023, it was reported that Belk was expanding a new store format, Belk Outlet. There were 16 locations, 10 of which had just recently opened. [29]

Sponsorships

In December 2010, Belk announced that it would become the title sponsor for the former Meineke Car Care Bowl (played in Charlotte), renamed as the Belk Bowl beginning in 2011. The sponsorship would continue for three years. On July 18, 2013, Belk announced a six-year extension of the bowl partnership with the Atlantic Coast Conference (ACC), beginning in 2014. [30] Under the agreement, the bowl featured teams from the ACC and the Southeastern Conference (SEC). On November 20, 2019, Belk announced that it would no longer be the title sponsor for the bowl game following the 2019 playing. [31] Overall, Belk was the title sponsor for nine editions of the bowl (2011–2019). [32]

Flagship locations

A flagship store at Bridge Street Town Centre in Huntsville, Alabama Belk Bridge Street.jpg
A flagship store at Bridge Street Town Centre in Huntsville, Alabama

The chain has multiple "flagship" locations—larger locations in urban and metropolitan centers, [33] and a wider array of merchandise and services including in-store salons. [34] [35] As of 2014, the chain claimed 18 flagship locations, and plans to upgrade more locations.

See also

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Parisian (department store)</span> U.S. department store chain

Parisian Inc. was an American chain of upmarket department stores founded and headquartered in Birmingham, Alabama. Competing mainly through the 1980s against Nordstrom, Neiman Marcus, and Gus Mayer, Parisian underwent a series of restructurings and mergers during its 130-year history, and was taken over by Proffitt’s, Inc. in 1996. In September 2006, Belk purchased Parisian from Saks for $285 million with twenty-four locations later becoming Belk by September 2007. Parisian was quickly sold once more in October 2006 to The Bon-Ton with stores operating in Michigan, Indiana, and Ohio. Parisian operated individually under its own separate division until 2013 when the exclusive rights to operate Parisian had expired, marking the end of this upmarket department store.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Riverchase Galleria</span> Shopping mall in Hoover, Alabama

Riverchase Galleria, locally known as The Galleria, is a large, super–regional shopping mall and mixed use development in Hoover, Alabama, in the Greater Birmingham metropolitan area. It is ranked 43rd on the list of largest shopping malls in the United States. It is the largest enclosed shopping center in Alabama.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Dillard's</span> American department store chain

Dillard's, Inc. is an upscale American department store chain with approximately 282 stores in 29 states and headquartered in Little Rock, Arkansas. Currently, the largest number of stores are located in Texas with 57 and Florida with 42. The company also has stores in 27 more states; however, it is absent from the Northeast, most of the Upper Midwest, the Northwest, and most of California, aside from three stores.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Proffitt's</span> American department store chain

Proffitt's was a department store chain based in Alcoa, Tennessee. The chain was founded in 1919 by David W. Proffitt and James Ellis. In 2006, the Proffitt's and McRae's stores were converted into Belk after Belk had acquired the two chains in July 2005 from Saks, Inc. At the time of their demise they operated 47 Proffitts & McRae's stores.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">McRae's</span> American regional department store chain

McRae's was a mid-range regional department store chain founded and based in Jackson, Mississippi, with locations in Mississippi, Alabama, Louisiana, and Florida. The nameplate was in existence for more than a century.

Carson Pirie Scott & Co. was an American department store that was founded in 1854, which grew to over 50 locations, primarily in the Midwestern United States. It was sold to the holding company of Bon-Ton in 2006, but still operated under the Carson name. The entire Bon-Ton collection of stores, including Carson's, went into bankruptcy and closed in 2018. Bon-Ton's intellectual property was quickly sold while in bankruptcy, and the new owners reopened shortly afterwards as a BrandX virtual retailer.

Von Maur, Inc. is an American department store chain based in Davenport, Iowa. Founded in 1872, the chain operates over 36 locations across the United States, primarily in the Midwest.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Hamilton Place (shopping mall)</span> Shopping mall in Tennessee, United States

Hamilton Place is an enclosed, two-story shopping mall in Chattanooga, Tennessee, United States, just off I-75. It was the largest shopping mall in the state of Tennessee from 1987 to 1998.

P.A. Bergner & Co. was an upscale Midwestern department store in the United States, that was established in 1889. The chain is now an online retailer operated by BrandX.com, Inc. The flagship store was located in Peoria, Illinois at The Shoppes at Grande Prairie.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Citadel Mall</span> Shopping mall in South Carolina, United States

Citadel Mall is a regional 1,138,527 square feet (105,773 m2) shopping mall located in Charleston, South Carolina, United States. It opened on July 29, 1981 and is located at the intersection of Sam Rittenberg Boulevard and I-526. The mall features more than 100 stores. On September 1, 2013 the mall went into foreclosure after then owner CBL & Associates Properties defaulted on mortgage payments, and it was purchased at auction by the lender in January 2014. After the auction, the mall was placed under the ownership of a holding company formed by the lender, 2070 Sam Rittenberg Boulevard Holdings LLC and as of January 2017 was under contract to be sold to an undisclosed buyer. The anchor stores are Target, Belk, Dillard's, Mixed Bag Productions, and Medical University of South Carolina.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">West Oaks Mall (Orlando)</span> Shopping mall in Ocoee, Florida

West Oaks Mall is a local mall located in Ocoee, Florida near Orlando. It is anchored by Dillard's Clearance Center, J. C. Penney, a SunPass Customer Service Center, and a Bed Bath & Beyond Call Center, and has 115 store spaces, a food court, and a 14-screen AMC theater.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Richland Mall (South Carolina)</span> Shopping mall in South Carolina, United States

Richland Mall was an enclosed shopping mall near the intersection of Forest Drive and Beltline Blvd in Forest Acres, South Carolina within the greater Columbia Metropolitan Area. The interior mall space has been closed to the public since early 2022. However, its last anchor store, Belk, continued to operate until early September 2023. A Barnes & Noble continued to operate as a junior anchor with its own exterior access until December 31, 2023. There are two additional empty anchor stores that have both been largely vacant since the late 2000s. The mall's last inline tenant, Columbia Children's Theatre, moved out on February 1, 2023. The mall has never received a major renovation and has an ornate late 1980s-early 1990s interior aesthetic.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">WestGate Mall (South Carolina)</span> Shopping mall in South Carolina, USA

WestGate Mall is a shopping mall in Spartanburg, South Carolina, off Interstate 26 and US Highway 29 on West Blackstock Road in the city's primary shopping market. The regional mall has 954,302 square feet (88,657.6 m2) of retail space and four anchor stores: Belk, Costco, Dillard's, and JCPenney.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">College Square Mall (Tennessee)</span> Shopping mall in Tennessee, United States

College Square is an indoor regional shopping mall located in Morristown, Tennessee. College Square is owned by Time Equities Inc and managed by Urban Retail Properties. It features approximately 50 stores and restaurants including AMC College Square 12.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Macon Mall</span> Shopping mall in Georgia, United States

Macon Mall is a two-level, 1.1-million-square-foot shopping mall located in Macon, Georgia. It is a dead mall with a 74% and rising vacancy rate with only one anchor store, Burlington. It has three vacant anchors left by Belk, J.C. Penney and Macy's. Sears once occupied the space currently taken by Burlington. The lower level is still empty.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">The Shoppes at Bel Air</span> Shopping mall in Alabama, United States

The Shoppes at Bel Air, formerly Bel Air Mall, is a super-regional shopping mall, located in Mobile, Alabama, United States. The mall has a gross leasable area of 1,345,000 sq ft (125,000 m2). It is the oldest continuously operating enclosed super-regional mall in Alabama and serves as one of the primary retail venues for the west Mobile shopping district located at the vicinity of Airport Boulevard and Interstate 65. Currently, Belk, Dillard's, JCPenney, Surge Entertainment Center by Drew Brees, and Target serve as the mall's anchor stores; the mall also features more than 130 stores and restaurants.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Peachtree Mall</span> Shopping mall in Georgia, United States

Peachtree Mall is a shopping mall in Columbus, Georgia. After the closing and demolition of Columbus Square Mall in the early 2000s, Peachtree Mall is the only enclosed shopping center in the city. Peachtree Mall is one of two major shopping areas in Columbus, the other being Columbus Park Crossing.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Dalton Mall</span> Shopping mall

Dalton Mall, formerly known as Walnut Square Mall is an indoor shopping center located in Dalton, Georgia

The Limited is an American clothing brand sold exclusively through Belk. The Limited began with operating retail stores between the early 1960s and the late 2010s. In 2017, it became a brand owned by the private equity firm Sycamore Partners.

Sycamore Partners is an American private equity firm based in New York specializing in retail and consumer investments. The firm has approximately $10 billion in aggregate committed capital.

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