Texarkana Gazette readers last week beheld a flyer from Bealls advertising the last Black Friday sale ever. They wanted to know what that meant.
Stage Stores, the umbrella corporation that owns the Bealls brand as well as brands like Goody's, Peebles and others, will be converting the Texarkana, Texas, Bealls at Central Mall to a Gordmans store.
According to a company spokesperson, other Texas-based Bealls stores converted to Gordmans have received positive responses from their "guests."
"They are responding to our Gordmans off-price concept and most of the Stage department stores will convert to Gordmans during 2020," said the spokesperson. "Gordmans stores receive fresh merchandise deliveries weekly and a wide array of popular brand name merchandise for the entire family at everyday low prices. So, there will always be something new to discover at Gordmans when it comes to popular name brand apparel, home décor, footwear, gifts, accessories, fragrances and more for the entire family. Guests can use their Stage-brand private label credit card, Style Circle Rewards and Stage-brand gift cards at Gordmans."
Gordmans began as a small clothing store in Omaha, Nebraska, opened by Sam Richman in 1915. Dan Gordman joined Richman as a full partner in the business. Over time, the business expanded and went through other changes.
In 2017, Stage Stores bought 48 Gordmans stores and 1 distribution center. The purchase also included the Gordmans name along with all the intellectual property.
Bealls, Texas - not to be confused with the Florida Bealls retail chain - was established in 1923 by the Beall brothers, Archie, Robbie, and later, Willie in Henderson Texas. By 1972, Bealls had grown to 60 stores in Texas and had grown beyond Texas's borders for the first time. In the late 80s, the company ran into issues for various reasons, from disagreements overstock sales in the board, to the Texas oil market taking a downturn. The company would come under the ownership of another name, Specialty Retailers, Inc., and by the early- to mid-90s, Stage Stores.