SALISBURY — Belk invites customers to celebrate the department store’s 125th anniversary with a free open house event and other celebrations this week.
Wednesday marks the anniversary of Belk, the date when William Henry Belk opened his first store in Monroe 125 years ago. More than 300 locations across 16 southern states will celebrate the company’s founding.
Customers are invited to attend celebration events in each store that will include special decorations, entertainment and refreshments, as well as sales promotions throughout the store. The first 100 customers at each Belk store on Wednesday will receive a gift card.
Belk is located in the Salisbury Mall, although the store plans to relocate this fall to an expansion under construction at the Wallace Commons shopping center on Julian Road at interstate 85.
The anniversary kickoff will begin at 9 a.m. Wednesday under the atrium dome just outside of the store entrance facing Jake Alexander Boulevard. Store manager Lynda Lefler will introduce guest speaker Elaine Spalding, the new president of the Rowan County Chamber of Commerce.
Spalding will share remarks with customers and guests.
Belk will recognize long-term Salisbury associates, and customers can enjoy musical entertainment prior to the store opening at 9:30 a.m.
The gift card giveway to the first 100 customers will include music, cake and refreshments available to customers.
As part of the local 125th anniversary celebration, the Salisbury Belk will host the Lancome Beauty Bar artistry event with makeup artist Ricardo Costales on Thursday, as well as an outreach event at Isenberg Elementary school on Friday.
“Our 125th anniversary is an opportunity for us to say a big thank you to everyone who has made Belk successful over the past 125 years,” said Tim Belk, chairman and CEO of Belk.
Belk, along with associates, customers and vendors, has contributed more than $18 million to local communities during the past fiscal year.
Belk corporate donated $6.2 million to more than 250 nonprofit organizations with a focus on education, breast cancer research and awareness, and community strengthening.
The remainder of the funding includes associate, vendor and customer dollars raised in Belk-led charitable initiatives, including Belk Charity Sale.
Belk commits to give 2.5 percent of its pretax income each year back to the communities it serves.