VALDOSTA – Belk of Colonial Mall in Valdosta announced plans to expand its store by 20,000 square feet and renovate the store interior in order to better meet the shopping needs of its customers in the Valdosta area. The expansion and renovation project is scheduled to begin on March 7, with the store expansion completed by July 15, and a grand reopening for the total store planned for Nov. 2.

The store’s interior will be completely renovated using the latest in retail design, floor layout, lighting, merchandise presentation and dcor. The expansion and renovation will enable Belk to substantially expand its offerings of the latest major brands of fashion apparel, accessories and shoes for women, men and children. Additionally, customers will find new and larger assortments of cosmetics, home, gift and other types of merchandise.

The project represents an investment of approximately $5 million by Belk. The store will remain open throughout the renovation project.

“We’re creating a brand new shopping environment for customers that’s bright, open and designed to make shopping more convenient and enjoyable,” said Store Manager Bubba Campbell. “We’ll have a totally modern and updated store featuring lots of new merchandise and a continued commitment to providing value, selection and service that has been a hallmark of Belk in Valdosta for the past 65 years.”

New lighting is being installed throughout the store and sight barriers removed to give the store a bright, open look that will make it easier for customers to see and find the merchandise they want. New signing and visual presentation elements will help customers locate the various departments and enable the store to showcase its latest merchandise offerings.

New, wider polished porcelain tile aisles will lead customers around the store to the various merchandise areas, which will have new carpet, paint, wall treatments and merchandise display fixtures. New fitting rooms are being constructed, and all restrooms will be completely renovated.

The store’s center core will continue to house ladies’ shoes, accessories, and a large cosmetics department.

“The store improvements are based on what our customers in Valdosta have told us they want,” said Campbell. “Our goal is to continue meeting their shopping needs and provide the best in fashion, quality, value and service. We have an outstanding team of associates who are very excited about our new store and how it will enhance their customers’ shopping experience.”

The store has served the Valdosta community since opening a downtown store in 1939. The store was relocated to a new, 80,500- square-foot store at Valdosta Mall (now Colonial Mall) in 1983. In 1997, Belk opened a second store with 8,000-square-feet of space at the mall, which offers children’s merchandise.

The store is part of Charlotte, N.C.-based Belk, Inc., the nation’s largest privately owned department store company, which operates 229 stores in 14 Southeastern states.