Bealls to debut Bunulu concept in Jacksonville

Bradenton, FL – Bealls Inc. is set to open its first of four new stores under its new coastal concept, Bunulu, next month at the Coconut Point mall in Estero, between Naples and Fort Myers, in Southwest Florida.

Bunulu – the Aborigine word for “a place of water” – will offer apparel, accessories and home fashions geared toward coastal living, as suggested in its tagline: “Land. Water. Style.”

Additionally, the company recently signed a lease with St. Johns Town Center in Jacksonville, Fla., to open another Bunulu there by Oct. 15 in the space formerly occupied by Fossil, the Jacksonville Daily Record reported.

Two more leases in other locations in Florida are pending, but the retailer has not disclosed where these sites are, only that they should open in October or November – in time for the holiday season.

The targeted customer is 35 years old and older, and with median household incomes of greater than $80,000. More generally, Bunulu will aim to appeal to outdoor-oriented individuals and families.

This year celebrating its 100th anniversary in business, Bealls Inc. currently operates more than 530 stores across the southern and eastern U.S. under the Bealls Department Stores, Bealls Outlets and Burkes Outlets nameplates.

Bunulu stores will average at about 4,000 square feet – smaller than typical Bealls stores.