SALISBURY — To mark the retail giant’s new location on Interstate 85, Belk will host a month of grand opening events.
Belk pulled out of the Salisbury Mall last month and will re-open Wednesday in a 74,000-square-foot store in the expanded Wallace Commons, a shopping center at I-85 exit 74 on Klumac Road. The department store’s arrival has drawn several other national and regional retailers to Wallace Commons, including Ulta Beauty and Michaels Crafts, which opened last week.
Shoe Carnival is scheduled to open Oct. 21, and Sleepy’s mattress store is under construction next to a future urgent care medical clinic.
Belk will open to the public at 9:30 a.m. Wednesday with ribbon-cutting ceremony, where the company will make a $5,000 donation to Rowan County United Way. A private sneak peek shopping event tonight also will benefit the United Way’s annual fund drive, which is underway.
Immediately following the ribbon cutting, the first 300 customers will receive Belk gift cards ranging in value from $5 to $500.
Other grand opening events:

• Diva Day, noon to 2 p.m. Saturday
The first 50 “divas” (girls 12 years and under) to walk the red carpet in the girls’ 4-16 department will receive VIP treatment, including a glamour photo souvenir, mini-makeover and a feather.
• Girls Night Out, 5 to 8:30 p.m. Oct. 23
A celebration of Belk’s newest merchandise, featuring refreshments, music by a DJ and prize giveaways, including a chance to win a $1,500 Belk shopping spree and Estee Lauder makeover. Guests will receive a coupon good for 20 percent off purchases of regular and sale merchandise.
• Bridal event, 1 to 3 p.m. Oct. 26
Brides-to-be and other customers are invited to participate in this event spotlighting Belk’s bridal registry services. Get wedding gift ideas, open a registry, get the latest makeup tips from Clinique and enjoy refreshments and prize giveaways. 
Register for a chance to win a pair of diamond stud earrings valued at $2,950 from Belk and Co. Fine Jewelers and a Clinique cosmetic gift basket valued at $200.
• Shoe Party, 5 to 9 p.m. Nov. 21
Belk will show off the latest shoe brands and styles during this event featuring entertainment, refreshments, a 20-percent discount on shoe and accessories and a gift from Estee Lauder. 
Charlotte-based Belk Inc. is the nation’s largest family owned and operated department store company, with 301 stores in 16 southern states.
Founded in 1888 by William Henry Belk in Monroe, the company is in the third generation of Belk family leadership. Last year, the company donated more than $19 million to charity.

Contact reporter Emily Ford at 704-797-4264.