Stage Stores is a retail chain of more than 660 stores throughout the United States and has a location in Abbeville, La. The company was formed in 1988 when the management of Palais Royal, together with several venture capital firms, acquired the family-owned Bealls and Palais Royal chains, which have been in operation since the 1920s. The company operates under the names of Bealls, Palais Royal and Stage throughout the south-central United States and operates Peebles throughout the New England, mid-Atlantic, and Southeastern and Midwestern regions. Its stores provide a range of branded apparel, accessories, cosmetics and footwear. More than 85 percent of the sales of the company include nationally recognized brands, such as Levi Strauss, Nike, Tommy Hilfiger, Liz Claiborne, Calvin Klein, Chaps, Polo Jeanswear, Reebok and New Balance. Over 14 percent of the sales include the company s private-label merchandise that further includes nearly 20 brands.