There’s a new face in an old spot at Bonita Lakes Mall and it made its grand entrance Wednesday morning — Belk Department Store.

Belk purchased McRae’s in August 2005. Store Manager Dennis Hall said, even though there’s a new name, shoppers are going to find everything they loved about McRae’s pretty much intact.

“There are lots of similarities. Customers are not going to see much change from the retail standpoint,” Hall said after the grand opening and ribbon-cutting. “We still offer great customer service and an outstanding value and quality merchandise.”

A few changes have been made.

“We’ve added a lot of new visual signage and props to display our newer merchandise,” Hall said. “We’ve also added some fixtures so that we can increase the capacity of our merchandise.”

Belk specializes in men’s and women’s apparel and also carries jewelry, cosmetics, luggage and even dinnerware.

One of the best parts of the transition, Hall said, is the retention of his workers.

“We didn’t lose one employee,” Hall said. “That was one of Belk’s priorities.”

Hall said this priority stems from the fact that Belk is still privately owned and operated, which benefits him greatly as a manager.

“They have been great business partners. They can make decisions much quicker than most corporations can and the merchandise we receive has been an outstanding assortment,” Hall said.

Customers seem satisfied.

“I like it a lot,” said Linda Miller of Meridian. “I liked McRae’s a lot, so I’m sure I’ll like Belk’s.”

Pachuta resident Marie Plummer, a frequent McRae’s shopper, said she appreciates the extra elbow room in the store.

“So far it seems like they’ve spaced everything out better. It makes everything easier to find and to get around. I think it’s better,” Plummer said rummaging through a rack of shirts. “It looks like they’ve got some really nice prices here. I see some things I’m really going to like. It’s like they threw out the old and brought in the new.”

Bonita Lakes Mall Marketing Director Jana Kuner said Belk is a welcome addition to the Bonita shopping experience.

“We are excited to have Belk here and we know they will do very well in this market,” Kuner said. “In my opinion, they offer something new to Meridian. It’s a little bit more upscale and it’s a place that I would shop.”