Belk is busy bulking up. Already the nation's largest family owned and operated department store chain, Belk operates about 300 stores in more than 16 states. Belk stores are located primarily in the southeastern US and offer mid-priced brand-name and private-label apparel, shoes, jewelry, cosmetics, gifts, and home furnishings. Its stores usually anchor malls or shopping centers in small to midsized markets and target 35-to-54-year-old middle- and upper-income women. Founded in 1888 by William Henry Belk, the company was acquired by Sycamore Partners in 2015 for $2.7 billion, and 2016 marked the first time the chain was run by a non-Belk family member in the shape of new CEO Lisa Harper.