With 75,000 square feet of shopping space and more than 100 employees, Belk opened its doors to shoppers at Greenwood Mall for a soft opening Oct. 4 and invited local media for a store tour Tuesday.

“I think the most exciting thing we offer in this store is the ability to create memories for families in the Bowing Green metropolitan area,” store manager Ashley Turner said. “We do everything. Every moment that anyone has, we’re there for.

“If they are buying a picture frame for a graduation or a baby gift we are there for them,” he said. “Having over 100 employees in the building shows our commitment to providing memorable customer service.”

Turner is an 18-month employee of Belk who previously worked in the Clarksville, Tenn., store. He has 14 years of retail experience.

Shoppers have been perusing the racks and becoming familiar with all of Belk’s many private label brands sold only in Belk stores such as Crown & Ivy, New Directions, Kim Rogers, True Craft, Zelos, Pro Tour, Saddlebred, Biltmore and others. Belk offers other popular national brands such as Levi’s, Alfred Dunner, Salt Life and Kasper.

Cosmetics and fragrances greet customers at the store’s interior mall entrance. Each cosmetics counter has a cellphone charging station and a handbag hanger to hold a purse while trying on cosmetics. Shoppers can also charge their cellphones at charging docks in the dressing rooms.

Clothing is arranged in a lifestyle format. For example, adult contemporary clothing for women is set up in an area together with complete looks from top to bottom in that particular style. Crown & Ivy, the store’s preppy casual line, is set up the same.

The store’s signature lines make a nod to the company’s Southern traditions with many pieces of coastal style clothing for men, woman and children. Belk Inc. is a Charlotte-based retailer.

The store occupies the space previously held by Macy’s and is the seventh Belk store in Kentucky.

The first floor houses clothing for men and women, cosmetics, fragrances, shoes and jewelry. The second floor is devoted to children and home with a small toy shop and has room for expansion if needed, Turner said.

During the grand opening celebration Wednesday through Sunday, eight cosmetic artists for each brand will be in the store to provide assistance and recommendations on each brand. Estee Lauder fragrance will offer free engraving on fragrance bottles purchased during the grand opening, and Lancome will provide monogrammed bags that will be monogrammed on site for Lancome customers as a gift with purchase.

The store is also participating in a variety of upcoming charity events.