The grand opening of Steele’s in the Selma Mall earlier this month not only marked another business calling Selma home, but it also marked a milestone for the state of Alabama.

The arrival of Steele’s in Selma also marked the department chain’s arrival in the state as a whole.

“We’re excited that Steele’s is in Selma, Alabama,” said Sheryl Smedley, executive director of the Selma-Dallas County Chamber of Commerce. “This is their first store in Alabama and it’s exciting that they chose Selma. It shows that Selma and Dallas County are open for business.”

Steele’s is a department store that aims to give customers bigger discounts off of the same products that they’d find at a bigger department store.

“Steele’s is offering to the marketplace great, name brand apparel, accessories and home décor at 30 to 60 percent off department prices every day,” said Jennifer Grammar, director of marketing with Stage Store’s—the company that operates Steele’s and Goody’s among others.

Grammar said Steele’s also offers special discounts to customers who’ve served in the military, and senior citizens.

“For our military discount program, members of the military will be eligible for a ten percent discount every day,” Grammar said. “They just need to bring in military I.D. We also have a discount program for customers 60 and over. They will also qualify for a ten percent discount on Tuesdays.”

Selma Mayor George Evans said the arrival of a new store in Selma is good for the citizens and the city itself.

“I’m just proud to see another retail business opening in our city,” Evans said. “It is, in fact, the nucleus of which we get sales tax money. 60 percent of our budget is based on sales tax. To have another business open and new jobs for citizens makes a big difference because if they have jobs, they’ll be able to buy things and spend money and turn the money around within the city. I’m just proud and thankful to Steele’s for coming to Selma and letting us be the first one to open such a business in Alabama.”