A name change and a slight shift in merchandise will be seen next month, as the Atmore Peebles location becomes Goody’s.

Ronny Miley, district manager for Stage Stores’ south Alabama region, the retailers parent company, confirmed the nameplate change Friday afternoon.

“All of the stores in Alabama, Florida, Georgia and even a few in Mississippi are changing their name plates from Peebles to Goody’s,” he said.

Stage Stores representative Stan Witherow, who works in the north Alabama region, believes the name change is part of Stage’s efforts for better “name recognition.”

“We’ve already done this in a few markets and it’s been a huge success,” he said.

Bob Aronson, vice president of investor relations for Stage Stores, said the changes expected mid-March would produce the same quality and value seen at Peebles.

“The name change is something we made a decision on based on the recognition of the name throughout the Southeast,” Aronson said. “The merchandise offered at Goody’s will be equal in quality and value as seen at Peebles.”

Aronson said signage changes would be seen beginning mid-March with merchandise shuffling also in place during that time.

“We will still offer the same name brands as has been offered at Peebles,” Aronson said. “There may be some changes in merchandise in regard to specific departments.”

Aronson said Goody’s would offer merchandise tailored to the trends and needs of the community.

“There may be an increase in the denim lines at the Atmore store,” Aronson said. “There may be some changes to increase selection in the junior and young men’s departments as well. Some selections will be more intensive in different departments based on the needs of the community. We tailor the assortment of merchandise available to best suit the needs of the community we serve.”

Miley added that it is still planned for the Atmore store to carry the Clinique and Estee Lauder name brands, which sets it apart from the Brewton location, which will also see a name change in mid-March.

Aronson said no change is expected in management or staff at the Atmore store.

“No change in personnel is planned,” Aronson said. “The same employees will be providing customer service and operate the store during the same hours as currently being seen at the store.”

Aronson said the changes wouldn’t bring about any decrease in the quality merchandise typically offered by State Stores establishments.

“We will continue to offer a good value on the merchandise available,” Aronson said. “Customers can continue to expect good sales and good promotions on items at the store.”

The Atmore location of Peebles, soon to be Goody’s, is located at 141 Lindberg Ave.

Stage Stores purchased the rights to the Goody’s name in 2009 as part of the Goody’s bankruptcy auction. The company began using the Goody’s name in select markets where the name was already a recognized entity.

Other names currently being used as part of the Stage Stores company include Stage, Peebles, Beall’s and Palais Royal. The company owns more than 780 locations in 39 states with approximately 13,000 employees. The company also anticipates opening 35-40 new stores in the coming year. The company has corporate offices in Houston, Texas and South Hill, Va.

Publisher Adam Prestridge contributed to this story.