A downtown State College staple for nearly a century is on the move. But shoppers won’t have to go very far to find its new location.
Harper’s clothing store will be moving in the spring, just a few blocks east from its familiar storefront at 114 W. College Ave. to 224 E. College Ave., next to The Tavern.
The renovated space will be a 6,000-square-foot, multi-level store. A trio of State College businesses will be involved in developing the new store, with design by Paula Cipar of Morpheus Studios, architecture by Albert Drobka and construction by Veronesi Building and Remodeling.
“We’ve dressed generations of Penn Staters for job interviews, game days, and graduations, and our new shopping environment will allow us to better serve the needs of the State College community,” said Harper’s owner Brian Cohen.
Cohen said the store, which first opened its doors on College Avenue in 1926, will expand its selection of men’s tailored clothing, sportswear, and exclusive Penn State apparel. A women’s boutique will be added and the in-house tailor shop expanded.
“Just like Penn State itself, we’re always looking back to our traditions and heritage and using them to build the future,’ Cohen said. We’re laying the foundation for the next 90 years.”
Harper’s new East College Avenue location was previously occupied by the boutique Sercy (formerly Access) which operated for 18 years before closing its doors this past spring.
