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Celebrating 100 Years

in Downtown State College

100 Years Celebration

100th ANNIVERSARY STORIES

Mark Sunderland

Young Mens Shop

I started working at The Young Mens Shop in Altoona in 1976. By 1982, Joel Cohen asked me to help open and manage a second location, one in State College. As a recent Penn State graduate, I was eager to join the Cohen family in this important venture. Unlike many new businesses of the day, we seemed to be an instant success, what with Joe Cohen’s 56-year-in business reputation and my Sunderland family work ethic. I assisted Joel and Susan in buying both men’s and women’s apparel. It was exciting and challenging, and those buying trips to New York added an extra dimension to my career. Fast-forward to 2026: Brian Cohen is celebrating the 100th anniversary of Harper’s and I’m a happy retiree in Atlanta, having developed a successful design and antique business for many years. I raise my glass to Brian and his fine staff; here’s to another hundred! Cheers!

Lee Anne Jeffries

Executive Director, State College Downtown Improvement District

For a century, Harper's has been woven into the fabric of Downtown State College. Their story is one of resilience, innovation, and an unwavering commitment to serving generations of customers with warmth, style, and exceptional care. From our perspective at the Downtown State College Improvement District, Harper's has long been a business that others look to for inspiration. They have set the standard for outstanding customer service, thoughtful merchandising, quality products, and an inviting shopping experience. Through changing fashions, evolving retail trends, and a century of transformation, Harper's has continued to grow and adapt while staying true to the values that have earned the trust and loyalty of their customers. What makes Harper's so special is not only their ability to evolve but their dedication to doing it with authenticity and heart. They have shown that success comes from embracing change without ever losing sight of the personal connections that make a local business truly memorable. We are grateful to have Harper's as a cornerstone of our downtown community and proud to celebrate this incredible milestone alongside them. Congratulations on 100 years of excellence, leadership, and lasting impact. Thank you for helping make Downtown State College the vibrant and welcoming place it is today!

Rebecca L. Harper Trunzo

Granddaughter of Jack Harper

Other than my Grandmother Dot, who did the store's accounting and paperwork, no other woman had worked at Jack Harper's Store. Once while in college I decided to try to break the mold. Without any training I worked at my grandfather's store for exactly 4 hours one afternoon. What a fiasco. I remember making a sale and totally going into math brain fog at the cash register. It was the days when a cash register did not give you the information about how much change was due. I had to do the math in my head and I froze. I counted out the change into the Customer's hand by nickels and dimes and quarters and then exchanged them for dollars. Luckily the customer had a sense of humor. My grandfather didn't say a word, but that was the last time I ever worked at the store. I'd like to think that it was my choice!

As a child, there were two "best" experiences being Jack Harper's granddaughter. The first was that we always had front row seats for the Fourth of July parade from the balcony outside the second story Office above the store. The festivities and rides were just around the corner lining Allen Street. The other memory I have is visiting my grandmother in the Office - climbing up the tartan colored carpeted steps and then requesting a trip out the back office door to the bathroom. Once in the upper hallway, I had an opportunity to pause and stand in the open door of the old Cathaum Theater near the projection room. I usually made it to the bathroom, but I enjoyed snagging a few (maybe more) minutes to watch what movie was running on the screen.

Dr. Lara Fowler

Penn State University

"I need a dress for dinner with the King and Queen of Sweden." Not an ordinary request but one that the folks at Harpers handled with spirit. As chair of the jury for the Stockholm Junior Water Prize, which recognizes the top high school students from around the world for their work on addressing the world's top water challenges, I'm invited to the royal dinner in Stockholm. It has been wonderful to work with Lisa, Geri and colleagues to figure out what might meet the black tie requirements, travel well, and most of all, look good!

Kirk Keel

CEO & Co-Founder, Stantt

I am a Penn State alum ('02 BSME) and have fond memories of the store from when I was a student. Years after graduating, I started a menswear brand and was over-the-moon thrilled when Brian agreed to give our Stantt custom shirt experience a chance in his store. And I proud to say that we have been partners with Harpers ever since (for 8+ years now!), with our product being sold to and worn by some well-known Happy Valley gentlemen around town. My fondest memory, though, is when I brought my family this last Fall to go to a game and visit State College. Of course we had to make a stop at Harpers, and Brian + staff treated my family with so much gratitude and love (they may have even left with a couple of free vintage t-shirts!). Congrats on 100 years!!

Kathleen Muffie-Witt

My father Ron Muffie shopped faithfully at YMS. Getting beautiful suits for his work travels. He would bring us into the shop as kids and taught us about quality clothes. When the 2nd store opened in Altoona I was thrilled to see women’s clothes. I have been shopping with you ever since. My most favorite outfit is a beautiful brown pants suit that I wore for our post wedding photo. Which hangs in our home to this day. When shopping at the store I feel as if I’m working with family. You have my back to look the best that I can be. Thank you!!

Bri Bottorf

Harpers

I worked at Harpers throughout college and have never enjoyed working somewhere more! Working at Harpers made me into a more confident, personable person which has opened so many doors for me. I also made some life-long friends while working at Harpers. Lisa, Brian, and everyone else make Harpers such a special place- for customers and employees alike!

Bradford K. Dillman

Congratulations to Harper's on 100 years in State College! Harper's is, hands down, the best clothing store in town. Once you buy something here, you're hooked — the quality is unmatched, and every piece I own from Harper's has stood the test of time. But it's not just the clothes. The customer service is outstanding, too. From the moment you walk in until the moment you leave, you feel genuinely taken care of. Here's to a hundred years — and many more to come!

Cindy Kalinowski

Young Mens Shop

Working at the Young Men's Shop alongside three generations of the Cohen family was an exceptional experience. Very few people have the opportunity to witness a family legacy grow, adapt and thrive the way I have, and I am grateful for the 25 years spent in your company. My journey began with Joel employing me in 1978. At that time, I met Joe and Martha, who laid the foundation for the shop and were still active in the business. Joe and Martha taught me the true meaning of integrity in business. Together, they established a standard of excellence and community connection that defined the heart of the business. That legacy continued with Joel and Susan. Joel brought a sharp vision and an energetic leadership style that successfully guided the shop through changing times, always keeping us ahead of the curve while respecting the shops roots. Susan's presence added a balance of creativity, kindness and dedication. Under their watch, the business expanded its reach, but it never lost the personal touch that Joe and Martha had instilled. Now, seeing Brian and Lisa step into leadership has been incredibly rewarding. Brian brings a modern perspective and an adept understanding of contemporary business, while Lisa infuses the shop with fresh energy, passion, and a respect for the family heritage. They are successfully carrying the torch into the future, proving that the values of hard work and exceptional service are safely preserved in the third generation. What has made this experience so extraordinary is not just the business success I have witnessed, but the way the Cohens treat people. Throughout three generations, the Cohen family has maintained an unwavering commitment to quality, mutual respect and kindness--not just for your customers, but for your employees as well. You have cheered for my successes, supported me through challenges, and always made me feel like an extension of your own family. Thank you for allowing me to be part of this remarkable journey. I will always look back on my time at The Young Men's Shop, Harper's, with pride and affection.

Brian Cleary

Harpers has always helped me to feel like a true gentleman. Their service, their attention to detail, and their ability to weave your tastes with their recommendations is unmatched, and provides an exquisite experience. My first experience with Harpers was like many others’ - purchasing the interview suit package fresh out of school. Since then it’s been everything from dropping by for a quick pair of socks or a pocket square, to crafting my wedding suit, to curating a few select pieces to freshen up my wardrobe. Most of all, Brian and team are genuine good people. And they make you feel welcome, appreciated, and well dressed. Harpers is a gem and we are lucky to have them. Cheers to 100 years!

Karen Gold

Peak Effects Marketing

My team and I have had the privilege of working with Harpers for over 14 years. Working with them has always been a pleasure! Brian, Lisa and Rae are the team we work with and they are always kind, responsive and grateful. One of the best parts of working with them has been watching how they evolve and grow their store. We look forward to continuing our partnership and being part of their journey. Congratulations on 100 years, what a huge accomplishment!

Chris & Michele Kelly

Young Mens Shop

Our story is a unique one. Michele and I met as co-workers at the Young Men’s Shop (State College) in 1986 and we were married in 1989. We have plenty of good memories of our time there - particularly co-workers Mark Sunderland, Belber Robinson, June Clark, Susan Miller and the unforgettable Michael Monnikendam. I will never forget my interview with Joel and being so impressed by his immaculate seersucker suit, pink pinpoint cotton shirt, perfect tie and white bucks that pulled it all together. Brian was frequently in the store as he was managing Gia Gia across Calder Alley. After our time at YMS, Michele and I moved to the Washington DC area and started our family (Conor & Alison). We moved back to the State College area in 1997. We continue to shop at Harpers and always look forward to seeing Brian, Geri and the folks there. Last year we had a family wedding and Brian and Geri helped make sure Conor (wearing a custom suit) and I looked well dressed. Congratulations on 100 years!

Carol Claret

Torino Leather

I would see Brian and his associates at the Chicago Collective and looked forward to his appointment. He always came to the booth with a big smile and ready to chat. We had a good time working the line and shared many laughs. Rae and I exchanged emails even non work related, that is how well we got along. She even came to Louisiana to visit and we went on a swamp tour which Brian generously made it happen. This is a wonderful business and I wish them all the best. Congratulations on such a wonderful 100 years...You guys rock.

Sam Cipar

Harpers has been part of my life for a long time. From my first blazer to my wedding outfit, I've always appreciated the quality of garments and the service from the incredible owners and staff. Not only that, Harpers has a lot of family connections for me too. My sister (Coco) worked at the store for years and helped outfit many friends and family, while my mom (Paula) worked on the design. Though I moved to Chicago ten years ago, I still do the majority of my clothes shopping at Harpers and take every chance I get to stop by when I visit State College!

Sharmey Choksi Shah

Young Mens Shop

I was hired by Cindy and Brian at the Young Mens Shop in 1996. This happened fortuitously as I gave my application and then went downstairs to the womens shop to look around and happened to meet Brian and his then fiancée Alisa. It was a wonderful experience that catapulted my career in Sales post graduation. I ran into Brian and Lisa again a few years ago at Harper’s Nittany Lion Inn and am so thrilled to stay in touch. I always make it a point to shop when I’m in town for games and it’s a pleasure to see the Cohens after so many years!

Todd Erdley

Happy 100th Harpers! It is hard to believe how deeply Harper's has impacted our family. You have literally clothed four generations. I have so many fond memories of walking in, feeling welcomed, and being shown clothes that my engineering brain would say no way, don't wear that. Your leadership and the entire team have repeatedly shown me what happens when I get to work with people that truly care about me. It has been motivational from day one and it continues to today. While the names have changed, the locations have changed, your north star commitment has never altered and I truly appreciate that. To Brian, you have no idea how much I have appreciated our business talks. Your ability to blend tech and clothing is super cool. And I would be remiss to say that you are an amazing entrepreneur. What you did to guide the store through Covid still brings goosebumps to me. I have the deepest respect for you on so many levels. Thank you Harpers. Thank you for providing the Erdley family with memories and impact that cannot be fully understood.

Steven Seltzer

My earliest memory of The Young Mens Shop as a customer was in the spring of 1968. I was preparing for my Bar Mitzvah and I needed two suits- one for Friday night and the other for the main event on Saturday. Joe Cohen (Brian's grandfather) waited on my mother and me and I can remember Joe and his wife Martha helping us pick ties to match the suits that we had picked. In 1972 and again in 1973 the Young Mens Shop set me up with tuxedos for my junior and senior proms. After graduation from Penn State in 1977 I joined our family business where I wore sport coats and ties to work Monday through Friday. Of course there were countless suits for the synagogue and other functions that required them. At some point Casual Friday became a thing and I was able to loose the sport coat and tie at least on Fridays. Brian's dad Joel was always in the store, and two of my favorite salespeople in the early years were John Reffner and Aldo... I think his last name was Picarello. Three generations of the Cohen family helped me, my parents, and my siblings with all of our clothing needs. I still follow Brian's mom Susan on Facebook. Congratulations on 100 years of the helping Blair and Centre County residents with the best in fashion!

Jim Gardner

Founder, Bruzer Thoughtful Design Group

Congratulations to Harpers on an extraordinary 100 years! Bruzer has had the privilege of working with Harpers for more than 15 years. I look forward to meeting with Brian and Rae each year at the Tailgate and Licensing Show in Las Vegas to introduce our newest collection and explore ideas for the seasons ahead. Together, we have designed several unique Penn State licensed sweaters and Rugby shirts over the years. Their success reflects what Harpers does exceptionally well: understanding its customers and envisioning products they will be excited to wear. Harpers combines generations of retail expertise with a genuine openness to fresh ideas—nobody does it better. Brian and Rae are always clear, thoughtful and collaborative. Our relationship is built on trust, shared expertise and a mutual passion for creating outstanding products. The designs we develop together succeed because Harpers remains deeply connected to its customers and committed to serving them well. It is rare and special to work with a company that has remained so customer-focused and relevant for an entire century. On behalf of everyone at Bruzer-Barbarian and the Thoughtful Design Group, CONGRATULATIONS to Brian, Rae and the entire Harpers team. We are honoured to be part of your story and proud to continue building the next chapter together.

Mike Desmond

Great memories of quality clothes & caring people at Harpers! . . . Mark, Belber, Keith . . . Thank You!

Michael Keller

Harpers

As a former employee of Harpers, it was my favorite place to work. From the owners to my colleagues, it was one of the best work cultures I have ever been a part of. One of the most enjoyable aspects of my job was being a part of so many big moments in customer's lives; advising a college student how to appropriately dress for an interview, helping a couple create their vision for wedding attire, or just helping someone refresh and update their wardrobe. If I still lived in State College, I would still work there. I wish Harpers at least another 100 years of success!

Curtis Shulman

I was asked to officiate the vow renewal for two of my closest friends and, naturally, I didn’t think about my suit until the last minute. I came to Harper’s with a pretty unreasonable timeline and an important need. Their team helped me find a great suit, got it tailored, and had it ready in time for me to catch my flight. Always a 10/10.

Amy Arrowsmith

I love shopping at Harpers! Everything—from the atmosphere to the clothes to the employees—is elegant but approachable, such a great mix of classic and fashion-forward items. I always get compliments on whatever I pick up there. The salespeople are amazing — they always know your name!

Damian Cabrera

State College Downtown Improvement District

I appreciate the classic style of Harper's inside and out, and as a member of the DID clean team, I enjoy doing my part to help preserve that.

Laura Zimmerman

Our memories go back to Tailored Woman and Young Men’s Shop in Calder Way where Mark would fit me with a suit for work, including the long pleated skirt and then I would walk upstairs or over to Barefoot where Geri would help me select the perfect pair of shoes. Likewise for my husband with Jack Harpers and YMS. Today , Geri (and Brian, Lisa and staff) dress our family for many special occasions, holidays, birthdays and gift selection. Happy Anniversary!!

Andrew Getz

Working with Joel and Brian at Young Mens Shop in the early 1990s was more than a job; it was a privilege and a formative experience. They taught me the value of relationships, the importance of treating every customer with respect, and the need to focus on what mattered most to them. The lessons I learned from their leadership continue to shape my approach to business and community today, not to mention my fashion sense.

Eric Lubochinski

Harpers has been a mandatory stop for me on game weekends for the past 25 years. Whenever my father was in town, our pre-tailgate ritual always included visits to three places - the Creamery, the Douglas Albert Gallery, and Harpers. And the staff has always been top notch - not only do they answer my questions about an item in detail, but they go through its origin and make excellent recommendations for similar products. Here’s to 100 more!

Nathan Halenar

Thank you for all you do and the great stuff you offer.

Meghan Drakas

Harpers

Working at Harper’s for two years of my Penn State journey was unforgettable! Brian and Lisa were so kind and helpful. One of my favorite parts of working at Harpers was getting to try on all of the cool fashion pieces that came into the shop. Brian and Lisa were so kind to gift me a tan blazer jacket as a thank you for my time there when covid hit during the end of my senior year. I still wear it to this day! So thrilled to see the shop hit this 100 year anniversary and here’s to the next 100!

Vincent McDonald

Jack Harper and the Young Mens Shop has been part of my life since childhood. Some of my fondest memories are of my uncle taking me there to shop because he believed in looking stylish, polished, and presentable. Those visits taught me that how you present yourself matters-and that lesson has stayed with me throughout my life. For me, Jack Harper has always been more than a clothing store. It is a place filled with memories, tradition and a connection that spans generations.