ABOUT US

WELCOME TO HARPERS!

My grandfather, Joe Cohen, opened Young Mens Shop in 1926 - the same year that Jack Harper opened his shop on College Avenue. The two shared great taste, beautifully merchandised stores, and a belief in excellent customer service. Joe and my grandmother, Martha, were active in the business when I was growing up, and I got to work with my parents, Joel and Susan, for over 17 years. They were all my mentors. And the most important thing I learned was: It's all about people first.

As the owners of Harpers, my wife, Lisa, and I promise to always bring our customers the finest fashion from around the world with the highest level of service possible. We are fortunate to have the support of our staff - each one cares deeply about their role in making our customers happy.

We're excited to welcome you - we have a lot going on under one roof! We offer tailored clothing, elevated sportswear, and classic footwear for men. We can help you create custom clothing; we provide tuxedo rentals for special occasions; and our suit package is a longtime favorite for Penn State graduations and career fairs. Our Women's Boutique features hand-selected styles for work, the weekend, and nights out on the town. We have an in-house tailor shop for alterations, and Harper's Varsity Club (complete with leather sofa and foosball table) offers unique Penn State apparel and accessories you won't find anywhere else.

We are grateful for each and every opportunity to connect with you and help you look your best. THANK YOU for choosing Harpers!

Our Team

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A Century of Harpers

1926

Jack Harper established a store bearing his name on College Avenue in State College - along with his partners, brothers George and Ken Stark.

Jack Harper

Jack Harper's College Avenue storefront

1926

The same year, Joseph Cohen opened Young Mens Shop in downtown Altoona, PA.

Joseph F. Cohen and an early Young Mens Shop storefront

The interior of the original Young Mens Shop when it opened in 1926

1927

Joseph Cohen established the Blanket Award – an honor given to senior football players at Altoona Area High School and Bishop Guilfoyle High School. The winner of the Blanket Award is the player who best exemplifies Joe's core values of integrity, community, leadership, and service – on and off the field. These same values guide Harpers today.

Joe Cohen and Joel Cohen present the Blanket Award to Altoona High School's John Withers circa 1973

Brian Cohen presents the Blanket Award in 2004

Brian Cohen and Jaxson Cohen present the Blanket Award to Altoona High School's Mitchell Lawhead in 2018

1938

Jack Harper ended his partnership with the Stark Brothers, becoming the sole owner of Jack Harper's.

A holiday window at Jack Harper's and Stark Brothers before their partnership ended in 1938.

Jack Harper's was known for its famous "Dollar Days" sales and the popular "Gambler's Choice" sale. Discounts got deeper as the day went on, with prices dropping 10% every two hours. If you waited to shop, you'd get a better deal - but someone else might snag that piece you had your eye on first.

The crowds gather outside for Jack Harper's Dollar Days

1940s-1950s

Altoona artist Fred Counsel created beautiful hand-drawn fashion ads for Young Mens Shop's window displays.

A 1950s Young Mens Shop Back to Campus window display

Fred Counsel's fashion illustration at the center of a Young Mens Shop window display

1941

Martha Cohen introduced Young Mens Shop's first women's boutique.

Martha Cohen and Young Mens Shop's Fashions for Her

The women's boutique occupied the upper level of Young Mens Shop - shoppers ascended the staircase pictured to enter the department

1940s fashions in the Young Mens Shop's women's boutique

1959

Joel Cohen joined the family business alongside his parents Joe and Martha.

An Altoona Mirror clipping from the Cohen family archives celebrating 40 years of Young Mens Shop

1970s-1980s

An era of growth for Young Mens Shop. The Cohen family moved from "off the beaten path" to 11th Avenue in Altoona - across the street from Gable's Department Store.

Joe Cohen's invitation to the ribbon cutting of the new Young Mens Shop in 1965

Young Mens Shop 1974 Ribbon Cutting celebrated by Joe and Martha Cohen; Joel and Susan Cohen; and Joel and Susan's children, Sari (Cohen) Taft and Brian Cohen

The new Young Mens Shop announcement in the Altoona Mirror

1978

Town & Gown magazine published "The Man Behind the Label" - a detailed history of Jack Harper, his store, and his lasting impact on Penn State and downtown State College. Click here to read the whole article.

October 1978's Town & Gown cover

1981

Keith Houseknecht began his retail career at Jack Harper's after attending Penn State on the GI Bill. He continued to help Harpers customers until his retirement 33 years later.

Keith Houseknecht

1982

Joel and Susan Cohen opened Young Mens Shop in State College in the newly built Calder Square II. Mark Sunderland – who began his career at the Young Mens Shop in Altoona – managed this location.

The Young Mens Shop storefront in Calder Square II, State College, PA

Belber Robinson joined the new Young Mens Shop in State College. An all-American wrestler during his college career at Bucknell, Belber was well-liked by everyone who shopped with him.

Belber Robinson's Bucknell wrestling photo; Belber's famous client book

1985

Brian Cohen joined the family business alongside his parents Joel and Susan.

1990s

Jack Harper's and Young Mens Shop featured the fashions of the 90s.

The interior of Jack Harper's in 1990

The multi-story Young Mens Shop in Altoona, 1994

2000

Brian guided the merger of Jack Harper and Young Mens Shop, uniting two long legacies of fashion, friendliness, and service under the name Jack Harper's Young Mens Shop.

The Jack Harper's Young Mens Shop logo combined elements of the original logos of both stores

2007

In May of 2007, we rebranded as the Harpers you know today.

The Harpers storefront at 114 West College Avenue - the location of the original Jack Harper's

The interior of Harpers at 114 West College Avenue - the location of the original Jack Harper's

The Harpers team in 2008: Keith Houseknecht, Brian Cohen, tailor Raisa Formichev, and Belber Robinson

2013

Harper's Varsity Club was established -- a collegiate shop within Harpers that is modeled after historic English sportsman's clubs. Harpers previously had a few classic Penn State items -- including Jack Harper's original Nittany Lion necktie design and our famous vintage football uniform inspired varsity S Sweater -- but Harper's Varsity Club introduced a full selection of better Penn State apparel and accessories.

Introducing Harper's Varsity Club announcement, posted on Facebook in 2013

Harper's Varsity Club at 114 West College Avenue

Jack Harper's original Penn State Lion Shrine vest and its modern equivalent tie still sold today

2017

Brian and his wife, Lisa, moved Harpers two blocks east to our current location in the Storch Building on College Avenue. The new store is two and a half times larger than Jack Harper's original location, featuring multiple levels and a full tailor shop. It was designed by Paula Cipar of Morpheus Studios. The building previously housed Storch Motors, National Record Mart, and the Ski Station.

The original Storch Motors and Harpers today

The ribbon cutting ceremony at our 2017 Grand Opening. Center are Susan and Joel Cohen, Lisa and Brian Cohen, and Jaxson Cohen doing the honors

Lisa Cohen reintroduced a women's boutique to Harpers. Our women's department showcases fine apparel from Europe, Canada, and the USA.

Some selections from Harpers Women's Boutique

2018

The new Harpers was awarded the Ingrid Holtzman Award for aesthetic improvements to downtown State College.

Brian Cohen accepts the Ingrid Holtzman Award, proudly displayed in Harpers

2024

Harpers was invited to open a new location in the lobby of the historic Nittany Lion Inn. This location features Penn State apparel from Harper's Varsity Club and curated sections of men's and women's apparel and accessories.