null

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!

Responsive Following :

Our Team

Image saved ✓

A Century of Harpers

A Century of Harpers
1926

Jack Harper established a store bearing his name on College Avenue in State College.

Timeline image
Jack Harper
Timeline image
Jack Harper's College Avenue storefront
1926

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

Timeline image
Joe Cohen and Joel Cohen present the Blanket Award to Altoona High School's John Withers circa 1973
Timeline image
Brian Cohen and Jaxson Cohen present the Blanket Award to Altoona High School's Mitchell Lawhead in 2018
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 that guide Harpers today.

Joe Cohen and Joel Cohen presenting
Joe Cohen and Joel Cohen present the Blanket Award to Altoona High School's John Withers circa 1973
Brian Cohen and Jaxson Cohen presenting
Brian Cohen and Jaxson Cohen present the Blanket Award to Altoona High School's Mitchell Lawhead in 2018
1941

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

Timeline image
Martha Cohen and Young Mens Shop's Fashions for Her
Brian Cohen and Jaxson Cohen presenting
Brian Cohen and Jaxson Cohen present the Blanket Award to Altoona High School's Mitchell Lawhead in 2018
Brian Cohen and Jaxson Cohen presenting
Brian Cohen and Jaxson Cohen present the Blanket Award to Altoona High School's Mitchell Lawhead in 2018
1940s-1960s

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

A Young Mens Shop window display
A Young Mens Shop window display
Brian Cohen and Jaxson Cohen presenting
Brian Cohen and Jaxson Cohen present the Blanket Award to Altoona High School's Mitchell Lawhead in 2018
1959

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

Timeline image
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 continued to renovate and open additional locations in Altoona.

1965 Ribbon Cutting Ad
Joe Cohen's invitation to the ribbon cutting of the new Young Mens Shop in 1965
1974 Grand Opening
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
Young Mens Shop 1974 Announcement
The new Young Mens Shop announcement in the Altoona Mirror
Young Mens Shop 1980s storefront
Young Mens Shop 1980s storefront with multi-story window displays
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
Keith Houseknecht; Keith, Brian Cohen, and the Harpers staff in 2008
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.

Young Mens Shop State College
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
Belber Robinson's Bucknell wrestling photo; Belber's famous client book
1985

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

Brian Cohen and family
Brian Cohen with parents Joel and Susan, wife Lisa, son Jaxson, sister Sari, brother-in-law Steve, and nephew Graham
1990s

Young Mens Shop opened this location with multi-story window display.

Timeline image
The Young Mens Shop location at ---- 
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.

Jack Harper's Young Mens Shop
Jack Harper's Young Mens Shop
2007

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

Harpers at 114 West College Ave
Harpers at 114 West College Ave
Brian Cohen and Jaxson Cohen presenting
Brian Cohen and Jaxson Cohen present the Blanket Award to Altoona High School's Mitchell Lawhead in 2018
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. 

Harper's Varsity Club'
Harper's Varsity Club grand opening; Jack Harper's original Penn State Lion Shrine vest and its modern equivalent tie still sold today
2017

Brian & 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. 

Storch Building and Harpers
The original Storch Motors and Harpers today
Brian Cohen and Jaxson Cohen presenting
Brian Cohen and Jaxson Cohen present the Blanket Award to Altoona High School's Mitchell Lawhead in 2018

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

Harpers Womens Boutique
Some spring selections from Harpers Womens Boutique
2018

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

Ingrid Holtzman Award
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.

Harpers Nittany Lion Inn
Harpers at the Nittany Lion Inn
2025

Harpers outfitted the College Gameday hosts in all white suits for their appearance at Old Main ahead of 2025's Penn State White Out game.

Harpers College Gameday
The College Gameday hosts sporting their White Out suits from Harpers
2026

We're celebrating our 100th year of helping people look good and feel comfortable in their clothing.

100 Years of Harpers
100 Years of Style and so much more