In a project that may change the face of State College shopping, a few local retailers are planning to move to a more central location.

Since it closed seven months ago, the building that G.C. Murphy Co. variety store had left at 131 S. Allen St. has not hosted a permanent tenant. But now there are tentative plans in the works for a few retail stores to move into the vacant site.

Bob Price, executive director of Downtown State College Inc., said there are a number of firms who are considering moving into the building. The space that was occupied by G.C. Murphy's will be divided up into three to five stores, he added.

Price said he could not release the names of the retailers who are considering making the move to Allen Street because nothing is definite yet, adding that one firm is very close to signing, another two are nearing agreements and one last firm is "waffling back and forth."

But Mike Negra, president of Mike's Video, confirmed that Mike's Video, 228 W. College Ave., is looking into moving into the building on Allen Street.

"I think it's an attractive location," Negra said, adding that he will not be able to confirm the move for the next 30 days.

If Mike's Video were to take up residence on Allen Street, Negra said it would be a movies and music location.

Although no retailers have formally announced a move, there are currently two plans for the construction of the stores, Price said.

The first idea would provide an arcade area with entrances to the different stores under a roof, he said.

The second plan is to break up the area so that all of the stores could be accessed from Allen Street, Price said.

However the construction works out, Price said, the new stores will "turn the flavor of Allen Street . . . (and) get it back to where it should be."

Price said the project is being organized by Edward Friedman, the managing partner of the group that bought out G.C. Murphy's former residence.

Friedman could not be reached for comment.

State College Borough Council member Felicia Lewis said Friedman had mentioned something about the project some time ago, but the council has not received any update.

Price said Downtown State College Inc. is also working with prospective retailers.

"We're just supporting that effort in any way we can," he said.