Wednesday, March 4, 1998
Local business to close store after two years
By EMILY REHRINGCollegian Staff Writer
In the past 2½ years, Happy Value General Store has only
been closed for Christmas and Thanksgiving.
However, signs went up Sunday proclaiming the store's going-out-of-business
sale, which will end the streak.
The final date the store will be open is still unknown, said Harold
Horn, owner of the store, located at 128-130 S. Allen St.
"The faster we sell the stuff, the faster we close," Horn said, adding that it could be up to three or four weeks.
A customer walks into Happy Valley General Store, 128-130 S. Allen St., during its going-out-of-business sale yesterday. The store is holding the sale to liquidate merchandise before it closes. (Collegian Photo/Mike Morones - click for full size image)
The store is closing because of a lack of traffic in the downtown
area, a problem Horn said is common among all the downtown businesses.
In the same block, Rite Aid Pharmacy, 116 S. Allen St., closed
earlier this year after its lease ran out.
Rittenhouse Management Corp. of State College, owner of four area
McDonald's franchises, had been working with McDonald's corporate
headquarters to develop a possible restaurant on the former Rite
Aid lot. Representatives from Rittenhouse said there is nothing
new to report about the situation and that a decision on whether
the McDonald's will go in that area has not been determined.
The student population is the target audience of many businesses
on South Allen Street, including Happy Value General Store. Horn
said his biggest supporters are sorority members and participants
in the Interfraternity Council/Panhellenic Dance Marathon.
Before managing Happy Value General Store, Horn owned and operated
a similar store on Allen Street a few years ago.
"I have always called my stores the 'oasis of value in the desert of high prices,' " Horn said.
Harry Robins, co-owner of the Happy Valley General Store, 128-130 S. Allen St., stands outside his store as it prepares to go out of business after two years of operation. (Collegian Photo/Mike Morones - click for full size image)
"I have enjoyed my relationship with the students,"
he said. "I am sad to be leaving them."
Happy Value General Store sells products ranging from food to
clothes to motor oil. Many students use the discount store for
a variety of reasons.
"I am actually looking for something for my sister's birthday,"
said Kerry Kelly (junior-economics), who was shopping at the store
yesterday. "I saw the signs outside and thought I would come
in and check it out."
Other University students shopped around at other stores downtown
before coming to the store.
Leah Greene (freshman-international business management) stopped
in to the store looking for a sweatshirt for her father.
"It's always sad to see something close," Greene said, "but I don't think the closing will affect any other places too much."
