Local stores open in cyberspace

By MONICA MONGILLO
Collegian Staff Writer

State College is moving up in the world of technology.

Local retailers have been following the recent trend of online merchandising and many have expanded their stores onto the Internet. While many local stores have World Wide Web site links from sites like www.downtownstatecollege.com and www.statecollege.com, a few have increased their services to allow customers to make purchases online.

"(Stores online) can now have international exposure and business. They can think globally instead of locally," said John Cieply, webmaster at www.downtownstatecollege.com.

The Family Clothesline (www.familyclothes.com), 352 E. College Ave., a local retailer specializing in Penn State apparel, has witnessed the effects of that international exposure. The store's manager, Bryan Demko, said having a Web site has dramatically expanded the store's market; they have had orders from as far away as Egypt and Japan.

Not only has having a Web site increased sales on a global level, but it has also helped local business because the Web site is a good advertisement for the store.

"People will mention the Web site when they come into the store," he said.

Lions Pride (www.lions-pride.com), 112 E. College Ave., which also specializes in Penn State apparel, started a Web site last September in an attempt to expand business.

"It's basically increased visibility of the store and access to merchandise," Steve Moyer, Lions Pride manager, said.

Having a Web site can also save money for stores with catalog businesses. Cieply said stores can benefit more from Web sites rather than catalog sales because of the savings in publication cost. When updating the merchandise line, a Web site eliminates the store's reprinting and redistributing costs.

Creating a Web site has helped local and national business grow for Appalachian Ski and Outdoors (www.theadventuresource.com), 324 W. College Ave., a retailer which has been online since late last year.

Amy McNall, the store's Web site coordinator, said an online "shopping cart" has been added to the site. The new feature allows customers to click on an item and when the customer is ready to "check out," the prices of items chosen along with tax and shipping and handling are added up for the customer.

But being online will take a little getting used to for some stores. Tadpole Crossing (www.TadpoleCrossing.com), 101 E. Beaver Ave., opened its Web site just last month. Owner Cathy Horner created the site because she thinks online merchandising will eventually become a crucial element for the retail business.

For now, Tadpole Crossing's virtual store is small in comparison to the real thing. The Web site specializes only in educational tools for teachers. Horner plans to expand her online store in the future to include the other items Tadpole Crossing sells at its retail location.