New store opens with benefit

By BETH LUCAS
Collegian Staff Writer

A benefit yesterday kicked off Kaufmann's grand opening, which will continue at 10 a.m. tomorrow inside the Nittany Mall.

Nonprofit organizations sold $5 tickets for entry into the store and were able to keep the proceeds from the sales.

Tickets included two 20 percent-off coupons on clothing and one 10 percent coupon for household items.

The Nittany Mall event benefited 41 local nonprofit organizations by opening the doors of Kaufmann's a few days early to ticketholders.

More than 8,000 tickets were sold before the benefit.

The benefit is traditionally held the Monday before all Kaufmann's store openings, said Erika Kirwin, Kaufmann's spokesperson.

"We wanted to put a fun day together," Kirwin said. "We (really had) a great time meeting all our neighbors and greeting them."

Kaufmann's, which also has stores in Altoona and Williamsport, has been looking to settle in State College for a long time, Chris Tobbe, the State College store manager, said.

"When we saw the opening, we took it," he said.

The one-floor store is 95,000 square feet, which is smaller than its other stores because of local zoning restrictions and limited parking, Tobbe said.

Because it is smaller, it will not carry all the usual merchandise, but it will continue to sell brand name items.

"This is a good opportunity to test the college student market," Tobbe said.

"This will allow us to see clearly how to target this market."

The store's benefit day, as well as donations it made to the recent 1999 Interfraternity Council/Panhellenic Dance Marathon, allows it to show support to the community before opening day, he said.

The store plans to have future smaller events, he added, including drawings and coupon days.

Proceeds from the tickets sold on the day of the event were donated to Interfaith Mission.

The mission is a charity that provides shelter for local residents during winter months.

"The money will be used for rent and fuel assistance, medical assistance and food if it is needed," Dick Riddle, mission treasurer said.

Riddle added the help from the benefit is invaluable during the cold months of this type of year.

Many people crowded the mall yesterday to enjoy the attractions and entertainment such as music, clowns and free samples.

"I came because one of my girl friends was selling tickets," Amy Gray of State College said.

"But I plan on coming back. I like the large selection."