State College shoppers have one last chance to take advantage of the going-out-of- business sales at Beppa's, 130 E. College Ave. The home accessories and gift store will be closing its doors Friday.
"(We are sad) in a little way," storeowner Keith Mernin said.
In addition to owning and operating Beppa's since 1996, Mernin and his wife Joy Rodgers-Mernin also own Nittany Quill, a custom calligraphy store on Fraser Street, and Dairyland at Home in Reedsville where they reside.
"Closing the store will give us a little more time," he said.
"We have some regulars that say they are sad to see the store close, but most of them were people who special ordered items that are no longer available because we are closing. We haven't seen as many of them since we started the sales," he added.
The inside of the store might remind some shoppers of a Twister game board as many items have been marked with red, green, yellow and blue colored circle stickers to indicate the amount that the price has been marked down.
The large signs in the front of the store that advertise the discount sales, including a large poster that reads "Only three days left," seem to have caught the eye of shoppers as they pass.
"I had been in the store before and I love everything they have in it, but it was a little expensive," said Jess Seren (junior-human development and family studies). "When I saw the sale signs, I decided to go in because they have fun stuff that's a little more upper-class."
There is plenty of merchandise in the store. Mernin said any items remaining in the store after closing will be stored in a barn at his home.
Although the doors will be closing for business, those who have ordered large items such as furniture will be allowed to pick them up until the end of January.
"Our lease extends to the end of January, so I will be moving most of the large items out after we close," he said.
Soon after Beppa's moves out, Bare Foot will be moving into the building, said Teresa Sparacino of Downtown State College Partnership Inc., 127 S. Fraser St. The owner of Bare Foot was unavailable to confirm the move.
