Students walking down College Avenue will see various store changes that occurred this summer, all to improve the look of the street and tailor to the needs and wants of an evolving community, business owners said.

Among the most noticeable changes is the store Access, 224 E. College Ave., which specializes in contemporary women's styles. The store moved in July from a previous basement location to a more prime spot between Mike's Music, 226 E. College Ave., and The Tavern Restaurant, 220. E. College Ave.

The store now includes a full front window display and is on the same level as other stores. It replaced the Ski Station, which moved away from the location after 25 years, to Hills Plaza Shopping Center.

The change has brought added business to Access, manager Eric Runz said.

"There is such an incredible difference," Runz said.

He said the increase in customers is due to its street level location, better lighting and the window display.

Owner Robert Monzillo opened the first store, Access 214, 214 E. College Ave., five years ago and also has noticed a sales increase due to location change. He said the appearance of College Avenue is improving due to the changes.

"The town is growing, becoming more of a society," Monzillo said.

He added that an evolving main street on a college campus is essential to growth of the area.

Another transformation has been the change in ownership of a College Avenue drugstore. The McLanahan's Drug Store, formerly at 116 W. College Ave., changed to a CVS Pharmacy July 28.

Although the store now must follow corporate policies, the staff remained the same and all prescription records from McLanahan's transferred to CVS. Pharmacist Becky Holmes said the changeover has not had much of an effect on students. "It is an adjustment, but students just care about getting medicine," Holmes said.

Employee Mike Young said the stores are similar, except it is now more of a drugstore and Penn State memorabilia will no longer be sold. The CVS store on Pugh Street will remain open as well.

An upcoming change to College Avenue will be the addition of Starbucks Coffee Co. at 232 W. College Ave, which is scheduled to open in October. The store will replace Manhattan Bagel, which closed spring 2002.