A store opened last weekend in downtown State College that hopes to add a unique flavor to the area and satisfy a number of student interests.

The store, Jamaica Junction, 111 S. Pugh St., sells an assortment of men's cologne, women's perfume, incense, candles and drugstore items such as batteries, condoms and over-the-counter medications.

"It's like putting Wal-Mart into a small store," manager Michael Hultberg said.

Storeowner Rajiv Chauhan, also a local restaurant owner, said he moved the two-year-old business from New Hope to State College to run both of his businesses from the same location. He added that in New Hope, tourism that supported his business vanishes from December to March.

"The town [New Hope] has very bad winters. There are four months when there are no customers," Chauhan said.

Danny Zambrano (senior-art education) said he has never been into the store before but decided to check it out.

"It's everything you kinda need ... incense, candles and stuff," Zambrano said.

Emily Smiles (senior-rehabilitation services), who bought a navel ring, said she was a fan of candles and wanted to take a peek.

"There's lots of random stuff in the same place. It's definitely convenient," Zambrano said.

Chauhan said he wanted to put focus on perfumes because no store in State College had name-brand perfumes for the wholesale prices his store is offering.

Chauhan added that he decided to throw African jewelry into the eclectic mix because it is not widely available in State College.

"Variety is a good thing," Chauhan said.

The two-level shop will have its grand opening in mid-October. In the meantime, Hultberg said, they just want to "get the doors open and let people know they're there," even though the top level isn't open for business yet.

Hultberg said Chauhan plans on adding women's clothing and shoes to the store in the top level.

Chauhan said he opened the store quickly so his employees who migrated with the business could still work.

Hultberg, who lived in Jamaica for a while, said the store's name reflects more of an atmosphere than a description of what the store sells. He said they wanted something "whimsical and fun" to convey an attitude.

"We want to try to keep it festive ... keep it loosey-goosey, but professionally," Hultberg said.

Chauhan said he liked the name of the store for a similar reason.

"It sounds attractive for kids. [It is] reggae, energy, happiness," Chauhan said.

Hultberg said the store would be open late night to complement the scene at Penn State.

He added that one night, a girl across the street at the All American Rathskeller, 108 S. Pugh St., came in and bought some body jewelry while waiting in line.

"We're just trying to make some money and have fun with it," Hultberg said.