Adam Brown visited the newly expanded Lions Pride clothing store with his father for the first time this weekend and was impressed by the merchandise and store's new layout.
Brown (freshman-business) said he could notice the expansion even though he'd never been to the store before.
"You can tell that it's brand new," Brown said, referring to Lions Pride's new layout. "I think I would definitely come here again."
The storefront -- a landmark on College Avenue since 1976 -- expanded within the past few months. The expanded version of the store debuted Sept. 5, in time for the Sept. 6 football game against Oregon State.
Steve Moyer, store manager and partial owner, said Lions Pride, 112 E. College Ave., attracted visiting alumni because of upscale merchandise in the past, but is attracting more students because of the expansion.
Moyer said Lions Pride acquired the lease space from Isabella's Hallmark, which was next door.
"We always thought of expanding the store," Moyer said. "It was a little congested on football weekends."
The expansion area contains sportswear, while the original carries gifts, ladies-styled clothing and kids-sized clothing, Moyer said.
Derrick Palecek (freshman-information sciences and technology) said the expansion will help Lions Pride's business.
"The best thing they did was expand it so they have more room," Palecek said. "It gives it more room so everyone's not crowded on football weekends -- they do get very crowded."
Ashley Rinker (junior-religious studies) said she saw the construction when she walked past the store.
"I thought it was neat because they needed more room," Rinker said.
Michael Giordano (senior-kinesiology) said he shops at Lions Pride for the high quality merchandise it sells, such as name brand clothing like Nike and Under Armour.
"They have a good selection of official stuff," Giordano said.
Rinker said prices are all right, but one can find some items like T-shirts cheaper at other stores like The Family Clothesline, 352 E. College Ave.
Moyer said Lions Pride offers a fair price for the quality of clothing they sell.
"I think if you compared our prices to the Penn State Bookstore," Moyer said, "you would find that they are the same price."
Giordano said the only things he would change would be to "add more blue on the wall."
"Decorate it a bit," Giordano said. "Add a Penn State Banner."
