Business

A look at old-time ads from some of Centre County’s longest-running businesses

By Josh Moyer and Matt Hymowitz
Undated photo of the Boalsburg Tavern.
Undated photo of the Boalsburg Tavern. Boalsburg Heritage Museum Photo submitted

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Business Matters 2023

We’re taking a look at some of Centre County’s longest-running businesses, how they got there and the challenges they face now. Read more of our Business Matters series.

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The Centre Daily Times can trace its history all the way back to May 12, 1898, back when it was known as the weekly State College Times. Because of those roots, that means we can also look at the history of dozens of Centre County’s longest-running businesses.

As a result, we searched for some of the oldest ads we could find from the area’s most well-known and still-standing businesses. This isn’t a complete list — some didn’t advertise, after all, and others proved remarkably difficult to search for — but it’s meant to provide a brief glimpse into the local past, a nod to businesses that have evolved and overcome the odds to sell their wares and services today.

We have ads from back when McClanahan’s was a drug store (1933), to Nittany Office Equipment advertising $5 typewriters (1957) to Miller’s Hoagies touting being open seven days a week (1969). Take a look:

An ad from what’s now known as Harpers on Dec. 12, 1930.
An ad from what’s now known as Harpers on Dec. 12, 1930.
An ad for McLanahan’s from March 23, 1934. McLanahan’s got its start in Tyrone in 1903 as a pharmacy and expanded into State College in 1933, where it started selling Penn State merchandise in the “Penn State Room.”
An ad for McLanahan’s from March 23, 1934. McLanahan’s got its start in Tyrone in 1903 as a pharmacy and expanded into State College in 1933, where it started selling Penn State merchandise in the “Penn State Room.”
An ad for what’s now known as Balfurd Dry Cleaners from Oct. 4, 1934.
An ad for what’s now known as Balfurd Dry Cleaners from Oct. 4, 1934.
An ad for W.R. Hickey from Jan. 13, 1938.
An ad for W.R. Hickey from Jan. 13, 1938.
An ad for Woodring’s Floral Gardens from May 8, 1941.
An ad for Woodring’s Floral Gardens from May 8, 1941.
An ad from Duffy’s Tavern on May 2, 1946.
An ad from Duffy’s Tavern on May 2, 1946.
An ad for Mayes Memorials from Oct. 27, 1947.
An ad for Mayes Memorials from Oct. 27, 1947.
An ad for Nittany Office Equipment from July 29, 1957.
An ad for Nittany Office Equipment from July 29, 1957.
An ad for the Rowland Theatre from Aug. 26, 1958.
An ad for the Rowland Theatre from Aug. 26, 1958.
An ad from Bonfatto’s on Feb. 6, 1960.
An ad from Bonfatto’s on Feb. 6, 1960.
A classified ad from Way Fruit Farm on April 2, 1962. Way Fruit Farm regularly advertised sales and when new fruits were available in the classifieds.
A classified ad from Way Fruit Farm on April 2, 1962. Way Fruit Farm regularly advertised sales and when new fruits were available in the classifieds.
An ad for Hi-Way Pizza from Oct. 30, 1963.
An ad for Hi-Way Pizza from Oct. 30, 1963.
An ad for what’s now known as the Port Matilda Hotel & Tavern from Nov. 19, 1966.
An ad for what’s now known as the Port Matilda Hotel & Tavern from Nov. 19, 1966.
An ad for the Student Book Store from Feb. 13, 1968.
An ad for the Student Book Store from Feb. 13, 1968.
An ad for Miller’s Hoagies from June 21, 1969.
An ad for Miller’s Hoagies from June 21, 1969.
An ad for what’s now known as Uncle Eli’s Artist Marketplace and Frame Shop from Dec. 22, 1971.
An ad for what’s now known as Uncle Eli’s Artist Marketplace and Frame Shop from Dec. 22, 1971.
An ad for Tire Town from Oct. 22, 1973.
An ad for Tire Town from Oct. 22, 1973.

This story was originally published February 27, 2023 at 8:00 AM.

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Business Matters 2023

We’re taking a look at some of Centre County’s longest-running businesses, how they got there and the challenges they face now. Read more of our Business Matters series.

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