State College shop closes after more than 45 years in business. ‘So many great memories’
After nearly half a century, a State College clothing store has closed its doors.
House of Kashmir, Happy Valley’s self-proclaimed T-shirt headquarters, closed last week after more than 45 years in business. The shop at 130 E. Calder Way was known for its wide selection of vintage retro apparel, tapestries, posters, jewelry, music memorabilia and more.
“My family and I hold so many great memories there, but it’s time to close that chapter,” owner Saghir Ahmad wrote in an Instagram post announcing the closure. “I’m grateful for all the wonderful customers and friends I made through the stores and being a part of the small business community in State College for many years.”
Ahmad said his decision to close House of Kashmir and effectively retire comes as the State College borough weighs the future of the Pugh Street parking garage, which sits atop his business. The garage’s exact future remains unclear, but its replacement is included in the borough’s 2025-29 Capital Improvement Plan. Experts say the 491-space garage, now more than 52 years old, is quickly nearing the end of its useful life.
While moving equipment, shelves and merchandise out of his store on Monday, Ahmad told the Centre Daily Times he was grateful to create relationships and memories in Happy Valley for so long.
“I love State College,” Ahmad said. “I’ve spent so much time in this town. This is a great place with students and my good friends. So many memories. People loved this, my store. They used to come — parents, grandfathers, all kinds of people. With students, I was good to them and they were good to me. I had a great relationship with the public, and they supported me.”
Ahmad said decades of business in his low-profile shop strengthened his ties to customers. He reminisced about connecting with Penn State students in the 1970s and 1980s and later selling clothes and merchandise to their children and friends many years later.
“This really is a special place,” Ahmad said.
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