National retailer acquires State College apparel store as owner prepares to retire
AI-generated summary reviewed by our newsroom.
- Benson Lichtig is retiring from Lion & Cub after nearly 50 years in State College.
- Rally House will re-brand Lion & Cub, and its online Nittany Outlet store, in early June.
- Rally House plans a second State College location on North Atherton Street in fall 2026.
As the longtime owner of the Lion & Cub Penn State apparel store in downtown State College prepares for retirement, a national sports apparel retailer is set to take over his business.
Rally House announced in a press release Tuesday that it acquired the 206 E. College Ave. store and Nittany Outlet, its online business. Both will be rebranded as Rally House State College in early June following owner Benson Lichtig’s retirement.
Rally House operates more than 310 locations across 28 states, and its State College location will be the business’s 43rd in Pennsylvania. It sells a wide selection of merchandise from local college teams, along with apparel, gifts and home decor representing NFL, MLB, NHL teams and more.
Lichtig opened Lion & Cub in 1975, and has served the State College community for nearly 50 years. He was looking to turn his business over a partner that’s “committed to continuing the business’s legacy” and “maintaining its role as a go-to destination” for Penn State fans, according to the release.
“I’ve been lucky to have such dedicated employees and loyal customers, and I’m truly grateful for the support from the State College community,” Lichtig said. “As I enter retirement, I’m proud to pass the business to Rally House, knowing they will continue the tradition for years to come.”
The owner added that serving the State College community over the last half-century has been an “incredible journey.” From now until Rally House’s takeover, Lion & Cub will run an everything-must-go-sale, which includes an additional 20% discount on the lowest ticketed price for all items.
Rally House would like to build upon the foundation Lichtig established while preserving the community-focused spirit that made them a Nittany Lion fan staple, the release states. Rally House CEO and Owner Aaron Liebert plans on doing that by continuing to offer Penn State merchandise, but with an added assortment of officially licensed collegiate apparel, gifts, home decor and locally inspired merchandise.
Rally House will also look to expand its Happy Valley footprint by opening a second location along North Atherton Street in fall 2026. A location of the next store was not included in the press release.
“We’re honored that the owner entrusted Rally House to continue the legacy of Lion & Cub and Nittany Outlet,” Liebert stated in the release. “Penn State fans have supported this business for decades, and we look forward to continuing that tradition while bringing even more selection and excitement to the fan experience.”
For more information about Lion & Cub’s sales and the rebranding, visit the store’s Instagram page or www.nittanyoutlet.com. Lion & Cub is open from 9 a.m. to 8 p.m. Mondays, Tuesdays, Thursdays, Fridays and Saturdays, from 9 a.m. to 7 p.m. Wednesdays and from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. Sundays.
