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A World Apart, 39 miles east of State College

A perfect daytrip destination from Happy Valley is a visit to the Woolrich Company Store in Woolrich, Pennsylvania, the village where the company was founded in 1830. Upon on arriving, visitors get a sense that this village is as it always has been. The mile-long road into town is lined by 45 foot evergreens that were planted in 1930 in memory of M. B. Rich, the company founder's grandson and the family leader who incorporated this beloved, multi-generational family business many years ago.

The quaint charm of Woolrich, PA is largely because many of the original buildings and founding Rich family homes are restored, well maintained and still utilized today. For instance, the original woolen mill factory is now the charming Old Mill Shoppe. Current Woolrich residents occupy the original mill homes of the workers and the company uses the original Company Store as a Conference Center today.

This village has the simplicity that most Americans yearn for in their own over-scheduled, stress filled lives. A daytrip to Woolrich is a wonderful escape to a community with one traffic light and whose community center is and was the Woolrich Community Church (today named, Woolrich Community Methodist Church). This expanded spiritual center also houses the bowling alley, public library and community social hall. Visitors will find the peaceful cemetery on Cemetery Street, the shaded Park on Park Avenue and the Woolrich Mill; you guessed it, on Mill Street!

If this escape to yesteryear isn't reason enough to visit, the only Woolrich Company Store of its kind, is located here. This beautiful, spacious store was renovated and expanded over many years. The current store was completed in 2003 and encompasses 30,000 sq. ft. Over 175 years of Woolrich history and heritage are woven into the material and designs used to create comfortable sportswear, outerwear, blankets, accessories and footwear, inspired by the outdoor lifestyle. The store promotes this lifestyle by inviting the outdoors into the store, through natural light from the ceiling at the store's entrance, and a beautifully designed and naturally landscaped indoor fountain.

Woolrich clothing is designed within walking distance from the store and the world renowned fabrics and blankets are still made in the Mill down the road. The huge selection of merchandise offers first quality, current season Woolrich styles at 20% below suggested retail prices everyday. Woolrich's quality clothing, footwear and accessories are beautifully merchandised alongside other reputable name brands including Brighton, Clarks, Merrell, Minnetonka, Borne, and many others.

The beautiful Home Store offers outdoor inspired home furnishings, accessories, dinnerware, bedding, blankets and now even, quality furniture. Another popular area of the Home Store is the pet area. Now even Fido can have a red and black Buffalo-check coat for the winter!

No trip to the Woolrich Company Store is complete without a trip to the Back Room. This is a bargain hunter's paradise full of racks and shelves of further discounted, discontinued items on sale. The very popular Woolrich fabric by the bolt, yard or pound is also found in the Back Room.

Photos of the buildings and village in earlier times, along with historic company artifacts are part of the informative displays throughout the store. Many of the employees are lifelong residents and serve as wonderful ambassadors of Woolrich community and company history. This extremely helpful and welcoming staff will be happy to help you any way possible.

Other conveniences that fortify this perfect daytrip destination include ample parking and an adjoining Café that serves breakfast and lunch every day of the week. You can enjoy your meal inside the Café or under a picnic pavilion at the neighboring Woolrich Park. Kids can get the "wiggles" out by playing on the beautiful playground equipment, newly installed in 2006.  For those from out of state, keep in mind that Pennsylvania does not charge sales tax on clothing, giving you further savings!

The Woolrich Company Store
Park Avenue
Woolrich, PA
570.769.7401
Open Monday-Thursday 9am-6pm, Friday-Saturday 9am-7pm, Sunday 12-5pm

Cash, Check, Major Credit Cards Accepted