by Tamara Conrad and Delia Guzman, Photo by Delia Guzman

The End Result, in business since 1971, is one of many business casualties of the down economy.

Laura Herman, owner of The Roost, Crushed Ice, and The End Result — all clothing and accessories stores that cater to a younger clientele — has decided to close The End Result and Crushed Ice and cited the economy as a factor.

The End Result has been in Herman’s family since 1971, she said, but the store will be closing soon.

“Initially I decided to close Crushed Ice because the lease for that space was up, and it seemed like a good time,” said Herman. “But I changed my plans and decided to keep that space and The Roost. I’m trying to cut back on as many expenses as possible, and it’ll be easier to keep an eye on things with the businesses right next to each other.”

Business closures usually mean fewer jobs. Herman said her only full-time employee at The End Result has found another job, and her other employees will still be working at The Roost, so her employees were largely unaffected by her business closure.

The unemployment rate among State College residents between the ages of 20 and 64 is seven percent, close to the national average. The unemployment rate for the same age group in Pittsburgh and Philadelphia is 7.4 and 11.7 percent, respectively.

Other local stores are struggling but remaining open. Bob Steinbach, owner of Connections, a clothing store also geared toward college students, said his store is down “3 to 4 percent” in sales.

Molly Slakoper, co-owner of Perfect Ten Day Spa, said she has heard the rumor of college towns being recession-proof.

“I thought ‘you’ve got to be kidding me,’” Slakoper said.

The spa, which specializes in manicures, pedicures, massages, waxes, and hair, is down a third in sales compared to last year, according to Slakoper, but has stayed in business so far.

“We run promotions, but nothing has really pulled in any customers,” she said.

“It’s a glamour business. It’s not a necessity,” she said. “I’m hoping business holds up until the recession passes. I don’t want to do anything else.”

Still, some businesses have continued to thrive despite the down economy, and their owners cite Penn State students as the reason.

“State College provides a great set of people,” Justin Wagner, co-owner of the bike shop Freeze Thaw Cycles, said. “You have 10,000 new people coming in each year.”

Sales at the bike shop have increased each year since it opened in May 2005, Wagner said.

“Customers are devoted to bike riding,” said Wagner.

Greg Kight, owner of The Waffle Shop on East College Ave, said affordable food keeps college students eating at his restaurant.

“I wouldn’t want to have a place that has $35 meals,” said Kight.

“At Penn State you have 40,000 students, and I’m lucky to have a product kids can enjoy.”

Herman said that she too thought she had the product to attract college-aged people to her shops, but business is still down.

“I’ve had so many people coming and saying it’s so sad to see the store close because it’s been here so long. But I feel like so many of our downtown stores like mine and Tadpole Crossing are almost taken for granted, like they’re always going to be here.

“But if people want to see these stores stay open, they need to support them.”