“Getting to Know the Neighbors” is a series where awesome locals share their local favorites.
After years as Hotel State College’s Director of Operations, family man, mountain biker, and community champion Curtis Shulman now supports local businesses through his work with the Hartman Group.
“I ended up in State College because I was dumb enough to leave the first time,” he says. “Cinderella (the band not the princess) said it best when they said, ‘Don’t know what you got ‘til it’s gone.’ Like most townies, I left for greener pastures and to enjoy city life, only to find out that the people, charm, and outdoors of Happy Valley cannot be matched.”
We asked Curtis to fill us in on some of his favorite things about living here. We hope you’ll enjoy!
Day to Day
On a typical weekday, you’ll find me… beginning with a pit stop at Rothrock Coffee to shake off the cobwebs before heading into the office to help support our local business community. The post-work calendar is a little less predictable, but it usually involves getting beat up at CPAMMA or ripping through the beautiful trails of Rothrock State Forest. After getting humbled by Father Time, my wife and daughter bring me back to life over dinner and family time.
And the weekends are for… “adventures” chosen by the kiddo. In the summer, they are filled with sessions at Welch Pool, a little bit of park hopping, and cook-outs (or cook-ins in the winter months) with our crew.
If State College had its own TV show, my character would be the one who is always… cracking dad jokes at the wrong time.
Awesome Local Alert!
I’m probably best known around town as… No clue what I am well-known for or if I want to know that, but I am very proud of being a local. Happy Valley is a special place and the opportunities to contribute are endless. From my role as an advisor with Happy Valley Launchbox to sitting on the board of the Downtown Improvement District, there is no shortage of chances to chip in.
I am also wildly proud of the organizations I’ve been part of professionally in State College, both The Hartman Agency & The Hotel State College. Both companies operate with a strong moral compass and set the standard for how locally owned businesses can operate at a high level all while prioritizing their employees, community, and customers.
Favorite Things
To me, a perfect day in State College looks like… The balance of “city and country” is one thing that makes Happy Valley so special, so the perfect day includes both of those elements. Ten minutes separate you from being off the grid and the perfectly curated meal.
The season I love most in State College is… Outside of winter, every season in Happy Valley is pretty epic. If we switched to a 10-month calendar and threw January and February in the trash, we would have the perfect climate.
The best day trip destination within a 2-hour drive from State College is… There are a few hidden gems within a few hours of Happy Valley, and I’m not sure I can choose one, but I can definitely narrow it down to the trails of Allegrippis or the charm of Bedford.
Something I didn’t think I’d like about living here that has really grown on me is… Growing up in the area I felt that I could never live in a town so “quiet”; however, after spending many years in a city, you quickly realize the quality of people, access to the outdoors, and variety of small businesses here in Happy Valley cannot be replicated.
My go-to “Spend an Evening Downtown” itinerary looks like… The ideal night downtown starts with a cocktail at The Lobby Bar before dinner at The Allen Street Grill. If we are kid-free, a nightcap at Chumley’s or Local Whiskey is a must…but if the little queen is in tow, a nice walk to Cold Stone Creamery can round out the evening.
The Local Experience
The thing out-of-town visitors don’t really get to see about the experience of being a State College local is… the charm of the town when it’s not booming. When things are tame, you get the opportunity to strike up a conversation with local businesses and receive a whole new experience. It changes from transactional to conversational.
A neighboring town that I love to explore is… Bellefonte. It’s a hidden gem that deserves its flowers. Take a 15 minute drive down the street and make a day of it. Fun shops, great outdoor space, and cool restaurants.
The coolest, under-the-radar thing in State College is… the farming community. Way Fruit Farm, Wasson Farms, JL Cidery….all simply awesome.
