Collage Specialty Shop

Generations of Entrepreneurial Spirit Guide Collage Specialty Shop

BY CASEY NIXON | DIRECTOR, MEMBERSHIP & BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT

With York county’s history of entrepreneurship, you’ll find many of our businesses have inspired future generations to invest in our community.

Seeing this entrepreneurial spirit pass from generation to generation in many cases appears to strengthen the business’s commitment to our community, and Whitney Morgan is no exception.

As the current owner of Collage, a local gift shop located in the Colonial Shopping Center, Whitney comes from a family of local business owners – four generations to be exact.

Whitney’s great grandfather, Louis Hollander, owned Hollander’s Automotive which was located on South George Street in the 1950s. Her grandfather, Stanley Mailman, owned Mailman’s Department store in the 1960s-1990s. Stanley and Whitney’s father, Herb Morgan, opened stores all around York, Hanover and Lancaster during that time.

But when the landscape of independent retail changed, Whitney’s family shifted to focus on other business ventures. At this time, Whitney left York to study Fine Art at the University of Hartford, Hartford Art School. When she moved back to the states, she chose York for its familiarity and to be near family and friends. She immediately jumped back into the family business, which at that time was a store her dad opened in Lancaster called Savemart. But Whitney aspired to own her own store.

When the opportunity arose to purchase Collage, a local retail shop who also happened to be an advertising client of hers, Whitney took the plunge into entrepreneurship.

Opening in 1983 by Janice Bortner and Jonell Hake, Collage called Downtown York home on King Street offering bedding and linens. In the mid-80s after a move to the current location Collage eventually expanded to offer gifts and clothing.

“When I bought Collage in 2009, I wanted to continue to build on what Janice had created during her 25 years as owner,” said Whitney. “But I also wanted to include my love of art and creativity, and make it a fun, eclectic, and affordable place to shop for all ages and genders.”

In November 2023, Collage celebrated its 40th Anniversary.

“One thing I’ve noticed from day one at Collage has been the community support. I knew we would sell beautiful merchandise at Collage, but every day I get to watch people choosing to come to my store and spend a lot of time and effort picking out gifts and thinking of others,” she adds. “I say I get to see the best of humanity, and to me this is the greatest gift of Collage and the York Community.”

Whitney emphasizes that her commitment to her community stems from lessons from her father who instilled in her how important it is to give back to the community that supports your business.

“[Our community needs] more unity and understanding of other’s differences. No matter where you come from, how rich or poor you may be, what your gender or sexual orientation may be, or what your religion is, we are all human beings. I choose to run my business with respect for everyone and all are welcome through the doors of Collage.”

932 S George St, York, PA 17403 facebook.com/collageofyork