It may be Greek to you, but a new gift and apparel shop popped up in the Corner district this summer. From window decals to couch throws, you can find everything from Alpha to Omega at Hoo's Greek.
"U.Va.'s Greek students are seldom seen wearing their letters on campus, probably because there was nowhere to buy items before," said Laura Futty, the Charlottesville native who owns and manages Hoo's Greek. "Since our opening in mid-August we have already been very busy. We are off to a great start."
Tucked in a corner of 14th Street next to Innovations, students come to Hoo's Greek in search of Greek decorations for their rooms and apparel for class.
"I can definitely say that it will make Greek shopping easier because of its proximity to Grounds," said Lauren Wheeling, a fourth-year College student and the Inter-Sorority Council's public relations liaison.
In the past, students in search of Greek paraphernalia could only get the items they wanted by ordering online or through a catalog.
"Organizations will heavily utilize Hoo's Greek when new members are inducted into their respective organizations and want to buy Greek merchandise," Black Fraternity Council President Kevin Stokes said.
When ordering through catalogs, students relied on expected arrival dates, only to find their packages arriving days - and even weeks - later.
"If you don't get your little sister's gift in time for Big Sister Week, then you might as well not get it at all," Futty said, referring to the week when an older sister in the sorority showers the new member with gifts and surprises.
With Hoo's Greek on the Corner, there are more advantages besides last-minute shopping: You know what you are buying.
"Customers can actually see the product they are getting. There are no surprises," Futty said.
Overflowing with Greek letter items, Hoo's Greek is stocked with merchandise from over 40 suppliers, who produce a diverse market of products.
"We offer special Bid Day packages, custom screen printing and cup printing, as well as custom embroidered items," Futty said.
With fall rush and Induction ceremonies nearing, Hoo's Greek anticipates being a valuable resource for Greek students.
As the only Greek gift shop in the area, "the store will make Big Sister Week and Bid Day so much easier," ISC President Kristen Braggins said.
A unique gift Hoo's Greek offers that can be used for Big Sister Week is a custom embroidered pillowcase. Students can bring in their own photographs, and Hoo's Greek will create a cartoon image on the pillowcase.
That item, along with vibrant hand-painted pails, stem directly from suggestions from student surveys that Futty sent out to all the Greek organizations on Grounds.
"I wanted to carry quality merchandise that was unique and that the students could afford," she said.
Greek T-shirts and hats, scented candles and colorful key chains can all be found for under $20.
"My favorite item for girls are the bracelets," Futty said.
Girls can custom-design silver bracelets with colored stones of their choice, and their Greek letters. Pocket-sized, silver-engraved flasks are one of the popular gift options for guys.
Hoo's Greek takes phone orders and is currently working on getting a Web site up within a year to ease shopping.
"Friends and family members of Greeks like to buy them Greek gifts for holidays and special occasions," Stokes said. "Hoo's Greek will be a great place for them to go."
With decorative license plate holders and eccentric Greek-lettered bags, "Hoo's Greek carries all the latest merchandise," Stokes said.
Far from just the conventional pitchers and pint glasses, the store overflows with the alternative. There are whimsical handkerchiefs and quirky figurines.
Hoo's Greek aims to represent the many different Greek organizations with its products. The Inter-Fraternity Council, ISC, BFC, and many multicultural fraternities are all represented.
"Hoo's Greek has been very helpful and forward in ensuring merchandise representation of all of U.Va.'s Greek organizations," Stokes said. "Laura [Futty] has done her research and made herself available to the students."
Nate Drunsic, the IFC public relations liaison, agrees with Stokes that Futty has reached out to her niche market.
"The owner of Hoo's Greek has made a savvy business decision by targeting a specific consumer population," Drunsic said.
Besides offering Greek paraphernalia, Hoo's Greek bursts with distinctive University products and artwork.
"We carry items to represent a Greek organization, U.Va., or both," Futty said. "Because of our convenient location on the Corner, we hope to be a resource for all U.Va. students."
Brilliant blue and orange garden stones, decorative University pillows and University flip-flops are some non-Greek items available. Hoo's Greek also offers a unique series of watercolors and pencil drawings of the University, including sketches of the Rotunda.
"I am really excited about our giant, gold 'U-V-A' balloons and footballs," Futty said. "They would be so much fun for game day tailgating."
So whether you are looking for Zeta's strawberry or just a little Wahoo, head toward 14th Street.
"Hoo's Greek is a wonderful addition to the Corner community," Braggins said.
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