Greek insignia store sign bars non-Greeks

A store manager called the sign a 'safety precaution.' Those who think getting into the Greek system is tough should try getting into Going Greek, a store specializing in Greek-lettered paraphernalia located on the 3900 block of Walnut Street. Until yesterday, a sign on the door of the store barred anyone but fraternity and sorority members from entering. Store managers removed the sign in the morning after being questioned by a Daily Pennsylvanian reporter. The managers said the sign's sole intention was to discourage browsers who are unlikely to actually purchase merchandise. "It was really just there to keep the general public out," store manager Jonathan Paul said. "It's not really an enforced rule." The sign was not an effort to keep Greek merchandise out of the wrong hands, which Paul said is not a problem. "There's no reason for someone to come in to wear someone else's letters," he said. "It just doesn't happen." The sign was located below another one that prohibits anyone under the age of 18 from entering the store. That sign remains on the window. According to Going Greek Inc. Operational Manager Lori Rosenthal, the signs were placed in response to incidents at other stores. "It's nothing but a safety precaution from a loss-prevention standpoint," she said. "It's not meant in a negative way." She cited a recent robbery at a branch in New Brunswick, N. J., which was perpetrated by non-students. But no signs have been placed at the branch in State College, Pa., where Penn State University is located, Paul said. Rosenthal added that the signs are unofficial, and that they would probably be removed from all branches this fall. According to regional manager Kerry Callahan, the sign was placed when current management took over the store last month. The store, which is licensed with numerous Greek national chapters, is part of a 13-store chain with locations in the Northeast and California. The branch on Walnut serves a number of universities in the greater Philadelphia area. Paul said the store also does screen printing for groups both on- and off-campus. He cited recent projects they did for Penn Hillel and a neighborhood security firm. The store also carries a limited selection of clothing with University insignias. But Paul said more than 80 percent of the store's business comes from orders placed by area Greek chapters. Walk-in sales are relatively insignificant, he said. "We have nothing you'd want unless you or a friend are in a fraternity or sorority," Callahan added. Paul added that restricting a store's clientele, especially when its appeal is so specific, is important for an urban store located near numerous other stores with broader categories of merchandise.