Friday, March 29, 2024

East Lansing's Spartan Corner acts as a resource for greek life

April 8, 2015
<p>Panhellenic council member and marketing junior Lesley Harrington centers Chi Omega greek letters on a pocket April 8, 2015, during her shift at Spartan Corner 103 E. Grand River Rd. in East Lansing. Harrington said that students from other school such as Central order from their store, because it is hard to find the greek items anywhere else in Michigan. Erin Hampton/The State News</p>

Panhellenic council member and marketing junior Lesley Harrington centers Chi Omega greek letters on a pocket April 8, 2015, during her shift at Spartan Corner 103 E. Grand River Rd. in East Lansing. Harrington said that students from other school such as Central order from their store, because it is hard to find the greek items anywhere else in Michigan. Erin Hampton/The State News

Photo by Erin Hampton | The State News

But their reach goes far beyond East Lansing.

Connie Harper, the store manager, said Spartan Corner serves over 80 fraternities and sororities in the mid-Michigan area.

This wide range, as well as the fact that they are locally owned and operated, is what has kept Spartan Corner in business for the past 23 years it’s been running.

“The personalized service we offer makes us stand apart from the rest,” Harper said.

Engineering freshman and Kappa Delta member Mariah King said Spartan Corner is the first place she would go to get greek apparel.

“When I first joined Kappa Delta, I would always stop there, which would result in me getting something because I was excited,” King said.

King has bought both a hoodie and a T-shirt custom made, as well as the items to make her big-little paddle and several knick-knacks.

“They were super quick and dependable when I customized my two items,” King said. “They even let me know when it was halfway done.”

She said Spartan Corner’s popularity is due in part to its convenient location across from the Union.

Students don’t have to go out of the way, or wait for orders to go through.

“I don’t know many other places here in East Lansing where I would go to get something like that,” King said.

Advertising junior and Gamma Phi Beta member Spencer Taylor said she visited Spartan Corner frequently as a freshman and now she goes about twice a year.

Taylor said the store is unique because of its outstanding customer service.

“The sweatshirts are not inexpensive, so it’s nice that they take the time with you to set up different color possibilities and patterns,” Taylor said.

Harper said some of their customers visit weekly, while others, such as Taylor, come only twice a year.

Students can buy anything from pens to glassware to flags, though Spartan Corner is most well known for its custom clothing.

Harper said they stock many blank sweatshirts, T-shirts, tanks and totes that can be personalized with fabric, embroidery or heat seal letters.

Harper said the busiest time of year for Spartan Corner is in the fall, when new members are joining fraternities and sororities and are looking to buy greek apparel.

Fraternity and sorority members old and new can come to Spartan Corner for a wide variety of greek merchandise. But the store doesn’t just appeal to sorority and fraternity members — there is also a selection of general MSU apparel for non-greek Spartans.

Discussion

Share and discuss “East Lansing's Spartan Corner acts as a resource for greek life” on social media.