This post was written by Hatchet reporter Shahzeb Mirza.

Greek life members will no longer have to Zipcar to Maryland when they want to pick out new letters.

Kris Hart, an alumnus and Foggy Bottom business owner, opened a Greek merchandise store on campus Tuesday, which he said would give students a convenient place to buy Greek gear. He will sell items from pint glasses and koozies to pens and fraternity flags.

“Though it may not seem natural for a tanning salon to open a Greek store, we’re pretty excited,” Hart said. “People are thrilled that they can access this on campus.”

Hart opened the store in a corner of Relaxed Tanning and Day Spa, a salon he co-owns with 2011 alumnus Michael Sullivan, which is located at 21 and F streets.

Hart, who was a brother of Phi Sigma Kappa at GW, said he’s thought about selling Greek letters for about five years before making the “five-figure investment.”

Allison Buck, president of the Delta Gamma sorority, said the opening of the store shows the increasing clout of the Greek community on campus. She also said the store will make it easier to promote the chapter, especially during big-little week.

“We are all very excited about this development and hope to see it grow in the future,” Buck said.

The store will accept GWorld. Sullivan said the pair is looking forward to partnering with Greek chapters for philanthropy events and would consider hosting paddle-making parties or offering group discounts.

GW boasts one of the largest Greek life populations at an urban campus, with one-third of students belonging to a sorority or fraternity.

Colleen Murphy contributed reporting