Syracuse may not be recognized as a fashion hub, but its small businesses tell a different story. Across the city, shop owners are shaping a local style scene with thrifted gems, one-of-a-kind Syracuse University game-day gear, streetwear and high-end apparel.
Black Citizens Brigade
140 Bank Alley University Building
Down a narrow alleyway in downtown Syracuse, you’ll find Black Citizens Brigade, owned by Cjala Surratt. The store specializes in vintage clothing from the 1950s to 1980s and sells both men’s and women’s fashion from brands such as Thom Browne, Levi’s, and Brooks Brothers. Surratt opened the store three years ago in a 600-square-foot space and expanded into a larger location eight months ago.
Surratt’s goal was to make the space feel personal and rooted in Black history, and she drew inspiration from her background in the gallery world.
“I like it to feel like you’re coming to a Black family album. A lot of the archival images you see of the Black community are because the gallery I worked for was photo-based, but I also think that, looking at the 1950s to 1980s, those years are very fraught for the Black and brown community,” said Surratt. “I think seeing these vernacular images of everyday communities is an expression of how those communities made it through.”
Though she carries second-hand items, Black Citizens Brigade is not a thrift store. Surratt hand selects the vintage pieces she carries, offering a rare and extensive collection.
“It is a rarity to find things in a thrift store. I actually don’t say that I’m a thrift store, I say I’m vintage, and I do that strategically because of the price point,” said Surratt.
Beyond clothing, the store also features vintage and contemporary books and records, creating another avenue for Surratt to connect history, culture and fashion in one space.
“I think having a diverse interaction of community, seeing and having access to that is really quite beautiful. It’s also expressed in the records, and it’s in the books you see as well,” said Surratt.
Scholars and Champs
310 S Salina Street
Scholars and Champs takes a different approach to vintage pieces, focusing on Syracuse University game-day gear. Owned by Bert Aufsesser, the shop is mainly known for its collegiate merchandise, but he has broadened the brand by expanding into other categories. The store is organized into sections, including game day, cartoons, and sports, with a Central New York section dedicated to businesses and landmarks throughout the area.
Since most customers are college students who shop for game-day gear only a few times a year, it’s been crucial for Aufsesser to direct attention towards the other sections as well.
“That business is something I try to build because if you’re buying Syracuse stuff, you might only shop a few times a year, so it’s just a matter of promoting that, putting it on socials and keeping it top of mind as well,” said Aufsesser.
After a decade in the vintage world, he’s created connections that make sourcing merchandise easier.
“Luckily, I have been pretty good so far, but there have been a few times where I wish I had more stuff, but I built connections from 10 years of doing this, so people reach out to me as soon as they find anything Syracuse related,” said Aufsesser.
He updates merchandise seasonally and regularly researches social media to find new styles. His twin brother also works in the business, helping him stay up-to-date on trends.
Flower Skate Shop
121 Walton Street
Only a few blocks away, another local business catering to a different crowd through a skate-and-streetwear perspective. The Flower Skate Shop, located next to the Lemon Grass restaurant in downtown Syracuse, was opened by John More, Charlie Giancola, and Drew Shoup after they noticed a gap in the local skate shop market. More previously worked at a skate shop in Destiny USA, and when it closed, the owners gave him the fixtures, clothing, and display racks – items he later used to start his own shop.
More said opening a skate store has been a long-time goal of his.
“It’s always been a passion project of mine,” he said. I’m 29 now, and I graduated from high school 11 years ago. I remember our senior year video thing, and I was asked what I could see myself doing in ten years. I said ‘owning a skate shop.’”
The Flower Skate Shop first operated inside McCarthy Mercantile for a little over three years, allowing them to make a name for themselves. As the store grew, More realized they needed a larger space. The new location features color-coded hoodies, hats, its own “The Flower Shop” merchandise, and a whole wall of skate equipment.
The shop’s most eye-catching feature is the giant indoor ramp on the right side of the store, which was one of the first things they built when they moved in. More claimed the rest of the store was designed around it.
“We love to skate, we want to get more people skating, and we built the ramp to give people a place to skate in the wintertime,” More said.
Along with these three stores, here are six other notable Syracuse clothing shops:
The Vintage Yard 315
1203 Madison Street
The Vintage Yard offers fashion from the 1980s to the 2000s, including Syracuse gear, sports jackets, and graphic t-shirts.
Bourne Vintage
2830 LeMoyne Avenue, Mattydale
Bourne Vintage, owned by Jack Sherbourne, holds a large collection of throwback pieces, specializing in menswear.
Happy Hour Vintage
2390 James Street
Happy Hour Vintage in Eastwood sells vintage clothing alongside books, typewriters, housewares and old-school cameras.
Whispering Wildflower Co.
132 E Genesee Street
Whispering Wildflower Co. had its grand opening in September of this fall. Located in Hanover Square, the boutique sells women’s clothing and accessories.
Vagabond Clothing
106 E Jefferson Street
Vagabond Clothing opened in the 2000s and began providing a range of goods to its customers. Their sweaters and trendy coats are the perfect winter staples.
Just Bros Vintage
217 S Salina Street
Just Bros Vintage, owned by Justin Dwyer, blends art, pop culture, and fashion into one. Unique graphic t-shirts, hoodies, and jackets are available in the basement of the McCarthy Building.
Whether you’re after a vintage find, a graphic tee, or something completely out of your comfort zone, Syracuse has more style waiting than most people realize – you just have to know where to look.
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