The Brief
- Three brothers are expanding their vintage soccer jersey business, Golden Era Kits, during a pop-up event in St. Petersburg.
- The Florida-based company features a massive collection of more than 7,000 carefully restored and authenticated sports jerseys.
- While traveling across the country to follow the tournament, the owners aim to eventually open a permanent storefront.
ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. – A trio of brothers turned their lifelong passion for soccer into a thriving mobile business as fans gather across Florida to celebrate the FIFA World Cup.
Fans swarm St. Petersburg pop-up
What we know:
Crowds packed Ferg’s Sports Bar & Grill to watch the United States men’s national team compete against Bosnia and Herzegovina. During the match, a unique jersey showcase drawn from international soccer history captivated both casual onlookers and die-hard fans.
Local supporter Matt Sprinkle praised the vibrant tournament atmosphere, calling the setup magic and emphasizing the importance of supporting independent creators. The business, Golden Era Kits, was founded by Thomas, Bautista and Mateo Tapper, three Orlando residents originally born in Argentina.
Brothers authenticate rare retro jerseys
What they’re saying:
Co-owner Thomas Tapper explained that their main focus centers on sourcing rare retro apparel from various resellers before carefully repairing the garments. The concept originally began as a simple passion project that the brothers first tested at a local farmer’s market.
Massive soccer collection expands rapidly
By the numbers:…