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.
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…