Small Business Spotlight: Retro Collection

Fresno, California (KFSN) — Shoppers with a passion for streetwear and sneakers found their favorites at fashion fairs.

The Retro Collection, next door to Forever 21, opened during the pandemic.

Rick Salinas said owning a store became his goal after spending time helping his father with his own business endeavors.

“When I was a kid, me and my brother went with him to help out and started from there,” Salinas said. “We built our own booths and stuff when we were eight or nine.”

Traveling through California – Salinas and his brother used to help their father sell shirts at exchanges.

It was his father’s passion and work ethic that inspired Rick to dream bigger.

“He challenged us to create our own, so that’s when we started designing,” recalls Salinas.

He now has a fashion fair store full of his designs.

“Our goal was to bring something very unique to Fresno,” Salinas said.

“Here in Fresno, there is nothing like it,” said customer Chris Blair. “You have to go to the Bay Area or the LA area to find something like this. So getting something like this in Fresno is a huge deal.”

The Retro Collection features the latest in streetwear, including vintage shirts and hats.

“It’s cool to go around town and see people wearing our shirts and hats,” said employee Martina Ebnesignetti.

Across the walls are the latest kicks from Nike, Air Jordan and Adidas Yeezy. Some styles are difficult to find in stores or online.

“Certain things are really hard to come by, especially if they’re discontinued or aren’t currently being made. It’s really hard, but that’s where we come in. Get it. If we can do it, I’m sure it will hit stores,” explained Roy Salinas, a high-volume buyer at the store.

The Retro Collection also attracts sneakerheads interested in selling and trading shoes from across the state.

Local athletes like Fresno State University’s Jalen Cropper and boxer Marc Castro can be found rocking The Retro Collection.

“They came for all that stuff and we were like, ‘Oh, that’s what Jalen Copper wore. This is what Marc had,'” manager Fernando Quintero said. rice field.

In just two years, the store has evolved. According to staff, it’s because of community support, which is why the business is making an effort to give back to local schools and charities.

Heading into the new year, the staff is looking forward to what’s to come – this is just the beginning of the retro collection, they say.