Hidden amongst the nightlife and dining destinations of Downtown St. Petersburg is Central Avenue’s Little Brooklyn Vintage. Inspired by the tastes of New York’s most stylish borough, the boutique offers an eclectic, hand-picked selection of vintage clothing and home décor. Owned by longtime Downtown St. Petersburg patron Corey Janney, the shop opened in early 2010. Janney was inspired to bring her styles to St. Petersburg while shopping in the trendsetting neighborhood of Williamsburg, Brooklyn. She conceived a shop back home that conveyed the aesthetic and selection of New York boutiques without the inflated prices or pretention.

“I wanted to open a store that reflects how I like to shop, dress, and live,” she said.

The boutique has a diverse inventory of clothing, shoes and accessories ranging from mid-century classics to modern chic. The housewares include unique décor, kitchenware, and framed art that adorns the intimate space. Little Brooklyn Vintage caters to not only hipsters, but to a variety of tastes and demographics.  Still, Janney attributes some of her success to a resurging downtown arts scene.

“I like the vibe of downtown. I see a lot of the younger hip crowd as well as many in the art scene.  The community is really coming together to support the neighborhood,” she said.

Also inside of the boutique is Plush Salon, a beauty salon that Janney has owned for 11 years. She continues to expand upon her business with a blog (littlebrooklynvintage.tumblr.com), where shoppers can view highlighted merchandise before going to the store.

This petite but fulsome shop maintains a selection that celebrates vintage styles while avoiding the campy or distastefully retro. Little Brooklyn Vintage entices shoppers to linger, where a patient eye is likely to find a hidden gem among the shop’s many unique items.