shoppe /// guide
Style in Retrograde
San Diego
Eric Brown Jr. Founder of Backtrack Vintage
This Veteran-Owned Shop in San Diego Offers a Blast to the Past With Chic Vintage Apparel Written By: Aaron J. Pellot • Photographed By: John Trice
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For Eric Brown Jr., founder of San Diego-based vintage shop Backtrack Vintage, classic apparel has always been something of interest. After his time in the Navy, Brown returned to San Diego to earn his degree. He notes, “There was nothing on my radar about stores [in San Diego] that sold vintage clothing…I had been interested in flipping things since my time as a sailor.” Before officially launching in April 2019, Brown had done one event with no name, but he had a vision. Brown states, “I sold at an event…I just had a booth and two racks from Ikea.” After finding early success, he knew it was time to “brand this thing” and became an official Blackowned business in San Diego. Now in 2021, Brown, along with the periwinkle Backtrack bus, have been able to find success—he sold out of his merchandise multiple months during 2020 despite the challenges that the year presented. Backtrack presents some of the coolest vintage clothing, from ‘90s Disney collections to Nike apparel
and more. You’ll also notice the theme of community, which is essential to Brown. This isn’t just with how he collects pieces but how he engages with the San Diego community. You may find a Backtrack pop-up shop at local vintage record store Five Space, where he’s had residences in the past, or even at Venice Beach. Brown spoke to the importance of working locally, stating, “We have a lot of cool opportunities here in San Diego. If you’re truly in the community, opportunity will find you.” In 2020, Backtrack created shirts with the labeling “Enough” and the names of Black lives who had been taken under police brutality, donating the proceeds to the Black Mental Health Alliance. Especially under COVID, he recognizes what community and safety look like. “The responsibility is on us as shop owners…and we’re all in this together.” Brown assures, if you shop in person, you’ll have a safe experience. Whether you are looking for a retro ‘90s concert T-shirt or some stylish Champion apparel, you’ll always find what you’re looking for at Backtrack Vintage.
“We have a lot of cool opportunities here in San Diego. If you’re truly in the community, opportunity will find you.” —Eric Brown Jr.
Sales That Support
» The Backtrack team released original merchandise for every collection in 2021 and has been able to donate a percentage of the sales to local organizations.
Makin’ It Mobile
» Brown was able to set himself apart from the competition early on by building his first shop inside an old school bus.
Backtrack’s the Name, Vintage Is the Game
» Brown left something at his house one day, and his nowfiancée said, “Now we gotta backtrack…That should be the store name!” This is how the name for his brand came to be. BACKTRACK VINTAGE www.shopbacktrack.com @shopbacktrack
66 LOCALE MAGAZINE