A room littered with boxes and successful eBay trading inspired 22-year-old Eryka Smith to open Blues City Clothing.
"My mom was like, 'you've got to get rid of all this stuff' so I just thought I would open up a store of my own," Smith said.
Although she had a scholarship to The University of Memphis, Smith decided to follow her first love, fashion, and delay getting her degreeTwo months after the opening and a few headaches later, Smith is excited about her next market shopping adventure coming up in February in Las Vegas. She hopes to bring in some lines that reflect a fun, West Coast style.
"Fashion starts on the West Coast and then slowly makes its way towards us," she said. "We'll finally get the trends about a year after the fact. I opened the store to provide students with more access to styles while they are hot and not a year later."
Close proximity to campus and a laid-back atmosphere make this shop a prime candidate for U of M students, said Melanie Crosby, junior journalism major. Although Crosby works at James Davis, she praised the affordable prices found at BCC.
"It's different. She's got stuff similar to higher end stores, but she's got it for tons cheaper than they have," Crosby said. "You can go in there and find something for whatever mood you're in, and they always have really good sales. It's a one-of-a-kind store."
Crosby cited one of her favorite BCC finds as a chunky belt with zippers and fur that resembles something Gwen Stefani might wear.
Other fun pieces include Oscar de la Renta purses, t-skirts by Particle, which are t-shirts converted into skirts, and cowboy boots. "T-skirts are a hot new item. I love them because each skirt is unique and you're not going to have the same clothes as anybody else," Smith said. "People are dying for cowboy boots. Out with the Uggs and in with the cowboy boots."
When all the vintage clothes sell out, the store's focus will turn to a more contemporary clothing line. Smith hopes to include more dressy clothes to aid the college girl's search for the perfect clubbing outfit.
Prices ranged from a very affordable $10 sale rack to a more indulgent $85 blue jeans splurge. And while Smith said she only likes to buy three to six pieces of each style, running into an outfit twin is unlikely.
Located at 3536 Walker and sandwiched between Garibaldi's and Blue Coast Burrito, BCC offers a wide selection of affordable clothes for both guys and girls, but the girls' section might be taking over the whole store this spring.
"I hate to see the guys' stuff go. I just know girls go shopping on an everyday basis. If you fail a test or if your boyfriend (makes you mad) you can go get an outfit to cool you off, but for guys it's like a once a month thing," Smith said.
While students may be stressing out over projects, papers and exams this semester, Smith said owning a small business has its own problems.
"There are a bunch of small things you don't even think about when opening a store," she said. "Getting permit codes, licenses, store fixtures, paint and other opening fees all add up. My father is an ex-banker, so he helped with a lot of the details. At times it's a big headache, but I owe a lot to my father for helping me out so much."
