St. Pete has a new – and affordable – hotspot for vintage and thrift shopping. Open daily from 12-7 pm at 2655 6th Ave South, E2K (short for “Early 2000s”), is owner Jay Bunch’s vision brought to life. While the name nods to Y2K fashion, the racks go far beyond that, featuring pieces that stretch back to the 70s, all carefully curated by Jay himself. Some items are even handmade, adding a personal touch you won’t find in your typical vintage shop.
At just 24 years old, Jay has already poured everything into this space. Originally starting his journey in modeling, he shifted his focus over the past few years to fashion design, ultimately creating E2K vintage thrift as a place that reflects both his style and his values.
“I’m in here every single day,” he says. “I’ve even slept in here. I want this to be the spot in St. Pete.”
A new third space
Bunch is clear about his intentions: “I don’t want to be an owner forcing people to buy clothes. I want it to be chill.”
Jay is building E2K into a true third space, a place where people can come not just to shop, but to hang out and create. Plans are already in motion for sewing classes and community sewing circles starting next month, giving aspiring designers a place to learn and collaborate.
He also envisions a dedicated content room for models and photographers, along with a lounge area, and eventually even a vintage arcade-style gaming setup, to make the store feel like a home base for creatives.
Affordable vintage without the markup culture
Affordability is another key part of his mission. In an industry where “vintage” can sometimes mean overpriced, Jay is intentional about keeping things accessible.
“Around 90% of the store is priced under $30, pushing back against the trend of inflated prices just because of a label.”
Originally from Brooklyn, New York, Jay brings a piece of that culture with him, something you can see in both his style and his approach. It has an industrial vibe and graffiti inspired art.
“I feel like New York’s fashion scene can feel oversaturated, and I see Tampa Bay as a growing, tight-knit community full of opportunity.”
The space itself reflects the artistic energy of the neighborhood, like the exterior artwork, created by local artist Tashie Tierney (@tashieart). After connecting with local creatives, including a fashion show at Mad Monk (shoutout to Tracy), he knew this was the place to build.
What’s Next: Live Music
“E2K will be a community space,” he explains. “Like The Factory, where artists can come and display their artwork.”
It’s already stepping into that role.
On April 17, from 7 pm to 12 am, E2K is hosting an event where local artists will drop in to perform and celebrate the collaborative space. It’s one of many moments Jay hopes will bring creative people together under one roof.
