Sydney Barnes | The Crow’s Nest
By Sydney Barnes
Students and faculty sifting through clothing racks and holding up shirts to their chest are what you’ll see Thursdays in front of the University Student Center.
Why? A student-run thrift store has opened up right here on campus with vintage-looking clothing and accessories.
Temptation Thrift, a clothing booth run by USF St. Petersburg student Berni Berkower, has caught many people’s eyes as she sets her booth up in the USC building and on Harborwalk. Starting in September, Berkower began selling clothes from her personal collection.
“I have been wanting to do something like this for a long time, and I also have a lot of clothes in my closet that I wasn’t wearing that people would like, and I wanted to give them to new homes,” Berkower said.
The racks are lined with anything from sweaters and shirts to pants and skirts. Berkower wanted to ensure her store was inclusive, so she included a variety of pieces that fit into different masculine and feminine styles and aesthetics.
She also has different sizes, fits and gender-neutral pieces so everyone can find something for themselves. She curates the collection based on her personal style and whether she would wear each piece.
“I try to cater to different styles, but I’m not going to put something out there that I don’t also like or see potential in,” she said.
Not only does she sell clothes, but she also offers accessories, such as earrings and necklaces – some even handcrafted by other students. Her prices are relatively inexpensive, ranging from $5 to $30 depending on the item and how expensive it was at the original purchase.
However, Berkower is always willing to negotiate or barter with others. New items are always being added so people don’t get bored seeing the same pieces time and time again.
Beside students shopping at the booth, some faculty members have also stopped by to peruse the setup and shop for a couple of items. Berkower welcomes anyone on the campus to come shop at her booth, no matter their gender or profession.
Although Berkower normally runs the booth alone, she is looking to expand into some of St. Petersburg’s local indie and night markets.
You can find the booth in front of or inside of the University Student Center on Thursdays from 11:00 a.m. to 1:30 p.m.
Berkower accepts cash, Venmo, Cash App and PayPal.
