PBT, a locally owned sneaker and clothing store, has rebranded and moved into a new location.

Formerly known as PB&Thrift, the store opened in late July at The Bridges at 57th.

Owner Victor Hernandez-Diaz started the venture as a hobby as a high schooler, beginning with his personal sneaker collection.

“I was one of those COVID success stories,” Hernandez-Diaz said.

With more than 25,000 TikTok followers, Hernandez-Diaz started to accumulate enough inventory — thrifting clothes and shoes — to outgrow his at-home operation.

He moved into his first storefront at 1204 E. 57th St. in 2022.

With the move to The Bridges, the time also was right to rebrand, he said.

“We felt like the word ‘thrift’ held us back a little bit if we were going to expand and not change anything,” Hernandez-Diaz said. “We’re a sneaker and clothing store that happens to have a vintage section. That’s kind of what’s separating us from our last location — just making that distinct change.”

According to Hernandez-Diaz, the shoe world is expensive at the moment. Without straying away from quality or selection, he said he aims to maintain the store’s affordability.

From $15 T-shirts to more expensive brands like Supreme, Honor the Gift and Red Letter, PBT focuses on meeting customer demand, he said.

“What people want is what they get,” Hernandez-Diaz said. “That’s kind of been our mentality since the very beginning.”

He also has been able to expand both the variety and quantity of merchandise, becoming an official partner with multiple brands in the streetwear world, “just stuff that we just didn’t think we would ever have the chance to carry,” Hernandez-Diaz said.

In the new space at 5005 S. Western Ave., he has enjoyed a sense of community with other tenants, he said. His direct neighbor, Egg on a Roll, also opened earlier this year.

Being in a bigger plaza means a significant increase in foot traffic and exposure, Hernandez-Diaz said.

“You really don’t realize what you’re missing out on until you enter a bigger location or a better location than where you are currently,” he said. “Through the move  — through reinventing ourselves a little bit — it’s just opened us up to new people and all these new faces.”

His customer base includes everyone from beginner sneaker collectors to older customers pursuing a sense of nostalgia, he said.

“I tell all my people: we’re not salesmen here,” Hernandez-Diaz said. “We’re here to give people a good opportunity and a good vibe. With that comes a good atmosphere and just a good time overall.”

Hours

• Monday-Friday: 1 to 7 p.m.
• Saturday: 11 a.m. to 7 p.m.
• Sunday: noon. to 5 p.m.