From retro clothing to Halloween costumes Stray Cat Vintage & Costumes has been a part of the Fullerton community for the past 36 years. Like a blast from the past, it is full of pinup style dresses, '80s rock fashion and simple band tees.
“Stray Cat opened in 1989, the inspiration came after we opened Black Hole Records in 1986,” owner Anna Evans wrote in an email to the Daily Titan. “The record store came first, and it just felt like we needed to offer vintage to our shop, it works well.”
The vintage store got its name from the rockabilly band Stray Cat from the '70s, a three-piece boy band that was inspired by the '50s both musically and in their clothing as well.
Every aspect of the store is unique and caters to a variety of customers’ sense of fashion. Many of Evans’ customers either look for that specific item to stand out to them or just want to have fun with different styles.
Evans has been able to curate a variety of collectible items and vintage clothing for her inventory since customers are also able to sell their own clothes at the store. It does not matter what decade it’s from — if it is unique, Evans will buy it for the store.
Stray Cat also shares its storefront with Black Hole Records, owned by her husband William Evans. Both businesses come together for an annual Day of Music. The stores join downtown Fullerton businesses that provide live music for their customers and the Fullerton community.
“We are a family business, we know our customers and our community,” Evans said. “We stand out because we care, and we actually work our shop.”
Cal State Fullerton student Margaret Larson said she came across Stray Cat Vintage & Costumes from her everyday route to and from school.
“I take the 43-bus home every day and the 43 always passes by here and I just decided to check it out,” Larson said.
For Larson, vintage shopping is not about looking for name-brand items and tags, it is about what catches her eye.
According to Evans, the most rewarding part about being a business owner is that every day is different. One day she is selling Halloween costumes, then the next she is selling something 1920s-inspired.
There is not a certain trend customers gravitate toward when shopping at Stray Cat Vintage & Costumes. Each item in the store is unique and special. Each one of her customers is different, Evans said. One might just be shopping there for the pinup dress selection or another vintage t-shirt to add to their collection. Everything depends on the customer.
For Evans, being a part of vintage fashion is a great business to be in. When you love what you do, there are not many challenges, so it comes easy for her.
Evans has been in the business for so many years, but her passion is just the same as when she first opened her vintage store.
“It is in my blood, each piece has history,” Evans said. “I love to see how things are made, no fast fashion here.”
To find more vintage finds or to build a new collection of records, Stray Cat Vintage & Costumes is located at 115 S Harbor Blvd, Fullerton CA.