Thrift Stores In Brooklyn: Hidden Gems And Vintage Finds

Brooklyn has experienced a significant boom in vintage, thrift, and consignment shops, offering a plethora of choices for avid thrifters and vintage fashion enthusiasts. The borough’s thrift stores offer a diverse shopping experience, frequented by celebrities, featuring bridal boutiques, and even hosting flea-market-style emporiums.

Featured Store: Awoke Vintage

Awoke Vintage, founded by Liz Power and Rachel Despeaux in Perth, Australia, expanded to Brooklyn in 2012 and has quickly become a beloved institution. Known for its midrange vintage pieces, the shop has garnered a reputation for its extensive collection of vintage denim, accommodating sizes up to a 46" waist.

• Celebrity Appeal: The store has seen customers such as Olivia Rodrigo, Emily Ratajkowski, Malia Obama, and Lana Del Rey.
• Accessibility: Awoke Vintage offers daily live-feed posts on Instagram, making it accessible to those who can’t visit in person.
• Location: The shop is located at 132 North 5th Street, Brooklyn.

Overview of Brooklyn Thrift Stores

Brooklyn is home to numerous notable thrift stores, each offering unique selections and contributing to the area's vibrant thrift culture. Here are some of the highlighted stores:

• Gotham Thrift Shop: Popular for a wide variety of items and high foot traffic, with regularly updated stock.
• Monk Vintage: Known for curated vintage clothing and offers discounts for donations.
• Broadway Fashion: Affordable everyday essentials, with prices starting around $6.
• New Brooklyn Fashion: Focuses on vibrant women’s fashions with affordable vintage finds starting at $5.
• Le Point Value: Caters to all ages with a focus on affordability.
• Brooklyn Woke Vintage: Specializes in 80s and 90s nostalgia items, including unique collectibles.
• Brooklyn Flea: An outdoor market featuring a diverse range of merchandise from clothing to antiques.
• Plus BKLYN: Focused on plus-size fashion with various styles and options for selling or trading clothes.

Benefits of Thrifting

Thrifting is increasingly becoming an integral part of American culture, with 93% of Americans considering secondhand options before purchasing new products. The benefits of thrifting include promoting circularity, saving money, and reducing landfill waste by extending the lifecycle of consumer goods.

Sustainability Focus

Many of Brooklyn’s thrift stores encourage sustainable practices that resonate with environmentally conscious consumers. Through initiatives such as donating clothes for discounts, these stores promote the reuse and recycling of clothing, reducing overall waste and environmental impact.

Notable Vintage and Thrift Shops

where to *actually* thrift in NYC ! THRIFT WITH ME (best thrift stores in Brooklyn)

Best Days and Times to Thrift

Knowing when to shop can vastly improve your thrifting experience. Here are some tips:

• Weekday Mornings: Less crowded and first pick of inventory.
• Thursdays: New merchandise is often put out, and items may be marked down.
• Weekends: Busy days; early arrival is recommended for the best selection.
• End of Month: More donations often lead to more items in stores.
• Holidays: Usually less competition and crowds.

For those interested in planning a trip to explore the thrift culture in Williamsburg, Brooklyn, you can find personal insights and recommendations in this blog post. It offers a firsthand look at the vibrant area known for its local and thrift stores.

Another great spot to explore is the Housing Works Thrift Shop in Brooklyn Heights, which provides a mix of clothing, furniture, and books, contributing to both sustainable shopping and community causes.

Brooklyn's thrift stores not only offer an enjoyable shopping experience but also contribute to sustainable fashion practices. Supporting local businesses and discovering unique fashion pieces and other items make thrifting in Brooklyn an exciting and rewarding adventure for both locals and visitors.