Thrift stores in NYC?

[TheMarriedHermit]

I’m leaving tomorrow for NYC, where I’m going to spend the whole week, mostly in Manhattan, with maybe one day in Brooklyn. I’d appreciate any recommendations of cool vintage/thrift/junk stores there. Thanks.

 

[scottyrocks]

Head down to the Village.

 

[TheMarriedHermit]

Head down to the Village.

It’s been a very long time since I left the City; I keep hearing that it has changed a lot, for better and/or worse. The hotel where I’m staying is only a block from where I used to live in Hell’s Kitchen, but of course they don’t use that name in their advertising. I hope that there still are some funky shops in the Village that haven’t been rent-priced out of existence.

 

[MondoFW]

Speaking as someone who goes to Manhattan every summer and has gone vintage shopping, I can give you a few recommendations (all of these are fantastic for finding older vintage)

- Stock Vintage:
I believe this one's in the lower east side of Manhattan, and it's a beautiful store. Little shop occupied by the owner and her dog. Owner is quite talkative, but also pretty informative so it isn't all bad. This one specializes in pre-1960's workwear and militaria but there still exists a myriad of great civvie clothing in her store. None of the clothing in her shop is made past the 70's AFAIK (and the newer stuff in the shop is all high quality repro of 30's stuff). Bought a 1940's chore blazer and a palm beach necktie of the same decide from this place. Some notable pieces I tried on (but sadly didn't have the budget for at the time)
--A 30's fur-lined short jacket, an unworn 1890s summer suit, a 1910's palm beach jacket, 30's belt-back sport coat, 30's white bucks, WW2 Japanese souvenir jacket, 30's work shirts. Prices are high though, expect that much.

- David Owen's Vintage:
Another small but very worthwhile look, staff are nice as well. Most of their stuff is relatively new vintage and designer stuff, but surprisingly they reel in a LOT of old vintage stuff (Last time I visited there was a mint condition 40's suit, a couple of 20's boaters, old furnishings, a 20's Hart Schaffner black tie set, 40's hawaiian shirts). They always have a full rack of 40s/50s ties, and that's all I got there despite what incredible pieces they had at the time. Keep this store in mind!

- Crowley's Vintage & Antiques:
I've actually yet to go to this one, but this Brooklyn shop is no joke. I follow the owner on IG and he legit has some grail-worthy stuff all the time. Very well-rounded too, it doesn't stick to a specific theme like militaria or workwear, etc. Don't have much else to say since I haven't walked in, but I'm willing to bet this is the most interesting vintage store in the city.

- Rugged Road:
With a great atmosphere, nice shop on Bedford Ave. in Brooklyn is a treat to look around in. The two Japanese guys who own the place def. dress the part, they were playing some nice old records when I was there as well. Great selection of hats when I went, plenty of cool militaria, and even some nice vintage memorabilia. Coolest things I saw here were a pair of 30's spade sole shoes, a 40's palm beach shawl lapel dinner jacket, Stetson 100, 30's chambray shirt, a collection of 40's-50's bowling shirts and sport shirts, a shelf full of vintage panamas, etc. Put this on your list too, it's great stuff.

Hope this helps! Curious to know what you find or buy.

 

[TheMarriedHermit]

Speaking as someone who goes to Manhattan every summer and has gone vintage shopping, I can give you a few recommendations (all of these are fantastic for finding older vintage)

- Stock Vintage:
I believe this one's in the lower east side of Manhattan, and it's a beautiful store. Little shop occupied by the owner and her dog. Owner is quite talkative, but also pretty informative so it isn't all bad. This one specializes in pre-1960's workwear and militaria but there still exists a myriad of great civvie clothing in her store. None of the clothing in her shop is made past the 70's AFAIK (and the newer stuff in the shop is all high quality repro of 30's stuff). Bought a 1940's chore blazer and a palm beach necktie of the same decide from this place. Some notable pieces I tried on (but sadly didn't have the budget for at the time)
--A 30's fur-lined short jacket, an unworn 1890s summer suit, a 1910's palm beach jacket, 30's belt-back sport coat, 30's white bucks, WW2 Japanese souvenir jacket, 30's work shirts. Prices are high though, expect that much.

- David Owen's Vintage:
Another small but very worthwhile look, staff are nice as well. Most of their stuff is relatively new vintage and designer stuff, but surprisingly they reel in a LOT of old vintage stuff (Last time I visited there was a mint condition 40's suit, a couple of 20's boaters, old furnishings, a 20's Hart Schaffner black tie set, 40's hawaiian shirts). They always have a full rack of 40s/50s ties, and that's all I got there despite what incredible pieces they had at the time. Keep this store in mind!

- Crowley's Vintage & Antiques:
I've actually yet to go to this one, but this Brooklyn shop is no joke. I follow the owner on IG and he legit has some grail-worthy stuff all the time. Very well-rounded too, it doesn't stick to a specific theme like militaria or workwear, etc. Don't have much else to say since I haven't walked in, but I'm willing to bet this is the most interesting vintage store in the city.

- Rugged Road:
With a great atmosphere, nice shop on Bedford Ave. in Brooklyn is a treat to look around in. The two Japanese guys who own the place def. dress the part, they were playing some nice old records when I was there as well. Great selection of hats when I went, plenty of cool militaria, and even some nice vintage memorabilia. Coolest things I saw here were a pair of 30's spade sole shoes, a 40's palm beach shawl lapel dinner jacket, Stetson 100, 30's chambray shirt, a collection of 40's-50's bowling shirts and sport shirts, a shelf full of vintage panamas, etc. Put this on your list too, it's great stuff.

Hope this helps! Curious to know what you find or buy.

Thanks a lot.

 

[robrinay]

Great tips thank you - I hope they’ll have had time to restock before I visit next month lol

 

[Carlos840]

Not really a thrift store, but when i was there a few years ago i really enjoyed "Kaufman's Army & Navy".
That's where i bought my first leather jacket, my Schott 644. They didn't have that model in stock, and I was hesitant about the size i needed. The owner very kindly had one of his guys go to the Schott depot to grab a size 42 and a 44 so that i could try both on.
If you are looking for surplus/military things, they have a pretty good selection too.

 

[Peter Mackin]

I sincerely hope it’s not the distrikt hotel,,I stayed there in aug/sept,,loved New York though.