In its own way, the corner vintage store has become a quiet institution of urban hipsterdom, architects of a past open to colorful appropriation. In an era where every second pop song tries to sound like it came out in 1983, why not dress like it too?
When Liisa Jokinen moved to New York five years ago, one of the first things she did was start a website called the “NYC Vintage Map,” which she has tended for the last five years and has turned into a smartphone app, reflecting her own singular drive to catalog a city’s worth of vintage stores, while running other vintage-related businesses like Gem, “secondhand search app” to find vintage clothes from online sellers.
In these years, she’s also documented street style too, on her fashion blog “NYC Looks,” at one point syndicated by New York magazine. To celebrate her five years sorting through the second hand store bins of New York, we invited her to tell us her favorite vintage shops in Bushwick. “I love Bushwick for the street styles. Love taking the L train there during the weekends,” says Jokinen.
Other People’s Clothes
I love Other People’s Clothes as much for people watching as for secondhand shopping. They have the coolest and best-dressed customers. Everything is organized by color and item type which makes browsing easy. There is a lot of inventory but still enough room around the racks. Anyone is also welcome to sell and trade their clothes here so the inventory there reflects the neighborhood – you store can’t get more Bushwick than this. You can find anything from rare designer brands to fun Y2K fashion. Follow their instagram to catch sales on their story page.
“OPC” had started up just four years ago, back in in 2020, but they now have three huge stores all around Brooklyn and Ridgewood. But the Bushwick location has a special place in my heart.
OPC Bushwick is located at 333 Troutman Street and is open every day from 11AM-9PM. Their Ridgewood location is at 885 Woodward Avenue and it is open everyday from 11AM-8PM and their newer Williamsburg spot is at 150 Marcy Avenue.
Finn Vintage
I love Finn Vintage for three reasons: they really try to make vintage accessible for all, the store is beautifully restored and curated, and they always have some cute, whimsical dresses I can’t resist.
Owner Madeline Stedman says she learned the tricks of the trade while working at a longtime Bushwick vintage shop Collections, which closed since the pandemic. Four years ago, Stedman opened her own store on Irving Avenue.
The store has some beautiful old details, like its brick arch, wood floors, and original tin ceiling. The big windows fill the space with light and air. Browsing the racks is always a pleasure.
Finn Vintage is located on 210 Irving Avenue.
Protection Spell
The name Protection Spell apparently refers to the feeling you get when you’re wearing your favorite fit – love that!
Protection Spell curates their own inventory with literally everyone in mind: all genders, bodies, and price points. There is a mix of eras from the 70s to Y2K with additional info on the tags. Owners Sara and Lani really know their stuff and I love that too.
Store highlights include vintage Saks brands from the 60s and 70s, and other high end department store looks from further decades , like classic Bill Blass pieces. There are always some good leather pieces, cool jackets, and rad t-shirts around too.
Protection Spell is located at 1312 Decatur Street, Store 3.
Harlequin Vintage
Come for the clothes rack, stay for wall art, curious knick knacks, and home decor.
I love Harlequin Vintage because they have everything a home needs, from furniture to “Swanky Swigs” glasses, vintage strollers, and cookie jars. It is hard to resist laying on the comfy armchairs for hours and not just soak in all the little trinkets for sale.
Harlequin Vintage is located at 1033 Flushing Avenue.
28 Scott
Owner Tiffany has been in the vintage business for decades and I just have to appreciate her long career. She started out in Chicago, then expanded to New York, launched one of the first mobile vintage shops and, more recently opened her first Brooklyn brick-and-mortar on Scott Street.
The original “Scott Street” 28 Scott sadly shuttered a few years ago. Luckily, Tiffany operates out of two different locations now, one on Thames Street, and an outlet store on Wyckoff Avenue. Clothes for all genders, jewelry, leather shoes, accessories. Anything you would need, and more.
“28 Scott” is now located at 108 Thames Street.
Photos taken by Liisa Jokinen or provided by the vintage stores.
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