Bushwick is increasingly becoming a hub for secondhand shopping, as many make the trip from every borough to score a funky ‘80s dress from Urban Jungle or a dad-on-vacation Hawaiian shirt from Flamingos for just a few bucks. The warm weather has finally arrived and here’s where you can find the trendiest pieces for summer.
1. COLLECTIONS BK
Collections is a lovely little vintage boutique on Wilson avenue that has a diverse range of clothing from t-shirts to early 2oth century gowns. The experience of shopping at Collections is personal and more like playing dress-up rather than hunting for clothes. The staff are informative and caring, and the prices are reasonable enough to forgo mass retailers, especially when looking for something special.
16 Wilson Ave., open Monday-Sunday from 12 p.m. to 8 p.m.
2. GG’S SOCIAL CLUB
With a focus on community, GG’s is more than just a vintage shop: it’s a creative space that focuses on community building through collaboration. Though the shop is curated, it is a donation-based thrift store that aims to connect people through the art of thrifting while cutting down on waste. “NYC residents discard 193,000 tons of textiles every year, at a cost to taxpayers and our environment. By buying used clothing from us, you are helping to keep this resource (about three tons of it) out of the landfill,” the website states.
1339 Dekalb Ave., open from 11:30 a.m. to 8:30 p.m. everyday.
3. FEELS
This concept store dreamt up by husband-wife duo Patrick Noecker and Christine Costello, opened in late December of 2018. Prior to setting up shop in Ridgewood, Costello sold her vintage finds at places like the Hester Street Fair, Queens Flea Market, and at various pop-up events. It was during this experimental stage that her vision for FEELS began to sharpen. Costello knew her future storefront would be more than just a vintage clothing shop, but a branded lifestyle store filled with “well-made, interesting things.”
59-17 71st Ave., open Monday through Friday 12 p.m. to 8 p.m., Saturday 11 a.m. to 8 p.m. and Sunday 11 a.m. to 7 p.m.
4. CHESS AND THE SPHINX
Located on Knickerbocker, Chess and the Sphinx is a more historically informed consignment store that focuses on the persistent of good style over a span of generations. This little gem is perfect for a special occasion piece or a look for a themed party.
252 Knickerbocker Ave., open Monday – Saturday from 12 p.m. to 8 p.m., and Sunday 12 p.m. to 7 p.m.
5. WORSHIP VINTAGE
Can’t shop in-person? No problem! You can shop this bi-coastal curated vintage shop via their Instagram. Worship Vintage boasts a collection for men and women, centered on LA and NYC culture and fashion. Their shop also offers rentals for stylists and designers: get 20 items for one week at a fraction of the price.
117 Wilson Ave., open daily from 12 p.m. to 8 p.m.
6. FRIENDS NYC
This cute little shop off the Morgan L has made a reputation in the neighborhood with their gently-used curated vintage collection and assortment of home goods and gifts. They also host a variety of community events, from tattoo pop-ups to charitable drives. If you’re having trouble envisioning your summer look, they also have a style guide lookbook for 2019 with the hottest trends.
56 Bogart St., open daily from 11 a.m. to 8.30 p.m.
7. Other People’s Trash
This carefully curated selection of vintage goods is created and operated by Lisa Carr, an art director, and Jonny Alvarez, a clothing designer. Together, they dreamt up the monochrome oasis—bright lavender on the outside, seafoam green within—packed with throwback jerseys, rare hoodies, vintage jeans, and an astroturf floor. All in a 15-foot long pink truck! Options are somewhat limited, but a spirit of abundance remains. Plus, the duo is constantly sourcing new items, so the shop feels perpetually fresh and well-stocked, and keeping it unisex.
603 Hart St., open Tuesday through Sunday, from 12 p.m. until 6 p.m. on weekdays and until 8 p.m. on weekends.
Cover image courtesy of GG’s Instagram.
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