Picture this: your friend is coming to visit and they told you they HAVE to go vintage shopping. They want one-of-a-kind pieces they can brag to all their friends about back home, but you’re only familiar with a few stores. Now picture this: you were invited to an 80s themed birthday party and you have absolutely nothing to wear. You need something fun, cheap and fast. Where do you go?
Having too many vintage and thrift stores to choose from is a good problem to have, but the perfect store to suit your needs depends on many things: affordability, selection, accessibility and good vibes. Since Bushwick and Ridgewood have so many vintage and resale stores, we at Bushwick Daily have taken it upon ourselves to break down several of those stores so you can show your friend a good time or find that perfect 80s outfit.
*Note: please be a good shopper and neighbor and be sure to mask up and sanitize your hands before touching all that sweet, sweet vintage*
L Train Vintage
Yes, we all know this one. L Trains are everywhere, and you either love them or you hate them. But we would be remiss if we didn’t include them on this list. L Train is family owned and has been bringing reasonably priced vintage clothes to Brooklyn and Manhattan since 1999. L Train has buyers all around the United States and gets new shipments monthly, providing all L train locations with new merchandise almost three times a week. Sounds like paradise, right? But a trip to L Train can be very overwhelming; most stores are huge (looking at you, Urban Jungle) and though the staff does a great job at organization considering the sheer size of the store’s inventory, it can be pretty difficult to find what you’re looking for. However, sometimes the vintage Gods smile upon you and show you exactly what you need, and other times they show you something you didn’t know you needed but absolutely have to have.
The prices at L Train almost can’t be beat, with some of the more “expensive” items being priced only at $30. A trip to L Train is not for the faint of heart; you need to go ready to really look, but that just makes adding that unique new piece to your closet all the more satisfying.
Price: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Selection: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Accessibility: ⭐️⭐️⭐️
Vibes: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Locations/Hours:
120 Knickerbocker Ave: Open everyday noon-7 p.m.
1 St. Nicholas Ave: Open everyday noon-7 p.m.
118 Knickerbocker Ave: Open everyday noon-7 p.m.
1377 Dekalb Ave: Open Monday-Saturday noon-7 p.m. (closed Sundays)
GG’s Social Trade and Treasure Club
GG’s always brings the showstoppers. You will never go in there and not see something beautiful and unique. A vintage shop, gallery and event space, GG’s describes itself on its website as a place that “encourages creative experimentation, collaborative production and peer support.” It is a hyper-curated shop, but still strives to keep items affordable. GG’s not only has excellent vintage clothes but also great accessories and one-of-a-kind pieces created by local artists. Plus, if you’re looking to make more room in your closet (so you can buy more vintage, obviously), you can come to GG’s and either donate clothes and get a 25% off coupon, or sell your clothes at a rate of 35%.
Shopping at GG’s is always a pleasant experience. The store, while it is small, is very well organized, and finding that perfect piece only takes a light browse, rather than a deep dive. While items at GG’s can get expensive, it’s still fairly priced for what you’re getting. The quality of the clothes is excellent and you will always find something truly special when you shop there.
Price: ⭐️⭐️⭐️
Selection: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Accessibility: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Vibes: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Location/Hours:
1339 Dekalb Ave: Open everyday noon-7:30 p.m.
28 Scott Vintage
It’s easy to pass by 28 Scott Vintage without a second glance, but whatever you do, don’t. Owner Tiffany Nicole made her name from her first business The Garment Room, starting first in Chicago before landing in SOHO. She eventually got priced out of her retail space in SOHO and made her way to Bushwick. She began the first mobile vintage shop in the United States, across the street from Roberta’s, selling every piece for $10. Finally in 2016, she opened 28 Scott in a cellar space on Scott Avenue.
Not only can you find reasonably priced, beautiful vintage clothes at 28 Scott, but the store also has an excellent selection of jewelry, candles, art and more. You can also shop on its website or see new arrivals on its Instagram. Shopping at 28 Scott feels like you’ve just been let in on the best secret. Plus, if you’re in the mood, you can head over to its small selection of spirits and pour yourself a shot on the house. Talk about customer satisfaction!
Price: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Selection: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Accessibility: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Vibes: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Location/Hours:
28 Scott Ave: open everyday noon-8 p.m.
Finn Vintage
Shopping at Finn Vintage is like walking into an airy wonderland of beautiful clothes. Having opened in November 2019, Finn Vintage only got about four good months of shopping in before the pandemic hit. The store continued to sell clothes via Instagram (where you can still shop from), but now Finn is back open with the same charm and whimsical environment that it started with.
The prices at Finn Vintage can be on the more expensive side, but it’s also very easy to find middle-to low-priced items. The store has a $10 rack outside every day (dangerous) that just beckons you to come in. Finn Vintage also sells unique jewelry designed by local artists (currently, sour gummy worm earrings are for sale, no lie), plus incense, candles, coasters, sunglasses and more. The staff is always welcoming and approachable. The playlist is always fire, and the clothes are always in pristine condition.
Price: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Selection: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Accessibility: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Vibes: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Location/Hours:
210 Irving Ave: Open six days per week noon-7 p.m. (Closed Tuesdays)
Raccoon Thrift
If you’re looking for a no-frills shopping experience with great prices, look no further than Raccoon Thrift. Its location on Irving Avenue opened up pretty recently, and though it may not have the vibes that some of the other stores on this list have, Raccoon Thrift still brings a pretty great selection. It is classified less as a “vintage” store and more as a “thrift” store, as it specializes less in pure vintage and more in resale. However you can still get some great vintage finds. But Raccoon Thrift doesn’t just have clothes. It also has a fun selection of houseware, small furniture items and records.
As previously stated, Raccoon Thrift is pretty no-frills. Its storefront seems to be in a former railroad apartment, causing some areas of the store to get pretty narrow. Raccoon Thrift packs a lot of clothes into this rather small space, which means you need to come ready to look hard, but you’ll be rewarded with fun trinkets and interesting clothes, all at very low prices.
Price: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Selection: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Accessibility: ⭐️⭐️⭐️
Vibes: ⭐️⭐️⭐️
Location/Hours:
117 Irving Ave: open everyday 11 a.m. – 8 p.m.
Other People’s Clothes (OPC)
A visit to OPC means vibrant colors, friendly staff and a whole lot of clothes. OPC is one of those places where it’s impossible to go in and not buy something. The store has a vast selection, which can sometimes be overwhelming. However, OPC’s displays make its already excellent stock look even better. Most everything is color coded, making it easy to find exactly what you’re looking for.
OPC specializes in buying gently used clothes in exchange for either credit or cash, then donating anything not purchased to organizations and charities. Some clothes are vintage and others are current. Plus, there is always an amazing selection of accessories. You can always find good deals at OPC, with most items priced in the mid-to-low range. The staff is kind and helpful, but if you’re not in the mood to leave the house, they also sell items from Instagram.
Price: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Selection: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Accessibility: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Vibes: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Location/Hours:
885 Woodward Ave: open everyday 11AM-8PM
Studio Dem
Studio Dem is a high-end, Caribbean inspired boutique featuring unique vintage pieces as well as new designs from Caribbean talent. Founder Michelene Auguste fell in love with fashion and vintage at a young age, when she would receive hand-me-downs from her grandmother and put together outfits for her mother. Her store is a love letter to not only them but also to Trinidad and Tobago, where she grew up.
If you’re looking for specialty, designer pieces, look no further than Studio Dem. That being said, it is one of the more expensive options on this list, with most items being priced at $50 and above. But given it is a high-end boutique, that’s pretty par for the course. They have a small shop. So due to COVID, in-store shopping is appointment only, which you can book on the store’s website. The shop feels like another world, and the staff is friendly. You can also shop directly from the website.
Price: ⭐️⭐️
Selection: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Accessibility: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Vibes: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Location/Hours:
17-17 Troutman St. #307: Open Tuesday-Sunday 1 p.m.-9 p.m. (closed Mondays)
Beacon’s Closet
Beacon’s Closet may be a bit basic, but it’s a classic and deserves a spot on this list. Beacon’s has several locations in Brooklyn and one in Manhattan, but all of them always have some amazing, one-of-a-kind items ready for the taking. Because Beacon’s is so popular, it can sometimes get a bit crowded (on busier days there are capacity restrictions due to COVID), and due to the size of Beacon’s inventory, the floor can get a little congested. But if you come ready to look, you will find some truly special items.
Prices at Beacon’s Closet are fair. They can get expensive, but most items are in the middle range. This is another place you can bring clothes you want to get rid of and sell them either for cash or store credit. It’s unusual to not find something you like at Beacon’s Closet, as even if no clothes catch your eye, you’ll probably leave with a cute pair of sunglasses.
Price: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Selection: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Accessibility: ⭐️⭐️⭐️
Vibes: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Location/Hours:
23 Bogart St: Open everyday 11 a.m.- 8 p.m.
Paperboy Prince Love Gallery
If you know anything about the 2021 NYC mayoral race, odds are you know about Paperboy Prince and the Love Gallery. Located on Myrtle Avenue, the Love Gallery is a community center, art gallery, vintage store and performance space full of good vibes and positivity for the future. It has fun vintage finds at low prices, plus a fun, vibrant environment.
The Love Gallery’s selection mostly has more casual clothing items, like jeans, t-shirts and sweatshirts, and you can find exclusive Paperboy Prince merch. But what sets the Love Gallery apart is how it is a one-stop shop for both vintage and to see what’s going on in our community. The Love Gallery is always holding events to raise money for the community, there’s a community fridge out front, and you’ll always hear about new ways to help the neighborhood. A trip to the Love Gallery means you’ll look great and feel great.
Price: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Selection: ⭐️⭐️⭐️
Accessibility: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Vibes: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Location/Hours:
1254 Myrtle Ave: Open everyday noon-7 p.m.
Brooklyn Vintage Company
If you’re going into Brooklyn Vintage Company for the first time, odds are your jaw is going to drop. Don’t worry, this is a normal occurrence. With its highly curated selection of clothes, furniture, records and more, Brooklyn Vintage Co. is a store you’ll want to get lost in, and you probably will.
The prices can get fairly high, but the selection is authentic. And you can find show-stopping pieces everywhere you look. There is a lot to choose from at this store, which can sometimes be overwhelming. But even if you’re not in the mood to buy, it’s always fun to just look.
Price: ⭐️⭐️⭐️
Selection: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Accessibility: ⭐️⭐️⭐️
Vibes: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Location/Hours:
194 Irving Ave: Open Tuesday-Saturday noon-7 p.m., Sunday noon-6 p.m. (closed Mondays)
For more news, sign up for Bushwick Daily’s newsletter.
Join the fight to save local journalism by becoming a paid subscriber.
Great article. I’ll have to make a trip to one of these places sometime.
Great article. I’ll have to visit one of these places sometime.