Best Thrift Stores in NYC (by a New Yorker)
One of my all time favorite things to do in New York City (or in any city for that matter) is to go thrifting, or vintage shopping. If you have any doubts about my expertise, just ask my boyfriend about the time we spent in NYC last summer checking two or three different thrift stores every day.
I love to find preloved and vintage items and imagining the stories they could tell, if only the items themselves could speak. Plus, who doesn’t love a bargain?!
NYC Thrift Stores
There are many thrift stores in NYC. The most popular areas to go thrifting in the city are in Manhattan and Brooklyn. Neighborhoods like Williamsburg, East Village and Bushwick are popular among thrifters and second hand shoppers . Yet, even there, bargains might be hard to find when shopping for quality preloved or vintage pieces if you don’t know exactly where to look first.
Is thrifting in NYC expensive?
Thrifting in New York has become extremely popular, and many think of it as a serious business. It can be expensive compared to other parts of the country where you can easily find second-hand clothing pieces for less than $5. Yet with a bit of patience and research, you’ll be able to find a great deal for all kinds of price ranges.
How do you find a good thrift store in NYC?
One of the most important things you have to do when you go thrifting is to plan ahead. Read about the different locations and keep in mind what they can offer you! Remember that not every store will have what you're looking for. Some thrift shops specialize in second-hand contemporary clothing while others will have furniture, antiques and more curated vintage collections.
To tell you where to find what and how to discover some of the best hidden thrifting treasures in the city, I’m sharing below my favorite thrift shops in NYC. Read on to hear about all of the greatest things you can get and where to find them all!
The Best Thrift Shops In New York City
These are some of the best thrift stores in New York. Almost all of them have an online store where you can shop some of the goods as well!
Housing Works
Address: NYC Multiple Locations
Opening Hours: 11:00am-7pm Monday-Saturday; 12:00pm-5pm Sun
Housing Works has locations offering many second hand treasures all throughout the city, including the Upper East Side. It’s a haven for thrifters and vintage shoppers living in the area or visiting the neighborhood. Whether you’re looking for clothing, shoes, or even furniture, Housing Works is always worth the stop.
The stores also support the unhoused and those living with HIV/AIDS, so you know you’re helping out a great cause by shopping there. I’ve found Gucci loafers for less than $100 there, so it’s definitely a great place to make some finds!
AuH2O
Address: 84 E 7th St, NY, NY 10003
Opening Hours: 12pm-7pm Tuesday-Sunday
This is definitely one of the best places to find a bargain on clothes. You can find tons of items priced between $5-40, so you won’t blow your budget picking out a few new pieces. This neighborhood gem is a highlight of the East Village shopping scene, and should be on everyone’s list of the best thrift stores in NYC. It's a cozy store with great variety, and one of my favorites to stop in whenever I’m passing through!
Chelsea Flea
Address: 729 West 25th St, btw 6 Ave + B’way.
Opening Hours: 8:00am-4pm Saturday- Sun
Open year round on Saturdays and Sundays, the Chelsea Flea market is truly a full weekend adventure! There are thrift shops selling everything from antiques to jewelry, and even great food options if you need leverage to convince your significant other to go with you there. And of course, you’ll find many vendors offering some of the coolest and most unique vintage clothing in all of NYC!
Buffalo Exchange
Address: Multiple Locations
Opening Hours: 11am-8pm Monday-Saturday; 11pm-7pm Sun
Another franchise with several locations across the city, Buffalo Exchange is one of the classic American thrift stores and is exactly what you probably picture in your head when you think of vintage shopping.
You can find a little bit of everything here, so you never know what you’ll be leaving with! I’ve been to locations all across the US, and they all tend to have an individual focus with a common theme of quality, cool clothing and accessories. The store chain buys, sells and trade. Definitely worth stopping by!
Cure Thrift Shop
Address: 91 3rd Ave, NY, NY 10003
Opening Hours: 11am-9pm every day
This is another of those great thrift stores in New York City with a cause: proceeds benefit diabetes research! It’s an awesome place to shop for secondhand clothing, household items, and even furniture. It’s always a good idea to chat with the staff and ask them if there are any hidden treasures you might have missed. Prices can be a bit higher than some other thrift stores, but there are lots of deals to be had if you know what you’re looking for!
Grand Street Local
Address: 154 Grand St, Brooklyn, NY 11249
Opening Hours: 12pm-6pm every day
If you are looking to find the most vintage and thrift stores in a single neighborhood in New York, Williamsburg is definitely where you want to go. Grand Street local is one of my favorite shops in Williamsburg and a must-stop in the area, even if you’re just spending a few hours in Brooklyn. This NYC thrift store specializes in vintage and second hand streetwear (mostly t-shirts and sneakers) and it's a paradise for streetwear collectors who are looking to find one of a kind pieces!
Wonders of Walter
Address: 135 Berry St, Brooklyn, NY 11249
Opening Hours: 2pm-8pm Tuesday-Sunday; 3pm-8:30pm Mondays
Another staple of Williamsburg is Wonders Of Walter, where Walter sells everything from vintage bomber jackets to t-shirts and denim. His collection is carefully curated, which often comes with a price tag that represents the unique pieces he sells.
Beacon’s Closet
Address: Multiple locations
Opening Hours: 11:00am-8pm every day
Beacon’s closet is an awesome establishment with locations in Manhattan and Brooklyn, and is another one that supports charities and gives back. You can buy, sell, and even trade cool vintage pieces! They have everything from Prada to vintage Levi’s denim, so you’ll definitely find something that you fall in love with.
L Train Vintage
Address: Multiple Locations
Opening Hours: 12pm-7pm every day
This is a cool family-owned vintage brand that has catered to vintage shoppers since opening in 1999. You can always find well-priced outerwear and sweaters, making this a great place to go when winter is approaching. You can usually find all sizes there, which makes this the perfect place for anyone to check out!
Le Point Value Thrift
Address: Multiple Locations
Opening Hours: 10am-5:30pm
This is a real vintage store, where you can find unique and varied items for true thrift store prices. It’s a hidden gem that is one of my favorite places to look for things like old leather jackets and cool sneakers. Make sure to check out new items that they might have acquired since the last time you were there!
Urban Jungle
Address: 118 Knickerbocker Ave, Brooklyn, NY, 11237
Opening Hours: 12pm-7pm every day
Unlike a lot of thrift stores in NYC, this vintage store has a huge space that’s filled with amazing finds. You might find yourself needing several hours to look through their selection, and the prices are great as well. Most of the pieces are around $6, making this one of the best deals in the city!
The Consistency Project
Address: Online Re-opening soon!
Opening Hours: Online
Hands down, this is one of the best places to go in NY if you’re looking for a pair of vintage Levi’s denim! They have a huge selection, and the employees are always happy to help you choose the perfect pair. They definitely have some of the best jeans in the city, so make sure you add this place to your shopping list!
Celene’s Thrift Shop
Address: 568 Grandview Ave, Queens, NY, 11385
Opening Hours: 9am-7pm Monday-Saturday; Closed Sun
Definitely one of the friendliest thrift stores in New York, this is a small but jam-packed space that offers tons of cool and unique vintage clothes and items. It’s such a great environment to shop, and you can always find what you’re looking for or something you didn’t even know you needed! The perfect way to support a local business!
St Francis Thrift Store
Address: 207 W 96th St, NY, NY 10025
Opening Hours: 11am-6pm Tuesday-Sunday; Closed Mondays
Another great community establishment, St Francis Thrift Store is an UES staple for thrift shoppers! You can find everything from well-priced clothing to awesome books, making this place always worth a visit. It’s a great place to either make a quick stop for something specific, or to spend longer just browsing and discovering something new.
El Barrio Thrift
Address: 2123 2nd Ave, NY, NY, 10029
Opening Hours: 10:30am-5:30pm Monday-Friday; 12:30pm-5:30pm Sat; Closed Sun
One of my favorite places to go thrift shopping for home items! If you're looking for furniture or items to decorate your home, this is absolutely the place for you. It’s a great thrift shop to stop in while hunting for vintage treasures! I’m always surprised by some of the amazing things they have to offer, so make sure you stop by to look!
Other NYC Thrift Stores worth mentioning are: Mirth Vintage, Awoke Vintage Fox & Fawn, Dusty Rose Vintage, Tired Thrift and Procell.
I hope you guys find this list of the best thrift stores in NYC as useful as we do! We love hunting for beautiful, timeless, and everyday pieces in New York while also knowing that we are doing our part to be less wasteful and supporting great causes and small businesses in the city that we love so much!
Comment below if you have gone thrifting in New York, and what your favorite shops and markets are. Let us know which other thrift shops in NYC you have visited, and tell us about some of your favorite pieces that you have in your closet!
And don’t forget to Pin this article so you’ll have saved for later.
Remember to check out our lifestyle posts below, or head to the style and wellness sections for more.
For more New York City tips and guides, head to our New York section. We’ve written about everything from the most romantic restaurants in NYC to the best things to do in the city if you're visiting for 2 days.
Subscribe to our email list below to join our family and friends group. You’ll be the first to know about all the new blog posts and exciting articles to come!
Happy Thrifting!
Besitos,
Laura
Disclosure: We only recommend products we would use ourselves. All opinions are our own. This post may contain some affiliate links and if you choose to purchase some services or products using these links, we receive a small commission at no additional cost to you. We participate in the Amazon LLC Associates Program.
Thank you for being part of our community and prance around the world with us!
