Guide to The Best Thrift Stores in New York City

Thrift stores are magical places. You can find great deals on pre-used clothing, furniture, appliances, and accessories. The items may be vintage, luxury, or the most unexpected find. Finding the best things for you with a mix of products can be difficult. However, while expected, getting discouraged at thrift stores can be avoided. Research and patience are crucial to locating the best thrift stores and deals.

Knowing where to find the types of items you’re looking for at a steal. Instead of trying to remember which shops you wanted to check out, they’re all in one spot. Rather than keeping a mental note of the thrifts you pass on the way to work, reading a list of the best ones in your area can help.

Below is a comprehensive guide to everything you need to know about New York City thrift stores. You’ll find information about them, how to find the best items, and some of the best thrift stores in the city. With this guide, you’ll never miss a great deal again.

Thrift Store History

National Thrift Shop Day falls on August 17^th every year. In preparation for this, learning the history of thrift stores will help prepare you for a day of shopping. The idea of reusing clothes has been around for centuries. In earlier centuries, it was considered economical to pass down clothes from one friend or family member to another. During these times, there was no reason to waste good cloth. This saved money, space, and time for everyone involved. However, this all changed during the industrial revolution.

The industrial revolution, which occurred between 1760 and 1840, was a time of urban growth and development. Cities boomed, and production lines came to play. As mass production grew, so did the demand for more clothes. They became affordable to create and gave people more options. What also happened with the industrial revolution was home size began to decrease. With the need for more industrial space, living space had to shrink. This led to possessions being thrown away. Pawn shops and scrap stores emerged for more straightforward disposal and waste management. These were the first thrift stores.

Still, secondhand stores were not as convenient as they are today in past times. It was seen as improper to wear someone else’s clothing items. In addition, the stigma of having little money made it difficult for thrifts to grow and expand. During these times, most Jewish populations housed the “junk stores.” Because of anti-Semitism, they began these companies make money wherever they can.

By the 1920s, thrift stores had become “Americanized.” People began donating their clothes to religiously affiliated shops like Goodwill and the Salvation Army. At this point, the term “junk stores” switched to “thrift shop.” They began to boom during the Great Depression and World War II when people could no longer afford luxuries. Post-war donations were high since people wanted to refresh their wardrobes with new colorful clothing.

Today, thrift stores exist in an almost $14.5 billion industry. Studies show that millennials tend to shop at places that donate to charity and support themselves and their community. Now, you can even shop for secondhand stores online. With these advancements, there is no end in sight for thrifts.

Thrift Store FAQ

You’ll likely have plenty of questions if you’re new to thrifting. So here are some of the most common questions about thrift stores and the fantastic deals they can offer.

Why Visit a Thrift Store?

Shopping at a thrift store has plenty of benefits for you and your environment. First, if you’re on a tight budget, you can find some great steals for a low price. Items like shirts, jeans, and even brand-name luxury items are significantly marked down from their original selling price. These can help you develop a new and unique style. Not only can you find clothing, but you can also purchase home goods. Furniture, appliances, and smaller items like cookware and bedding are available. This value means that you’ll be able to simultaneously furnish and stock your home at a fraction of the price. Every time you step foot in the thrift store, it’ll be like a treasure hunt.

Another great benefit of shopping at a secondhand store is how you’ll be helping the community. Often, thrift stores will give back to people in some way. One way they do so is by partnering with a local charity. You will donate a percentage of the profits to a good cause for every purchase. Another way thrift shops give back is by giving items away to the homeless or those who need them. Regardless, just having a thrift shop gives back to the community; they provide cost-effective goods for lower-income individuals, thus helping them. Ask your local thrift if and how they contribute to society.

Arguably, one of thrift stores’ best parts is how they prevent environmental degradation. Nearly 26 billion pounds of textiles and clothing are in landfills today. This comes from people throwing away their clothes and products. They are often of good quality and can be worn plenty more times. Unfortunately, it can take hundreds of years to degrade when cloth piles up. The amount of plastic found in textiles like polyester and nylon adds up. Alternatively, incineration burns chemicals and toxins into the air that we breathe. These issues harm the environment. Shopping at a thrift store can save thousands of pounds of clothing from entering the waste system per year.

Shopping at a secondhand store is a great way to help yourself and your surroundings.

How to Find the Best One

Finding a great thrift store depends on many variables. To locate the best one for you, there are different steps and thoughts you can keep in mind. An important part about looking for your go-to thrift is first found by having a general idea of what you’re looking for. Certain secondhand stores have better options for clothing, while others focus on accessories, home goods, and furniture. Knowing what you’re looking for can allow you to get to the correct location. Sometimes, shopping around is the best way to find the greatest treasures. This means that even going into a thrift store you’re unaware of may lead you to locate great finds.

The next best thing to do is keep your eyes out when walking around your town. This will allow you to pay attention to any thrift stores to your destination. There are hundreds of secondhand stores in New York City, so the odds you’ll cross paths with one are high. When you pass one, either stop in to check it out or note it and visit later. Finding the best thrift for you can be a long process, as there are so many kinds of stores. Stick to it, though, and come across a great treasure sometime.

Reading online reviews is a second option if the city tour doesn’t work to your liking. Search by location if you’re looking for a spot closest to you. This will help you narrow down the best thrift stores in a radius that works best for you. When searching, focus on where it’s located and how easily accessible it is to you. If it requires excessive transportation, consider finding a different option. Once you find a close shop, read frequent reviews, and determine what products they have. Also, if cost matters to you, look for how they generally price their items. Some locations may charge higher prices for more desirable items than others.

Now that you know how to find a great shop, it’s time to get out and find some goodies.

What Can You Expect to Find?

Depending on what kind of thrift store you visit, you’ll find many different items. For example, some shops focus on clothing, while others may have more furniture, decorations, or antiques. Therefore, it’s best to keep an open mind and make the thrift shop your first stop while shopping. This will allow you to find pieces you may never have imagined getting. Also, it keeps your budget low since thrift prices are often lower than newly purchased products.

Some of thrift stores’ most common clothing items include T-shirts, jeans, jackets, and even shoes. They may be older, vintage, or even new products they donated. A lot of older clothing sells for cheap. These could enhance your wardrobe and give you a new look. However, never pass up on items with evidence of being vintages, such as older price tags or clothing tags. Also, shoes are often a great find at thrifts. You won’t have to suffer the pain of wearing them in, as they’ll already be broken in and softer in texture. Clothing is a staple in almost every thrift store, so you’ll likely find something in every location.

Furniture is the second most common item you’ll find at thrifts. The shops often receive them when people move and don’t want to take their pieces. Another way these items are acquired is if they’ve been donated from the house of someone recently deceased. You can find some great furniture deals at secondhand stores, as gruesome as that may sound. Couches, tables, chairs, and antique mirrors can furnish your new home.

Lastly, larger and chain thrift stores have many knickknacks. These can be anything from mugs to cookware to figurines. Popular with homemakers and collectors, these items are a great find. You can decorate your home with new pieces that stand out at a low price.

What to Look for at a Thrift Shop

There are two types of shoppers at thrift stores. The first is the buyer. These people look for deals, items they need, or products they find unique that they will enjoy for themselves. Keep your eyes out for vintage gear if you fall into this category. You can identify them by their tag, often having a year printed on them. These are unique pieces that will brighten up a wardrobe in an instant. Vintage gear is rare, worth a reasonable price, and is desirable across a whole range of people. You’re sure to stand out when sporting your “new” clothes.

Also, check out the T-shirt section at your local thrift. They’re often well priced, and you can find great graphics deals. Next, if you’re in the market for jeans, many thrift shops have entire sections of various sizes. This is a great place to look if you’ve been having difficulty shopping for them, as they’ll already be worn in and fitted better. Keep your eyes peeled for anything that catches your eye – it might be worth the find.

The second kind of buyer is looking to resell goods. These people find well-priced secondhand items and either resell or renovate them and update the price. These shoppers should look for brand-name clothing, especially with tags. These can be resold for a significantly higher price than you will purchase them. Also, college textbooks, Pyrex dishes, records, record players, and silver items are greatly resold. If you’re more into refurbishing furniture, look for good quality but worn-down pieces and revamp them to make them your own.

Regardless of what kind of thrift shopper you are, some items may not fall under these categories that will catch your eye. Look at them and see if they’re worth your time and money before purchasing. If you don’t think you’ll use the item, don’t purchase it. After all, the whole point of the thrift shop is to resell to people who will use the items.

How to Find the Best Deals

Finding a great deal at a thrift store can take some time. First, you have to learn the store you’re in, how they operate and see if they have items worth the price and time you’re putting in. The first step to great deals at your favorite thrift store is befriending the staff. They’ll be more likely to support you and help you find amazing deals if you’re friendly. Also, they may be more lenient on the prices. The second way to get a good deal is always asking for a discount. Sometimes, thrifts overprice their goods, knowing that people won’t contest them. They may be willing to negotiate with you if you simply ask for a better price or deal. When done in combination with befriending them, your odds are even higher.

Next, you should learn about the stores you frequently shop in. By this, it would be in your best interest to follow their social media pages, website, and in-house advertisements. Here, they may post when special deals or closeouts are happening. Another way to learn about the store is to ask when their shipments and restocks occur. Then, visiting the store soon after that day of the week will allow you to get first grabs at the items. There’s nothing better than being the first to see all the new items.

The last step to finding a good deal at a secondhand store is learning if your favorite store has any discount days. For example, some shops designate certain days of the week to a percentage of sales and even bag sales. These could include anything up to 50 percent off or a specific price for an entire bag of products. Visiting the store these days can save you a lot of money and also allow you to stock up on everything you may need or want. Don’t hesitate to ask the workers if they have a schedule of deals or discount days to find out this information. Most thrifts do, so, likely, your favorite one does as well.

The best part about thrift stores is finding items you need at a great, affordable price. Of course, getting even better deals is a bonus on top, so be sure to keep your eyes out for any notifications of sales or discounts.

Can You Donate Your Unwanted Items to a Thrift Shop?

Thrift stores are based on donations. Thus, you should be able to donate any of your unwanted items to a thrift shop. Before hauling things over, call or visit the thrift store and ask them to be sure. Sometimes, they won’t accept certain items. For example, they may not permit larger furniture or pieces if the location is smaller. Sometimes, they may only accept donations on particular days or at certain drop-boxes. Remember that before you bring anything to any store, ask the protocol first. You don’t want to end up in a situation where you lug your items over to a thrift shop for no reason, so beware when you bring your unwanted items to your secondhand store.

Thrift shops workaround donations, meaning they would not function and run if they had no items to sell. Without your donations, there is no thrift business. Donating to a thrift store will benefit your community and environment and even give you a tax break. Ask for a receipt when you donate your goods so you can use this to get your money back next year! If you itemize your deductions on Form 1040, Schedule A, your donations can save you money. You don’t need a receipt if items such as a bag of clothes are under $250 and cannot be logically counted.

Donating the items that are no longer useful to you is useful for everyone involved. Lower the amount of landfill waste and give back to your community by providing them with well-priced goods.

Best Thrift Stores in New York City

Now that you’re familiar with everything you need to know about thrift stores, it’s time to check some out. There are plenty of options for great thrift stores in New York City. The key is to keep an open mind and wide eyes. Below are some of the best secondhand stores in the city. These all have great reviews, products, and prices. With these options, you’ll always find great treasures.

Angel Street Thrift Shop

• AuH20 Thriftique
• Beacon’s Closet
• Buffalo Exchange 
• Cure Thrift Shop
• Crossroads Trading Company
• Housing Works
• Madame Matovu
• Monk Vintage Thrift Shop
• Vintage Thrift West – Shopping, Consignment store
• Worship

AuH20

84 East 7^th Street, New York, NY 10003

AuH20 is one of the most modern thrift stores in New York City. Owned by a woman named Kate Goldwater, she used her last name to make a creative chemistry play-on-words for her business name. The symbol Au means gold, while H20 implies water. This shop is known as a critique. This means the clothing here is beautiful and antique at an affordable price. There are racks of $5 and $10 clothing, showing that even those on a tight budget can shop a stunning collection of pieces.

Shopping at a clothing-based thrift store was never easier! This secondhand store specifically handpicks donated items and screens them for wear and tear before putting them on the floor. If you want to look at some of their things, look at their social media Instagram page. The best part is that you can even purchase the items they post directly on this site. They ask that you dictate “ship” or “pickup” and respond to the price to send to them via PayPal or Venmo.

No Relation Vintage

204 1^st Avenue, New York, NY 10009 (between 12^th and 13^th Street in East Village)

You won’t find another place like No Relation Vintage with excellent prices and unusual finds. All items are decently priced, especially for New York City. When you step foot into this thrift, finding what you need should be easy, as everything is located in different “departments,” depending on the type of item. For example, there’s an entire spot for jeans, T-shirts, sweatshirts, and anything else.

Moderately priced, all t-shirts range between $6 and $15. The graphic tees tend to run cheaper than non-printed items. If you do some digging, you’re likely to leave with a bag full of clothes for under $50. If you’re looking for higher-end items, there’s also a section. There’s something for everyone here: fancy suits and furs up to $200+. The prices you can’t beat and various vintage and brand-name goods will keep you returning to No Relation Vintage for years to come.

No Relation Vintage is open from noon every day to 8 pm on Mondays through Thursdays and Sundays. On Fridays and Saturdays, they’re open until 9 pm.

Urban Jungle

118 Knickerbocker Avenue, Brooklyn, NY 11237

With nearly a 5-star rating, Urban Jungle is full of some of the best-hidden treasures in Brooklyn. It’s a low-key store, meaning it flies well under the radar. These more underrated secondhand stores are where you can pile up on the goodies. When a thrift store is lesser-known, it gives you more opportunities to find hidden gems. Everything in Urban Jungle is organized by type, but the sizes are mishmashed, so you have to dig to see what’s best for you.

Nearly all items here are affordable. You can find stylish pants, shirts, and jackets for just $6. Other things range up to $25 depending on name brand, quality, and how long it’s been in the store. Customer service at Urban Jungle is exceptional. One of the best things about this secondhand store is they accept credit cards. If you don’t have the cash, you can quickly pay for something you want with a c credit card. Urban Jungle is full of high-quality and affordable options, so don’t shy away from this location.

Urban Jungle is open every day from 12 pm to 7:45 pm. Unfortunately, they don’t have a website, as they’re a smaller known company.

Housing Works Thrift Shop

For a list of all locations, click Housing works.

Housing Works Thrift Shop is one of the best secondhand store chains in New York City. With the funds they have raised since their start in 1990, they have provided housing, legal assistance, job training, and healthcare services to those in the community. In addition, House Works hosts events on top of its thrift outreach to maximize its profits. As a non-profit fighting HIV/AIDS and homelessness, you know your money will go to a good cause when you purchase something from here.

You can make a difference in the lives of your community members by shopping with Housing Works or helping them throughout their services! You can visit the abundance of Housing Works thrift shops, but you can now purchase items online. From artwork to clothing and furniture, anybody who steps foot in a secondhand store or lays an eye on their website can find something to use for their home. If you want to lend a hand, they accept donations of products. Also, Housing Works recruit volunteers for services like working in their many thrift stores and participating in events.

Housing Works locations are typically open between 11 am and 7 pm daily. Double-check the schedule with your particular location, as they can vary slightly from place to place.

Unique Boutique Third Avenue

1674 3^rd Avenue, New York, NY 10128 – Yorkville, Upper East Side

Photo by onthegrid. city

This secondhand store is a hole-in-the-wall find in New York City. Sandwiched between larger stores, if you didn’t know Unique Boutique was there, you might miss it. Though small and inconspicuous, the items here are high quality and inexpensive. On certain days, you’ll see a 50 percent discount sign hanging from the ceilings. These will highlight a specific color tag to search for and indicates an additional 50 percent off on the tag price.

One downfall of this secondhand shop is its organization or lack thereof. This means that to find exceptional items, you have to dig. This adds to the genuine experience of visiting a thrift store, though. Rather than viewing the disorganized store as inconvenient, see it as a way to find buried treasure. If jumbled stores give you anxiety, they have a website where you can purchase some popular thrift items. Check out the website here. Keep in mind the site is slightly outdated, and they only have a few options at a time listed. Thus, it’s better to visit the actual store.

Unique Boutique Third Avenue’s hours vary on different days. On Mondays, Tuesdays, Thursdays, Fridays, and Saturdays, the store is open from 10 am to 8:30 pm. On Wednesdays, they close a half-hour early at 8 pm. Sunday’s hours are from 11 am to 7:30 pm.

L Train Vintage

1377 Dekalb Avenue, Brooklyn, NY 11221

L Train Vintage is the leading brand name of a chain of similar thrift stores in New York City. They have been around since 1999 and include other smaller shops previously listed, including Urban Jungle and No Relation Vintage. This family-run business has people traveling across state lines to find exceptional vintage items to resell to the New York City community at low costs. In addition to this, shipments arrive monthly. Be sure to check in with each location for their exact monthly shipment date.

Brooklyn’s location of L Train Vintage is just one of many they have in NYC. It is often regarded as one of the best, though. With a combination of outdoor gear, clothing from the 70s and beyond, and various other unique pieces, there’s something for everyone here. The best part of this location is that it’s two stories. This means double the clothing in a traditional one-8floor thrift store. L Train Vintage is a top New York City thrift for a wide selection of pieces.

L Train Vintage at the Dekalb Avenue location is open from 12 pm to 8 pm every day except Sunday when they’re closed. Keep in mind, though, they tend to close their doors early, around 7:45. So be sure to get there well before closing time!

The Worthy Pause Thrift and Gift Shop

40-80 Corporal Kennedy St, Bayside, NY 1136

One of the best secondhand store locations in New York City is located in Queens. You can preview their merchandise here. It’s relatively small, so be sure to sift through each corner to find the best deals. The Worthy Pause Thrift and Gift Shop, or The Worthy Pause, in short, has nearly a 5-star review on all review pages. Since 1979, the entire store has been run by volunteers, so you’ll encounter excellent customer service. Staff is there because they want to be, not because they have to be.

The items here are priced well and won’t break your bank account. All of the proceeds go to animal rescuers or animal medical bills. This means spending your money here will always go to a great cause. They even have a store cat that roams around all day! The Worthy Pause accepts donations, too. Their website has a list of accepted items for donations – they also appreciate monetary donations. To read more about their purpose, check out their website.

The Worthy Pause Thrift and Gift Shop is open from Tuesday through Friday from 12:30 pm to 5:30 pm. On Saturdays and Sundays, the shop opens at noon and closes at 5 pm and 4 pm. This location is closed on Mondays.

Nothing New Thrift Shop Warehouse

4916 Arthur Kill Road, Staten Island, NY 10309

Staten Island is often overlooked when discussing places in New York City. Since it is a borough, though, it must be included. Nothing New Thrift Shop Warehouse is a large secondhand store in Staten Island. This monstrous 1,100-square-foot store has everything you need to furnish a new home or wardrobe, from jewelry to clothing to furniture. The owner and shop workers are friendly and excited to start conversations with the customers.

This is a two-story secondhand store, but not how you’d expect it. The upstairs floor has all the shopping materials you may want to find. Spend your time digging through clothes and furniture. People have scored cheap vintage pieces and knickknacks of all kinds. Downstairs, though, there is something unlike any thrift on this list. Called the “sanctuary,” after you finish; shopping, you can sit down and enjoy a cute café and library. It’s in the form of a book café where people can enjoy a coffee while reading or purchasing various books and magazines from different times. This unique secondhand store draws people from all places in New York City.

Nothing New Thrift Shop Warehouse is open from Monday to Saturday between 10 am and 7 pm. On Sundays, they open at 1 pm and close at 5 pm.

Wrapping Up

Whether you’re trying to purchase or donate to a thrift store, your actions support your community. There are tons of different places in New York City where you can participate. Be sure to check in with your local thrift to identify whether they donate or contribute to society or if they’re a for-profit company.

Thrift or secondhand stores give you a unique style full of recycled clothing and furniture. By shopping at a thrift shop first, you’re helping yourself and your environment. Always keep your eyes open for great deals, and you’ll never regret visiting a thrift shop as your first stop on a shopping trip.