Last Updated on February 9, 2023
Thrift stores in NYC feature everything beautiful, including gently used secondhand clothing, shoes, furniture, and housewares. Check out the list of best thrift stores available in NYC below.
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1: AuH2O
Opened by NYU graduate Kate Goldwater in 2006, this funky shop in East Village features a unique selection of clothing, shoes, accessories, and vintage jewelry that are $30 or less! Plus, most of her finds are perfectly on-trend, which means you will find plenty of the ’80s and ’90s pieces right now.
The name is after the owner, where Au is the chemical symbol of gold, and H20 is water. If you don’t like venturing out, you can also shop online via Etsy, Depop, or Instagram.
2: Beacon’s Closet
With locations in Park Slope, Greenwich Village, Greenpoint, and Bushwick, this buy-sell-trade store features an affordable blend of vintage and modern clothing and accessories. And you can even get designer items from brands like Vera Wang, Dolce & Gabbana, and Prada for less than $100!
Looking to sell your own cast-offs? They also accept clean, gently-used duds, and you’ll receive either a percentage of the resale value in cash or store credit for your next purchase.
It is also worth noting that Beacon’s Closet supports over 50 charities, and any clothes that aren’t displayed in the store or can’t be sold will be donated to one of them!
3: Buffalo Exchange
With 50 locations in the country (6 in Manhattan) and 47 years of experience, this household chain buys, sells, and trades its inventory directly from customers. Here, you will find a mix of designer-label and vintage clothing, shoes, and accessories at wallet-friendly prices.
Be sure to hit up any of its locations on Earth Day when the brand hosts its annual $1 sale. And if you need a bit of cash, they run by appointment only with a keen eye for plus-size items, menswear, daily staples, and vintage picks!
4: Cure Thrift Shop
Since 2008, this respected thrift shop has offered a curated list of arts, clothing, and unique items in impeccable condition, sourced solely by donation. Founder Liz Wolff uses the funds to raise awareness for juvenile diabetes after being diagnosed with Type 1 at a young age.
The shop’s first floor is devoted to jewelry, vintage furniture, and interesting finds like an old cash register and a used sewing machine. You will find coats, skirts, and jeans in the basement room, or try on the shoes organized on red bookshelves.
Be sure to check back as the shop hosts its biannual whatever-you-can-fit-in-this-bag-$15 sales!
5: Crossroads Trading Company
With locations in Flatiron and Williamsburg, Crossroads Trading is packed with affordable clothing, shoes, and accessories, not to mention some serious designer-label scores, such as a quilted Chanel handbag with chain straps for only $800!
The shop was created by Jerry Block and Chip Gerken in 1991 when secondhand clothing was a growing concept, and today it can be found all over the country. Find a location and browse current trends or bring your own gently worn items (which will be inspected on the spot) for cash or trade credit!
6: Goodwill
You can’t write a post on the best thrift shops in NYC without mentioning Goodwill! This company has been around for 120 years and offers on-trend, funky finds and features vintage, new apparel, accessories, and home goods.
From prom dresses and designer bags to coffeemakers and cat-shaped salt-and-pepper shakers, every location features a wide selection of items as low as $1. Additionally, you earn points from every $4, which can be used for your next purchase.
The proceeds will go to people with disabilities and disadvantages and help them find work, gain independence, and build careers.
7: Housing Works
Housing Works is another thrift store in NYC that has been around for decades, raising funds for services and awareness for those living with and affected by HIV/AIDS and homelessness. Inside the store, you will find an extensive array of fashion, books, and home items.
Their prices aren’t the lowest, but the stock is quality. And if you’re lucky, you can score designer pieces you might not be able to afford new.
8: Mother Of Junk
Mother of Junk might not be Brooklyn’s best thrift shop, but it is definitely a fun one with plenty of weird stuff and WTF moments!
Inside the 5,000-square-foot space, there is furniture, dishes, books, art, clothing, and accessories at super reasonable prices. Highlights include a slate of cheap vinyl records and a mezzanine full of artwork. Mannequins held together with duct tape? Spooky dolls piled high? A wall of vintage sconces?
Mother of Junk is the kind of place you might want to explore with a friend so that you have someone to turn to and say, “what do you think this is?”
9: Monk Vintage Thrift Shop
Inside this eclectic, colorful Williamsburg shop, you will find a crazy selection of fashion and collectibles, such as women’s jeans, tops, skirts, and shoes, plus a half floor’s worth of menswear. Their prices might not be the lowest on the list, but the quality is there.
Also, don’t miss the neatly arranged costume jewelry at the front counter or handsome selection of men’s vintage satin bow ties.
10: Vintage Thrift Shop
This crazy-packed shop features gently-used items in almost all categories, including clothing, accessories, jewelry, furniture, artwork, and housewares! All merchandise is donated, so everything is unique, and the selection changes daily; you never know what you’ll find. A portion of the proceeds goes to the United Jewish Council of the East Side, which works to preserve the Lower East Side community. If you have stuff you would like to donate for some extra closet space, they take just about everything. Their sister store, Vintage Thrift West, is also worth checking out!