Thrifting is on the rise! It’s a cheaper and more sustainable alternative to buying first-hand clothes. Although thrifting requires more effort than shopping in a regular store, and you aren’t guaranteed to find something every time, it’s a fun activity that makes for a unique and interesting closet for less money. It’s important to remember that the cheaper the store is, the less curated it is, and it requires more effort to look for quality pieces. There is a notable difference between Manhattan and Brooklyn thrift stores: while Brooklyn is a little out of the way for some, it’s often cheaper and less picked-over than stores in Manhattan. Keeping all this in mind, here is a guide to some of the best thrift stores around the city. It starts at the cheapest, moving up to more expensive options.
Goodwill Bins:
Located by the 7 train in Long Island City, Queens, the Goodwill bins are by far the cheapest thrift store in New York City. Step into the bins and you’re met with a large warehouse filled with large blue containers. Costing $2.29 per pound, it’s an extremely affordable option. The bins aren’t for everyone, as finding nice clothes requires digging through dirty clothes and persevering in the often rowdy atmosphere. Margot Accola ‘27 says, “When I go, it takes up a whole day. You need to spend over an hour there, and it takes a while to get there. There is a good deli to go to afterward to get a bite to eat.” It’s fun to make a day out of the trip, and if you’re willing to put in the work, the bins can be a great way to find different and interesting pieces for dirt cheap.
L Train/ Urban Jungle:
With multiple locations around the city, L-Train Vintage is a great place for sweatshirts, jeans, and jackets. Catered towards baggier clothing, it has very fair prices. Most items are priced around $6-15. The Manhattan store is more expensive than its Brooklyn counterparts but still a decent spot if Brooklyn is too far of a journey. The biggest branch of L-Train is called Urban Jungle. Located at 118 Knickerbocker Ave, it has a huge selection of good pieces at relatively cheap prices. L-Train is a solid option if you’re willing to spend an hour or two picking through clothes and don’t want to spend too much money.
Beacon’s Closet, Buffalo Exchange, and Crossroads
I grouped these three stores together because of their similarity and proximity. All three of these thrift stores have locations in Williamsburg, so you can hit all three of them in one day. If you’re not in Williamsburg, they all have stores in lower Manhattan and other places in Brooklyn such as Park Slope. The stores have varying prices with both high and low-end items but overall have affordably priced items. Items are curated, so finding clothes takes less digging and time than cheaper thrift stores. One downside of all of the stores is that they sell fast fashion pieces, brands like H&M and Forever 21. It’s important to check tags and the quality of the fabric when considering whether to buy something and if the price is fair.
2nd Street:
2nd Street has multiple locations around the city, but most are located in Manhattan. 2nd Street is by far the most expensive of the options, carrying a large selection of designer, streetwear, and popular brands such as Supreme, Hysteric Glamour, and Bape. With some searching, however, it’s easy to find cheaper pieces of good quality. When thrifting here, remember the pricing isn’t always fair. Camila Brueggemann ‘27 told The Insight, “Sometimes 2nd Street values things too highly, especially if the item is trending. However, it is a good place to invest in quality items.” 2nd Street is a great place if you’re looking to spend a little bit more money on a more curated selection of clothes.
