17 Best Thrift Stores in NYC – Big Deals When You’re in the Big Apple
What image does New York City conjure for you – Central Park, Carrie Bradshaw, greasy pizza, Batman?
How about NYC thrifted treasures?
Because second hand searching can be more overwhelming than the subway we’ve rooted-up 17 of the best thrift stores in NYC so you can cut to the chase.
Speaking of Big Apple landmarks, the city’s annual textile waste is enough to equal the size of the Empire State Building.
Basically, Gotham City needs you to don a (secondhand) cape and get out there to save some clothes from those all-consuming bad guys (landfills).
Just make sure you’re packing thrift shopping tips to thwart those clothing crimes.
Then grab your MetroCard, throw on your pair of ethical shoes, and let’s hit the streets to see what thrift stores NYC has to offer.
QUICK LINKS FOR BEST THRIFT STORES IN NYC
1. AUH2O THRIFTIQUE
About AuH2O’s Thrift Stores in NYC
Considered one of the best cheap thrift stores in NYC, AuH2O Thriftique blends upcycled, secondhand, and vintage fashion—all while keeping styles and prices inclusive via permanent $5 and $10 racks.
Their name pays homage to shop owner Kate Goldwater – Au (gold) + H2O (water), and “thriftique” blends part thrift store, part boutique.
As a thrift and consignment store anyone from anywhere can access, they’re also available on Depop and Etsy.
The female-owned business is an East Village staple and their exceptional reviews have no doubt accelerated their cult status among locals.
Location: Bowery, Manhattan
2. CITY OPERA THRIFT SHOP
About City Opera Thrift Shop’s Designer Thrift Store NYC
An easy inclusion for any list of high end thrift stores in NYC, City Opera Thrift Shop carefully curates designer, couture, and vintage clothes and accessories, fine art, and decor.
They regularly host events for those who prefer a no-mess thrifting experience instead of hours of rooting through unorganized racks.
Customers can shop online, too.
Thanks to second hand donations, the thrift store is able to help support the NYC Opera with their profits as they have done for more than 40 years.
Location: Chelsea, Manhattan
3. L TRAIN VINTAGE
About L Train Vintage’s Best Thrift Stores in Manhattan and Beyond
As a family business that updates its stock at least three times a week, L Train Vintage’s many NYC locations are undoubtedly some of the best vintage thrift stores in NYC.
Their buyers scour the country in search of rare vintage merchandise—anything from funky 70s jackets to decades-old Lakers t-shirts to add to their selection.
It’s also a place to snag a sweet deal, so expect to see many price tags in the single digits.
Location: Multiple Brooklyn locations, East Village Manhattan
4. CURE THRIFT SHOP
About Cure Thrift Shop’s Unique Thrift Store NYC
This thrift store supports perhaps the most unique cause.
All proceeds from Cure Thrift Shop goes toward Type 1 diabetes research and advocacy organizations.
The East Village shop’s founder was diagnosed with juvenile diabetes when she was 11 years old.
After growing up as a thrift-shop-scouring and dumpster-diving New Yorker, she combined these aspects of her life which found expression in the form of a thrift shop dedicated to developing knowledge for a Type 1 diabetes cure.
Between fashion, antiques, vintage, and the obscure, this is a top NYC thrift shop for treasure hunters.
Location: East Village, Manhattan
5. TOKIO7
About Tokio7’s Thrift Store East Village
For one of the largest NYC consignment stores, drift over to Tokio7.
For more than 15 years in the bizz, founder Makoto Watanabe has been providing New Yorkers with arguably the most unique, luxury, high-end, locally-made, and everyday apparel, accessories, bags, shoes, and vintage items.
The luxury bags are authenticated and many designers from Japan are represented.
Location: East Village, Manhattan
6. GREEN VILLAGE USED FURNITURE & CLOTHING
About Green Village Used Furniture & Clothing for Thrifting in NYC
If you consider yourself a legit bargain hunter, you’ll want to reserve a few hours (at least) to visit Green Village Used Furniture & Clothing.
One of the best NYC thrift stores, their warehouse measuring over 10,000 square feet is chock full of unique vintage, collectible, and rare antiques. Not to mention home and office furniture, costumes, props, electronics, sporting equipment, and clothing.
So just about anything really.
Not surprisingly, they’ve been recognized by New York Magazine as one of NYC’s 10 best junk shops.
Location: Buckwick, Brooklyn
7. HOUSING WORKS
About Housing Works’ Thrift Stores in NYC
From Broadway to Brooklyn, the thrift stores in New York City from Housing Works curate an eclectic mix of clothing and accessories, art, books, furniture, and homewares.
Ridiculous prices coupled with their commitment to use all profits towards funding the organization’s mission of fighting AIDS and homelessness, we can’t help getting the warm and fuzzies.
Thanks to thrift shoppers, Housing Works is able to continue its relentless advocacy and provision of lifesaving services—like housing, legal assistance, job training, and healthcare.
If you want to get involved from afar, both their bookstore and thrift store can be accessed online.
Location: Multiple NYC locations
8. UNDERGROUND THRIFT STORE
About Underground Thrift Store’s Secondhand Store in NYC
Do you need a post Sunday brunch peruse?
Then incorporate a trip to Underground Thrift Store in your Sunday plans—because that’s the only day they’re open.
Inconvenient, yes.
But it makes their availability of designer clothes, quality children’s apparel, high-end housewares, and exceptional shoes and accessories that much more special.
25% of the store’s proceeds support organizations that fight human trafficking like Restore NYC.
Operated entirely through volunteers and donated goods, the remaining funds are able to support Plymouth Church.
Location: Brooklyn Heights, Brooklyn
9. MONK VINTAGE THRIFT SHOP
About Monk Vintage Thrift Shop’s Brooklyn Thrift Store
For three decades, and without fail, Monk Vintage Thrift Shop has been one of the thrift stores New York City residents and out-of-towners frequent.
Their collection is bang on thrifting trifecta goodness: quirky, colorful, and one-of-a-kind.
Donating your gently used clothes, bags, books, or shoes will earn you 25% off your next purchase.
For those without the time or patience to sell used clothes online, this is a convenient way to recycle your old duds while still getting a little something in return.
Location: Williamsburg, Brooklyn
10. BEACON’S CLOSET
About Beacon’s Closet Thrift Stores in Brooklyn
Often recognized as the best clothing thrift store in NYC, Beacon Closet represents Brooklyn’s finest.
The female-founded company is known for not just its vintage and modern designer clothing, but also its commitment to sustainability and ethics.
All workers receive a living wage, paid vacation time, paid maternity/paternity leave, and 100% health insurance for full-timers.
A portion of unpurchased clothing is donated to nonprofits and, through their BYOBag program, half of the 30¢ charge for paper bags (read: no plastic) is donated to local charities.
All giving considered, they’ve donated well over $200,000 to charitable organizations like ACLU, the American Society for Suicide Prevention, Coalition for the Homeless, and Doctors Without Borders.
With their commitment to diversity and inclusivity, they have a training and mentorship program for POC, as well as a BIPOC creative clothing loan program, which allows creatives to borrow 25 pieces of clothing for 14 days.
Location: Multiple Brooklyn locations, Greenwich Village Manhattan
11. STELLA DALLAS
About Stella Dallas’ Best Thrift Stores Brooklyn
With side-by-side shops under the Stella Dallas umbrella, Stella Dallas Living and 10ft Single are among Brooklyn’s best thrift shops for global furnishings and textiles, clothing, home goods, and vintage dresses.
10ft Single is especially impressive; packed wall to wall with a collection so massive, you could root around all day and only scratch the surface.
In addition to staple fashion finds, you may even unearth garments as old as the 1840s, expertly curated vintage clothes and housewares, and fancy hats and gloves to boot.
Location: Williamsburg, Brooklyn (10ft Single) | Williamsburg, Brooklyn (Stella Dallas Living)
12. 2ND STREET
About 2nd Street’s Thrift Stores in NYC
2nd Street should be the 1st street you visit for the best thrift stores in Soho Manhattan.
As one of the best thrift stores in SoHo NYC (among two other NYC neighborhoods), they feature casual and designer on-trend clothes and accessories—some of which are sourced from Japan where the company originated.
Collectively, their NYC, Oregon, and LA thrift stores keep precious materials and garments out of landfills.
Furthering that goal, their Hand2Hand project donates unsold items to clean up oil spills or provide livelihood opportunities in developing countries.
Location: SoHo, Manhattan | Chelsea, Manhattan | NoHo, Manhattan
13. EL BARRIO THRIFT STORE
About El Barrio 2nd Ave Thrift Store NYC
If you’re in Spanish Harlem looking for connection and select secondhand steals, El Barrio Thrift Store is one of NYCs best thrift stores for just that.
The retail charity shop is operated by Saint Cecilia’s Catholic Parish and runs with the goal of supporting community cohesion while raising money to fund local neighborhood projects.
Open Monday-Saturday, they offer affordable furniture, clothing, electronics, and kitchenware—many of the items immigrants, those released from prison, and low-income families need.
Location: East Harlem, Manhattan
14. THE WORTHY PAUSE
About The Worthy Pause Thrift Store in Queens NYC
Have you wondered what the thrifting intersection of animal lovers and bargain hunters might look like?
Wonder no more because of the several thrift shops in Queens, The Worthy Pause combines both.
They boast a charming collection of sustainable home decor, furniture, knick-knacks, home goods, and clothing, all packaged up in this little eclectic treasure trove of a storefront.
Items are received on a strictly donated basis and as a 501c non profit, all proceeds go toward providing animal welfare services for local pet owners and strays alike.
Location: Bayside, Queens
15. EVERY THING GOES FURNITURE AND CLOTHING
About Every Thing Goes Furniture and Clothing’s Thrift Stores in NYC
Is bigger better in the Big Apple?
Every Thing Goes Furniture and Clothing would no doubt answer in the affirmative.
As one of best thrift stores in New York City, the Staten Island 10,000 sq. ft. warehouse is packed to the rafters with antique and modern furniture, vintage and gently-used clothing, and other idiosyncratic wears.
Clearly priced and well organized, which is an achievement considering its size, it’s the place to lose yourself in—spot everything from designer bags and shoes to Himalayan salt lamps and crystals.
They’re open from Tuesday-Saturday and also have occasional pop-up sales.
Driven by a consideration of Earth’s limited resources and its inhabitants’ needs, this Green America Certified Business is committed to restoring the beauty and function of used items.
If you have time, take a thrifting break at their used book store while sipping on an organic espresso cafe.
Location: Brighton Heights, Staten Island
16. LE POINT VALUE
About Le Point Value’s Best Thrift Shops in NYC
With several locations across Brooklyn and the Bronx, Le Point Value may just be the cheapest thrift store NYC has to offer.
Satisfying the needs of the whole family, they resell brand-name second hand shoes, clothing, and accessories in all sizes.
They’re also well-stocked with toys, electronics, and household goods.
$3 or $5 price tags are part of the furniture for picking up unbeatable deals.
Location: Multiple NYC locations
17. BUFFALO EXCHANGE
About Buffalo Exchange’s Thrift Stores in NYC
Buffalo Exchange has dozens of locations across the country, and five dedicated NYC thrift stores in Noho, Chelsea, Williamsburg, East Village, Astoria and Boerum Hill.
But beware, shoppers are known to stampede here. All in the heat of trading or selling clothes for cash.
And with an ever-changing range of quality designer, vintage, and everyday staples it’s (almost) understandable.
Those hoping to score a sweet deal aren’t the only ones who benefit. Through their Tokens for Bags program, 5¢ gets donated for every customer who doesn’t take a bag.
Cumulatively across their nationwide locations, they’ve supported nonprofits with well over $800,000 donated and have kept more than 17.8 million bags from ending up in the environment.
What’s not to love about brands that give back and encourage going zero waste?!
Additionally, their annual Earth Day $1 Sale has raised more than $50,000 for The Humane Society and they regularly donate clothing and accessories to a variety of causes.
Location: Multiple NYC locations
WHY GO THRIFTING IN NYC?
Are you surprised that NYC is one of the greenest cities in the US?
With five boroughs filled with thrifting shops begging to be strip-searched, we’re not. NYC could well be the center of the thrifting universe.
Whether you’re interested in the variety of cheap thrift stores NYC boasts or the best designer thrift stores in NYC, the City that Never Sleeps provides pre-loved treats for the restless.
But as the epicenter for fashion, NYC also produces a lot of waste.
In fact, the average New Yorker throws away a whopping 46 pounds of clothing and textiles per per annum.
Not only does thrifting give valuable materials a second life (and keep them out of landfills), but it also provides a pleasant surprise for anyone who picks up a pair of $7 secondhand Valentinos.
FINAL THOUGHTS ON THE BEST THRIFT STORES IN NEW YORK CITY
Advocating slow fashion in one of the most fast-paced cities on the globe, seems a little incongruent.
But knowing how to avoid fast fashion is just as important in the Big Apple as anywhere else.
By embracing the best second hand stores in NYC, you can dress like a New Yorker and keep sustainability in style.
Have a loved one who likes to shop till they drop?
Help them keep our planet on its feet by sharing this list of the best thrift stores in NYC (and the best NYC zero waste stores, while you’re at it).
