Discover 5 of the Best NYC Vintage Stores
By Sofi Cisneros
There’s a certain magic that only second-hand shopping can conjure. It’s a rewarding process that vintage clothing connoisseurs are all too familiar with – the chase, the hunt, the dig, the find, then finally, the one-of-a-kind purchase.
The treasure chests that house these vintage rarities make up New York City’s vast community of second-hand clothing stores. It only makes sense, then, that their respective owners and managers hold an expansive amount of knowledge on the ins and outs of this sustainable market.
We spoke with a few about their wisdom and insights into the universe of vintage clothing in hopes that each owner’s unique journey and advice inspires our Shop Repurpose community to continue living out the SRW mission: to shop with a purpose.
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Cobblestones – East Village, Manhattan
Owner: Delanee Koppersmith
What inspired you to open your shop and get involved in the vintage/second-hand clothing industry?
I opened my store in 1981. My mother had always wanted to have a store and not necessarily a vintage clothing store. And I thought, well, my mother has all this stuff in her apartment she’s been collecting, so let’s open up a store. So when we first opened here, it was more collectibles. But as time went on, the neighborhood kept getting younger, so it evolved mostly into fashion items.
What do you look for when curating clothes for your store?
I like unusual things. I like quality things. I like things that I've never seen before and always use. People ask me how I know what to get, but it’s just a feeling, you know? My particular favorite eras are the 30s and 40s. It’s a period of time that I think there was an elegance in the world.
Why should people buy vintage or second-hand fashion?
In my opinion, I think you find more unusual clothing, and the quality can be better. And now we have all this sustainability, so it’s good to repurpose things and use what we already have. The clothes were just stunning too. You watch the old movies and think “Wow, was it [the clothing] really like that?” And the evidence is right here in the store.
Advice on how to find your style and feel confident wearing & shopping second hand:
Know what you like. Think about what colors look good on you, and what body type you have because all the different eras really serve different shapes. Basically, go with your instinct.
2. David Owens Vintage Clothing – Lower East Side, Manhattan
Owner: David Owens
What inspired you to open your shop and get involved in the vintage/second-hand clothing industry?
I started in 1974. Collecting vintage clothes is incredibly enjoyable, especially the hunt. You get to go out looking, and it can be surprising what you find.
What do you look for when curating clothes for your store?
Quality. Quality, and good shape, flawless. And high end vintage design.
Why should people buy vintage or second-hand?
So many reasons. The quality, which I just mentioned, and the fact you get a better price for that quality than new clothes prices. And the individuality of the clothes. They’re one of a kind, so you’re not going to see that on somebody else.
Advice on how to find your style and feel confident wearing & shopping second hand:
The individual knows best. If you see something that catches your eye, try it on. Look at it in the mirror and if you still like it, then that’s your style! Gotta look good. You want to turn people’s heads.
3. Edith Machinist – Lower East Side, Manhattan
Owner: Edith Machinist
What inspired you to open your shop and get involved in the vintage/second-hand clothing industry?
During college, I had a weekend booth selling vintage clothing and accessories at the now-defunct Chelsea Market. That market was sort of my training ground as I moved my makeshift booth into a brick and mortar shop after college. I figured I was having modest success at the market, so why not continue for a little while, but I never imagined at the outset that I would own the shop for as long as I have.
Why should people buy vintage or second-hand?
I have always felt that wearing vintage is a small act of rebellion against the wasteful tendencies of fashion, particularly fast fashion. Vintage is earth-friendly, with a level of quality and craftsmanship not seen now (unless you reach for luxury), and often involves supporting small and local thrift stores, so these aspects pair well with thoughtful consumerism.
Advice on how to find your style and feel confident wearing & shopping second hand:
Despite the dominance of internet shopping, I still feel frequenting small, niche shops, in person, is one of the best ways to discover one’s own style, because they are intimate, immersive experiences. You can touch and interact with the pieces in a way no digital platform can match.
4. St. Luke’s Thrift Shop – West Village, Manhattan
General Manager: Lani Steinberg
When and how was St. Luke’s Thrift Shop founded?
This shop itself has been here for about 52 years. It was started by a group of mothers from local schools, and we’re now part of The Church of St. Luke in the Fields. All our proceeds go to fund the outreach programs for the church…Although we’re in a basement and if you blink you’ll miss us, we’ve been in one way, shape, or form, supporting the charitable efforts of outreach in the church.
Why did you personally decide to get involved in this and the vintage clothing industry?
I’ve been a thrifter from way back because my family is all in clothing. And I love the notion of quality and sustainability. I was an editor for a while on a book all about fashion ethics and sustainability, and keeping closed loop technology, keeping things in the system, and not rapid-pace, high-speed fashion that deteriorates.
When you’re purchasing something that’s had a second life, third life, sometimes even fourth and fifth life, there’s a reason why it’s sustained, and that’s to do with crafting, fabrication, or design. Beautiful design never goes out of fashion. And I think people now are really aware that if you spend a little more on something that’s beautiful quality, it’s going to last you a long time.
What do you look for when curating clothes for your store?
I look for cleanliness. Style, design – design is so important. If you get great classic design, it’s going to fit a myriad of shapes and styles and tastes and aesthetics. I like fashion forward things and the mixing of classic pieces, designer pieces, and you know, a pair of grungy old boots. So it’s really eclectic and there’s a lot of tastes that I try to appeal to as well.
Why should people buy vintage or second-hand?
We’ll lessen the impact on the environment if we know and are aware of how to buy sustainably, how to maintain sustainability and keep things in the system. And it gives me a lot of pleasure when I hear the stories behind people’s donations. Tell me about what you wore that night. Tell me about that. And then I love to tell someone who’s about to buy it. So behind every item that has a second, third life, is a narrative. And that’s really part of the vintage experience.
Advice on how to find your style and feel confident wearing & shopping second hand:
If you see something and it’s speaking to you, buy it that day! I can’t tell you the amount of people who come back and say “Hey, do you have that sweater?” No no no no. It’s gone forever. So if it’s speaking to you in some way, it’s got a story to tell.
And of course, we wanted to spotlight our very own founder, Jessie Freschel!
5. Shop Repurpose – Soho, Manhattan
What inspired you to open your shop and get involved in the vintage/second-hand clothing industry?
In 2013 I sat on a board for a non profit, Bent on Learning, which brings yoga and mindfulness to underserved NYC schools. Here, I realized that most nonprofits are in desperate need to find funding to support their goals. At the same time, my styling business was growing beyond my imagination. I realized there was an opportunity to take luxury clothing and turn it into revenue streams to provide grants to organizations that help women and families in need.
What do you look for when curating clothes for your store?
Quality and craftsmanship. Every item we resell has the ability to continue to live on in a new closet for years.
Why should people buy vintage or second-hand?
There is nothing more sustainable than to buy second hand. We have the responsibility to be conscious consumers. Don’t buy clothes to wear once.. try to wear them as many times as you can.. and style them in different ways. Make the most out of everything you purchase.
Advice on how to find your style and feel confident wearing & shopping second hand:
Style is not something you buy. It is an art. It is a form of self expression. I love going into my closet and putting together new outfits from the clothing that I already own. AND I NEVER shop without a list. It is important to shop with intention. If you find something while out that you feel you need, it is important to ask yourself how much will you wear it.