Where are the best vintage and thrift stores in Williamsburg?
Williamsburg is one of the best neighborhoods in the country for secondhand shopping. Not a debate. The density of vintage stores here means you can hit six or seven spots in a single afternoon on foot, all within a tight radius of the Bedford Avenue L train stop.
Here are the stores worth your time.
Beacon’s Closet
74 Guernsey St (between Nassau Ave and Norman Ave)
The flagship. Beacon’s Closet is a massive, well-organized buy-sell-trade operation with racks sorted by type and color. You’ll find everything from $12 flannels to $80 vintage leather jackets. The store buys directly from locals, so the inventory reflects actual Brooklyn style, not costume-shop castoffs. Open daily, 11am to 8pm.
Local tip: Go on a weekday morning. Beacon’s gets picked over hard on weekends.
L Train Vintage
Multiple locations; the main one is at 504 Driggs Ave
L Train Vintage is the high-volume play. Known for its $1 per pound bins at certain locations, it’s the spot for digging. The Driggs Ave location is more curated, with priced racks of denim, band tees, and outerwear. Don’t expect pristine organization. Do expect to find something great if you’re willing to hunt. Open daily, 11am to 9pm.
Awoke Vintage
132 North 5th St
Smaller, tightly curated, and leaning toward 70s and 90s aesthetics. Awoke Vintage is where you go when you want someone else to have done the editing for you. Strong on dresses, denim jackets, and statement pieces. Prices are mid-range, typically $20 to $80. Open daily, 11am to 8pm.
10 Ft Single by Stella Dallas
285 North 6th St
A Williamsburg institution. This shop has been here since before the neighborhood was “cool,” and it shows in the depth of the collection. Heavy on Americana, workwear, and genuine vintage (pre-1980s). Leather bags, cowboy boots, military surplus. Prices vary widely. Worth a visit even if you don’t buy anything. Open daily, noon to 8pm.
Narnia Vintage
136 Bedford Ave
Right on Bedford, Narnia stocks higher-end vintage with a focus on designer labels and runway-adjacent pieces. Think Versace, Moschino, and Thierry Mugler alongside curated no-name gems. Prices reflect the curation; expect $50 to $250 for standout items. Open daily, noon to 8pm.
Urban Jungle
118 Knickerbocker Ave (technically Bushwick, one L train stop past Williamsburg)
If you’re already on the L, ride one more stop to the Halsey St area for Urban Jungle. It’s a warehouse-style vintage shop with bins and racks sorted loosely by category. Prices are low, selection is enormous, and the vibe is pure Brooklyn. Open daily, 11am to 8pm.
What’s the best route to walk between these stores?
Start at Beacon’s Closet on Guernsey Street, then walk south to 10 Ft Single by Stella Dallas on North 6th. Continue to Awoke Vintage on North 5th, then head to Bedford Avenue for Narnia Vintage. Finish at L Train Vintage on Driggs. Total walking distance: about 1.2 miles. Budget two to three hours if you’re actually shopping.
Are there good places to eat between shops?
Smorgasburg operates on the Williamsburg waterfront on Saturdays (April through October) and is a 10-minute walk from most of these stores. Year-round, grab a quick bite at Los Tacos No. 1 on Bedford Ave or sit down at Diner on Broadway under the Williamsburg Bridge for a proper meal.
What are some indoor, rainy-day activities near these stores?
Vintage shopping is inherently a rainy-day activity, so you’re already set. Beyond the shops, Brooklyn Brewery on North 11th Street offers tastings and tours. Nitehawk Cinema on Metropolitan Avenue screens indie and classic films with food and drink service at your seat. City Reliquary on Metropolitan Avenue is a quirky community museum worth 30 minutes of your time.
Tips for thrifting in Williamsburg
- Bring cash. Some smaller shops still prefer it, and you’ll negotiate better at market pop-ups.
- Wear easy-on, easy-off layers. Not every shop has a fitting room.
- Check Instagram before you go. Shops like Awoke Vintage and Narnia Vintage post new arrivals to their stories regularly.
- Weekday mornings win. New stock often hits the floor Monday through Wednesday. By Saturday afternoon, the best pieces are gone.
- Don’t skip the side streets. Pop-up vintage markets appear in Williamsburg regularly, especially in warmer months. Look for signs on North 6th and North 7th Streets.
Turn this guide into a personalized plan.
Frequently asked questions
- What is the cheapest thrift store in Williamsburg?
- L Train Vintage is the cheapest option, especially locations with $1 per pound bins. The Driggs Ave location in Williamsburg has priced racks but still runs well under $30 for most items.
- Are Williamsburg vintage stores open on Sundays?
- Yes. Most Williamsburg vintage shops, including Beacon's Closet, Awoke Vintage, and Narnia Vintage, are open seven days a week. Typical Sunday hours are 11am to 7pm or 8pm.
- How do I get to Williamsburg's vintage shops by subway?
- Take the L train to Bedford Avenue. Most of the top vintage stores are within a 5 to 10 minute walk of that stop. The G train to Nassau Avenue also works for reaching Beacon's Closet on Guernsey Street.
- Is Williamsburg or the East Village better for vintage shopping?
- Williamsburg has a higher concentration of vintage stores in a smaller, more walkable area. The East Village has strong options too (like Search & Destroy and Tokio 7), but Williamsburg lets you hit more shops in less time.
- Do Williamsburg vintage stores buy or trade clothing?
- Beacon's Closet and L Train Vintage both operate on a buy-sell-trade model. Bring clean, on-trend items and you can walk out with store credit or cash. Beacon's Closet is the more selective of the two.