Beacon’s Closet, in Williamsburg as well as Park Slope, has similar policies to Buffalo Exchange. I find that you will come across more vintage pieces at Beacon’s than at Buffalo, but prepare yourself to spend a full day digging through racks upon racks of color-coordinated clothing. As any experienced thrift shopper knows, the joy of thrifting comes from the thrill of the hunt.
Just a tip: Trendier consignment shops like Buffalo Exchange and Beacon’s Closet tend to be very picky about what they will buy from you (which means a better selection available when you buy from them). So before you lug suitcases of old clothes from your apartment to the store, it pays to call first and ask them what they are buying. These stores are very trend conscious, but they are also stock conscious. Even if floral dresses are the “it” item of the moment, chances are they won’t buy yours if they already have a ton on the racks.
Of course, there are certain items that one should always hold on to, for example, a basic denim jacket. I was pretty upset at myself for throwing out my old one once I realized they were making a comeback. Pieces like these are items that should be stored in your closet for later seasons. You never know when they might be the statement piece of the season.
-- Jenna Igneri
Further Reading:
A related post about thrift shopping by Dana Rudnick, archived on the LIM Site
http://info.limcollege.edu/LIM-College-blog/short-takes---lim-student-blog/bid/46335/Vintage-Beyond-the-Musty-Odor
Buffalo Exchange
http://www.buffaloexchange.com/index.php?pg=4
Beacon’s Closet
http://www.beaconscloset.com/