Beacons Closet

This is the worst thrift store in the boroughs of NYC and, believe me, I know thrift stores, including many in Manhattan where the clothing is of much better quality and the prices a lot cheaper. I went to exchange 3 huge bags of clothing, including a bag of shoes that included two practically new leather boots, and a pair of new leather work pumps (shoes) I only wore once to work, and all I got back from the two ladies who both had an attitude, to say the least, was $10.00. It was shameful. I then had to spend the $ that very day at the store itself, otherwise, I lose the $10, and I looked around for almost an hour and all I, honestly, found worth purchasing was a pair of boots -- expensive boots that I had to pay the difference for and these were used. I know vintage is 'in', but I could have gotten two (possibly 3 items) in the many thrift stores I know in NYC than the one item here. This place ROBS its customers. You could get a much better deal even in the thrift stores in downtown Manhattan (East Village) than in this one in Brooklyn. It's ironic. Next time I'll feel a lot better simply taking my clothes and rather than trying to exchange (1st time doing this), I will donate it directly to the Salvation Army. As a matter of fact, on my way to the subway after Beacon's Closet I noticed a Salvation Army right across the street from the L train (on Bedford). It was closed at the time, but I bet they sold better quality clothing and for a much better price.

Posted 10/12/09 | Report Abuse

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I can't believe people have had such bad experiences here! This store was sooo cheap, it was awesome! I bought 4 tops, a necklace, and earrings for $86... at places I typically shop in NJ, I could have bought only one top and the necklace for that price. The tops I bought also were mostly namebrands. Great experience overall.. wish I had more time to sort through everything in there..

Posted 08/15/08 | Report Abuse

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i got a diane von furstenburg cardigan for $17, a D&G blouse for $21, and an Anthropologie cardigan for $17 (orig. $78), and a Laundry little black dress that fits me like a glove. There are SO MANY wonderful clothes and accessories here, though you do have to sort through some things that you aren't interested in to get to the really great finds that fit your style. I'm not a grungy hipster, though when you're there, it's mostly shaggy heads and super-tight jeans (guys and girls). But depsite this the store has something to offer anyone, for example, I was looking for more chic pieces, and was quite successful at finding them. Great selection here, and easy to move about. No tax and friendly staff. You HAVE to visit this place! Also, great little eateries in the area.

Posted 11/17/07 | Report Abuse

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I got a pretty damn good buy here - a $160 cashmere sweater for $19.99. The Williamsburg store does seem to have more hipster-esque stuff, but the Park Slope store has a lot of cool stuff too. I got my favorite necklace from here as well - I think it was made by someone in the area.

Posted 11/23/05 | Report Abuse

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If you have the time to look around you will not walk out empty handed. they have so many vintage items to choose from, hats, shoes, shirts, pants, etc. The store is easy to move around in and it is not hard to find the type of clothes you want, you just need to search to find the perfect item! The prices are good and the staff is very friendly

PROS: great merchandise
CONS: have to look a little for perfect item

Posted 11/15/05 | Report Abuse

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Beacon's Closet is just a place you have to see to understand - prices for the vintage clothing are reasonable but it is the truly amazing atmosphere that makes it distinct. The music, the attitude and the funkiness of the clothing selection are just something to behold even if you are not really looking for anything specific, you will see something to purchase. Even guys can find decent clothes at good prices - my wife always does very well there, which makes sense as the woman's clothing section is much larger. If you are looking for cash to sell your clothing, this may not be the place as they don't take too much and do not pay out a lot - you are way better with clothing credit if you are going to but stuff there anyway.

Posted 11/03/05 | Report Abuse

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This is an excellent place to sell any of your vintage or hipster clothing that just doesn't work for you anymore--and it's wonderful to use that money just to get even more clothes! The prices at Beacon's, although high, are definitely better than any prices you'll find at vintage shops in Manhattan. The selection is also always wonderful and varied.

Posted 07/30/05 | Report Abuse

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This store is very big and overwhelming. Well, actually, the girls' part is. Girls could spend hours going through the color-coded racks. For a guy, there isn't nearly as much to look at in the smaller guys room, and all of it is too big if you are small like me and/or like your stuff small. Although guys can still find jeans on the girls' racks if they want to. A lot of people who are or are trying to be really hip shop here, but it also seems that more random "normal" people come here than to the other location of the store in Park Slope. Since there are way more clothes in Williamsburg, there are more normal brand clothes than at the other store, so it's possible to find stuff even if you aren't trying to look retro or cutting-edge in any way.

Posted 07/20/05 | Report Abuse

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This is a great spot to unload some gear. The store excepts what is in season and in style, according to Williamsburgh style that is, which is where it is located. The drop-off, cash refund or shopping system is fair, easy to do and fast. The clothes that they do not want, they'll donate for you, which is convienant. Their is a huge selection of used clothing, accessories and music for sale. The store is not too organised and is tight to get around, but overall a unique NYC retail, buy back store.

PROS: You can get money from your unwanted possessions.
CONS: Very musky inside, watch out for allergies.

Posted 07/18/05 | Report Abuse

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Beacons closet is a nice thrift store located in Brooklyn. It pays for high-quality thrift and vintage clothing, so youll get the most out of this place if youre an enterprising hipster with extra clothing youre looking to sell, probably in order to buy more used and vintage clothing. Otherwise, the selection is fairly good if a little overpriced.

Posted 07/15/05 | Report Abuse

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This thrift store buys back your clothes and you have the option of using the buy as store credit. The clothes they carry are mainly of a hipster trend, but the prices cannot be beat. Very little in the store is over $20. The staff is friendly. The store usually has people walking around and trying things on, but there are enough spaces to test out the clothes that it isn't a problem. One of the best thrift stores in the area.

Posted 07/15/05 | Report Abuse

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This place is huge! If you are looking for good second hand very hip looking clothing, this is the place you should go. It will probably take you all day to look through everything though. It might be a little too big for me because then I start getting confused. You will definitely find something you like, although they are mostly geared toward women's clothing. It gets very crowded, so be prepared for that. I think it's worth fighting the crowds and looking through racks and racks of clothes because you will definitely come out with something nice at a good price.

Posted 07/08/05 | Report Abuse

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This place is huge. They have tons and tons of racks organized by color and item (i.e. purple shirts, blue dresses), except the pants are by size. They have a separate room for guys' stuff, but it is small. It's mostly women's clothing. Most of the place is devoted to shirts but there are a lot of pants, skirts, dresses, shoes and handbags as well, along with a whole wall of jackets. It gets really crowded on weekends, so beware. If you want to find good clothes for pretty cheap in Brooklyn, this is the place to go. However, I do not really enjoy shopping there because it is so big that I get tired and do not have the energy to go through every rack. I prefer the smaller branch in Park Slope.

Posted 06/16/05 | Report Abuse

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this place is legendary in williamsburg. but its another place that i feel takes the fun out of used-clothing shopping, and makes it too easy, because everything here is pre-selected for hipness. you can sell your vintage and designer stuff here, but your stuff may be rejected if it's not hip enough. the prices are eh. well over thrift-shop prices but not as bad as manhattan vintage prices.

Posted 05/21/05 | Report Abuse

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I am amlost embarrassed to say that I go to Beacon's Closet on average once a week. They just have such great stuff at decent prices so you can't go wrong. Also, you can trade in your old clothes for new old clothes which is very exciting, especially if you're unemployed or underemployed! Ignore the super hipster women who might glare at you. Don't let them stop you form getting the cheap slightly used clothes you deserve.

PROS: cheap clothes, good brands
CONS: glaring hipster girls

Posted 05/20/05 | Report Abuse

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Okay so its not my thing but if you are into the Williamsburg, hipster scene then this place is worth checking out. Beacons Closet is appropriately located in Williamsburg with a second branch in Park Slope. The clothing is very much in style and throw back t-shirts are everywhere. Impressive is their selection of used CDs and high quality jeans. If you want to look like you paid through the nose to look like you did not spend more than $3 on your whole outfit this place is worth checking out.

Posted 05/12/05 | Report Abuse

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Beacon's Closet is rather overwhelming when you first walk in--this warehouse-sized used-clothes emporium is like mecca for the secondhand set. If your old clothes are hip (and seasonal) enough, you can sell them for store credit (or cash, but you don't get as much), and go crazy buying more. Because this is Williamsburg, there's a lot of cool stuff, but because this is Williamsburg, it's pretty well picked over. The skirts and dresses section is poorly lit and kind of annoying to sort through, and the men's section is pretty inadequate, but this still represents the best of the best, thrift-store-find-wise, that Williamsburg has to offer, and they don't try to rip you off as many "vintage" places do. There's also a second location in Park Slope.

Posted 05/05/05 | Report Abuse

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This warehouse near the waterfront in Brooklyn is packed to the gills with racks of second-hand clothing. It's arranged by type of clothing and by color, and their selection is great. They buy clothing as well, but due to high volume, they generally take very little. Avoid shopping Saturday afternoons, when it gets packed, but otherwise it makes for a pleasant shopping experience. They also have a branch in Park Slope.

PROS: good selection, cheap prices
CONS: crowded on weekends

Posted 05/05/05 | Report Abuse

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