when i was 19 mum said now that i was an adult instead of buying me a ticket to see the family in the phillipines i can pick any place in the world and she'd buy me a ticket there. i had been obsessed with london for most of my life (closely tied with my obsession with harry potter) but somehow i decided to go to new york instead.
i was in new york for 2 months by myself. and a lot of things happened. but when you're used to having 2 jobs AND school and then suddenly have all this free time, you start twiddling your thumbs and checking your watch. i killed a lot of that time at williamsburg vintage stores.
BILLY-BURG IS HIPSTERVILLE. people are nice though. it's a picture postcard of the modern alternative lifestyle. but not as dirty-big-city as the village. one might call it the safe/boring alternative. people tend to joke rich hipster wannabes from good families move here and pretend to be starving artists. i think it's pleasant and has a lot of eye candy to take up your time.
this is a starter guide. my favourite places to go but by far not the only ones. i've ordered them geographically to avoid running around too much.
BEACON'S CLOSET
(718) 486 0816
the most famous one i think. HUGE store. the biggest and has lots of everything. you'll pretty much go around and WISH you needed everything.
i read somewhere (probably something like i-D or something) that they hire their staff based on their ability to recognise brands and quality items so it's all sorted out and it's all good.
surprisingly the prices are mainly between $10 an $35 US. check out the website. they put some pieces up for online purchase but nothing compared to the goodness instore.
i've bought this lime green mondrian squares style hooded jacket there for $24. and a american revolution style reversable shoulder tote for $15 i think.
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| monk |
MONK (718) 384 6665
this one i think is new. the staff were really nice and there were some choice things! i bought a best of hank williams and the smiths' strangeways, here we come on cassette for $3 each.
there were also some nice purple leather lace up shoes but they were $60. it's a bit more pricey but they are a smaller store than beacon and probably dont sell as much.
i think their feature is they have a cool collection of graphic tees. and they have lots of knick-knacks.
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504 driggs ave (between north 9th and 10th sts)
(718) 384 6901
(718) 384 6901
This place is small but they always seem to have some choice stuff. i've bought lots of nice things here.
i bought a pretty gold compass with a chain so you can wear it as a necklace for $15. which is useful in manhattan where the grid street system gets confusing. it's hard to tell which way is uptown or downtown or east or west and a compass really helps when you get off strange subway exits. also i got this really nice full length light pink satin and blue-gray tulle skirt for $20. |
| buffalo exchange ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ |
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THE SALVATION ARMY STORE
176 bedford ave (between 8th and 7th sts)
(718) 388 9249
it's pretty rough. and a lot of it is ordinary. but REALLY cheap and sometimes (if you want to put the work in) you can find some choice things. i bought something here in 2008. i think it was this black mexican style home dress with colourful embroidered flowers.
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241 bedford ave
(between 3rd and 4th Sts)
(718) 782 3882
there are some chick things too but mainly mens. which is nice for the dudes out there.
they have a cool selection of boots and shirts.
they have a cool selection of boots and shirts.
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NOW FOR DINNER!
SURF BAR
139 North 6th Street
(718) 302 4441 i love this place!
it has really great lobster rolls and clam chowder. also.. a full bar!
the whole inside is decked out tiki-style. the floor is covered with sand and they project surfing films on a blanket over the window. 10 out of 10 for ambiance for sure! something stylish to end your day with.
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and it wouldn't be a day in williamsburg if you didnt come across a busker at the metro station.
i used to stay in lower brooklyn. in bed-stuy. where jay-z and lil kim come from.
i'd take the west L at bedford street station, change somewhere to get the G.
but if you're in manhattan the L to manhattan is quick and easy.
i think it's worth checking out the flatbush/bed-stuy area of brooklyn. a lot of people say it's dangerous but people were really nice. it's got a high crime rate there but the daytime is safe enough.
XoDeo
I was just reading through your blog (being a creep) and this post made me so nostalgic. i lived and worked in williamsburg all summer and most of these were my favorite places too! especially buffalo exchange and beacon's closet. i worked on n. 11th street between driggs and bedford so i was pretty close to all of these places. i used to eat lunch in mccarren park every day. :')
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