Upstate 101: Thrift Shops of the Hudson Valley

  |  May 9, 2013

My name is Susan and I’m a thrift shop addict. I’m also a house junkie, but that’s a story for another day.  My roots in pre-loved clothing run deep: every woman on my dad’s side of the family happily brought home bags from their favorite designer, “Madame Sal” (the Salvation Army). My mother was appalled.

Despite her best efforts, I have the thrift shop DNA. There are plenty of great spots for me to get a used clothes fix within half an hour of my Woodstock home.  I’m hoping you’ll share some others. Don’t bogart those thrift shops!

out-of-the-past

Vintage Clothing Out of the Past, Kingston

This is where you go to find the coolest, wildest, most wonderful vintage clothes you’ve ever seen.  The owner’s been collecting and selling for thirty years and if you want it, she’s got it.  Got a rock band?  Check out the thigh high olive green tapestry high heeled boots.  Boas, hats, sequins, velvet – fashion from the twenties to the eighties.  Be prepared to spend some time.

 

The Big Cheese, Rosendale

Do not miss this shop.  And don’t walk in and think you’ve come to the wrong place. There is a deli counter and tables in the front.  But walk to the back. Be prepared to be wowed.  Vintage shoes, clothes, accessories, all chosen with an impeccable eye.  There are some new clothes, too, funky selections from an Israeli company priced in shekels. Have fun trying to convert to US currency.

 

Castaways, Woodstock

My go-to thrift shop.  It’s close to home, the clothes are in great shape and since, it’s Woodstock, there’s usually something cool and unusual to be found. There’s a special section up front with true vintage finds and prices aren’t low, but they’re no worse than most places. The rest of the store is devoted to everyday cast offs, clothes with a lot of life left in them that need a new home. Most of my closet is Castaways finds.

Many more great ones after the jump!

 

A Second Glance, Kingston

Ladies, this is where you go to find lightly used career clothes. The style isn’t hip, but the clothes are clean, reasonably priced and in great condition. This shop helped me dress for my former big time executive job.  Everyone wondered where I got my great suits.

 

The Tibetan Center, West Hurley

I like the thrift shop at the Tibetan Center on Route 28 for two reasons – one, the proceeds go to help people in Tibet. Two, I have found remarkable rugs at cheap prices there on two occasions. The shop (below the amazing meeting space and gift shop above) has a little of everything – furniture, books, kitchenware, clothes.  I don’t usually have much luck on clothes – it definitely has the smell and feel of the traditional Salvation Army stores. But furniture and rugs? You bet!

Kingston has a Goodwill and a Salvation Army. New Paltz has Madame Sal’s too.  Family, the area’s rock-solid social net organization, also sells clothes and collects them, too.

Let me add a couple of other favorites that are farther from home but worth the trip. If you’re willing to make a bit of a drive (a gorgeous one, actually), head west on Route 28 to Andes.

That’s where you’ll find:

Clementine

Wonderful. Just wonderful. Maybe it was the sunny spring day, maybe it was a great old high ceilinged storefront.  I don’t know why, but my daughter (the thrift store gene runs true to the next generation) and I fell madly in love with Clementine Vintage Clothing and with Andes, too, on our last visit.  The clothes are hip, they’re beautifully displayed. Call ahead – Andes hibernates and you want to be sure they’re open.

 

Millerton, NY

A town so full of possibilities I have to give it its own heading.  Just park your car and walk up Main Street.  Stop in BW’s Eagle Eye, a great little boutique with a mix of old and new.  Vintage to the right, new to the left. In between, shoes, accessories and a little of everything.  Just up the street is the Millerton Antiques Center.  Not a lot of clothes, but what’s there is “cherce”, as the town butcher used to say.  Pendleton, Gucci, Dior – you just have to dig a little.  Last time I was there I found a dark chocolate leather jacket that felt like soft butter. I didn’t buy it. I’m still sorry. Across the street there’s a traditional thrift shop, Thriftique. I arrived in time for their end-of-season sale.  Every item was a dollar.  I left with many bags.  Plus a set of six heavy white diner style soup bowls (six dollars!).

I know there must be others – these are my go-to stops. My daughter has found amazing clothes at tag sales and in abandoned theatres. She puts me to shame. Have you found a thrift shop/vintage clothes store treasure in the Catskills?  Come on, share!

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