I was in Milford, CT visiting family and later on when heading to 95 South – lo and behold —- what do I see on the way but this fabulous display and my car just automatically stopped 🙂 🙂 I came across Village Vogue Boutique in Milford on Main Street at the Village Green and what an absolutely fabulous find this shop turned out to be.
I could not believe this place – what a mixture of vintage and modern and they had lots of sales racks – $5 and $10 sales racks with quality merchandise. All I can say is fantabulous!! 🙂
They carry all types of clothing, casual, dressy and vintage. All good quality name brand clothes and some high end designer in there as well. Did I mention that they carry estate jewelry? Their collection is stunning as well as their accessories. Also, they have quite a selection of designer shoes and handbags.
The prices are reasonable for a consignment store and there is just so much to see (and want 🙂 ). They also have a formal dress section that has so many beautiful dresses that you can use for weddings, proms, black tie affairs and oh yes, they even have a few wedding gowns. This store carries a broad range of clothing and in every style imaginable.
The owner was not in the day I was there but the lovely woman that was there (forgive me for not writing her name down) was amazing, kind and patient with all my questions. I love this store because it is an adventure and so much fun going through all five rooms. It’s just so chock full of surprises and full of wonder. I do enjoy it when I find special shops like this!! 🙂
I bought this beautiful black (yes, I know you are shocked 🙂 I picked black) dress with colorful sequins 🙂 and a gorgeous broach and of course I hit the $5.00 rack and found a great long black (:))blouse that will be perfect for the fall.
If you are in the Milford area, this is a great shop that I am sure you will do well by. Check out their website for additional information if you are interested in being a consignor — http://www.villagevogueboutique.com
I definitely plan on another visit soon and this time I will go slowly through the five rooms so I don’t miss a single thing! If you are in the Milford area, this is a must see!!! 🙂
Village Vogue Boutique
163 N. Broad Street
Milford, CT
203.283.9400
Tuesday-Friday from 11am-6pm
Saturday from 10am-5pm
I fell in love with this Goodwill the moment I walked in. It is spacious; clean with an incredibly friendly staff. (Thanks Janae for all your help and patience with me 🙂 you were great). I absolutely love love the layout, you can go through the roomy racks and shop with ease. Of course Sunday is a great sale day at Goodwill (two different color ticket items at 50% off ) and in my opinion, the best day to shop and I did very well for myself. I bought a Ralph Lauren denim skirt for $2.49 🙂 (almost new condition) and Ann Taylor (also almost new condition) slacks for $4.29. 🙂 (FYI – When I mention a label, it is with the intent that I would like my readers to know the quality of the merchandise that I am purchasing. 🙂
What this Goodwill lacks in the casual/work dress selection (my favorite department) – it certainly makes up for in every other department.
The women’s’ section is filled with jeans, slacks, blouses, shirts, skirts, jackets and wide selection of coats. They also had a rack with women’s suits that were reasonably priced. I saw Harve Bernard, Ann Taylor, Calvin Klein, Jones of New York amongst others and all in great condition. The men’s section was equally as impressive with a very wide selection of merchandise. The shoe rack was amazing and if you are a women’s size 10 shoe especially, I would definitely check it out – the shoes were all stylish and quite a few (more than usual) were brand new.
I did not see too much art work, but what was out was in decent condition.
The housewares section was extensive with the usual dishes, glassware, etc. What I did score on was a glass percolator for $7.99 (GREAT PRICE) and it had just got in the store a day earlier (Goodwill dates the items for when they came in). I just love percolator coffee from the stovetop; it is absolutely delish in my book.
All in all, I walked out with 2 pairs of pants, 2 skirts, a leopard scarf, a pair of shorts and my percolator for $23.62. Bear in mind I used $5 in Loyalty Points – but I still did brilliantly well and enjoyed my little excursion. I have a feeling that the store was not fully stocked on Sunday, it seems to be in a high traffic area – it had a nice crowd shopping on a Sunday morning. I can’t wait to see it fully stocked. This Good will is definitely worth a return trip or two or three. 🙂
Goodwill
380 Saw Mill River Road
Elmsford, NY 10523
(Westchester County)
914.347.4376
Monday – Sunday 10am-8pm
According to the website nationalcalendarday – August 17th is National Thrift Shop Day. We all know that I think it should be a national holiday. 🙂 I love my thrift shopping – both shopping and writing about it. While just this morning I scored a Ralph Lauren denim skirt brand new (with tags on it) for $2.49 in Goodwill :). It really can be fun shopping for bargains like these. I take great enjoyment out of the “hunt” and I have met some remarkable people along the way. Please remember when you shop Goodwill, Salvation Army, Habitat For Humanity, Angel Street, Cauz For Pauz, Housing Works, Humane Society of New Rochelle and countless others, you are supporting PHENOMENAL causes and helping change countless lives. So on National Thrift Shop Day, please go out and shop, you will be supporting someone in need!! 🙂
CELEBRATE
On National Thrift Shop Day, watch for specials at the Thrift Shops in your area and have a Happy National Thrift Shop Day! Use #NationalThriftShopDay to post on social media. 🙂
Did you know that you can buy and sell your “stuff” on Facebook? Facebook has dedicated groups if you are looking to buy, sell or are “in search of” (ISO). Most groups are geographically based such as Yorktown Mom’s, Bronx Yard Sale, Westchester and Putnam, etc. The groups can contain dozens, hundreds or even thousands of members. Some groups are public which means that anyone on Facebook can join and see who is in the group, the group description and what members post. You can also be invited to join by a member of the group. A closed group is where anyone can ask to join or be added or invited by a member and the only difference from above is that only members from the group can see postings from the group. There are also “secret” groups. Anyone can join a secret group but they have to be added or invited by a member and only current and former members can see who is in the group and what members are posting.
There is an admin(s) who runs the page and approves if you can join the group. Only an admin can change the privacy settings for the group.
How do I join a group? Go to the group you want to be part of and then click Join Group in the top-right corner. Or if you see a group on a friend’s page, you can click on the group.
The great thing about Facebook groups is that for the most part, prices are negotiable. I must warn you that one of the drawbacks is that, occasionally someone is trying to get over or not being honest about their merchandise. That is where the admins come in, the great ones do not tolerate any nonsense or bs and they call out people for their “games”. Most pages also have a set of rules that they expect you to adhere to if you are joining their group. Admins are not paid so they have less tolerance for drama and I don’t blame them. Most admins will post general “rules” for joining their group. One in most groups is that you are contacted in the order that the buyer received the post or message. Things along those lines — one thing that does disturb me is that sometimes people post rather nasty comments when a sale or purchase does not go the way they intended or if they disagree with a price – folks – no need to be rude or nasty – just keep it moving – life is too short. Will what is upsetting you matter in a month or two, I doubt it.
Some of the Facebook groups local to the Bronx area that I belong to are:
Westchester Tag sales
Bronx Yard Sale
Stamford’s Treasures & Tag Sale
Westchester Yard Sale
Bedford Yard Sales
Northern Westchester, Putnam & Dutchess Yard Sale
Above are some of the items that I have posted on Facebook for sale. I have sold many items on Facebook with no issues whatsoever!
One of the issues I have noticed is regarding designer handbags. I have seen a knockoffs attempted to be sold as authentic. Also, please remember it is illegal to sell knockoffs on the internet so buyers and sellers beware. Authenticity can be confirmed with a receipt in most instances. One major helpful tip I can give you is beware of anyone who has just created a personal Facebook page to sell merchandise – that is one major RED FLAG and one that should be taken seriously.
PLEASE NOTE:
There is also a group that helps people in need in the Bronx & Westchester that you could join ☺:
Helping Friends In Need Bronx/Westchester — it is always great to help those in need.
I have many more options to tell you about buying and selling in the coming weeks!!
Westchester County is an oasis of thrift shops. From Pelham to Bedford to Tarrytown, up and down the Harlem and Hudson line, you will be delighted to find some of the most notable thrift shops. There are shops more spacious than New York City but equally as impressive as their NYC counterparts. The consignment stores are numerous as well and new ones are opening all the time. You can spend a day just hitting the shops in one or two towns alone and I highly doubt you would go home empty-handed. There are wonderful estate sales in Westchester County every weekend and I know I have come home with some amazing treasures from these sales. If nothing else, it is always enjoyable just to browse.
The focus of this chapter is Mount Vernon;
Some quick history on Mount Vernon– In 1850, a merchant tailor from New York City by the name of John Stevens set out to create a property that would help improve the condition of the working class in the city. To this end, he founded the Industrial Home Association No. 1 of New York which enrolled 1,017 due-paying members. This land went on to become the Village of Mount Vernon. It was then a part of the Town of Eastchester. The community was named after George Washington’s estate in Virginia. (Mt Vernon info from CityTownInfo.com website.)
Treasure Trove’s Thrift Shop’s motto is “Where Lost and Hidden Gems Are Found”. I cannot understand for the life of me why Treasure Trove in Mount Vernon is not on everyone’s radar. They do have lots of gems. I understand that this place is off the beaten path, but on the upside it has tons of parking (which we all know can be a major issue at times in many places). The place is humongous; they have a couple of thousand feet of everything you can imagine not to mention the owners are incredibly nice.
Parents, if your kid is going to college, this is the place to find some great dorm room pieces and accessories. For those getting their first apartment, this is the place that you should go to get started –they carry so much and have so many options for your decor. If you are looking to change-up your home décor a little, they have quite the selection. They have racks and racks of clothing in the back and shoes as well.
This place should not be kept secret; it has quite a lot to offer – just check out the pictures.
Treasure Trove Thrift Shop
152 South Macquesten Parkway
Mount Vernon NY 10550
Tel. 914.612.3215
Monday-Saturday from 10am-6pm
The next place up is The Blue Door Thrift Shop at the Community Church at the Circle. This shop hopes to provide a source for stretching the family clothing budget for people in the community. Proceeds from the shop provide a resource for church programs and maintenance.
It is a pleasant little shop and everyone that works there is so wonderful. They have mostly women’s clothes and some men’s and tons of books, CDs and videos. The housewares section is right when you walk in and there are some other things all along the back wall along with kitchen items. It really is worth browsing because you never know what you are going to find there from one week to the next.
They have 1/2 price Thursdays every week where selected items of a certain color will be half price. It is definitely worth shopping there on a Thursday.
FLEA MARKET
The Community Church at the Circle will be holding a Flea Market on Saturday, June 6, 2015 at 7 East Lincoln Avenue, Mt. Vernon between the hours of 10:00am – 3:00 pm. There will be a wide selection of new and used crafts, jewelry, cosmetics and clothing. The event is in-doors. Admission is free and parking is available.
Tables are available for $25 for the day. Call 914.668.8989 for additional information.
The Blue Door
Community Church at the Circle
7 E Lincoln Ave
Mt Vernon, NY 10552
(914) 668-8989
I found this great website that I wanted to share with you; find garage sales, yard sales and estate sales in your area by viewing a map. Plan your next weekend bargain hunting trip on www.gsalr.com.
If you are into repurposing furniture or like DIY projects, no better place to start than the flea market.
You can turn a $25 coffee table into a repurposed center piece. Find items to create one-of-a-kind wall décor and repurpose furniture to give your home an inexpensive makeover. Just watch “Flea Market Flip” on HGTV. I have gotten so many decorating ideas from that show and they demonstrate great ways to repurpose many different types of items. It is a great show and I highly recommend especially if you are handy and like DIY projects.
With that in mind, let me tell you about a GREAT flea market I visited last weekend;
GreenFlea Market on Columbus Ave between 76th and 77th Street
About GreenFlea:
The market is made possible through the support of the NYC Department of Education. The proceeds from the GreenFlea Market benefits four public schools: PS 87, The Computer School, PS 334 (Anderson Program) and PS 452.
Money generated by the market is used by the Parents Association to provide enrichment opportunities for the schools. Since 1985 GreenFlea has provided the schools with more than $7,000,000.
I really enjoy going to GreenFlea. There is just so much to see and browse through. Absolutely anything and everything that you can imagine and then some. Jewelry, clothing – new and vintage, accessories, antiques, lighting, vinyl records, soaps, candles, too much to list. And as an added bonus, they have awesome noshes while you are there. You must go to the right when you go in and have a piece of spinach pie, baklava, mini mushroom pastry or any of the delicious treats they are selling – the prices are more than reasonable and the food is absolutely scrumptious. The mini spinach pastry ($1.50 each) was almost sold out by 12:30pm and the flea market opened at 10am. And they have a whole space indoors that you should also check out.
One in particular vendor that I loved the merchandise was Latifs Designs. He has the most beautiful lighting fixtures and chandeliers, both traditional and a bit funky. I fell in love with them all.
The jewelry is unique and there are many different types from ethnic to funky and so many unique designs so you are sure to get noticed. You will never find your run of the mill items at GreenFlea. The antiques are extraordinary (or they were when I was there) and they also carry a few modern pieces.
The merchandise for the most part is above average. What I like most about GreenFlea is that they actually have an approval process for a vendor which includes submitting a bill of sale for designer merchandise. All counterfeits and knockoffs are prohibited. They even have a moratorium on items so the market is not repetitive. I have been going for years and I loved it back then and I still love it now.
GreenFlea
100 West 77th Street
New York, NY 10024 Text: 212-239-3025
Sunday: 10am – 5:30pm www.greenfleamarkets.com
While we are on the subject of flea markets, here are a few others that you must visit:
Hell’s Kitchen Flea Market
39th Street between 9th and 10th Avenues
Sunday: 9am – 5pm (weather permitting)
Chelsea Market
It is on the uptown Side of West 25th Street between Broadway and Sixth Avenue,
(Near The Flatiron Building, Eataly, and Madison Square Park).
9am–6pm
Every Saturday & Sunday, year-round (weather permitting)
Chelsea Market and the Hell’s Kitchen Flea Market is most definitely worth a visit –you can spend hours just looking at some of the items on sale here. Even if you don’t buy anything, I can guarantee that you will have a blast just browsing. Again, lots of unique and interesting items just like GreenFlea. I particularly love checking out the vintage jewelry especially brooches. I just love brooches; they dress up everything, a denim jacket, that little black dress, so many different ways to dress up any outfit.
$1 admissionat both
I would have loved to recommend the Antiques Garage as my most favorite flea market in the city, but unfortunately, it closed last June after twenty years. I found so many unique items there; I will treasure them more now that it is closed. I am sure some of you remember it.
Now let me get back on track;
While I was at GreenFlea, my next stop was Housing Works on Columbus Avenue. We all know how much I love Housing Works but this one was insane on the day I was there and it was early in the day. It was jam-packed and there was quite a selection of furniture. I thought that the furniture was reasonably priced but the housewares were a bit overpriced. You could barely get by the racks of clothes so many people were browsing. I am not sure if it always that crowded or if the gorgeous weather had something to do with it. J But I am sure that the furniture I saw is sold and long gone.
Just a FYI – Housing Works has membership packages – here are just two —– (please check the website for exact information and other membership packages).
$60 Friend membership gets you 10% off books at the Bookstore Café, a Housing Works tote bag and other special perks.
$120 Advocate gets you all the above plus special member discounts and 25% off on Sundays (exclusions apply). (That could explain the large crowd on Sunday.)
Housing Works
306 Columbus Ave. (At 74th Street)
New York, NY 10023
212.579.7566
Mon-Fri: 10am-7pm
Sat: 10am-6pm
Sun: 11am-5pm
Right nearby are not one, but two Goodwill stores;
The West 79th Street store is small and I think clothes are the specialty here. Nice variety and setup well for a small space. Being this is spring cleaning season, now may be the time to go. I have seen some beautiful suits, dresses, jeans on the rack and the pricing for the most part was reasonable. The housewares get an honorable mention here.
Goodwill West 79th Street
217 West 79th Street
New York, NY 10024
212.874.5050
Monday-Wednesday: 9am-8pm
Thursday-Saturday: 9am-9pm
Sunday: 10am-8pm
The West 72nd Street store has only two dressing rooms which can be a pain when there is line of people waiting BUT I do like the clothes selection here and I thought the dress section was above average although the pricing a bit steep for certain brands. I thought it had an excellent men’s section. This shop is definitely worth a trip.
Goodwill West 72nd Street
157 W 72nd St
New York, NY 10069
212.799.2723
Monday-Wednesday: 9am-8pm
Thursday-Saturday: 9am-9pm
Sunday: 10am-8pm
ToniOnThrifting 