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Greenpoint
Sartorialists come to this fashionable boutique to snag unique wardrobe pieces like drapey sweaters, Cheap Monday jeans, and minimalist jewelry, as well as retro-inspired sunglasses, canvas bags, and shoes for men and women. Area designers are well represented.
140 Franklin St., Brooklyn, New York, 11222, USA
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Greenpoint
One of those rare neighborhood gems that becomes a true community hub, Archestratus started out as a tiny food bookstore. It has now expanded into two storefronts: one with a well-curated selection of cookbooks and culinary writings, and another a cozy café serving Italian-inflected goodies like arancini (rice balls), with shelves packed with local produce, high-end grains, oils, and spices. There are also cooking classes, bake sales for good causes, and lectures, plus a monthly event that sees locals coming together to cook recipes from a specific cookbook, often alongside the author.
160 Huron St., Brooklyn, New York, 11222, USA
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Hands down the best place to lay eyes on the latest cool creations from Brooklyn-based artists and designers, this huge warehouse lures canny connoisseurs seeking one-of-a-kind items. Every weekend, nearly 100 vendors sell everything from handmade jewelry and objets d'art to custom clocks made from old hardcover books and T-shirts with vintage cartoons.
70 N. 7th St., Brooklyn, New York, 11211, USA
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Greenpoint
The racks are organized by category and color at this trove of secondhand and vintage clothes, so you can find an entire section of black dresses and another just for jeans. Be patient sorting through the huge selection—you might find gems like a vintage Yves Saint Laurent jacket or purple-sequined, peep-toe heels by Marc Jacobs. There are enough brocade gowns and fur (real and fake) to outfit the entire cast of a 1960s period drama.
74 Guernsey St., Brooklyn, New York, 11222, USA
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Park Slope
Of the four secondhand clothing shops in a two-block stretch, this one's the best. The well-organized local chain carries vintage and modern styles for men and women. The racks are updated daily, thanks to area fashionistas who sell their cast-offs here. Most threads cost $11 to $23 (the latter for, say, a nearly new Paul Smith jacket from a season or three ago, or an Italian Sisley wool coat). If secondhand isn't your thing, the shop also sells brand-new costume jewelry, hosiery, journals, and hand-poured Paddywax candles in a wide variety of scents and packaging.
92 5th Ave., Brooklyn, New York, 11217, USA
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Recommended Fodor’s Video
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A cheese lover's dream, this small fromagerie sells everything needed for a gourmet antipasto. The more than 200 artisanal cheeses are arranged by style—hard, soft, Bries, blues, etcetera. Dry goods include crackers, biscuits, premium olive oils, small-batch jams, and chocolates. Prosciutto di Parma and Serrano ham are among the cured meats; you'll also find foie gras, quail eggs, and other comestibles. Expert cheesemongers will help you navigate the offerings.
265 Bedford Ave., Brooklyn, New York, 11211, USA
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Greenpoint
This jewel box of a tea shop is a bit out of the way, but it's a must for tea aficionados. Bellocq sources organic and exotic teas from China, India, and Japan, and sells them as single-origin varieties or custom blends. Though the shop isn’t a full-service tea salon, you can always find a pot or two brewed for tasting. With their elegant yellow canisters, Bellocq teas make great gifts.
104 West St., Brooklyn, New York, 11222, USA
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Stocked with clothes, jewelry, accessories, art, local zines, bath products, and housewares all handmade in New York's five boroughs, this store, attached to the Shops at the Loom, is the perfect place to find distinctive gifts and souvenirs. The space also doubles as a communal art studio, with workshops, classes, and open hours available to the public. It's closed Tuesday–Thursday.
Brooklyn, New York, 11237, USA
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The well-curated selection of secondhand and vintage designer clothing—perhaps a colorful Pucci dress or a child-size coat—sunglasses, hats, and shoes, as well as handmade jewelry and greeting cards, is hard to resist browsing through. The shop is small, but the stock is frequently refreshed.
469 16th St., Brooklyn, New York, 11215, USA
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Jewelry, T-shirts, home decor items, Brooklyn-made artisanal foods like candy from Liddabit Sweets and Mike’s Hot Honey, health and beauty products, and much more: this well-stocked gift shop specializes in handmade and reclaimed merchandise made locally and at sustainable cooperatives from around the world.
1021 Cortelyou Rd., Brooklyn, New York, 11218, USA
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Known for its trademark stackable rings and other dainty jewelry, the tiny store also sells soft cashmere hats, candles, and gift items, all curated with an emphasis on area designers. Any gift you buy here—for a friend or for yourself—will be cherished.
219 Bedford Ave., Brooklyn, New York, 11211, USA
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Brooklyn Heights
Although this housewares shop is named for New York’s infamous hoarder brothers, it’s actually a thoughtful selection of beautiful textiles, glassware, lighting, and jewelry designed by a mix of local and international artists. The Japanese bath products—Binchotan charcoal soaps and masks, and Yoshii towels made with raw cotton—are especially popular.
179 Atlantic Ave., Brooklyn, New York, 11201, USA
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Carroll Gardens
Part sandwich shop, part specialty food store, Court Street Grocers is a one-stop shop for Brooklyn’s most food-curious visitors. The shop’s owners scour the world for products, including regional sodas, chocolate bars, and potato chips. A long list of delicious sandwiches are sold in back: favorites include the Reuben made with house-corned beef brisket, sauerkraut and “come-back” sauce, and the Ultimate Warrior, with slow-roasted pork shoulder, broccoli rabe, provolone, and hot peppers on a Caputo hero.
485 Court St., Brooklyn, New York, 11231, USA
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Foodies have many reasons to stop at Dépanneur: artisanal products, cookbooks, food magazines, gourmet sandwiches, pastries, and coffee by Toby's Estate. The specialty store's shelves are lined with small-batch jams, pickles by Brooklyn Brine, flavored hot sauces, syrups, cordials, and bitters, not to mention a well-chosen selection of cheeses and salumi.
242 Wythe Ave., Brooklyn, New York, 11249, USA
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Boerum Hill
The beloved East Village kitsch emporium and card shop—where “childish” is both a selling point and a compliment—expanded to Smith Street. Its wide array of merchandise is often zany yet practical, and includes cool NYC-themed souvenirs and everyday objects like hand sanitizer, bandages, and breath mints turned into gag gifts. The sassy cards, themed gift boxes, and gift wrap come with far more personality than you’ll find in any run-of-the-mill drugstore.
127 Smith St., Brooklyn, New York, 11201, USA
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Fort Greene
If you build it, they will read. Popular demand—and some vocal attendees of a 2008 community board meeting—augured the opening of this independent bookstore. It now hosts readings by popular national and international authors as well as local book club meetings. The shelves are well stocked with contemporary titles and the staff are eager to help. The children's section in the rear of the store hosts weekly storytelling events.
686 Fulton St., Brooklyn, New York, 11217, USA
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The elegantly wrapped bars of Brooklyn's artisanal bean-to-bar chocolatiers are ubiquitous in New York City, but to experience the magic as it transpires, head to the Mast flagship on North 3rd Street, where you can tour the factory and sample goodies ($10, register online). The all-natural, single-origin chocolate bars are earthy and barely sweet. Two doors down at Brew Bar, cocoa beans are brewed like coffee—the taste is like nothing you've tried before.
111 N. 3rd St., Brooklyn, New York, 11249, USA
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Stylish shoppers stop into this boutique for affordable dresses, tops, and skirts by the likes of Olivaceous, Everleigh, Lucy Paris, and Gracia, shoes by New York–based Chelsea Crew, as well as eclectic jewelry. The shop also carries yak-wool scarves and hats knitted in the Himalayas by the owner's family.
225 Bedford Ave., Brooklyn, New York, 11211, USA
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Brooklyn Heights
Inhale the aromas of spices and coffee beans as you enter this trading post that's been a neighborhood institution since 1948. They're not just purveyors of nuts, cheeses, olives, and other Middle Eastern grocery items, but also have a gourmet deli of prepared foods. Hot saj (unlevened flatbread) sandwiches are made to order, filled with curried chickpeas, falafels, za'ater (Middle Eastern spice blend) chicken, or harissa (hot chili pepper paste) salmon, along with your choice of veggies.
187 Atlantic Ave., Brooklyn, New York, 11201, USA
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The quintessential neighborhood bookstore, this small shop has extremely friendly staff as well as a small but well-chosen selection of secondhand books and notable new paperbacks and hardcovers. There's a children's nook in back, and the store has events for kids such as story-time readings.
242 Prospect Park W, Brooklyn, New York, 11215, USA
