Church Street Surplus

Outstanding selection of vintage clothing. I was hoping for more accessories and knick-​knacks but it was still a great time

The people at church street surplus are great. They have many amazing items and the inside of the store is pretty well kept. They have a surprising selection of vintage items, especially military items! The prices are not too crazy and there are deals to be had if you look hard enough!

Grubby exterior – but surprisingly ‘keen’+‘neato’ little surplus clothing store; odds’n’ends shop; ‘notions’ shop. Great place to have handy for when you’re putting together a Halloween outfit. (Uhh, no offense to hipsters who come here for your everyday clothes. You obviously know a bargain).
By the way does ANYONE remember the metallurgy/​welding/​metal fabricators shop that used to be next door? Message me with the name!

This neighborhood (So-​beca? Tri-​ho?) is great in that there are still ancient Federal-​style houses on Canal street and a few great fixtures of the neighborhood left.
Church Street Surplus is a great store and I remember coming here when I was first in the city 30 years ago. We would hit the Canal Jean company (they also had bins outside) and here, and Pearl Paint. (As struggling art students, that’s par for the course.) I was here yesterday and tried on a pair of used Levi’s that fit, so I bought them. (Alas, gone are the $ 10 Levi’s of yore; these were $ 25.) Vintage neckties at 4 for $ 10 (would have been $ 3 for just one) so I got 4.
The staff is cool; I checked my bag just because it would have been a pain to take it in the fitting room. The one thing I had a problem with was that they fumigate the place with mothballs, but if I were selling antique furs and wool, I have to admit I would too.
Next time I come here I’ll try and make time for a game of shuffleboard in the basement of Saluggi’s Pizza next door.

This place is hands down my favorite find in New York so far. I always walk away with some surprising fantastic item — anything from an awesome leather jacket to some adorable aprons. The neighborhood may be seedy, but once you get inside this place you could easily be there for a while… racks of great jackets, coats, hats, fabrics… and everyday a man comes in asking for used women’s underwear. I don’t go on a regular basis but I have seen him every time I’ve been in there! Nothing tops off good old thrift shopping like a perverted creeper.

this is the best store in New York– It is a true vintage store and there are not many left. Tablecloths, quilts, dresses from the 40’s, tuxes, fur coats. military garb– It is all there –and loved and neat and clean.
I have gone there a zillion years– check out the door on the dressing room it says it all
This is retail at it’s very best.

One of the best vintage clothing stores in Manhattan.
So many are gone and lost. This one miraculously is still around. They are a medium to small sized store with a very well stocked variety. I found an Australian oil cloth trench coat there for $ 75, new they are $ 450. Despite this, their prices are optimistic and you will find yourself deciding between 4 – 5 things and buying only 2. Very nice people work there. It is very much worth the visit.

There was this cheesy Bee Gees song playing in the background while I was inspecting the impressive collection of military jackets, floral dresses and glossy Chinese silk robes at Church Street Surplus this afternoon.
I thought it was funny. It was the perfect soundtrack to compulsive searching for hidden gems.

I got an old school men’s vest for $ 3. THREE DOLLARS! One, two, THREE dollars people! I wore it yesterday and I looked adorable.
They have a great selection of vintage hats, bow ties and skinny ties, fat ties, belts and belt buckles for cheapppppp!
The selection of vintage shirts, jackets, dresses, boots etc is fabulouso but not super duper cheapo although if you look hard enough you’ll get some good finds.
Come here and you’ll stylin and profiling for less.

I love this place. I stumbled upon it on my way to the village a few years ago and basically felt that I found treasure.
I definitely spent well over an hour in there playing dress up.
A part of me is surprised there isn’t more reviews for this place, but I’m glad it’s still a well kept secret. It’s a good place to browse for things you’ve forgot you wanted, or random things you can’t find anywhere.

Listen up all you vintage-​hounds, this is the money right here.
Situated on the wrong side of the tracks (as far lower Manhattan is concerned) this shop is an un-​tapped resource partially because of its proximity to the dreaded Canal street pushers and tourist mobs and partially because of the dilapidated exterior of the shop (which I love).
Outside you’ll find vintage mens vests for $ 2.50 (yes, the very same ones you’ll find in Urban Outfitters for $ 28.00), vintage skinning and fat ties from $ 2.00 (you couldn’t make ‘em for that!) and fur collars.
Inside there is all manner of great old motorcycle and bomber jackets, pea-​coats, spring dresses, military clothing, men’s suits, bow ties, cowboy boots and more. An investigation is highly recommended as you just never know what you’ll dig up.