Monk Thrift Shops

I wish I could leave this shop no star at all. My first time attempting to shop was about three years ago, where the same asshole everyone is talking about, was there and had asked me to leave my leather purse in front of the counter I would guess for shoplifting reasons. I said to him I didn’t feel safe leaving my purse upfront and asked if he could possibly hold it behind the counter, he automatically starts to yell at me saying that I had purposes of stealing whatnot and tells me to leave his store now so I stormed out in utter shock and told him to fuck himself.
The second time the lady was there and me and boyfriend took our time looking around trying things on and actually purchased things I think even got a discount. Point is this time we actually had an opportunity to look around.
The third time I came in was with my sister today. We were shopping through all the local thrift shops in the area and me, having hoped that the asshole guy was no longer there since I didn’t see him the second time around, went inside with drinks from Starbucks. My sister had WATER and I had a lemonade. So we walk in and guess who was there!!! Along with the very nice lady. I walked in smiled at the lady but the lady had no expression on her face then looked away. I then started to look around hoping the same situation wouldn’t arise. He looks at my sister and says «hey no drinking» (she was drinking water!!). I quickly go over and ask if it’s okay if we leave our drinks on the side, he says «you probably not gonna buy anything anyway so…» gives an evil smile and looks at my sister and says «oh hi!». Me and my sister look at each other, so confused by this mans attitude and tell him he is being very rude and then tells me that I was being rude. So I say to him what his problem was like this guy is obviously a psycho. I told him he did this to me last time and he tells me «so why u come back?» which he was probably right right about that. I leave the place and here he is chasing us out the door. So I slam the door in his face and then he goes behind the counter for his phone to take pictures of us. We are already half way down the block and he is trying to get a picture. I was so close to throwing my lemonade at him but he ran back. LOL. Highlight of my fucking day! Anyways, never going back LESSON LEARNED!

Whatever you guys. I liked the selection they had. Unique pieces and lots of different stuff. Tons of cool stuff in the window too! The prices are fine compared to Goodwill and other shops uptown. I got a distressed shirt by American Eagle for $ 8 and a black net poncho for $ 8 and both fit great. And the clerk was friendly and nice. No problem at all. The place is a tad dimly lit so I was kinda hard to read tags etc but I will return and its one of my fav shops so far!

Yeh the owner can be a real A-​Hole. But you can find some nice things here. Good luck on bargaining tho. The guy is a wall. But maybe if enough folks walk out he’ll learn to bend like the reed.

Doesn’t even deserve a star!
Worst thrifting experience in my entire life. Items sold were not worth the price AT ALL and the experience I had here was uncomfortable and awkward due to the owner of the shop.
As I entered the shop, I greeted the shop owner and he just stared at me without saying a single word. Throughout my ENTIRE time there (20mins), I tried a few items and I felt that he was continuously staring at me, thinking I would take something. So, I left the store feeling uncomfortable.
While I was outside the store, there was an antique sewing machine displayed at the window that caught my eyes so casually, it was natural to look and admire. Suddenly the owner came out of the store and rudely ask me «you still here?!» As if he were chasing me away! What the actual heck man?! So rude! Ugh!
Never coming back to this store. The WORST PERSON I HAVE EVER MET.

WARNING: I’ve never wrote a bad review on Unilocal,but this man was so rude to me! He doesn’t deserve to have more than 1 star. I asked him friendly if he sells pins, first he says he doesn’t. After a few minutes he drops a box full with pins on the counter and doesn’t says a word. So I picked one out because it was all garbage (broken ones etc) and then he shakes his head and says I have to pay 5 bucks because I was waisting his time… say what!!! I was 5 minutes in this store and i will never come back again. Waste of time as there are many very nice stores around this area! Ps it smelled like Blue cheese…

I was never blown away by the selection here, but it’s a thrift shop in a trendy area so of course anything hipsters love would be gone quick if it wasn’t priced high. I found a few offbeat books that I enjoyed, as well as a few pieces of clothes at decent prices.
I definitely never found any of the storekeepers out of line though. Not friendly, but nobody with a nasty attitude or anything.

A crappy thrift Shop. Overpriced junk. The owners can barely speak English and they are are rude and dishonest.

The shop owner is a prick (older Persian Rico Suave wannabe). Went in here twice to try and purchase a lens and was disappointed both times. First time he wouldn’t show it to me because he thought I was going to shoplift and he claimed he was closing when it was only 6 o clock! Second day I came in he showed me the lens and said it was 150 dollars when it clearly said 75 on it! Wtf? I also asked how long the lens has been sitting on the window display, he rudely responded «200 years». This guy was a grade a ASSHOLE!

I love thrift shops but Monk’s was a definite disappointment. I was able to find a dress for $ 15 bucks but I still find that to be pricey for thrift store items. I definitely recommend hitting up downtown Brooklyn thriftshops before they get developed right out of there.
Back to Monks, while I was there the clerk was on speaker phone talking to her friend in Arabic. She didn’t offer to help at all. It’s like she was doing me a favor ringing me up. I bought another dress for $ 12 but I had buyers remorse right after. The dress is not the best quality. The majority of items in the shop are a level of used that just need to be tossed in the garbage. I am not really sure how this place stays in business.

I think there’s a language barrier that people don’t understand sometimes. I chatted a few times with the owner and he seems very nice. Every time I buy a bunch of stuff, I can always bargain and get a discount. I have to say it’s more a vintage store than a thrift shop. He has pretty cool antiques.

Rude shopkeepers, prices that make no sense, few gems amongst mostly uninspiring stock.
The place reeks of dirt & dust. Much of the stock is stuff most people would never want.
I browsed the store for about 10 minutes, not really finding anything I liked. Most of the stuff is overpriced for what you’re getting. I saw blouses that were pilly and well-​used going for $ 20. Meh. I could get new stuff of better quality and lower prices at Conway. I rarely shop for clothes at thrift shops anyway — I was looking for housewares.
Finally I found a cool sheep skin hidden away in a crate. When I brought it to the front the shopkeeper, an old man with an accent, stops me and says in a loud voice, «FIFTY. DOLLARS.»
I was so taken aback by his tone I simply replied, «Ok.» I wanted the sheepskin since its rare to find one at that price.
When he took it from my hands I assumed he was going to pack it up for me. Instead he puts it back in the crate! Confused, I asked him, «Why did you put it back?» He asks, «What? You sure you want it for FIFTY DOLLARS?» He emphasized the last 2 words in the sentence.
His tone was so rude I told him to keep it and immediately walked out.
Never going back to that dump.

I don’t usually write reviews on Unilocal,but after the unpleasant experience I had with the shopkeeper here today, I felt I had to share.
I came in here with a friend on a Saturday afternoon, looking for a formal dress. The selection wasn’t great, but I found a few items I liked and I went to try them on. While my friend browsed, I slipped on each dress and then stepped out of the dressing room to show her — typical behavior for a customer at a clothing store, yes? When I arrived, the store was empty except for the shopkeeper, but at some point another woman showed up and wanted to try something on. The shopkeeper, very reasonably, reminded me that there was only one dressing room in the store, and I told him I’d pick up the pace a bit. I’d only been in the store for 15 minutes, tops. I quickly tried on one more dress, and then cleared out of the dressing room.
Immediately, the shopkeeper stomped over to take my rejects, ushering me out of the dressing room as though I’d been in there for hours. He asked me if I wanted any of the dresses I was holding, and I said no. None of them had fit me properly. He glowered at me, and asked if I was «playing.» What a question! I told him no, I wasn’t playing, I just didn’t want any of the dresses I’d tried on.
At this point, the guy began to rail about how I’d been tying up the dressing room for hours, and he said if I was just in there to play I should leave «and never come back.» Wow. I responded that I wasn’t «playing,» I was shopping, but I hadn’t found anything. He nodded sarcastically, as though he couldn’t conceive of shoppers trying things on and then rejecting them. He raised his voice, again demanding that I leave and never return, and very rudely showed my friend and I the door. I tried to tell him off but he slammed the door in my face.
What does he think customers are supposed to do? I was polite, responded promptly to his request that I speed things up, showed genuine interest in his inventory, but didn’t like what I tried on. In response, he yelled at and insulted a perfectly good customer. I have no idea how this shop is still open.

Ugh. I have to say that this was the worst shopping experience I’ve ever had. What everyone says is completely true– the Middle Eastern guy who runs this joint is a complete asshole and I am compelled to reaffirm this. Here’s my story.
I walk by this store all the time since it’s in my neighborhood. The place has always looked a bit disheveled — even for a thrift store — and I have never before had the urge to go in. But for the first time, I actually saw something cute hanging in the window– a black leather women’s moto jacket that looked like it was in perfect condition. Bingo! I love discovering great finds at used/​vintage shops and have been searching high and low for the perfect moto jacket. I went in excitedly and beelined to that section.
The older Middle Eastern guy behind the counter immediately looked at me suspiciously. I browsed the section uncomfortably under his beady gaze before asking him if he could take down the jacket from the window so I could take a look. He stood up, walked over, ROLLED HIS EYES at me, exhaled sharply and said «NO! Why should I do that for you?» Stunned, I replied tentatively, «Because… I’m interested in purchasing it?» He then glared at me and said with a raised tone, «But that jacket is EXTREMELY expensive!» I looked at him questioningly and at that moment wondered if I looked like a homeless person off the street. Then I remembered that I was actually wearing my nice Burberry work overcoat and matching leather gloves. He then grabbed the tag from the jacket and jabbed his finger at it. «See this brand, if you look up this brand online, you will see that it is VERY EXPENSIVE.» I didn’t recognize the brand. «This jacket is $ 250!!»
$ 250 huh? Ok buddy. «Wait– so do you think I’m not going to buy this?» He ROLLED HIS EYES at me again. «Of COURSE you’re not!!» he retorted. At this point the shock wore off and my blood was boiling. «Listen– sir, the coat I’m wearing right now was pretty expensive too when I bought it. How exactly do you know what my budget is?» He could see that I was irate, and then backed off a bit. «Ok, fine– you’re right, I don’t know that» and then he took the jacket down.
At this point I was so shocked and offended, I gave the jacket a cursory glance, muttered, «it’s nice» and told him I had to go. He nodded his head smuggly, as if I had proved him right, and as I strode angrily towards the door he gave his parting shot. «Yes– you’re right– it IS a nice jacket — for NICE CUSTOMER!!» I stopped dead in my tracks. «Excuse me? What did you just say?» I shot back. He raised his eyebrows, shrugged and turned his back to me. «Nothing» was all he responded. I ran out the door and didn’t look back.
Needless to say, I’ve never encountered anyone– particularly a person in sales– who was so incredibly rude and hostile. How is this place still in business when so many amazing people struggle to keep their small business afloat in this city? Final verdict– if you’re looking for a store where you can get verbally abused and the goods they sell are as crappy as their customer service, then this is the place for you. Next!

Ok place, but the prices are a little high for what they’re selling.

Der Laden ist ok. Riesiges Angebot, aber auch viel Junk. Die Preise sind jedoch unschlagbar. Habe ein superschönes edles Top für 10 $ bekommen. Der Shop-​Owner war ok, insgesamt wird man (für mich glücklicherweise) eher in Ruhe gelassen.

Walked in here earlier and I was impressed with the variety of sweet clothes n’ junk. The store owner was über nice and friendly to me and even took a few dollars off of my purchase. Definitely coming back.

The place as crowded. I am no veteran Thrift-​er but I don’t think that things over 20 as a base line is a great place for budget shopping. The lady there is nice but I am but a lowly person suffering from empty-​wallet disease and being nice does not help the prices.

You know, it must be hard being a foreigner and having to deal with a bunch of immature ignorant hipsters shit all day. I’ve known this guy for years and he was always cools with me and gave me discounts after a quick chatting, but maybe it’s because I can be quite a charming person, especially to foreigners. Also, since he’s foreign, you have to understand that English is not his native tongue and things come out wrong, but I know Americans; even after hundreds of years still don’t know shit about foreigners which makes no sense.
The shop has a random mix of different clothing and stuff, sometimes find very rare things, you just have to skim through everything.
Also, he clearly stated he is tired of loser wannabe photographers coming in And trying every camera and not buying anything, look, he sells slr cameras, if you don’t know shit Bout shutter, sensor and mold, then doing even ask the man to try it. Don’t waste his time or the shutter by continuously pressing the shutter button.

Really, just a glorified Salvation Army.
Digging required, usually overpriced, rude staff.

So I’ve been going to this location of Monk’s every couple months over the last few years. Selection is decent, and though I’ve heard complaints about the «Middle Eastern guy» from other customers, he never gave me much trouble, as the only time I speak to him is when I’m ready to pay.
Cut to three months ago. While browsing I find a fantastic French Connection dress — beige chiffon, strapless, wonderful beadwork. My size! Tried it on and it fit well. Except: there is a large, noticeable «dirt» mark towards the hemline. Not a problem I thought, since I’ve found many thrift shops willing to haggle — hell, I’ve even done it at retail stores if the item has slight damage — so because I was buying a couple other things, I figured it was worth a shot.
The tag said $ 20. I made the cashier aware of the stain, and said I was willing to pay the $ 20 if he would throw in the two books I also wanted.
Not only did he not consider it, but he ripped the dress from my hands and said the girl who is in charge of «quality control» overlooked this item and it should not have been on the rack in this condition. After going to the back with the dress and returning without it, he stated they would get rid of the stain and I could come back the next day to purchase it. This sounded like a complete lie.
So basically, he told me I couldn’t buy the dress. I felt like a child! A simple «no» would have sufficed for my offer, and I wonder if I should have haggled in the first place. Despite my thrifty ways, this was simply BAD CUSTOMER SERVICE. It was as if to say, «You don’t want this dress for $ 20? Then no one can have it!» I left the two books on the counter and stormed out.
Thankfully there are better thrift shops (and dresses) out there.

Just walked by here today. It’s in the space that used to be a disco vinyl records store. Oh how I miss the old days!
Ah well this is a welcome addition to the neighborhood. I stopped in. Not bad. Reminds me of cheap jacks, those old thrift stores on broadway. Yes you have to dig a little, but then so do you at Beacon’s Closet eh? I picked through the stuff a bit, and the prices weren’t bad.
I’m heading back here next week. Wburg watch out for the east village!