Picks byMaegan Hayward
Maegan Hayward is the owner of East Village Vintage Collective and co-owner of 3rd & B'zaar. She has way too many favorite stores to pick only a few. She loves that all vintage stores exist! So, instead of picking favorites, she is focusing on a mix of affordable vintage (since that's what her own business is all about) and classic vintage shops in the East Village, where she lives.
AuH2O (which stands for "gold water" after Kate Goldwater, the store's fabulous owner), is a self-proclaimed "thriftique." They feature super affordable vintage finds, and you can see the passion Kate and co put into this business every time you walk through the doors or shop their finds on Instagram.
Metropolis is a true East Village classic. I've been buying vintage from them for myself for many years, and have followed them around as they've moved to different locations in the East Village. I collect music tees and have found some of my favorites at Metropolis.
SLCT Stock is a new addition to the neighborhood and I want to give them a shout out for many reasons, one being because they are on my block. Just another reason to come to 12th Street! Once a month they have a $5 t-shirt sale, where you can score some real finds.
Back in the day, St Marks between 2nd & 3rd Avenue was my favorite spot to shop the stores and sidewalks for vintage. Search & Destroy is one of the last places still standing from that era. Go there for the outrageous, the punk, and for a real taste of old school East Village. Sidenote: Trash & Vaudeville, which also used to be on this block, is still around but moved to 7th Street.
Fabulous Fanny's is THE place to go for one-of-a-kind vintage eyewear, and has been since 1991. They have an amazing collection of frames, from the subtle to the stand-out.
Cure Thrift is another great neighbor. They have everything from housewares to vintage clothing and accessories, and you can feel good shopping there because all of their proceeds go towards type 1 diabetes research and advocacy. I just recently scored some really unique treasures from Cure when they paired up with Amy Sedaris for an Instagram auction/fundraiser.