THRIFT STORE SAFARI IN DOWNTOWN BROOKLYN !

I finally went on my first thrift store safari up here in the New York area this past Saturday with a budding soul collector friend...

It was pretty well-planned and executed (despite it being 30 degrees and windy!)-- I used the Goodwill & Salvation Army websites, Google Maps and the MTA Trips planner. Here's our itinerary:
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STOP 1 - 258 livingston st, brooklyn, ny 11217 Goodwill

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After a 20min ride on the G (OK, it was a 15minute ride on the G and a 10 minute ride on the SHUTTLE from Bedford-Nostrand to Hoyt-Schermerhorn!) we arrived at our first thrift store, which is pretty much right around the corner from the subway.

This one's pretty big and has a lot of clothes. We found the vinyl to be pretty lacking though-- it's relegated to two shelves in the books section... and there was nothing of interest to pick up-- a lot of Barbra Streisand though (YUCK). There were no 45s at all. This one's probably too close to hipsterville to be a good one, so we continued on.

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STOP 2 - 436 atlantic ave, brooklyn, ny 11217 salvation army

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After a short and simple walk, we arrived at our next destination. This shop looks like it's been here quite a while-- the vinyl is on the second floor and has a nice defined area with crates & even a chair if you wanted to go through the stuff on the floor. There were probably 500 - 1000 LPs here but it became clear quickly that not much was to be found... However I did find a Pere Ubu album, 1987's "The Tenement Year" in near-perfect condition, plus a Kris Kristofferson single. My comrade bought a Sting LP, but was generally disappointed by the lack of soul and 45s. LPs and singles are $1.99 each.

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STOP 3 - 239 flatbush ave, brooklyn, ny 11217 salvation army

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This one was probably the best of the day. Only 6 boxes of LPs (and a couple of singles?) on the floor, but it was clear that it hadn't been completely picked over. I picked up the Four Tops' "Still Waters Run Deep" from 1970, Stereo, in very nice condition, as well as an old Puerto Rican Merengue record (I'm guessing from around 1960). My Soul buddy was somewhat jealous of the Tops, but he did pick up an Erroll Garner record among others. There were a few 80's LPs that don't interest me (Spandau Ballet, etc.) but indicated that the usual hipsters hadn't hit this one too hard... so it might be worth a return visit.

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STOP 4 - 1100 fulton st, brooklyn, ny 11238 goodwill

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After a 20minute walk in amazingly strong winds through quiet industrial neighborhoods, we reached our last store, which is also new & big but had NO RECORDS AT ALL. Very disappointing and probably not worth a return visit. Afterwards we were punished by waiting for the bus for 20 minutes (!) in the cold...

All in all, an interesting walk but low on finds. Next safaris will include Manhattan (supposed to be good) and 2 stores in Queens (Astoria).