Guvnor’s Vintage Apparel

Brooklyn, United States

3.8

20 reviews

Accepts Credit Cards

Contacts

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Telephone:
+1 718-230-4887
Website:
www.guvnorsnyc.com
Address:
178 5th Ave, Brooklyn, NY, 11227
Park Slope
Nearby public transportation stops & stations:
410 ftUnion Street
880 ftUnion Street (R)
0.3 miSaint Marks Avenue
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Bussiness info

Accepts Credit Cards
Yes
Parking
Street
Wheelchair Accessible
Yes
Dogs Allowed
Yes

Today

Today –
Local time (Brooklyn) 11:37 AM Thursday, November 28, 2024

Business hours

Monday –
Tuesday –
Wednesday –
Thursday –
Friday –
Saturday –
Sunday –

Description

Specialties

Here at Guvnor’s, you’ll find a dazzling array of highly wearable, quality vintage & secondhand sundries for ladies, gents, tots, pets & home! Our prices are downright cheap to pretty gosh darned reasonable.

Our staff is sweet. Our rather vast, 1900-​square foot wonderland is stocked DAILY with scads of goodies from neat necessities to titillating treasures. We offer only the best vintage clothing, jewelry, records, footwear, bags, and unusual doo-​dads for you, my friend!

Tee shirts start at about $ 12. We just got in an –INCREDIBLE– collection of vintage BAND T-​SHIRTS (which are $ 25-​$ 150)! Most women’s 70’s & 80’s dresses (many of which we tailor before stocking) are $ 32 – 48. Men’s Western shirts: $ 20 – 25 — you get the idea.

Come visit us and see why our patrons are constantly exclaiming that this is their «new favourite vintage store.»

«Fit for a Statesman, Yet Priced for a Pauper!» ~ That’s GUVNOR’S VINTAGE!

History

Established in 2002.

On a cool night in March, 2010 a low, growling rumble could be heard rolling South down a stretch of 5th Avenue in Park Slope, Brooklyn. As it neared the intersection of Sackett St., a pack of motorcycle riders emerged from a cloud of smoke to the roar of «Back in Black,» by AC/​DC. Suzette Sundae, a local proprietress dismounted her steel steed, removed her vintage, velvet equestrian helmet and was handed a Victorian top hat, which she quickly placed atop her head. A few words were spoken to a crowd of over a hundred, excited on-​lookers and soon to be revelers, as bouquets of red and black balloons swayed in the night air. A giant red ribbon was cut, then mounds of glittery confetti fell. Models donning all manner of vintage finery suddenly streamed down the back stairs from the roof. The turntables spun and a crazy, beer guzzling rock and roll band started playing so loud and hard, the police visited! A great time was had by all. .& the coolest vintage store in New York City was born.

Meet the Business Owner

Suzette S.

Business Owner

Prior to opening Guvnor’s, Suzette co-​owned a neighborhood favorite shop, called Monkey Whistles and Motorbikes, with friend Peter Pancucci (which was located right next door to Guvnor’s current space).

From 2003 – 2008, Suzette was designing and selling her own collection, as well as the work of other emergent designers alongside a collection of vintage at her (eponymous) East Village shop, Suzette Sundae.

From 1991 – 2001, Sundae owned and operated four, notable vintage shops in Boston including Hot Sugar, which she opened at the age of 17. Later, Lost Engine Gallery (’95-’98), Lush Life (’96−97), and Suzette Sundae (’98-’01) all carried vintage clothing and furnishings from the late 19th c. through the mid-​20th c. Sundae also worked in various antique stores in Boston and New York, and has shown at various vintage clothing shows, and the Brimfield Antiques show.

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20 reviews of Guvnor’s Vintage Apparel

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Place rating: 1
Brooklyn, NY
When the people who work at the store tell you the store is closing because the owner is unorganized, unprofessional, and never follows through with what she says she will do — believe them!
My 13 year old bought a prom dress 3.5 weeks ago. The owner was supposed to do the alterations in a week. She paid $ 19 for the alterations up front– and the owner said she couldn’t do her measurements or pin it that day. That she had to come back. We called 3 times to make an appointment — was always told the owner would call back. But she never did. The last time I called, I was told the store was closing the next day.
We went today to pick up the dress, and my daughter went in with her reciept. Only to be told they couldn’t find the dress. I went in after she came back in tears– they found the dress, but the alterations hadn’t been done. I was told i couldnt speak to the owner, she was too busy singing.
It is last day open and several of the employees told me the owner was backed up on orders, didn’t do the work, didn’t care and that they were embarrassed by her rudeness. Customers are always upset with them because of her– and I got it, cause I was not pleased.
Maybe the clothes are cute, I don’t know. I know the owner disrespected my daughter, me, and obviously her employees. That’s not cool and no one should have to tolerate that, and no business will survive if you treat everyone like garbage.
Avoid– too may options in NYC.
Place rating: 1
Montreal, Canada
the store is closing so there was limited selection. most of the staff was nice. there was one woman in the back that made me feel extremely uncomfortable; every question I asked. she was being sarcastic with me and telling she was busy writing on her laptop. To myself; it felt very personal because she overly nice to other customers. I have encounter people like that before and the unwelcoming feeling that I got from her made it feel like she might have been racist because there was no reason for her to treat me different from other customers. I would not recommend this place; not because of the quality of product but the strange attitude of the older woman in the back. You don’t treat paying customers like that and expect the business to succeed.
Place rating: 3
Bedford Stuyvesant, Brooklyn, NY
This place is really cute inside and right now they are having a big sale because they are GOING OUT OF BUSINESS. It sucks, but they are VERY overpriced. The merch is really wonderful, though so for some things I would pay that much. For others not so much. The staff has no personality even though the girls are really cute. The music was great the day we went in. Too bad the prices and customer service probably ruined what could have been a nice little spot.
Place rating: 5
Plainfield, NJ
Awesome stuff. 20s headpiece for like 30 bucks!!! Paired it with a slip from Hooti’s around the way!
Place rating: 5
Brooklyn, NY
Great selection and helpful staff. We got what we needed for a prohibition-​themed party
Place rating: 5
Warwick, RI
Where do I begin?! This place is fantastic in so many ways. Tons of supreme vintage finds here and the gal that was working was very accommodating. When we returned home to Providence and couldn’t stop thinking about a scarf that would have been perfect for my wedding ensemble, we called up and they sent it out pronto. Pretty awesome. Go here.
Place rating: 4
Brooklyn, NY
Great vintage thrift store in Park Slope. I always love walking into this place for a number of reasons:
1. the music their playing always gets me singing along and smiling
2. the staff is laid back and very helpful
3. they have a great selection of clothes and nick-​knacks
This is a great way to spend some time in Park Slope, my boyfriend & I always make our way down Fifth to see what we can find (after having brunch last Sunday he kept hitting that we were only a couple blocks down so we had to go!). Really great, check it out!
Place rating: 5
Brooklyn, NY
Nice store, very friendly staff. Got a nice leather bag for 15 bucks!
Place rating: 3
Queens, NY
Being unemployed, I stopped here as I needed a new thrift store to shop at, expecting this place to live up to its name.
I’m sorry, but this is definitely NOT a thrift store. It’s a vintage store that can (and has to) charge less for items because it’s not in Manhattan.
It’s mostly clothes, accessories, and shoes with a few other items scattered here and there.
Place rating: 4
New York, NY
What I’ve found so far:
2 awesome pair of leather boots for under 40.00 total and a pair of blue vintage leather gloves for 3.99.
Guvnors Vintage Thrift is the place for me.
Place rating: 4
Brooklyn, NY
Cool Vintage «Thrift» store. «Guvnor’s Vintage Thrift» has lots of high quality pieces, but be prepared to pay a lot $ because they are kind of expensive compared to other vintage thrift stores in the neighborhood.
I recommend this store, you are guaranteed to find nice items.
Place rating: 5
Manhattan, NY
I recently moved back to Brooklyn from San Francisco a few months ago and have been avoiding vintage clothing stores because of the inflated prices. I was pleasantly surprised today at this store. Very reasonable!
What really struck me, though, was the warm welcoming huge smile from one of the staff and a cheery ‘hello!’. I’m used to getting ignored when I walk into shops in NYC. Even when I accidentally walked into the back staff area, the same guy was so sweet about it when I said that I didn’t see the sign. «It’s ok, it happens all the time. I’d do it too». He even called me ‘Miss’! I love that. I feel so ancient when someone calls me ‘Ma’am’.
There’s plenty of very interesting items here, enough to warrant a special trip from Manhattan! I almost bought a horse riding helmet to wear while riding my future bicycle, but the straps were too long. I did try on a black jumpsuit from the 1970s but it was too small. When I told the sweet guy working there that I had an orange Liz Clairborne jumpsuit from the 80s, he said, «You’ll have to wear that in next time». «Oh…it’s in storage», I sadly replied, a tear falling out of one of my eyes.
I couldn’t help myself. I walked away with an orange straw fedora hat from the late 1960s, which I will use for inspiration in my hat making business. I posted it in the photo album.
You must go! They even sell records and have two turntables and deejay for you. I was drawn in initially to look at their rack of rompers visible from the street and also their amazingly creative window displays.
Place rating: 4
Bluffton, SC
Amazing selection of quality, vintage treasures. I scored THE most badass 1970’s greaser leather motorcycle jacket with a zip out fur vest lining. It has fringe and EVERYTHING! And it’s a perfect fit. This is the definition of destiny.
Place rating: 4
New York, NY
Please sir, I want some more.
More vintage clothing that is!
Guvnor’s Vintage Thrift store reminds me why I should be shopping for vintage clothes. They have lasted longer than the pieces of mass factory made crap from H&M and Forever 21 and the like that used to be in my closet. Plus, they still have tons of personality and life left in them.
This vintage thrift store is really something. I stopped by here at the suggestion of a friend after a rock climbing session to peruse the scene. Wow, they already have eras divided up for people who like me who are awful at determining which style is from what decade! Racks are denoted with signs saying 1950s, 60s, 70s, etc. I checked out the 50s and 60s racks as that look appeals to me most. They also have shoes, jewelry, hilariously horrendous sequined marshmallow dresses from the 80s and much, much more! If I’m invited to a costume party, I know where I can buy the real thing as opposed to purchasing an awfully made imitation comprising of polyester and Velcro snaps. Velcro on clothes is only good for one scenario… and I think you know where I’m going with this.
I’m still kind of astounded at how well organized this place is. Bloody well done, Guvnor.
Hunger and lack of monetary funds (dresses in really good shape run about $ 50 a pop) prevented me from really tearing the place apart but I aim to return soon and try on some of those Sunday bests.
… which leads me to end this review with a particular song in mind:
Well she’s all you’d ever want,
She’s the kind they’d like to flaunt and take to dinner.
Well she always knows her place.
She’s got style, she’s got grace, She’s a winner.
She’s a Lady. Whoa whoa whoa, She’s a Lady.
Yup, it’s something like that. With the Guvnor’s help, it’s time to show this City what a vintage Lady looks like. One. Classic. Dress. At. A. Time.
Place rating: 4
San Diego, CA
Even if you don’t purchase anything, Guvnor’s is a fun place to look around. Upon walking in, you’ll notice the neat entrance they have set up, and the racks and racks of wonderful vintage items. It’s entertaining just looking at what people used to wear, decades ago. The clothes are in good condition and I think they’re priced quite fairly.
Another reason to stop by here is for the workers! The day I was there, they were helping out a woman who asked if they had a brown vintage summer dress that she could wear to a wedding. From the sheer fact that their response was, «from what decade?,» I think it’s safe to assume that they’re probably capable of fulfilling your vintage needs.
Place rating: 4
San Diego, CA
This is a really cool place.
I’m not a thrift store regular, but not because I’m a snoot. Quite cheap, actually. I’ve also bought a lot of higher end retail clothes which I ended up never wearing due to dumb-​ass mistakes (not checking sizes), so I know that there’s good gear donated to shops in good shape.
That said, the thrift selection in many stores for guys is usually lacking. In Park Slope, it’s usually a single rack. At Guvnor’s, they seem to have a 50⁄50 split of the whole store. I salute them for this.
On the flip side, the merchandise for guys is pretty street-​focused. And not Wall Street. It’s more working class pants, sweaters, leather jackets, big boots. Funky, but great stuff. Don’t go there looking for a fine Italian suit deal. Do go there for some denim, a letter jacket, unique hat or checkered shirt.
It has a rocker/​biker vibe and the staff are super friendly. I enjoy going in there and here’s the kicker… I’ve never bought a thing. Really. At some point I hope to, but I’ve simply not found a match for my current style. That said, I’ve always felt it welcoming and therefore pop by whenever I walk by. This is the mark of a great retail operation.
Place rating: 3
Brooklyn, NY
Interesting vintage stuff here. More vintage than thrift. The items are well chosen, lightly used, and moderately priced. I don’t care if the staff are on the cool side because I appreciate being free to browse without pressure.
Place rating: 4
Brooklyn, NY
Well stocked, reasonably priced vintage in an area full of tiny, over-​priced boutiques. This is my go-​to secondhand shop in Brooklyn.
A great selection of dresses from the 50’s-today for less than $ 30 (I’m a big fan of the ’70’s section, purchased my very favorite sundress that rack).
Shirts from $ 15 – 25, I recently scored a US Navy buttondown with authentic patches for $ 20. This thing is STURDY, it’s probably been through a war, or at least training camp, and I’ll be wearing it for years.
They also have a great variety of leather boots, though vintage shoes tend to be too small for me, so I head to the men’s section. I’ve gotten some great leather loafers and a pair of purple patent leather wing-​tips for less than $ 40 a pop.
The staff is a little standoffish, but helpful if you ask, and let’s you shop in peace.
Bonus for creative window displays that change frequently and always manage to draw me in (Do I need a hot pink petticoat and an aviator helmet? PROBABLY!)
Place rating: 4
New York, NY
Great pieces, friendly staff, plenty of room.
Though there are no labels on the pieces the staff seems more than happy to talk to you about each piece. Excellent value, and carefully chosen items. Plenty of variety in this place. I think my favorite thing was a baton twirler’s sequence dress that was electric pink.
Date Rating: 2
Pick up Scale: 1
Strong Suggestion: make sure you have time you’ll be spending quite a bit here.
Place rating: 4
San Jose, CA
From the folks who brought you Monkey Whistles & Motor Bikes comes the new incarnation in a new location right next door.
Just happened to be strolling by today and popped in to check out the fanfare and ended up walking out with a sweet vintage Clash shirt for less than $ 18! Tons of men’s and women’s vintage clothing with very reasonable prices… classic t’s, belts, pants, hats, boots, dresses, jackets and the like.
Add some retro vinyl spinning, animated staff, ample dressing rooms and you’ve got a great addition to burgeoning vintage scene along 5th Ave.