Next up is the Brooklyn edition.
I hear it's becoming more and more developed, almost like Manhattan,
but there are still many low-rise buildings, which is a relief.
Pilgrim Surf+Supply
This shop has already opened in Japan.
If you've seen the Shibuya store, you're bound to be underwhelmed.
In a good way, there's no pushiness, no "Please buy!" feeling like in Japan.
That coolness is reflected in the shop's atmosphere and displays.
However, the unapproachable staff look exactly like surfers who genuinely love surfing.
The authentic feel of a place run by enthusiasts is cool in its own way.
DEVOCION
A cafe I always visit when I go to Brooklyn.
It's been featured extensively in the media, so
you can Google details like "Colombian beans..." and "French press..."
Of course, the coffee is delicious, but the real charm here is the comfortable atmosphere.
The shop is full of locals who seem to be working with their Mac Books open.
Being among them definitely makes me feel more like a New Yorker (lol).
What do you look for in a cafe? It's not just delicious coffee;
I think they provide the experience of spending time there.
QUALITY MENDING Co.
This popular shop has been featured quite a bit in specialty magazines in Japan.
It's a vintage clothing store, but they also offer original items like T-shirts and bags.
The case of a vintage store creating originals and building its brand,
is a model seen in Japan too, and I sense the same ambition for the future here.
This shop is spacious and easy to browse, and the staff member is a Japanese girl.
(As I'll mention later, the percentage of Japanese staff in Brooklyn vintage stores is unusually high).
The Manhattan store has a cramped and cluttered atmosphere,
but the staff there are enthusiasts and very persuasive, which I personally prefer.
SAMURAI MAMA
This is my go-to spot for lunch in Brooklyn.
It's a comforting place when you get tired of bagels and burgers.
Their "udon" is especially exquisite, a true Kansai-style with a carefully prepared broth.
Ramen is also a safe and recommended choice,
but I'd advise against the rice bowls as they're heavily adapted.
STELLA DALLAS LIVING
A vintage store specializing in interior fabrics, which is rare for vintage shops.
By the way, the shop next door, 10ft SINGLE, is part of the same group.
Here too, most of the staff are Japanese, and Japanese is practically the official language in the store.
As for the merchandise, it's a real mixed bag, and the treasure hunt feeling is intense.
If you're lucky enough to find something you like, you can buy it relatively cheaply.
In that sense, it's a must-visit shop if you've gone all the way to NY.
RAGGEDY THREADS
This shop has outstanding displayセンス. It's just so cool.
It's quite a walk to get there, as it's in a remote location, but just seeing the styling inside the shop is worth it.
Even if you were disappointed by the LA store, you should definitely check out the Brooklyn store.
I have a feeling the owner might not even realize how great it is.
The use of space and color distribution are impeccable.
As for the actual products... almost everything is ripped... very American.
image from: http://www.brooklynize.jp/
FRONT GENERAL STORE
As the name suggests, it's a vintage shop on Front St. in the Dumbo area.
This one also has a Japanese owner and all Japanese staff.
They gather exquisite items according to their sensibilities, so you can always trust their selection.
Besides vintage clothing, they also have a variety of miscellaneous goods,
making it a helpful shop for finding necessary supplies before an exhibition.
The owner is also a kind person, offering advice on products,
and sometimes giving a small discount if you deliberate before buying.
It's a valuable shop that always yields something new.
WOODEN SLEEPERS
This place is also often featured in Japanese magazines.
It's like the ultimate select shop for vintage, where they decide and narrow down the items they deal with, even if it's vintage, and don't stock anything else.
It makes me wonder if they can even survive by being so selective.
But that's precisely why it has such integrity and value,
and it shows the high level of trust for those whose tastes align with it.
As an aside, be aware that the RED HOOK area where this shop is located is difficult to access.
It's about a 20-minute bus ride from the nearest subway station.
And when I arrived at the store, it was locked, with a sign saying "Return in 2 hours."
According to recent media, "RED HOOK is hot right now!!" so,
I reluctantly decided to stroll down the main street.
I walked every corner, but I wonder if the media people are running out of material?
It was a main street by the sea, and in February in NY!! Far from hot, it was just plain cold.
BROOKLYN FLEA MARKET
Without checking beforehand, I arrived at the usual outdoor FORT GREEN venue on a Saturday,
and, oh? Nothing was there... Apparently, it was being held indoors one station away.
Thinking about it, it was February in freezing NY, so that makes sense.
The content was the usual, with furniture to miscellaneous goods packed in tight.
But, still, these kinds of markets are really best outdoors.
Things are crammed into a narrow space, and the aisles are narrow, so it's not fun to browse slowly.
It can't be helped, though.
I felt it was inevitable that markets would be more lively on the perpetually warm West Coast.
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That was Brooklyn, where people who crossed the river due to rising land prices in Manhattan
have invigorated the WILLIAMSBURG area, but recently the land prices in WILLIAMSBURG are said to have surpassed Manhattan.
Indeed, six months ago, three Japanese ramen restaurants opened on the main street,
and I thought it was a ramen boom, but this time, all of them were already gone.
Things move fast, indeed.
Similar to Manhattan, "soaring land prices" is an inevitable keyword here too,
and those who want to stick to their own style are forced to move to cheaper, less accessible places.
And the media exaggerates this as the latest trend.
Although NYC is not a vast city,
I was once again reminded of how condensed this structure is within it.
posted by K. Ichikawa