Thrift Shop Roadtrip: HUNTINGTON, NY

Huntington is the mecca of arts, dining, entertainment, and shopping on the North Shore of Long Island, New York. It also boasts a beautiful waterfront and boating community. This town is one of the few places on Long Island where the streets are still full of people after midnight- more akin to the Upper West Side of Manhattan then suburbia. Amongst this great energy and wealth, comes some great thrifting opportunities. Here are a few I hit today:

1. GOODWILL OF EAST NORTHPORT
1900 Jericho Turnpike
Huntington, NY
631-462-4219
M-Sat 9:30-8, Sun. 10-7

Lovely medium sized free standing store. Borders on swanky Dix Hills. When I arrived, the circular drive up donation area was crowded with luxury cars making donations of overflowing status shopping bags. The caliber of items in this shop are overwhelmingly high end, especially the woman's clothing. Lots of bric a brac, housewares, etc. My favorite find here was a few months ago- an original Trader Vic's Suffering Bastard Tiki Mug. I paid $2.00, and sold it for $230.00. Like a slot player, I continue to return to "play this machine" (return to this aisle) to see if it will "hit" again! This store also seems to get damaged goods, past season, and returned merchandise from Target. This is great. lots of boxed dish sets and small appliances for a fraction of the price. Also the perfect place for sheets and bedding still in original packaging. Certainly worth the trip if in the area!

CLEANLINESS: EXCELLENT
ORGANIZATION: EXCELLENT
PRICE: GOOD. one color tag 50% off each week.
MERCHANDISE: EXCELLENT
MUSIC: LOCAL POP RADIO
RETURNS: YES, EXCEPT FOR SALE ITEMS.




2. ST. VINCENT DE PAUL FURNITURE THRIFT SHOP
1705 Jericho Turnpike
Huntington, NY
631-858-0380
M-Sat 10-6

Noteworthy in that this is a large, freestanding furniture thrift shop. There is a bit of dishware and framed artwork, but it is primarily a big used furniture showroom. There is a constant flow of new merchandise, and items are marked down every month they are in store. In addition to full dining room and living room sets, there are piles of beautiful headboards and mirrors. If you are moving, or redecorating, stop by often. The best merchandise does not last long. If you are quick you can nab a true high end treasure!

CLEANLINESS: EXCELLENT
ORGANIZATION: EXCELLENT
PRICE: GOOD. especially if what you have been looking for has been hanging around a few months.
MERCHANDISE: EXCELLENT
MUSIC: NONE
RETURNS: NO

3. NORTHERN THRIFT
2035 New York Avenue
Huntington Station, NY
631-673-4790
M-Sat 9-8, Sun 9:30-6

Huge freestanding thirft superstore, with its own large parking lot. I am not sure if this store is affiliated with any charitable organization. The employee's did not know if they were affiliated with a charity, and there is no signage to that effect. This shop may be huge, and quite roomy and comfortable to shop in, but the merchandise seems picked through. In all the times I have visited, I have never seen any true, high-end treasures. I have a sneaky feeling that the better items are sent elsewhere. The prices are also quite high. Best for interesting t-shirts and other less expensive items, or look for sale items. Otherwise, it is more of a "retail" priced junk shop. If you have some time to kill, it is worth a visit, but I would not go out of my way to visit this rather soulless store.

CLEANLINESS: EXCELLENT
ORGANIZATION: EXCELLENT
PRICE: FAIR. two color tags 50% off each week.
MERCHANDISE: FAIR
MUSIC: MORNING ZOO
RETURNS: NO

4. COMMUNITY THRIFT SHOP
274 New York Avenue
Huntington Village, NY
631-271-4883
M-Sat 10-4

A lovely, funky, smaller shop, more in the "old school" thrift tradition. This shop benefits Cancer Care, Family Service League, Huntington Hospital, Planned Parenthood, and Visiting Nurse Service & Hospice of Suffolk, Inc. It is staffed by a large group of happy volunteers. Merchandise is always interesting. A great mix of high end old and new. Mostly clothing, but lots of other finds. Prices are not great (I get the feeling that the cadre of volunteers confer and debate what to mark each item at length. Even the tags are written out with great care and detail), but there are lots of one of a kind treasures to be found. Cash only.

CLEANLINESS: VERY GOOD
ORGANIZATION: VERY GOOD
PRICE: JUST OK
MERCHANDISE: VERY GOOD
MUSIC: NO MUSIC, JUST HAPPY CHATTER OF VOLUNTEERS AND OTHER SHOPPERS.
RETURNS: NO










After shopping, treat yourself to a meal or cocktail in this beautiful town.