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Fashion Wire Daily: Pssst. Wanna know a secret? Promise not to tell? Okay then, here goes: The boys of preeningly macho rock band Louis XIV like to wear women's clothing... "You know, it's funny, but I don't even know my size in men's," confided lead singer Jason Hill when Fashion Wire Daily met he and guitarist Brian Karscig at Beacon's Closet in Williamsburg one recent afternoon… (more)
Time Out NY - Annual Shopping Awards: "Best Vintage, Beacon's Closet. Unlike some vintage boutiques, Beacon's Closet remains true to the thrift philosophy that one can walk in with a tenner and leave with cool clothes. The shop has come a long way since its 1997 beginnings in a 900 square foot shop. Today it occupies 5500 square feet and has a smaller spin-off in Park Slope. The Williamsburg shop's gymnasiumlike digs will remind locals of dearly departed Domsey's, but with higher-quality threads. Head to the back for party dresses ($10-$25), or hit the racks in the main room to up your ironic T-shirt ($8-$20) quotient. Both locations have buying counters where you can trade in your rejects for 30 percent of their resale value in cash, or 55 percent in store credit. It's like instant karma."
Time Out NY - Overrated/Underrated: "Underrated Shopping Neighborhood, Park Slope's Fifth Avenue . . . recently welcomed a new branch of Beacon's Closet, the Williamsburg vintage trading post- serves the people boutique clothing and stylish wares (like the women's threads at design collective Eidolon) sans Manhattan sticker shock."
Time Out NY - Just Opened: "This new shop stands out from the many secondhand clothing stores in Williamsburg for its quality. Owner Carrie Peterson picks only the best recycled threads for resale, giving the donors 30 percent of the selling price up front (or 55 percent in trade). That hefty financial incentive means the often broke artist-andmusician community here constantly keeps this place full of comfy sweaters (mostly $12 - $15), leather pants (some just $8; others more than $20) and a variety of vintage party dresses (most less than $20)."
Lucky: "Discounts and Deals. Beacon's Closet. Christine Frey comes to this resale shop for vintage sunglasses (from $15); assistant to the editor in chief Katie Claypoole loves the dresses. Both agree that the buyers are picky, which translates to a killer selection."
Lucky: "The Never Pay Retail Tour. Beacon's Closet. This Brooklyn shop gives on-the-spot cash or credit for your castoffs, including clothing and CDs. If you're buying, expect a great mix of items such as Miu Miu bags . . . and used Levi's."
Village Voice, The Best of NYC 2004: "Best place to judge your neighbors' former clothes - BEACON'S CLOSET. Deliberately nestled in the hippest of Brooklyn neighborhoods, the two branches of BEACON'S CLOSET rely on "neighborhood fashionistas" to supply an ever ready surplus of vintage go-go boots, used indie CDs, worn ironic T-shirts, and frumpy-cum-sassy dresses."
Village Voice - The Best of NYC 2001: "Beacon's Closet sandwiches a surprisingly well-stocked CD section between two much larger rooms packed with stylish resale wear. With my taste in arty pop and noisy underground stuff, I've pretty much found everything I wanted." LF
New York Press - Best of Manhattan: "Best Brooklyn Secondhand Store, Beacon's Closet. Warm Pleatherette. We come here to fulfill our need to shop at affordable prices. While Beacon's Closet focuses on buying and selling used clothing, they also stock select new and used compact discs in the back room. The clientele is mainly Williamsburg hipsters, because, after all, what's a twentysomething without a good pair of used Levi's? But don't let that discourage you, because there's enough clothing, tchotchkes, belts and vintage items for everyone. One more than one occasion we've been know to sell our . . . seasonal wardrobe in exchange for some incredible staples, such as our white emobroidered polyvinyl jacket and our ridiculously fashionable winter coat that turns heaads every time we wear it. They also carry lots of t-shirts, jackets, sweaters, jeans, and shirts for both men and women . . ."
Daily News: "For vintage addicts, the real deals are one-of-a-kind. Beacon's Closet . . . is the perfect place to trade in your old clothes - they look for current styles or vintage duds in good condition - and they'll pay you 30% of the retail value in cash or 55% of the value in store credit. At the moment, they've got a great selection of dresses from the '40s to '70s and prices are low - $8.95 to $25. Also, don't miss the leather coats and pants."
New York - A Guide to the 1600 Best Stores in New York: "These chic little shops are stuffed with stylish, lightly used downtown essentials and groovy vintage pieces . . . There's a great selection of used Levi's and hip T-shirts."
New York - Best Of New York: "Used Hipster Clothes, Beacon's Closet. In the nineties, Domsey's Warehouse was a de facto town square for Williamsburg hipsters; when it closed in 2002, Beacon's Closet assumed the mantle. Exchange buyers at both locations tend to a steady stream of cash-strapped sellers lining up to trade last week's Sevens for this week's grocery money. And unlike in Manhattan shops, where thrift-shop items rarely come with thrift-shop prices, everything is priced to move: Diesel jeans and vintage dresses are $14.95-$19.95; a pair of seventies Gucci pumps was $24.95. Celebrity sightings are frequent - so be prepared to battle for that Heatherette skirt with drop-ins like Anna Sui and Hilary Swank.
City - Design Food Fashion: "Where to Shop, Beacon's Closet . . . this second-hand shop has steadily drawn smart shoppers from across the bridges since it opened. The secret lies in its down-to-earth pricing and full stock of quality clothes kept fresh by a high turnout of hip patrons."
Paper - "Environmentally- and trendy- friendly, the Closet keeps the locals and out-of-towners groovily dressed for less. Recycling your wardrobe rejects is the concept behind the richness of this Beacon's treasure. Vintage and the latest designers mix happily in this spacious and well-organized walk-in. Shoes are in good standing as well . . . As you browse through the racks, you'll come up with the goody goods surrendered by hip Japanese teenagers and seasoned glamour gals, with names like Betsey Johnson, Christioan Dior, and Alaia. If you put in the time, Gucci and other assorted delicacies are bound to redeem your pursuit for style."
New York City - Premiere Issue: "If it's nifty vintage threads you're after, Beacon's Closet is your best bet. At incredibly low prices you can't exactly lose in Carrie Peterson's Budget-friendly store. Operating on a trade system, the store offers 30% cash or 55% store credit for your unwanted current, classic and vintage garments. Happily, Peterson is pretty choosy, so unlike most vintage stores, you won't pull a muscle trying to wrench a sweater from between overstuffed racks. And since the starving but stylish artists in the community often resort to denuding their closets for cash, a neverending cycle of sartorial swankiness abounds.
Vanity Fair: Guide to Williamsburg, listed. "Borough Fare . . . #5. Beacon's Closet."