Somewhere in Brooklyn, a giant warehouse is packed with old doors, filing cabinets, stacks of books, and chairs nobody has claimed yet. Shoppers walk in planning to grab one picture frame and walk out carrying a pile of novels too.
The stock changes every single day, so what you skip today might be gone tomorrow. It is a place where usable things get a second life instead of a trip to the landfill, and where a modest budget can still stretch surprisingly far.
Keep reading to learn where it is, what fills its shelves, and the small tricks that make a visit go smoothly.
1. A Nonprofit Warehouse Beside the Gowanus
The secret has an address: Big Reuse sits at 1 12th St, Brooklyn, NY 11215, in the Gowanus and Park Slope edge of New York.
It is a nonprofit store selling salvaged and surplus building materials, appliances, and furniture at a discount. The shelves also hold books, housewares, clothing, electronics, and plenty of odds and ends that defy any single label.
Finding the entrance can take a moment. The store sits right next to Lowe’s, and the entrance now opens off 12th Street.
Regulars say the east side entrance near the parking lot is the one to look for, not the one closest to the subway. A little patience on arrival pays off quickly once you are inside.
The mission is simple and practical. Donated items are kept out of landfills and passed along to neighbors who can use them, at prices that make sense for real household budgets.
That idea has deep roots in Brooklyn, a borough that has always valued making things last. Here, the habit of fixing, reusing, and handing things down has a whole building devoted to it.
2. From Queens Roots to a Brooklyn Home
Long before the current shop on 12th Street, Big Reuse had other locations in Brooklyn and Queens.
Longtime shoppers remember buying pieces at the former Queens spot and following the store to its present Brooklyn home. Some say the older locations carried more home renovation materials, while today’s store leans a bit more toward home furnishing.
The store has also shifted within its own neighborhood. It reportedly once sat on the other side of the Lowe’s parking lot before the entrance moved to 12th Street.
Through every change, one thing has stayed steady. People keep coming back for years, furnishing apartments, finding rehab projects, and leaving with something, even if it is only a book.
That kind of loyalty is hard to build. It comes from staff who know the floor, a stream of fresh donations, and the sense that the store belongs to the community it serves.
For a borough that has watched plenty of familiar places disappear, a long-running reuse shop with returning faces feels like proof that some good habits survive.
3. Stacks of Books Worth the Trip
Book lovers, consider yourselves warned. The book section here is often called a heaven for readers, and it is the most talked about corner of the whole store.
Even shoppers who have complaints about other areas tend to single out the book store as great. The selection of books and records is described as incredibly large, and walking away with stacks is easy.
One shopper came in for $2.49 picture frames and left with copies of The Power Broker and My Brilliant Friend. The store’s own reply admitted that someone on staff has been working through The Power Broker for 15 years, which might be the most New York reading goal ever.
Better yet, the book department has been expanding. More shelf space means more chances to stumble onto an old title you forgot you wanted.
CDs and records share space with the books, so music fans have reason to linger too.
The best strategy is to browse slowly. Stock turns over constantly, and today’s lucky find may be on someone else’s nightstand by next week.
4. Doors, Lumber and Paint for the DIY Crowd
Handy types, this aisle is your playground. Old doors, window frames, architectural elements, sinks, faucets, and kitchen and bath cabinetry fill large parts of the floor.
Freshly cut lumber and cut trees are on hand for unique woodwork projects. Board cut offs and slab pieces show up too, ready for a shelf, a tabletop, or something only you can dream up.
Paint comes in all sizes, and you can bring used paint for recycling.
Appliances like washers and stoves appear here as well. Some shoppers point out that these come without a warranty, so it helps to know what you are looking at before buying.
Plenty of pieces need some work. Drawers may stick and furniture may need fixing, which suits people with tools, space, and a bit of skill.
Think of it as raw material with potential. For budget rehab projects, this section can save a real chunk of money while keeping solid materials in use.
5. Antique Furniture Hiding in Plain Sight
Furniture is the single most mentioned topic among shoppers, and for good reason.
Lots and lots of chairs, filing cabinets, dressers, and bookcases crowd the floor. Among the everyday pieces, antique hunters have reportedly found real treasures, including a burled wood dresser with marquetry inlay and a pair of Federal style yellow pine bookcases.
Some regulars call it their go-to spot for antiquing. They say similar pieces would cost a fortune elsewhere.
Not every price is a steal, though. A few shoppers with professional furniture experience feel certain items are priced high, and the store has been known to research the value of works by known artists before selling them.
The fair takeaway is that it is hit or miss. Patience and a good eye are your best tools.
Housewares round out the space, with utensils, cups, mugs, and tableware for anyone setting up a first apartment. Small ready to go items like stationery and toys make easy grabs too.
6. A Growing Rack of Clothes and Daily Surprises
Clothes are not the headline act here, but they deserve a look.
The clothing section is somewhat small, yet stock turnover is high, so regular shoppers say they usually find something. Some call the selection great, while others find it more hit or miss.
Good news for fashion fans: the clothing section is reportedly expanding.
Shoes show up alongside the racks, and pet supplies appear too. One regular finds food and water bowls for the stray cats she looks after.
Items change daily and sections shift around often. The house rule among regulars is simple: take it when you see it, because it may be gone tomorrow.
A discount board near the front of the store changes biweekly, and seasonal sales pop up throughout the year. Signing up for the newsletter is the way to get first dibs, according to the store itself.
Online shopping is also available for anyone who wants a preview before making the trip.
7. Friendly Staff and a Busy, Lively Floor
Ask regulars what keeps them returning and the staff comes up again and again.
Workers are described as friendly, patient, and genuinely helpful, even on busy days. One cashier was so funny she had a shopper laughing through checkout, and the store manager earns praise from longtime antique buyers.
Some volunteers help keep things running. Regulars kindly ask shoppers not to leave messes behind for them.
The space is huge and can feel like a lot at first. Yet even people who usually find thrift stores overwhelming say they felt comfortable here.
The store is dog friendly and has been called LGBTQIA+ friendly.
A couple of honest notes help set expectations. The music can be loud, and the visual mix of items can feel busy for anyone trying to concentrate.
The building can also get dusty and warm. Shoppers with allergies may want a mask, and some bring a portable fan on hot summer days.
8. Donations, Pickups and Compost Classes
Clearing out a closet has rarely felt this useful.
Big Reuse accepts donations of household items, furniture, creative supplies, and more. Every donation gets received, sorted, cleaned, priced, and displayed before it finds a new owner, which takes real effort behind the scenes.
Timing matters here. Donations are only accepted until 5 PM daily, even though the store stays open until 7.
Arriving after 5 with a car full of boxes means a second trip, so plan ahead.
A pickup service from your home is also available for larger loads. Businesses have donated big batches too, including furniture companies with surplus stock.
The environmental side goes further than resale. Compost pickup and composting classes are part of the offerings, and paint recycling is available.
The organization has also partnered on a zero waste mural at its site. It is a reminder that this shop is as much about the neighborhood as the merchandise.
9. Hours, Parking and a Final Verdict
Planning the trip is refreshingly easy.
The store is open every day of the week, Monday through Sunday, from 10 AM to 7 PM. Remember that donations stop at 5 PM.
Many items sell for small amounts, with some going for cents or around a dollar and fifty, and picture frames have been spotted at $2.49. Prices, like everywhere, have risen, and some larger pieces cost more, so set a budget and enjoy the hunt.
Drivers have parked in the neighboring Lowe’s lot, though there is no clearly designated store parking. Subway riders should head for the east side entrance by that parking lot.
Wear clothes you do not mind getting dusty. Come ready to dig through shelves and boxes.
The overall picture is a big, imperfect, generous place. Shoppers often say you will never walk out without buying something, and with books, frames, chairs, and lumber all under one roof, that promise usually holds.
For Brooklyn and beyond, it is proof that reuse and fair prices still have a home in New York.
Share this story
