Hipster’s Paradise: Exploring Williamsburg’s Independent Shops and Culture

Formerly an industrial district of Brooklyn, Williamsburg has become a haunt of hipsters. Square Bedford Avenue and the surrounding streets, filled with independent shops that have kept the spirit of before the towers grew and the international brands arrived.

Streetwear heaven…

To find the latest streetwear “collab”, stop by Kith (25 Kent Avenue). Ronnie Fieg’s New York brand has opened a concept store here glorifying sneakers and other hoodies, which mixes its creations with iconic models from Nike, Supreme, etc.

… and culture

Not far, the Bedford Avenue Mini Mall (218, Bedford Avenue) is nothing like the traditional shopping center. It brings together small stores full of treasures, such as the bookstore Spoonbill & Sugartown Booksspecializing in art and design books, new and used.

Also nearby, a vinyl record store with an impressive collection from the 1960s to the present day, Earwax Records (167 N, 9th Street).

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Quality cosmetics

Two steps away is Glossier (77 N, 6th Street), a cutting-edge cosmetics label born on the Web.

In the same street, And Labo (120 N, 6th Street), a brand founded by two Frenchmen in 2006 then bought by Estée Lauder, makes you play the little chemist: you choose the raw materials to mix to obtain a perfume or a custom-made candle.

Head for thrift stores

Chez Grand Street Local (154, Grand Street), we are struck by the good smell of detergent, rare in a vintage store. There are tee-shirts from rock bands from the sixties or seventies and even 501 jeans in size 10 years.

Another thrift store, the 10ft Single by Stella Dallas (285 N, 6th Street), where the narrow storefront hides a large stock at rather reasonable prices.

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Where to take a break?

To take a break, go up to discover the rooftop du Williamsburg Hotel (96, Wythe Avenue) and have a drink in one of those old water tanks so typical of New York rooftops.

Or spend the afternoon and evening at Brooklyn Bowl (61, Wythe Avenue), to enjoy concerts or DJ sets while snacking and drinking good local beer.

File coordinated by Gaëlle Macke, produced with Frenchmorning.com
Contributors: Alexis Buisson, Olivia Garcin, Elisabeth Guédel