Big Reuse

Over the years I have bought items from the former Queens location to the present Brooklyn location. Items I have bought would have cost me a fortune elsewhere but Big Reuse is the most reasonable with the best quality of any thrift/antique store. As you can see in my pics, the REAL burled wood dresser with marquetry inlay-in perfect condition; the two historic Federal-styled yellow pine bookcases that I just bought-stunning! To top it off a great and helpful staff and the best store manager-Fred!-hands down my go-to for antiquing. You’ll never walk out without buying something-never!

I come here a few times a week to donate and to pick up some gently used items for myself and for family. I also find some food & water bowls for my stay cats that I look after. My only gripe is some of the visitors that make a mess for the staff to clean up. Don't give the staff extra work. Especially when some are volunteering.

Working with the team at Big Reuse was a fantastic experience. Their commitment to sustainability and community engagement really came through in every step of the zero waste mural project. We partnered on a mural at their site, and the process was collaborative, smooth, and full of positive energy. We're proud to have contributed to a space that reflects Big Reuse’s mission, and we’d love to work together again in the future!

this place may seem huge and intimidating, but take a minute to take it all in! maybe you don’t know what you want and that’s OK – that’s exactly why you should look around. lots of clothes, tons of books, lots and lots of chairs and miscellaneous furniture (filing cabinets anyone?) I picked up $2.49 frames for pictures, and then I couldn’t resist picking up two books, that I really need to read: The Power Broker and my Brilliant Friend. cashier couldn’t have been funnier, she had me in stitches. Bring a portable fan as I did, and it’s worth the summer adventure and the trek. (by the way: it’s literally right next to Lowe’s, by the parking lot on the East side entrance (not the entrance closest to the subway.)

So excited to find a fun thrift store in this area. They have a really big used book selection, and very helpful staff.

I absolutely love Big Reuse! The staff are so kind and went above and beyond to help me get the cast iron sink I fell in love with out to the car. Stores like this are such a gift—thank you, thank you!

This concept is a very good one, however the prices are ridiculous. Old, dinged up Fritz Hansen ant chairs for $400 each, which is almost what they cost new. $100 price tags on things that should cost less than half. It's a thrift store selection, because that is pretty much what it is. Possibly a good place for people rehabbing their homes. Am curious who would buy the rest, really. I'm all about thrift stores, yard sales, flea markets, but this place is kind of a mystery.

A male employee dropped a sharp edged glass picture frame on my calf and didn't even apologize. My husband asked what happened to which I replied "he dropped a picture frame on my leg and I'm bleeding". The employee mockingly shouted "medic" and then returned with a bandaid. He then had the audacity to find me a 3rd time in the store to tell me "by the way, I don't go by he". And I go to store and like things being dropped on me, sir. Last time we'll be visiting as they definitely don't deserve our money or time.

Lately been donating a lot of stuff that I cannot take with me, but last time I was disappointed. Had a milk crater with pieces of marble with considerable weight that I placed on an empty skit, only to be told to put it on top of a full hamper with other domestic items. I pointed out that being heavy it will damage the stuffs underneath and my concern was not taken seriously. I pointed out the books that looked more like a pile of garbage. Told the person that I was making an effort to donate and they should do the same, but I only got an attitude. This place needs to be more organized in accepting donations.

This place is worth going to, there is so much to explore and I will continue to come back. There's a big clothing section in the front, dishware and all sorts of electronics, accessories in rows, and then a huge selection of furniture, loose woods pieces, a very sizable book section, and even home supplies such as paint, tiles, and more. There are all sorts of odds and ends here within all the shelves, and it's a lot of fun to go hunting (unless this is overwhelming for you). It's one of those places that you may not know what you may find, and that's part of the fun of it. I love that their kitchen/dish section is so large, if there is a need for something specific in size or function, there's a good chance you may be able to find it (if you don't mind vintage). Definitely returning and can't wait till I visit next.

Great people. My donation was handled amazingly! The donations team responded to me very quickly, and were super helpful finding me a spot within a couple weeks of my initial query. I would highly recommend this charitable organization to anyone.

Always great finds. Super nice staff. Cool space and location!! I will visit often and tell others

I still love the shop but it's frustrating to see it being hit by so many resellers. Go early in the morning and you'll see people run up and grab every new item as soon as it's put out. I get it...times are tough and we're all looking to find ways to make some extra cash. It's just a bit disappointing to see people with overflowing cart blatantly looking up items on eBay at a time when others are struggling and need access to affordable goods. I understand that there isn't much the store can do to combat this. I guess I'm trying to inspire new customers to seek out the store and treat themselves to something nice before it ends up resold for a larger price. It would make me feel a lot better about donating if I knew it was going to someone who would appreciate it a good bargain.

Just completed a donation for my brother have multiple bedroom and living room furniture. The two men who came to pick the stuff up, Jose and Rob were great. They were careful with each of the items and took the time to explain to me what will happen with the furniture donated. I would recommned using Big Reuse in the future.

Another five star experience at Big Reuse. I had a metal bed frame that no thrift shop in Queens accepted- no bed items. It turns out Big Reuse doesn't either but the manager took pity on me when I told him I came from Queens. I even got the donation receipt emailed to me. Grateful that someone will buy it or they will recycle it.

So much good stuff here especially good for cheap furniture and kitchen wares. The deals are truly amazing

The Big Reuse is such a blast! I came empty-handed and left with a wonderful green-and-white polka dot dress from Everly ($9.99!), two prints of birds, and a picture frame to hold some artwork back at home. But that doesn't even scratch the surface of the goodies you can find here. They've got...everything. A huge selection of books, pianos (some of which are surprisingly still well-tuned), writing desks, chairs, tubs, haunted-looking armoires, mugs, art, and more. There's only one dressing room, if I recall correctly, but it was surprisingly spacious and comfortable. The staff was very chill, as was the rest of the Sunday crowd--if 3-5 other people in a huge warehouse space can be called a crowd. I can't wait to be back!

Sooooo, if you're looking for a five star shopping experience, you really shouldn't shop at a second hand store - No? Anyhoo - I friggin love this place! The only reason I won't give 5 stars is sometimes they simply don't have what I'm looking for. But honestly, from pots and pans to full on fireplaces, sinks, doors, etc - this is the place to go! Found the most awesome shutters and some chairs as well. They definitely don't disappoint!

What an experience! First off, don't come unless you have a lot of time and energy to search. It isn't a super well organized store, so come with a podcast and energy. That being said it's huge so fun to look through. The clothes are well priced, fixed prices- I think $10 dresses, $6 pants, $5 shirts etc. I do agree with other reviews that furniture is over priced - they have a $300 mirror (which is huge and gorgeous but still... this is a thrift store) but if you're doing a big furnishing of an apt, it's worth it to come, because they have a lot of inventory and things you wouldn't normally find at thrift stores. For my film fanatics, they had super 8 film, 16mm projectors, and even someone's old film from the 80's (too bad I don't have a projector!) overall good experience but kind of exhausting! Great book selection though.

I will never come here again, and neither should you. I've watched their employees treat people like garbage and then finally experienced for myself. Yesterday i went to Big Reuse to purchase new furniture for my apartment. Upon entering I saw a very cool lamp made out of a tree and a giant orange lampshade to go with it. I then noticed that some of the lamps and lampshades either had different prices on them or none at all. I asked an employee what a specific lamp and shade combo would cost together - he told me $275 (a lot for a used lamp of any kind, the prices at this place have skyrocketed in the last year). After shopping around a bit more, I went to go ask that employee if he would come down on the set for a flat $200. I couldn't find him, so I asked the employee working at the cash register. He said that was fine, so I paid with my card and went to get my car. As I'm walking back into the store to pick up the lamp, the original employee comes out of the store SCREAMING "you need to come back in here RIGHT NOW and pay the difference or you are NOT leaving with that lamp". So I went in and tried to speak with him. The employee was so angry, he was screaming in front of all of the customers, who were leaving the store one-by-one. After going back and forth many times and explaining to him that I had already paid an agreed-upon price for the lamp, that it is legally my right to take it with me. He continued to treat me like a criminal. Making constantly disparaging comments to myself and the person I was with. He refused to let us take the lamp and began to issue a refund. He also said I could take the lamp without the shade (the lamp without the shade would have been $150), so obviously I declined. While issuing the refund he said he couldn't do it today and would have to another day, which seemed shady to me - because at this point they are withholding my money AND the object I paid for. I asked if we could just do a cash refund instead and he said no, because they didn't have enough. So then after he made more awful comments we decided to leave, and he said to call back monday and he would process the refund. It is now Monday, they said they have processed the refund, and yet my bank is seeing NO processing, incoming, or pending transactions whatsoever. I also cannot get Big Reuse back on the phone. Seems a bit criminal, doesn't it?

Not a shopper but someone who made a donation. Thrilled that a place like Big Reuse exists. We donated a wide variety of materials and were thrilled that it was all collected promptly and cheerfully on a rainy, icky day. The guys who came were so nice and respectful of our space and they delivered our donation form promptly. Couldn't be happier to have not had to deal with creepers looking for free stuff on craigs list and that our items may end up in happy homes rather than unhappy landfills.

Ridiculously OVERPRICED for DONATED goods not even in great condition. Everything is dirty or damaged. $3700 for a fireplace mantel you can find cheaper at a high end Antique store. Im in the antique business and can get a mantle like that for about $300 Max. If you have time to hunt, you can find architectural items out in New Jersey, Hudson Valley & Pennsylvania for wayyyyyy less. Try some Estate Sales, Auctions or even Craigslist. Olde Good Things is probably cheaper in the city.

I really like the randomness of this store. You may not find what you want, but there is such a wide variety of architecture salvage, furniture, lighting, household items, books, furniture, and since they moved to the new space, clothing. Plus, the staff is super friendly and engaging, like they are genuinely glad to see an old friend.

We've donated multiple large items to Big ReUse on two different occasions. They were great to deal with. Both times they sent a truck with two movers, who were very professional. We were so happy that our furniture, display cases and other items were going to a good cause and then on to people that would use them, instead of into a landfill. Highly recommended!

Where do I begin? Vintage furniture HEAVEN. I found a beautiful yellow dresser here... after searching on every furniture site for the perfect piece for my grey & yellow color themed bedroom. Found it, had it on a dolly, and in the trunk of my car within 30 minutes. Best of all, I got a high quality, wooden dresser with maybe 1 or more ding (adding to the vintage feel, right) for $75. That is unheard of. Love this place. Will sing its praises to everyone I know.

Nice people and interesting stuff. The lady knows me for years and always remembers my name lol the music is just awesome there every time

Their prices are shamefully high. All their product is donated and then they resell it and price it as if it's new. Super high prices. Ridiculous I've donated from my Business for years but this leaves such a bad taste in my mouth I don't see the point. I'd rather find another place to donate that helps the community back by offering affordable second hand materials.

I love this strange place. In my experience, the staff is either pleasantly hands-off or simply offers a friendly hello. No complaints in that regard. But that's not the important part. The important part is the vast array of second- hand items. You can come here looking for something specific as I often do, and sometimes you'll find just what you came for. Other times, there's value in simply visiting to get some ideas for a project you're working on. You might see high-end appliances that you didn't even know existed, or a vintage chandelier for example at 1/10 the price it would cost to buy new. Big Reuse has things of all kinds. Paint, various finishes, polyurethane, chalk paint etc.- especially useful if you aren't in need of several gallons or better yet- if you're flexible on the color you are looking for- you'll almost definitely score a $45 gallon of paint for maybe five or ten bucks for 2/3 of that same gallon. I don't know. I really like it. Wander in, wander out- do it. It's great.

I have visited this shop roughly 10 times, maybe more. I enjoyed 'grazing' the aisles and letting my mind overload with visualizations and ideas of how to fix-up or create new furniture from their wide selection. Some stiff they have: chairs, doors, cabinets, tables, balusters, side tables, records, cats, lamps, jewelry, faucets, clawfoot tubs (Yeah, sometimes!) and more. They have everything AND the kitchen sink (Big Reuse, you are welcome to use that as your tagline!) The staff have always been kind, helpful and accommodating. If you have a question, just go up to the front counter and ask. They welcome a conversation and have helped me many times about item details, price and even ideas for use. I would go again. I will go again. In fact, while I was leaving I spotted about 5 other pieces that I wanted to come back for. I can't speak for everyone's unique need or personal expectation for an ideal shopping experience, but I can confidently say that this place is like a playground for me and if I still lived with my mom, I would be begging her 'please! can we go back!?' Anyway. Go here. It's awesome. See you there!

Picked up an amazing vintage style chandelier. Service was dope, cat was dope, soundtrack was dope, all the other things were dope- Cool books in good shape, funny pictures in funnier frames, amazing old furniture. If you need something practical go to there. If you need something weird because you are an eccentric person who loves stuffed fish and Vintage Erotica, you will be in Heaven. Also if you hate Ikea this is your dream better option, Am gonna go back for a vinyl player and speakers and more pots for my plants. Because they get that kinda stuff in all the tiiiiime! Hurray!

They do not respond to emails or calls about donations. I itemized and photograph my list, send it to them followed up several times by email and telephone. No response. Not even a no. This is very unprofessional.

I didn't find anything here that I must have but thought that the selections were interesting. I saw lots of big furniture pieces like desks, chairs, tables, building supplies and toilets to smaller items like book, pots and stuff. Even a pair of candlesticks by aero studios in Manhattan. If I had a big fixer upper I would come here. Some prices here are good some seems a bit high but really fun to shop.

Just went to the store And Ill never come back again. All negative reviews are true. Overpriced, bad items, And rude service

I am shocked to say that we had a terrible experience this past weekend with the Director at the store. We've been customers for years, purchased several pieces of furniture, and donated many items. We were treated with such disrespect by the Director who refused to make a simple exchange. Will never do business with them again.

I love going to this place and exploring. I've found many gems. Ironworks across the street is great as well, particularly for nice pieces of wood.

Extensive variety of items, however, most are not marked with "listed" prices. Therefore, color coded discount tags (% deducted from "listed" prices) are meaningless. You get the picture!!! So buyer beware even though inventory is used. Not the bargain you would expect. Management and staff are not necessarily consumer-friendly either. Won't go back or recommend.

I have dropped off many reusable items of furniture and building material in the past, they were always basically indifferent or polite. Today I was dropping off a rather large map table,(coffee table) that I brought back from the Hamptons. It's a great piece of furniture, (not beat up like most of there furniture). When I asked for a hand taking it off the truck, man at the counter said they were to busy, to wait around a while. I took it back home to Bay Ridge, and while my grandson was helping me take it off the truck a women walking by offered me $50 for it, if would drop it off in front of her house two blocks away. I of course dropped it off for free. Judging by the prices I see at big reuse, they would have gotten $200, minimum . That is the last time I will bring anything there.

I have been to this store 6-7 times, but I won't return. Most items do not have prices on them and three of the times I have visited I have been given different prices for the same piece. This week I was quoted $95 for a shelf and when I went to check out a different person said that it is $150. I walked out. This is ABSURD. I refuse to shop in a place that feels like I am being price gouged. However, I highly recommend the Queens location - I have been here more than 20 times and have never had that experience.

Many pros, a few cons. Great place to find nice used furniture, unique items that have an antique look, and fun to explore for hours. Like other reviewers, I did find the prices to be quite high for some of the items. But. There are still a lot of deals to be had, and treasures waiting to be found. If you like the hunt and your purse could stand to be lightened, this is a fun way to spend a few hours and furnish a room. Oh, and they have books!

I am disappointed. I went there and found exactly what I was looking for! Can you believe it? A weightlifting bar. I couldn't believe my luck. A second later, an employee walked up, took it right out of my hands, and said that it is a section of items that belong to the employees to use. I noted a lot of other nice items in that section. This is not proper management and not a sound way to run a business.

Used furniture, books, plates, lamps, paint (various) & paint samples, records, thread, chairs, etc. Etc. A thrifter's heaven. I think you can possibly renovate your house or apartment from items in this place. Today I bought 5 industrial size spools of thread, some fabric,2 small coffee burlap sacks, it came to all of $16!!! I liked some of the furniture pieces but no car or van at the moment. Oh well. Big Reuse is a short walk from the Smith- 9th Street (F/G train) station. I will definitely go back, with a car nxt time.

No more - last visit to this place was today, due to the obnoxious rude attitude of the guy at the cashier check out. I've been coming here for about 4 years. I do agree with what some of what the other reviews say, stuff has really increased in price here, and let's face it, most of it is other peoples junk that you might just like. And as I have seen, there are some reviews posted referring to the guys who working here, saying they are downright unpleasant. I will comment on this below, it is the reason I will no longer be coming back here. These guys need to see their social workers. But why is TODAY MY LAST DAY. I came in the shop and found a framed water color painting marked $18.00. I walked over to the check out and asked one of the guys- there were two sitting there, a white guy and a black guy ... if he could come look at the piece with me. Neither one of them seemed to interested in getting off their asses but the white guy did. He followed me to the framed piece. I told him, I was only interested in the watercolor as the frame it was in was really beat up. He said, OK, $ 10.00 for the painting. I asked him if he wanted the frame, or should I buy it as is and toss the frame on my own. He said, they could re sell the frame... (I thought, really, but OK) ... When I'm ready to check out, he will take back the frame is what he said. I said OK. I liked the painting, a nice watercolor fall season, subject matter a country barn. I shopped around and did make another FIND! - a 2.5 x 3.5 picture frame, this is a virtually impossible size to find, and back in the day it was referred to as a trading card size frame and often ACEO paintings and prints use this difficult to find size. I brought the items to the counter. The white guy was not there, so I walked around the warehouse to see if I could find him. He was no where. Went back to the counter and told the black guy the price was $ 10.00 not the $ 18.00 it was marked and that the other guy said he'd take back the frame. This guy gave me an "I'M DYING TO KILL' look and told me, I didn't tell you I'd do that. We're very busy here he stated - I told him there wasn't one other customer in the shop that apparently needed help, or the other guy, you know the guy missing would be helping them, but the other guys was like 'gone'. This guy became ruder and ruder with each sentence out of his mouth. I told him, I'll pay you the $ 10.00 for the painting and I'll get rid of the fame myself, but your co worker said you could re-sell the frame - that's why I'm telling you he said he'd take the painting of of the frame. The guy go more obnoxious with me and told me to wait around if I don't want the frame till the other guy comes back. Of course, I rammed right back at him and told him what a lousy customer service impression he was leaving on me and all that jazz, and he blurted back to me in his own defense stating ... "I'm working here 7 years, you're the first .... " I put $ 11.00 bucks down on the counter, 10.00 for the painting, 1.00 was the little frame, picked up the stuff and walked out. In their parking lot, I removed the painting from the frame and tossed the frame ontop of the heaps of garbage in the parking lot. That's it for this place. There are tons of places / warehouses selling the same stuff this place does. And you know, I've been to some of them. They are helpful and really customer service oriented. My experience in this store generally with the staff is .... i think they were dropped on their heads when they were kids a lot, or they did to many drugs, and I don't mean pot, in their years, or maybe it's too much consumption of organic fruits and vegetables, or roof top grown tomatoes that have sickened these workers ... and they need to see their social workers and get current referrals to MD's, preferably shrinks who can get them be nice medications!

Either lower the prices of _everything_ by half, or clean up this pigsty and turn it into the fancy vintage shop your stickers suggest you think it is. You can't have it both ways. For years, I've always gone to BIG expecting some reasonable finds, but every time, I leave coated with dust and smothered in disappointment. $2.99 for used and mildewy kids Golden Books? They are less than that new at some stores. Come on now... so much potential! (Yes, I'm a cheap b*st*rd, but this place is ridiculous)

Pretty interesting spot. I came looking for bathroom fixtures and while there was a great selection of toilets, my sink was not to be found. However there was a treasure hunts worth of used furniture and small household items. The used book selection is extensive and well priced, with all in very good condition and displayed in a manner that made it easy to find what I wanted. Lots of used cds for .99 so my husband was in heaven. And the money goes to worthwhile causes so this is no-guilt shopping.

I've been going to this place for years and have gotten some great things-- it's like having an enormous neighborhood garage of vintage stuff, hardware, appliances, paint, tile and wood. I love its ecological mission. But I have to say that in the past year the prices have gotten completely ridiculous, pretty much across the board. I've stopped going in because the joy of hunting around for things is ruined when as soon as you find something you like you get punched in the face by its pricetag. A lot of the time you would be better off buying new, which kind of defeats the whole point.

I never ever write reviews on YELP, however, this was necessary because ROB at BIG REUSE is the man!!! Him and his Team were beyond helpful! And Big Reuse is amazing because it is a non for profit that helps the environment!

I love that Brooklyn has a place like this that allows people to donate and reuse items, however I find the prices to be too high for things that are donated. Also the staff seems more interested in talking amongst themselves or doing things in the store rather than helping someone who is shopping or donating. I have been here to donate items more than 30 times. I have never experienced a quick and easy process for filling out information to get a receipt for the donations. They installed a computer to email yourself the receipt which seemed like a way to streamline the process. Unfortunately you have to have someone from the staff start and finish that process. Since the staff is not proactively helpful, you have to flag someone down to get you started then the person walks away although I don't know why because it takes about 1 minute to input the information so you then have to flag someone down to complete the transaction. This place has great potential but should really step it up from a customer service perspective.

I googled reclaimed wood and this place called BIG REUSE brooklyn came up. right across from Lowes under the Gowanus bridge. I went inside and was totally in love. I felt like a kid in a candy store. I even found some see through chairs I had seen in ikea and so I wanted to buy it, but there was a sticker price. I went to ask the price to a woman with short gray hair and she was kinda stand offish so another worker came by and told me to show him the chairs and so because there were no stickers on it he said it was $20 , i was super happy!! but half a second later the nasty short grey hair woman comes by and says its $80 and shows the guy her phone as to show him what they worth. i say thank you and turn around. not even two seconds later i see the chairs with the stickers saying $80. I thought that was deceiving. I was psissed because those chairs in ikea are $79 brand new!!! HOW THE HECK would you price chairs that are used and donated for more than they sell and they are not even antique, . so i politely and sweetly complained to a white hipster older guy and black guy with dreads who were behind the counter and showed them the ikea website for the same chair and he said she must have made a mistake. but when the black guy with dreads walks to see the chairs the older hipster white guy comes quickly behind him and shows him something on his phone as to say i was wrong. Thank God the black guy was honest and turned around to the guy and said to him, "the chairs have ikea stamped into them so she's right". by then i was so turned off I didn't want to buy anything, not even the wood I wanted. I have a problem with people trying to take advantage of us as consumers !!!!

I have nothing but positive reviews of this place. Ive literaly furnished my apartment with everything from big reuse. The discounts are insane and almost everything is one of a kind. Yeah some things are old but that whats charming about them. Brooklyn is allabout vintage historic and antique and those words sum up Big Reuse. But shhh lets keep this place our little secret.

I've been going to this location since it opened and had been going to the one in Queens before that. I have been remodeling a brownstone for the past five years and have gotten so much from this place. I have also renovated my shop too with many reused items. I used to be a contractor and I am now a furniture maker so I have more knowledge than the average user but there is so much for everyone. If you visit this place often you will begin to understand how it works and it will be a tremendous asset to you. It is a place run by different people who sell different things. It goes without saying that you will get different prices for different things from different people. There is an element of chance with what you will find there and that is what is exciting about it. If you have time and can store items for future parts of your renovation you will be greatly rewarded by going here. I also donate a lot of items and I am happy to know that someone is excited to walk in and find them.

Fred and the team really came through for me! I hope the beautiful old sink finds a grand new home

How do I begin? I want to love BIG reuse, but I can't. Now don't get me wrong, this is a great idea with a few faults. Reusing items which would otherwise go to a dump is terrific, but charging close to retail prices for used items suuuucks. I recommend never accepting the first price on anything..... Ever. It's a used toilet, people. I don't care if it costs $800 new. If there are parts missing, or damaged you could end up spending almost as much on parts. Especially on high priced Toto or Kohler bowls. Or any item. They also like to quote close to 50% MSRP on all items. No one pays the full MSRP in the modern marketplace?!?!? Usually sellers sell at 65% MSRP. Plus, they got it for free. It's a donation based shop. If they dropped the price from 50% of the retail, to 35% they'd make a lot more sales, increase loyalty, and make up profit in quantity. Don't get me wrong, I've been shopping at BIG since Astoria opened, but the Gowanus branch is too pricey! Go there, but be conscious of pricing, and be ready to haggle.