Strange Ways

Overall great store, awesome staffs. I love their unique taste of fashion.

What a gem. Fun gifts, local artists, awesome environment, tons of awesome LGBTQIA+ artists on display. Best selection of patches we have seen in awhile. Super friendly staff, must visit!

A wonderful LGBTQIA+ store with cute novelties. Very chill and cozy vibes. A must visit if you want to see what curios you can find as a souvenir

My son and I love Strange Ways! We found it accidentally a couple years ago, and keep coming back. He’s got a jacket covered in pins and patches that is quite the masterpiece thanks to the artists products they sell and the amazing sewing skills of the staff. Helpful, kind and friendly staff.

I love this little store so much - I’ve always ordered online from them as I’m from Long Island, but I’ve visited the storefront twice & have loved my purchases and experience both times. It’s clean, organized, and has a really good selection of trinkets and apparel (my favorite genres of items). Plus the inside is so CUTE. I’ll always make sure to stop here when I’m in the area!

finally made it out to this store and it did not disappoint. literally the cutest stuff in here. soo much to look at between all of the art, stickers, patches, ect. there are a bunch of spots for photo opportunities and they do pop ups and events here. also super friendly staff. highly recommend! street parking available

Literally love this shop. It’s cute, it’s quaint, and really great. Rad might be the best way to describe it. If you are in the market for pins, patches, or sweet thrifted gear then stop by. It’s inclusive and queer friendly space open to all. Best part is it’s locally owned and operated.

What a wonderful and delightful store. The staff were so friendly and helpful too. I also need to praise this store for offering denim jackets in extended sizes, I believe I saw them go up to 4x. Such a rare thing to find these days.

I don't even know where to start! This store is so incredible. I was hooked from the second I walked in with the rainbow on the floor. To the right you will find amazing pizza art work along with a few other fun art pieces. The store is filled with so many fun things made by over 100 different artists. They have everything from patches and pins to pillows and candles. They have jewelry, barrettes, stickers, snacks, clothes, hats, and so much more. They also have pac man you can play for 50cents! Support local! I cannot wait to go back for some goodies!!

I absolutely LOVE this store!!! The selection of items always makes me laugh and I have to use all my willpower to not buy most of the store. Staff are always a delight and happy to answer questions. Overall such a safe space that I always try to stop by when in the area.

A funky shop with an eclectic selection of accessories, stationery, and trinkets. The employees were friendly and I'd definitely come back.

Theres just so much going on here and I love it! It's so fun. I went to get some Christmas presents for a couple friends, thinking it would only have certain kinds of art styles, etc (which is totally fine!) and ended up with a lot more. There's such a fun variety and I spent a lot of time just looking around Lovely place, definitely plan on going back.

Safe Space Alert-- this alternative, laid-back, shop has edgy, artsy gifts and supplies for the activist in your life. Very LGBTQ+ friendly, lots of local artists features-- overall just a really excellent vibe!

This is an awesome shop to find unique gifts! A friend recommended this shop to me years ago.

i bought a cool candle by queer candle company. it smells so good! desert rose! staff is very friendly. i love the selection of candles and gifts. wish they had better tee shirts. nothing caught my eye. i liked the notebooks too. very cute items!

My wife told me about this place when we first moved to CT after discovering it online. A small business with passionate staff is a huge win in my book, and they've got the most rad stuff. Definitely worth checking out if you're into all things pins, patches, stellar art for your wall, dope apparel, etc. - I could rant and rave about this place all day. It's hard to walk in *without* spending money.

Super cool place! They stock a lot of unique brands that I'd looked at online but hadn't seen in other stores. Staff was super friendly. I found some new patches for my denim jacket, a Christmas gift for my sister, and a fantastic Buffy shirt :)

This store was awesome! Most of their items for sale are latches and pins, but from a varirty of artists and over a range of different topics and areas of interest. Prices are a bit high, as is typical for artist made items. Patches ranged from $3 to $12 roughly. They had some vintage pins. They sold stickers and some shirts and art prints as well. A really unique, fun place! I would reccomend!

Thank you from California, Strange Ways! I had been chasing after the Sad Truth Supply "Zissou Sane" enamel lapel pin or back patch for a while, but it was especially hard to track down after Bowie passed away recently (RIP Thin White Duke). I was SO excited to see that a 4" version of the patch was available exclusively through Strange Ways, and luckily I was able to snatch one before they sold out. It is a thing of beauty. Shipping was fast and my item arrived when it was promised. I appreciated the minimal packaging which probably helped my patch go through the mail quickly as it was delivered right to my mailbox via USPS. In checking out the other items they offer on their website, it looks like my husband and I might be making more purchases very soon. If I ever find myself in New Haven, I'll certainly check out the brick and mortar! I could not be happier with my experience with Strange Ways.

This shop is teeny but well organized & jam packed with a variety of artists' swag - mostly: pins, patches, stickers, shirts and keychains. Designs range from benign/kitschy to morbid/sassy (so of course I wanted one of everything). Friendly staff, welcoming atmosphere. New Haven doesn't deserve this place...but I'm so glad it's here and that I recently stumbled upon it on Instagram.

This is a great little spot that fills [some of] the void created in New Haven by the demise of the Tune Inn and Cutler's. Don't come looking for band merch, but instead you'll find ways to creatively express your social and political beliefs.... or just get some goofy flair to stay weird. I have done business with Strange Ways at the storefront and online, and both experiences were stellar. I would challenge anyone complaining about Strange Ways to think holistically before they criticize. I mean, you can complain about their prices, or you can complain about not having any ethical local businesses to support.

Strange Ways is still pretty new but they're already my favorite store in New Haven. Their stuff is truly one of a kind, with tons of amazing products from independent artists (including some local folks). They've got patches, pins, clothes, accessories, home goods, art, zines... And lots of it is American made or exclusive to Strange Ways. You honestly won't find this stuff anywhere else in New Haven, or maybe even the entire state. They also host cool events like live chalkboard mural illustrations, and they have an arcade game in the back with tons of old school games like Donkey Kong and Ms. Pac Man. I like their vintage candy and soda, too, but I especially love that they have locally made cold brew iced coffee... I think they're the only place on that side of town where you can get cold brew. Anyway, I'm so glad Strange Ways exists. I love that I can support a small business full of amazing and completely unique stuff, and I love that they're fostering creativity and making New Haven a more exciting place. Check them out!

Strange Ways is a concept that just about anyone can get behind - off-the-wall (sometimes literally) goods that appeal to those seeking unusual, tongue-in-cheek patches, pins and gifts. What I love about this shop is it's owner Alex and how knowledgable he is about his merch. He's an expert at helping pick out just the right combination of patches and pins to add flair to your denim jacket, backpack or hat. There are several really well thought out features that make this shop at destination for people of all ages; there's a candy bar where you can choose from old hard to find faves like candy cigarettes, an arcade game in the back, and an awesome chalkboard wall that has a rotating roster of work done by local artists. Can't make it to this shop in person? Not to worry - they have a great web shop chock full of affordable pins, patches, tees, stickers, posters, jewelry and more.

Ordered from them online and it was a perfect and easy transaction, fast shipping too. One of the greatest small businesses I've ever had the pleasure of dealing with. Their Instagram is the best too!

Man, I've spent so much money at strange ways, it's not even funny. Great patches and stickers and buttons. Lots of quirky items. Great products for beards and facial hair. One of the best NON-CORPORATE places to get cool men's clothing in New Haven/Hamden (so it you don't want to look like everyone else wearing the same old stuff from Urban Outfitters). Owner is super cool, works with a bunch of artists in the area--I feel like every time I'm in there, he's got someone working on a chalk mural or something. Great boutique for unusual fashion and accessories and local art.

I love this shop. They are quirky and the staff is always very friendly and not at all pushy. My husband bought me a bunch of patches and pins from here for Yule, I love them all. There is so much to look at you can easily spend an hour in what is probably 400 square feet.

Beyond having the best selection of pins, patches, accessories, and clothing, the people who work at Strange Ways (shoutout to you, Alex, you're the GOAT) are always kind and willing to help. I've purchased multiple times before and you KNOW I will be going back for more.

Great, unique selection, fast shipping, A+ customer service.

I've done a lot of traveling and Strange Ways is probably the most original store I've ever walked into. The owner's carefully cultivated an incredible array of patches, pins and other accessories that you really aren't going to find anywhere else, in addition to zines and home goods. It's independent shopping at its best. I also appreciate the fact that it features local artists and if you're looking for an interesting gift, you'll find it here. If you're tired of boring chain stores, Strange Ways is the cure.

Awesome shop! I live over an hour away and make the trip to new haven sometimes just to visit here. Always new products coming in from lots of different small companies you'd never find anywhere else. The owner, Alex, is great, knows his stuff, and is always on the hunt for cool new items to bring into the shop. Ultimately a really cool spot for patches, pins, and lots of other flair items. Definitely worth checking out!

Great selection. Alex definitely takes his business seriously. He is very open to feedback.

A new and fantastic little store full of alternative clothes, pennants, pins, and patches. Stocked full of neat memorabilia and esoterica. A must-visit.

I've bought some badass items from Strange Ways! They've turned me on to independent artists like Daniel Zender and I will continue to support em. Shipping is fast to me in Florida, they have sales and giveaways-you New Haven folk are lucky!

Seems well-intentioned and friendly on my few visits, but also worrisome. Vibe and aesthetic is cookie-cutter hipster - t-shirts with pithy sayings, faux punk accessories, retro video game, Tupac pins (which for White folks=cringe), etc - all while claiming a kind of super-authenticity (we're a small business! part of the community! love New Haven so much even though we've been here one hot minute! yadda yadda)... And all while seemingly directing alot of effort toward bringing more of the same to Westville/New Haven. As someone who has loved this city a long time and wants to see it succeed economically and otherwise, the [Insert Gentrifying Hipster City-burg Here]-2.0 approach is not the stuff of my dreams. Perhaps profitable for some short-term but potentially really corrosive longerterm... (And yes, I do see a spot like this as inherently tied to all development pricing out folks around town; though I expect the shop's defenders will claim they're different things, partly because they haven't lived in New Haven long enough to buy records at Cutlers, which I realize is another story altogether, but still...) I'm all for new blood and new ideas, but not newbies who show up and start tweeting #weridwestville. Westville isn't Austin, or Portland, or even weird, really - which is just fine! Some of us (already) like it and hope it can flourish without imitation as its core framework. When new ventures like this one start doing things like banding together to support actual local folks, especially folks of color, to establish their own businesses, rather than working so hard to rebrand their new neighborhood and attract more people who look like them and who like what they do - think flannel, think tattoos, think beards, think "cold brew coffee" (to be honest, I don't even know what that is!?) - then I'll definitely be inclined to make purchases... but never, out of respect for Tupac, a Tupac pin... UPDATE: I initially rated this as two stars, and then, in full disclosure, received a very thoughtful response from the shop owner, who is clearly reflective and expending efforts in areas I didn't know about fully when writing my post. (Since he responded privately, I want to respect that and not go into detail as to what was said.) I wish him the best in his venture, and certainly appreciate that he read and took seriously my perspective (which I also think could have been less snarky and more generous). Whatever my personal feelings might be about the shop (its wares, aesthetic, etc), I do recognize that it's not easy for small business owners out there, and so I'm adding another star just because of the response and its sincerity and I'll make sure to revisit even this post in a few months time.

Such a fun and cute shop right in New Haven! Every time my boyfriend and I come in we are met such a nice and inviting attitude. This shop is great for pins, patches, and and other things of the sort. 10/10 would recommend!

Strange Ways is such an exciting and dynamic shop, and anytime I'm sporting their unique retro horror shirts or left-field patches it starts the kind of conversations you WANT to have about your outfit. I live in Boston but their online store is totally accessible, affordable, and service is top notch and reliable. I always try to stop in and say hi when I'm in New Haven and the owner always remembers my name! It's a great spot that you should definitely check out, and check back often--there's always something new that you might have never realized you wanted to wear.

Awesome stuff! Amazing shop, very eclectic and sweet hipster stuff. Get it while its h0t.

I've lived in New Haven for a year and I'm...lukewarm on it. This shop opened up a few months ago and has honestly made a big difference in how I feel about living here. It has personality, it's fun, it's different, there's always something new going on, and the owner is really friendly. My husband has a backpack from here, not to mention almost every single tee shirt they've ever carried, and he gets compliments on them constantly. I wore a necklace I got here for our engagement photo shoot. It's also becoming kind of a hang-out spot in addition to just being a neat store. They just got an arcade with like 50+ different games on it, which I LOVE. And they've started carrying vintage sodas and candies--best cream soda ever! I live in East Rock but I've started spending more time in Westville because it's starting to feel more like a cohesive neighborhood instead of just that place with the two brunch restaurants. New Haven needs more places like Strange Ways, and I always feel good shopping there because I know I'm helping support a local business and make New Haven a better place to live.