New UES Thrift Shop Offers Funky Fits, For A Good Cause

UPPER EAST SIDE, NY — Mike Aylward isn't your average entrepreneur, and Thrift NYC isn't your typical Upper East Side retailer.

The neighborhood's newest thrift store quietly opened up in mid-February in an East 84th Street storefront just east of Second Avenue, formerly home to an architecture office.

"We want to make fashion like a fun game for people," said Aylward, the shop's 22-year-old founder and executive director. "They can experiment with different outfits and styles, and keep it affordable as well."

A Brooklyn native and avid skydiver who previously worked as an Airbnb host, Aylward stumbled into the thrifting world somewhat by accident. More than a year ago, he founded a nonprofit aimed at improving the environment, and quickly discovered that running a thrift store is one of the simplest ways to raise funds.

So, last year, Aylward opened up a store on the North Shore of Staten Island, an area where he has family ties. But the reception was muted and foot traffic was limited, leading him to close down the shop after a few months.

Then, Aylward stumbled upon the open storefront on East 84th Street. Moving to the Upper East Side was "the best decision I ever made," he told Patch, noting that sales have increased tenfold compared to Staten Island.

With all net revenue supporting Aylward's nonprofit — also called Thrift NYC — he plans to focus his organization's efforts on Upper East Side improvement projects, like hiring a street sweeper for Second Avenue. ("I'm still looking for the right person," he said.)

Specializing in vintage clothing and household trinkets, the shop's wares are sourced from a mix of donations and Aylward's weekend visits to estate sales and flea markets.

Those searches can occasionally yield hidden gems. At a recent garage sale, Aylward spent $3 on a vase that he later learned had been produced by the famed Austrian firm Wiener Werkstätte. Its true value? About $7,000. (The vase is now sitting on Thrift NYC's shelves, waiting for a buyer.)

Since the garments are curated, Aylward says Thrift NYC boasts a more unique selection than typical thrift shops — recently-added items include fringe leather jackets, a set of vintage cocktail materials, high school varsity jackets, and '70s-style men's shirts with long collars that "look like they’re from Saturday Night Fever," Aylward said.

Lest anyone doubt his commitment to the neighborhood, Aylward just took a dramatic step to prove it. After discovering that the apartment directly above the store was vacant, he signed a lease last month to move in.

"It’s a lot better than commuting an hour and a half," he said, referencing his current trek from Brooklyn. "I just have to walk down the stairs."

Thift NYC is open daily at 305 East 84th St., between First and Second avenues. Learn more on its website or Instagram.