The details:

131 BERRY ST., WILLIAMSBURG
BROOKLYN NY 11249-3018

Walter’s Wonders – The Lowdown

While there’s no shortage of vintage shops peppered throughout Williamsburg, in-the-know hipsters from across Brooklyn descend on the Berry Street fashion staple when in search of a unique and eclectic addition to their boudoir. Entering the store feels a bit like embarking on a scavenger hunt in Aladdin’s Cave, except that Walter’s version is stocked with pricey one-of-a-kind pieces you’d pay a small sum for to boost your street cred. Think an authentic Cutthroats Motorcycle Club leather jacket, or a Christian Dior sable fur cape. Like any good vintage store, the sifting process takes time – you only get out what you put in. The expansive collection of clothing, shoes and accessories ranges from $20 logo t-shirts to pricey outerwear and rare designer pumps and boots. Owner, Walter, is a legend of the 80’s New York nightlife scene, having DJ’d at former hot-spots such as Danceteria and The World. He also opened East Village punk stalwart, Pyramid Club. Perhaps, as a result, the store’s a mecca for the Burning Man crowd, often keen on snapping up a metallic bomber, kimono, fringed vest, aviator hat and matching goggles, or a Hugh Hefner-inspired smoking robe.

Also for sale are pieces of the neighborhood’s history: old street signs, rare antiques and jewelry. Owner, Walter, can frequently be seen rearranging the merchandise on the sidewalk, or chatting with the locals on their way home from the L train en route to the wall of skyscrapers lining Kent Ave. Drop by over summer on the way to seasonal outdoor foodie market, Smorgasburg.