Old doors, salvaged sinks, slabs of freshly cut lumber, and stacks upon stacks of books all share one sprawling warehouse floor. Every piece got a second chance instead of a one-way trip to the landfill.
The stock changes daily, so the shelf you browse this morning won’t look the same next week. Every visit feels like a treasure hunt, minus the map and plus a parking lot.
I like how this place speaks to two kinds of New York hobbyists at once. Bookworms can leave with armloads, and DIY folks can leave with the bones of their next project.
I can’t imagine a better day-trip errand for anyone who loves building, sewing, fixing, or reading. The real question is how high you’re willing to stack that cart before somebody tells you to stop.
A Nonprofit Warehouse Where Almost Everything Gets A Second Life
Big Reuse is a nonprofit store for salvaged and surplus building materials, appliances, and furniture, all sold at a discount. It sits in Brooklyn, right beside the Lowe’s parking lot, and it feels more like an indoor flea market than a typical thrift shop.
The mix is gloriously random. On one trip you might spot doors, window frames, sinks, cabinetry, and filing cabinets sharing space with toys and tableware.
Then there are the books, which deserve their own fan club. Book lovers come up constantly when people talk about this place, and the shelves explain why.
Clothing, records, CDs, electronics, housewares, and kitchen gadgets round things out. Pet supplies and odd bits of hardware show up too, depending on what came through the donation door that week.
Nothing here is curated like a boutique, and that’s half the fun. You dig, you squint, and you occasionally gasp at something you didn’t know you needed.
For New York makers and fixers, that unpredictability is the draw. You arrive with a vague plan and leave with a project, a stack of novels, and a slightly overloaded trunk.
Keeping Good Stuff Out Of The Landfill Is The Whole Mission
Shopping here quietly doubles as an environmental good deed. Every chair, door, and paperback on the floor is something that didn’t end up in a dumpster.
That’s the point of the whole operation. Big Reuse frames its work around a zero waste mission, keeping usable materials circulating and affordable for the community.
The organization has been around long enough to have history in more than one borough. Longtime shoppers remember an earlier Queens location and other Brooklyn spots before the current home on 12th Street.
Earlier locations reportedly carried more renovation materials. Today’s store leans a bit more toward home furnishings, though lumber and fixtures still have a strong presence.
Even the building wears the message. A zero waste mural was created on site through a community partnership, so the walls practically announce what happens inside.
Composting is part of the picture too, with composting classes offered. For hands-on New Yorkers who already patch, mend, and repurpose, the place feels like a natural ally.
It’s nice to shop somewhere that shares your instincts. Here, buying used isn’t a compromise, it’s the whole idea.
Book Shelves So Deep You Might Lose An Entire Afternoon
Books get mentioned more than anything else when people talk about Big Reuse. That says a lot for a store that also sells sinks and stoves.
The section is incredibly large, and records sit nearby to tempt music fans as well. Walking away with a stack is easy, and walking away with nothing feels nearly impossible.
One shopper went in for picture frames and came out with The Power Broker too. Robert Caro’s famously hefty book is a fitting symbol for this place, since your arms will get a workout.
The store has also said its book department is expanding. More shelves, more spines, more reasons to clear your Saturday.
Physical media fans aren’t left out either. CDs and records turn up alongside the paperbacks, so collectors can hunt in two directions at once.
Quilters, sewists, and woodworkers should keep an eye out for craft and how-to titles. Nothing is guaranteed, because inventory changes daily, but browsing is half the joy.
A tip from experience shared by fans of the store: take it when you see it. Hesitate on a book today, and someone else may own it tomorrow.
Lumber, Doors, And Windows Ready For Your Next Weekend Build
Woodworkers, pay attention. Big Reuse stocks freshly cut lumber and cut trees, which open the door to some truly one-of-a-kind projects.
Slab cutoffs show up too. Picture a small side table, a cutting board, or a rustic shelf, and you’ll see why DIY folks circle this section.
Salvaged doors and old window frames lean against the walls like architectural puzzle pieces. Some become doors again, and others become headboards, wall art, or garden frames.
Kitchen and bath cabinetry, faucets, sinks, and assembled fixtures fill out the renovation side. For a budget rehab, that combination can stretch a limited budget surprisingly far.
Fair warning, though. A lot of what’s sold here works best for people with tools, skills, and a little patience.
Drawers may stick, finishes may need love, and hardware may need swapping. That’s not a flaw for true makers, it’s an invitation.
If you already own a sander and a stubborn streak, you’ll feel right at home. Everyone else might leave with a new hobby they didn’t plan on.
Crafters Can Quietly Raid The Housewares And Clothing Racks
Sewists and crafters, this part’s for you. The clothing section is on the smaller side, but turnover is high and the store says it’s expanding.
For anyone who upcycles garments or harvests fabric, that steady churn matters. A rack that looks thin today could hold the perfect thrifted shirt for a quilt square tomorrow.
Housewares are another happy hunting ground. Mugs, cups, kitchen gadgets, tableware, and utensils all turn up regularly.
Picture frames have been spotted at low prices, which is great news for anyone who displays embroidery or small art. Stationery and creative supplies appear here and there too.
Electronics and toys share space with all of it. The result is a store where a crafter can gather materials, display pieces, and a gift in one lap.
Shoes and odd accessories occasionally show up as well. Nothing is predictable, which keeps return trips interesting.
Keep an open mind and loose project plans. The best finds here usually suggest the project, rather than the other way around.
Old Paint Cans And Dead Electronics Finally Get A Proper Exit
Half-empty paint cans lurk in almost every New York closet. Big Reuse offers a responsible way to deal with them.
The store accepts used paint for recycling and proper disposal. It also sells paint in all sizes, so you can drop off old colors and pick up new ones.
That’s a small miracle for anyone who’s been dodging a basement full of leftovers. It’s also handy for crafters who need just a little paint for a furniture flip.
Electronics recycling is available too. Tangled cords, retired gadgets, and outdated devices can be handled properly instead of going in the trash.
These services make the store feel bigger than a shop. It’s really a community resource for keeping toxins and useful materials out of the landfill.
Plan a little before you load the car. Check current guidelines for what’s accepted so your drop-off goes smoothly.
Bundling errands is the smart move here. Recycle the paint, browse the books, and grab some lumber in one satisfying trip.
Donating Has A Few Ground Rules Worth Knowing First
Timing is everything with donations. Big Reuse stops accepting them at 5 PM, even though the store stays open until 7.
Show up at 5:30 with a carload, and you’ll be driving it right back home. Set an alarm if you’re the procrastinating type.
Free pickup exists, but it has limits. The store prioritizes larger donations, since NYC traffic, parking, and building access make every trip costly.
Upholstered pieces are a common sticking point. Most couches and upholstered furniture aren’t accepted, and recliners can be a no as well.
A single bookshelf might not qualify for pickup on its own. Bundling items together could make your request a better fit.
Smaller drop-offs are a different story. Bags, bins, household goods, and creative supplies are exactly the kinds of things that keep the shelves stocked.
Read the donation guidelines before you haul anything. A few minutes of planning saves you from wrestling a sofa back up three flights of stairs.
Bring Patience, Maybe A Mask, And A Treasure-Hunting Mood
Calm and tidy? Not exactly.
Big Reuse is big, busy, and a little visually overwhelming, especially on a first visit.
Some areas are packed with boxes and shelves you’ll need to dig through. That’s part of the charm if you love the hunt.
Dust comes with the territory in a salvage warehouse. Allergy-prone shoppers might want to bring a mask, just in case.
Summer heat can build inside too. A portable fan and a water bottle are smart companions on steamy days.
The music can run loud at times. If you like quiet browsing, consider earplugs or an early visit.
On the bright side, the staff gets warm marks for friendliness and helpfulness. Volunteers help out as well, so cleaning up after yourself is a kind move.
The store also hosts a discount board near the front that changes regularly. Seasonal sales pop up, so it’s worth a glance before you start piling things into your cart.
Open Every Single Day, Right Beside The Lowe’s Lot
Good news for weekend warriors and weekday browsers alike. Big Reuse is open seven days a week, from 10 AM to 7 PM.
You’ll find it at 1 12th St, Brooklyn, NY 11215. The store sits right next to the Lowe’s parking lot, near the east side entrance.
The entrance is off 12th Street, not on the side closest to the subway. Knowing that ahead of time saves a confused lap around the building.
Driving makes sense if you plan to shop big. Lumber, doors, and furniture don’t love the subway, and neither do your fellow riders.
Remember that donations close at 5 PM. Shoppers can keep browsing until closing, which makes evening trips perfect for a quick book run.
Online shopping is also available for anyone outside the borough. Upstate New York makers can scope out bigger pieces before committing to the drive.
Signing up for the newsletter can help you get first dibs on new arrivals. In a place where items vanish fast, that head start is gold.
Bring A Friend, Because Somebody Has To Hold The Other End
Prices here are generally reasonable compared with other NYC thrift stores. That’s how a modest budget turns into a cart that refuses to stay balanced.
Not everything is a steal, of course. Some larger pieces and appliances carry heftier price tags, so judge each find on its own merits.
Still, the overall math favors curious shoppers. Paperbacks, frames, housewares, and project wood can add up fast without draining your wallet.
Big Reuse rewards people who love making things. Woodworkers, upcyclers, sewists, and book collectors will each find their own corner to obsess over.
Casual browsers can have fun too. Just know that what you see today may be gone tomorrow, so decisive shoppers win.
For New York hobbyists who value reuse as much as a bargain, this warehouse feels like kindred territory. Every purchase keeps something useful in circulation.
So clear the back seat and recruit a helper. That burled wood dresser or stack of lumber isn’t going to lift itself, and neither are forty paperbacks.
