Review: Suay Sew Shop Thrift Market
A new version of Secondhand Society Substack.
Hello, hello, hello! It’s been two years since I last posted here, and I’m excited to be back. I’m in Los Angeles, where there is such a thriving secondhand and vintage scene. In the two years since I started writing this - thrift has exploded. Stores I went to before are overrun, and TikTok is now ThriftTok.
The new iteration of the Secondhand Society Substack, until I get tired of it, will be reviews of IRL stores, with information you really want - how nice are the employees? What is the buying experience like? Is there somewhere to pee?
Where: Suay Sew Shop
About: Suay is an incredible space that just moved its HQ from Frogtown to Downtown LA. I stumbled upon its new location, but it’s quite well-known. It offers very unique things - repair, incredible homewears, and has a flea market each Saturday and Sunday with vintage and thrift. They also offer Community Dye, which means that each month they have awesome colors to dye any clothes you want, pricing a-la-carte.
905 Mateo St
Los Angeles, CA 90021
(323) 928-2424
Hours of Operation:
Thrift Market:
10AM-6pm SATURDAY
10AM-5pm SUNDAY
Parking:
Easy street parking.
Website + EComm:
https://suayla.com/
Offers e-commerce for home and remade items.
Prices:
Extremely fair. There is fixed-pricing, which means each category is a fixed-rate. Last week I got a tee shirt for $15. Much better pricing than many other stores.
Organization Level:
The vintage fair is impeccably-organized, which I appreciate. It’s also outside for the Covid-conscious or those who want to get a little sun. You don’t really have to do any picking.
Difficulty Level:
Easy for a newbie.
Staff:
Friendly and chill.
Dressing Rooms:
Large tent-like structures created as pop-ups. Lots of space inside. Large mirrors. Somewhat of a wait because there are only two, but moved fast.
Bathroom:
Port-a-potties but they graciously let you use the nice bathroom inside if you’re convincing.
Dogs: Very dog-friendly.
Bean came! The asphalt is hot on her paws though.
Other Thoughts:
There are couches to sit on outside in the shade which is nice and chill. There is often a drink cart, coffee station, or other snacks.
Rating (a scale of one to five vintage tees, with five being great):
For sure a 5. For the price, if you’re a newbie, plus parking and friendliness.
👕 👕 👕 👕 👕