Shop of the Week: Hamlet’s Vintage
Hamlet's Vintage is celebrating its one year anniversary this summer – a proud mini-milestone for an indie-run boutique in these times. Owner Hamlet Tallaj first opened a pop-up on West Broadway during the 2007 holidays. Shoppers responded warmly to his mix of men's and women's boots, sandals, tees, button downs, dresses, jackets, jeans, accessories and so forth, so he set permanent roots in a wee space on Bleecker Street.
What Hamlet's Vintage lacks in size, it makes up for in spunk and selection. Hamlet changes up the merch several times a week, so you never know what you're going to find here: Black suede ankle boots with silver studs that are so of-the-moment? Check. Token '80s threadbare tee from a random New Jersey ice cream shop? Check. Full-length velvet and tulle tiered ball gown? Check. Men's seersucker dinner jackets, Italian army coats and '70s Lacoste windbreakers?? Well, you get the idea.
Not only is the assortment one-of-a-kind and ever-changing (thanks to his savvy cross-country buying squad), it’s affordable, too! Like, $25 affordable. So there's no guilt factor – just good times as you comb through the crammed racks and shoot the breeze with Hamlet and Travis, his fluffy Border Collie Husky (and the official business mascot). If you're unable to stop by the store but curious to see what's in stock, the shop's Facebook page has an up-to-the-minute stream of Hamlet's latest fashion finds.
Hamlet’s Vintage
162 Bleecker Street
New York, NY 10012
July 2009
Paper Magazine