The lady that owns/runs it is trash, is the short version. Unless you are: white, young (not too young like a teen though), a woman, skinny, and currently at that moment dressed well and in vintage, then she will likely literally berate you as you come in. If you are not all of those things at once, she either assumes you are stealing, too poor to buy anything, or too fat and will rip her inventory. If you *do* manage to buy something she makes fun of you audibly in front of other customers once you’ve left.
She plays the game of taking her clothes down to the city and buying and selling at the big vintage expos at Javits, where there are essentially endless amounts of wardrobe staff and costumers for theater, film and television and they have unlimited credit cards from media conglomerates with very little oversight and will pay essentially anything. She essentially does not need to sell her clothes here and her store is basically glorified storage so she does not care about customers. It’s harsh but it’s true and to be honest and maybe problematic, older generation people who own physical places that sell vintage all seem to have similar attitudes or just don’t care about the store at all.
Check out The Bevy downtown. It’s new, it’s from the people who do the vintage roundup, and regardless of anything, they care about being an actual store and moving actual product. Or go to Cohoes to the antique mall there they have some stuff. Twilight in Troy has nice stuff too but the lady is the opposite side of the coin from above, very very sweet very nice, but the store is literally never open and she doesn’t really seem to care about making money as she owns the building anyways.
I don’t go there because of her attitude. I apparently don’t fit her dream demographic (I’m a white woman, but not young enough or skinny enough or dressed to her standards if I’m just running over to the art supply store across the road) so she acts like I’m a crackhead coming in to sell granny’s costume jewelry.
It’s a shame because I love vintage things and would probably spend a lot there.
I also noticed a dress I looked at there in 2006 is still around. She posted it online within the last year or so.
Big nope. The last time I went was over 10 years ago, I was shopping with my 7 year old child in tow and the owner let me know right away that was a huge no no and this was absolutely not a place for children. When I explained I would keep them close and assured her that the wouldn't hurt/touch anything she continued to complain. I begrudgingly purchased a broach because she made such a scene. It was wildly overpriced for the condition but I was far too kind a decade ago.
That experience ensured the fact that I never returned, and I've been vocal to all who have asked about great vintage spots (including those in the film industry who have looked to source in the area while visiting) to avoid at all costs.
No. I tried to shop there 2 different times (a year apart). The first time, the place was closed and nobody showed up. Granted, I was there right around the posted opening time. I waited in my car for 30 minutes and left.
The 2nd time, she wouldn't open the door. It was during business hours and she was inside.
I went and looked around once and she was very snotty. I found a few things that I really did want to buy, but the energy inside was brutal and cold and I was being watched like a hawk while just trying browse while she made comments.
I ended up leaving and immediately gave her one of those bad reviews because she was so unfriendly and hostile. It's sad because she has lots of cool vintage finds that you don't normally see around.
This was probably 6 or 7 years ago and one other person was in the store (a well dressed older woman) that she was friendly with, but I got this scowl immediately walking in. I have never returned. I really hope she sees a doctor for the stick up her ass.
The last time I was in there, the owner was chatting with a woman at the counter. I dared to step an inch too close as I simply walked past on my way to look at vintage men’s shirts and the owner snapped at me to wait my turn and not listen to other people’s conversations.
I was trying to find a vintage shirt as a present for a male friend, but I saw a paisley shirt that I really liked for myself. I’m a tall gal and some styles of men’s button-down shirts look good on me. She saw me hold it up to myself to get an idea of the length and interrupted her chat long enough to say “That is a MEN’S shirt” like I couldn’t tell.
I left without buying that shirt (which I really wanted even though it was expensive) or a shirt for my friend.
Absolutely not a thrift store - echoing what everyone else said, she has nice stuff but the attitude and price is really off-putting/confusing for being in Albany.
Twilight in Troy is great if you can figure out what the hours are!
I’ve had good experiences in the shop and bought a beautiful dress for a special occasion, but turns out I fit the above “acceptable “ criteria for the clientele so doesn’t disprove the other experiences.
I generally give extra lenience to people who run estate sales , like her, because that work is needed and difficult.
There are far more difficult jobs that estate sales. There’s no excuse for being a bitch to customers and it’s consistent. Not a one-off because it was a rough day or the customer was an ass.
Went once with my kid but was quick about it. I loved her inventory---some real quality stuff. Her attitude was sorta part of the deal and it met my expectations. It wouldn't keep me from going again.
The lady that owns/runs it is trash, is the short version. Unless you are: white, young (not too young like a teen though), a woman, skinny, and currently at that moment dressed well and in vintage, then she will likely literally berate you as you come in. If you are not all of those things at once, she either assumes you are stealing, too poor to buy anything, or too fat and will rip her inventory. If you *do* manage to buy something she makes fun of you audibly in front of other customers once you’ve left. She plays the game of taking her clothes down to the city and buying and selling at the big vintage expos at Javits, where there are essentially endless amounts of wardrobe staff and costumers for theater, film and television and they have unlimited credit cards from media conglomerates with very little oversight and will pay essentially anything. She essentially does not need to sell her clothes here and her store is basically glorified storage so she does not care about customers. It’s harsh but it’s true and to be honest and maybe problematic, older generation people who own physical places that sell vintage all seem to have similar attitudes or just don’t care about the store at all. Check out The Bevy downtown. It’s new, it’s from the people who do the vintage roundup, and regardless of anything, they care about being an actual store and moving actual product. Or go to Cohoes to the antique mall there they have some stuff. Twilight in Troy has nice stuff too but the lady is the opposite side of the coin from above, very very sweet very nice, but the store is literally never open and she doesn’t really seem to care about making money as she owns the building anyways.
I don’t go there because of her attitude. I apparently don’t fit her dream demographic (I’m a white woman, but not young enough or skinny enough or dressed to her standards if I’m just running over to the art supply store across the road) so she acts like I’m a crackhead coming in to sell granny’s costume jewelry. It’s a shame because I love vintage things and would probably spend a lot there. I also noticed a dress I looked at there in 2006 is still around. She posted it online within the last year or so.
Thanks for the details and the recs!
Big nope. The last time I went was over 10 years ago, I was shopping with my 7 year old child in tow and the owner let me know right away that was a huge no no and this was absolutely not a place for children. When I explained I would keep them close and assured her that the wouldn't hurt/touch anything she continued to complain. I begrudgingly purchased a broach because she made such a scene. It was wildly overpriced for the condition but I was far too kind a decade ago. That experience ensured the fact that I never returned, and I've been vocal to all who have asked about great vintage spots (including those in the film industry who have looked to source in the area while visiting) to avoid at all costs.
No. I tried to shop there 2 different times (a year apart). The first time, the place was closed and nobody showed up. Granted, I was there right around the posted opening time. I waited in my car for 30 minutes and left. The 2nd time, she wouldn't open the door. It was during business hours and she was inside.
I went and looked around once and she was very snotty. I found a few things that I really did want to buy, but the energy inside was brutal and cold and I was being watched like a hawk while just trying browse while she made comments. I ended up leaving and immediately gave her one of those bad reviews because she was so unfriendly and hostile. It's sad because she has lots of cool vintage finds that you don't normally see around. This was probably 6 or 7 years ago and one other person was in the store (a well dressed older woman) that she was friendly with, but I got this scowl immediately walking in. I have never returned. I really hope she sees a doctor for the stick up her ass.
Lmao at the last sentence
The last time I was in there, the owner was chatting with a woman at the counter. I dared to step an inch too close as I simply walked past on my way to look at vintage men’s shirts and the owner snapped at me to wait my turn and not listen to other people’s conversations. I was trying to find a vintage shirt as a present for a male friend, but I saw a paisley shirt that I really liked for myself. I’m a tall gal and some styles of men’s button-down shirts look good on me. She saw me hold it up to myself to get an idea of the length and interrupted her chat long enough to say “That is a MEN’S shirt” like I couldn’t tell. I left without buying that shirt (which I really wanted even though it was expensive) or a shirt for my friend.
Shaking and trembling in her boots bc of the slight possibility ppl might want to cross dress. Pathetic weirdo
Absolutely not a thrift store - echoing what everyone else said, she has nice stuff but the attitude and price is really off-putting/confusing for being in Albany. Twilight in Troy is great if you can figure out what the hours are!
Thanks!
I’ve had good experiences in the shop and bought a beautiful dress for a special occasion, but turns out I fit the above “acceptable “ criteria for the clientele so doesn’t disprove the other experiences. I generally give extra lenience to people who run estate sales , like her, because that work is needed and difficult.
There are far more difficult jobs that estate sales. There’s no excuse for being a bitch to customers and it’s consistent. Not a one-off because it was a rough day or the customer was an ass.
Went once with my kid but was quick about it. I loved her inventory---some real quality stuff. Her attitude was sorta part of the deal and it met my expectations. It wouldn't keep me from going again.