Cancel

    Open app

    Search

    The Thing

    3.9 (89 reviews)
    InexpensiveMusic & DVDs
    Closed 10:00 am - 7:00 pm
    Updated 1 month ago

    The Thing Photos

    You might also consider

    Recommended Reviews - The Thing

    Your trust is our priority, so businesses can't pay to alter or remove their reviews. Learn more about reviews.
    Yelp app icon
    Browse more easily on the app
    Review Feed Illustration

    Reviews With Photos

    Anthony G.

    Eclectic record/ book/ old knick knack shop in the Greenpoint section of Brooklyn is a bit of a mess to shop around. There is the main level then the creepy, tight spaced basement which is wall to wall records. It's a bit stressful since everything is kind of all over the place and nothing seemed to be labeled by genre or alphabetical order so if looking for something specific, good luck. Also, I didn't see any prices on anything so I was a bit on the fence about purchasing anything. Don't want to pick out a record or book, bring it to the counter and find out it's $200. If vinyl is your preferred method of listening to music then you'll be in heaven shopping here. Me? Well I need a bit more organization. Need the less, it's still an interesting place to check out.

    Stacks upon stacks upon stacks.
    Robert S.

    My verdict on The Thing? Would never have known to go in there had I just been passing by. Looks like a trashed thrift shop from the outside. Most of the records are downstairs, though there are hundreds, maybe thousands upstairs, too, in the back. So they must easily have the most records of any shop in NYC. But they've also got to be the least organized. With stacks upon stacks upon stacks of records, this place really requires serious crate digging to find stuff. And there's zero rhyme or reason to the way the vinyl is basically shoved into crates and shelves. I had to blow mouse droppings off any records I took from the very top of the stacks. And by the time I left, I wished they had one of those emergency showers outside for chemical burns to clean the filth off my hands. Still, worth a trip, especially if crate digging is your thing. The other thing I should point out: Every record, no matter what you find is $2. So you will get your money's worth for the work, that's for sure.

    "it's a beautiful life!" - $2 at The Thing. 2 vinyl remix compilation with a black and white gateway foldout. "oh yeah - all right!"
    Tyler S.

    This place is a Hot Mess, if ever there was one. It's not for the faint of heart. While I was there I spotted two dudes (who I don't think were together) who were poking around in those masks that you see on people who are doing surgeries, painting cars, and on sometimes on asians walking in big cities sometimes to prevent getting germs (?). I don't know if these gents always wear these masks, or just do so at The Thing - but it may not be a bad idea wearing one if you come here. I should note that I LOVE crazy, disorganized junk stores. That, and the score of treasures I got for $8 necessitates my 4 score. By the way, on the same day, I spent more money for one piece of vinyl, with skips, at Academy. My discs from The Thing were in perfect condition and one was never even opened. My review is for the Vinyl, primarily, because most of the junk at the front of the store is just that. There appears to be absolutely no method to the madness of how the vinyl is shelved and "organized." Records are facing backwards and forwards, shelved upside down and in absolutely no sense of alphabetical or musical category order. I decided to just give myself to the musical goddess and let my ringers run along the spines of vinyl, occasionally stopping to see where I landed. I walked out with a doubletruck 2 disc remix collection of Ace of Base jams, an unopened copy of DIANA by Miss Ross, and a copy of Lisa Lisa's Spanish Fly in Mint Condition. For $8! Bring your own bag(s)...

    The Thing
    Erwin B.

    Wow.....well.... I'm sure everyone has written about the ungodly mess, but I'm going to review the records themselves If you're a DJ that still lugs around records crates from gig to gig, first of all, I salute you....you're a real DJ. Second, you really need to come to this place. This has probably all the 12" single hip-hop, disco, dance, etc. in the world. Im' telling you, you can probably make a killing if you specialize in old school 90s rap and hip-hop. I found a sealed copy of Kris Kross' Totally Crossed Out....SEALED. They have everyone from Ini Kamoze to Snow to Puffy to Ace of Base to Jay-Z to Brandy. Live out your middle school dances and your brace-faced awkward days. If you buy them by the bulk, you can probably get a deal from the already cheap $2 a pop record. That's how great this place can be.

    Basement full of never ending vinyls
    Rose Y.

    I'm definitely a fan. If you're a vinyl record fan, you'll definitely love this place. There's a basement full of uncategorized records, so of course the search for whatever you're looking for will take time to find. The 1st floor also has some records along with a lot of "old stuff" that might be on the expensive side. I plan to go back and make a day of it just to go through the records!

    Jessica G.

    Don't come here if you're not a certified digger/thrift shopper. I came with my boyfriend who wanted some records but I was over it pretty quickly. I must admit that it was cool to take a walk down memory lane by looking at old hits that many of us have forgotten. Come here if you have time to browse and get lost in the past. Don't come here if you have a dust allergy or easily bothered by clutter. Pros: - Vast collection of vinyl records and other random items Cons: - Most vinyls are singles and not albums - Lack of organization - Cluttered assortment - Dirt and dust

    upstairs room of vinyl

    AHHH!!! This is one of my favorite stores in the whole world!!! I live in Philly but when I'm in Brooklyn I always try to stop by. Last time I was there I got some sweet vintage coasters, a stack of slides and a CHICKEN COOP! Yes, that's right- An antique chicken coop! See the photo! Why do I like it so much? Because they sell stuff you never see at thrift stores: Action figures, comic books, VHS porn and peoples' old photos, slides and documents. I love looking through old scrapbooks, schedulers and correspondence! The basement is a legendary vinyl spot (see photo) that is not for the claustrophobic! Some of the funniest album covers I've ever seen were at The Thing. I almost feel like I shouldn't be hyping this place because I really don't want it to be picked over. I guess I shouldn't worry since most people don't buy slides!

    Outside The Thing, fall '08. Items on sale, having no room inside the store, begin to fill the street.

    See all

    2 years ago

    Was here today. The basement is no longer accessible and the back part of the upstairs was sectioned off.

    Helpful 2
    Thanks 1
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0
    Photo of Randall M.
    29
    716
    706

    5 years ago

    Helpful 4
    Thanks 0
    Love this 1
    Oh no 0

    3 years ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    3 years ago

    Helpful 1
    Thanks 0
    Love this 1
    Oh no 0

    9 years ago

    Helpful 16
    Thanks 0
    Love this 18
    Oh no 0

    10 years ago

    Helpful 11
    Thanks 0
    Love this 14
    Oh no 0

    8 years ago

    Helpful 37
    Thanks 0
    Love this 29
    Oh no 0

    13 years ago

    Helpful 4
    Thanks 0
    Love this 4
    Oh no 0
    Photo of Robert S.
    107
    24
    9

    12 years ago

    Helpful 3
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    8 years ago

    Helpful 4
    Thanks 0
    Love this 4
    Oh no 0

    10 years ago

    Helpful 1
    Thanks 0
    Love this 1
    Oh no 0

    13 years ago

    Helpful 1
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    8 years ago

    Helpful 4
    Thanks 1
    Love this 3
    Oh no 2

    9 years ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0
    Photo of Jessica G.
    359
    39
    72

    10 years ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 1
    Oh no 0

    6 years ago

    Helpful 2
    Thanks 0
    Love this 2
    Oh no 0

    17 years ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0
    Photo of Dan H.
    297
    24
    0

    7 years ago

    Helpful 2
    Thanks 0
    Love this 1
    Oh no 0
    Photo of Sean F.
    11
    20
    19

    9 years ago

    Helpful 1
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0
    Photo of Evan M.
    4
    59
    24

    16 years ago

    Helpful 4
    Thanks 0
    Love this 4
    Oh no 0

    16 years ago

    Helpful 5
    Thanks 0
    Love this 5
    Oh no 0

    17 years ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 2
    Oh no 0

    14 years ago

    Helpful 4
    Thanks 0
    Love this 5
    Oh no 0

    19 years ago

    Helpful 2
    Thanks 0
    Love this 1
    Oh no 0

    18 years ago

    Helpful 2
    Thanks 0
    Love this 2
    Oh no 0
    Photo of Eric G.
    11
    42
    0

    10 years ago

    Helpful 3
    Thanks 0
    Love this 1
    Oh no 0

    8 years ago

    Helpful 1
    Thanks 1
    Love this 1
    Oh no 1

    18 years ago

    Helpful 3
    Thanks 0
    Love this 3
    Oh no 0

    11 years ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 8
    Oh no 0
    Photo of Michael R.
    303
    102
    105

    10 years ago

    Helpful 1
    Thanks 0
    Love this 1
    Oh no 0

    8 years ago

    Helpful 2
    Thanks 0
    Love this 2
    Oh no 0

    18 years ago

    Helpful 1
    Thanks 0
    Love this 3
    Oh no 0

    16 years ago

    Helpful 1
    Thanks 0
    Love this 3
    Oh no 0

    16 years ago

    Helpful 1
    Thanks 0
    Love this 1
    Oh no 0

    15 years ago

    Helpful 1
    Thanks 0
    Love this 1
    Oh no 0

    12 years ago

    Helpful 1
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0
    Photo of Frankie B.
    1032
    10
    0

    17 years ago

    Helpful 2
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    19 years ago

    Helpful 1
    Thanks 0
    Love this 1
    Oh no 0

    13 years ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0
    Photo of Bre L.
    45
    80
    8

    16 years ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    Page 1 of 3

    The Thing Reviews in Other Languages

    Ask the Community - The Thing

    Google says it's "temporarily closed" yet there is a review from June 2021. Which is it? Is it open now or not?

    I just called this am and got a recording saying it was "temporarily closed" and "hoping to open in the next few weeks." Glad I called before I schleped down there

    View All 2 Questions

    Review Highlights - The Thing

    I never even made it to the basement which i was told has 30-50 times more records than what I looked at!

    Mentioned in 15 reviews

    Read more highlights

    You might also consider

    Verify this business for free

    People searched for Music & DVDs 3,392 times last month within 15 miles of this business.

    Verify this business

    Night Owl Video - Storefront

    Night Owl Video

    (7 reviews)

    Williamsburg - South Side

    As a cinephile, I recently visited Night Owl Video in Williamsburg - a retailer of all things film…read more(DVDs of all types, cassette, t-shirts, VCRs, books) especially of a rare and vintage type that you can't just simply buy at Amazon or Walmart. Store is well organized separated by new DVDs, UHDs, Blu Ray, cassettes and Used. In addition, there is a large selection of the Criterion Collection which is a cinephile fav. Prices are fair and saw used DVDs in the $10-$12 area. Night Owl has a deep social media presence. Also a decent collection of non-DVD items such as books, horror t-shirts, buttons and VCRs and older DVD players (which are all hard to find these days in working condition). For movie fans, Night Owl Video is a stop for you. About a 10 min walk from the L/G station at Metropolitan. Also can walk from the L Bedford as well.

    Really cool spot, has a pretty cool collection of midnight movies on DVD, blu-ray, books, other…read moremedia. Some hard to find items too, as others have noted. Any fan of physical media should stop by. Reasonable price on Criterion blu-rays, although the price is a lot better online/B&N during their 50% off sale, when most people purchase their Criterion discs. Space is a bit cramped but navigable. It could be spruced up and un-deadened, but it clearly wants to look like an old video store. Baffled by the unfriendly staff and the lack of cool events. Their early aughts looking website might be part of the vibe. However, the key to success for this type of place in 2025 is fostering some level of community with neighborhood residents. I watched as people simply left as a guy behind the counter, silent and glaring, proceeded to ignore everyone while taking loud call after call on his phone, pacing the small space. Hasn't much improved since the summer, which is a shame. They should check out the *wildly helpful and friendly* service at twenty sided store next door, and watch how service can be both friendly but non-suffocating. I always get a "hello!" I always get an explanation, I always get a "let me know if there's anything you need!" which is why I go back there, over and over, when I don't really play boardgames.

    Bookoff - New York

    Bookoff - New York

    (459 reviews)

    $

    Midtown West

    Really cool bookstore to hang out around. Tons of figurines, video games, toys, pokemon cards, and…read moreof course books. Great $1 book section. Tons of big name authors there!

    Buying and Selling at Book Off What a cool store. So much to…read moresee. Unfortunately, it is lousy to sell at and expensive to buy at. First, Selling. I brought in three statue items unopened in the original packaging. I checked on ebay for what the items sold for (not asking price but sold price) and it added up to about $600, I lugged the items over there and had to leave them there because they wouldn't get to them right away. The people/kids working there were very nice. I went to have lunch and got the text to return, and they are offering $150. So I picked up the items and turned down the offer. Again, they were very nice, it's just I wasn't willing to accept 25% of the value. I figured at worst it would be 50%. But I am better off getting closer to the actual price on ebay. Now, Buying. Lots of very expensive and exiting things to get, and I didn't have time to price check things so much, but my son is into the Nintendo switch and i spotted a used Marvel VS Capcom game he might like. It was $34.95. But just in case, I pulled up Amazon and looked the game up. A brand new one costs $21.79. So it would have been a terrible idea for me to buy it there. I guess if you are leaving work and need a quick gift, you might stop in and pay too much for an item. If you are in real trouble and don't have time to wait for an Ebay sale, you might consider selling your collectables for 25% the value, this place might come in handy.

    The Thing - musicvideo - Updated May 2026

    Loading...
    Loading...
    Loading...