Say Word?! The RealReal Just Opened in Brooklyn
I was leaving my fave plant store, The Sil on Pacific Street in Cobble Hill and was heading to my beloved Trader Joe’s when I spied with my cat-eyed lined eyes a new store across the street. I scurried across Court Street to see a brand new the RealReal store in all its glory.
Color me surprised. You mean to tell me I don’t have to head to Soho for my designer consignment goods? I can just walk down to Cobble Hill to gawk at a Dior Bobby bag? Is this gentrification or just the fact that second-hand shopping in Brooklyn has always been cool? Millennial and Gen-Z shoppers aren’t really down for spending full price for items anymore- this shift was happening pre-pandemic. Hence why there is the shell of the old Barney’s store around the corner that closed in 2019.
I perused around the store and I chatted with an associate. I asked, “who opens a store in a pandemic?” Apparently, the RealReal is doing incredibly well in the age of COVID. It is a publicly-traded company with an IPO of $300 million. It opened three new stores in 2020 — in San Francisco, Palo Alto, and Chicago — and plans to open ten more in the coming quarters, with Brooklyn being the first in the new year.
The new store isn’t as big as the flagship store in Soho but it’s very much in step with the Brooklyn aesthetic. And its offerings are very Brooklyn with casual and bohemian styles and a dedicated vintage section with certified-old and “vintage-inspired” pieces.
You’ll find Hermés, Burberry, and Ulla Johnson in the ready-to-wear women’s section and the men’s section gives me ‘gorpcore’ vibes- you know, the “Good Ol’ Raisins and Peanuts” camping chic style with utilitarian gear.
Before heading to pick up your snow snacks at Trader Joe’s, pop into the RealReal especially if you’re already missing Bird which unfortunately didn’t survive the pandemic and closed after 21 years in Cobble Hill last month.
The RealReal
163 Court St, Brooklyn, NY 11201
Hours: Monday- Saturday, 10AM- 7PM
Sunday 12PM-6PM
