Queens Goodwill Outlet Brings the Bargains!

I used to consider myself a thrift store aficionado. I would frequent Housing Works, Angel Street, Buffalo Exchange, and countless hole-in-the-wall consignment shops hunting for bargains. Little did I know, I had been missing out on one of the city's greatest second hand shops: the Queens Van Dam Goodwill Outlet.  A friend of mine told me about it a few months ago and I finally took my first trip out there this Friday.

Just a few blocks from the 33rd St/Rawson Street 7 train stop in Queens, the Van Dam Outlet is one of the city's best kept secrets. Just like any other retailer, Goodwill receives new (well, actually used) merchandise via donations on a continual basis. Merchandise that isn't selling in a Goodwill store is taking up valuable floorspace that could be occupied by better selling products. This slow-moving merchandise needs a place to go. And that place is their outlet store.

It's a no frills venue. Unsorted clothing is tossed into large blue bins and customers take their chances rifling through the hodgepodge of men's, women's, and children's duds. Clothing sells for 1.69 per pound. Several scales are placed throughout the warehouse-style store so that customers can weigh their finds. There's also several bins filled with shoes, bags, and belts. These items sell for 1.79 per pound.

I know what you're thinking: a store full of Goodwill's rejects probably has very little to offer. But on the contrary. A little digging uncovered an All-Saints vest, Burberry slacks, and Tory Burch blouse among the bins. Unfortunately, none of those fit me, but keep reading to see the amazing stuff $10 bought me at the outlet.

An Economist's Tips on Finding Good, Cheap Restaurants

Tyler Cowen is the not the first person I would think to consult about finding a great restaurant. He's  a professor of economics at George Mason University and author of New York Times best-selling e-book The Great Stagnation as well as writer of critically-acclaimed economics blog marginalrevolution.com. But his genuine love for food combined with his background in economics have made him an unlikely expert on the subject. He recently authored An Economist Gets Lunch: New Rules for Everyday Foodies which covers everything from how food in America became so bland and mass-produced (he blames prohibition, strict immigration laws, and kids!) to why Mexican food tastes different in Mexico and the US. His insights into how supply and demand, cross-subsidies, and technological advances influence food is fascinating. I picked up the book at my local New York Public Library to educate myself on the economics that drive food.
My favorite chapter by far was "The Rules for Finding a Good Place to Eat" which offers practical tips for finding good, cheap restaurants. Here are some highlights:

1. Eat at a restaurant on a side street: Restaurant owners, like the rest of us, have to pay rent. Rent along the long avenues, where there is heavy foot traffic compared to side streets is exorbitantly more expensive than on side streets. And that cost is factored into the price of each meal. A restaurant located on 5th Avenue and one just around the corner on say, 50th Street may have the same quality food but the one on 5th Avenue will have to priced their dish higher to accommodate the higher rent. Plus, chances are that if a restaurant is surviving on a side street without the business of the multitude of tourists who eat at places on main streets, it is probably pretty good!

Free Gloves at American Apparel

American Apparel is giving away more free stuff! All you have to do is text "Apparel" to 23000. Then you'll recieve a confirmation text that entitles you to one free pair of fingerless gloves. The gloves are super warm (you can choose between an acrylic or wool blend) and are perfect for texting. Plus they come in a whole slew of fun colors! They sell for $12 dollars so be sure to stop in before December 10th when the promotion ends! Happy shopping!