Vintage Shopping In Freidrichsain, Berlin- Germany
Berlin vintage shopping ranges from expansive second-hand warehouses, Sunday markets to boutique stores dedicated to 1950's America. Friedrichshain is a part of Berlin's borough of Friedrichshain-Kreuzberg, and like Kreuzberg across the river it has its own distinct character. Following the fall of the Berlin Wall in November 1989, the free elections in March 1990and leading up to German reunification the following October, Friedrichshain began to develop a reputation as a young, dynamic district, thanks in part to low rents attracting students and artists.
Freidrichsain is my favourite district boasting a vast array of vintage, vinyl, homeware, comic book shops, cafes and pop up galleries condensed into one colourful neighbourhood. You can meander around Freidrichsain easily by foot, perusing the vintage shops and stopping for a coffee or Fritz-Cola at one of the many cafes that line the streets. Here's a look at Freidrichsain's vintage shopping highlights:
Rocking Chair Vintage: Easily, hands down my favourite vintage shop in Berlin (well from the shops I got chance to visit!) If I were to stock my own shop selling all my favourite 1950's gowns, bathing suits, jewellery and accessories, Rocking Chair is pretty close to exactly the type of gear I'd be selling! There was an excellent menswear section boasting a carefully chosen array of cowboy shirts, country/ western style clothing, Hawaiin shirts, Pilot jackets, 50's cardigans and sports jackets. The average dress price was around 90- 110 Euros, each piece lovingly kept/ preserved, mostly dating from 40's & 50's and the environment was a joy to shop in! (Location: Gabriel-Max-Str. 13, Boxhagener Platz, 10245 Berlin-Friedrichshain)
Humana- First Class Second Hand: Five floors devoted to second hand clothing. The first floor was a bit 'grannys old knickers' o.k maybe not that gross, but fairly naff old high street gear. It was all about the fourth floor, the fourth floor is split into 50's, 60's, 70's & 80's there were some fabulous dresses, the average price was around €35 for a dress. (Location: 5-3 Frankfurter Tor Berlin-Friedrichshain)
Gabriel-Max-Strasse Park Antique/ Vintage Market: We stayed on Simon-Dach Strasse, just near to the small park where the market is held on Sundays. The market sells everything from 1950's dresses priced around €50, skirts €45, to secondhand bicycles, excellent signage, furnishings, lighting, pah so much! If you're around Friedrichsain on a Sunday it would be well worth checking out. (Sundays- Krossener Strasse/ Gabriel-Max-Strasse Park, Friedrichsain)
Revaler Strasse 2nd Hand Market: Situated in a vast graffitied open space surrounded by old mill buildings. This market was swingin' the band provided a lively soundtrack, stalls sold everything from peoples old brick-a-brack to real vintage 70's afkan coats, Arron sweaters. Prices were super affordable. (Sundays- 9-14 Revaler Strasse, Freidrichsain)
Sir Henri- Second Hand Shop: Selling mainly mens jackets, including old skool Adidas, velvet jackets, leather biker jackets, old retro style baseball style jackets this was a shop for the boys. They also had a nice range of old high top trainers. Prices seemed very reasonable. (47 Der Grunberger Strasse, Freidrichsain)
My Feet- Second Hand Shop: A small shop with a good selection of 60's & 70's ladieswear, dresses, skirts, tops & accessories plus bike hire available!!. Clothing & accessories prices range between €10-45. The street that My Feet Second hand shop is on is great for vintage shops, with a whole bunch of shops and cafes. (Der Grunberger Strasse, pretty much next door to Sir Henri)
'Like all great travellers, I have seen more than I remember, and remember more than I have seen' -Benjamin Disraeli