Store of used construction goods

Blogger samsebeskazal writes: “Today I visited the most unusual hardware store in my life. I don't even know how to properly name it. They sell what remains useful when the old house is demolished, or what remains unnecessary after repairs in the apartment. There is a lot of old furniture, but this is not an antique shop. There are a lot of building materials, but this is not a repair shop. To understand what it is, imagine a large supermarket, such as OBI, where there is everything from plumbing to boards. Now imagine that all this is old and has already been used by someone in construction, after which it was dismantled, cleaned and now it is being sold again. It also lies on the shelves with pasted price tags. Of course, this Brooklyn store does not reach the scale of a real supermarket, but nevertheless, the range and variety of goods sold there are really impressive.”

(Total 60 photos)

Source: Journal/samsebeskazal

1. At first glance, the idea seems somewhat insane, but this is only at first glance. In fact, this is a well-thought-out business. There are a lot of good and high-quality things that people just throw away under certain circumstances. America would not be America if there was not a person here who decided to make money selling them.

According to statistics, 19,000 tons of construction waste are disposed of every day in New York. It is clear that 90 percent is rubbish, but the remaining 10% are things that are quite suitable for further use. Recently, I was walking past the Kaufman Film Studios in Queens. Opposite the back entrance there were two huge dumpsters in which the scenery used during the filming was dumped. Huge sheets of thick plywood, doors, windows, boards, etc. All of this is in excellent condition. It stood for a month in the form of the interior of the house and went into the trash. It, of course, is no longer suitable for decoration, but it can be perfectly used as draft building materials.

The New York company BIG!NYC built its business on this. The main idea is the recycling of building materials. It helps to save nature and earn money. What else is needed for happiness. The assortment consists of everything that can be reused in some way during repair and construction: furniture, doors, plumbing, etc. They collect something in houses that are being prepared for demolition, something is given to them by construction contractors, and something is given to them by ordinary people who simply feel sorry for throwing it in the trash. Most of the things are old, but this is not because they gravitate towards antiques, but because they used to do it for centuries, but now they don’t know how. The company itself is registered as a non-profit, so all donors get the opportunity to deduct part of the amount from their annual taxes as spent on charity. Then the company sells all this through its stores, keeps part of the money for operating expenses (most of it), and gives part to charitable organizations.

2. Upon entering, it seems that you have entered a large antique shop. But it's not. Furniture stands in the center of the hall, but interesting things begin on the sides.

3. Department of paints. More precisely, a small fragment of this department. Someone bought paint, used half a can and the rest, instead of throwing it away, handed it over to the store for free. As a result, everyone wins. You bought paint cheaply, the city didn't have to dispose of it, polluting the environment, and the store earned its pretty penny.

4. Department of tiles and dry mixes. They also sell marble cuts.

5. Glasses and mirrors.

6. Batteries. Old. Cast iron. Almost eternal.

7. An interesting cast-iron stove-stove that runs on wood or coal. The price is 500 dollars.

8. Department of kitchen furniture. From a simple $10 inconsistency.

9. To quite decent kitchen sets. Quality furniture, not chipboard.

10. Chest of drawers and two cabinets. $400 for a set.

11. Antique fireplace mirror. Expensive - $ 2,300. But this is the last century.

12. Chic antique mirror of incredible size. This is far from being included in every apartment. $2,250.

13. The most expensive thing in the store. Entrance doors. Mid 19th century $11,000.

14. Piano for $200. Has already been sold.

15. Buffet for $170. In IKEA for this money there will be a cabinet made of sawdust.

16. Sink from the beginning of the century with separate taps. Debile British system. $175. Like cast iron. Needs resurfacing.

17. Faience sink (well, or whatever it is called) - $ 195.

18. Department of plumbing.

19. This is real beauty. Old sink with art deco faucet. Bronze with gilding. Made in Italy.

20. The whole set is $1,100.

21. Door frames.

22. Balusters. Including cast iron for street stairs.

23. Platbands.

24. Racks. This, as I understand it, the remains of someone's repairs.

25. And all this is a lot. The shelves are parquet and laminate.

26. Boards from some old and very hard wood.

27. Department of household appliances. Everything here is more or less modern.

28. From the old only working Hotpoint refrigerator from the 30s for $335.

29. Hobs. The right double shocked by the price - 585 dollars. For the beushka! Produced by Gaggenau. I don't know such a company.

30. Quality old loops.

31. Handles and accessories.

32. There are a lot of shells. From antique to very modern.

33. Here is an old toilet I would disdain to buy.

34. To understand the volume. On the left are pieces of linoleum and carpet.

35. Funny freestanding urinal.

36. Stainless steel sinks. Made of thick and high quality, not Chinese foil.

37. Department of light.

38. Table lamps.

39. There is a book department.

40. Where there is even a shelf with books about Russia.

41. Old vinyl.

42. Dishes.

43. Carriage 1910. The upholstery needs to be changed, but everything else is in excellent condition. $125.

44. Chairs.

45. Windows.

46. Tables. The lower one with six chairs sells for $300.

47. As in every self-respecting store, there is a sleeping cat that you can pet.

48. Old barber chair.

49. With an ashtray!

50. I called it "grill chair". Surprisingly expensive thing - $ 250.

51. Used light bulbs!

52. The neighboring hall is full of doors.

53. There are more than a thousand doors. Everything is wood, not paper with veneer.

54. Walnut Doors - $9,000

55. Where can you buy this now?

56. The price depends on the size, condition and configuration. On average, a decent canvas goes for $100.

57. Another store was found across the road. There I found the most beautiful gas stove and oven for $300.

58. Great kids bike with leather handles for $40.

59. And an unidentified motorcycle.

60. And in such places you feel like not just a buyer, but a real explorer. When you dig up some old trifle for a couple of dollars, you rejoice like a child. Even if you don't need it at all.