November is not typically the time for the story of a rebirth, but don’t tell that to the folks at 3rd & B’zaar.
Originally opened in November 2020 by Maegan Hayward, Delphine Le Goff, and Sara Rutherford during the pandemic, 3rd & B’zaar started as an idea to create a pop-up holiday market.
“We had a lot of friends who were out of work, and we gathered a group of about 30 vendors, including some other stores, like ‘Exit 9,'” Hayward recalls. “It did well — people were nesting and buying things for their homes.”
They decided to keep it going, mixing up the vendors every few months and switching things up by renting the space out for art shows and other events. Its eclectic nature became its identity and the decor was greatly enhanced the day that East Village artist Scooter LaForge walked in. “Do you mind if I paint the walls?” he inquired.
They did not mind at all, and in no time, the place was transformed with his trademark mix of classic and kitsch, with much of the imagery based on Hayward’s tattoos. The place was usually full of enthusiastic customers, especially when a TikTok influencer inspired enough people to form a line around the block.
As time went on, changes led Hayward to take a break, as Rutherford had moved and Le Goff was too busy with other projects.
“I wanted to simplify things and just concentrate on the East Village Vintage Collective [her other shop on East 12th Street],” she explains. The decision was made to rent out the space to one of the vendors for a year, but that didn’t exactly work out.
Five months later, they were out under unpleasant circumstances, and Hayward devised a new business model for the place.
This is where Alex Carpenter, Hayward’s life partner and the manager of East Village Vintage (EVVC), comes in. As a now full partner of 3rd & B’zaar (who mostly deals with the finances), he went straight to Nina Burns to manage the shop.
“Nina was a vendor at the store’s previous markets and had managed EVVC. She had worked for us for many years and was the obvious choice,” Carpenter relates.
This time around, the revamped shop will feature only eight vendors and will be open regularly on Saturday and Sunday, unless vendors decide to open on off days (check their Instagram for that info). The focus is on vintage and secondhand garb, although various accessories like Le Goff’s advertising charm necklaces and Carpenter’s artwork can also be had there.
The vendors include Danielle Chalk, who concentrates on lingerie and says that “3rd & B’zaar is my kitschy, eclectic paradise.”
“Banding behind small & local businesses is more critical now than ever,” she adds. “And this one’s woman-owned. My brand, Wild Strawberries, is the evolution of a suppressed woman realizing that self-expression can not be externally defined or moderated. To help others bloom in this landscape is more glory than I ever hoped to see unfold.”
Jordan Davidson has a brand called Vela Dare.
“It specializes in petite vintage fashion, pieces for people 5’3 and under. As someone who is 5’2, it’s hard to find pieces that fit straight off of the rack. My hope is to help others find pieces they love and feel confident in,” Davidson says. “Vela Dare is Latin. It’s the only thing I remember from my class in college, which I failed! It means ‘to give wind to the sails.’ Vela Dare started as a passion project for me during a particularly difficult time. I’m a health journalist and author, but creative endeavors that promote community like this are what put the wind in my sails.”
Samantha Rodriguez and Sophia Grande-Campbell “have been passionate about vintage for a long time.”
“Making our debut at 3rd & B’zaar felt like it was meant to be,” they say. “Being a part of this community of vintage vendors and small businesses in the East Village is truly special. The second I walk into the store, I feel the warm and welcoming energy, and I know others feel it too.”
April Howard of Kingdom Of Brooklyn Vintage says, “We like to think of ourselves of ‘vacay vintage’ experts. Whether it’s hiking in New England or lounging in Saint Barts, we’ve got you covered, from caftans to cozy Irish sweaters. We curate unique vintage treasures from around the globe to style you for every adventure.”
m. iamartino and LZ Maday have a label they call Slow Poems Press, where they “curate vintage and explore forms of radical publishing with slowness in mind. We have both (separately and together) always been drawn to collaborative spaces—we’re involved with music, art, and performance spaces in Brooklyn and elsewhere—so it feels fitting for us to join an operation like this where vendors share time, space, labor, and resources. Slow Poems Press focuses on un-gendering clothing and we curate our selection for our own sensibilities, offering lots of 100% cotton + natural fibers, a wide range of sizes, and we repair unique pieces that need a bit of love.”
Nina Burns started her fashion journey in the modeling and entertainment industry. “I went to fashion school, studying visual merchandising at LIM and I managed BZ’s sister store East Village Vintage Collective. I’ve also managed Artists & Fleas and am currently the Senior Producer at Saks. I’ve has always taken a liking to dolls, dress-up, and sustainability which made me want to curate my own shop.”
Noting that their main goal is to promote the community and local brands, Hayward also mentions that “it’s really a little family that we’ve created.”
Howard concurs, pointing out that, “We’re surrounded by such a special group of people. Last weekend, I had the joy of chatting with so many community members who are thrilled that we’re back open—it’s like a big family reunion where you get to raid grandma’s closet at the end.”
More information can be found online at the 3rd & B’zaar website, 3rdandbzaar.com.
