Stooping NYC: 30 Times People Left Treasures For Others To Find On The Curb

Bored Panda was very interested in finding out what New Yorkers do once they physically end up in front of some awesome stooped things. Many of these objects are quite large, and the city is vast, so we were curious about the logistics of getting the interesting finds back home.

"The adventure of getting the item home is part of the fun of stooping!" the curators of the 'Stooping NYC' Instagram account told Bored Panda.

"People use any and all ways! Subway. Citibike. Skateboards. Ubers. Friends. Strangers," they said that New Yorkers are very flexible and creative in this regard. "We’ve seen it all!"

We also wanted to find out if there's an ebb and flow to stooping throughout the year. For example, we wondered whether spring cleaning somehow amplifies the number of things that get left on the curb.

"If there is one thing we’ve learned is that stooping is a full year-long event in NYC. There is no offseason," the curators opened up to us.

The one thing that puts a slight damper on things is bad weather. But even then, the Big Apple is buzzing with activity.

“We’ll get less if it rains, but even that doesn’t stop New Yorkers. I would say that the end and beginning of months and going into spring tend to have more volume, but really, this is an everyday event!”

Case in point, at the time of our conversation it was raining in NYC, but the curators had their inbox full of hints about interesting stooped items!

Over 8.3 million people live in New York City, and it’s not the cheapest place to reside, so it’s no wonder that stooping is so popular. Stooping is straightforward, good for your wallet, and eco-friendly.

First, there are tons of people who want to get rid of unwanted things. Leaving something on the sidewalk for others to take is far cheaper and quicker than throwing it out, selling it, or donating it to charity. Simply put, it’s less of a hassle to ‘donate’ it to your neighbors.

Secondly, because NYC is such an expensive city, some folks look to cut costs wherever they can. Bringing good-looking furniture you found on the street home with you can save you a bit of cash. If you’re thrifty, patient, and flexible, you could potentially decorate your entire home without spending so much as a single cent.

Then again, don’t forget that you’re competing against a lot of other people. Getting what you want is partly a matter of luck and partly comes down to you being faster than everyone else rushing to nab that great find.

Third of all, there are the ecological aspects of stooping to consider. We’re big fans of eco-friendly designs and initiatives. Stooping essentially is an eco-friendly way to recycle all kinds of items in a sprawling city.

The fact that it’s become so normalized and destigmatized means that it can happen on a massive scale with hardly anyone batting an eye. And an item that gets another chance at life in another home means that it’s one less item that gets produced, transported, and bought from a store.

All that being said, you still have to be conscious of what you’re bringing home. The last thing you want is to find out that the plush couch you dragged halfway across the 5 boroughs has a family of rats living in it. And not the type to help you make French dishes in the kitchen. Inspect whatever piece of furniture you find before you take it with you. 

Though many people stoop things that are in decent shape, not everyone is as socially conscious. Some individuals leave genuinely horrible quality, dirty, nasty furniture and items on the sidewalk. Stuff that probably nobody wants—and nobody should bring home. But that’s not stooping. That’s just leaving unwanted trash in a public space.

Real stooping is about maintaining some level of quality and respect for others. 

The ‘Stooping NYC’ account has 464k followers on Instagram. It was created by an anonymous couple based in Brooklyn who run the page and actively interact with their massive community to this very day. The entire project is a creative outlet for them. During an earlier interview with Bored Panda, the couple said that New York City is akin to a “main character in and of itself.”

“As the account has grown, we’ve been able to not just show some of the amazing treasures from across the 5 boroughs, but also incredible stooping successes, also giving followers a peek into how New Yorkers live. Because of that, I think the concept continues to appeal to those inside and outside of the city,” the couple share their thoughts on the account’s stellar success with us.

The curators of ‘Stooping NYC’ are genuinely very careful about what stooped items they feature on their account. It’s a lot of responsibility! "We try our best to only post pieces that look like they are still in decent condition and could be great for a new home. In addition, we stay away from things like mattresses, knowing that we don’t have the full history and want to ensure that the items people grab are fit to be rehomed,” they told us.

Meanwhile, we were curious about what advice they'd give someone who's just moved to NYC and would love to take part in the stooping tradition to get their hands on some great finds.

“First, follow @stoopingnyc on IG, turn your notifications on to ensure you’re alerted to the best finds as they’re posted, and finally, get ready to run when you see something that catches your eye!” They stressed the fact that speed is incredibly important.

Tons of people are constantly moving in and out of apartments in NYC. This leads to a lot of item traffic on the curb as folks decide to get rid of unwanted things. The Instagram users following ‘Stooping NYC’ tend to love anything high value, colorful, unique, and weird the most. However, it’s not just locals based in the Big Apple who follow the account. The project has followers from all over the world who love to watch the NYC hustle and bustle from afar.

Which of the stooped items that we’ve featured in this list caught your attention the most, Pandas? Do any of you live in NYC? Have you taken part in the legendary stooping tradition yet? If so, what are the most unique items you’ve brought home with you? We’d love to hear your thoughts, so drop a comment or two if you have a moment!

For some more stooping goodness in NYC, check out Bored Panda's previous articles.

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