‘Stooping NYC’: 30 Times People Left Treasures For Others To Find On The Curb (New Pics)
InterviewIf you’re visiting New York City for the very first time, you might be confused and amused by all the things that people leave on the sidewalk in front of their buildings—and not just furniture! Stooping is an old NYC tradition where, instead of throwing something out, folks leave awesome things for others to take home.
That’s where the popular ‘Stooping NYC’ Instagram account comes in. It documents photos of some of the most beautiful and unusual treasures spotted on the curb and also informs people when something valuable gets stooped. We’ve collected some of the most interesting finds to share with you, Pandas. Scroll down to check them out!
Bored Panda reached out to the anonymous couple from Brooklyn who run the fab 'Stooping NYC' account, and they were happy to answer our questions. Take a look at what they told us below.
This post may include affiliate links.
Will It Fit On The Subway? Off Of 12th St. And Broadway In Manhattan
I cannot even imagine someone selling these telephone boxes, much less giving them away.
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!"
Such A Cool Set. Clinton Ave Close To Gates Ave
Whoever Claimed This, You’re Living A Wednesday Addams Fantasy. Cornelia Street Between Broadway And Bushwick Ave
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!
Next Level Beautiful! Corner Of Ave A And 9th St In The East Village
It’s A Perfect Day For A Stoop Concert!! 1297 Bergen. A Wurlitzer With Actual Ivory And Wood Keys
A friend once had an old piano. Nobody played it, so she decided to get rid - offered it on freecycle, several times, but nobody took it. So, she stripped it to pieces. The wood was for burning, but, as she was 'crafty', the keys (ivory) made wonderful carved pendents and brooches. (it wasn't as fancy as this one - just an old upright)
We Know This Is A Perfect Solution For Some Of Our New Yorkers! 42 Hicks Street
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.
I Gasped. 73 Skillman Avenue Between Lorimer And Leonard These Are Out Now
That's Gold Right There. Park Pl Between Classon And Washington
Our First Jet Pack! 5th Ave - Between 2nd And 3rd - Park Slope
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.
We Missed This One Earlier! Anything Still There??? 87 Havemeyer
Here Is Why You Need To Be Quick On Your Feet In These NYC Streets Of Gold!someone Sent Us This… And Sent Us The “Never Mind, It Just Got Taken!”
I'm hesitant to take anything with upholstery. You never know what could be living in it. Remember that episode of The Big Bang Theory? Penny finds a chair on the street and chaos ensues. :)
Aaaaaand I’m Dead. The Beauty!!! 78 Halsey Brooklyn
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.
Does It Come With Lessons? Free Functional Loom With Slightly Broken Caster (Can Be Fixed) Sitting On The Porch Of 456 E 18th St In Brooklyn
This Has Been A Great Stooping Day If We May Say So Ourselves! Cute Desk/Table At 106 And Central Park West
There Are Pianos And Then There Is This Piano. Someone Please Rescue This Beauty! Corner Of Gold & Nassau In Brooklyn
Most old pianos are like a sailboat. One has to pour a lot of money into them the get them functioning and they still sound horrible. And if it was left outside in the elements?
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.
Bring A Friend! 394 Degraw St
Alert. Alert. Alert! Egg Chair With A Stereo Input. Ask Questions Later! Goooo! 27 S. Oxford St
I have wanted one of these for years! There is a serious need to just sit in one of these and cover the front with a blanket; makeshift forts for life, is essentially all I’m saying.
For Some Of Us This Is Just True During Halloween And For Some Of Us This Is True Year Round. 7th Between 4th & 5th Park Slope
If only there were bananas in that box so we knew how big it was.
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.
Free Guitar Is A Free Guitar… Little Love And Someone’s Gonna Be Happy! 151 St And St Nicholas
Omg. Barbie Eat Your Heart Out. 5th Ave B/W 16th And Prospect Ave!
The Question Is… What’s In The Trunks?? On The Corner Of 145st & St Nicholas Ave
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.
A Globe That Opens Into A Bar (Thus The Globe Bar) Is One Of Our Faves. Here Is One Getting Wet On The Corner Of 135 And Adam Clayton Powell
This Is Barbie’s Dream House… It’s Not Called Ken’s Dream House. 7 E 14th St
Stunning Mirror!! And A Shelf Too!! 56th Street Between Lexington And 3rd
I would rent a truck and roam the streets if I lived closer as many of these items featured are simply breathtaking with many in perfect, or close to, condition as well!! And all of the plants too!!!
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.
So This Is Something. W85th By The Consulate
Cute Seat! West 15th And 7th In Manhattan
Classic
My father-in-law gave my wife exercise equipment a few times. Each one would just be used as a clothes rack until she got rid of it. I was at their house one day when my mother-in-law came outside where I and my father-in-law were relaxing and told him she'd like to have their concrete patio covered with wood. He told her it wouldn't work because it wouldn't drain when it rained. She was okay with that, and went back in the house. I told my father-in-law that I'd make a deal with him. I knew how to fix the deck the way she wanted so it would drain just fine, but I wouldn't tell her about it if he'd quit giving us exercise equipment.
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.
I’m Equal Parts Confused And Intrigued… What Is This?! 10th Between 6/5th Avenue
Somebody went crazy with spray foam and painted it green. And then stuck knives in it apparently?? OK.
You Either Have A Huge Basement Or Are Opening A Really Fun Bar. Crosby Between Broome And Spring
It’s Still There!!! West 25th St B/W 7th & 8th Ave In Chelsea
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.
Super Cool. A Japanese Pachinko Machine. Don’t Know If It Works! 118 W72nd
When in Japan years ago they had Pachinko Parlors with rows of these machines like slots in a casino. They're fun to play.
Well This Is Amazing. South Side Of W 76th Between Columbus And Central Park West (Closer To Central Park West)
Another Pic Of The Great Piece On 12th And Greenwich
Even If You Don’t Have A Bird I’d Take This. 9th Ave Between 18th/19th
From A Few Hours Ago But Too Good Not To Post!! Hope It’s Still There. 3516 34th St. West Side
Cute Is An Understatement
How Have We Never Used This Song Before. Located On 58th Between 3rd And 2nd Ave
For People Who Don’t Like Their Neighbors. On Putnam Ave In Between Onderdonk And Woodward Ave
So Chic!! West 16 Between 7th And 8th
Legit Couch On Willoughby Between Waverly And Washington
This is the exact shaped couch I've been wanting to buy, but I'm not sure what terms to use in my google search
Vintageeeeee! 89 East End And York
Trashing This Is Crushing.on 180th Street Across The Corner Of The Radio Hotel
Holy Shit! A Trumpet, Flute And This Awesome Stringed Instrument! 99 Devoe In Willliamsburg
Ummmmm?!?!? 76th Between 2nd And 3rd
Carbon monoxide in the apartment lead to ‘ghostly apparitions’ that were attributed to their recent purchase, most likely?
What’s Going On Here? Wrong Answers Only. 159 Hoyt St
Not the Squishmallows!! Hopefully some kids give them good homes. Those big ones are expensive.
What Mcm Dreams Are Made Of… On 8th Between Carroll And President
A Stooping Classic… The Globe Bar. Clifford And Calyer St In Greenpoint
Why do people give things like this away? They can get great money for it. Beautiful and I miss mine that my dad gave away when I moved☹️
Cold But Cute! Corner Of Nostrand And Hancock
Giant Mirror (And Desk). 143 Lefferts Place
Start A New Hobby For Free!!! Hanson And St Felix Street
Ooh, a Singer! My mom's got a fairly old one of those - once, she accidently dropped it on a curb while transporting it. Thing was fine! Not a single dent. May have broken the curb though :)
Late Night Book Club!!! Dumpster Full Of Books On 41st Bw 7th And 6th Ave
Perhaps the 'returns' that weren't even worth returning. Looks like multiple copies of the same 2 books.
Amazing Pottery!! The Location Is 325 W 11th Street (Between Greenwich And Washington Streets)… More To Come
If we fits, we sits. If we don't fits, we get stucks, and holler for the soft can-opener.
Anyone In Need Of A Casual Snake Lamp?! You’ve Come To The Right Place… 17th And 7th
Laser Discs? I Missed That Era. Spotted On Bleecker Between Central And Evergreen In Bushwick
The Vintage Finds Near 241 Cumberland St
What A Great Dining Set! 93 1st Place In Carroll Gardens
We Don’t Know Enough About Skate Boarding… But Surely This Shouldn’t Be Trash Right??? 332 Rogers Ave
For Those Who Think Three’s A Crowd. 2 Chairs And A Table Between Irving And Greene Bushwick
Tons Of Records Outside Scorpion Records In Ridgewood. 792 Onderdonk Ave
Up And Down. So Many Ways To Sofa This Sofa. 77th Between Broadway And West End
Save Them!!! On The Corner Of Throop And Dekalb Rn
Getting Watered! 46th Street Between 9th And 10th!
The Stoops Are Green This Morning!! Free Plants On 121st Between Morningside Ave And Manhattan Ave
Pretty In Pink!! Pink Velvet Futon On York Between 90th And 91st. Looks Pretty Clean
Swipe For The 2nd Half! 2nd Ave Btwn 10th And 11th
Love the colour. Looks comfy and beautiful. Better than my sofa that costed around $800! I want this one. Why is there so much free nice stuff there. Never things like this in Norway, and no one would even consider giving away anything on this list.
We’re Told This Is A Homemade Kids Costume But It Could Def Pass For A Sick Sculpture. 6th Ave Btwn 9th And 10th Streets. Park Slope Brooklyn
Great Get And Great Condition! 3rd St And 6th Ave
“If Women Ruled The World” Ai Art Project! 25th Between 5th And 6th
Why would you bother to actually print pictures created by AI and then just throw them out?
Haul Outside Jackson Street Between Leonard And Manhattan In Williamsburg
Calling All My Kings And Queens. Very Majestic Chair In Greenpoint, On Dupont Between Manhattan And Franklin
Holy S**t Moment! 2nd And 18th
@mpuette Just Put This Monstera Out At Amsterdam Ave Between 106 And 107 In Front Of Bahn
Pretty In Pink. Two Chairs In Great Condition And One Ottoman In Mediocre Condition On Cpw Between 98th And 100th
Red Alert!!! Bill Murray Signed Poster On 17th St And 3rd Ave
Stoop Concert Ready!! Nw Corner Of 72nd And 1st
We Have Questions. Free (We Think So)? Works? Can A Professional Photographer Tell Us More About The Camera In The Comments? 369 Bleecker
Great Stoop! In Two Bridges /Chinatown In Between Cherry And Rutgers
I Mean Obvious Question But… What Is Happening Here??? 235 East 12th St
Evidently White Claw Is Leaving A Bunch Of Stuff All Over The City Today. This White Claw LED Sign And Box Is On The Corner Of Bedford Ave, Broadway & S. 6th Street
Sadly Urgent!!! Gerbils On Nevins Between Baltic And Warren. Stooper Thinks They’re Abandoned. Someone Go Rescue Them
This Is Every Year Actually. Usually The Last Couple Of Days Before Christmas. Lorimer Street Across From The Grand Mccarren
Is Using This Stoop To Set Up A Bar A Weird New Year’s Resolution? Asking For A Friend… 14th St Between 3rd And 4th Ave
Omg. We Missed This Last Night! Worth Checking For You Seinfeld Fans. East 3rd, First House Right Off Beverley
I Think It’s Safe To Say That This Is A Need Not A Want. Corner Of 3rd And 75th Next To The Starbucks(Bay Ridge Parkway)
Goodness I Love You People And NYC. Human Sized Wearable Bday Cake Dropped In Front Of The Nbc Observation Deck
Forget Lies Only… Wtf Is This??? I’m Never Sleeping Again. 226 New York Ave
It either says Switzerlang or Switzerland… either way, I know what country I’m not visiting in my lucid dreams!
Annnnd Your Holy Shit Moment Of The Day. On St. Marks Place In Manhattan Btwn 1st & 2nd Avenues
These Are Original Phoebe Buffay’s Yall
Thinking Of Spring? On 84th Street Between West End And Riverside Drive
32 Jars Of Gefilte Fish? That’s A Stooping First. Corner Of 108th St And 64th Rd
Come On Barbie, Let’s Go Party… 231 Cumberland St Full Barbie Party Decor -Light Up B Flamingos Inflatable Palm Trees
We’re Supposed To Know Who This Is Aren’t We? Southwest Corner Of 23rd Ave And 28th St
Tag Someone Who Loves Sushi! 93rd Between 1st And 2nd
Haul Alert!! On The Left Side Of Guernsey Between Norman And Meserole (Greenpoint)
These Boots Were Made For ____? Size 7 “Experimental Theatre Boots On E 4th Outside Of The Kraine. With Love From The NY Neo-Futurists”
Art On Stoops Has Been Controversial On Here! How We Feeling About This One? 148 Frost
Happy New Years, Stoopers!! 340 E. 84 Street Between 1st And 2nd Ave
Looks Like The G/F Stop On Hoyt-Schndnwndnenxndn (Not Even Going To Try To Spell It!)
This Is A Stooping Success Of A Different Kind
I Think We Can All Agree… This Is Not Trash! Life Size Cutout Of Margot As Barbie On Rutland Rd Btw Nostrand And New York Ave
Merry Christmas? Union And Conselyea
Sometimes The Stoop Of The Day Comes At Night… 28th Between 5th And Madison
For Our Brass Heads Out There. 51 West 75th
I Don’t Think You Understand…i’m Obsessed. 100th Street Between Riverside Drive And West End Avenue
The Most Hype Stooping Success Yet?
Any Rihanna Stoop Is A Great Stoop. Martense And Rogers (130 Martense)
Just Incase You Find Yourself In A Byog(Raveyard) Situation. N6th Btwn Driggs And Bedford In Williamsburg
It's junk pick up in my neighborhood. My kids walk to school. So far, we have a snowboard with no bindings, a creepy mirror I'm 90% sure is haunted, a toddler's plastic slide (my youngest is 10, his legs are longer than the slide), and a fabric footstool that smells like dead racoon. He wanted to put that in his room.
WHY? Why do people leave these treasures on streets? I would at least donate it to an op shop
They are donating it to the public. Lol those will get snapped up!
Load More Replies...It's junk pick up in my neighborhood. My kids walk to school. So far, we have a snowboard with no bindings, a creepy mirror I'm 90% sure is haunted, a toddler's plastic slide (my youngest is 10, his legs are longer than the slide), and a fabric footstool that smells like dead racoon. He wanted to put that in his room.
WHY? Why do people leave these treasures on streets? I would at least donate it to an op shop
They are donating it to the public. Lol those will get snapped up!
Load More Replies...