If 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.
#1 Will It Fit On The Subway? Off Of 12th St. And Broadway In Manhattan
Image credits: stoopingnyc
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!"
#2 Such A Cool Set. Clinton Ave Close To Gates Ave
Image credits: stoopingnyc
#3 Whoever Claimed This, You’re Living A Wednesday Addams Fantasy. Cornelia Street Between Broadway And Bushwick Ave
Image credits: stoopingnyc
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!
#4 It’s A Perfect Day For A Stoop Concert!! 1297 Bergen. A Wurlitzer With Actual Ivory And Wood Keys
Image credits: stoopingnyc
#5 Next Level Beautiful! Corner Of Ave A And 9th St In The East Village
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#6 We Know This Is A Perfect Solution For Some Of Our New Yorkers! 42 Hicks Street
Image credits: stoopingnyc
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.
#7 I Gasped. 73 Skillman Avenue Between Lorimer And Leonard These Are Out Now
Image credits: stoopingnyc
#8 We Missed This One Earlier! Anything Still There??? 87 Havemeyer
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#9 Our First Jet Pack! 5th Ave - Between 2nd And 3rd - Park Slope
Image credits: stoopingnyc
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.
#10 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!”
Image credits: stoopingnyc
#11 That's Gold Right There. Park Pl Between Classon And Washington
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#12 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
Image credits: stoopingnyc
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.
#13 Bring A Friend! 394 Degraw St
Image credits: stoopingnyc
#14 Aaaaaand I’m Dead. The Beauty!!! 78 Halsey Brooklyn
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#15 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
Image credits: stoopingnyc
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.
#16 There Are Pianos And Then There Is This Piano. Someone Please Rescue This Beauty! Corner Of Gold & Nassau In Brooklyn
Image credits: stoopingnyc
#17 Alert. Alert. Alert! Egg Chair With A Stereo Input. Ask Questions Later! Goooo! 27 S. Oxford St
Image credits: stoopingnyc
#18 This Has Been A Great Stooping Day If We May Say So Ourselves! Cute Desk/Table At 106 And Central Park West
Image credits: stoopingnyc
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.
#19 Omg. Barbie Eat Your Heart Out. 5th Ave B/W 16th And Prospect Ave!
Image credits: stoopingnyc
#20 This Is Barbie’s Dream House… It’s Not Called Ken’s Dream House. 7 E 14th St
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#21 Free Guitar Is A Free Guitar… Little Love And Someone’s Gonna Be Happy! 151 St And St Nicholas
Image credits: stoopingnyc
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.
#22 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
Image credits: stoopingnyc
#23 Cute Seat! West 15th And 7th In Manhattan
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#24 The Question Is… What’s In The Trunks?? On The Corner Of 145st & St Nicholas Ave
Image credits: stoopingnyc
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.
#25 Classic
Image credits: stoopingnyc
#26 Stunning Mirror!! And A Shelf Too!! 56th Street Between Lexington And 3rd
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#27 So This Is Something. W85th By The Consulate
Image credits: stoopingnyc
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.
#28 You Either Have A Huge Basement Or Are Opening A Really Fun Bar. Crosby Between Broome And Spring
Image credits: stoopingnyc
#29 I’m Equal Parts Confused And Intrigued… What Is This?! 10th Between 6/5th Avenue
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#30 It’s Still There!!! West 25th St B/W 7th & 8th Ave In Chelsea
Image credits: stoopingnyc
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.
