‘Stooping NYC’: 10 Times People Left Treasures For Others To Find On The Curb

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 stopped. We’ve collected some of the most interesting finds to share with you, Pandas. Scroll down to check them out!

Pictolic 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.

10 PHOTOS

#1 Will It Fit On The Subway? Off Of 12th St. And Broadway In Manhattan

Pictolic 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 anyways! 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

#3 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 inboxes 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

#5 Next Level Beautiful! Corner Of Ave A And 9th St In The East Village

#6 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.

#7 I Gasped. 73 Skillman Avenue Between Lorimer And Leonard These Are Out Now

#8 That's Gold Right There. Park Pl Between Classon And Washington

#9 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.

#10 We Missed This One Earlier! Anything Still There??? 87 Havemeyer