Similar to the iconic scene that made the film famous, bidding on the booth attended by the cast of “The Sopranos” for the final episode was abruptly stopped, with a winning bid of $82,600.
The eBay bid for the Holsten's stand in Bloomfield – a real New Jersey haunt where several scenes from the iconic HBO drama were filmed – ended with a victory for a bidder whose identity was not revealed.
The Soprano family – crime boss Tony (James Gandolfini), Carmela (Edie Falco), AJ (Robert Iler) and Meadow (Jamie-Lynn Sigler) – eat at the diner during the series' famous ending to the tune of “Don” by Journey 'T Stop Believin' takes place.'
That's a definite plus for Holsten's, as the co-owner was hoping for $10,000 to cover the estimated $60,000 it would cost to replace the stand, according to The New York Times.
The ice cream shop announced the auction on its official Instagram page last week, letting customers know that “the time has come” to part with the table and chairs.
Similar to the iconic scene that made the film famous, bidding on the booth attended by the cast of “The Sopranos” for the final episode was abruptly stopped, with a winning bid of $82,600
The Soprano family – crime boss Tony (James Gandolfini), Carmela (Edie Falco), AJ (Robert Iler) and Meadow (Jamie-Lynn Sigler) – eat at the diner during the series' famous ending to the tune of “Don” by Journey I don't stop believing
“It’s just time to do it,” Carley said. “We didn’t take this lightly.”
He said the new stand will hopefully resemble the old one.
“We want to give back exactly what we took out,” he added. “When people walk into the store, it’s hard for them to notice the difference.”
Holsten made it clear that this was a necessary improvement in an eBay description, where the stand received over 230 bids.
“All good things sometimes need an upgrade,” Holsten's wrote in a caption, along with a few photos of the stand as it looks today and a picture of Gandolfini smiling while sitting at the stand.
'The famous [Sopranos] The stand is getting a much-needed facelift. “Starting today, we are auctioning off the coveted stand on eBay,” said Wednesday’s post.
“Place your bid for this once-in-a-lifetime chance to own the “Stand” in person. Check out our entry here. Of course we won't change the nostalgia of our beloved store…we're not crazy! I'm just polishing the shop!'
The social media post announcing the auction also included a note from the Holsten owners stating that they “don't want to do this” but ultimately “the integrity of the stands is now at risk.”
That's a definite plus for Holsten's, as the co-owner was hoping to raise $10,000 to cover the estimated $60,000 it would cost to replace the stand
The owners of Holsten's in Bloomfield, New Jersey, announced it was “time” to get rid of the famous Sopranos stand as the restaurant and ice cream parlor needed a “facelift” due to furniture deterioration
The final scene Gandolfini appeared in was full of drama and tension as the New Jersey crime boss walked into Holsten's and sat down at the booth
“They have been repaired many times and this furniture is over 60 years old,” the owners continued. “Of course we don’t want to do that, but it’s gotten to the point where they are no longer structurally safe overall and we have to think about the safety of our customers first.”
They concluded the headline: “The safety of our customers is our priority and should be our customers’ priority too.”
On Saturday evening, the Holsten owners returned to their Instagram page to remind customers and fans that this is the last weekend they can stop by the cabin for a photo.
“The last chance to get your pictures is this weekend,” the caption reads, alongside another picture of Gandolfini at the stand and two more pictures of customers. “We close at 10 tonight and are open from 12 to 10 on Sunday. 'Come on down!'
The final scene was full of drama and tension as the New Jersey crime boss walked into Holsten's and sat down at the booth.
While waiting for Carmela and her two children to arrive, the show's writers and producers made it seem as if Tony and his family could be beaten up at any moment.
One by one, different people enter the restaurant, with some of the potential customers looking more and more like suspects who could pull out a weapon at any moment.
On Saturday evening, the Holsten owners returned to their Instagram page to remind customers and fans that the stand would soon be no more
Holsten's customers have been having their photos taken at the stand since the finale of “The Sopranos” aired on June 10, 2007
Fans can have their photos taken at the stand all weekend long
“The Sopranos,” which aired on HBO for six seasons from 1999 to 2007, is widely considered one of the greatest and most influential television series of all time
The Sopranos is also credited with helping launch the second golden age of television
Meanwhile, Meadow was outside trying to park her car parallel across from Holsten's, which took at least three attempts before she finally got between two other cars.
Just as Meadow was about to enter the restaurant and ice cream parlor, the screen goes black, leaving viewers wondering if the Sopranos were attacked or if they were able to eat in peace.
“The Sopranos,” which aired on HBO for six seasons from 1999 to 2007, is widely considered one of the greatest and most influential television series of all time.
It is also praised for helping to launch the second golden age of television.