The MTA cleaned out its closet Thursday as it held a massive garage sale of old signs — drawing shoppers hunting for quirky subway station decor and other transit treasures.
Hundreds of bargain hungry transit lovers showed up to the Collectibles Pop-Up shop in Brooklyn looking for the iconic subway signage — and among them was one iconic New York figure, “Goodfella’s” actress Debi Mazar.
“I got an old MTA sign that’s from probably the 1980s or so. It’s not like one of the old, old ones,” said Mazar, who is also known for her sharp-tongued roles in TV shows like “Entourage” and “Younger.”
Actress Debi Mazar bought a $500 MTA sign. Gabriella Bass
Hundreds of bargain hungry transit lovers showed up to the Collectibles Pop-Up shop in Brooklyn looking for the iconic subway signage. Gabriella Bass
Scores of other customers at the pop-up sale lined up for decor ranging from G train signs to 34th Street-Penn Station and Hudson Yards signs. Gabriella Bass“I chose this because I can carry it on the airplane. And I’m a nostalgic New Yorker,” said Mazar, who stood in line and paid $500 for the sign.
“I like the subway because I don’t have any patience to be in a taxi,” she said, adding she grew up in Queens.”
Scores of other customers at the pop-up sale lined up for decor ranging from G train signs to 34th Street-Penn Station and Hudson Yards signs — with some saying they planned hang them in their homes or make art with them.
Others took home subway signs reading 34th Street- Penn Station. Gabriella Bass
A crowd of people at an MTA pop-up shop, where someone holds a subway sign that reads “41 St & Bway EXIT” and other signs are on the ground. Gabriella Bass
Some customers say they plan to hang them in their homes or make art with them. Gabriella Bass“We have the G station sign, because we both take the G a lot. This one felt like it had enough significance, and it was more reasonably priced,” said Zach Temkin, a 32 year-old software designer, who paid $150 for the sign.
Anu Jasingh, 32, said he’s going make a lamp out of his subway “wheelchair accessibility” signs.
“I’m just getting the two, like wheelchair accessibility signs. And I’m gonna make that into a lamp as an art project,” he said.
Jelani Triskell, a 29-year-old bar tender, took home a caution sign and other transit gems.
Customers waited in line to buy subway signs at the pop-up sale. Gabriella Bass
Two MTA subway signs from a popup shop. Gabriella Bass
Anu Jasingh, 32, said he’s going make a lamp out of his subway “wheelchair accessibility” signs. Gabriella Bass“It’s just in terms of decoration and is more practical than a lot of other stuff here. I also got a sign that says Cadman plaza, Cranberry street, Henry street exit sign, because my sister and I went to high school around there. So it’s more nostalgic,” Triskell said.
Bella Virgilia, a 29-year-old engineer, said she plunked down cash for a no-bikes sign.
“I have a sign that says ‘Bicycles or other property attached to these railings will be removed,’ etc, and I’m a cyclist. So I thought that this would be fun to put next to my bike,” she said.
“I was excited to see the sign and I like that it has the green paint on the back that they use for the railings.”
Darren Wallace holding two circular “New York City Subway” signs with MTA logo. Gabriella Bass
People wait in line for the MTA popup shop at 23rd Ave X, Brooklyn. Gabriella Bass
Others were buying gifts for train lovers. Gabriella BassOthers were buying gifts for train lovers.
“My younger son is a train freak. He’s always been. He’s 26 now, but he’s always been into trains. And so I wanted to get him a present. I got these two,” said Adrian Booth, 61. ” [One says] Herald Square and it’s got several trains marked.
Trever Ross holding a black and orange subway sign for the B, D, F, M lines. Gabriella Bass
The event — which for the first time is first-come-first-serve, instead of by reservation — continues on Friday at 23 Avenue X in Gravesend. Gabriella Bass
Marco Aronson holding two large subway signs at an MTA pop-up shop. Gabriella Bass“I could also carry it, and it wasn’t $2500,” Booth added.
The event — which for the first time is first-come-first-serve, instead of by reservation — continues on Friday at 23 Avenue X in Gravesend.






