Historic Sopranos Booth Fetches $82,600 in eBay Auction

Even though Tony Soprano once claimed that reminiscing about the past is the 'lowest form of conversation,' the enduring love for The Sopranos continues to thrive. The groundbreaking HBO show, which ran from 1999 to 2007, is often hailed as the pinnacle of television excellence. A significant artifact from its enigmatic finale has recently found a new owner.

The iconic diner booth where Tony (James Gandolfini) and his family shared what could have been their last meal was listed on eBay by

Holsten’s, the beloved Bloomfield, New Jersey, ice cream parlor and diner where the scene was filmed. The auction included the table, upholstered seats, and wall divider, though the tabletop jukebox—used to play Journey’s 'Don’t Stop Believin’'—was not part of the deal. After 238 bids, the winning offer reached $82,600, excluding shipping costs.

The booth went up for sale as Holsten’s underwent renovations to its dining area. Since the show ended, the diner had kept the booth reserved with a plaque honoring the Soprano family and paying tribute to Gandolfini, who passed away in 2013, attracting countless fans of the series.

The booth at Holsten's, preserved after James Gandolfini's passing in 2013. | Andrew Burton/GettyImages

Chris Carley, one of Holsten’s co-owners, shared with The New York Times that he initially aimed to raise $10,000 from the sale to help fund the renovation. He noted that the booth had been a fixture at the diner for over five decades.

In a post on Instagram, Holsten’s explained the necessity of the renovation. 'We want to clarify that this decision wasn’t made lightly. The booths have deteriorated over time, having undergone numerous repairs, and are now over 60 years old. While we’re reluctant to make this change, the structural integrity of the booths has become a safety concern. Our top priority is ensuring the safety of our customers, and we hope our patrons understand and support this decision.'

The spotlight on Holsten’s was partly fueled by the debate surrounding the show’s final scene, which Sopranos creator David Chase crafted to remain open to interpretation. As Tony sits with his wife Carmela (Edie Falco) and son Anthony (Robert Iler), he appears content. The abrupt cut to black led many to speculate that Tony was killed, possibly by the man in the Members Only jacket who entered the restaurant earlier.

The ambiguous conclusion left some fans questioning if their TV signal had failed, while others were frustrated by Chase's decision to conclude the series with unresolved tension.

Holsten’s made another appearance in Chase’s storytelling universe in 2019, when it served as a filming location for his Sopranos prequel, The Many Saints of Newark, released on HBO in 2021. The diner was transformed with retro advertisements and vehicles to match the 1960s era depicted in the film, which focused on a young Tony Soprano, portrayed by Michael Gandolfini, the late James Gandolfini’s son.

For those unable to purchase the booth, Holsten’s offers a range of merchandise, including caps and T-shirts, as an alternative way to own a piece of the iconic diner.