The parlor booth where Tony Soprano sat with his family in the final scene of “The Sopranos” just sold at auction … and someone shelled out five figures.
Tony’s booth at Holston’s Ice Cream Parlor in Broomfield, NJ was a tourist attraction for years…but the shop needed renovations and the parlor booth had to go…to the highest bidder.
Holston put the iconic furniture — booths, tables, dividers and a custom upholstered seat for the Sopranos family — on eBay last week with an opening bid of $3,000 … and a fierce bidding war ensued.
When the dust settled Monday, the auction closed and the booth had sold for $82,600 … enough to cover Holston’s upcoming new flooring and booth renovation costs.
Not included for $82K … The jukebox leaves a quarter to play Tony Journey’s classic tune “Don’t Stop Believin'” as he orders nineteen rings and waits for his wife, son and Daughter joins him in the booth.
A jukebox was added by the film crew… and after the show, Holston read on a plaque, “This booth is reserved for the soprano family.”
Ever since the finale and black from its open-ended cut, Holston has been a destination for ‘Sopranos’ fans visiting Tony’s last known location … but over the years the ice cream parlor has become a tear-jerker. Forced to sell pieces. History of TV.
As Holston explained… “Please understand that we don’t want to do this, but the integrity of the shoes is now compromised, they’ve been repaired many times and the furniture is over 60 years old, obviously, we Don’t want to. In order to do that, though, it’s come to a point where they’re no longer safe overall and we need to think about the safety of our patrons first.
The ice cream parlor says it’s getting a much-needed facelift, but things will look the same as they did when The Sopranos came through.
No word on who bought the bot…but we seriously doubt they paid with an envelope full of cash.