David Chase has returned to one of the most iconic — and infamous — locations from The Sopranos.
The creator of the paradigm-shifting HBO crime series was photographed at Holsten’s, the New Jersey ice cream parlor where the final scene of the show was filmed. Chase’s visit came 17 years after the show aired its finale in 2007.
“Look who stopped by to visit us for the 17th anniversary of the final episode!” Holsten’s wrote on social media. “When we asked him what he thought about the booth, he said, ‘It looks good!’” The ice cream shop noted that this is a new-and-improved version of the booth that appeared on the show. “Come on down and take your pics in the David Chase approved new Sopranos booth!”
Earlier this year, Holsten’s announced that it would undergo renovations that included the fan-favorite Sopranos booth — and even listed the original booth in an eBay auction. “The time has come,” the restaurant wrote in February. “All good things sometimes need an upgrade. The famous [Sopranos] booth is getting a much needed face-lift.” The booth ultimately sold for $82,600.
“Obviously, we aren’t going to change the nostalgia of our beloved shoppe…. we aren’t crazy! Just polishing up the place!” the post continued. “Please understand that we don’t want to do this. But the integrity of the booths are now compromised. They have been repaired many times and this furniture is over 60 years old. Obviously, we do not want to do this, however it has come to a point where they are structurally not safe anymore.”The new booth still maintains the commemorative plaque that reads, “This booth reserved for the Soprano family.”
The booth was the last place audiences saw Tony Soprano (James Gandolfini), Carmela (Edie Falco), and A.J. (Robert Iler), as the family shared one last meal together before the show abruptly cut to black. The eatery, which opened in 1939, was also used as a filming location in The Many Saints of Newark, the 2021 prequel movie that starred Michael Gandolfini as young Tony Soprano.
The ice cream shop frequently makes Sopranos-related social media posts, commemorating significant anniversaries for the show and mourning the death of James Gandolfini.
