$1 Grand Central vending machine sells 2,000 prints per day

this is anger For Machine.

Grand Central travelers heading home this holiday season may be shocked to see a Disney World-level line winding through the halls and toward the exits.

Don’t worry, the TikTok crowd hasn’t suddenly discovered the charm of Dobbs Ferry or Darien — but they’re here for artist Anastasia Inciardi’s viral $1 image of the vending machine, which is in its final days at the transit hub.

Since November 11, the quarter-only mini-print maker, part of the terminal’s annual holiday fair, has proven so popular with the public that security guards have had to be hired to control the crowds.

Plug in your change and you’ll randomly receive one of 10 iconic New York City pictures, depicting Grand Central’s clock, an oyster from an oyster bar, a New York City MetroCard and an NYC hot dog, among others.

And despite being asked to play a game of souvenir roulette, fans are waiting up to half an hour to get their hands on the adorable Big Apple souvenirs – each measuring about 2½ x 3½ inches – before the machine disappears on Christmas Eve .

“I’m a New Yorker, so I want to collect all the iconic New York stuff,” April Mak, 34, told The Post. She has reportedly returned to the machine three times in hopes of gaining access to the roof of Grand Central – but to no avail.

Randomness is part of the charm, along with affordability and simplicity.

Shelley Lewis of Toronto, Canada, said, “It’s a great way to support a local artist and keep affordable art and New York memorabilia.”

Meanwhile, Deidra Hollis, visiting from Tennessee, toured the machine – which is open Monday through Saturday from 10pm to 7pm and Sunday from 11am to 6pm – for her daughter, and explained that, For him, it’s all about “New York-“. Typical” picture.

Like many people waiting in line, Hollis said she heard about the project on social media, like others, recently Retro trends like vintage fashionHelped make The Machine one of Midtown’s hottest spots in recent weeks.

in a tiktok clip 2.5 million views Last month, a woman screamed like she won the lottery after getting her subway card printed.

Due to increasing demand, the automated Nostalgia Hawker sells around 2,000 prints every day, requiring machine minder Kai Gibson to frequently re-stock the desirable dispensary.

“Every time we refill … it takes about four or 500 prints,” Gibson said. “And I have to refill it, like, four times a day.”

Gibson’s job is also to prevent people from trying to cut the line – which is not always possible because he “can’t be everywhere at once.”

The artist, Anastasia Inciardi, is a former Brooklynite, now based in Maine. She said she was inspired by temporary tattoo machines in 2020. Travel + Leisure magazine reports,

Last year, the creative collaborated with Grand Central to bring his vision to life on the train station – and says he’s been surprised by the response.

“We expected the machine to be popular, but the scale of the enthusiasm hit us hard,” Inciardi told T+L.

“The nostalgia of coin-operated machines has always delighted people. In a time where everything is tap-to-pay and virtual, it’s gratifying to experience the process of pushing four quarters into the mechanism and receiving a work of art.

Fans can also find various NYC prints in a standing machine whitney In the meatpacking district. There is another outlet – with non-NYC art – in Soho, as part of Collaborate with Warby ParkerAs well as other locations across the country.

Similar to adult baseball cards, some loyal customers of the Grand Central machine have made it their mission to collect each image for sale — some, like the MetroCard, are more sought-after than others, said Gibson, the machine manager.

“Grand Central’s clock is really very popular,” the thinker said, comparing its allure to “Pokémon or old-fashioned MLB trading cards.”

Although bartering is not allowed, trading with other customers is encouraged, Gibson said.

Some enterprising types have even resorted to selling prints on eBay – one hopeful seller asked $40 for five,

Those hoping to purchase directly from the Grand Central source have until December 24 at 6 p.m.