The MBTAgifts Warehouse Won’t Be Open to the Public for Much Longer

Photo courtesy of MBTAgifts

If you’re in the market for a decommissioned T sign, the MBTAgifts warehouse in Somerville is chock full of them. Every Friday from noon to 6 p.m., it opens its doors for the public to peruse signs, wall panels, and maps.

But the doors will open for the last time on December 18, the last friday before Christmas, as the warehouse readies to relocate to Charlestown. The space is an extension of the MBTAgifts merchandise sold at WardMaps in Cambridge, which offers T-themed mugs, apparel, coasters, art, and other novelties.

MBTAgifts co-owner Steven Beaucher told Boston he’s relocating to a more cost effective space. To downsize the number of signs, Beaucher and his brother, co-owner Brian Beaucher, are working with Skinner Auctioneers to plan an auction for some time next year. In addition to signs, the auction will feature rare parts of the former Scollay Square station.

While the Somerville warehouse only has a few Fridays left, Beaucher explains the signs aren’t disappearing—everything will still be available on mbtagifts.com.

“It’s not as easy to go through 200 pound signs in the warehouse as it is on the website,” he says. “We’re not not selling the signs anymore, we’re just reconfiguring how to do it.”

The Beauchers started the merchandise program for the T in 2011, opening the warehouse a few years after.

“We may open something again in Charlestown, but we just have no plans for that right now,” says Beaucher.

Authentic MBTA signs go for anywhere from $5 to $300, with the majority of them falling in the $50 to $150 range. Beaucher says there’s a few special signs that are upwards of $500, including one in a private collection that is priced at $2,500—a South Station sign from the early 1900s.

MBTAgifts warehouse, open December 4, 11, and 18 from 12 p.m. to 6 p.m., 24 Park Street #2, Somerville, mbtagifts.com.