Michael Strahan Garage Sale

Lil Bit Special · April 22, 2007

http://www.nj.com/news/ledger/jersey/index.ssf?/base/news-6/1177216576139640.xml&coll=1

<H1 class=red>Bargains from a broken life

Shoppers rummage through the elegant ruins of the Strahans' torn marriage

Sunday, April 22, 2007 BY NYIER ABDOU

Star-Ledger Staff

Jean Strahan may be fighting tooth and nail with celebrity lawyers to secure the $6.5 million owed her in a nasty divorce from New York Giants defensive end Michael Strahan, but yesterday she was haggling over dollars and cents with anyone who walked in off the street.

Bargain hunters and Giants fans alike fingered glittery ****tail dresses, a bronze football statue and picture frames ($2 a pop) at a decidedly posh garage sale in front of the Strahan's 30-room mansion on Lloyd Street in Montclair yesterday.

Those in the know came early, darting from their cars to pick through the defunct couple's cast-offs and gawk at the stately $3.6 million home.

"We've been into fabulous houses," boasted Jean Labriola, of Clifton, of her rummage sale hunting. Her son, Jeff, toting a No. 92 Giants jersey -- Michael Strahan's number -- purchased for his nephew, was also clearly impressed with the house.

"This has got to be the most spectacular view of the city," he said. "The taxes are my annual salary."

By 8 a.m., Strahan's brick wraparound driveway was converted into a boutique-turned-outdoor market with everything from handmade rugs and antiques to "Hooked on Phonics" tapes, a robust collection of Star Trek memorabilia, and $5 bins of toys.

Strahan, described by shoppers as gracious and approachable, was deep in the thick of it, cutting deals and choosing prices on the spot. Her two daughters sold lemonade and cookies.

Dressed in a yellow work apron, Strahan also hawked her ex-husband's Giants leftovers, including Giants' Pro Bowl bags monogrammed with his name and gloves worn by the football star for $50.

Loyal Giants fan and Montclair resident Jamal Callaway snapped up two Pro Bowl bags at $5 a piece and also left with two televisions -- a 32-inch and 20-inch -- for $100.

"I get to cheer for Mike on his TV," said Callaway with satisfaction. Asked if the televisions were flat screens, Callaway quipped, "She's not that mad at him."

In January, an Essex County Superior Court Judge awarded Strahan $15.3 million, but an appellate court stayed the decision pending an appeal by her ex-husband.

In court papers filed last month, Strahan claimed she cannot afford to keep the house, which has an eight-car garage built into the mountain and sweeping views of the New York skyline hovering over the trees.

Yesterday offered a glimpse into the Strahan world -- from racks of designer clothing to an old self-help book and cassette tape set on making love work.

"You know you're pretty rich when you're selling $300 dresses for $20 -- beautiful dresses," Meg Flanagan said. She and her husband were the third to arrive yesterday.

The Caldwell couple, who have garage-sale trolling down to a science, whisked through before checking out a few other garage sales and returning to Strahan's. They left with a $125 antique writing bureau and a few guilty pleasures, including a dusty original Star Trek tricorder and battered phaser.

According to court papers, Strahan spent $27,000 in one year to dress her infant twins and another $22,500 to photograph them. Shoppers rummaging through the racks found children's costumes from T.J.Maxx, with the price tag still on them, being sold for the store price.

"She's way overpriced," complained Roy Dawson, a self-confessed "garage junkie" from Bloomfield. "And you could tell she obsessively bought clothes. That would have caused a problem in the marriage right there."

One woman who did not give her name was scandalized by the sale. "She's a millionaire. She should take all those clothes down to Paterson and donate them," she said.

But many disagreed, saying the sale appeared to be more about getting rid of clutter than raising funds for the $4,700 utility bills mentioned in court papers. Several people said Strahan told them she was donating whatever she didn't sell to charity. The sale, announced in the classifieds of a local weekly, continues today from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m.

"She's being real fair," said shopper Barry Cost. "She's really reasonable about it."

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Hooked on Phonics tapes???? Make Love Work cassette tapes???

And I love the shopper who complained that she was way overpriced.... uhh what would some millionaire broad who shacked up with a football player know about garage sales?

This is all she knew.... :hump: :sheepf: :love0055: :lickt: :tongue2: