This NYC Subway Station Smells Like Vanilla & Fresh Pine — But The Holiday Makeover Won’t Last Long

We don’t exactly think of the NYC subway as a pleasant place–what with mysterious liquids dripping from the ceiling and dirty air that’s basically a cocktail of day-old sweat, egg-y steam, and ancient trash juice. But this November, there’s one subway station New Yorkers won’t have to hold their breath in because, believe it or not, **it actually smells *good*. It looks like New Yorkers landed themselves on the nice list this holiday season, and the proof is in the 42nd Street shuttle platform inside Grand Central. Instead of the usual pungent armpit aroma, the station air smells like a cozy blend of vanilla and fresh pine. It’s a true [Christmas](https://secretnyc.co/best-christmas-bars-nyc/) miracle underground! Diffusers have been installed around the platform and along the walls of a connecting tunnel, releasing visible bursts of sweet-smelling vapor. The scent is part of an immersive advertising campaign for Bath & Body Works, which says it’ll be pumping an estimated 20 to 30 pounds of fragrance into the air. This stretch of Grand Central is one of the busiest parts of the transit hub, and with straphangers rushing through, some riders have completely missed the scent** since it’s actually pretty subtle. Those who *have* caught a whiff, though, seem to be loving it. Commuter Jerome Murray told AP News, “It smells better than the normal New York City tunnels that we normally smell here. So yes, I appreciate it.” Mary John, the MTA’s director of commercial ventures, says this is the first ad campaign of its kind inside NYC’s subway system, and so far they haven’t received any complaints. The scented setup is also a way for the agency to experiment with new revenue streams. Unfortunately, the sweet smell won’t last–diffusers will only be pumping fragrance until the campaign ends at the end of [November.](https://secretnyc.co/nycs-best-november-events-concerts-holiday-happenings-more/) So if you find yourself in the station before then, make sure to stop and take a big whiff. Bath & Body Works’ chief marketing officer Jamie Sohosky says the retailer chose the scent “Fresh Balsam” since it’s one of the brand’s most iconic holiday fragrances and a long-running seasonal favorite. Source: https://secretnyc.co/nyc-subway-station-smells-like-vanilla-fresh-pine-limited-time/