The Times Vintage, home to the North Fork’s most eclectic goods
Elizabeth Sweigart spends her days surrounded by hundreds of items, each with its own story to tell. The 26-year-old said she’s always been drawn to old things, whether it be a vinyl record or antique piece of clothing.
It still shocks her, she said, that nearly four years ago she opened her own vintage shop in Greenport selling many of those items.
“It was pretty spontaneous,” Sweigart said.
Originally from Texas, she moved to New York in 2008 to study art at Marymount Manhattan College. In 2013, her father, Michael Sweigart, converted space at the former Suffolk Times building on Main Street, which he owned, to start the new business with his daughter.
The array of items for sale ranges from children’s toys to dishware, chairs, lamps, records, men’s and women’s clothing and jewelry.
“I believe there’s a little something for everyone,” Sweigart said. “I think people come in here looking for something and then walk away with something they did not expect to find.”
Let me start by saying in these Covid-19 times, Sandy & I have found sanctuary in our own backyard. Over the last few months we’ve done whatever we can to keep ourselves in a good state of mind and that state of mind keeps evolving in our backyard with our purposeful plants (can’t wait for the hummingbirds) and scene setters.
On our first unplanned visit to The Sweigart’s “The Times Vintage” we walked away with a few vintage fishing buoys we spotted sitting outside the entryway to add to our backyard collection.
What really blew my mind…yes, blew my mind…was the selection of vinyl records courtesy of music lover Mike Sweigart (Elizabeth’s dad) that greets you when you enter. Beyond the nicely cataloged selection of records I have not seen in years, the visual impact of scene setters and one-of-a kind posters was in its own right…unique!
The entryway into The Times Vintage.
Are you looking closely at all those jacket patches on the vintage dress form?
Who else but…The Bee Gees…
We had to control ourselves a bit from going further into the store because of the pandemic mentality (the abundance of hand sanitizer helped set us at ease)…however not before I also bought an ‘album’ by one of my favorite groups… appropriately named “LOVE” …actually 🙂
Ahhhhh…LOVE’S Best with Arthur Lee and my buddy Joel 🙂
Getting back to our sanctuary…Sandy and I both couldn’t help but notice one of those scene setters. It was a hanging piece of wood carved & painted into the Beatles Yellow Submarine that a local artist had made to help set the scene for the entryway album section. Sandy felt it would fit perfectly into our newly created Beatles and Moody Blues state of mind backyard and so we asked if it was for sale..and it was.. I almost felt a bit guilty taking it out of the store, but I have the confidence in Elizabeth’s level of creativity and that they will find something else to replace it. Right Lizzie?
Look familiar?
On the day we came back to pick up the Yellow Submarine, it was around opening time and the store had not yet seen its first customer. With that, I decided to take a closer look throughout the entire store and found myself marveling at the abundance of so much art, fashion, and furnishings. I felt I needed to slow down to take it all in or I would miss something. As a matter of fact, that’s what one would need to do in order to absorb the nostalgia, one-of-a-kind selections, and vintage clothing from 30+ years ago awaiting any visitor.
I’m one who understands the art of ‘visual display’ and you can see it throughout from the way items are individually displayed to the movement and flow of the colors painted on the walls pulling everything together!
Are you looking closely? See the Jubilee?
A one-of-a kind clock put together by Elizabeth’s mom!
Ok folks…Saved the best for last! Are you ready?
Meet Elizabeth!
To the Sweigart family…
We love your vintage ’emporium’! You are genuine, sincere and gracious and we look forward to seeing you again soon.
All the best always….and we wish you continued success…especially in these times!
Sandy & Bert
Oh yes….Mike…This pic below is for you!
K Folks…As always, comments or suggestions or your own personal experience(s) much appreciated.
Hope you enjoyed the read.
Bert
