In Profile: Keeping time with Elizabeth Sweigart
This fall, 23-year-old connoisseur of beautiful things from the past, Elizabeth Sweigart kicked the city to set up shop in Greenport, Long Island. Her store The Times Vintage, which she runs with her father - Shelter Island local Michael Sweigart - found its home (and its name) in the historic Suffolk Times newspaper building. She considers the store an “ever-evolving chronicle of the Times, both past and present,” showcasing fashion, home furnishings and vintage objects alongside fine art works that she exhibits in a gallery space at the back of the retail store.
DP: Can you describe what you love about vintage and why you were driven to start The Times?
LS: I have been drawn to old things since I can remember and 90% of my personal belongings are secondhand. Always in the back of my head was the idea of opening a store of my own someday. I had no idea it would happen at 23, but the opportunity was there so I thought well, what am I waiting for?
Where did the store get it's name?
It had been the old Suffolk Times Newspaper building from 1886 - 1988 and still had "The Times" written across the front. In our eyes, it already had a name that just so happened to go right along with what we envisioned for the store.
What connects you to Long Island Is there something special about the community in Greenport that you find inspiring and lends itself well to a place like The Times that made you choose that location for your store?
I was drawn to the North Fork first and foremost by Nature, which is what I missed most when living in the city. The landscape is so vast, theres space to breathe and let your imagination run wild.
Greenport itself is a little old fishing port with lots of history and charm. As a new business we wanted to slip right in, as if we'd always been here. Greenport has a few antique shops, but there are no other Vintage clothing stores in town. I really wanted to create a shop where local cats can find unique and affordable clothes rather than driving an hour to the outlet mall.
You have an exhibition space attached to the store. What do you envision for that space in the future? How does art interact with your love of vintage?
I have met so many unbelievably talented people living in NYC and I want to keep this space open for any young, contemporary artists that wish to exhibit their work and bring something besides nautical/landscape art to Greenport ;)
Sometimes Art evokes emotion and sometimes it's just wonderful to look at. For me, it's the same with Vintage.
Can you tell us about your favorite artists from eastern Long Island?
One of my favorites is Harald Olson, whose work we have up now.
Do you travel to find pieces? Where do you go? What is the coolest thin you found so far?
So far I've gone as far north as Canada and as far south as Texas. Some of the best things are from my Grandparent's garage - a mini spy camera that my Granddad got from his Fraternity in the 50s is one of the coolest!
What time do you love? Do you have a favorite era in vintage fashion and why?
60s and 70s! Just EVERYTHING.
Tell us about your drawings and paintings!
I'm inspired by kitsch, art nouveau illustrations, and 60s food photography.... I'm kind of all over the place but I mostly use watercolor & oil.
What is the soundtrack at The Times?
Fleetwood Mac/Stevie Nicks, Johnny Cash, Mamas & The Papas, Mazzy Star over & over.
When Dad takes over the record player: Buffalo Springfield, Traffic, Devo.