Nestled slightly off the beaten path of Greenport Village at 429 Main St., The Times Vintage is a hidden gem of a time capsule waiting to be found.

The vintage shop, opened by father-daughter duo Elizabeth Sweigart and Michael Sweigart, opened its doors in 2013. Since its inception, it has offered a meticulously-selected inventory of lightly-used vintage clothing and furniture, as well as a vast collection of vinyl records, which Michael specializes in and oversees. Adding to its vintage charm is the building it was born and raised at which it still calls home, the 1909 Suffolk Times newspaper building.

Elizabeth didn’t start out in fashion, but she has had a passion for everything vintage since she can remember. After graduating from Marymount Manhattan College with a degree in studio art, she decided that opening a vintage shop was the direction she wanted to take.

“It’s been a hands-on learning experience running this business, you learn something every day,” she said.

Although the store was her dream, she says her father Michael has been absolutely integral to the success of the shop they own and run together.

“We’re a family business, we opened it together, but he’ll always give me all the credit,” she said.

Elizabeth has spent the last eight years operating the business and hoping to design her dream store, but it wasn’t until her boyfriend, local artist and woodworker Ricky Saetta hopped on board that she felt she had reached her goal. 

“Truthfully, my visions for the store did not become complete until this past year. Right before the pandemic I decided the shop needed a change. Ricky came in and helped me give the shop a total makeover, he helped me transform the space into my dream shop,” Elizabeth told the Wave.

New additions to the store include shelves, displays and its eye-catching floral dressing room doors. Elizabeth is continuing to strive for a 60s and 70s-type of charm with both the design of her shop and the eclectic clothing, furniture and vinyl records she and her father sell. 

“We not only want to be a shop, we want people to come here and have a unique experience that they’ll remember. I hope the shop is a place that brings joy to people,” Elizabeth said.

“My other hope is that anybody, any age and any type of person can come in and find something that brings back a memory and leaves them feeling happy.”

The Times Vintage can be found on its Instagram page, where it documents and displays its unique design and inventory. Information like its hours, which are updated seasonally, can be found on its website.

- Photo credit: Danielle Lipec