After 35 years as a mainstay on Sag Harbor’s Main Street, Sylvester & Co. will close its doors for the last time next week.
Lynda Sylvester opened the shop in 1989, and confirmed on Monday morning that although the Sylvester & Co. Modern General storefront will be closing, the business will remain active through its website. And for all the lovers of the signature Dreamy Coffee, Ms. Sylvester has a plan.
“Dreamy is available online and will continue to sell online,” she said, “and I’m going to try to make sure there is one place to get some in every village.”
In place of Sylvester & Co., Ms. Sylvester said that retailer Henry Lehr will move into the space in mid-January.
“The landlord was admirable,” Ms. Sylvester said of choosing the replacement. “He wanted a local person with a good reputation for keeping a store clean and maintaining it beautifully.”
As for what she has in store for herself, Ms. Sylvester said that she’ll be splitting the year between the East End and a townhouse she purchased in Naples, Fla., where she will focus on her art. “I have an outside studio and I’m very happy there in the winter,” she said.
She also expressed interest in growing the Modern General concept beyond Sag Harbor by working with young entrepreneurs nationwide. “I love young entrepreneurs,” she said, “I would love to do a Modern General with young entrepreneurs around the country. Modern General Seattle, Modern General Santa Fe. I really like cities with ‘S’ names.”
Ms. Sylvester came to the East End as a self-described “refugee” from Manhattan looking for a career change. She is grateful for the Sag Harbor community that has welcomed and embraced her. “There are really great customers, really loyal customers,” Ms. Sylvester said. “I wouldn’t have met as many of the fabulous people as I have without the store.”
“I have always loved retail and loved the concept of a general store as a gathering place,” she added. “It’s been a good run.”