In the Hamptons, an impulse buy isn’t your average last-minute stick of gum or hand sanitizer while idling at the cash wrap. Indeed, at the reimagined auto-body shop you’ll find at 9 Railroad Avenue in East Hampton, it could be an iridescent Missoni beach coverup, a $600,000 diamond necklace by SHAY Jewelry, a jar of spicy guajillo-dusted strawberries, or even a Porsche.
Luxury e-tailer Mytheresea and LA’s adored Flamingo Estate have carpooled their energy and ideas once more into a seasonal pop-up that brings together fashion, food, and fantasy under one unlikely pistachio and metallic roof. Their Railroad Racetrack concept has transformed the former local car repair facility, located a stone’s throw from the train station, into a veritable playground for those of all ages. Anchoring the space is every big kid’s dream: a miniature grand-prix race course on which pocket-sized Porsches snake through bottles of heritage olive oil and Jimmy Choos around a model version of Flamingo Estate’s gardens. Don’t forget to smile while snapping a picture of it in motion—the cars have cameras, so you’ll see yourself beaming back from the screens on the wall.
As Hamptonites are the archetype audience when it comes to caring about what they put in and on their body, the collaboration perfectly speaks their language. The Flamingo Estate ‘Inconvenience Store’ on site is the antithesis to what you might absentmindedly grab at a garage and shovel down while waiting in bumper-to-bumper Montauk Highway traffic. Rather, founder Richard Christiansen has placed an emphasis on items that are painstakingly and slowly created with love and care by artisans and producers around the country. Take, for example, a jar of Strawberry Rhubarb Conserve by June Taylor. “She’s like the Taylor Swift of jam,” Christiansen tells Vogue, proudly sharing that the famous jam-maker had come out of retirement to create the special offering. Other mouth-watering items that people will be meandering in for include those moreish spicy strawberry snacks (act fast; the harvest was limited this year, so when they’re gone, they’re gone), bison dog treats, crowd-pleasing chile oil, everything cheddar crackers, and calming candles and chunky bricks of fancy soap should you need to convince your East End host to let you stay an extra night.
Thursday evening saw a VIP opening night hosted for local and visiting tastemakers alike, who perused Alaïa and Khaite sandals and Johanna Ortiz bathing suits, posed in wishlist items in the moto-themed fitting room, partook in some gaming on old school consoles, and lounged in the plush VIP clubhouse out back to the sounds of DJ Nikki Kynard.
What’s a pitstop without a snack or moment to re-fuel, either: guests enjoyed cocktails by Solento Tequila and wine by Hamptons mainstay, Wölffer Estate. An artisanal gelato cart also dished out vanilla, espresso, chocolate, and strawberry variations topped with Flamingo Estate’s wildflower honey and dried mango.
As for the Porsches that line up outside? Yes, they really are for sale—as Mytheresa North America president Heather Kaminetsky noted that someone did purchase the car that was on site last summer. The slick new Taycan and Macan vehicles will be available for test drives while the pop-up is open, from Thursday through Sunday, 11 AM -6 PM until August 18. Get set…