What started as a small family business tailoring uniforms for the captains of elegant wooden yachts owned by turn-of-the-century tycoons and Hollywood movie moguls, has grown into a multi-generation company offering a full line of nautical apparel. This year, Zeidel & Company, headquartered in Palm Beach, commemorates its 104th year in business. The company also celebrates the opening of its second location in Ft. Lauderdale.
“The Zeidel family started the company in Port Washington, New York, but it wasn’t until Al Zeidel opened his location in Palm Beach that he realized this industry was his life and true passion,” says uniform specialist, Amy Knowles. “He fell in love with walking the docks and shaking hands with all the captains and crew and making sure they were well taken care of.”
Just as fashion changes from year to year so crew uniforms have continued to evolve. Knowles says the traditional epaulet shirts are still worn by some members, however, a vast majority of the industry’s crews have grown more fashion forward. For ladies, the skort is everything. It’s the perfect piece of clothing for stewardesses to transition from day to night quickly and still be able to clean and prep the rooms for turndown service all while looking flawless. For men, it’s classic-looking, wrinkle-resistant slim-fit stylish long pants.
Like Al, the company’s current Zeidels also like getting to know their crew customers. New are regularly hosted events such as Crew Brews (morning and afternoon editions) and Crew-B-Qs & Docktails.
Zeidel’s new shop in Fort Lauderdale, located just off Federal Highway at 19th Street, features a showroom filled with samples of the most popular items ordered. This makes it easy for staff to zone in on the needs of each yacht and guide crew through the ordering process.
“Fort Lauderdale allows us to cater to larger boats but still maintain our brand in Palm Beach,” says Knowles. “We are more than just a uniform store now and we want to spread the wealth and the word!” www.zeidel.com
Hello, I have one of your pennants flags and would love if you could share some information about it. Its white nylon with 14″in red patch with a white star in center with 1891-1991 at tip. its 4 1/2 feet in length. It has Zeidel’s port washington tag sewn on the edge.
I appreciate any information you can share
Thank You in advance and look forward to hearing from you
Warm Regards,
Maryanne from NY
I´m Titov Sigfrido the men who made thats flags 27 years ago, I just work with Richard and Mary Peck. Now I´m living in Guatemala. The co-owner of the store and building was Harold Zeidel.