Inside Quaker Marine Supply Co.
Boat not required
There's something captivating about brands steeped in tradition. It's not necessary, of course—you can have a successful business that started in the last ten years—but some brands are (much) older than that and if that history is used correctly, it certainly helps add to the allure. New brands often try—and usually fail—to create this lore about the brand to make them seem older than they are. However, simply, the best backstories and traditions are, well, the true ones. Quaker Marine Supply Company, founded in 1948, is one of those brands steeped in tradition, and I had the pleasure of getting to know them well a few weeks ago for my latest video.
Founded in Philadelphia in 1949 by a Coast Guard veteran named Joe Kadison, Quaker Marine Supply has a long history of serving the sea-loving crowd. The company began as an outfitter specializing in marine hardware and clothing, always committed to providing the highest quality. In the 1960s, QMS became known for its long-brimmed caps, notably the Swordfish and Oysterman, with their patent-leather bill. It was worn by a who's who of people over the years. Ernest Hemingway, Jackie Kennedy, and David Hockney wore the hat, making it simply iconic. However, when the halcyon years ebbed in the late 90s and early 2000s, the brand searched for an identity.
In 2008, Kevin McLaughlin, co-founder of J. McLaughlin, revitalized Quaker Marine Supply, by purchasing the brand and preserving its rich American heritage. He had been a fan of the brand for many years, and when he saw an opportunity, he took it. Now, in 2025, he continues to reinvigorate the brand, ensuring that QMS's storied tradition resonates with a new generation. Today, QMS offers a diverse range of high-quality marine hardware, clothing, and accessories, showcasing its ability to evolve while remaining true to its roots. As he puts it, the brand builds on its historical traditions without being bound by them.
In the fall, I visited their beautiful store in Greenpoint, Brooklyn, and had the pleasure of speaking with Ethan Lauer, the brand's managing director. He works hand-in-hand with Kevin to steward this fantastic brand. One step inside the Greenpoint store, and it's evident they are onto something. Ethan walked me through the line, which I loved, and he said, "has something for everyone in it".
As you can imagine, the store was well-appointed. Retail is Kevin's specialty; he's opened hundreds of J. McLaughlin stores all across the country during his career. I love how the store is on Greenpoint Avenue, a street not necessarily known for retail, which was a conscious choice, and it works. They also have a Southold shop on the North Fork of Long Island. When I asked them about these locations, they both said different versions of the same thing—they didn't want to be based in some of the more common retail locations—they wanted one that felt authentic and true to the brand. The brand is something that Kevin and Ethan are always thinking about.
I also found his and Ethan and Kevin’s relationship incredible upon speaking with them. They are both product-focused, so it's no surprise that Quaker Marine Supply's garments are of the highest quality. Their unwavering commitment to excellence is evident in every product, ensuring that you're investing in not just a piece of clothing but a piece of the brand's rich history.
I then went over to speak with Kevin in his office. He's still involved in the J. McLaughlin business heavily while also working on Quaker Marine. The one thing that struck me about him is his curiosity. He walked me through some new product categories that QMS is considering, and despite them being somewhat new to him, it was clear he had researched them with incredible detail, his office featuring so many samples. During my interview, one of my favorite anecdotes he told me was J. McLaughlin, and he, specifically, was the first retailer to carry Barbour in the United States. It's a genuinely incredible fact that he nonchalantly tossed out. He is a clothing legend, and it was a pleasure to be able to sit down from him and gain some of his wisdom during our time together.
I enjoyed the walkthrough of their office in Greenpoint, which is two full floors in a warehouse just blocks down from the store. I have walked by it hundreds of times and had no idea that the J. McLaughlin and QMS offices were inside. I love being in offices and studios like this, surrounded by samples and clothes, mood boards, and designs hung on walls. I could spend hours walking around and talking with Kevin and Ethan about everything they had in there.
One thing that struck me about Kevin and this office was the number of antiques and collectibles he and his colleagues have accumulated over the years. Some are for inspiration, and some are to be refurbished. It seemed Kevin knew the backstory to nearly every piece. A corner of the office is a complete furniture workshop because they make all of the furniture and fabrications in-house, which is unique and a nice touch that I'm sure not many people know about.
If you've got a few minutes, I'd love for you to check out the video. If you're not familiar with the brand or are familiar with it from eras gone by, it might be time to get introduced—or reintroduced—as I think their stock will only go up and up in the weeks, months, and years to come.
