Our Company History

Karl Zeidler Sr. and his wife Mary started a small flower business at the turn of the century in the basement of their home. It was their love for flowers and hard work that turned this business into a success. The simple flower shop soon grew into a brick building with about 2000 square feet in the early 1900's; however, the size potential wasn't fully realized until Mr. Zeidler acquired over 13 acres on Fulton Ave. enveloping his modest beginning. Karl's son Fred took over the family business when his father retired in 1928. This was the same year that the Dauble family opened a flower shop on Garfield Street.

Fred continued his parent's tradition of outstanding quality and innovation by adding to the already vast greenhouses. He increased the cut flower production, particularly carnations, and also expanded the production of blooming plants such as poinsettias, potted mums, and spring varieties to accommodate the demand. At this time, he employed around seventeen total employees with 13 in the retail division and the others in the greenhouse. Fred began wholesaling some of his product to local retailers. The young Al Dauble was one of those customers who Fred enjoyed talking business with. Fred Zeidler had everything a business man could want- a strong growing business, loyal and talented employees, and the desire to see it continue; unfortunately, there was no heir successor for this second generation flower shop. They didn't have any children, and he and his wife Ruby's retirement was in the near future. The stage was set for a new era at Zeidler's.

Al fondly remembers the relationship he had developed with Fred Zeidler over the years, for Zeidler's provided product for the Dauble family shop; additionally, Fred was an excellent role model and source of knowledge for the inquisitive Dauble. He remembers picking out product in the very greenhouses and coolers that he would one day own, yet, at the time, it wasn't even a passing thought. Al's attention was preoccupied with running a business of his own. Fred, however, would joke with the young Dauble saying that he would retire and sell the business when he was 65. Al never truly thought to take it seriously, but as fate would have it, changes were taking place in the fall of 1958 that would force negotiations prior to Mr. Zeidler's retirement goal.

Al and his brothers, George and Gerald, bought Zeidler's on December 7, 1958. With Al at the helm, Zeidler's was about to embark on a rapid transformation that would make it one of the largest floral companies in the country.

For Zeidler's the 1960's brought tremendous growth to its wholesale division and saw floral occasions and holiday sales grow rapidly with the support of FTD's national advertising. Valentine's Day, for example, would grow over 200 times over the next 30 years. The business was sound and efficient, and Al was chomping at the bit for expansion. He felt he had two retail shops, wholesale, and the greenhouse division under control. Zeidler's was burning for growth, and its owner was providing the fuel.

Al Dauble's vision and outlook for growth was always in the forefront of his mind. He could see that the flower shops in the area were increasingly getting older, and in most cases there wasn't the next generation to take over. By no means was Al a vulture waiting to swoop on weakened prey; on the contrary, most of these florists were friends and customers of Al and his family and they approached Al about the possibility. Over the next 10 years, Al would buy another greenhouse operation, purchase two retail flower shops, Hillside (West) and Kuebler's (downtown), and add over 8,000 square feet to the Fulton Ave. retail shop. In fact, Zeidler's was recognized for its growth by being named a Top 100 F.T.D. Florist nationwide in 1975. We are proud to say that this honor has been bestowed upon us every year since by both FTD and Teleflora.

The last two decades of the century would bless Zeidler's once again. Zeidler's expanded with two more retail locations, one on the east side (formerly Niednagel's) and a newly constructed store in Newburgh, Indiana. Today Zeidler's has over 100 loyal employees with five retail locations, a wholesale division, a seasonal garden center, and over 100,000 square feet of greenhouse space. The vast 13 acres that was bought for future growth, is now busting at the seams for expansion.

Alvin "Al" Vernon Dauble had become synonymous with flowers in the tri-state area and throughout most of the floral industry. Al was widely recognized for being one of the forerunners in the modern flower business. He had proven through the years that he can be successful regardless of the business climate. This is especially remarkable since Zeidler's is one of the most diverse floral businesses in the country. Al's diversified business interests have garnered him the reputation of being one of the "finest businessmen in Evansville". That is one reason why he has been sought after for so many events or charities, for they know that Al will give his heart, experience, and honesty through every hour of service. Al's first love, other than his family, is flowers. Every other business activity he has engaged in was strictly a "hobby".

Flowers are given to express or to convey an emotion without words; Al Dauble's lifelong sacrifices, like flowers, say the things that words can never express. When Al passed away in June 1997, he knew that the desire he had for the business would continue. His son, daughter, and son-in-law, with the help of many dedicated employees, are striving to continue the Zeidler tradition with love and pride.