History
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1949
Founded by Coast Guard veteran Joseph Kadison on the docks of Philadelphia, QMS begins selling marine clothing, hardware and equipment to local seamen.
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1961
A Life magazine cover
on Ernest Hemingway features two photos of "the greatest American writer of this century" in his Oysterman cap
, creating a surge of demand.
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1968
QMS headquarters moves to Bryn Mawr, PA.
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1975
The company shifts its focus exclusively to headwear. It’s the perfect creative outlet for Kadison, a longtime lover and aficionado of hats who relishes working on their details.
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1980
L.L. Bean starts carrying QMS hats, expanding the brand's reach.
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1983
The company moves to Conshohocken, PA.
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2003
Ned Kitchel
, a former L.L. Bean merchandiser with a love of the outdoors, acquires QMS and moves its headquarters to Portland, Maine.
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2011
In the midst of the Great Recession and crippled by a factory fire, QMS shuts down.
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2012
Veteran retailer Kevin McLaughlin,
a longtime admirer of the brand, acquires QMS with the idea of reimagining it as a lifestyle label.
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2018
Splash! Now based in Brooklyn, New York, the revamped QMS launches its first collection, a range of hats and gear inspired by the brand’s heritage and classic East Coast summer style.