Leland Zeidler

1931 - 2018

Leland Zeidler
Jan. 30, 1931 - Sept. 21, 2018
Resident of Santa Cruz
Leland Zeidler, the developer and owner of the Old Sash Mill property complex in Santa Cruz California, and co-founder of Zeidler & Zeidler, Ltd., the influential Los Angeles-based chain of men's clothing stores in the 1960s and 70s, died on September 21, 2018, at the age of 87, after a short battle with cancer.
Mr. Zeidler, who was known for his ready wit and walrus mustache, was born in Los Angeles, California, on January 30th, 1931, and grew up in the working class, multi-ethnic neighborhood of Boyle Heights. His parents, Charles Zeidler and Gene Pine, were both Russian immigrants, who met and married in Los Angeles. Mr. Zeidler, who dropped out of high school because of a childhood illness, showed a knack for inventive entrepreneurial ventures as a teenager, selling everything from chocolate bars during WWII to newspaper subscriptions for the Los Angeles Examiner, and even working briefly as a Fuller Brush Man. Mr. Zeidler opened his first clothing store, Lee's Shirt Shop, in 1956. Not having enough money to carry inventory, he stocked the shelves with empty boxes to make it appear that he had a thriving business.
In 1958 Mr. Zeidler partnered with his brother, Marvin Zeidler, to open the first Zeidler & Zeidler, Ltd. store on the Sunset strip. Zeidler & Zeidler, or Z&Z as it became known, rapidly evolved into the premier vender of men's high fashion in Southern California, expanding to 22 stores by the mid-1980s. Leland and Marvin clothed a veritable who's who of the LA scene, including such figures as Muhammad Ali, James Brown, Steve McQueen, Jerry West, and Jay Leno, among others. Z&Z was at the cutting edge of menswear, introducing the "mod" look, Spanish Flamenco boots, and other trends in European fashion. In the 1960s, Mr. Zeidler and his brother introduced their own line of clothing, which they designed themselves even though the two had no formal design training. Z&Z was also well known for its innovative advertising, with playful graphics inspired by the pop art of the 60s, and off-beat, often improvisational radio adds performed by comics Lenny Bruce and Wavy Gravy, and the celebrity DJ, Wolfman Jack.
In 1973, tiring of the stresses of living in Los Angeles, and looking for a new challenge, Mr. Zeidler moved his family to Santa Cruz and purchased the property that was to become the Old Sash Mill and Farmer's Exchange complex. Mr. Zeidler's vision was to create an artist colony, where artists, architects, and others in the design industry would have an opportunity to establish and grow their trades—an idea that was ahead of its time and for which he could not get traction in Los Angeles. Mr. Zeidler improved and expanded the property, turning what was an historic, but dilapidated window sash factory and surrounding land into a unique mix of retail, light manufacturing, tech, office space, eateries, and, of course, artists and designers, all the while maintaining the historic aspect of the property and its 19th century western-industrial aesthetic. Mr. Zeidler enjoyed mentoring young entrepreneurs, and was always willing to listen and provide helpful suggestions and honest advice. Over the 45 years of his ownership, the Sash Mill played a important role in the cultural and commercial growth of Santa Cruz, serving as an incubator for many iconic Santa Cruz businesses, including Annieglass, Storrs winery, the Santa Cruz Cookie Company, and Uncommon Brewers, among others.
In 1976, not satisfied with merely running a commercial real estate complex, and at a time when the vast majority of Americans were still drinking instant coffee, Leland and his wife, Marian, opened the The Coffee Pot, among the first businesses in Santa Cruz to sell fresh roasted coffee beans. The store eventually become the Farmer's Exchange, one of the premier kitchen stores on the Central California Coast, specializing in European cookware, kitchen tools, and gourmet foods, and achieving the designation of top West-coast seller of Cuisinart food processers. Leland and Marian operated the Farmer's exchange until it was sold in the mid-1980s.
Notwithstanding his skill and success as an entrepreneur, Mr. Zeidler's true passion was for art and design, and he had a keen eye for the modern aesthetic. In addition to designing clothes, graphics, and playing a key role in the design of his commercial spaces and buildings, he was intimately involved with the design and construction of 3 personal homes over the course his life, each one receiving accolades and awards from the architectural community. He was also an avid collector of contemporary art, and he befriended and supported many Los Angeles and Bay-Area based painters and sculptors. Mr. Zeidler was also a devoted gourmand, who loved to cook, eat, and travel, and he spent many summers in France and Italy, where he seemed always to be in search of his next meal.
Leland Zeidler is survived by his wife and business partner of 64 years, Marian Zeidler, their 4 children, Guy, Lori (and her husband, Bud), Belinda (and her husband, Jay), Jon, and three grandchildren, Ian, Emma, and Max. Mr. Zeidler is also survived by his two brothers, Marvin and Harris, and their families.


View the online memorial for Leland Zeidler