Goldsmith's Boat Shop Celebrates 100 Years In Southold: 'It's Amazing'

SOUTHOLD, NY — A crowd turned out under blue skies Saturday to celebrate the 100th anniversary of a beloved business in Southold, Goldsmith's Boat Shop.

The Goldsmith family, including patriarch Alvah Goldsmith, Jr., called Skip, and his sons Craig and Glenn, currently helm the business, the oldest continuously run marina in the nation, founded in 1923.

During the event, a steady stream of well-wishers stopped the Goldsmith family to share hugs and memories and thank them, on the centennial, for decades of commitment to the community they've served tirelessly.

"It's amazing," said Craig Goldsmith, surveying the crowd. "This is what it's all about, and always has been. Family, friends, customers."

His brother Glenn agreed, adding that the event, which included a band, food, and tents set up by the water, took much planning. "It's been a whirlwind," he said.

In 1923, Alvah Goldsmith Sr., who lived on a farm in Peconic and worked in a car dealership, began a side business of selling Evinrude outboard motors from the front porch of his house. The business thrived, and by 1930, he purchased land at Founders Landing in Southold where he set up a marina and boat-building business, according to New York State Senator Anthony Palumbo, who along with Southold Town Supervisor Scott Russell and the town board, and the Suffolk County Legislature, issued proclamations to the Goldsmith family.

Many of Alvah Goldsmith Sr.'s early customers were owners of fishing stations in the town. When World War II broke out, he took regular trips into New York City to meet officials with the United States Navy to promote his business as a place where boats for the war effort could be constructed, Palumbo said.

During that time, Alvah Goldsmith Sr. and approximately 50 employees worked seven days a week to build 150 ships which held torpedoes that could be transported out on the water to waiting seaplanes for the United States Navy at Founders Landing. After the boats were built, they were tested in the bay and then delivered to the United States Navy on trains from Southold, Palumbo said.

After the war, Alvah Goldsmith Sr. decided to buy land on Mill Creek in 1947, to start
his recreational boating business. Upon the passing of his father, Alvah Goldsmith Sr., Alvah Goldsmith Jr. took over the business which he had worked in since the young age of 14, the senator added.

"The story of Goldsmith’s Marina is one deeply entwined with our region’s history and the impact of the post-war boom on Long Island. I applaud the Goldsmith’s for their business ingenuity that has allowed them to operate the oldest continuously run marina in the nation," Palumbo said.

Southold Supervisor Scott Russell, who attended the event Saturday, reflected on the milestone: "The Goldsmith family reflects the best of the best in Southold. When you combine hard work and a commitment to the community, and you conduct your business with value, trust, and integrity, you get to celebrate 100 years with thousands of people in Southold cheering you on. It's an honor they rightly deserve."