“My Dad and I joked that we started a company because we couldn't find a blazer in the store we wanted to buy,” said Scott Anderson of Anderson Little.

Scott and Stuart Anderson revived their iconic brand Anderson Little started in 1934 by Scott's Great Grandfather.  The company was sold to F.W. Woolworth, and closed in bankruptcy.  Four years ago Scott approached his father about resurrecting the brand.

“I thought about it for two minutes and said Let's do it,” said Stuart Anderson.

At its height Anderson Little sold 10,000 suits and sport coats a week and had celebrities like NFL Hall of Fame quarterback Roger Staubach promoting their clothing.

South Florida Manufacturing Association President Tom Kennedy says, “I certainly have the cashmere coat I bought when I lived in the Northeast so I think it’s one of those legacy companies.  Made in the U.S.A.”

“Every garment was made in America and it was sold factory direct to you,” said Stuart Anderson.

Now the Andersons are manufacturing again here in South Florida.  

“I wanted to rebuild Anderson Little because I wanted to make the point that you can manufacture in America. You can compete with anyone in the world,” said Scott Anderson.

It's still sold factory direct on Anderson Little's website. The Andersons believe they originated the factory outlet.  After WWII with lots of returns from the department stores they held a sale on the factory floor. 

It was wildly successful.

“It was really an effort of desperation that created the factory outlet,” says Stuart Anderson.

Now they are back to blazers.

“It is something that no fashion change over the last 100 years has been effectively able to kill,” said Scott Anderson.

Manufacturing in the U.S. lets them be more hands on and in their opinion produce better products. 

“It has brought some work back in the states.  We wish a lot more companies would have that attitude,” said Mike Fiorilli of Leonora Fashions.

The Andersons say they are providing jobs and sales have increased 20% every year. 

“I would not restart Anderson Little unless we manufactured in America period.  It is an American Brand,” said Scott Anderson. 

Click here to learn more about the brand.