“Over the years, my own personal style became meshed and intertwined with what people refer to as The Seaside Style®. The clothes I wore, the decorations in my homes and shops, the way I staged events and dinner parties—it all became known as Seaside. There is no ending and no beginning anymore. It's all thoroughly Seaside.”
- Daryl Rose Davis
1970s
After meeting and falling in love, Robert Davis and Daryl Rose Davis traveled the world, drawing inspiration from charming towns and timeless architecture. Their experiences would later spark the creation of a unique community in the Florida Panhandle, Seaside.
1980s
Daryl Rose Davis envisioned a Farmers Market in Seaside’s early years as a way to foster community alongside the growing beach town, bringing locals together over fresh fruits and vegetables. During this time, she drafted the first SEASIDE® logo.
1985
At the market, Daryl started selling SEASIDE® tees, quickly becoming known not only for the design but for the effortless style she brought to Seaside. Inspired by the response, she opened Perspicasity, a European style market– a boutique that reflected her unique vision.
1990s
Daryl continued expanding her retail vision across Seaside. With Erica Pierce, she created L. Pizitz, a one-stop shop for SEASIDE® tees and curated merchandise, named after Robert’s great-grandfather. In 1992, Daryl took ownership of the store for one dollar and transformed it into a cornerstone of the Seaside Associated Stores.
2000s
Fast forward to today, and Daryl’s inspiration is everywhere in Seaside, from the thoughtfully curated SEASIDE® stores to the dachshunds spotted around town. What began with intentionality, a dream, and a veggie stand has grown into a town recognized around the world.
The T-shirt That Build the Town
Since Seaside’s inception, Daryl Rose Davis shaped what would become The Seaside Style®, an approach that extended far beyond architecture into color, clothing, interiors, and everyday life. Rooted in simplicity and comfort, The Seaside Style® became more than an aesthetic; it became a way of life that blended creativity, community, and intentional living.
In the early 1990s, Daryl expanded her vision through Seaside’s retail landscape, opening and refining boutique businesses that brought energy and excitement to the town. Working closely with Erica Pierce, she built spaces that empowered women, fostered creativity, and strengthened the community. Today, visitors still come to Seaside for merchandise bearing the simple logo Daryl first sketched in 1981, proof that a T-shirt helped spark an iconic lifestyle brand and shape the identity of an entire town.
Meet Bud the Dachshund
When Robert and Daryl Rose Davis welcomed Bud into their lives, he quickly became a constant companion, walking beside them through the early days of dreaming, designing, and building a town rooted in intentionality and charm.
Bud’s presence soon became part of Seaside itself, from the waterfront restaurant Bud & Alley’s to merchandise at The Seaside Style, where his silhouette became a beloved symbol of the town.
The original Bud the Dachshund lived for 21 years. Years later, Vice President Erica Pierce welcomed Bud the Dachshund II to carry on his legacy. Though Bud II passed away in 2024, the tradition continues today with Bud the Dachshund III (Buddy) and his loyal sidekick, Guinness.
Women in Seaside
Daryl Rose Davis has long been a champion of entrepreneurs and women throughout Seaside’s growth, inspired by her mother’s belief that a woman should always be able to support herself and her children. Watching her mother build a successful business instilled in Daryl a deep sense of independence and work ethic—values that guided her career at a time when women were often overlooked in business. That foundation sparked her lifelong passion for empowering other women as leaders and business owners.
Building Future Generations
“Because Seaside is a place for families, it’s so important and heartwarming that so many children of the families who started it want to keep that legacy alive."
- Erica Pierce
Pictured is Makenzie Carter, the GM and Chief Creative Officer of Seaside Associated Stores® and Micah Davis, President of SEASIDE Community Development Corporation.
The Evolution of Seaside
Seaside will never be finished. It's constantly evolving as a "Town of Ideas" and will continue to do so with the next group of Seasiders who carry the legacy into the future.