For more than 20 years, Bayside's Ronald and Richard Keil have been ensuring that the U.S. Open has a colorful kickoff.
Every year, the brothers and a full crew plant thousands of annuals, perennials and exotic plants at Arthur Ashe Stadium in Flushing Meadows Corona Park that act as decor for the tennis tournament.
Ronald Keil, who co-owns Bayside's , said the high profile gig is one of the store's highest profile accounts.
"We've been very fortunate that we've been able to do all the flowers for the U.S. Open for the past 20 years," he said. "We try to give it the 'wow' factor. At the end of August and September, many gardens look tired. But we know what does well and what doesn't do well.
The Keil brothers begin planting along the stadium's 50 acres in early July and complete their task near the end of August.
"We also do the indoor tennis center, which is transformed into the hospitality room," he said.
They originally landed the job after the stadium's operators decided they wanted to hire a local business to decorate the site for the tennis tournament, which kicked off Monday.
Ronald Keil says former Queens Borough President Claire Shulman was instrumental in helping them get the gig.
Keil Bros. has been a Bayside-owned and operated business for more than 80 years. It is located at 210-11 48th Ave.
