The Best-Kept Secret for Duluth Men Who Want to Look Incredible
Whether They're Getting Married or Getting Headshots
With full experience… Andrew Samplawski from Andrew Samplawski Photography | Duluth, MN Wedding & Engagement Photographer serving Superior, WI and the North Shore
If you've ever watched a groom walk down the aisle in a suit that clearly didn't fit… jacket pulling at the shoulders, pants bunching at the ankles… You know exactly why this blog post needed to exist.
And if you're a professional man in the Duluth-Superior area who's been putting off updating your wardrobe because you don't know where to start, this one's for you too.
Let me introduce you to Columbia Store in downtown Duluth, and why I'm now recommending them to every single one of my wedding clients, engagement clients, and, honestly, anyone who asks me where to find quality menswear in this area. This was formerly known as Ed Barbo’s Columbia Clothing Company.
I Met with Kyle. Here's What Blew Me Away.
As a wedding and engagement photographer serving Duluth, Superior, and the North Shore of Minnesota, I'm always looking for local vendors who align with my approach to my work… with intention, care, and a deep focus on the client experience. When I sat down with Kyle at Columbia Store, I wasn't prepared for just how thorough and thoughtful their approach to menswear really is. He shared that he’s one of the new co-owners of the store and that they recently purchased the business in the spring of 2025.
This isn't a big-box retailer. This is a small, locally rooted store in the heart of downtown Duluth, with intentional customer service and sincere care in everything they do.
What they carry is impressive on its own:
Duckhead brand clothing
34 Heritage pants… made from wood fiber and built to last (these things are seriously durable)
Custom fit suits and sport coats
Simple to incredibly intricate tailoring… and quality tailoring like this is genuinely hard to find in our region
But what really sets Columbia apart is how they work with people. Kyle described a customer experience that's collaborative, well-planned, and 100% focused on making sure every man who walks out of that store feels confident and looks the part. Whether you're white-collar, blue-collar, or executive-level… they meet you where you are and help you dress for where you want to be.
For My Grooms & Groomsmen: This Is the Referral I've Been Looking For
If you're planning a wedding in the Duluth area, Superior, or anywhere along the North Shore, I cannot recommend Columbia Store enough for your wedding-day attire.
Here's what makes them stand out for wedding parties specifically:
Custom fits and real tailoring. Not every man is built for off-the-rack. Columbia offers custom suit options and tailoring that ranges from simple adjustments to complex, intricate work. Your guys will actually look like they belong in those suits… because the suits will actually fit them.
A collaborative process. Kyle and his team work with you. They're not just handing you something off a rack and sending you on your way. They talk through the vision, the wedding aesthetic, the vibe, and they help you build a look that complements it all. I personally experienced this and had the opportunity to ask questions about services and one-off situations that not every men’s wear store offers, and Kyle had a solution for every challenge I raised. Impressive to say the least.
It's a great experience for the whole group. Getting your wedding party styled shouldn't feel like a chore. Columbia makes it feel like something worth looking forward to.
Explore their wedding services here:columbiaduluth.com/weddings
For My Engagement Clients: Yes, You Can Style Up for Your Session
Here's something I didn't expect but absolutely love… Columbia Store offers a style consultation specifically for engagement sessions. Not only do I provide this service with style guides & outfit recommendations with our styling partner… better yet, they provide this service locally in downtown Duluth and in-person, and, better yet, they are willing to meet you virtually for those who are out of town.
If you've been wondering what to wear for your engagement photos (and trust me, almost every couple asks this), this is your answer. Kyle's team will work with you to put together outfits that photograph beautifully, match your partner's look with a similar color palette, and fit the vibe of your session… whether you're shooting on the shores of Lake Superior, on the Duluth hillside, or somewhere along the North Shore.
And here's the part that genuinely surprised me:
Columbia has a 14-day return policy with this service.
That means you can come in, get styled, wear the outfits for your engagement session, and if you fall in love with the pieces… keep them. If they're not quite right for your everyday wardrobe after the shoot, you can return them within 14 days. Too good to be true? I experienced it when I was in the store when someone needed a tie for their day & the previous tie they selected was not the best fit. Kyle sent home 3 ties for the soon-to-be groom to color match with his soon-to-be wife’s color palette & just needs to return the other two ties once a decision is made. Quite impressive!
I've never heard of another store doing this, and I think it speaks volumes about how committed they are to the customer experience. They want you to feel incredible. They want you to walk away happy. And they're willing to back that up with a policy that removes all the risk. You have nothing to lose and all of the worry-free hassle to gain.
Book your engagement shoot consultation here:columbiaduluth.com/engagement
For the Business Professional: Duluth Has a Hidden Gem
This one goes out to the men in the Duluth-Superior area who are looking for elevated, high-quality clothing for work… whether that's for headshots, corporate events, client meetings, or simply to show up every day looking polished and put together.
Columbia Store carries the kind of clothing that holds up… literally and stylistically. We're talking well-constructed pieces from brands that prioritize quality materials and craftsmanship. The 34 Heritage pants alone are worth the trip; wood-fiber construction means they're tough, incredibly comfortable, and soft, and they look great over time.
And the tailoring? If you've ever had a suit jacket that fits perfectly across the shoulders but pulls somewhere else, you know how hard it is to find someone who can actually fix that. Columbia offers tailoring ranging from basic hemming to complex alterations — a skill set that's increasingly rare, even in larger markets.
For men who want to invest in their professional appearance without wading through a sea of generic fast fashion, this is the store Duluth has been quietly keeping to itself.
Why I'm Referring Clients Here
As a wedding and portrait photographer in the Midwest, I spend a lot of time thinking about what people wear and sharing suggestions. Clothing affects how confident someone feels in front of the camera. It affects how images look. It tells a story about who you are… on your wedding day, in your engagement session, or in your professional headshots. I personally experience this because of how I photograph: I’m moving and grooving during sessions, from squatting into position for low angles to climbing on objects to get high angles… I require comfort and flexibility in all my clothing, which I found here at Columbia in Duluth, MN.
When I find a local business that takes that seriously, I want to share it.
Columbia Store in downtown Duluth is the real deal. Kyle and his team are knowledgeable, welcoming, and genuinely invested in making sure every client walks out feeling like the best version of themselves. For my couples in Duluth, Superior, and along the North Shore, and for the professionals in this area who deserve quality menswear… I'm sending them your way with full confidence.
Columbia Store | Downtown Duluth, MN
Experience their in-person Wedding Services
Have questions about what to wear for your engagement session with me or for attending a friend's or family member’s wedding? Let’s connect! I'm always happy to help my clients look and feel their absolute best in front of the camera, whether for their wedding day, engagement session, or headshots.
An additional resource you may find helpful that I’ve put together -