Shopping

Shopping Centers

A great place for one-stop shopping is DeWitt-Seitz Marketplace (394 Lake Ave. S., www.dewitt-seitz.com [3], 10 a.m.–9 p.m. Mon.–Fri., 10 a.m.–8 p.m. Sat., 11 a.m.–5 p.m. Sun.), a beautifully converted warehouse with 11 stores, including Northern Waters Smokehaus (218/724-7307, www.nwsmokehaus.com [4]), with highly regarded fish and gourmet cheeses; Art Dock (218/722-6410, www.art-dock.net [5]), a consignment gallery for hundreds of regional artists; and J. Skylark (218/722-3794), an independent toy store with a real sense of what it means to be a kid.

Just on the edge of downtown is the Fitger’s Brewery Complex (600 Superior St. E., www.fitgers.com [6]), a renovated 1885 brewhouse with a surprising selection of upscale shopping, including clothing and shoes and the highly recommended The Bookstore at Fitger’s (218/727-9077, www.fitgersbookstore.com [7], 10 a.m.–9 p.m. Mon.–Sat., 10 a.m.–5 p.m. Sun.). While there, stop by the free Fitger’s Museum (hours vary) which displays various bits of brewing memorabilia around one of the original copper kettles.

Most Duluthians do their day-to-day shopping along Central Entrance and Highway 53 where the Miller Hill Mall (1600 Miller Trunk Hwy., 218/727-8301, www.miller-hill-mall.com [8], 10 a.m.–9 p.m. Mon.–Fri., 10 a.m.–7 p.m. Sat., 11 a.m.–6 p.m. Sun.) holds more than 100 stores.

Art and Antiques

For fine art with a true Northland touch, check out Sivertson Gallery (361 Canal Park Dr., 218/723-7877 or 888/815-5814, www.sivertson.com [9], 10 a.m.–6 p.m. Mon.–Sat., 11 a.m.–5 p.m. Sun.). You’ll find photos by National Geographic photographer Jim Brandenburg and works by many Native Americans.

Waters of Superior (395 Lake Ave. S., 218/786-0233, www.watersofsuperior.com [10], 10 a.m.–9 p.m. Mon.–Sat., 10 a.m.–8 p.m. Sun.) has a Scandinavian vibe, with jewelry, clothing, and ceramics.

Slightly lower prices, though just as fine a selection of art, can be found at Blue Lake Gallery (395 Lake Ave. S., 218/725-0034, 10 a.m.–8 p.m. Mon.–Sat., 11 a.m.–4 p.m. Sun.).

Lizzards Art Gallery (11 Superior St. W., 218/722-5815, www.lizzards.com [11], 10 a.m.–5 p.m. Mon.–Wed., 10 a.m.–6 p.m. Sat., closed Sun.) features the work of dozens of regional artists.

Father Time (395 Lake Ave. S., 218/625-2379, 11 a.m.–5:30 p.m. Mon.–Thurs., 11 a.m.–7 p.m. Fri., 11 a.m.–8 p.m. Sat., 11 a.m.–6 p.m. Sun.) has the largest selection of antiques.

While Old Town Antiques & Books (102 Superior St. E., 218/722-5426, 10 a.m.–6 p.m. daily) has mostly the former, it is also worth a browse for the latter.

Other Shops

Book-lovers and anyone looking for a literary take on the region should stop by Northern Lights (307 Canal Park Dr., 218/722-5267 or 800/868-8904, www.norlights.booksense.com [12], 9 a.m.–6 p.m. Mon.–Thurs., 9 a.m.–8 p.m. Fri.–Sat., 10 a.m.–6 p.m. Sun., extended hours during summer), which has an excellent Minnesota section in a small but well-curated space.

For a sure-fire coming-home present, head to Grandma’s Marketplace (501 Lake Ave. S., 218/727-5885, www.grandmasrestaurants.com [13]), where you’ll find a classier collection of Duluth-themed gear, Thymes-brand soaps and lotions (a Minnesota company), and whole sections devoted to moose and black bears.

Souvenirs of a different kind can be found at the Lake Superior Magazine Outlet Store (310 Superior St. E., 888/244-5253, www.lakesuperior.com [14], 8:30 a.m.–5:30 p.m. Mon.–Fri., closed Sat.–Sun.), which sells wall maps, nautical maps, books, gear, and furnishings all related to the Lake.

A “Duluth Pack,” in regional parlance, is a heavy-duty rectangular canvas backpack with a fold-over top. The original 1882 design was known as a “Poirier pack,” after the inventor. Duluth Pack still makes the bags, along with school bags and heavy-duty luggage, and sells them at their only retail outlet (365 Canal Park Dr., Duluth, 218/722-1707, www.duluthpack.com [15], 10 a.m.–8 p.m. Mon.–Sat., 10 a.m.–6 p.m. Sun.) along with other high-quality outdoor gear.

The Electric Fetus (12 Superior St. E., 218/722-9970, 9 a.m.–9 p.m. Mon.–Fri., 9 a.m.–8 p.m. Sat., 11 a.m.–6 p.m. Sun.) is an outpost of the Twin Cities [16] store that helped launch the Minneapolis [16] sound in the 1980s. Look for indie music, clothes, and gifts.