Duluth Brands
By Adam Carr on Dec 19, 2011 in Weird Stuff
I’m from Milwaukee, and when I travel, there are usually some brands/products from my region around to remind me of home. If there are motorcycles, there’s a good chance there’s Harley. If people are drinking shabby beer, there’s probably Miller. If there are toilets, there’s probably Kohler (from Sheboygan). And of course, there are a lot of smaller ones too.
What are some Duluth brands, large/small/in between, that I could expect to find around the country/world? I’m looking for anything from the obvious to the obscure.
Here’s a few that spring to mind. There are many more.
Many Duluthians are unaware of it, but Aerostich motorcycle outfitters is based here. They manufacture high-quality protective motorcycle suits and jackets catering mostly to adventure/touring motorcyclists, and they sell them all over the world. It all happens from their building on 18th Ave West. If you see a motorcyclist wearing a debatably tacky-looking bright yellow motorcycle get-up, it’s probably an Aerostich.
For outdoor gear there’s Duluth Pack, Empire Wool & Canvas, Frost River, and Granite Gear (in Two Harbors). All four companies make high-quality stuff.
Does it have to be Duluth? How about Steger Mulucks? Or Windsong outterwear from Bayfield? Good quality products from both!
Daniel Larson Vihulea maker and gut string manufacturing-
http://gamutmusic.squarespace.com/
I would also say:
Field Logic hunting targets and products: http://www.fieldlogic.com/
Genesis Attachments is a world-wide company: http://www.genesisattachments.com
Michelinas (frozen foods): http://www.michelinas.com
Although not very recognizable to someone outside of the industries I would say Altec Highline and Ikonics.
Sven Saws are made right here in town.
So were Diamond Tools and Horseshoes, you still find them everywhere.
WiskeyJack paddles… though I am not sure how “Worldwide” they are.
1. Lake Superior Brewery
2. Thirsty Pagan Brewery
3. Fitger’s Brewhouse Beer
4. Maurice’s
5. Decent human kindness
Cranesong Audio gear. Made in Superior. Used by many famous people all over the world.
http://www.cranesong.com/
But that’s Wisconsin.
Jaeckel Organs, world-famous builder of pipe organs:
http://www.jaeckelorgans.com/index.html
Wasn’t that bucket buddy thing made here?
Dorkus:
Whiskeyjack is now located in Montana. they departed Duluth about two years ago.
Is Ed Schaefer still making guitars locally?
aerostich!
http://www.aerostich.com/
Bucket Boss started in Duluth but was sold to Fiskars. Some of the original Bucket Boss folks started Duluth Trading Company, but I believe they actually operate out of Mt. Horab.
http://www.dogbooties.com/
Diamond match company in Cloquet.
Granite Gear doesn’t manufacture its stuff here.
Jambox
Helstrom Instrument Stands:
If you really stretch the definition of the ‘metro area’ you could count Jack Link’s Beef Jerky headquartered in Minong.
Jon Helstrom does amazing work with wood…he’s also a fine and innovative architect.
Sota Clothing is run by a UMD student. http://sotaclothing.com/
Michelena’s, Jeno’s
Both WiskeyJack and Bucket Boss are out of Duluth now?
Bummer.
It’s not really a product for the general public, but there’s Phrazer, a translation and medical diagnostic tool made by GeaCom.
And Alotti Biscotti, I think they distribute beyond our borders.
That Jeno’s commercial was made by Sterling Cooper Agency.
The founder of Oreck vacuums is from Duluth (I’m not sure if he founded the company here though).
Last I heard Ed Schafer moved to Texas.
http://www.schaeferguitars.com/index.php
New Vintage amplifiers.
Lotus Guitar FX Pedals!!
http://www.lotuspedaldesigns.com/
Ed moved *back* to Texas, then…he’s from around my neck of the woods…
Loll Designs (unless it’s already been mentioned) and Empire Wool and Canvas Works is out East someplace, doing innovational wool and, well, canvas outdoor clothing and gear…
Amsoil is a Superior based producer of synthetic motor oil:
http://www.amsoil.com/
They also have a nutritional supplement division, Altrum:
http://www.altrumonline.com/
Yes Ed did move back to Texas. I was being a bit P.C. with my initial comment.
Dale still makes arch top guitars in Duluth http://www.nielsenguitars.com. Dale is a former student of the Ed Schafer Lutihier school.
Somewhere downtown there’s evidence of the original Oreck’s department store in the form of some terrazzo inlay on the floor of a entrance way .. I forget where.
Ikonics was brought up earlier… I know of a lot of people who think it’s cool I live in the town Ikonics is in. Their products are really popular with glass sand carvers.
According to Wikipedia, David Oreck founded his company in New Orleans: “I flew down to New Orleans that day. The sun was out. It was beautiful. I was still in my heavy winter overcoat. I said to myself, ‘Wow. I’m missing something here.’”
I should have said, SO…Ed moved back to Texas. He’s from Hillsboro, which is a spit from where I grew up.
How about Wintergreen Northernwear. Technically made in Ely, MN, but with a store representing here in Duluth. Nice and warm and locally made!