You may have noticed a new antique store has opened at 118 E. First St. in Downtown Duluth. It’s a pretty crazy collection. In one corner is some of the remaining used book inventory from R. O. Carlson’s famous store, next to it is stuff from the old Molly’s Bar in Superior … and on and on. There are about 10 different people selling stuff in there, one of which is Doug Moen, who is best known for his massive collection of retro clothing.
Moen sold his massive collection in 2006 to the A. H. Zeppa Family Foundation, which opened a costume warehouse in Superior’s Mariner Mall called Northern Theatrical Costumes. That business fizzled, and Moen has reacquired his collection.
He began collecting vintage clothing in 1967 and has run a number of costume and antique stores over the years. The most recent was Doug Moen’s Clothing and Vintage Costume Rental at 1226-1/2 Tower Ave. in Superior, above the old Vintage Italian Pizza location. It was open from 1990 to 2005.
During that time, clothing from his collection was used in a handful of major motion pictures, including Dead Man, Far North, Iron Will, North Country and A Prairie Home Companion.
Much of the collection is stored in the upper level of the new antique store in piles of cardboard boxes. A few years ago Moen estimated there were about 100,000 pieces in the collection. It must still be in the tens of thousands. If you need something, go ahead and ask him. There’s a 5 percent chance he might be able to find it.
The building was previously occupied by Duluth Auto Sales, owned by Wayne “Cal” Polla. He filed for bankruptcy in 2008.
Here’s one side of the new store:
Here’s a flier:
And here’s a business card:
