Before she owned a gift shop, Colleen Lampton spent more than three decades inside hospital imaging suites, guiding patients through the whirring, banging and clicking of MRI machines. The work was intense, and her moments of calm often came in an unlikely place – the hospital gift shop.
“The gift shop was my little reprieve,” Lampton said. “If I ever got a chance to walk away for a moment, I’d go up and look at all the beautiful things. I’d think, ‘Oh, my sister would love this. My mom would like that.’ It made me happy for a few minutes.”
Sometimes, when helping a frightened child through a scan, she would ask the parents if she could get the child something from the gift shop. “All of a sudden, my little scared person was smiling and saying, ‘I can do this’,” she said. “Those gift shop moments stayed with me.”
When Lampton retired early, her husband, Rick Lampton, asked if she wanted to finally open a shop of her own. “It was my dream job,” she said. “So we just decided to go for it.”
A Shop with Something for Everyone
Lampton and her daughter, Sydney Canon, began sketching their vision. They wanted “something for everyone” — a place with gifts for baby showers, baptisms, birthdays, Mother’s and Father’s Day or sobriety milestones. Just as important was showcasing local artists who didn’t always have a venue to share their work. They also added small-batch treats alongside handmade art and gifts.
In December 2020, at the height of the pandemic, the Lamptons opened Weeping Willow Heartfelt Gifts in Duluth’s 53 Business Center off Miller Trunk Highway. The shop outgrew its space within two years.
“People really loved our concept,” she said. “We didn’t realize how fast it was going to take off.”
Being Superior natives, the couple looked across the bridge for a permanent home. They purchased a building at 1307 Tower Ave. and restored it, carefully preserving original trim, doors and baseboards. They removed a drop ceiling, revealing pressed tin.
“We wanted to keep it authentic,” Lampton said. “The history of the building matters. You can feel it when you walk in.”
The Superior Business Improvement District provided grant funds for new windows and signage. “The BID has been a great partner,” she said. “They’ve helped us, and other small businesses, invest in downtown.”
Small-batch and Local Focus
Weeping Willow’s shelves are stocked for nearly any occasion. Jewelry, candles, puzzles, books, gourmet treats, housewares and faith-inspired items fill the displays. The shop’s focus, however, is small-batch makers and local artisans.
Originals by painter Ryan Horn line the walls, each a personal interpretation of landscapes and village scenes of Vincent Van Gogh. Woodworker Josh Dumke mills his own lumber before turning it into cutting boards and décor.
One of the store’s best-selling lines comes from Trippy Craft Creations, run by Superior artist Mary Tripp. Using sea glass and small stones she collects herself, Tripp creates whimsical framed designs of birds on wires, flowers, hearts and families.
“They fly off the shelves,” Lampton said. “We can hardly keep them in stock.”
For Tripp, who began crafting a little more than a year ago, Weeping Willow has been a launchpad. “As a new crafter, I’ve been so encouraged by the owners and staff,” she said. “I appreciate their kindness and their support of a wide range of local artisans. Plus, as a customer of the store, I am always impressed by their personalized service.”
A Family Effort
The business is run like a family operation because, in many ways, it is. Colleen’s sister, Pam Cannon, serves as store manager. Sydney balances raising two young children with helping design displays and curate the shop’s look.
“She’s incredibly creative,” Lampton said of her sister, Pam. “She inspects every item that comes in, adds it into our system and makes sure everything is presented beautifully.”
Other relatives pitch in as well, and staff who aren’t related are quickly treated as family. “There’s no difference anymore,” Lampton said.
Rick keeps an eye on the books. “He tells us what we can work with,” Colleen said with a laugh. “And we make it work.”
Every item in the store has been purchased out of pocket, without loans. “It makes us careful, but it also makes us proud,” she said.
Custom Service At Its Heart
One of Weeping Willow’s most popular offerings is personalized gift baskets. Customers often call with a description of the recipient — an aunt who hates clutter, a co-worker celebrating sobriety, a niece’s 40th birthday. Staff members gather ideas, send photos for approval and assemble baskets or bags tailored to the occasion.
“We ask a lot of questions about personality and preferences,” Lampton said. “Do they like birds? Tea? Puzzles? Candles? That helps us land on the perfect gift.”
The process has led to emotional moments. Lampton recalls a woman seeking a memorial gift for two young hunters who had died. She wanted shadow boxes reflecting their love of the outdoors. When Lampton explained the need to the artist, Josh Dumke produced a second box within 24 hours so both families could receive one.
“The family was able to present one to each grieving household,” she said. “Those are the moments that remind us why we do this.”
A Calm Place to Land
Beyond retail, the shop has become a gathering place. Customers often stop in simply to browse and decompress. Nurses from nearby hospitals come by after difficult shifts.
“People tell us, ‘I just needed to look at pretty things for a few minutes’,” Lampton said. “That was me years ago in the hospital gift shop. Now we get to give that feeling to others.”
The store maintains a peaceful atmosphere — uncluttered, warmly lit, with seasonal displays that change frequently. Items in the front window are rotated often, and sensitive merchandise is shielded with UV-protected shades.
“We take presentation seriously,” Sydney said. “It’s about honoring the artists and making sure customers feel cared for.”
Investing in Superior’s Future
For the Lamptons, opening on Tower Avenue was more than a business move — it was a chance to contribute to the revitalization of Superior’s downtown.
The BID not only provided grants but also connects entrepreneurs through its Women in Business gatherings. “We share stories, ask questions and look for resources together,” Lampton said. “It builds community among business owners.”
Weeping Willow also supports local causes by donating baskets and products for fundraisers. “It’s another way we can give back,” she said.
Rooted in Family and Community
Colleen grew up in Superior, graduating from Superior High School in 1983. Her sister Pam followed a year later. After decades in the medical field, Colleen said it feels right to be back in her hometown, contributing in a new way.
“This shop is everything I loved about those quiet minutes in a hospital gift shop,” she said. “But it’s also about family, community and supporting local artists. We feel so grateful for the support we’ve received here.”
Weeping Willow’s appeal, she believes, comes from more than the products on the shelves. It’s about the connections — between artists and customers, and among the family members who run the store together.
“It really is about connection,” Lampton said.
For customers like Janet Nelson, a Superior resident who works at St. Mary’s Essentia Hospital in Duluth, the store is both calming and personal.
“Walking in is calming and soothing — you’re greeted with the scent of essential oils and lavender,” Nelson said. “The people there are so friendly. The second time I walked in, they remembered me from the first.
“They carry specialty items, care packages and really beautiful sympathy cards with unique artwork. I’ve been telling all my friends — it’s just a lovely shop. We finally have a nice little strip of stores on Tower Avenue.”
