athletic wear brand. Bottom of opposite page, Don Marcolo Founder Samuel O. Campbell with wife, Tawanna Campbell, and daughter, Leilani Campbell. Above, Don Marcolo’s Williamsport showroom. C.J. LEONARD/West Branch Life

Down Williamsport’s Washington Boulevard, the new independent sneaker and clothing store Don Marcolo has officially opened its doors. The vision for Don Marcolo has been in the works since Samuel O. Campbell, founder of the company and designer, started working at a young age. “I was doing little jobs with my uncle, plumbing, and heating work and from the money I made from there, I used to buy my material, stitch up my clothing and sneakers. I would add different fabrics and give them different styles. And eventually, a friend of mine…sold me a sewing machine and I started making my own stuff from there,” says Campbell.

In addition to selling Don Marcolo sneakers and sportswear, Campbell plans on working alongside other entrepreneurs who can use his business as a platform to sell their wares and get themselves noticed by buyers. “It’s more than just style and designs. It’s more than just me,” says Campbell.

Don Marcolo allows customers to explore different clothing styles and designs from new and unnoticed independent designers. I’m looking forward to starting to hire a strong team to ensure the growth of Don Marcolo,” says Campbell.

There is something to be said about the creative process behind Campbell’s method of tailoring his merchandise. While there’s a tactic, he also prides himself on his ability and freedom to create without catering to any particular craze or aesthetic. “My choice of the Don Marcolo layout was freestyled, which I love to do. That is, come off the top of the head with it,” says the designer.

With that said, Campbell also goes to great lengths to empower his customers to play a prominent role in his creations. While spending a year preparing for the opening of his business, he had potential buyers review his designs and plan his next course of action based on feedback. Marcolo recalls, “I had a customer who, directly after buying one of my pairs of sneakers, took off her sneakers and put mine on. And she told me that the pair I provided was way more comfortable than the pair she previously had on.”

Don Marcolo’s summer collection of shirts and jeans now populate the store’s walls. Sneakers are perfectly aligned on a pedestal, or perhaps you would like to grab a beanie or pair of socks at the front desk. Whatever your fancy, Campbell is ecstatic about selling his original wares to customers and looking forward to extending his hand to independent designers looking to jumpstart their dreams in the fashion world. Up next, Campbell is now designing his fall collection.

“It’s safe to say that I’m in this for the long run,” says Campbell. “And I’m keeping more than enough room for growth and development for my business. I believe when God created me he made me unique and to be unique. There’s reason, purpose, and meaning behind Don Marcolo, which will be revealed in due time.”

donmarcolo.com / 570-435-9441