Most people recognize the major crossroads at the epicenter of downtown St. Joseph’s central business district to be the intersection of State & Broad Streets. The man who anchored that crossroads for decades as one of the community’s consummate businessmen has died over the past weekend, just five weeks after he had lost the love of his life. Doug Landis, who owned and operated Landis Clothing Company at that crossroads for years until his retirement, was 81 at the time of his death at home on Saturday, February 20th, 2021. His wife Sandy, who worked side by side with him for years, had died on January 14th at the age of 78.
Landis Clothing Company was a pivotal business in downtown St. Joseph and a linchpin that helped to attract dozens of other successful retailers over the course of the years. Even before growing his enterprise into the central business district, however, Doug & Sandy were highly successful as operators of the golf shop at the former Wyndwicke Golf Course off of Niles Road in South St. Joseph.
Once they expanded their clothing line to finer men’s fashions beyond sportswear, the business boomed for years, first at 400 State Street on the southwest corner of the crossroads, and later in 2000 when they grew into the building that had been the 100-year long home to Rimes Department Store at 321 State Street on the northeast corner of that same crossroads.
Doug dedicated more than 53 years of his life to the clothing business, and boasted many corporate clients along the way as he outfitted them in sartorial splendor until things slowed in that realm due to societal changes that brought on casual office wear. He adapted to the change, but was saddened that the professionalism of the business community was fading into history.
Throughout his career he spent more than five decades working on State Street in St. Joseph, and loved greeting the public as they came into downtown St. Joe, residents and visitors alike. Doug loved people, and his family points out, “He had quite the knack for making men look good in their new clothes.” They add, “We (the family) jokingly called him ‘Mayor,’ because we could never go anywhere in the area where he didn’t know someone.” They add, with a bit of nostalgia, “Being seated at a restaurant was a long process since he had to stop at seven tables to say ‘hello.’”
Doug and Sandy closed out Landis Clothing Company in the summer of 2018 to step into retirement, but continued to live in St. Joseph.
Doug was born on November 24, 1939, to Claude and Helen (Rowe) Landis in Lansing. He graduated from Benton Harbor High School in 1958. On June 25, 1966, Doug married the love of his life, Sandra Diamond.
Doug loved golfing and was a proud member of Berrien Hills Country Club, and was also actively involved in Ducks Unlimited, raising money for the conservation of our nation’s wetlands. He enjoyed taking trips to Canada, Maryland, Southern Illinois, and day trips to Kalamazoo to spend his leisure time in a hunting blind hunting ducks and geese. He was also a proud founding member of Peace Lutheran Church.
A private celebration of life service will be held for Doug’s family. Memorial contributions may be made to Caring Circle of Lakeland, Hospice, 4025 Health Park Lane, St. Joseph, MI 49085, or Peace Lutheran Church, 3590 Lincoln Ave., St Joseph, MI 49085. Those wishing to leave an online condolence may do so at https://www.starksfamilyfh.com/.
Doug is survived by his children: David (Shannon) Landis of Portage, Michigan, and Shelly (James) Penney of Decatur, Georgia.; and grandchildren: Delaney, Carter, Vaughn and Lily.
Doug was preceded in death by his parents: Claude and Helen; wife, Sandra; and siblings: Larry and Linda.
Doug Landis was known to say that the retail clothing business was in his blood, and he proved it every day that he served the community of Michigan’s Great Southwest as a first-class businessman and friend to everyone he met. He has already been missed on the retail scene, now he will be missed ever more.
