DEREK REED

“The older I get, the more I realize that life is short. I want mine to be of substance. I’m always searching for conversations over a great cigar with interesting people I want to spend time with.”

The son of a blues musician, Derek grew up in Maple Grove, Minnesota. Creativity runs deep in his veins—but instead of music, Derek found his art in personal expression. In his twenties, a growing interest in fitness and style opened the door to something more meaningful: the art of helping others express who they are through how they dress. That pursuit took him to California, where he managed a gym by day and honed his eye for craftsmanship by night. Eventually, he stepped into the world of bespoke menswear, becoming a trusted guide for clients seeking more than off-the-rack solutions.

When the pandemic brought Derek and his wife back to Minnesota, he doubled down on his artistic calling. He opened Club Carraway—a bespoke clothier, barbershop, and a hidden speakeasy tucked into the basement of the Semple Mansion. “The Club is about the total experience. When you enter, you step into a world built around artful living and meaningful conversation.”

Derek is quick to admit that the Midwest isn’t exactly a fashion capital. “I didn’t listen to naysayers. I believed there were men and women here who cared.” Even during lockdowns and Zoom calls, his vision resonated. “Especially today, no one has to dress well. Yet I’ve been able to find clients that are choosing to do so because they want to. Not to impress, but to express.”

In a time when big menswear brands have faltered, Derek has flourished. Club Carraway recently expanded into a second location at Round Table, where Derek—our very first member—is a generous presence, always ready for a fitting, a consultation, or a cigar-fueled conversation.

With a new website (clubcarraway.com) and plans for continued expansion, Derek is pushing his artistry to new audiences. “Now everyone can be part of the Club.”