Bill Mitchell describes himself two ways: “I sell socks.” And “I’m a glorified doorman.”
Sure. Just like Lionel Messi is a guy running around in shorts. And Taylor Swift is a girl with a mic.
Bill Mitchell
Here’s my description of Bill Mitchell: For decades the native Westporter has been the public face, heart and soul of a luxury men’s and women’s store that is so much more than a place to buy suits, dresses and jewelry.
Thanks in large part to Bill — with plenty of help from the ever-increasing Mitchell family — what began as a humble, 800-square foot shop has turned into an 8-store, coast-to-coast, very successful business.
He was there in 1958, when Ed and Norma Mitchell took a leap of faith and opened their first store.
He’s been there full-time since 1965 — during Mitchells’ moves first to Colonial Green, then to even larger digs much further down the Post Road.
He’s been there through boom times and recessions; through closing their boys’ department, and adding women’s clothes and jewelry. He was there, most recently, through COVID — when the bottom fell out, but Mitchells kept everyone on their payroll.
But this month, Bill Mitchell will sell his last pair of socks. He’ll stand at the front door one lsat time.
After nearly 60 years of being synonymous with Mitchells of Westport, the 80-year-old icon is retiring.
But don’t worry. His broad smile, exuberant personality and help-anyone-at-anytime spirit are not going anywhere.
“Westport is my only home,” says Bill, who — though born in a Brooklyn hospital — came here when he was 4 days old.
Echoing his friend and fellow philanthropist Paul Newman, he says, “Where else would I go?”
Bill’s Westport roots are as deep as the Gault and Tauck families — our town’s 2 other families, who founded and nurtured flourishing multi-generational businesses.
Bill Mitchell (right) and his older brother Jack.
The lessons taught by his parents Ed and Norma still guide him today.
Bill’s father opened a small men’s store in a former heating contractor’s office (today, M&T Bank’s Westport office) in 1958. He had only a desire to leave the New York advertising rat race, and the handshake promise of a loan from Westport Bank & Trust president Einar Anderson.
Ed and Norma brought their coffee pot from home every morning. Ed’s mother did the tailoring, at her Weston Road home.
The original Ed Mitchell’s, at the corner of the Post Road and Compo Road North.
At the same time, Ed gave back to the town. He chaired the Board of Finance — and helped engineer the purchase of Longshore, saving a failing private club from a developer who planned to build 180 homes there.
Bill played football, basketball and tennis at Staples. One day Albie Loeffler, his basketball coach, made him take responsibility for a transgression.
Bill never forgot that lesson, or the importance of educators. To this day he has been one of Staples High School’s biggest and most vocal boosters. He writes checks for every athletic, artistic and academic cause.
Less visible — but just as crucial — is his behind-the-scenes help. Whether an athlete needs a jacket for a banquet, an Orphenian needs a dress for a concert, a staff member needs encouragement or a student needs help with sobriety, Bill is there.
Bill Mitchell’s generosity extends far beyond Westport. He’s been a longtime benefactor of Bridgeport’s Kolbe Cathedral High School. In 2003, he posed with graduate Marques Brown.
But he never planned to be (as he calls himself) “a clothier.”
His goal was to become a sportscaster. A throat accident ended that dream.
In a way though, he never gave it up. His many good friends — and loyal customers — have included legendary broadcasters and local residents like Jim McKay, Brent Musburger, Jim Nantz and Mike Greenberg.
Bill Mitchell’s love of sports — and contacts in the sports world — are legendary. A few days ago, he arranged for his friend Carole Orland to throw out the first pitch at her beloved Fenway Park. They posed on the diamond, before the game.
Right out of college in 1965, Ed asked Bill to join the store. Reluctantly, he said he’d give it a year.
He never left.
Bill (left) and Jack Mitchell on the floor, many holiday seasons back.
“I’ve had the best seat in the house — or on the floor,” Bill says. “I’ve made and met so many friends. I’ll miss that. I love people.”
That’s an understatement too. It’s like Messi saying he loves soccer, or Taylor Swift saying she loves performing. “Love” is not a strong enough word to describe their passions.
Bill Mitchell has friends everywhere. This photo — with Westport police officer Ned Batlin — was taken at a Mitchells benefit for first responders.
It’s all about people. Bill has helped his business succeed because it’s more than just a great store.
“People don’t remember the clothes they buy,” he says. “They remember the way they were treated.”
Bill began by treating customers as friends. Today he treats their children — and grandchildren — the same way.
Those customer/friends include some of the most high-powered people in the world. Once, he and head tailor Dominick Condoleo brought new suits to Jack Welch in his Fairfield office.
“How does this look?” the GE CEO asked.
It was “99% perfect,” Bill says. “I like it,” he told Welch.
But, Condoleo told him, “There’s just a hint of ripple in the shoulder.”
Welch turned on Bill. “Don’t you ever lie to me again!” he said.
He never did.
Bill Mitchell made friends everywhere. He posed here with longtime Westport teacher (and former employee) Walt Melillo.
But boldface names are not the only customers Bill remembers.
One Christmas Eve he finally got home, exhausted after a hectic holiday season. The light on his answering machine was blinking.
A customer had forgotten to pick up a package she needed that night. She was leaving early the next morning for Vermont. Could he deliver it?
Bill did — to her home in Brookfield.
She never said thanks. But, Bill says, “I honored my parents’ legacy. They always said, ‘Say yes. Then make it happen.’ And they made it happen even when they couldn’t afford to.”
His parents’ legacy is carried on by his brother Jack; Jack’s 4 sons, and Bill’s 3. The fourth generation is now joining the business. Nothing makes Bill and Jack prouder.
Two generations of the Mitchell family. Bill is at the far right; his brother Jack is 2nd from left.
Long ago, former Board of Education chair and neighbor Leonard Rovins advised Bill to get involved in community organizations like the Library, YMCA and Playhouse.
He heeded that advice. These days, his primary board work is with Sacred Heart University. He’s immensely proud of the great strides the school has taken.
He’s proud too of his work with a variety of religious groups and figures. His parents were members of Saugatuck Congregational Church. When he was roasted at the Friars Club for his 70th birthday, an honored guest was Cardinal Dolan.
And, Bill says, The Conservative Synagogue rabbi Jeremy Wiederhorn “made me an honorary Jew.”
Their friendship — which began when Mitchells lent its parking lot for overflow High Holiday parking — is real, and strong. Next month, Mitchell will join the rabbi on a trip to Israel.
Bill Mitchell with his sons (from left) Chris, Tyler and Scott.
In retirement Bill will continue his work with recovery programs like the Lighthouse in Darien, and Shatterproof. He has been sober since 1991, and speaks openly about his one-day-at-a-time journey.
Very quietly but quite effectively, Bill has sponsored many people in their own recovery work.
He also looks forward to taking one-on-one trips with his 7 grandchildren. “I’ll even be able to go at Christmas!” he says with wonder, thinking back to his busiest time of year, ever since Ed Mitchell’s opened.
Beginning next month, Mitchells of Westport will look different. Bill won’t be there at the door. He won’t be asking if you want coffee, a bagel, maybe some socks to go with that purchase.
But he’ll do the same thing his father always did: “wake up with a purpose in life.”
And he’ll be doing it for quite a while.
Ed Mitchell died 40 years after — late in life — he founded that first small store. He was 3 weeks shy of his 99th birthday.
Bill Mitchell’s many friends join me in wishing him many more years of good health and great fun — right here in the town he has always loved.
And that loves him right back.
Bill Mitchell