Tag Archives: Mitchells Family of Stores

Roundup: LobsterFest, Lightning, Longshore …

Posted on July 16, 2025 | 9 comments

Save the date! This year’s LobsterFest — the early fall fun-fest (and fundraiser) at Compo Beach — is September 20.

All the food and family-friendly entertainment features of past years return. The Westport Rotary Club promises a few new additions, along with new beverage options.

Right now, the Westport Rotary Club is signing sponsors. It’s a great opportunity to align with one of the town’s most lively and popular events.

It’s all for a great cause. The Rotary Club is celebrating its centennial with a major contribution to the Compo Beach playground renovation.

They awarded $385,000 to the project from last year’s Lobster Fest. Another $285,000 went to 46 local and regional causes — and $100,000 more to support international projects. The largest is outfitting a new dental and vision building in rural Uganda.

To learn more about sponsorships, click here.

PS: Tickets go on sale next month. Be sure to watch “06880” for an announcement — and then pounce. They go fast!

Save the date — September 20 — for the Rotary Club LobsterFest. (Photo/Dan Woog)

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It’s not easy capturing lightning (on camera, of course).

But Meredith Holod was in the right place, at the right time — and a safe distance away — Monday.

Here’s her view during the quick but intense storm, from Compo Beach.

(Photo/Meredith Holod)

But lightning did strike twice, elsewhere in Westport. The Fire Department responded to 2 incidents.

One struck a home on Joanne Circle, igniting a fire on the second floor. Crews swiftly contained the fire before it could spread further. No injuries were reported.

Meanwhile on Bayberry Lane, lightning struck a pet “invisible fence.” The surge caused electrical damage, and posed a risk to the property.

“Summer storms can be dangerous, and things can go wrong quickly,” says Fire Marshal Terry Dunn.

“Electric pet fences are especially vulnerable, because they’re wired underground and usually connected to your home’s electrical system. If lightning strikes nearby it can travel through that wiring, damage your home, and potentially start a fire. It takes just a few seconds to unplug the system when a storm is on the way. It’s a smart precaution.”

The Westport Fire Department urges residents to take precautions during thunderstorms:

  • Unplug electric fences.
  • Use surge protectors for important electronics; unplug non-essential devices.
  • Avoid using wired appliances or electronics during a storm.
  • Stay indoors and away from windows when thunder or lightning is present.

For more safety tips and emergency updates, visit www.westportct.gov/fire.

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Saturn —  the wildly successful calendar app for high school and college students, which began as a Staples High venture when Class of 2017 member Dylan Diamond was a teenager there — has been acquired by Snap.

The new owners — the company behind Snapchat — did not disclose terms of the day. But most of Saturn’s 30 full-time employees will join their new owner.

Engadget, which first reported the news, says: “It’s not clear what exactly Snap has planned for Saturn, but … the calendar app will continue to operate as a standalone service.”

Saturn may help introduce calendar-related features into Snapchat.

Saturn is available at more than 17,000 high schools. And Snap is used by more than half of US teenagers.

Click here for the full Engadget story.

Dylan Diamond

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John McCarthy was the most recent “06880” reader to send a photo of the camera mounted at the Longshore entrance, and wonder why it’s there.

(Photo/John McCarthy)

“Seems a little out of place,” he writes.

Not really. Parks & Recreation Department director Erik Barbieri explains: “This is a license plate recognition camera, for cars entering Longshore.

:There have been break-ins in the past, but the cameras in the parking lot couldn’t always catch the plates.

“This helps us know who came in, if there are any other issues in the future. A good recommendation from the Police Department.”

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For years, Staples High School Class of 2024 graduate Ethan Walmark entertained Westporters, with his many musical talents.

But not just us.

Ethan was on the “Today Show.” He helped Yoko Ono flip the switch to light the Empire State Building blue for World Autism Awareness Day. His performance of “Eminence Front” rocked a Who show. He sang the national anthem in front of 25,000 fans at Red Bull Arena.

As a 12-year-old Coleytown Middle School student, Ethan followed Emerson, Lake and Palmer, Billy Joel and Elton John at the 1st-ever Autism Awareness Gala Fundraiser at the Kennedy Center in Washington.

Now — a rising sophomore at the University of Southern California’s Thornton School of Music — Ethan is back in town.

Tonight (Wednesday, 6 to 9 p.m.), he performs outside the Spotted Horse — on keyboards, and electric and acoustic guitar.

He won’t sing all of the 3,000 songs in his repertoire. But you’ll recognize many of your favorite Beatles, Billy Joel, Elton John, Motown, John Mayer, Simon & Garfunkel and Four Seasons favorites.

And Ethan will take requests.

Ethan Walmark

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Speaking of entertainment: Country music rocks the VFW this Saturday (July 19, 8 p.m.).

Grady McAuliffe — with his new single “On the Edge” at #4 on the Hot Disc/All Country Radio chart — and his band bring their high-energy, country grit, Southern Soul and rock-infused sound to the Riverside Avenue venue.

The bar features specials sponsored by Bubba’s Whiskey and Spacecat Brewing Company. Click here for tickets ($15 in advance, $20 at the door), and more information.

Grady McAuliffe

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Mitchells held their annual Compo Beach party last night, for company members and their families.

As always, it was first class: lobster and shrimp, Colony Pizza, hot dogs and much more.

Jack and Bill Mitchell — the second generation, after their parents Ed and Norma — were joined by their sons and daughters-in-law, and their kids. The 4th generation is well on its way to making its mark on the Westport store — and those in Greenwich, Long Island, on the West Coast, and now Dallas.

The fifth generation was there too. Their time will come!

Of course — befitting two Westport town jewels (Mitchells and Compo) — the weather was perfect.

Bill Mitchell, at the company picnic. (Photo/Dan Woog)

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Today’s spectacular “Westport … Naturally” image comes from Michael Chait, via the Saugatuck River:

(Photo/Michael Chait)

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And finally … on this date in 1935, the world’s first parking meter was installed. The site was Oklahoma City.

(Don’t follow leaders … but please support “06880.” Just click here — and thank you!)

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Posted in Entertainment, Local business, Longshore, Police, Restaurants, Staples HS, technology, Weather

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Roundup: Riverside Avenue Trees, Mitchells Stores, Players Spelling Bee …

Posted on March 5, 2025 | 14 comments

Riverside Avenue and Lincoln Street neighbors fought hard.

But on Monday 2 large trees — perhaps over 200 years old — at 125 Riverside Avenue were cut down. Hours later, the oak at 79 Riverside Avenue next to Eloise Ray Park was also removed.

A  home will be built adjacent to the park, on the Saugatuck River at the foot of Lincoln Street.

Nearby resident Charles Tirreno spent the afternoon helping his mother re-home newborn baby squirrels, whose nest was removed along with the tree.

“This has been a grave loss of habitat for countless species of mammals, insects, critically endangered turtles and protected birds,” he wrote in an email to his Representative Town Meeting District 9 members.

He urged his representatives to closely monitor the situation, to ensure that stipulations voted on by the Planning & Zoning Commission are adhered to.

Scene after trees were removed, adjacent to Eloise A. Ray Park. (Photo/Charles Tirreno)

Asked to comment by “06880,” RTM member Jennifer Johnson said, “This is a terrible loss for our entire community.  It is an in-our-face reminder of how little Westport is doing to protect our town’s limited open space.

“Across Westport we are bearing witness to the systematic loss of cherished natural resources. From the assault on Jesup Green to the wiping out of the Community Gardens, and now a proposed 35,000-square foot area of asphalt, steel and concrete in the middle of Longshore.  What’s going to happen to that giant sycamore gracing Charles Street when the Hamlet plows through?

“Sadly, the redevelopment of the property on 125 Riverside is a perfect example of community-wide inaction. We have an open space fund. Did anyone ever try to purchase the site for open space?

“Unfortunately, we waited to blame the person who eventually came forward to redevelop the site. That’s too late. We now must confront the loss of more glorious trees, and the missed chance to add parkland to our riverfront.”

“Please do not take any more trees!” added RTM member Sal Liccione.

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Mitchells — the small mom-and-pop men’s store that has grown in nearly 70 years to include 8 of the leading luxury retail stores in the US  — has just gotten bigger.

Stanley Korshak — the leading luxury retailer in Dallas — is joining the Mitchell Stores family.

In addition to Westport — where Mitchells is headquartered — the group includes Richards in Greenwich; Mitchells in Huntington, New York; Wilkes Bashford stores in San Francisco and Palo Alto, and 3 Marios stores in Seattle, Portland and Bridgeport, Oregon.

The Mitchells have been close personal friends with former owner Crawford Brock and his family for over 20 years. Stanley Korshak is a 32,000-square foot store Dallas’ Uptown neighborhood.

Most important, Mitchells says, the store “shares our family’s vision to bringing customers the most exquisite luxury fashions in the world, with unequaled personalized service.” In addition to the main store, Stanley Korshak has one of the top bridal salons in the country.

“Stanley Korshak is a jewel in Texas. We will do everything to continue to offer world-class products and services that are perfectly tailored to Dallas customers,” says Chris Mitchell. The 3rd generation owner will spend half his time in Dallas, working closely with Crawford.

Meanwhile, the 4th generation of Mitchells has begun working with the company.

Ed and Norma Mitchell — who founded that original men’s store in a former plumbing supply building at the corner of Post Road East and Compo Road North in 1958 (now M&T Bank) — would be very proud.

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Staples Players actors are as close to professional as you can get, without an Equity card.

When the curtain rises Friday for “The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee” — Players’ spring production — they’ll be joined by a couple of legit Broadway actors, like Kelli O’Hara and Chris Sarandon.

Former Staples principal John Dodig (who had a memorable role in Players’ “How to Succeed in Business Without Really Trying”) and former State Senator Will Haskell — a Player himself in his high school days — will be onstage too.

But so will a few definite non-actors, like First Selectwoman Jen Tooker, Principal Stafford Thomas, and Wrecker boys basketball coach Dave Goldshore.

Plus “06880”‘s own Dan Woog.

We’re all “guest spellers.” We have no idea what we’re in for. We’ll just go with the flow.

And we’ll be guided by the very talented Players themselves. They’ve prepared well, for schmoes like us.

They’ll lead. We’ll follow. And we hope that audiences will laugh with — not at — us.

The full guest cast:

Friday, March 7 (7 p.m.): First Selectwoman Jennifer Tooker, Principal Stafford Thomas, “06880”‘s Dan Woog, Bedford Acting Group ‘s Ryan Smith.

Saturday, March 8 (2 p.m.): Actor Chris Sarandon, former State Senator Will Haskell and more.

Saturday, March 8 (7 p.m.): Coach Dave Goldshore and more.

Sunday, March 9 (2 p.m.): Tony Award winner Kelli O’Hara, former Staples principal John Dodig, Staples choral director Lauren Pine and more.

Click here for tickets, and more information.

“25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee” (Photo/Kerry Long)

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The Read to Grow Bookmobile arrives in Westport tomorrow (Thursday, March 6, 3 to 5 p.m., Compo Beach cannons).

Youngsters can climb aboard the bookmobile (not the cannons) to pick out a free book. The selection includes new board books, picture books and chapter books, for youngsters birth to age 7.

Kids LOVE climbing aboard to pick out a free book to take home! Their shelves are packed with new board books, picture books, and chapter books for kids birth to age 7—so there’s something for everyone!

To learn more about Read to Grow, click here.

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The Animal Awareness Night scheduled for this evening (Wednesday, March 5) has been postponed. The new date is March 19 (7 p.m., police station classroom).

Topics include wildlife (with officer Peter Reid), pet adoption (with Westport Animal Shelter Advocates’ Julie Loparo), and dog licensing guidelines. The event is free.

Westport Animal Control officer Peter Reid is a featured speaker at Wednesday’s Animal Awareness Night.

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Sure, you can teach your kids how to decorate cookie cakes.

But on March 25 (7:30 p.m., The Blondinit restaurant), Jess Leventhal will teach adults how to create “a stunning 2-layer mini cookie cake that feeds 6-8 people, and is almost too beautiful to eat.”

The $125 ticket a choice of signature cocktail, and light fare by The Blondinit. Click here for details and registration.

Blondinit cookie cake.

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Johanna Keyser Rossi spotted today’s “Westport … Naturally” subject — a juvenile mute swan — swimming alone in the Saugatuck River, near Riverside Park.

(Photo/Johanna Keyser Rossi)

That’s such a rare sight in Westport. No, not a swan. I mean a young one, playing without an adult nearby.

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And finally … in honor of Staples Players’ production of “25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee’ (story above):

(Contributing to “06880” is as easy as … well, you know. Just click here. That’s it! Thank you!)

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Posted in Beach, Children, Environment, Local business, Real estate, Restaurants, Staples HS

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Jack Mitchell Hugs His Customers — Again

Posted on April 7, 2015 | 7 comments

Any author would kill to sell 225,000 copies of a book in North America — and another 50,000 globally.

Jack Mitchell did that. And “author” is his 2nd career. For the 1st 40 years of his working life, he was best known as the co-owner of Mitchells of Westport.

Of course, without his phenomenal success there — and his hands-on, very personal approach — he would not have found his other calling: best-selling writer.

Jack Mitchell, and his updated book.

Jack Mitchell, and his updated book.

Now his book sales will skyrocket again. Hug Your Customers — first published a dozen years ago, and a wild success through 18 printings — has been updated. The revised edition (on sale April 14) includes an updated history of the company (which bought Marshs on Long Island in 2005, and Wilkes Bashford in San Francisco and Palo Alto in 2009), and improved customer service techniques with the surge of the digital age.

But one thing never changed, from the 1958 day Jack’s parents Ed and Norma Mitchell opened an 800-square-foot men’s clothing store on the Post Road/North Compo corner, with little more than 3 suits and free coffee*: Hugging customers works.

Some of the hugs — given freely by Jack; his brother Bill (to whom the book is dedicated); the 7 third-generation sons, who now run the business, and their super-loyal staff — are literal.

Many more are figurative. But all — from free M&Ms and coffee, to sending a suit to Japan so a customer’s son can attend a funeral (the solution: find another customer flying there on a private plane) — help make Mitchells’ stores legendary, in the often impersonal world of retail.

They also make for very entertaining reading.

Mitchells logo

My favorite stories describe:

  • Tying bow ties for formal events for people who did not purchase their apparel at Mitchells — and altering a dress for a woman who’d bought it at Bergdorf’s
  • Opening the store on Sunday for complete strangers, thanks to an answering system that routes “emergency” calls to owners’ homes (you’d be surprised how many “clothing emergencies” there can be)
  • Going to customers’ offices to fit them, then returning to deliver the tailored goods — even if those offices are in New York or New Jersey
  • Giving their long-time, Italian-born head tailor a gift worth more than gold: tickets and plane trips to World Cup soccer matches
  • Allowing a great customer who loves Mitchells to work as an associate on the floor one Saturday. The man called many friends and clients, sold nearly $10,000 worth of merchandise — and Mitchells made a donation to his favorite charity, in his name, as thanks.

“Hugging is universal,” Jack says. “And it still works.”

Hug Your CustomersSo does book-selling. Hug Your Customers has been bought in bulk by large companies; copies are given to top executives, salespeople, even entire staffs.

The book’s success led to a 3rd career for Jack: motivational speaker. He’s spoken around the globe.

Literally. Business groups in Estonia and South Africa have hired Jack to help them understand the Mitchells way.

Now an updated edition of Hug Your Customers is being shipped. It includes new anecdotes, and an instructive section on how Mitchells weathered, then roared back from, the Great Recession.

But the heart of the book is the same. The focus on great customer service has not changed.

Just as, in the Mitchells stores themselves, it never will.

(Hug Your Customers is available April 14 online at Amazon and Barnes & Noble — and of course at Mitchells of Westport.)

*Because that courtesy can lead to sales of $2,000 or more, it’s been called “the world’s most expensive free cup of coffee.”

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Posted in Local business, Media, People

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