The Old Dominion singer/songwriter/guitarist — with a passel of Country Music Association awards — is a 1997 Staples High School graduate.
Brad was best known there as a soccer player.
But he’s honed his musical craft in the years since. Now — while still a member of Old Dominion — he’s embarked on a solo career.
Backed by a very tight 5-piece band, and hot off the release of his new “Parallel Love” album, Brad delighted a full house at the Levitt Pavilion last night.
It was the group’s first public performance, he said. And his first as a solo artist.
The Levitt was also, he noted, where he first played, with Staples friends Ryan O’Neill and Dan Asher. O’Neill (now known as Ryan Smith) joined him for a final number.
Brad bantered with the audience. Many were long-time Westport friends (and a couple of his old soccer coaches). He gave shout-outs to his mom.
It was a wonderful Westport night, with a big-time entertainer who was nonetheless thrilled to be back home.
Brad Tursi, at the Levitt Pavilion. (Photo/Dan Woog)
It’s late notice. But an event today is worth noting, even with just a few hours to go.
This afternoon (4 p.m.), Mitchells of Westport hosts a benefit for Recovery Community Development. The non-profit offers men and women in 12-step and other addiction economic programs the job skills, supportive housing and social services needed to become productive citizens in Bridgeport and Norwalk.
Guest speaker Craig Melvin — the NBC “Today” News anchor, and a Westport resident — will discuss his own family legacy of addiction and incarceration. He’ll describe the power of transformation, redemption and faith, and explore the challenges facing all dads. (He’s the father of 2 young children.) Click here for tickets.
Tony Kiniry, executive director of Recovery Community Development, spoke about the work his organization does — and previewed today’s event — at Friday’s Sunrise Rotary Club meeting. Bill Mitchell also praised RDC’s work.
Our “06880” blog is “where Westport meets the world.”
And today we’ve got a small-world story, courtesy of Wakeman Town Farm.
The other day, on a random spot on a random island in the out-of-the-way Azores, 2 groups of travelers randomly found each other.
Ashley Constantino — a descendant of the Wakeman family, which for decades owned the Cross Highway farm property — was with one group. Alex Brandfon was with another. He spotted Ashley’s boyfriend’s WTF hoodie.
They chatted, discovered their local connection, and took this photo. WTF!
Speaking of the world: Internationally renowned New York Times photojournalist (and 1991 Staples High School graduate) Lynsey Addario’s new exhibit, “RAW,” opened Friday, at Lyle & King Gallery on Henry Street, in lower Manhattan.
Dave Matlow was at the gallery yesterday. He took photos of Lynsey’s images, which were shot in Afghanistan, Syria, Ukraine, Kenya, Panama and many other countries.
The exhibit runs through November 9.
Lynsey Addario’s work, on display. (Photo/Dave Matlow)
(Fathers! Daughters! And everyone else! If you enjoy “06880,” please click here to help support our work. We rely almost entirely on contributions from readers like you. Thank you.)
Posted onJune 16, 2024|Comments Off on Roundup: Yankee Doodle, Ham Operators, Compo Crowds …
After a rained-out Friday, the Yankee Doodle Fair was packed all day and night yesterday.
Ava Bierman enjoys the Yankee Doodle Fair. (Photo/Bryan Bierman)
The unofficial kickoff to summer ends today. Hours are 1-5 p.m. at the Westport Woman’s Club on Imperial Avenue. As always, proceeds help fund dozens of grants to local non-profits, and scholarships.
It takes many volunteers to keep Yankee Doodle Fair-goers happy and safe — and not just from the WWC.
The Community Emergency Response Team — which supports first responders in Westport and Weston, and helps out with events like this — has been out in full force.
You may think they were manning (and womanning) a booth. In fact, they were keeping an all on all of us.
As they always do.
Karen Kleine, Westport Woman’s Club Yankee Doodle Fair chair, checks in with CERT president Mike Vincelli and vice president David Kinyon. (Photo/Jo Shields Sherman)
The Westport Astronomical Society’s ham radio club K1WAS hosts ARRL Field Day — an in-person amateur radio event — at their observatory on 182 Bayberry Lane site next weekend. It runs from 2 p.m. Saturday, June 22 until 8 p.m. Sunday, June 23.
Field Day is an annual amateur radio activity with over 40,000 ham radio operators across America. They participate by establishing temporary radio stations in public locations, demonstrating their skills and service.
But you don’t need a radio license to participate. Everyone can get on the air, using radios provided by local radio clubs hosted by the observatory.
Ham operators play a crucial role in emergencies. They may be needed soon, during an active hurricane season.
“Hams have a long history of service when critical communication infrastructure like cell towers are damaged,” says Dan Wright, Westport Astronomical Society board member and amateur radio operator N3DAW.
“Field Day exemplifies the resilience and ingenuity of amateur radio operators, who connect the world, no matter the circumstances.”
For more information on the Field Day event, click here.
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Yesterday was the first legit weekend beach day of the year (school’s out, 80 degrees, summer vibe).
Right on cue, Compo Beach was packed.
The photo below is just a taste of what’s to come. Enjoy!
One other sign of summer: the hot dog grill outside Mitchells of Westport.
They’re known far and wide for their coffee (always) and bagels (weekend). But on select days, you can grab a dog with your suits, shirts, slacks and jewelry.
What started as a mom-and-pop shop has come a long way since 1958. The 4th generation of Mitchells has just joined the ranks.
But they never forget their down-home roots.
Hot dogs al fresco, at Mitchells. (Photo/Ed Simek)
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You’ve probably seen Little Ralphie — the inflatable yellow duck — at various spots around town.
While he’s promoting the Sunrise Rotary Club’s Great Duck Race, human Rotarians are busy sorting Ralphie’s plastic brethren.
They’re getting ready for the family-friendly event on Saturday, June 29 (10 a.m. to 2 p.m., Jesup Green).
Attendance — and fun — is free. Click here to purchase tickets for the raffle.
PS: The top prize is $5,000. And all proceeds go to Sunrise Rotary’s charity efforts.
Sunrise Rotarians, sorting ducks. From left: Joe Scordato, Pete Wolgast, president Liz Wong, president-elect Katie Augustyn, Bruce Fritz, Mazie Zdanowicz.
But there’s no limit to the amount of non-humans that can enjoy the facility. This was the “Westport … Naturally” scene recently, at the Mahackeno Outdoor Center.
(Photo/Johanna Keyser Rossi)
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And finally … Tupac Shakur was born on this day in 1971. The rapper and producer was killed in 1996, age 25.
(“06880” is your hyper-local blog. We rely on the support of readers like you. To make a tax-deductible contribution, please click here. Thank you!)
Comments Off on Roundup: Yankee Doodle, Ham Operators, Compo Crowds …
Posted onFebruary 14, 2024|Comments Off on Roundup: Geno Auriemma, Bessie Coleman, Body Fit Training …
Save the date: March 13.
Just a few weeks after drawing an SRO crowd to a Y’s Men event at the Library, Geno Auriemma returns to Westport.
The legendary University of Connecticut women’s basketball coach will appear at Mitchells of Westport.
And he’s bringing his current team.
Tickets to the benefit for Bleeding Blue for Good — the organization that provides name, image and likeness opportunities for UConn student athletes (and Connecticut charities) — are $100 each. Children under 12 (maximum of 2 per adult) are free.
Light appetizers, wine and beer will be available.
Details for ticket purchases will be announced soon.
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Messages in bottles: They’re not just New Yorker cartoons.
Former Staples High School social studies teacher Drew Coyne was out yesterday morning in Fairfield, walking snowy Penfield Beach.
Well, shiver me timbers! He spotted a bottle bobbing by the shore.
And yes, inside was a message.
It had not been bobbing long. It was sent just 4 days earlier.
Nor did it bob far. There’s a Westport connection, as you can see:
(Photo/Drew Coyne)
“Thanks to whoever passed along the car wash coupon,” Drew says.
“I’ll do my best to get out my own first message in a bottle soon.”
Also in Weston: The History & Culture Center celebrates Black History Month and Women’s History Month with historian/storyteller Tammy Denease.
She’ll portray Bessie Coleman, America’s first African-American female aviator, during an educational and entertaining performance March 2 (3 p.m.).
The event was originally publicized with a fee. It is now free.
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It was truly a grand opening at the opening of Body Fit Training, in Compo Shopping Center.
They opened their “home” — and gym community to combat veterans of the Catch a Lift Fund.
That’s the national non-profit that helps housands of post-9/11 combat-injured veterans regain mental and physical health through gym memberships, in-home equipment, personalized fitness and nutrition programs, and a peer support network.
Westporters have a special relationship with CAL, after more than a decade of strong support.
Two Catch a Lift Army veterans in town — Jason Smith and Matt Leyva — joined Andy Berman and Gama Blanco to organize the great opening event. (Hat tip: Adam Vengrow)
Yesterday’s snow sent the Westport Rotary Club back to COVID days.
They met not in person, but by Zoom.
Guest speaker Dr. Kara Fitzgerald, a clinical researcher and author on the topic of epigenetics and longevity gave great news: Scientists can now measure and influence the bio-chemical processes that control genes and the rate of aging.
She said that a program of diet and lifestyle intervention can reverse the process of aging on a genetic level in as little as 8 weeks.
Dr. Kara Fitzgerald, via Zoom.
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Longtime Westport and Weston resident Margaret (Peggy) Barton died peacefully on Sunday. She was 89.
Peggy first moved to Westport in 1963. Born and raised in Queens, she graduated from Barnard College in 1955 after transferring from Connecticut College to be closer to her future husband, orthopedic surgeon Jerry Barton.
Peggy went on to ern a master’s degree in early education from New York University, and later at the New York School of Interior Design. She taught kindergarten in the New York City public school system, chaired Big Brother/Big Sister of Westport, volunteered in the Weston schools, co-founded and spent many years with Quintessence Interiors, and later worked as a travel consultant.
Her family calls Peggy “vivacious and fun-loving, with abundant energy.” She was a graceful skier and fiercely competitive tennis and paddle tennis player, competing at the Weston Field Club and Aspetuck Valley Country Club.
Peggy is survived by Jerry, her husband of 68 years; daughter Cathy Zales (Steve) and son John Barton (Lisa); grandchildren Scott Zales (Diana), Greg Zales (Mackenzie), Graham Barton and Lucy Barton, and great-granddaughter Delaney Zales.
Services will be private. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to Hospice at RVNA in Ridgefield.
Today’s Westport … Naturally” photo, by Staples High School senior Aiden Schachter, captures the essence of this feature: an animal, plants, water and weather, all together in one shot.
On Monday (7 p.m., Zoom), the Planning & Zoning Commission will review text amendment application #835, for Cottage Cluster Developments. The amendment would create an opportunity for 100% affordable cottage cluster housing on town-owned land.
The targeted beneficiary of this text amendment is 655 Post Road East — Linxweiler House, across Crescent Road from McDonald’s.
The amendment would “promote sustainable development practices through smaller, more efficient housing and effective use of residential land, increase the diversity of housing choices by allowing for a grouping of smaller, single-family dwellings on one lot, and provide additional below market rate housing within Westport, located on lots owned by the Town of Westport.”
The proposed regulations would apply to 63 town-owned properties. However, regulations limits the number of developments in town to 5.
Deputy P&Z director Michelle Perillie says her department “is working to implement the goals of the Town of Westport Affordable Housing Plan, which recommends encouraging sustainably developed modular construction kits and prefabricated cottages to build multifamily and small houses quickly and efficient.”
All application materials may be viewed on the Town’s website. Click here to see all application materials. To see all eligible properties, scroll down to Text Amendment #835: “Cottage Cluster Developments.”
The meeting will be livestreamed on the town website, and aired on Optimum channel 79 and Frontier channel 6020. Comments can be sent prior to the meeting: PandZ@westportct.gov or offered during the meeting. Click here for the Zoom link.
If passed, a text amendment would allow cluster cottage housing at Linxweiler House on the Post Road.
The night before (Monday, October 2, 7 p.m., Town Hall auditorium), the RTM Rules Committee meets.
They’ll address a petition, submitted by 38 electors. It says:
RESOLVED, that the full Westport RTM at its October 3, 2023 meeting affirms that the meaning of the term “Shall” in “Sec. A 162-6. – Agenda” of the “Representative Town Meeting Rules of Procedures” as found in Exhibit A of the “Code of Ordinances of Westport Connecticut” is to be “construed as being mandatory”, per the definition of the word “Shall” in “Sec. 1-2. – Definitions and rules of construction” and that “Sec. A 162-6. -Agenda” compels and requires the Moderator, or in the event of the Moderator’s inability to act, the Deputy Moderator or, in the event of the inability of both, the Town Clerk to place on the RTM meeting agenda such matters as petitioned by at least 20 Westport Electors not less than 14 days prior to a Representative Town Meeting.
The agenda item was submitted by Jeff Wieser. He’s the RTM moderator, and also chair of its Rules Committee.
Bill Mitchell — self-styled “socks salesman” and “doorman,” but actually one of Westport’s most beloved figures, thanks to his generosity, grace, spirit, and senses of humor and fun — will sell his last pair of socks, and open his last door, at Mitchells this Saturday.
He’s been his parents’ employee, then co-owner, and always the public face of the high-end, customer-centered clothing and jewelry store.
He’s retiring now, after 58 years with the family business. His squintillion friends are invited to say thanks and goodbye — or, more realistically, to share stories and laughs — this Saturday, from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m.
The coffee pot (well, its 2023 equivalent) will be on. There will be plenty to eat (as always).
It’s just another Saturday at Mitchells. But also one for the ages.
Bill Mitchell says goodbye.
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Longtime Westporter Stacie Curran is proud of her town.
So she was very distressed to learn that “the hard-working, super-kind, smart, approachable construction crew” on the Post Road renovation project at Roseville/Hillspoint Roads and Bulkley Avenue “believe we are the most arrogant, horrid town of drivers they have ever worked among — well worse than Greenwich, Darien, Ridgefield (they named a few).”
They cited frequent behaviors: “cursing, speeding, flipping them off, not caring about safety…”
So Stacie did what Stacie does: She brought them homemade chocolate chip cookies, and pounds of donated coffee cake from The Porch at Christie’s and their Sweet P Bakery.
It helped.
Marlin (on the far right in the photo below, holding a tray of cookies and box of coffee crumb cakes) of Guerrera Construction Company said, “Westport, you’re not all that bad.”
But some of us are.
These guys are just doing their job. And their job is to make the Post Road safer, in the long run.
So don’t cruse, speed or flip them off.
Be kind. Smile. Wave.
And if you really care: Be like Stacie. Give them cookies and cakes, not the bird.
Smiles from the Post Road crew. (Photo/Stacie Curran)
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Paul Newman died 15 years ago this week.
But his memory lives on. It’s particularly strong here in Westport, the town he lived in for 50 years, loved — and where he and his wife Joanne Woodward raised their family.
On October 10 (7 p.m., Westport Library), their daughter Melissa will launch her new book: “Head Over Heels: Joanne Woodward & Paul Newman, A Love Affair in Words and Pictures.”
She and her longtime friend — filmmaker/Remarkable Theater co-founder Doug Tirola — will chat, in the Trefz Forum. Melissa will share insights into her affectionately curated and lushly illustrated book, which offers a fresh perspective on her parents.
Newman will sign copies of the book too, which will be available for purchase there.
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Staples Players staged 2 memorable productions of “The Laramie Project” (and one of “The Laramie Project: 10 Years Later”).
Now there’s another Players connection with the ground-breaking play about a town’s reaction to the 1998 murder of gay University of Wyoming student Matthew Shepard.
Staples Class of 2011 grad Matt Greenberg is producing a staged reading of “The Laramie Project” — with its originators, the Tectonic Theater Project.
And it will take place at the University of Wyoming, in Laramie.
The event is October 11 — the day before the 25th anniversary of the 21-year-old’s death.
Greenberg — who starred in Players’ “Curtains,” among other shows — is now assistant professor of acting and musical theater at Wyoming.
Westport Police made 2 custodial arrests between September 20 and 27.
A woman was arrested for driving under the influence and failure to drive in the proper lane, following a 1-car accident at 11:30 p.m. on Cross Highway.
A man was arrested on 4 counts of failure to appear.
Police also issued these citations:
Failure to obey traffic control signals: 4 citations
For 24 years, the non-profit Westport-based Oyebog Tennis Academy has supported underserved children in Cameroon, More than 20,000 children have participated in tennis programs starting at age 3. Two OTA students earned full scholarships, and are competing on NCAA Division I college teams.
This year the Staples girls tennis team raised thousands of dollars for OTA. But the need is great, as demand keeps growing.
Gently-used items — racquets, gear, shoes, even household items — will be shipped soon. Donations can be dropped off today through Saturday, September 30 at 104 Long Lots Lane.
OTA will also sponsor a pro-am tennis event at the Country Club of New Canaan on September 30. The Bryan Brothers will compete against local players, and some of the best young players from Cameroon. Click here for tickets, and more information.
First, Make-a-Wish Connecticut announced the stars of their October 3 (6 p.m., Aitoro Appliance, Norwalk) “Taste of Wishes” event. Six boys and girls will have their wishes come true: They’ll cook with the area’s top chefs.
Now Make-a-Wish has announced the menus.
Jes Bengston: Swedish meatballs, pomme puree, apple and kohlrabi relish.
Matt Storch: Ricotta gnocchi “Rolled Live,” tossed with vodka sauce and garlic bread,
Robin Selden: Braised short ribs with shiitake beurre blanc and butternut squash puree, and salted dark chocolate Bridgewater chocolate chip cookies baked to order.
Dan Kardos: coconut mussels with basil and curry butter.
Anthony Kostelis: Tomato risotto with sundried peppers and taleggio.
Christian Petroni: Surprise dish.
Additional food vendors include Sweet Brioche Artisan Pastries, Forever Sweet, Copps Island Oysters, Crust Issues, Amit, Dave & Charlie’s Hometown Deli, Blind Rhino, Bartaco and Candy Connections.
A VIP ticket includes early entrance and a sneak peek, Prosecco, and great swag. Click here for VIP and general admission tickets, and more information.
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Today’s wonderful “Westport … Naturally” photo comes from the wide-ranging and talented Johanna Keyser Rossi:
And finally … Terry Kirkman, who sang, played 2 dozen instruments, wrote music and formed the group the Association, died last weekend in California. He was 83, and suffered from congestive heart failure. Click here for a full obituary.
If you don’t remember their name, you know at least some of their songs:
(Every day, we “round up” the most important Westport news. If you appreciate our local journalism, please consider a tax-deductible contribution. Click here — and thank you!)
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.
Mitchells may own 8 high-end clothing stores on both coasts. But since its humble beginnings in Westport 64 years ago, they’ve never lost their small-town, human touch.
As the son of founders Ed and Norma Mitchell, Jack Mitchell carries on the family tradition. He’s helped raise service to a new level.
Jack has written best-selling books about “hugging” customers and employees. He’s an internationally known speaker.
The other day, he sat on the Westport Library stage with me. We chatted about Mitchells, the state of retailing today, Westport old and young — and hugging.
Click below for our homey, half-hour conversation.
Over 90% of family-owned businesses do not make it to the 3rd generation.
After COVID-19, that figure may be much worse.
But when our economy finally recovers, one of those businesses still standing will be Mitchells.
It won’t be an accident.
The clothing retailer that began with a small shop next to Compo Shopping Center has evolved into high-end stores on both coasts.
But as they’ve grown, the family — now nearing its 4th generation of owners — has not forgotten the values of founders Ed and Norma Mitchell. They’ve served Mitchells well for 62 years, and they are the reason it’s weathering this crisis as well as any company can.
Consider this: While nearly every other clothing store in the country has laid off or furloughed staff, Mitchells continues to pay salaries — and benefits — for its employees.
All 430 of them.
A Mitchell family photo: the 2nd and 3rd generations.
“That’s the path my grandparents forged,” explains co-CEO Bob Mitchell. “Our business is all about relationships. We have great, strong relationships with our clients and our associates. We felt an obligation to focus on our people.”
In mid-March, the stores — which in addition to the flagship and headquarters in Westport includes Mitchells in Huntington, Long Island; Richards in Greenwich; Wilkes Bashford in San Francisco and Palo Alto, and Marios in Seattle and Portland — pivoted.
With doors closed, they turned to e-commerce. It had been a small part of the business before, and sales are still nowhere close to what they were pre-pandemic.
But Mitchells has always been about the personal touch. Associates reach out to customers by email, phone and text — not to sell, just to say hi and check in.
Many customers, in turn, are concerned about the personnel they’ve developed close relationships with. When they hear what the store is doing, they are grateful.
They’re even more gratified when they hear that Mitchells donated 20% of all sales for 2 weeks to Meals on Wheels programs in each community they serve.
“This is a different path than any retailer we know is taking,” Bob Mitchell says. “But we’ve always been conservative in our spending. Our secret sauce is our people. We want to do the right thing by them, so we all can get through this. This is the ultimate test, and we’re trying to do the right thing now.”
The response from associates has been “phenomenal,” he notes. “They are deeply appreciative, and very proud of us.”
One employee said, “I have always known I work for a unique, special family business. I feel blessed and proud to be part of the Mitchells’ extended work family.”
A new associate emailed simply, “I picked the right place.”
“First class act. A role model in these tough times,” a longtime customer told the Mitchells.
The original Ed Mitchell’s, at the corner of the Post Road and North Compo Road. They’ve expanded enormously in 62 years, but have never lost their family values.
Bob Mitchell sees June 1 as the “most hopeful” date to reopen. Whenever it is, he believes “people will want to go out, see other people and interact — even with masks. People crave connections” with other shoppers and with staff members they’ve grown close to. Many Mitchells style advisors, tailors and others have been with them for over a decade; some for half a century.
Since 1958 Mitchells has supported every fundraiser, charity and organization that asks for help. Behind the scenes the family has performed countless acts of kindness, for untold numbers of folks in Westport, and far beyond.
Jack and Bill Mitchell followed their parents’ lead. Now their children have continued that tradition of care, concern, and treating everyone right.
In 1958, Ed Mitchell quit his job in New York. He and his wife Norma opened a small clothing store on the Post Road (State Street), near North Compo. (Today’s it’s a People’s Bank branch.)
The original Ed Mitchell’s.
It was a huge risk — and a true family venture.
Ed’s mother was the tailor. Norma brewed the coffee.
Just before the new store opened Ed, his sons Jack and Bill, and their AFS student Per Haarr headed to the train station early in the morning.
They bought up the concessionaire’s New York Times supply, and plenty of coffee. Then they stapled this flyer with a catchy poem to the papers, and handed them to commuters waiting for the train:
It worked. Ed Mitchell’s flourished.
Today it’s called Mitchells of Westport. The family — soon to be on their 4th generation, with Jack and Bill’s grandchildren ready to move up — owns 8 stores, on the East and West Coasts.
And — including free coffee — the Mitchells’ customer service is as special and strong as it was 62 years ago.
It might sound strange to call Bill Mitchell an Unsung Hero.
The public face of Mitchells of Westport — son of founders Ed and Norma, brother of Jack, father and uncle of the 3rd generation to lead 8 upscale men’s and women’s stores, on the East and West Coasts — his generosity is boundless.
He and the entire Mitchell family open their stores, their checkbooks and their hearts to a breathtaking variety of organizations and causes. Very quietly too, they help countless individuals, in any kind of need.
They’ve been honored often (though not enough) for all they do. But this Saturday (January 25, 6:30 p.m.), a special event will be particularly meaningful.
The Conservative Synagogue of Westport holds a “funraiser” — and Bill Mitchell is the guest of honor.
Bill Mitchell
The reason dates back 25 years. Founders were trying to get permission to build a synagogue on Hillspoint Road. Though near the Post Road, the zoning was residential. Some neighbors opposed the plan.
Unsolicited, Bill stood up at several meetings. He’s not Jewish — his family has long been associated with the Saugatuck Congregational Church, and he’s a longtime supporter of various Catholic charities — but he talked about the importance of the synagogue.
After he spoke, the Planning & Zoning Commission passed the proposal. Unanimously.
Bill’s support of The Conservative Synagogue did not stop there. On the High Holidays, he opens Mitchells’ parking lot to congregants.
He and Rabbi Jeremy Wiederhorn have become great friends. It’s a good bet that when the rabbi offers “mazel tov” on Saturday, Bill will not be at a loss for words.
Normally, the opening or (more rarely) closing of a bank branch in Westport is not big news.
But when People’s United shuts its location on the corner of the Post Road and North Compo — part of 18 closings in the state, between December and April — we’ll lose more than one of our town’s squintillion banks.
A bit of history is going too.
That branch has been there for decades. It’s seen the addition of “United” to “People’s Bank,” and the reorientation of its entrance from the front to the back.
Most importantly, it’s a link to one of Westport’s longest-lived, best-known and well-respected businesses.
In 1958, Ed and Norma Mitchell took over what had been a heating and plumbing company office. With a few suits, a coffee pot, and tons of grit and hope, they founded a store that — 61 years later — thrives.
The original Ed Mitchell’s.
Mitchells moved twice — once to Colonial Green, then to its present location next to Sakura. From their Westport headquarters, the 3rd generation of Mitchell family members now oversee stores in Greenwich, Long Island and on the West Coast.
That’s a storied past for the unassuming building near Planet Pizza and Compo Barber Shop.
Let’s hope the new tenant stays as long as People’s Bank, and is as successful as Mitchells became.
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