And the Mitchell empire has grown to include stores in Greenwich, Conn.; Huntington, N.Y.; San Francisco; Palo Alto, Calif.; Seattle and Portland, Ore., as the family slowly and methodically rescued other luxury specialty retailers that had either fallen on hard times or were seeking an exit plan. Owner Jim greeted me warmly. It was such a pleasure to have worked with you, both as team members and as friends. The exterior portion of this project included a structural transformation of the roof, opening up two large clearstory skylights for the main floor. Eds mother was the tailor. Their website encourages customers to email their personal style advisor, or call a sales associate. We were never closed for one minute, said Bill Mitchell, Bobs uncle who now serves as an ambassador for the business. $33.3M. Reader contributions keep this blog going. But we felt it was important for our culture to stay here. As often happens, we ran into a couple of longtime Westporters. A giant of a man, whose impact on Westport will live on for generations to come. If youre Facebook friends with the Playhouse, or follow it on Twitter, youll see Westports favorite clothier, Bill Mitchell: Playhouse managing director Michael Ross: One of the most important characters in Into the Woods.. And including free coffee the Mitchells customer service is as special and strong as it was 62 years ago. Its simply a fascinating tale, about a long-buried part of Westports past. He should know. Why change Richards in Greenwich, Marshs in Huntington, Wilkes Bashford in San Francisco and Palo Alto, or Marios in Seattle and Portland? Jack asks. Mitchells Huntington. But we ran together.. Doing Business As: Mitchells Of Westport Mens & Womens Clothing. 2023 Fairchild Publishing, LLC. No problem: It was close to lunchtime, so I headed a few doors down to Golds. He was a resident of Westport and Pompano Beach, Fla. A framed picture of him was placed in the store on Post Road East where arriving customers saw it upon their entry and flags outside were lowered to half staff. After he spoke, the Planning & Zoning Commission passed the proposal. On Sunday, May 1, the schools annual Making a Difference Celebration celebrates Bill Mitchell and Gerry Kuroghlian. ft. men's store, which we have renovated inside and out, adding women's ready-to-wear, accessories and jewelry. Customers are the center of their universe, and long-term relationships are the backbone. In apparel, Cucinelli, Akris Punto, The Row, Fendi and Vince are top performers. And well do whatever we can to make you feel at home. In 1958 it was made into a film starring Paul Newman. A 1960 Staples High School graduate who earned a Ph.D. in chemistry, taught college for 10 years and then became a technical writer in Silicon Valley, he emailed me recently with this fascinating tale. The brothers were told not to tell anyone that Patterson was there. Gerry also organizes cultural field trips to Fairfield University and New York City. Monday. March Hamilton Custom Shirt Event BUY 5 SHIRTS & 6TH SHIRT IS FREE. There could be ping pong and foosball too. He has arranged for 1,000 books to be donated to the library. Mitchell, whose retail expertise drew attention from universities and business groups but was best known locally for his devotion to his community, had recently been hospitalized at Norwalk Hospital. 3/18-5/21 . View all events. The focus was on boxing and body-building. Mitchells Westport. In 1999, Bill joined Kolbes Shepherds program. Kaitlyn Krasselt was formerly a statewide political reporter for Hearst Connecticut Media Group. A Mitchell family member will open the store on a Sunday for those issues. But well take care of it.. Theyre encouraged to visit a store, try it on and have it tailored. And, between now and the final curtain on June 29, the Playhouse is running a social media campaign. Today was extra special. His staff uses the internet to track inventory, and ship it so customers can find the right shirt, suit, blouse or shoes online. Our secret sauce is our people. He is every bit as friendly as any Main Street storeowner was in the 1960s. Each one is different. We have more Mitchells on the floor here than any other store. Associates reach out to customers by email, phone and text not to sell, just to say hi and check in. Its a journey Bill Mitchell and Gerry Kuroghlian take often. Our value that the customer comes first, and our goal of building relationships, hasnt changed since I was at Wesleyan University and my dad opened the store, Jack says. He sponsored and mentored freshman named Marques Brown, providing one-on-one support (and cheering at his basketball games). Clear filters Apply and close. They in turn found a worthy recipient, who would otherwise be unable to attend college. The building no longer exists. Mitchells opening hours in Westport. Her product is terrific.. The interiors of this 31,000 sq.ft. Reproduction of material from You should be rightfully proud of them and your accomplishments. 01/31/2004 16:19 pm Comments (4) Permalink. When Ed Mitchell opened his store in Westport in 1958, his company was built on providing customer service that exceeded his clients . If you are a copyright owner of any unattributed image or text on this blog, send me an e-mail and I will remove it or give you credit, whichever you prefer. For over 50 years, we have strived to carry on that spirit and tradition. A 1955 recipient has already RSVP-ed. 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. Click below for our homey, half-hour conversation. But I quickly learned: I was carrying on the proud Mitchell Family tradition of giving customers more than they expect, when they least expect it. And that is the key both to Mitchells success, and why it is such a great 06880 tale. Hes an internationally known speaker. 1993 When it did, the Westport Town Crier ran this headline: Boxing Gangsters Invade Westport.. Dinner at Gabrieles Steakhouse in Greenwich follows at 6:30 p.m. For more information, or to make a donation in honor of Bill Mitchell or Gerry Kuroghlian, callJ0-Anne Jakab at 203-368-2648 or email jjakab@kolbecaths.org.). It was a huge risk and a true family venture. While the overall square footage of the 25,000-square-foot unit has remained essentially the same, the Mitchells have converted some back-office space to selling and moved other things around. Other brands including Brunello Cucinelli, The Row, Saint Laurent, Fendi, Alexander McQueen and Nicholas Kirkwood have been expanded. The employee data is based on information from people who have self-reported their past or current employments at Mitchells of Westport. I think all of our hard work anddedication reflects in the finished product. Any amount is welcome, appreciated and tax-deductible! In 1959, Floyd Patterson needed a spot to train for his rematch against Ingemar Johansson the man who had recently taken the world heavyweight title from him. View ALL 5 Photos. Patterson arrived with his manager Cus DAmato, and sparring partner Tommy Hurricane Jackson. Use Next and Previous buttons to navigate. Price - High to Low. Any amount is welcome, appreciated and tax-deductible! Earlier, it sent out a picture book on YouTube that was narrated by Bill Mitchell. Family Values Help Mitchells Weather Storm, Mitchells At 60: Westport Flagship Store Flies High, Celebrating 75 Years Of Staples Tuition Grants, Roundup: Wynston Browne, Traffic, Hookd , Roundup: DATTCO Buses, Capt. But those little slice-of-life occurrences demonstrate, at least for me, that certain Our Town-like qualities still very much exist here. Bill Mitchell with Marques Brown (Kolbe Cathedral 03). The Bridgeport private school 80% of whose students need financial assistance has a proud record. appreciate your sensitivity to design issues and keeping the client's best interests in mind. There was Floyd Patterson. So theyre throwing a party. One day, his father Kirk came to visit. (Click here for tickets to the 75th anniversary celebration, and more information. Free Shipping - Designer womens apparel, mens apparel, shoes, handbags, fine accessories & designer jewelry, curated by our Personal Style Advisors. Tagged "06880" podcast, Jack Mitchell, Mitchells of Westport. Ed Mitchell Inc. Mario's Inc. SIC Code 51,513. On sale. The best to all the family. Unsolicited, Bill stood up at several meetings. New owner Anthony Iannone of Stratford renamed it "Anthony's Health Center & Gym." . Derek Shelton taught dance to all ages; Edwardo Enrich was a judo instructor for boys and adults. In sportswear, denim continues to gain in importance, with AG the biggest label, and contemporary brands got more breathing room, Mitchell said. 5/2-6 . and Compo Road in the old house there. Show More. The actor knew what he was doing: In 1949 hed starred in Champion, a boxing movie (based on a short story by Westons Ring Lardner). So will Miggs Burroughs, who designed the logo. If they can only look at shoes at 10 p.m. when the kids are in bed, fine, Andrew says. Freeman taught Mason how to teach the boys how to work out including 14-year-old Westporter Michael Douglas. Ed and Norma open the original Ed Mitchells store in . Hes a greeter, back-slapper, problem-solver, contribution-giver, let-me-introduce-you-er, and much more. And one of the men who trained there: Floyd Patterson, heavyweight champion of the world. His store Mitchells of Westport hosted a small reception, honoring everyone who helped out during Hurricane Sandy. And if you remember their original location*, theyd love to hear your stories. People are busy today. In our 60-year journey, this is where it started and its home for a lot of us.. Required fields are marked *. This is our heart and soul. For the next couple of years, were focused here and wed like to build a bigger store in Palo Alto, Bob Mitchell said of the 10,000-square-foot store he hopes to expand to around 25,000 square feet. The driver was Staples alum Mike Elliot; he offered me a ride. The food at Golds is every bit as good today as when my parents first took me there in the 1960s and the setting seems exactly as it did back then. On Thursday night, one of the nations most successful independent specialty store operators will unveil the completion of a nearly six-month project that has not only spruced up the store but also shines a light on some of its biggest-volume businesses. Zegna remains the companys oldest and largest luxury supplier with a history that dates to 1988. Everyone is invited to stop by, say hi, shake his hand and share a story. The building's facade was removed and reworked using a combination of thin brick, stucco, storefront glass, and extensive metalwork. Top Competitors of Mitchell Stores. ft. space, offering 5 men's suit styles. His real job was as an elementary school teacher (Saugatuck, then Burr Farms). He said this makes sense because Westport is a smaller town, with around 24,000 people, while Greenwich has 65,000. Enter your email address to subscribe to this blog and receive notifications of new posts by email. The second and third generations of the Mitchell family now run the stores, including Jack, the chief executive officer; his brother Bill, who is president, and five sons. Gerry Kuroghlian and Bryan Tacuri. Westport, CT. Support multiple buyers on Women's buying team in purchase order entry, buy layouts, selling analytics, trunk show . As Gildo Zegna, ceo of Ermenegildo Zegna, put it: I deeply admire their independence and their commitment to the highest level of customer service, carried on by their great people. Your email address will not be published. We chatted about Mitchells, the state of retailing today, Westport old and young and hugging. Click here for instructions on how to enable JavaScript in your browser. Posted in Education, Local business, Organizations, People, Staples HS, Tagged Bill Mitchell, Dr. Gerald Kuroghlian, Kolbe Cathedral High School, Mitchells of Westport. Hes helped raise service to a new level. I have no idea why its there. When they hear what the store is doing, they are grateful. I think all of our hard work anddedication reflects in the finished product. In mens, there are 15 new designers including James Perse, Baldwin, C.P. Hes a tutor, SAT and ACT advisor, and college application essay guide. Giorgio Armani Made-To-Order Trunk Show. Ed and Norma open the original Ed Mitchells store in Westport, CT in an 800 sq. view book archive. Route planning . The retailer knew all of his customers personally and could recall what each bought for their wardrobe. We want to do the right thing by them, so we all can get through this. Im so sorry, he was such a neat guy. We shared a few laughs and some entertaining stories. This is the fourth season Flint, a 2014 Forbes 30 Under 30 awardee, has partnered with the Fairfield County-based department stores. The fresh, new interior at Mitchells of Westport. The family soon to be on their 4th generation, with Jack and Bills grandchildren ready to move up owns 8 stores, on the East and West Coasts. TRITEC Building Company renovated the Ed Mitchell's clothing store in Westport, Connecticut. He attends sports events, chaperones the prom, and continually shares his philosophy that it is the responsibility of each individual to make a difference. 5/2-6 . Somehow Alexs little boy Emerson has grown up hes 6-1 now!to be a Staples senior who, to my delight, is on the varsity team. Dave Wilson (a Staples captain in 1974) was there too. Mitchells moved twice once to Colonial Green, then to its present location next to Sakura. Description. First class act. Opening Hours. DAmato saw Jack, and asked if he wanted to work out at the gym. Specialties: Shop over 300 brands in-store or online 24/7/365! Over 90% of family-owned businesses do not make it to the 3rd generation. Mitchells Westport Trunk Shows and Events. September 20, 2018, 12:01am. Its a good bet that when the rabbi offers mazel tov on Saturday, Bill will not be at a loss for words. Last year, it completed a renovation of Marios in Seattle and the Wilkes Bashford stores in California have also been updated recently. Most important, he was a man who was a strong leader with a kind heart. 227 items. A couple of Saturdays ago, hundreds of folks from Fairfield County and beyond jammed Mitchells. BOOKS & MAILERS. Your email address will not be published. As I neared the station, another car stopped. Seven years earlier, the group had helped start Westport Little League. I think her style right now is so on trend right now. Seems like it should be there, with all the other plants and such. Posted in Library, Local business, Organizations, People, Police, Weather, Tagged Bill Mitchell, CERT, Gordon Joseloff, Hurricane Sandy, Mitchells of Westport, Click here to help support 06880 via credit card or PayPal. 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 mens and womens stores, on the East and West Coasts his generosity is boundless. "Her product is terrific." . Every Saturday is showtime at Mitchells. There is no hook or angle to this; no upcoming title fight, demolition of the boxing club building or anything else. Hes not Jewish his family has long been associated with the Saugatuck Congregational Church, and hes a longtime supporter of various Catholic charities but he talked about the importance of the synagogue. But he did point out that tailored clothing still represents 40 percent of mens sales, although unit sales are down. But because its a bit hidden by shrubbery we dont always notice it. He helped his parents when he could, and joined the store officially in 1965. Ellen Finlayson, general merchandise manager of Mitchells Stores, said they have been impressed with Flints sophistication and attention to detail when it comes to keeping up with trends. On sale. He was especially happy to share it with one of Westports most important but seldom recognized big, big names: Walt Melillo. The Conservative Synagogue of Westport holds a funraiser and Bill Mitchell is the guest of honor. The selection of womens shoes and handbags has doubled. 1979 Ed Mitchells moves to present location, with 17,000 sq. First selectman Gordon Joseloff noted that first responders include not only police officers, firefighters and EMTs. Mitchells Huntington. This is a different path than any retailer we know is taking, Bob Mitchell says. The biggest changes in the past several years, he said, have been the explosion of jewelry and womens and the continued upscaling of mens. He and his family established one of the premier clothing stores in the country, based on the principles of outstanding value, quality and service. As the son of founders Ed and Norma Mitchell, Jack Mitchell carries on the family tradition. Companywide, the business is 40-40-20 mens, womens and jewelry, Mitchell said. Reader contributions keep this blog going. Four months later, Anthonys went out of business. The clothing retailer that began with a small shop next to Compo Shopping Center has evolved into high-end stores on both coasts. One of the things we liked about her is she had a great combination of great talent and personality, Ceppos said. It had been a small part of the business before, and sales are still nowhere close to what they were pre-pandemic. If youre a former recipient and would like to be taped for a video, or are interested in helping sponsor the event, email poley@optonline.net. 137 were here. People crave connections with other shoppers and with staff members theyve grown close to. Posted in Economy, Environment, Local business, People, Tagged Bob Mitchell, Coronavirus, COVID-19, Ed Mitchell, Mitchells of Westport, In 1958, Ed Mitchell quit his job in New York. 3/18-5/21 . Bruce Davidson, from his Staples High School yearbook. Richards. Mitchells Westport. Several years ago he and his brother Jack handed the reins of Mitchells and its family stores in Greenwich, Long Island and California to the 3rd generation. Lou Dorsey a popular Saugatuck Elementary School phys. The Katy Black and White Suede pump from Sarah Flint's spring footwear line. Wed rather be conservative and be in business in another 60 years.. Or use Venmo: @blog06880. The 27,000 square feet sparkle with updated designs, new collections, fresh lighting and an ultra-modern feel. The Conservative Synagogue of Westport holds a funraiser and Bill Mitchell is the guest of honor. Mitchells Family of Stores was founded in 1958 by Ed and Norma Mitchell in Westport, CT with their original store, "Ed Mitchells." A second generation, Bill Mitchell and Jack Mitchell, author of the retail classic "Hug Your Customer," expanded the business and store, adding women's and in 1995, a second store, Richards of Greenwich. After Greenwich and Westport, the Wilkes flagship in San Francisco is the third largest while the Marios in Seattle and the Wilkes in Palo Alto, Calif., are the fastest-growing, spurred by the tech boom.