RETIRING ON TOP: CATCHING UP WITH BILL MITCHELL

“I’ve had the best seat in the house for the past 58 years,” declares Bill Mitchell as he anticipates retirement. He’s most often positioned behind the center counter in the Westport store; his last official day there will be this Saturday, September 30^th.

Bill joined his parents in the business in 1965 when Mitchells was 800 square feet in a former plumbing supply store. (The story of Norma Mitchell shlepping her coffee pot from home to store and back each day has become legendary.) Known to be the heart and soul of the store, Bill has always loved building relationships much more than selling men’s suits.

As editor of MR magazine, I’ve had a relationship with the Mitchell family for more than three decades. I remember the first time I bought something in their store: Bill escorted me to my car and carried the package, a thoughtful gesture I’d never before (or since) experienced. I will never forget the support Bill gave me when I lost my daughter to drug addiction: somehow, he had all the right words to help get me through this most difficult time in my life.

Bill rarely talks about all the charity work he does (“It’s rewarding in itself; I don’t need to talk about it…”) or the numerous Boards he’s on or the many hours he spends counseling young people in recovery. But he’s not shy about sharing how grateful he is to be sober for more than three decades, how the disease alienated his children and nearly ruined his life. “I’m just paying it forward,” he says with much humility about all he gives back to so many.

Asked about retirement, how he arrived at the decision and what he plans to do, Bill is thoughtful. “The world has changed,” he observes. “Our business is solid; Gen 3 (and 4) clearly know what they’re doing. Sales have never been better; we’re hitting record numbers. It just seemed like the right time. I don’t ever want to be an impediment to growth.”

Although Bill will surely continue his many community projects and genuine friendships, he does not have a specific game plan. “Is this the right time to retire? I won’t know until I try. I hope to do some travel with my grandchildren and be open to what comes my way. One thing I won’t be doing, as my wife Sue recently made clear: “You’d better not be planning to stay home all day…”