After 55 years of doing business in Delaware, the Mitchell family is sad to announce that Mitchell’s Trains, Toys and Hobbies will be closing.
Family owned and operated during it’s entire 55 years in business, Mitchell’s
opened in July 3 of 1953, after John and Hanna Mitchell purchased Bennet’s
5¢ and 10¢ store in the Fairfax Shopping Center. Their new store,
wedged in front of the Fairfax Bowling Alley, was more of a lane than a store.
Mitchell’s operated in this small facility for two years before moving
over to the site of the existing Walgreens in the Fairfax Shopping Center
for the next 42 years. In 1997, Mitchell’s moved from the South portion
of the Shopping Center to the North portion, downsizing from 15,000 square
feet to 6,000 square feet and concentrating on it’s strengths –
trains, toys and hobbies
The current owners, John & Hannah’s children, are Joe & Jack
Mitchell and their sister Joan Hicks. All three of the owners were a part
of the store from it’s beginnings until the end. All of the owners of
the company have decided to retire and exit the retail business completely.
The Mitchell Family is quite proud that John and Hanna Mitchell’s dream
lasted fifty five years. Through the years four generations and 23 members
of the Mitchell family have worked at Mitchell’s. All four of John and
Hannah’s children – Jack, Joan (Hicks), Joe and Judy (Bonisawski)
Mitchell worked there. Nine of John and Hannah’s grandchildren worked
there as well as five of their great grandchildren.
Most of Mitchell’s employees have been a part of the store for 20 years
and longer. Bonnie Kincaid’s first day was August 23, 1960 – she
is finishing her 48th year of employment at Mitchell’s. Manager Doug
Arnold’s first day was August 22nd, 1973. Sales clerk Alice Lewis started
at Mitchell’s on August 31st, 1977.
Mitchell’s will start it’s going-out-of-business August 6th. All
existing stock will be 25% off the lowest marked prices (current magazines,
consignment items and brass trains are excluded)
Fortunately, two of the long-time employees of the store have decided to,
independently, open their own retail stores in the coming months. Joe Mitchell
Jr , who managed the award-winning toy department at Mitchell’s, will
be opening YoYoJoe’s Toys & Fun
starting November 1st at a location on the Concord Pike. The store will focus
on selling many of the toy lines that Mitchell’s carried as well as
a large selection of new toys that are unavailable currently in the Wilmington
area. YoYoJoe’s will also offer many store events throughout the year.
People interested in following the progress of YoYoJoe’s can visit yoyojoes.com
for updates. Doug Arnold, who for 30 years managed the internationally renowned
model railroading department plans on opening his own hobby store in the Wilmington
area.
Thanks to you, our customers, for 55 wonderful years serving Brandywine Hundred.
