Our Family! Some of the four generations of Mitchell's who have worked
at our store.
Front: Children of founders Ray and Hannah Mitchell - Jack Mitchell,
Joan Hicks, Joe Mitchell and Judy Bonislawski.
Middle: Charlotte Mitchell, Cindy Lehm, Wendy Mitchell, Kris Mitchell
Back Row: John Mitchell, Joe Mitchell Jr., Tom Mitchell, Nadeen Vilone,
Ginger Sullivan & Bonnie Lober
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From L to R: Alfred Vilone Jr, Hannah Mitchell, Joe Mitchell, Judy Mitchell, Joan Mitchell, Ray Mitchell, Jack Mitchell, Alfred Vilone Jr. |
Mitchell’s 5¢ & 10¢ opened in July of 1953. The founders, Ray and Hannah Mitchell, purchased an existing 5¢ & 10¢ in the three-year old Fairfax Shopping Center in Suburban Wilmington, Delaware. Our first location was parallel to a bowling alley behind us, and was 20' x 100' in size!
1955-1997
In 1955 we moved to a brand new 10,000 square foot location in the other side of Fairfax Shopping Center. In 1965, we spread out into the 5,000 square foot location next to us, making a total of 15,000 square feet. We morphed into a junior department store, carrying clothing, greeting cards, pet supplies, sporting goods and the biggest toy selection in the state of Delaware! Over the years, we have carried everything from live monkeys to limited edition signed prints by Pablo Picasso - but one thing has remained the same - we are still owned and run by the Mitchell Family.
Interior of our train department
1997 - on
In 1997, we moved into our current location in the North end of the Fairfax Shopping Center. Incredibly, our current location consists in part of the space we occupied back in 1953! Our current incarnation focuses on hobbies and toys. We are world known for our selection of museum quality brass railroad models. We carry a wide selection of plastic models, as well as a host of accessories for model railroaders. We also have departments dedicated to dollhouse & miniatures, specialty toys (like Thomas the Tank Engine, BRIO, Playmobil and LEGO), plastic models, model rocketry, a complete Boy and Girl Scout department, Art Supplies, Delaware Souvenirs and more!
