Chris Mitchell opened his first candy shop in Cleveland Heights in 1939 next door what’s now the Centrum on Coventry Road. He married Penelope in 1948 and the two built the business, now called Mitchell’s Fine Chocolates (no connection with the newer Mitchell’s Ice Cream), to become one of the most loved destinations in the area. Generations of sweets fanciers have stopped in to pick up boxes and bags of rich dark chocolate nut clusters, candied fruits and caramels, hand-dipped in small batches, and to purchase gifts for holidays and special occasions.
In the ’70s, their son Bill came on board and gradually took over running the business on a day-to-day basis. The shop later moved up to Lee Road a few blocks south of Cedar, where it currently stands. Chris Mitchell died in and 2000 and Penelope passed away last March. That’s when Bill started thinking it was time to give up the business to retire and fulfill some of his lifelong dreams.
He’s decided to do it now. He’s offering the business, with its extensive candy-making facility in the back, for sale. So far he’s had no takers — he warns that running the business requires someone with a good business head and the right mindset, and that it’s all-consuming. If no one steps up, he’ll start to wind down production after the Easter/Mother’s Day rush and close after Memorial Day. That will be a big loss to the community and its chocolate lovers.
One Response to “Mitchell’s Chocolates in Cleveland Heights to Close, Unless …”
Annie Holden
I’m not sure life will be worth living without Mitchell’s in the world. I’ve been a fan for at least 30 years and even though my chocolate consumption is much reduced these days, it just makes me feel safe and good knowing that Mitchell’s is there to provide the community with sublimely good stuff. Uh-oh.