The Mitchell's Homemade Ice Cream & Mitch's Bar-B-Que Story
Once upon a time, I had a dream of working for myself and owning a business. I bought an existing business comprised of an automatic car wash, self serve spray car wash, laundromat, gasoline station and a tiny mini-mart, only to discover 6 months later that I had been deceived. Environmental laws, false information divulged from the previous business owner about the real net income and competition rendered the gas station obsolete within the first year. It was 1988. In 1989 I discovered a Handel's Ice Cream Franchise in Bridgewater, PA. which later evolved to become Brusters. By 1990 I knew I would have to substitute a business for the lack of revenue being generated from the sale of gasoline. I decided to look into purchasing a Handel's Ice Cream Franchise. I was caught between spending money on upgrading the gasoline tanks, which I really didn't own, or trying something different. I contacted Handel's, but lacked the resources to purchase a franchise. Either way I was going to spend over $125,000 on tank renovation or on a franchise.
So, I decided to remodel the little mini-mart section, refrain from selling gasoline any longer, learn how to make fine quality ice cream like Ben & Jerry's, and open a homemade ice cream store. I wanted to make the best in the area. I learned to make a rich and creamy product....some of the best in Pittsburgh. In the movie, "Field of Dreams", they say, "Build it and they will come." Well I remodeled it and made a great product and on August 1, 1992 I opened for business. But they did not come in the droves I expected. It was the coldest and wettest July on record in quite some time, and by the time I opened, ice cream season was waning already. I was getting knocked down.
In 1993, I decided to expand my repertoire, and began to Bar-B-Que at my store outside in 55 gallon drums. By April 1994, I decided to purchase a Bar-B-Que Pit/Smoker from a rib vender I met in July of 1993 at the 3 Rivers Stadium Rib & Music Festival. In 1994 I won the 3 Rivers Rib Cook-Off for the category of "Best Sauce". But, I was still trying to get over that hump in the road.
In 1995, someone approached me about catering. So, it began. To be honest, I did not know anything about catering.. All the expertise I had was in doing large festivals, cooking at my store, making ice cream & Italian ice. I had no educational background in food, no prior work experience in a restaurant and no guide to help me along. I just did it.
In 1996 I was on the Ice Cream Show Premiere in Pittsburgh with Rick Sebak of WQED, who produced the "Ice Cream Show". In 1996 I began to cater more with the help of an artist and business associate of mine. I had installed a small ad in the yellow pages, and began to receive calls.
In May of 1997 I decided to purchase a box truck to pull my Bar-B-Que pit. I was tired of renting trucks for jobs and having to load everything on and off the truck, including equipment. I essentially started Mitch's Mobile bar-B-Que. Unfortunately, my brother died unexpectedly, and it derailed my path somewhat and dimmed my passion, but I still did over 30 jobs that season. I was learning and growing.
In March of 1998, my landlord and I became involved in a dispute over a rental issue, and upon discovering that he backdoored me in regard to my lease, I moved my business from North Hills to Hampton Township to a smaller, but much nicer facility that was more conducive to customers. I did over 50 catering jobs that year. The following year I did about 90, and in the year of our lord 2000, I did over 135 catering jobs for individuals, corporations, schools and charity functions.
Now, 13 years after I purchased the gasoline facility, I am a certified and bon-a-fide caterer of fine bar-b-que and other foods and I still make some of the best ice cream and ribs and sauce one can find in the area. Find out just how good it can be. There have been numerous article written about me in Pittsburgh Magazine and The Post Gazette, as well as a few awards on the journey to where I am today. The main thing is that I still care very much about the quality of food that I serve, and in providing good customer service to my clients. Hope to see you this summer.
Mitch
Mitchell's Homemade Ice Cream
Mitch's Mobile Bar-B-Que & Catering Co.
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4988 Middle Road
Wagners Plaza
Gibsonia, PA 15044
724-776-0616
724-449-2733
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