Mitchell Brothers was founded in 1917. A few of the Mitchell boys (there were 9 Mitchell children) worked at the Buena Park Garage and at the age of 19, Bill Mitchell bought the business. When his brothers Ira and David returned from the war (World War I), they joined Bill as partners in the business and changed the name to Mitchell Brothers at that time. It was an automobile repair garage and service station, but as the years progressed Bill and his brothers found that they were capable of many different repairs as well as fabrications and began servicing farm equipment, construction equipment, and fabricating and repairing all types of miscellaneous parts.

In the 1940’s, their nephew Gordon Duce (son of a Mitchell sister) came to work at Mitchell Brothers at a very young age… so young, he worked for ice cream cones! Gordon learned quickly from his uncles all the aspects of welding, machine work, and design. He proved to be very mechanically inclined and was quick to figure out how to make things work better. He was such a huge asset to the company that when he returned from the Korean War, he was begged by the uncles to come back to the shop. Gordon returned immediately and transformed Mitchell Brothers in to what it is today. Continuing to be a small family business that will work on pretty much anything from dental tools to tractors.

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Mitchell Brothers, with more than 100 years in business continues to be the “go to” machine shop in Orange County with reasonable rates, quick and personable service and a huge customer following; from food service, farming, construction and industrial companies to the individual who needs a small part made for their home, invention, or garage business.

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In the 1970’s when Ira passed away (David had already passed as well), Gordon became a partner with Bill. Bill worked at the shop until his death at the age of 91 years old. Afterwards, Gordon continued to keep the business running well but worked six or seven days a week, ten to twelve hours a day. In 1993, Brett Barnes (son in law to Gordon) became employed at Mitchell Brothers and learned everything from Gordon. He was a good student and when Gordon suddenly passed away in 1999, we were confident the business could continue to prosper with Brett running the shop.

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Today, Mitchell Brothers is the oldest business in Buena Park. The shop originally sat on what was then Grand Avenue (Beach Boulevard) and north of Orangethorpe Avenue, but in the early 1950’s they had to relocate so that the 5 Freeway could be built. In 1954, the shop was moved to its current location and where it plans to remain.