Mitchell: A History of Service
We’re always ready to serve you
Founding
In 1945, after fighting for his country in World War II, Norbert E. Mitchell returned home to Danbury with a vision for his future.
Determined to continue to work for his community, he purchased a fuel truck and began delivering heating oil to local homes and businesses. On the side of his truck, he proudly displayed a simple yet powerful motto that reflected his dedication: “Just Finished Serving My Country, Now Ready to Serve You.”
This statement captured his commitment to providing reliable service and building lasting relationships with his customers, laying the foundation for what would become a trusted and enduring business in the community.
Three generations later, the Mitchell family is still proud to live by that motto. What started as a small local business has grown into something much bigger, but our commitment to our values remains the same.
Look how we’ve grown!
As his fuel business continued to expand, Norbert opened an office and an oil terminal in New Milford. He later bought land on Federal Road and built Mitchell’s headquarters, continuing to expand it over the decades.
The Johnson Propane Company was merged into the operation in 1987. Mr. Johnson and Mr. Mitchell had been friends for years. Now this alliance brought over 50 years of propane experience into the company and greatly expanded its customer base.
The Redding Oil Company was acquired in 1989. This affiliation expanded operations appreciably in the Ridgefield/Redding area.
In 2012, the Mader Petroleum Company located in Greenwich was acquired. This added additional motor fuel delivery customers in Greenwich and Westchester County.
Norco Fuel Service in Bedford Hills was merged into our company in 2019. The Speidell Family had run a successful heating oil delivery and service business since the 1940s, and we are so proud to carry on their legacy in Westchester County.
In 2021 St. Pierre Oil Co., Inc. of Woodbury became part of our company. The St. Pierre family built a strong legacy in fuel delivery and service, operating successfully since the late 1920s. As part of this merger, we also integrated and updated their bulk storage facility in Southbury-enhancing our local fuel storage capacity to better serve our customers in Southbury, Woodbury and the surrounding communities.
In 2024, Mitchell proudly welcomed LaPlaca Oil and Propane of Goshen, CT, into the Mitchell family of companies. Founded and led by Jerry LaPlaca, who successfully operated the business since 1982, LaPlaca built a strong reputation for dependable service and community trust. The addition continues our long tradition of growth and community service, broadening our reach while maintaining the same trusted, local care that both Mitchell and LaPlaca customers have relied on for decades. To further support our growth into the Northwestern CT market and better serve the local community, we expanded our local c-store portfolio to include the Village Market and Gas Station at 59F Torrington Road in the center of Goshen. We transitioned this location into a Sunoco-branded gas station with a Mitchell Store featuring an expanded grocery offering and Boars Head deli.
We’re fueling a great future
From our simple postwar beginnings, the Norbert E. Mitchell Co. is now a multifaceted business providing top-quality fuel products and services. We’re proud to deliver reliable heating oil, propane, gasoline, propane autogas, diesel and fleet fueling to meet the needs of our residential and commercial customers.
Our services have expanded beyond fuel as well. We design and install state-of-the art HVAC and comfort equipment and systems, ensuring comfort for our customers. Every system we sell is backed by our skilled technicians, who are dedicated to keeping everything running smoothly.
Through our delis and convenience stores, we deliver fresh, high-quality food and everyday essentials to thousands of neighbors. Our clean, modern gas stations, We are a trusted branded distributor for Sunoco, providing reliable, efficient service to keep drivers moving with confidence.
At the core of everything we do is a dedication to excellence, driven by a passionate team that takes pride in serving the community. Our expertise, attention to detail and genuine care are what set us apart — ensuring that every interaction reflects our promise to deliver quality and reliability you can trust.
We are incredibly grateful to our amazing community of customers — your trust, loyalty and support have been the foundation of our success and have enabled us to expand and evolve over the years.
As we continue to grow, we stay grounded in the traditions and principles that shaped us from the very beginning. Every decision we make is guided by our dedication to providing exceptional service and building meaningful, long-lasting relationships with our customers.
Every step forward is fueled by the same promise that started it all: We’re always “Ready to Serve You!”
Become a Mitchell customer and get unmatched reliability, courtesy and quality.
