GEORGE MITCHELL CONFECTIONARY WAS FAVORITE ALBION HANG-OUTHistorical Albion Michigan

Coming up on Sunday, October 12 at 1:30 p.m. I will again be presenting my annual tour of Riverside Cemetery. This year’s tour is titled, “An Ethnic Tour of Riverside Cemetery, Part 2.” Mark the date and time on your calendar. More information about this in the next couple of weeks.

One favorite “hang-out” in downtown Albion during the early 20th century was George Mitchell & Co. Mitchell’s was a candy and ice cream store that gained an excellent reputation for quality and taste. Mitchell’s made their own products in the back of the store. There was a large freezing room in the back for making ice cream, and different kinds of apparatus for making candy. Mitchell’s was founded in 1898 by George Mitchell (1860-1933) a native of Syrna, Turkey, who immigrated to the United States. Mitchell’s was located at 219 S. Superior St., presently the south half of Fedco.

By 1918, George was joined by Sam Vafiadis (1895-1963), who continued the firm after Mitchell’s death in 1933. He operated it until closing the establishment in 1955. Vafiadis was a native of Papderma, Turkey, coming to the U.S. in 193, and to Albion in 1916. This week we present a 1920s-era photograph of the interior of Mitchell’s showing Sam Vafiadis at the soda counter with his arms folded. The customers are unidentified. Notice the decorative lamp on the counter.

On the left is a case full of Mitchell’s delicious chocolates, and hard candy in jars on the top. In the rear of the store are tables and chairs for people to sit and eat. Special thanks to Katie (Vafiadis) Konkle for supplying us with this photograph of her father. How many Albion residents remember Sam Vafiadis and Mitchell’s Confectionary?

	Frank Passic — Albion Historian An Albion native and 1971 graduate of Albion High School, Frank Passic has been researching and writing Albion history since 1976. He is the creator of the Albion Historical Notebook, with hundreds of articles appearing weekly in the Morning Star and The Recorder. Frank maintains an extensive personal archive including Riverside Cemetery records, family surname files, genealogies, photographs, city directories, and high school yearbooks. Support his 2026 research at the Historic Albion Michigan Facebook page. Historical Notebook \| From the Archives \| Subject List \| 100 Years Ago \| Alphabetical Index \| Frank Passic Home Page \| Albion History Books \| Contact Frank
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