Business Spotlight
Mitch & Bill's Exxon
There are not too many businesses today that can say that their doors have been open for 72 years. Mitch & Bill’s is one of the very few – having opened in October of 1949, when Potomac was rural and far less developed than today. Originally started by Mitch, Mike’s father, and Mitch’s best friend Bill, it was opened when the two of them saw opportunity in Potomac after working for Mitch’s uncle in Bethesda. Today, Mitch & Bill’s offers a full-service Exxon station, independent service center, auto supply shop, and convenience store, right in the heart of Potomac Village. Mitch & Bill’s is truly a family affair; after they bought out Bill in ’81 or ’82, Mitch and Mike ran the business together for a number of years. When Mitch’s health took a turn for the worse, Mike continued his father’s legacy and operated the station, located at the 4 corners of Potomac and which by that time, had become a true community mainstay.
What makes Mitch & Bill’s different from any other gas station in the area? They are, in every sense of the term, a full-service gas station which is a rarity these days. They are an anchor in the community; having seen the many changes in Potomac over the decades, they have been consistent faces in the area for many years. Mike seeks to keep his employees around as long as possible, and endeavors to keep them happy and satisfied with their work. To Mike, it’s a much better option to keep the same familiar faces and pay them better rather than seek out new staff. In this way, Mike not only promotes a positive, enjoyable workplace, but a dependable face to the residents of Potomac. Mike lovingly shares a story of an employee of theirs who has recently passed away, Kevin, whose recent celebration of life was packed to the brim with Potomac locals coming to pay their respects and share their stories. “He knew everybody,” Mike recalls, and perhaps part of Kevin’s familiarity in the community had to do with the many years he worked at Mitch & Bill’s.
What makes Mitch & Bill’s different from any other gas station in the area? They are, in every sense of the term, a full-service gas station which is a rarity these days. They are an anchor in the community; having seen the many changes in Potomac over the decades, they have been consistent faces in the area for many years. Mike seeks to keep his employees around as long as possible, and endeavors to keep them happy and satisfied with their work. To Mike, it’s a much better option to keep the same familiar faces and pay them better rather than seek out new staff. In this way, Mike not only promotes a positive, enjoyable workplace, but a dependable face to the residents of Potomac. Mike lovingly shares a story of an employee of theirs who has recently passed away, Kevin, whose recent celebration of life was packed to the brim with Potomac locals coming to pay their respects and share their stories. “He knew everybody,” Mike recalls, and perhaps part of Kevin’s familiarity in the community had to do with the many years he worked at Mitch & Bill’s.
With a full-service gas station being such a rarity, Mitch & Bill’s finds that they truly are set apart from their competitors. Of course, they are a centrally located gas station that has been a regular fixture in the community, but there are few gas stations where you can pull up with a check engine light, pop your hood, and have a licensed, dependable mechanic take a look. While they don’t advertise these things, Mike is always trying to be a help to his community and local residents – not many gas station owners will find themselves in a neighbor’s horse corral, removing a 12’ snake that is scaring both the horses and the homeowner. Mike’s favorite story is one where he got a road call about a stuck tractor. When he arrived, he circled the property, only to find the tractor fully immersed in the pool. While Mike, of course, couldn’t solve the issue on his own, he was able to help out the owners by calling a company to remove it.
Mike does his best to adapt as things around him change, by continuing to offer additional services but mostly by keeping his incredible customer service at the forefront. He describes some of the difficulties imposed on his business by the pandemic; they tried to keep their gas costs reasonable in spite of it all, but did have to make some adjustments and modifications to keep the business running. Reduced service hours, shorter staff shifts, and other in-house adjustments had to be made, but they are doing their best to keep the business running for their residents. While things still have not gotten “back to normal,” Mike is hoping that things around them continue to improve, both for his business and for his Potomac neighbors.
When asked about his advice for those looking to start a new business, Mike laughs a bit and shares that it’s tough, but you just have to pull up and do it. “You just have to go. You can’t be afraid,” he shares, and his lack of fear in the face of a changing business is truly an inspiration.
Mike does his best to adapt as things around him change, by continuing to offer additional services but mostly by keeping his incredible customer service at the forefront. He describes some of the difficulties imposed on his business by the pandemic; they tried to keep their gas costs reasonable in spite of it all, but did have to make some adjustments and modifications to keep the business running. Reduced service hours, shorter staff shifts, and other in-house adjustments had to be made, but they are doing their best to keep the business running for their residents. While things still have not gotten “back to normal,” Mike is hoping that things around them continue to improve, both for his business and for his Potomac neighbors.
When asked about his advice for those looking to start a new business, Mike laughs a bit and shares that it’s tough, but you just have to pull up and do it. “You just have to go. You can’t be afraid,” he shares, and his lack of fear in the face of a changing business is truly an inspiration.
Mike doesn’t intend to retire. With few hobbies and an absolutely admirable adoration for his work, Mike intends to keep going at Mitch & Bill’s until he no longer can. His son is involved in the business, too, and so the legacy should continue even after Mike can no longer continue to work there. In talking about his impact on the local community, and his business being something of an anchor to the growth of Potomac, Mike chuckles as he shares that he’s been working at Mitch & Bill’s since he was 13 – as his very first job. “It wouldn’t look great on my resume,” he laughs, but while a job that spans decades might not be a good resume builder, he can rest easy knowing his Exxon station has been a force of dependability and consistency in the growing community.
