Rutherford & Co

### Meet the Owner: Chris Mitchell

Few businesses are as woven into the history of Morpeth as Rutherford & Co. Established in 1846 as a small draper's shop, this much-loved department store remained in the Rutherford family for five generations before beginning an exciting new chapter in 2019.

That was the year Chris Mitchell, who had already spent seven years working alongside Richard Rutherford, took ownership of the iconic Bridge Street store.

For Chris, taking the reins was about much more than running a business. Having learned from Richard and developed a deep understanding of the store's values, he was determined to preserve everything that made Rutherford & Co special while ensuring it continued to thrive in a changing retail world.

There's a wonderful connection to the store's beginnings, too. Founder George Rutherford chose retail over his family's farming tradition back in 1846. More than 170 years later, Chris followed a remarkably similar path, choosing a future at Rutherford & Co rather than following his father and grandfather into the family farm in Meldon.

With a passion for independent retail, a loyal team behind him and a genuine appreciation for the store's heritage, Chris has continued to guide Rutherford & Co into a new era.

His vision is simple: to honour the traditions that generations of Morpeth shoppers have come to love while keeping the store fresh, relevant and full of wonderful things to discover.

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