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The man who was the face of Hilton Head Island hospitality and friendliness for nearly half a century hung up his waiter’s uniform at the end of June. Earl “Happy” Mitchell finished his last shift at the Harbour Town Grill this summer after spending 45 years in the island hospitality industry. He started at the William Hilton Inn and then moved to the Harbour Town Grill in 1986, making him the reliable and smiling face of island service throughout almost all of Hilton Head’s modern development phase. Sea Pines founder Charles Fraser and his family used to personally request Mitchell’s service when dining. To some, Mitchell’s service was almost as iconic as the Lighthouse or the Harbour Town Golf Links his restaurant overlooked.
“I’ve got people bringing their kids in to see me who came to see me when they were kids,” he told Monthly last year.
In 2008, Mitchell was recognized as the South Carolina Hospitality Employee of the Year by the SC Department of Parks, Recreation and Tourism. Mitchell, a native islander, and his wife, a registered nurse, have four children and seven grandchildren. The Hilton Head Town Council gave him a special recognition.
