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New buy-and-sell store adds to Kelowna couple’s thrift store legacy

Plato’s Closet is located on Baron Road next to Once Upon a Child

Let’s go thrift shopping.

Second-hand shop Plato’s Closet has opened in Kelowna, only its second location in B.C.

Ann Davis and Bob Henderson are no strangers to bringing new buy-and-sell stores to town being the faces behind the Kelowna locations of Play It Again Sports and Once Upon a Child.

After finding success selling gently used sporting equipment and infant and toddler clothes and toys, “the next brand is Plato’s Closet,” Davis said. “It’s kind of like the next size up to the young adult. So, it was just kind of a natural fit.”

The store on Baron Road opened at 10 a.m. on June 8 with a long line-up of shoppers eager to find a deal. The first 25 shoppers in line were gifted a tote bag with a $25 gift card and the next 25 were gifted a tote with $5 Plato’s cash.

Plato’s Closet is a little different from a traditional thrift or consignment shop. Davis says they pay cash for gently used, laundered, and hanger ready clothing and accessories with no appointment necessary.

“We buy directly from our customers. So, this store today is 99 per cent gently used and we’ve gotten everything from our customers. We were open to buy for about six weeks to stock up our store to then be able to have a grand opening.”

The celebrations continue through the weekend with more gifts for the first customers of the day and daily 5 p.m. giveaways.

“It really helps the family in all stores be able to afford life much more economically. Then it also gives another option in town for sustainability and repurposing and really getting something that you no longer wear or your child might not wear anymore and give someone else the opportunity to be able to afford it.”

The Kelowna store is open Monday to Saturday from 10 a.m. to 9 p.m. and on Sundays from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m.

“It gives us a lot of pride… This is a big endeavour. It takes a lot of work and it takes a real team to make it happen. It’s nice to see it all come together and for it to operate and succeed and do well and probably be around for a long time. It’s a rewarding experience for sure.”

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Brittany Webster

About the Author: Brittany Webster

A video journalist with Black Press Media. I recently made the exciting move from my radio anchor position at AM 1150 to this new venture.
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