Plato’s Closet

While on vacation in Northern California, Suzanne Green discovered Plato’s Closet, a resale boutique that is part of a national franchise with about 400 locations on the Mainland and in Canada.

In January 2013, she opened Hawaii’s first Plato’s Closet in Honolulu at 1161 S. Beretania St. (on the corner of Beretania and Piikoi streets). The store buys and sells gently used clothing and accessories for teens and 20-somethings.

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Erin Elise Gillum: Forever 21 dress in red $10, Betsey Johnson heels in gold with bows at back $18

“After years of working in Hawaii nonprofits (such as foster care, domestic violence and Honolulu Symphony), I knew that families in Hawaii would benefit from having a store that made casual trendy name brand clothes like Nike, Hollister and American Eagle affordable,” says Green. “Our primary customers are between age 13 and 28, both men and women. But we have a little something for everyone.

“(How it works is) customers bring in their gently used casual, trendy items, freshly laundered and neatly folded in a bag or box. Then, one of our certified buyers goes through the items and looks for condition issues, such as wear, fading, pilling, stains, missing buttons or items that either are older styles or don’t sell well in our store, such as business attire. Those items go home with the seller. The items we would like to purchase are entered into the computer, and the computer generates a quote based on brand and condition. We present that quote, and if the seller accepts it, we pay cash on the spot! Items are sold at 50 to 70 percent off retail, and the person who sells it gets about one-third of that price.”

The store also has its popular “Clearance Cycle” going on now with select items marked at 50 percent off. Clearance Cycles take place three to four times a year, and on the last day of clearance, anything left is marked down to $1.

“Dollar Day is so much fun,” adds Green. “We have lots of people lining up before we open. People can get on our email list or follow us on Instagram or Twitter to keep informed as to when clearance and Dollar Days occur.”

For more information, visit platosclosethonolulu.com or call 523-8885.

Photos by Rachel Breit
Page Design by Nicole Thommes
On location at Paliku Theatre at Windward Community College