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The lineup stretched through the crammed parking lot as approximately 200 people waited for Vernon’s newest business to open its doors. The grand opening of Plato’s Closet Thursday, Nov. 6 attracted a never-before-seen crowd of shoppers. So many in fact, that the owners had to limit how many people could be in the store at a time. The store didn’t open until 10 a.m., but shoppers were lined up as early as 7:40 a.m. Rory Munroe, her mom Sarah, and friend Maddie Callender, were the early birds first in line, who were among the first 20 to receive gift certificates. Gord Broderick and Elah MacEwan opened the chain thrift store in a new build on Anderson Way. Plato’s Closet buys and sells gently used name brand clothing and accessories. It’s a consignment second-hand store, similar to downtown Vernon’s Carousel Consignments. “What really stood out to us about this brand is the message behind it: Great style doesn’t have to come with a big price tag or a big environmental cost,” said Broderick. While the store targets teens and young adults with trend-setting styles and brand names, all ages are welcome and were in line Thursday. “This store is for everyone,” said Broderick. MLA Harwinder Sandhu, who loves thrift shopping, was pleased to learn there is no age restriction. Before getting into politics, Sandhu’s closet was full of scrubs as a nurse. She knew she needed to update her wardrobe and started first at a thrift store, where she found two blazers, for $4 each, that are still gaining compliments in her new trendy rotation. She’s excited to get shopping and bring her own children to the store. “Now many young people don’t have to go Kelowna, Vancouver and elsewhere.” An enthusiastic team of staff was on hand to help shoppers, along with Elah’s daughter Jillian, to mark the milestone. “When we first began this journey our goal was simple yet meaningful: to bring a modern, sustainable fashion concept to Vernon. One that empowers young people to express themselves, shop smart and make environmentally-conscious choices,” said Elah. “Our mission is to make fashion affordable, sustainable and accessible, giving great clothes a second life while helping to reduce textile waste.” Greater Vernon Chamber of Commerce was also on hand to welcome their newest member to town. “I was impressed by the enthusiasm that Elah and Gord, when I first met them, their professionalism, the excitement they had for our community,” said the Chamber’s Kevin Rothwell.
