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Plato's Closet Brings High Quality Thrifting to Watauga County


Shannon and Kevin Melton, the new owners of a Plato's Closet location, plan to open soon, bringing a sustainable clothing option to the area.


According to their Instagram account, @platosclosetboone, a local couple will soon be opening a “Plato’s Closet” here in Boone. The consignment shop “buys and sells gently used clothes, shoes, and accessories.” The account first announced the new business on July 13th, and in a post on September 9th, confirmed that they will be opening this fall.


In a July 22 Watauga Democrat article, Moss Brennan covered the current information available. As Brennan’s article states, the business owners Shannon and Kevin Melton plan to hire high school students. In an Instagram post from September 2nd, @platosclosetboone says “We’re hiring!” The caption reads “Openings now available at Plato’s Closet Boone! We need friendly, motivated people on our team who love keeping up with the latest trends.” Though the business has completed many hires already, Kevin and Shannon Melton said in late September that they still have a couple weekday daytime positions available.


The new location will be next to Capone’s Pizza in the New Market Centre, where the business put up their sign on September 20th. Plato’s Closet of Boone is currently open to buy gently used, quality clothing items and will be open to sell soon.


“We are currently open to buy, which means people can bring in their great styles and get paid cash on the spot,” said the Meltons. They will be open to buy for a few weeks to expand their inventory before their grand opening, according to the couple. “That’s when we’ll be able to sell.”


The business owners have voiced their plans to immerse themselves in the community, especially with Watauga High School students.


“We’d love for students to bring their great styles in. We buy all seasons, all day, every day, no appointment needed,” the Meltons said.


As a company, Plato’s Closet’s business model includes three steps: bring it in, wait for items to be reviewed, and get paid cash. Anyone can bring in gently used brand-name clothing and accessories. Employees will review their items, and they will be offered cash on the spot.


Additionally, Watauga students pointed out that the opening provides another option for sustainable shopping.


“I’m excited to be able to sell my clothes and make money, but also to buy high-quality clothes in a sustainable way,” said junior Caroline Beach-Verhey. Living in Boone, some people don’t have the resources to access quality clothing without the use of fast fashion.


Freshman Sadie Buchanan points out that buying at Plato’s Closet is “way more sustainable than buying online, which a lot of people here have to do. Long story short, “It will get people excited about being sustainable.”


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