Plato's Closet Opens Liberty Location

A national reseller of trendy, brand-name, gently worn clothing and accessories for gals and guys has opened a new location in Liberty.

Plato's Closet at 840 S. Missouri Highway 291 officially opened to the public Dec. 10, and so far business has been brisk, said store owner Dan Wells.

"It was crazy," said employee Jordan Hurt of the store's opening day. "There was a pretty good line outside the door, probably by 9:30." A national franchise with about 400 stores, each Plato's Closet location is independently owned and operated. Unlike consignment shops that pay individuals after their discarded fashions sell, Plato's pays cash on the spot to people looking to part with newer clothes they no longer wear.

The Liberty store initially opened its doors with empty hangers and racks at the end of September when it started building its inventory and name in the community. The store accepts clothes that are between a year to 18 months old.

The 3,500-square-foot Liberty business is a family endeavor involving Dan's wife, Kristin; his brother Dave; and his dad, Greg. A former waiter, Dan, along with his wife, a former Liberty Public Schools elementary teacher, opened the business with some support from family. The two each alternate time spent at the store with caring for their 10-month-old daughter, Adelyn.

Dan and Kristin became interested in opening a Plato's Closet franchise after Dan's brother had success with a Plato's franchise in Topeka, Kan. After studying Liberty's growth over the years, Dave finally convinced Dan and Kristin that Liberty would be a good place to open a store.

"All of these things are providing motivation to be the best we can be," Dan said. "We (the owners) are here every day, along with my dad and brother." The store also employs about 20 area high school students and has a few full-time employees.

"We know the store inside and out," Dan said. If they choose, shoppers can just grab a dressing room, and employees will hit the racks pulling items shoppers can try on. "We'll even hang everything back up after you get done." Dan estimated a customer could buy an entire outfit, including shoes and accessories, for $20.

"The average retail price in the whole store is between $9 to $10," he said. The average price for jeans is $15. Earrings start as low as $3 a pair.

Store merchandise is organized by color and size, kind of like a rainbow, Dan said. While it may be the cold season, the store is buying for spring and summer right now. An off-site storage facility allows the Wells's to continue to build their inventory year-round.

While two-thirds of the store is centered on women's clothing, the store is always looking to increase its inventory of men's clothes and accessories, Dan said.

The store's website, www.platosclosetliberty, features tips and ideas on trending styles, as well as how the buying process works. Plato's Closet is also active on social media.

Store hours are 10 a.m. to 9 p.m. Monday through Saturday and 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. Sunday.

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