People waiting in line to shop at the new Plato's Closet consignment store that opened in Vernon Thursday morning. (Photo by Liam Verster / Vernon Matters)

By Liam Verster

Plato's Closet Designer Consignment

Designer consignment store grand opening draws hundreds of shoppers

Nov 6, 2025 | 12:53 PM

A new consignment store opened in Vernon Thursday morning, and shoppers turned out in droves to try to find some hidden gems.

Plato’s Closet held its grand opening and ribbon cutting at its new location on Anderson Way Nov. 6, which saw roughly 200 eager shoppers turn out and wait in line to get into the new store.

The doors to Plato’s Closet were opened shortly after 10 a.m. Thursday, but people were waiting in line well in advance of that. Some people at the front of the line, which started outside the door and wound down the sidewalk, into the parking lot and more than halfway to the road, were waiting outside before 8 a.m.

Speaking with Vernon Matters, some of those in line said they wanted to get there early to ensure they got some discounts offered to the first customers, but many also wanted to browse through the items to find the high-end, but affordable clothes.

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Speaking at the ribbon cutting, co-owner Elah MacEwan said the opening of the store marked a milestone for herself, her partner and husband Gordon Broderick, the Plato’s Closet team, and the Vernon community.

“When we first began this journey, our goal was simple, yet meaningful: bring a modern, sustainable fashion concept to Vernon, one that empowers young people to express themselves, shop smart, and make environmentally conscious choices,” MacEwan said.

“At Plato’s Closet we buy and sell gently used, name brand clothing and accessories for teens and young adults. Our mission is to make fashion affordable, sustainable and accessible, giving great clothes a second life, while helping reduce textile waste.”

Broderick said the brand’s message that “great style doesn’t have to come with a big price tag or a big environmental cost,” really stood out to them, and was one of the main drivers to opening the store. He said they’ve already received so many items to sell.

Also in attendance at the ribbon cutting was Kevin Rothwell of the Greater Vernon Chamber of Commerce, and Harwinder Sandhu, MLA for Vernon-Lumby.

Sandhu touted the work consignment and thrift stores do in not just offering people affordable fashion, but in keeping clothing out of landfills. She also presented MacEwan and Broderick with a certificate of appreciation from the province.

Rothwell welcomed the opening of the store and the inclusion of MacEwan and Broderick into the local chamber of commerce, and also stated he was impressed with the enthusiasm, professionalism and excitement they have shown leading up to the store officially opening.

Speaking with Vernon Matters following the ribbon cutting, Broderick said he and his wife were looking at franchising opportunities and found this to be a good suit for Vernon.

“We wanted to have a business that is sustainable, environmentally friendly, which this business is, and something that Vernon had never seen before,” the co-owner explained.

“We all knew that people in Vernon had to go to Kelowna, Vancouver, Calgary, and surrounding areas to find top brand names, but we wanted to bring those top brand names into Vernon and this is the best way, and it’s like 70 to 80 per cent cheaper as well. So everybody can afford fashion now in Vernon.”

In terms of sustainability and environmental impacts, Broderick said consignment ensures clothing that is in good condition doesn’t end up in landfills.

“Winmark [Plato’s Closet parent company], they have, in the last 30 years, recycled over a billion articles of clothes,” Broderick told Vernon Matters.

“So we want to be a part of that, and we want these clothes to keep going back into people’s closets and on people’s bodies. We don’t want it going into landfills; there’s enough garbage going in there already.”

Plato’s Closet does market itself mainly towards youth and young adults, but the owners said they do also carry clothing, shoes and accessories for anyone aged 15 to 80.

“It feels amazing,” Broderick said in discussing the amount of people who had turned up for the store’s grand opening.

“We were kind of scared actually because we knew there would be a good turnout, but we didn’t expect this. This is fantastic to see how excited the people of Vernon are for this opportunity to come here.”

The consignment store is located at 5460 Anderson Way, and the owners say they welcome everybody to come shop or to sell their old clothes so they can be kept out of the landfills and find new life with someone else.

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