Plato's Closet Expands Sustainable Retail Presence with Williamsburg Opening

Plato's Closet, the leading teen and young adult retail resale concept, has opened its newest location in Williamsburg on November 13, expanding its network of sustainable shopping destinations. The store operates inside Midtown Row at 1248 Richmond Rd, providing local teens and young adults with both affordable shopping options and opportunities to earn cash for gently used clothing and accessories.

The Williamsburg location represents part of Winmark – the Resale Company's national retail resale franchise network, which emphasizes sustainability, small business formation, and accessible resale options for all consumers. This expansion comes at a time when sustainable fashion continues gaining mainstream acceptance as consumers seek environmentally conscious shopping alternatives.

The new store is locally owned and operated by Austin and Jennifer Saylor, a husband-and-wife team with strong Virginia connections. Jennifer Saylor, a Williamsburg native and William & Mary graduate, previously worked as a coastal geologist and environmental scientist before transitioning to business ownership focused on sustainability. Austin Saylor brings extensive retail experience from working in his family's five Plato's Closet stores across Virginia since age 15.

"I've always been passionate about sustainability and finding ways to give items a second life," Jennifer Saylor stated. "Opening Plato's Closet in my hometown allows us to combine that passion with an opportunity to support local students and families. We're excited to create a space where teens and young adults can shop affordably, earn cash for clothes they no longer wear, and feel good about doing it."

The grand opening celebration includes multiple days of special events and promotions beginning November 13. On opening day, the first 25 customers will receive $25 gift cards with complimentary refreshments available. Friday features free tote bags for the first 25 shoppers and a designer handbag collection, while Saturday includes an athletic brand drop featuring Lululemon items and raffle entries. Sunday offers double rewards points and $10 coupons for purchases over $75.

Unlike traditional consignment stores, Plato's Closet requires no appointments for selling clothing and accessories, offering immediate cash payments for gently used items. Customers can achieve savings up to 70 percent off trendy, brand-name clothing while contributing to environmental sustainability by keeping usable goods out of landfills. The business model supports Winmark's broader environmental mission, as the company's resale concepts have helped recycle over 2 billion items since 2010 according to company information available at https://platoscloset.com.

The Williamsburg opening represents continued growth for Plato's Closet, which operates more than 525 franchised stores across the United States and Canada. As part of Winmark Corporation's portfolio that includes Once Upon A Child, Play It Again Sports, Style Encore and Music Go Round, the expansion demonstrates the increasing consumer demand for sustainable retail options that combine affordability with environmental responsibility.