For a quarter of a century, shoppers in the North Druid Hills neighborhood of Atlanta frequented Plato’s Closet for gently-used and brand-name clothing and other wares — but no more. The store was abruptly evicted on July 3, 2025.
Images and video on social media showed thongs of shoppers wading through clothing that had been tossed on the curb off Briarcliff Road in Atlanta.
According to multiple news sources, the eviction took place around 9:30 a.m. at the store off Briarcliff Road. Video footage and social media reports indicate that after the eviction, clothing was left outside, and people were seen taking items, with some describing the scene as chaotic.
Plato’s Closet is just the latest Atlanta retailer to shut its doors.
Plato’s Closet: A History
Founding (1998): Plato’s Closet was founded by Dennis and Lynn Blum in Columbus, Ohio. The concept evolved from their earlier venture, Once Upon a Child, a resale store for children’s clothing.
The Blums recognized a market for a similar model targeting teens and young adults, focusing on trendy, name-brand items at discounted prices (up to 70% off retail). The store’s name was inspired by their son, who was researching the Greek philosopher Plato for a school project. Plato’s ideas of reuse and preservation aligned with the store’s recycling-focused business model.
Franchising by Winmark (1999): In 1998, Winmark Corporation, a Minneapolis-based franchisor specializing in resale retail, acquired Plato’s Closet from the Blums. Winmark began franchising the concept in 1999, leveraging its experience with other resale brands like Play It Again Sports and Once Upon a Child. The franchise model emphasized a “no-appointment” cash-on-the-spot system for sellers and affordable, trendy inventory for buyers.
Growth and Expansion: Plato’s Closet quickly gained traction due to its appeal to budget-conscious, fashion-forward teens and young adults. By 2011, there were over 280 locations across the United States and Canada.
The brand reached a milestone in 2022 with its 500th store opening in Windsor, Ontario. As of 2024, there are over 500 individually owned and operated locations in North America, with new stores opening regularly. The franchise model has a 99% renewal rate, reflecting strong franchisee satisfaction.
Final Word
The Plato’s Closet store in Atlanta, located at 2480 Briarcliff Rd NE in the North Druid Hills area, was established in 2000. Unfortunately, abrupt evictions like this one may be seen more as Atlanta’s business climate weakens.
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