Plato&#x27;s Closet

Minority-owned & operated

Eco-friendly

I've been here many times throughout several years, sometimes it waa a hit or miss. Nothing bad in…read moretheir part, just got unlucky regarding sizing! They always have great stuff, a variety of clothing. Would recomend!

V reasonable prices. I always find my favorite vintage tees here. They have a Great selection. My…read morenew fave vintage place

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Bohemian house vintage antiques

4.1(20 reviews)

4.4 mi

I saw an item they posted and I immediately went to pick it up…read more The owners are the absolute sweetest! They're wonderful to talk to. Great prices, tons of unique pieces, great service!

Super nice owners and cute little antique shop with a lot of random treasures in it. Pretty good…read moreprices. I got a mint green vintage plastic cup for $1 or two and some red glass teacups with saucers for only a few dollars each:)

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Empire Thrift Store

3.5(33 reviews)

1.5 mi

Price marked on item, when I got to the register he said that was wrong and it was four bucks. I…read morecomplained and he said I'll give it to you for the price on the item. When he rang it up he added a dollar to the price. I complained and he said bye. I didn't see any deals in the place.

This an awesome thrift store great prices , it's no a Barbie thrift store!!!! You may need to get…read moreyour hands dirty to find what you want, but they have a little bit of everything!!! Staff was very attentive and helpful

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Lace and Sawdust

5.0(2 reviews)

3.9 mi

Great quirky little spot to roam!! The selection of goods is well displayed to give the spot a…read morecountry store appeal. Your eye can't help but wander from one place to another. Also a great little coffee shop within, an ideal match.

Recently reopened and better than ever. Shabby chic, dishes, furniture, new linen collection, some…read morecool repurposed pieces, plants. Also carries DIY Chalk Paint and furniture stencils.

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The Consignment Shack

4.7(99 reviews)

4.6 mi

What a gem I'm already excited to come back!! We were out and about and randomly decided to stop in…read moreto check out the Consignment Shack and WOW! They house "East County Vinyl" inside which has such an extensive collection of both new and used vinyls that are all priced SO well - we walked out with 5 used vinyls under $30, SCORE (two of them were priced at just $2)! We've already tried playing all 5 of them and they were in pristine condition. Walked into the back and they have a really nice assortment of furniture, art, books, a small rack of clothing, vintage decor and collection pieces alike, all of which were priced very well!! Even though the clothing rack was small, I found this really cool Padres shirt :) The gentleman working today was also very kind and helpful, he even offered to hold the vinyls we found up at the register so we could continue perusing around the store. The consignment and vintage market, especially in San Diego, marks up prices but the Consignment Shack makes it affordable for all! Can't wait to come back!!!

This was a really cool store. I was in the area and decided to stop by. Very glad I did. They have…read morean extremely large vinyl area. It felt like the old school days browsing through old records and finding great deals... unlike other stores where they overcharge. The owner was sweet and very welcoming which was appreciated. I was able to find a few vinyls to add to my slow growing collection. The other side was more of the consignment area, offering a variety of items, from comic books, to vintage Barbie's, to furniture and more. When I make it back to this area, I will definitely stop by again.

Nice selection of vinyl

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Quality Thrift

3.2(13 reviews)

1.3 mi•Cajon Heights

The clothing selection was great and the prices were even better. If you dig and take your time you…read morewill find some gems.

I've been wanting to go to this thrift store for a while and my sister and I (both young women)…read morewent today. One of the men working in there was really creepy to us and was actively drinking alcohol. It would have been an okay antique furniture and decor shopping experience if it weren't for his actions and many comments. I would not recommend this place.

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Upright Citizen

4.5(26 reviews)

13.2 mi

Brought my son and his friends here this evening. They are avid vintage shoppers and were thrilled…read moreto shop local. The shop has a great selection of vintage clothes, however, because of the male employee's attitude (I sure hope this is not the owner) , we will never return. From the moment we walked in he was staring as if he was confident they were thieves. We left but my son couldn't get a pair of pants off his mind so went back at 5:53 to buy them. He asked to try them on and the man rudely snapped at him and said "we're closed!". Was he having a bad day and doesn't know how to control his emotions? Was it our skin tone?

This place has several vintage stuff I loved it customer service was so sweet they have a fitting…read moreroom to try on what you like they make some cool clothes if your in to vintage this is the place

I'm in love with this sweater.

The friendly owners, Sonia & John, of Upright Citizen.

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Hunt & Gather

4.2(100 reviews)

10.4 mi•North Park

I used to come here every year before Coachella music festival to get something but today I went in…read moreand was really bummed out to see their selection has gone way downhill. Tons of disco looking stuff, fancy dresses, and a few things for raves, but not the amazing selection they used to have. I'm not sure what happened, but the lady who used to run the place had the coolest selection of vests and festival wear and I don't see that anymore. Also, tons of extra small sizes for skirts and shorts, but no normal sizes like large. :/

I get something EVERY TIME I'M HERE. I've gotten sunglasses, a linen shirt, a chore jacket, a…read morelocally made 2 piece set,a necklace. Awesome curation. Eccentric pieces. Fun designs.

Jeremy Scott Vintage

Fur lined corduroy jacket ! Wow !

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Marc Jacobs jacket

Frock You Vintage Clothing

4.5(151 reviews)

11.1 mi

This is a great vintage shop that has interesting pieces that are actually vintage without having a…read moreridiculous price tag. Last time I visited they were having a huge sale with a pop up tent where the clothes were organized by decades. I found some funky sunglasses and a pink ribbon scarf for a very reasonable price. The staff was also really friendly and made me feel welcome. This is a great place to shop for unique clothes, accessories and gifts!

I just walked by Frock You today and they have been evicted according to sign posted…read more I had noticed that they hadn't been open for quite a while but there were still mannequins in the window that were still dressed up. Really sad to see another business lose. They had a lot of great vintage pieces and costumes.

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30 reviews that are not currently recommended

The reviews below are not factored into the business's overall star rating.

Linda G.

11 years ago

I only made a YELP account to rate Platos Closet awhile agi. And now as I've stumbled upon it again and read some of the negative reviews I have come to write another! Some complaints I see are: - This stuff doesn't fit me/not my type *This store is meant for TEENS AND YOUNG TWENTIES! I hear the young ladies working there repeat that at least 25 times a visit. This store is not intended for curvy, older woman! it is meant for high school and college teens so don't complain since you're out of their targeted range! - They barley took any of my stuff *Well it's not their fault you brought in crappy stuff! Plato's Closet did not make you bring your clothes in. YOU made that decision yourself and they're are going to take the stuff thats good for their store and that will sell. So when they are looking for certain condition or brands - don't complain! At least you're getting SOMETHING for stuff you'll never wear again.. PS this isnt a thrift store! If they dont take it THEY DONT TAKE IT! boohoo - It took too long to sort through my things *I have been to this place 5 times now and at least 4 of the times there have been 2 or 3 young ladies going through customers stuff whereas at Buffalo Exchange there is only 1! I just cant see how people can complain here! its not their fault you came in when they're super busy! It doesnt matter how many things you brought in, there have been people there LONGER THAN YOU HAVE!! - Horrible customer service *I feel bad for these young girls, some of these customers treat them like absolute crap! People, especially teenagers, can only be nice to you for so long before they get irritable. Heres a suggestion BE NICE! Ive talked to quite a few of the people on their staff and I can see they all love their jobs and the customers very much! Customers trash the store, complain, are impatient and rude to the staff yet I've still seen EXCELLENT customer service given to all people who walk through the door! Since my first visit I have also been to the North County location, which is not as great as the El Cajon one. Anyways, don't listen to the bad reviews on here. This place is awesome and I feel like home every time i walk through that door! i absolutely LOVE Platos Closet! read more

Sofia S.

8 years ago

Went in there to sell some clothes, most of which were brand new with tags. I had two brand new free people items a dress and a shirt. The dress was originally $118 as stated on the tag and they wanted to give me $8 for it. I asked how they figure what to pay and was told that they usually sell their items for 50% off original price then they give you 20% of that 50% . So I reality they are only paying you 10% of what your item is worth and that's if you get lucky and your items are brand new!! I took in clothing brands such as Paige, Hudson, Joe's Jeans, Free People, Lululemon & Fabletics. Most of the clothes I brought were brand with tags and the most they were paying for a single item worth over $100 was $10-12. I get they have to make money off the clothes they buy but you are better off trying to resell those clothes on apps such as Mercari or Poshmark. I would only bring clothes here if they were going to be donated otherwise! * FYI they don't give you or show you an itemized list of the items they are buying from you or how much they are paying you for that item. They put all the clothes in a black bin and just tell you and overall price which I feel is dishonest. I tried to have the employee tell me item for item what they were paying me and she made it seem like it was a huge inconvenience. read more

Lauren G.

10 years ago

First of all i was a little hesitate coming to a Platos Closet because the one in Escondido is always unorganized and has absolutely no customer service. The girls there are all stuck up and bratty. But i saw the billboard by SDSU for the new location so i gave it a shot. AND I'M SO HAPPY I DID! Right away i got greeted and felt so welcomed. The store looked so clean and smelt so fresh! I came in to sell since i lost some weight and i was explained the buy process by this super sweet girl i believe she said her name was Courtney. I was very curious to see how they buy the clothes and the buyer who looked at my stuff was Abril. She was so kind enough to explain to me why she passed on stuff and also said i had trendy items. She made it so much fun to be there! Once she finished she told me she was able to pay me $35! She explained to me that i can trade that in for items in the store. Soooo of course i decided to shop! I told her i wanted to find a B2S outfit and she gladly said she would help! I love my outfit, I've gotten many compliments on it. :) I would definitely recommend Platos closet in el cajon and i will come back. Thank you girls read more

Julia W.

11 years ago

I love this place! I recently realized that my closet needed some updating so I went to Plato's Closet looking for just about everything: shirts, shorts, dresses, workout clothes...everything! I was in this store for 4.5 hours today and tried on zillions of things before settling on 16 of my favorite items (only cost $106!!). I'm the type of shopper who goes into the fitting room with 20 shirts and comes out liking one or two. This can be frustrating for employees who have to put back everything I decide I don't like but Clairece and Cece were so patient and positive. They would always greet me with a smile and would celebrate with me when I found something to add to the 'yes' pile. I was also so impressed by how organized it is. Everything is organized by size and clearly marked and then organized by color within the size category - aesthetically pleasing and convenient. Hardly any of the hangers are tangled which makes browsing easy. I would recommend this store to anyone looking for great deals, stylish clothes, and friendly service. read more

L P.

9 years ago

WORST EXPIERIENCE ever! All workers there are racist. Also they don't hand your money at the palm of your hand instead they seem to sort of toss it at you and they never ask if you want a reciept or offer a bag. They have such an ugly behavior they always seem to be bitchy the whole time you're in the store. They look at chubby women with disgust as if they were extremely "over weight." I have witnessed a few customers and for some reason white folks were always getting treated more friendly than others. I came here looking for an oufit but left with disappointment! Never will I visit here again. Nice clothes for reasonable prices but the fact you feel so unwelcomed it makes you want to just walk out the store the moment you feel that nasty vibe. #WhyBeRasistWhenYouCouldJustBeHappy read more

Mariah K.

11 years ago

I brought some clothes in a friend gave me brand new! tags still on them and the lady who went through them her name was " Leona " she didn't even look at the clothes or shoes! she took it all out and and put it all back in I had 5 bags and it took her 2 min. To empty and put the clothes right back in the bags and said sorry I didn't find anything I liked, but I also think she was mad because when I came in and told her I had bags and she says ok go ahead and bring them in I asked do I need to fill out a paper cause usually when I come in the girls have me fill out a paper first? she kind of got upset because I was telling her how to do her job so she had a attitude because of that. If I could rate 0 stars I would she made me not want to come back again. She's totally rude. read more

Jasmine H.

3 years ago

Plato's Closet needs to step up its game. Bad customer service and playing loose with information isn't going to keep people coming back. Fixing these issues should be a no-brainer - customers just want an honest and hassle-free shopping experience. It's time for Plato's Closet to get its act together if it wants to keep people walking through the door. I came here two days in a row and got the same feedback, "we aren't taking anymore buys." This makes no sense at all because when me and my sister came yesterday she said to come at 11am which we did so. Why are we getting the same feedback if another worker said come at 11? I prefer the Balboa location better than this trashy one. read more

Shyanne A.

10 years ago

My daughter and I went to just look for a couple sun dresses for her for summer and we were immediately greeted by a girl that works there named Lexie! She was so awesome. I think she took the time to find every dress that matched my daughters style that they had in the store and even found her some really cute sandals. My daughter had a blast trying on all the outfits and shoes. We left with some awesome clothes and shoes perfectly fit to what she wanted and a great time with Lexie! She is an amazing asset to your company. I will definately be going back and taking family and friends. Hope Lexie is there every time Thanks Lexie read more

Allison H.

8 years ago

Jaime and Ashleigh were amazing. Both ladies were friendly, exemplified what it is to provided excellent customer services and did so with a smile. On my very first visit to the store it appeared to be extremely busy but both ladies took the time to help me and answer all my questions with grace. Thank you ladies for the great service and amazing experience. I shall come shop again and make sure to tell my friends about this place. read more

Chelsea S.

11 years ago

I was so excited to hear that this store was opening in the city in which I live in. When I went in the atmosphere was friendly and inviting! All the workers were so kind to me. A young worker named Destiny helped me when I went and I have never had such better customer service! If anyone were to ask me if they should go check out the store I would tell them yes in a heartbeat! I give this store a 10/10! read more

Kassidy K.

7 years ago

Worst service ever! I was literally standing in line for longer then 20 minutes while she helped her customer by the way who's a store manager in another state. They were literally laughing and talking for 20 minutes while there was a line! The store manager didn't even ask another cashier to open her register until I asked her too. Although the cashier I had was nice, I definitely wouldn't come back. read more

Jesus G.

6 years ago

Lmfao these group of people know nothing about streetwear culture and what's currently trending , there mens selection is complete ass , there isn't any dudes doing any buyouts ? How they gonna judge what guys wear ? Or do they only choose clothes they think there boyfriend would wear ? This place has no vintage either place is straight CHEEKS read more

Margaret B.

3 years ago

I always come in and shop. the girls there are very nice. I do always see a young lady that's always willing to help me and ask how I'm doing. Haileys always so nice. very helpful. She always suggest other items. I like when she helps me complete outfits. Thanks for all your help and kindness, Hailey C! read more

Nick S.

8 months ago

What a great experience. They offer so much and at such great prices compared to other clothing stores. Better than thrift stores, better than Goodwill and better that Marshall's or Ross. Will go again and spread the word about this awesome place. read more

Aubrey R.

10 years ago

Really nice girl named Bianca greeted me and my daughter as soon as we walked in, helped hold my items and brought me and my daughter really cute clothes to try on. Her customer service skills are sharp! I will definitely be coming back read more

Chelsea S.

10 years ago

This is my favorite store even though i have to drive a while to get to it. Big shout out to Ashliegh and Bianca. They make this a great experience and help me to keep my sanity when we go out looking for the right piece. read more

Allie S.

3 years ago

loved it here!! i was visiting from out of town and wanted to do some thrifting to kill time, so glad i stopped in! i had a great convo with Haley and she helped me find exactly what i was looking for! read more

Rachael B.

9 years ago

The girl who helped me in the fitting room, (I think her name was Ally, she had red hair), was very nice, welcoming, and helpful. She told me to let her know if I needed help. :) read more

Portia F.

949

7 years ago

Always great deals. Great service and a great place to being your unwanted clothes. My daughters and I shop here often. Love finding name brand goodies for a great deal! read more

Sylvia P.

3 years ago

I love the selection of clothing they have, from fancy to casual wear. Hailey helped check me out and was very kind. I'll be back for more of these great prices! read more

Plato's Closet - vintage - Updated September 2026

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Unfortunately between the prices and now a 3% surcharge on credit cards I've decided to no longer…read moresupport this thrift store. I was told the surcharge was because of Square- no it isn't. It's a choice by the ownership or church board or whoever runs this place. Adding a charge to shop at your store while also raising prices on donated items is just rude. I used to shop here a lot, sad.

This store is very well organized and I have fun usually with my sisters and finding treasures !…read moreThe staff are always helpful and friendly . I hope to get there soon and meet with my sisters which is a great way to get some new or gently used clothes etc.

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Rude staff, a condescending manager, and a store that smells like mildew -- hard pass. I was…read morequietly on my phone while browsing and got snapped at me, demanding I end my call before they would help me. when I asked why, the manager told me being on my phone in a store is "rude"... Zero customer service skills between the two of them. I would rather spend my money where I am respected. On top of the attitude, the place is musty and damp the moment you walk in, which makes you question the condition of what they're actually selling. Plenty of other thrift stores nearby that treat customers like human beings -- go there instead. I won't be back.

Cute little shop on the corner. It has mostly clothing with a small section of kitchen wares,…read moretoys, and miscellaneous items. Prices were okay. Service seemed pleasant. Not a big selection as it is a small store.

McAlister Thrift Store

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This used to be a favorite little thrift store of mine. But lately their prices have been…read moreridiculous for a thrift store. They've jumped on the overpriced bandwagon that goodwill does lately. We still found a few things for 50 percent off and made some purchases. They have some great finds but their prices lately are a deterrent for me. Everyone who works there is nice though.

Great variety of items...fantastic group of employees who are always ready to help you!read more

Alliance for African Assistance - Safari Seconds

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(78 reviews)

I highly recommend coming to this thrift/resell store to donate items, or to purchase items…read more They have a donations area at the back of the building on the right hand side. You can drive up during their business hours to donate. Sometimes the parking can be challenging. If so, the staff will happily help you tote your donated items from your car parking spot. They ask if you need a receipt for tax purposes as well. The inside of the store is very well organized and they seem to always have furniture available. They arrange the displays well and they are very reasonable about negotiating prices within reasonable constraints. Keep in mind that they are mostly volunteers so when they say that they cannot go lower on a negotiated price, please respect that as a patron. Good people, great thrift/resale store, and good donation site.

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Quality Thrift

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The clothing selection was great and the prices were even better. If you dig and take your time you…read morewill find some gems.

CBC Thrift Store

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(10 reviews)

Friendly , affordable , for a small space they do have something for everyone . The store is clean…read more. No funky smell as I recall from my past experience from some second hand's store .

I live in Lakeside and I always pass this little thrift shop and finally decided to stop in. The…read moreowner is friendly and chatty, which is nice. The store is small and packed with items. Everything is still accessible, though, except the dresses which are hung up on a wall. Lots of treasures on the clothing racks, some organized some not. A little bit of everything and all at very fair prices compared to Goodwill and Salvation Army. I appreciate when second hand shops actually keep their prices low(ya know, second hand prices), so this store checked all of those boxes for me. They have a standing mirror of a sort(not really full length), but no fitting rooms. That is the only bummer for me, BUT I understand why. The owner let me know that she has had a lot of issues with people stealing items, which makes me sad for a few reasons. 1. The owner is really lovely and has items out front for $1 that people can buy(but I suspect she would also give clothing items away to people who are really in a pinch). 2. This is a small shop and thievery is lame. If you want something for less, ask. Does not hurt to ask. Don`t steal. Please. I told her to make sure she has people leave larger bags/coats at the front counter and to also make a sign that says NO PUBLIC RESTROOMS, so people don't try to browse, "use the restroom" and then leave with stolen items. If you are stealing and reading this, don`t be a jerk. Send me a message and I`ll take you shopping here. Overall a really nice thrift store that I`ll be returning to while I`m here in Lakeside.

Summit Thrift

4.8

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Awesome finds here ! Thanks for wonderful experience! Staff…read morevery friendly and helpful! If you're looking for vintage and modern style of clothing this is your spot !

cool thrift shop with great prices. They have very unique items. There is a lot of items. great set…read moreup with different rooms to look at. Autistic individual operated business. I wish all the items in the store had prices on it! Many items didn't have prices. I was interested in a few items but kind of discouraged to go ask how much it is. They have lots of cool pieces here though.

Luigi Vera

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The team is kind and willing to share bits of history about the pieces. The selection is…read morebeautifully curated - which is very refreshing. You'll definitely find some pieces on the pricier end.

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