Clothes Come 'Round Again--Plato's Closet Offers High Fashion at Discount Prices

Plato's Closet buys and sells gently-used teen clothes & it's offering top dollar for name-brand styles in good condition. "We're not a thrift store where you're going to be digging through piles. We only have top quality items," said Kellie Robertson, owner of the clothing store in Point Plaza on Central Avenue.

The store specializes in hot brands like Abercrombie and Fitch, Hollister, and American Eagle. Plato's sells clothes, outerwear, shoes, and accessories for boys and girls. On a recent Thursday afternoon, the store was filled with clothes and kids. A couple who has just brought in a bag of clothes to sell takes some time to browse through the organized racks, maybe hoping to restock. All the racks are organized by clothing type, color and size. Shoes and accessories crowd the tops and ends of the racks, and the store is decorated with shopping bags from popular stores in the mall.

Plato's only accepts items that are in style. "They have to have been in the mall in the last year," said Janelle Ledbetter, Assistant Manager. To ensure that the clothes on the racks stay attractive, the store's 14 employees are tested on their fashion skills and style, Ledbetter said. "You have to be pretty fashion saavy," Ledbetter said.

Plato's Closet is part of a national franchise. Robertson and her husband learned about the franchise from Robertson's cousin, and decided to open their own store two years ago. The Robertsons have six kids and know how expensive clothing can be, Robertson said. They wanted to help make it easier for other parents. In January, they will open a second location across the street from Rotterdam Mall.

Plato's Closet certainly is an alternative to the mall for some budget-conscious kids and parents looking to stretch a buck. Customers can get a whole outfit--tops and bottoms--for $25. That's less than the cost of a sweater at some of these boutiques, meaning that Plato's Closet could give the mall a run for its money.

Plato's Closet is located at 818 Central Avenue in Albany. They are open Monday-Friday 10am-8pm, Saturdays 10am-6pm, and Sunday 12pm-5pm.

Central Avenue Gift Guide-Your holiday shopping guide to the best bargains on the Avenue

Not up for a trek to the mall? Christmas presents are closer than you think! Central Avenue used to be Albany’s shopping district—Now you can relive those glory days, and support local businesses. Here’s a shopping guide to some of the best bargains on Central Avenue. Whether you need a gift for a new baby, a stocking stuffer for Uncle Bill, or a present for a hard-to-please teen, make these Central Avenue stores your destination:

Best Bargain Gift EVER—Fleece Hat and Scarf set
Family Beauty Supply, 139 Central Avenue
Offering fleece hat and scarf sets in a number of colors and patterns for just $2.99. This is a great stocking stuffer or last minute gift!

Go Army—Army & Navy Bags
Unique Army Navy Supply Store, 129 Central Avenue
Offering very cool military-style shoulder bags $9.99, European ruck sacks $25.99, and NATO medic bags $9.99. These military-style bags are the latest in fashion, and the heavy-duty canvas bags are virtually indestructible (so they’ll be around the next time they become popular, too.)

Street smarts—Urban fiction
Front Page Bookstore, 121 Central Avenue
This bookstore specializes in urban fiction, African-American biographies, but they also have a wonderful selection of children’s books featuring minority protagonists. Some great gift ideas include the biography of Dr. Dre ($24.95), the new Wanda Sykes book ($23.00), the biography of James Baldwin ($18.95), or the award-winning children’s book, Come on Rain ($16.95) or another beloved children’s tale, Me and Uncle Romie ($16.99).

Good green groceries—Sweet Treats
Honest Weight Food Co-Op, 484 Central Avenue
This full-service grocery store offers everything from organic groceries, to bulk foods, to produce, to a gourmet deli. The store also offers a number of unique gifts. Bee Man Candles in fun pine tree and pine cone shapes ($3.49-$6.99). For the tea lover in your life, grab a box or two of Yogi Tea ($3.79). The store offers a range of flavors including Egyptian Licorice, African Redbush Peach, Moroccan Orange Spice, and Tahitian Vanilla Hazelnut. They also have great sweets, including tasty sugar-free Queen Bee Candy ($13.39/lb) in Caramel Kisses, Creamy Fudge, Hawaiian Berry, and Pecan Pearl; Baker’s Daughter homemade brownies ($3.49), and gourmet honeys from Catalonia in rosemary, thyme, and lavender ($8.49). Stop in and roam through for more great ideas!

Boost your super powers—Grab a comic book
Earthworld Comics, 537 Central Avenue
This store offers everything from the latest adventures of Lobster Johnson ($2.99), to action hero T-shirts ($17.95-$18.95) to action figures from all the most popular series, including Batman, Kingdom Come, Buffy, Wonder Woman, and Nightmare Before Christmas ($14.95-$25.95). And for the novice, there’s the old stand-by, Archie & Friends Comic books ($2.25).

Pamper Your Feet—Heel-to-Toe Pedicure Kit
Sally Beauty Supply, Westgate Plaza
The Heel-to-Toe pedicure kit features foot scrub, lotion, masque, and soak in a convenient travel tote, at a bargain for $9.99. Give the gift of relaxation—or treat yourself after all that shopping! The store also has great stocking stuffers like nail buffers and emory boards (79 cents) or cute foam toe separators for the at-home pedicure (49 cents).

Bargain Bling—Fashion jewelry for less
Fashion Bug, Westgate Plaza
Get up-to-the-minute necklaces, bracelets and earrings deeply-discounted. A strand of chunky black beads ($8) or earring and necklace sets ($16). Plus they have fashionable tights, and hat-scarf-and-glove sets to help keep your loved ones warm this year.

Get your motor running—Harley Davidson baby sets
Capital Kidzwear, 204 Washington Avenue, at the corner of Lark and Washington
This new children’s clothing store has everything, and it’s conveniently located. Whether you need kids' formalwear (toddler tuxes and dresses), a new school uniform (FrenchToast), or the best name brands (Timberland, Dickies, South Pole, Puma, Ecko, and Esprit) for the kid in your life, Capital Kidzwear has it. They carry sizes Infant to Boys 20 and Girls 16, and even some Juniors clothing. Plus they have the cutest gift sets for babies from all your favorite teams and name brands, including Yankees, Giants, Red Sox, Dickies, and Harley Davidson. Prices range from $36-$40 for these five-piece sets.

Double Happiness Takes Tri-City Residents Downstate

Double Happiness Travel Inc., a New York City bus company, has just opened a new office on Central Avenue. The company will offer bus trips from Albany to Kingston and Manhattan.



The company offers several trips per week, at very affordable rates. A one-way ticket to Manhattan is $25 and round-trip tickets are $45. The three buses leave from the Albany station at 128 Central Avenue once a day and stop in Chinatown and Midtown. For their convenience, passengers can wait in the bus station waiting room. For more information about schedules, check the company's website http://www.aabus.com/.

Geico Opens on the Avenue & Gives Back to Community

Geico has come to Albany! The national insurance company opened a new office on Central Avenue near the Hannaford Plaza, and they want to be part of the Capital District community by giving to local charities and causes. “This office locally has really reached out to the local community to lend a hand,” said Anthony Triola, Director of Sales and Marketing.
The office’s ribbon-cutting, which was held November 27, was attended by Albany City Mayor Jerry Jennings, and about 80 members of the community. The head of the local office, Field Representative Dave Phillips, took the occasion to present the the Police Athletic League a check for $1,000 to assist with their annual toy drive. Geico also sponsors eight River Rats games, and will sponsor Albany Conquest Arena Football games, said Triola.
This year, Geico also sponsored one of the light displays in the Capital Holiday Lights in the Park in Washington Park—a 14-foot gecko lizard.
This Friday evening, the office is also working with Joe’s Kids, Troy Boys & Girls Club, Juvenile Diabetes, and Centro Civico to sponsor a Christmas party downtown to help give toys to local youngsters.
The company wants to give back to the community, said Triola, who said he is looking forward to seeing the kids receive their presents that night. “They’re so happy, and it doesn’t take a lot,” Triola said.
Phillips also wants to help the local chapter of the Pioneers, a tri-city volunteer organization that fixes up old toys to be distributed to low-income children in the area. Phillips will work with the organization in memory of his father-in-law Ken Rapsard, who co-founded the Pioneers, said Triola.
Geico offers auto, motorcycle, homeowners, and renters insurance, six days a week: Monday-Friday 8:30am-5pm, and Saturday 9am-1pm. There are eight staff members to serve customers. The office recently added a large fish tank, and a tank containing live geckos. The geckos won’t arrive until next week, Triola said.

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