The Closet Swap—a high-end resale boutique located in Destin’s Palmetto Plaza—heads into its fourth year with three Best of the Emerald Coast awards to its credit. But according to co-owner Tara Wesley, if she had given her idea too much thought, she might have changed her mind.

“I called Kelly (Ritch, co-owner) and told her I was having a closet swap at my house,” says Wesley. “Two days later, I said, ‘Why don’t we do a store?’ She thought it was a fabulous idea, and six weeks later, we opened.

“We deal in women’s clothing size zero to 18,” says Wesley. “We are the only shop from Panama City Beach to Pensacola that pays cash for clothing. There’s no consignment. It’s convenient for anyone who needs quick cash.”

The Closet Swap purchases clothes on Tuesdays and Thursdays. “Anyone can pop in, whether they’re selling one item or a thousand items,” says Wesley. She says the shop is always on the lookout for clothes that are less than two years “new” and on the trendier side. Due to the small size of the shop, only seasonal clothes are purchased. “We buy things we can sell today.”

The selective inventory includes premium denim, high-end brands like Citizens of Humanity, Sevens, and Joe’s. The Closet Swap’s jewelry and handbag selections are all new and purchased from New York, Los Angeles, and Atlanta “whenever we can find it for a reasonable price,” says Wesley.

“The shop is great because it affords people to recycle, to get cash on the spot,” says Wesley. Customers can opt for store credit at a rate of 150 percent of the cash price. “In these economic times, it’s great that we can offer top boutique brands at rock bottom prices.”

Wesley and Ritch met as students at Florida State University. After college, the two women worked in retail in San Diego and Atlanta, respectively. Seven years after graduating, they opened the Closet Swap. Ritch and Wesley’s husband are both longtime residents of the Emerald Coast.

The average price per item is $12-24, but there are exceptions. Wesley recently unloaded a Gucci dress for $90. The Closet Swap likes to keep its merchandise turned over. “We have weekly specials, and we always have something on sale,” says Wesley. During a recent visit, Chico’s dresses were being sold for $6, and baby clothing was going for $3.

Sometimes sellers bring in items that are not within the shop’s guidelines. Wesley occasionally redirects these customers to Headstart, a charity with whom she and Ritch both work closely. “If you don’t want to donate to Goodwill, it’s a good way to get money back into the community for children.”

What You Need to Know
The Closet Swap, located in Destin’s Palmetto Plaza, pays cash for clothes. “If you have an unbelievable fashion sense—but not an unbelievably fat wallet—this is your boutique,” says co-owner Tara Wesley. Hours of operation are Monday, 12 noon to 5 p.m.; Tuesday-Friday, 11 a.m.-5 p.m.; Saturday, 10 a.m.-12:30 p.m. Call (850) 650-SWAP or visit www.theclosetswap.com.

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