The admiration Ellen Heaton has for Angel’s Closet director Gilbert Portela was the driving force behind the scheduled reopening of the Exchange Company in Becker Village Mall.
While the Angel’s Closet board of directors has not yet vote on the plan, Heaton, who owns the mall and Heaton Real Estate, plans to reopen the consignment store to benefit Portela’s charity and as it grows to help other non-profit organizations in the area.
A grand reopening of the Exchange Company, which is now owned by mall, will be held September 8, Heaton said this morning.
“Angel’s Closet is near and dear to my heart,” Heaton said. “I think Gilbert Portela is a true angel. It has a very organized group of volunteers and I think Angel’s Closet is serving the community and helps with a lot of needs.”
(To schedule a consignment email Heaton at
The plan, Heaton said, is to consign upscale clothing and accessories for 90 days. After 30 days the items will be reduced and will be reduced again after 60 days. If the items are not sold after 90 days, the consignor can either pick them up or donate them to Angel’s Closet.
Heaton chose Angel’s Closet after watching the work Portela has done with the organization from the beginning. “When I taught at Belmont he was principal of the alternative school,” she said, explaining Portela would go to students’ home and often find their living conditions surprisingly unacceptable. “It’s touched me how he’s given to this community.”
Currently, Heaton is reorganizing the shop and is accepting fall clothing and accessories. She is particularly interested in sporting apparel such as college and pro jerseys and other clothing items.
Accessories from scarves to jewelry are welcomed and clothing is accepted from infant to adult.
The Exchange Company will be staffed by volunteers and will initially be open Wednesday through Saturday from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.
Proceeds on the items sold will be split with the consignor and Angel’s Closet, Heaton said.
Heaton wants the Exchange Company to continue to serve the needs of the community. “I think the Exchange Company is a neat shop. With this economy, it’s a good way to look nice but costs less.”
Portela withheld comment this morning until the board’s decision.
