About Us

 

 

"Businesses change owners. Great ideas are simply entrusted to the next custodian."

Every Great Shop Begins with an Idea

In November 1998, two Tasmanians, Rod and Elizabeth, opened a shop in Salamanca Square with a simple but ambitious idea.

Not to sell toys.

Not to sell gifts.

But to create a place that would inspire and intrigue the people of Hobart and those visiting Tasmania.

They called it Socrates for Curious Minds.

It was a fitting name.

Socrates believed that curiosity was the beginning of wisdom, and the shop reflected that philosophy. Every visit was an invitation to explore, to ask questions and to discover something unexpected.

Years later, two of the shop's own team members, Kelly and Verena, became its next custodians.

Rather than abandoning the original vision, they honoured it.

They renamed the business Plato's, recognising themselves as the students continuing the work of their teacher.

It wasn't simply a clever name.

It acknowledged that good ideas deserve to be passed from one generation to the next.

Today, Plato's continues that journey.

Although ownership has changed again, its purpose has not.

The names on the door may change.

The mission remains the same.

To inspire curiosity.

To create moments of joy.

To help every visitor discover something unexpected.

 

 

Our Staff

It is no secret that a successful business can only be so with an amazing team, and the Plato's team are exceptional. Dedicated, friendly, and very diverse, our team, under Kirsten's leadership since October 2021, aims to create an enjoyable shopping experience for everyone. We also have Nigel, our friendly skeleton, who keeps a watch on the shop and tells us bad science jokes and Arlo, our Brachiosaurus skeleton, keeping Nigel in check!