By Kathy Chouteau
Riding the crest of a wave of new business openings in El Sobrante, Cass’ Closet, a “unique boutique,” is the latest to swing open its doors on Appian Way.
A Grand Opening celebration Dec. 15 brought out community members and speakers including Contra Costa County Supervisor John Gioia and Nicole Donn, president of the El Sobrante Chamber of Commerce. Shanti Wines, run by friends of the shop’s owners, sponsored the wine at the opening.
At the heart of Cass’ Closet is a story of love, remembrance and community. The boutique is more than just a shop. It’s a memorial to Cass Richardson, a beloved mother whose passion for collecting beautiful, unique items inspired her son michael and his husband Clayton Price-Brown, to open the store. Cass, who passed away in 2024 after a battle with cancer, left behind a legacy of treasures and memories that now adorn the shelves of Cass’ Closet.
“What are you going to do with all my treasures when I go?,” michael said his mother asked him. “And I said, well, we’ve already decided we’re going to open a boutique called Cass’s Closet. And she just kind of looked at me and looked at Clayton and just started to smile. And I said, ‘We’re going to pass them out to the world.’”
Clayton and michael describe their shop as a “gay-owned, black-owned, veteran-owned and handicapped-owned business.” They have poured their hearts into creating a space that honors Cass’s spirit and brings joy to the surrounding community.
“She was this shy of being a hoarder,” joked michael, “so we have inventory for probably the better part of a year.” The boutique’s collection is a testament to Cass’s love for shopping, thrifting and discovering unique pieces, from formal skirts and jackets she bought as an IBM career woman, to shoes, purses, jewelry, and even first editions of John Grisham novels. Although donations aren’t needed, they’re occasionally accepted on a case-by-case basis.
Cass is present in the joy michael and Clayton feel when selling her treasures. “A young girl from two doors down came and saw one of mom’s old Coach bags, and her eyes just lit up,” michael said. “And we made a deal, and she was so happy. And I told her, ‘I love that you will have this.’ And I got chills talking to her, and it was like, [my mom] was here.”
Cass’ Closet is a hub for community connection. “It’s not about buying things to sell. It’s about having…people come in and finding something they didn’t know they needed. They just light up when they see it, or they have a memory of ‘I had one of these when I was a kid.’” The shop features a small sitting area by a window, inviting visitors to rest and chat while others browse.
The boutique also reflects Cass’s eclectic tastes. She especially loved owls, Alice in Wonderland, Disney and Wizard of Oz memorabilia. The shop’s logo on its front window is a silhouette of Cass, created from a photo taken by Clayton, symbolizing her enduring presence in the store.
The journey to opening Cass’ Closet was winding. Clayton, originally from Chicago and who doubles as director of operations for Cencora, and michael, who also works at Security Pacific Real Estate, have each lived in the Bay Area for more than 40 years and have been together for 21 years. They each weathered the AIDS epidemic in San Francisco, a time when Clayton said he remembers days when he would attend “three memorial services in one day.”
As difficult as that time was, Clayton said he loved the San Francisco community and is appreciative of having found an equally supportive one in El Sobrante. Their deep sense of community is evident in their involvement with local organizations and events, including donations to SOS Richmond and Bay Area Rescue Mission and their role in founding El Sobrante PRIDE.
Find Cass’ Closet at 4899 Appian Way in El Sobrante. Cass’ Closet is open Thursday and Friday from Noon to 5 p.m., and Saturday and Sunday from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m., with appointments available for those who need to shop outside regular hours.
Upcoming events include a jewelry sale leading up to Valentine’s Day, a Chamber Mixer on April 15, a wine tasting (date TBD), and El Sobrante PRIDE at Cheese Park on September 27. Watch the shop’s Facebook page for the latest information and contact it at (341) 837-8018 or [email protected].
