December 30, 2019
Not many 11 year-olds spend their birthdays in their very own store, especially one that they’ve created out of the goodness of their heart.
11 year-old Obocho Peters did just that, opening his brick-and-mortar thrift store called Obocho’s Closet, located at 495 Flatbush Avenue, Suite C18, Brooklyn, NY 11225 on December 28, 2019. The young entrepreneur’s store sells affordable children’s clothing for $10 or less and part of the proceeds help pay for financial literacy workshops that he holds right in the store.
“It makes me feel like the hard work I’ve been doing in the community, it finally paid off,” Obocho said during an interview with Fox 5 News. “I want to tell [other children] to never give up on their dreams, and always go for their goals and always do what they’ve always wanted to do and never give up.”
During his grand opening, Brooklyn Borough President Eric Adams personally congratulated Obocho and expressed pride for him and his work. After a happy ribbon cutting, his store visitors, family and friends sang him Happy Birthday.
The idea started when Obocho wanted several toys after watching an Avengers movie and his mother couldn’t afford them at the time. Obocho came up with the idea of selling his old clothing so that she wouldn’t have to use her own money. Obocho also thought about other families with children that may have faced the same challenge. His mother enrolled him in a business course and eventually he created his thrift store online, also receiving many donations of clothing to help supply it. His dream for a physical store came after more than $9,000 in donations through his GoFundMe page.
“It shows other kids that sky’s the limit. Age has nothing to do with it,” says Obocho’s mother, Sasha Peters.
Obocho continues to receive donations, in hopes to open many more thrift stores around the world and to continue serving his community.
You can help by donating to Obocho’s cause by visiting his GoFundMe Page or following on his Facebook and Instagram accounts. Go Obocho! ♥
