Step through the open doors of More Money Pawn on State Line Avenue and one sees an array of goods one might expect to see in a pawn shop. Tools, electronics, lawn equipment, guns and more line the shelves. Customers browse here and there, some wearing masks. James Coker, manager, chats amiably with a customer who is considering purchasing a television.
"Sure, business has slowed a bit, but we've been open every day," he said, about life during the pandemic "Other than controlling the number of customers in the store at one time and paying attention to cleanliness even more than usual, it is another day at work."
Coker credits his time in the Army for his ability to manage the store and keep stock of its inventory. He, along with fellow veteran, "Mallard," maintains order in the store with precision.
"We've got lots of logistics training from our Army experience," Coker said. "We also picked up some maintenance knowledge, especially about how to care for guns. It comes in handy when you are taking care of merchandise like we have here, as well as keeping the shop running efficiently and knowing where everything is."
Normally, More Money Pawn deals with 50 to 70 customers a day. Right now, due to CORVID-19 and the related economic downturn, it is more like 15-20. But still, business goes on.
Coker also credits Notoris Nelson, who now owns Starlite Pawn.
"He taught me the trade," Coker said.
Coker notes a difference in what goods are moving now.
"We've been moving more weapons, also, certain items like TVs and video-game systems, we've been selling those," he said. "We've been seeing professional tools come in here, though many who leave them with us expect to come back and get their tools again once things get better.
"Pawn shops seem to be able to function, regardless of whether the economy is good or bad," Coker said. "Personal approach to the customers and service is key."
According to Ashley Beverly, assistant manager at Cash America Pawn, everything is different.
"Nothing is the same," she said. "Social distancing, smaller spaces, but we are doing the best we can under difficult circumstances. We've had customers who have lost their jobs, so we have had to change the way we do holds on pawns."
Beverly says they do their best to exercise compassion towards those who come through their doors.
"They are going through hard times, some have lost job, or are otherwise enduring hardship," she said. "We are trying to be more flexible in our store policies towards them."