Why a Pawnshop for Everyone?
The traditional image of a pawnshop is not a pleasant one. You probably picture a small shop with bars on the windows, a dark, dusty interior, piles of junk, maybe a moose head, and of course a grumpy old, gold-laden owner who prices his merchandise at values over new. Family Pawn is a family owned and operated pawnshop. Our store is clean, comfortable and friendly, with a great selection, great deals, and fast easy loans. Family pawn is a pawnshop that will appeal to everyone!

Worldwide Pawnshops
Did you know that some governments own and run pawnshops within their country? The need for quick, easy cash loans is recognized worldwide. And in many countries the local governments have stepped in to help fill the void between the great need for small cash loans and the difficulty in getting such loans from a bank. Government owned pawnshops play an important economic role in places such as Italy, France, and most of Europe, Mexico, Thailand, the Philippines, and many Asian countries.

Monte di Pietas
Did you know that the first modern pawnshops were started by monks in the mid 15th century? Seeing the common people struggle to meet their burdens season by season, two Franciscan monks named Barnabo da Terni and Fortunato Coppoli, began preaching from province to province for the need of a money lending institution for the common people. Then in 1464, under the direction of Pope Pius the 2nd, they established the first pawnshops in Italy. They called them Monte di Pietas, which roughly translated means “banks that take pity.”

Pop Goes The Weasel
Did you know that the popular children’s tune, Pop Goes the Weasel is actually about pawnshops? In 1853 W. R. Mondale, a British commentator wrote the poem as an illustration of the day-to-day struggle of making ends meet. A penny for a spool of thread, a penny for a needle That’s the way the money goes, pop goes the weasel! Pop was the English slang for pawn. Potatoes for an Irishman’s taste, a doctor for the measles A Fiddler always for a dance, pop goes the weasel! A weasel was a flat iron common in most homes of that day and easy to pawn.

Columbus
Did you know that a pawnshop nearly financed the discovery of America? In 1492 a desperate Christopher Columbus made a final appeal to Queen Isabella of Portugal, beseeching her to finance his voyage across the Atlantic to find the West Indies. She answered saying: “I will assume the undertaking for the crown of Castille, and am ready to pawn my jewels to defray the expense of it, if the funds in the treasure prove insufficient.” King Ferdinand stepped in and funded the venture from the treasury and Queen Isabella kept her jewels handy for the next emergency. As Queen Isabella knew, property with value is like cash in hand.

Whether you’re setting off to discover a new country or just need gas money to get to work, bring in your family jewels or anything else of value to Family Pawn. We’ll help you get it done.

Family Pawn is not your ordinary Pawnshop!