From Newport News Times: After serving Newport for the past five years, the Newport Pawn Shop has moved to a larger location, opening its doors on March 1 at the corner of Hurbert Street and Highway 101, the building previously occupied by Eager Beaver.
Owner Jacob Wayman said it’s been a smooth transition so far, and he considers it one of the most monumental moments in his career as a pawn shop owner. Part of the excitement comes from the chance to revive the spirit of the Bittler Brother’s Sports Center, which once operated out of the same location.
“It’s always been my dream to have a big, spacious and impressive location like this one,” Wayman said. “When you drive by at night you can almost hear the ‘ah’ opera noise when you go by.”
While still a pawn shop first and foremost, Wayman said the move allowed him expand the scope of his business, especially when it comes to what he can offer in terms of sporting goods, firearms and jewelry.
“We’re stocking up on a lot more sporting goods stuff, and we have a lot more inventory in general,” Wayman said. “We’re going to become wholesale bulk dealers in ammunition now that we have the space, and we’re talking about offering tactical training and conceal carry courses downstairs. About 25 percent of our floor space is going to be for fine jewelry. We’re still a pawn shop, but we’re gearing towards a lot of new inventory in terms of guns and jewelry. We’re looking to become more known as a place for jewelry than before.”
The front and side walls of the shop showcase a lot of common pawn shop items like instruments, electronics, collectibles and tools, while a center island is lined with jewelry cases. The entire back wall and a display case running the length of it is devoted to firearms, while nearby shelves are stacked with electronics and various accessories.
The building itself adds a lot more space to the shop, and Wayman said it will both increase the amount of customers that can browse at once and the amount of employees he can have on staff. An open basement area downstairs also has Wayman considering offering various gun safety and training classes and other activities once its been renovated.
“With our new storage rooms and everything we’ve gained something like 5,300 square feet. People can come in more comfortably and browse,” Wayman said. “Before, you might get 10 people in the shop at once and, for example, you could only have one person look at jewelry or a gun at once, but now many people can move about easily and browse.”
Wayman said he’s been living in Newport for six years and is happy his business has been so well received. He said he previously he ran a pawn shop in Virginia and, in comparison, people here have been far more friendly and welcoming.
“The biggest thing for me here is I feel like I’m appreciated in town, rather than frowned upon, whether that’s helping someone pay their bills for a month with a loan or getting them a tool or something at a good price,’’ Wayman said. “This will probably be the place where the business stays for the rest of its life. It’s been a long trek to get here, but it’s really paid off.”
Wayman said he hopes to hold a grand opening event in the next couple of weeks to celebrate the move.
Read the full story here: https://newportnewstimes.com/article/newport-pawn-shop-expands
