A new business on Main Street in Oconto Falls offers a little bit of everything.
The Pawn Shop has been doing steady business since opening Nov. 25. The business is an offshoot of American Cash and Loan, a pawn shop owned by Jim Campbell in Eau Claire. About 60 percent of the inventory from that store has been moved to the Oconto Falls location, run by Jim’s wife, Michele, and her son, Rick Ruesch, store manager.
After the closure of American Cash and Loan at the end of 2013, Jim will relocate to Oconto Falls and begin accepting items from local residents. Michele Campbell said he will take in “anything of value, because it seems there’s a market for everything.”
The family looked at spots in Green Bay before choosing to open shop in the former movie rental store and arcade building in Oconto Falls. Campbell, chief financial officer at Community Memorial Hospital, said the family wanted to help revive the downtown area by opening a store.
“We really lucked out. We have a lot of square footage, and a lot of shelving on the wall was left here. It’s an ideal location,” she said.
During their first week in business, about 200 people stopped by, she said.
“Everybody who comes in has been excited about it,” she said, as her son rang up the purchase of a Wii game system for a family with several kids.
Individuals interested in selling their goods must be 18 years old and show a driver’s license. Because several resale shops are located down the street, Michele said the shop does not carry household goods that are already available nearby.
“The guitars have been the most popular. Probably second is the computers, then probably the tools,” Campbell said.
Jewelry and guns will be added to the store’s assortment after Jan. 1.
Categories
