Pawn shops in North Alabama notice increase in sales

Pawn shops in North Alabama notice increase in sales

Service and establish a payment plan.

New details -- across the country - pawn shop owners reported a bump in business from people buying and selling items during the pandemic.

Waay-31s alexis scott spoke with a pawn shop manager in decatur about what changes he's seen - and how he plans to reopen parts of his store.

Here at mid city pawn shop in decatur... the manager told me guns... gaming systems and computers have been top sellers.

He told me they've taken precautions during the stay at home order - and will keep social distancing measures in place for the time being.

Howard godbee, store manager "we closed off all but the pawn entrance area and we plexi- glassed it and we do intensive cleaning everyday.

We continue to service our customers," howard godbee is the store manager for mid city pawn shop in decatur.

He told me they're considered an essential business - so they stayed open during the stay at home order.

But - godbee closed their showroom to add in u-v air filters to kill airborne viruses and added plexi glass all around the store.

Even with limited store space - he told me sales have been through the roof.

Howard godbee, store manager "mainly because we're getting a lot of people who are ready to buy when they come in because the showroom is closed so there's not people who are just kind of walking around trying to decide," retail stores are allowed to open thursday night as part of the safer at home order.

Godbee told me he's ready to handle the overflow now that his whole store can be open.

He told me they stocked up on ammo... and other items heavily... just before the coronavirus outbreak started - so he's prepared for a rush.

Howard godbee, store manager "being the first of the month and at the same time you open up plus new stimulus checks, it's probably going to be very busy," the manager told me customers have only had access to certain parts of the store over the past few weeks.

But tomorrow - they'll reopen their showroom and keep plexiglass up to protect their customers... and also their employees.

Reporting in decatur... alexis scott waay-31 news pawn shop owners from across north alabama told us once they return to their stores - they'll be asked to wear masks indoors and limit the