Nick Franklin (center), owner of Gold N Deals of Scottville, with his father Paul (left) and grandfather Dale (right). Nick is the third generation of his family in the resale and loan business. Courtesy photo.
By Carmelitta Tiffany
Establishments that serve as pawnbrokers are important parts of the community. Nick Franklin owns Gold N Deals in downtown Scottville. He avoids the term “pawnshop” when describing his establishment.
“We just call ourselves ‘resale and loan,’” Franklin said. “It allows people in a hard spot that can’t always get a cash loan the chance to make some money, by using an item of value as collateral for a loan or just to sell.”
The store is filled with a vast variety of merchandise, from collectibles to furniture, sports and outdoor gear, household items and jewelry. On a recent visit to Gold N Deals, I found a collection of framed Beatles album covers, fishing lures, and antique furniture and dishes.
“I like to say it’s more than your average pawnshop,” said Nick. “We do offer loans, but we also buy, sell, trade, loan and consign new and used merchandise. We buy gold and silver. We buy and sell as well for under retail, and everything we sell is negotiable.”
A short history of pawn brokering
According to the National Pawnbroker’s Association (www.nationalpawnbrokers.org), the practice of loaning cash for merchandise held as collateral is not new and appeals to more than one social class. Pawn loans can be traced back at least 3,000 years to ancient China as well as early Greek and Roman civilizations. During the 14th century, King Edward III of England is said to have frequented pawn stores in Europe. Queen Isabella is reported to have pawned her royal jewels to finance Christopher Columbus’ voyage to the New World.
The practice carries far less stigma in the 21st century. Today’s customers are ordinary folk who may wish to borrow a small sum of money for a short period of time. They pledge property that they own and consider the loan as simply turning their goods temporarily back into cash. Fully secured, straightforward, transparent credit in minutes ⸺ from themselves.
Fulfilling a family legacy
The third generation to endeavor in the trade, Franklin follows in his father’s and grandparents’ footsteps.
“My grandparents were newly married and trying to find something to do with their (lives),” Franklin began. “My grandpa Dale used to sell anything he could find. He bought a truckload of jeans and my grandma Darlene thought he was crazy! But he sold every pair and, from then on, my grandma had faith and followed him. They went in with a friend on a business and eventually bought him out ⸺ (this) was in Grand Rapids in the 1960s, and they were there for over 35 years.”
The business wasn’t always easy. Grandpa Dale was robbed at gunpoint once, but Franklin explained why Dale persevered.
“He said he loved the people and everyone they came to meet,” Franklin recalled. “They had my father (Paul) and he followed in their footsteps. My dad moved us to Ludington to get me away from the city and opened his first store there 25 years ago. I grew up with my dad running his shop and (I) used to clean showcases and vacuum and watched (him) as I grew.”
In 2016, Paul expanded with another store, Picker’s Paradise in Manistee, and Franklin took over the Ludington location. Later, he and his girlfriend Jessica Curtin decided to move to a bigger location in Scottville, on the main street in the heart of town.
“I started my own store, built from nothing to what it is now, with the help of my loving girlfriend,” Franklin said. “It’s been better than ever.”
The success of the family business depends upon making sure people leave happy.
“We try to build a relationship with all our customers and try to know and call everyone by name,” Franklin said. “I love the people, as well as being a part of helping the community. We sell new and used items and give a chance to find items at an affordable price for a wide variety of people in the community. We have something for everyone ⸺ anything anyone would buy anywhere else, like big box stores.”
The future looks bright for the Franklins. A trend toward reusing and recycling products has brought in a different type of clientele, those who would rather purchase quality used items and keep them out of the landfill than buy new.
As with any business, it all circles back to how the customer feels.
“My grandparents say it continues to work because we always treat people kindly and with respect,” Franklin affirmed. “And my father would definitely say it’s all about customer service. That’s one thing we have always done and continue to do.”
Carmelitta Tiffany resides in Mason County, where she spent the last 30-some years enjoying the blessings of rural life. She is a semi-retired journalist who serves those needing “wordy” advice.
