More than your average pawn shop

Shannon LeClair 

Times Reporter

 

Strathmore Pawn and Collectables is more than your average pawnshop and recently it has moved to a new location. 

This is the fourth move since opening seven years ago and while the mailing address remains the same, they are now next door in the old Sears store, located at 410 Lakeside Blvd.

“We’re thankful to the community for supporting us through all of our moves,” said Derrick Andersen, who co-owns the shop with his wife Tanya. 

“When I opened it I wanted to do antiques, but there wasn’t enough of a market for just antiques so I found two things that were needed and combined them,” said Tanya. 

The thought of a pawn shop can often invoke the thoughts of a crammed, musty smelling place that can be difficult to navigate through, which is not the case with the Strathmore Pawn Shop. 

The shop has a little bit of everything for everyone. They have movies, vinyl records, jewelry, a large collection of antique items and furniture to name a few things. People can also sell their scrap gold to the shop. 

The furniture collection is a new addition to the store and the Andersen’s said they will only accept quality or antique items. Every day they are buying new items so there is always something new. 

“We’re hoping our new location will be easier for people to look through and be a more enjoyable shopping experience,” said Tanya. 

“If you have stuff to sell bring it in and we’ll give you a fair estimate and if you bring it in it doesn’t mean you have to sell it. 

“We like the store to be fun to go through, we like to be a fun shopping experience, we’re always looking for interesting things.”

Almost everything in the store is negotiable and Derrick said don’t be afraid to haggle with them, but be reasonable in your offers.

“Once they come in they fall in love with the place usually,” said Derrick.

“Lots of people like to come in here and just look around, there’s lots of stuff to look through.”  

Appraisals are available if people are interested and if the Andersens don’t think they can sell certain items, or if they don’t deal in them, they will try to point people in the right direction. The shop has great gifts or can inspire ideas for Christmas and everything they sell is guaranteed. Pictures of what the store has to offer can also be found on Facebook at Strathmore Pawn Collectables.