Despite economy, customers return to pawn shop

All Pawn was founded in 1993 to provide a more upscale pawn experience to residents of The Woodlands area, Vice President Bryan Patison said. The business performed well in 2012 as people continue to struggle following the recession, Patison said.

"People are always needing money, and musicians are always needing money," Patison said. "If you need to make a bill, you can borrow $1,000 for $15 a week. Where else can you do that in five minutes with no questions asked?"

Patison said the shop allows loaners to bring in collateral in exchange for short term loans. However, for the pawn shop enthusiast looking for the unusual, Patison said the shop still offers high-end products and unusual items like a 17th century canon, writings from the late Jim Morrison and even a pair of Muhammad Ali boxing gloves.

"I wouldn't even know where to start, we've got so much," he said. "It's not a boring business."

All Pawn is also the largest music store in Montgomery County and has the largest selection of guitar pickups in South Texas, Patison said.

The shop provides instrument repair, guitar and drum lessons from instructors, and sells new and used instruments to a number of local musicians, students and the occasional band director.

Although Patison is unsure what 2013 holds in store, he said guns and jewelry were selling especially well at the end of the year, and the store will continue to provide a higher quality pawn experience to South Montgomery County.

"We built [the store] around trying to make a very upscale guitars, guns and gold pawn shop, and a full line music store," he said. "We wanted to give the business a better image."

All Pawn, 25907 I-45 N., Spring – 281-363-2110, www.allpawn.com

• Mon.–Fri.: 9 a.m.–6:45 p.m.
• Sat.: 9 a.m.–5:45 p.m.
• Sun.: Noon–4 p.m.