The owner of a Tallahassee pawn shop has decided to close his business for good after 40 years in business after last month's tornado blew the roof off his store, causing damage that can't be immediately repaired.
Owner Bobby Carruth had intended to reopen Tallahassee Gun & Pawn for business as usual on May 10 after three tornadoes ripped through the nation's capital, causing extensive damage to local business owners.
When Carruth first received an alert at 7 a.m. that a security alarm had gone off at a store on South Monroe Street, he assumed it was from the storm and told authorities not to investigate the building.
After the second warning, Carouse went to the store and saw for himself the extent of the damage, which he had initially underestimated, including unsalvageable goods.
“I've lived in Tallahassee my whole life,” Carruth said Thursday as he looked out the window of his destroyed storefront across the street from Dog & Al's restaurant. “I'm 70 years old now, so I plan on retiring after my store is destroyed.”
The pawnbroking industry is thousands of years old, dating back to ancient China and serving as the oldest financial institution in the world, according to the National Pawnbrokers Association. The Tallahassee-based store was no exception in its business needs, helping local residents with short-term loan arrangements for at least the past 40 years.
It's hard not to notice the bright yellow building where Caruth's Pawn Shop has been for many years. Caruth says business has been good ever since he opened, and closing down was never on his mind.
But that soon became a harsh reality.
On Tuesday, May 28, Carrouth posted on Tallahassee Gun & Pawn's Facebook page officially announcing the closure.
“After 40 years, Tallahassee Gun & Pawn has closed due to damage caused by the recent tornadoes. We thank you for your business and friendship over the years. Please share to help reach out to your community.”
By Thursday afternoon, he had received more than 100 replies.
“Sad to hear about the damage caused by the storm, but happy to hear you're moving on to the next chapter!” one person wrote.
“A special place with so many memories… but I can't wait to see what God has in store for us next! Sending love,” another user wrote.
“Thank you for your 40 years of service to the community,” one read.
Now, a 40-year tradition comes to an end
A Tallahassee native, he lived in the nation's capital for 30 years before deciding it was time to start his own pawn shop, following in the footsteps of several high school friends who had followed the same path.
Carouse and his father, Jack Carouse, drove to the property at 1435 South Monroe St. to buy the vacant building from his uncle, Jep Dove.
Caruth believes that good relationships with customers are what keeps his business thriving: “I always tell my employees and everyone, if you're nice to people, they'll come back.”
“Yeah, we go there all the time,” says Alan Rogers, owner of Euphoria Tattoo next door, “and it's your typical pawn shop, full of stuff people are trying to get rid of or are forced to pawn thoughtlessly to pay bills. But it's a nice little pawn shop.”
During his time as a pawnbroker, Carruth has seen many interesting items come in and out of his shop. He remembers one man who would occasionally come in and pawn his prosthetic leg.
Each time, the man would come back to buy a new prosthetic leg, but one day he would buy a new one and never come back. For the past 25 years, his size 11 prosthetic right leg has been left on the shelf, waiting for its next owner.
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Carruth said it's bittersweet as he helps employees find other jobs, but he looks forward to having more time to enjoy golf and fishing, and to continuing to serve as a prison chaplain through his church, St. Peter's Anglican Cathedral.
“I'm ready to let this go and move on,” Carruth said.
For inquiries about paying off a loan, paying for goods or purchasing real estate, contact Carrouth at 850-508-7296. Democrat reporter Mycah Brown can be reached at MJBrown@gannett.com.
