Albert’s Pawn Announces New Store Opening in North Johnson City
Albert’s Pawn is excited to announce that we have opened a new store in North Johnson City, Tennessee. We have officially closed the Uncle Sam’s Loan Office in downtown Johnson City and reopened it as Albert’s Pawn in North Johnson City, the newest and brightest of the Albert’s Pawn family-owned stores. Situated on North Roan Street between One Stop Liquors and Little Caesar’s and across the street from Cootie Brown’s restaurant, the new location offers a whole new look.
You may be surprised to see we have Louis Vuitton preloved designer handbags, estate jewelry, and stunning necklaces and rings for a fancy night out on the town. You’ll also see all the usual items like flat-screen TVs, guitars and amps, guns and tools. We make great pawn loans on just about anything of value.
We offer pawn loans on many items, including luxury handbags. We give top dollar for gold and diamonds, and we have a layaway plan, and you have the trusted Albert’s pawnbrokers to help you in a pinch.
Alberts Pawn New Store Handout
Albert’s Loan Office
The original Albert’s pawnshop was started by Albert Rothbart 92 years ago in 1927 named Albert’s Loan Office in Johnson City, Tennessee. It was the first licensed pawnshop in the Tricities which gave the community a safe place to borrow small loans to help tie them over during tight times.
After Albert passed, his daughter Harriet and husband Rufus Luster purchased the business and eventually acquired the downtown Uncle Sam’s Loan Office which had been in operation for many years.
Pawn Loans
In the pawn loan business, customers bring in their items of value and take out a short term loan. Albert’s holds the item and the customer either comes back and picks the item of value up or extends the loan by renewing it for an additional loan period by paying the interest and fees. If the customer doesn’t come back and pick the item of value up or extend the loan by renewing it for an additional loan period , the loan is considered to be in default, and the item of value becomes the property of the pawnshop and is sold. Additionally, the pawnshop buys items of value directly from customers and puts it out for sale. Used items of value come to the pawnshop in these two manners.
Retail Business
On the retail side, Albert’s sells new and used items. Albert Rothbart was the first dealer for new Martin Guitars, Gibson Guitars, and Banjos in the region, as well as a host of other musical instruments from companies like Silvertone, Harmony, and even uncommon instruments like Kazoos, Jaw Harps and Harmonicas. In the days before Kmart and Walmart, Albert’s sold wrist and pocket watches, rings, bracelets, and pendants both solid gold and costume as well as inexpensive new luggage and novelty items like dice, decks of cards, pocket knives, and Zippo lighters too. Luggage customers would come to Albert’s before catching a train at the Johnson City Depot or a Greyhound at the bus station.
Art of Trading
Trading is something that most retail stores don’t do. Albert was a master of the art of trading. Retired soldiers from the VA loved to trade, and so did Albert. It was reported that he traded with two customers at once. The first customer wanted one of Albert’s pocket watches. Albert got the customer’s wristwatch and $5.00 “boot” (additional cash to make the deal) from the first customer. The second customer traded the first customer a wristwatch for the pocket watch he had just traded for with Albert. The second customer then traded Albert’s original pocket watch and $5.00 boot for the first customer’s wristwatch. Everyone was happy, and Albert ended up with his original pocket watch and $10.00. “That was my first lesson in the art of trading,” remembers his grandson Marcus Nachman.
Uncle Sam’s history stretches back decades, and as Albert’s Pawn, we look forward to all our customers enjoying this new style of pawnshop. Albert Rothbart, the original founder of Albert’s in 1927, would be proud to see Albert’s Pawn succeeding in the twenty-first century!
We have products on many online sites for your convenience:
Stop by one of Albert’s four locations to find the perfect bargain in the tri-cities area! Here are nine things to know about Albert’s Pawn in Tennessee.
Albert’s has been family owned and operated since 1927. No matter what part of the Tri-Cities you’re in we have a location to serve you. With four Albert’s Pawn locations (Downtown Johnson City, North Johnson City, Bristol, and Kingsport) – getting top dollar for your items for pawn loans and finding that item you’ve been looking for at an unbeatable price has never been easier.