Business 1 on 1 with Howard Reed, owner of Howard's Pawn & Jewelry in Macon

Howard Reed, owner, Howard's Pawn & Jewelry Inc., 3171 Mercer University Drive, Macon, 743-5727.

How long have you been in business?: "I've been in the pawn business roughly 34 years. ... The first 20 was at Arvin's Pawn downtown."

Reed was looking for a place to open his own pawnshop when he learned that the J.D. Pawn Shop was available after the owner died. That's where he opened Howard's Pawn.

"It was a huge blessing for us to find a pre-existing shop with walk-in traffic. I opened Aug. 31, 2001. Two weeks after that was 9/11 (attacks). ... People were scared to shop. ... It took a while to get the retail going."

What do you like best about your job?: "The thing I like the most is helping people ... from making them a small loan or a large loan. Most of these are people who work, and they are going to get paid, but there comes a time when they have an unexpected (expense) like an engine blows in their car ... so (a man) might pawn a bunch of guns to rebuild his engine. ... And we love to help people find things they are looking for. ... We have a lot of repeat business."

What is your specialty?: "I would say without a doubt when customers walk in the door .... the ladies naturally gravitate toward the jewelry and the men head toward the hardware department or the gun department. ... We have a big niche selling bridal (ring) sets. We love to help couples getting started in life."

Reed also sells antiques, collectibles, coins, musical instruments and "We do a world of business in nice, clean used electronics. ... They have to be pretty new. We are very selective."

What are your future plans?: My future plan is to get my kids all through college and weddings ... and just hope that when I ride off in the sunset my son can take over." A son, Nathan, has worked in the store since he was about 10.

-- Linda S. Morris

This story was originally published December 13, 2015 at 9:42 PM with the headline "Business 1 on 1 with Howard Reed, owner of Howard's Pawn & Jewelry in Macon ."