Community Spotlight: Cabot Pawn Shop
When Cindy May first decided to take over Cabot Pawn Shop, she wasn’t entirely sure what she was getting herself into. “I’ve never run a business before. I don’t have any experience in it. I never went to school for it,” May recalled. Yet, four years later, her pawn shop is a beloved fixture in the Cabot community, proving that sometimes, all it takes is a leap of faith and a lot of heart.
Cabot Pawn Shop, which has been in business for around 27 years, offers a wide variety of products, including jewelry, tools, and guitars. May took over the shop from the previous owners, who wanted to retire after years of running the business. “I talked to my boyfriend about it. I was like, well, you wanna buy a pawn shop. He’s like, really? And I’m like, yeah,” May recounted. “It feels like we’ve been here about 20 (years) though. I mean, it does kind of wear you out a little bit, but the people are great here.”
Despite the initial challenges, including navigating the complexities of business management without formal training, May has managed to create a welcoming and supportive environment for all who walk through the doors of Cabot Pawn Shop. “There’s a part where you have to take your heart out of it a little bit and do business, but I have a heart and I understand. I’ve been there, and I’ve lived life,” May explained.
One of the unique aspects of Cabot Pawn Shop is its commitment to community involvement. Every year, May and her family participate in the Cabot Christmas Parade, a tradition that has become a family favorite. “It’s become a family tradition of every year doing the Christmas parade float. It takes a lot of hard work and effort and months of planning, but we love to do that for the community,” May said with enthusiasm.
In addition to their parade participation, the shop also runs a small food bank to assist customers in need, as well as a small garden in the back, which provides them with fresh produce. May described how they provide meals and essential items to those who are struggling.”Anybody that comes in here that needs help, I will help them in any way I can. We have customers that donate whole meals that are frozen, where all they have to do is warm them up,” she shared. “At Christmas time and Thanksgiving, I put together boxes with complete meals, and I pick a few of our customers that I know truly need it.”
May’s approach to running the pawn shop has not only helped her build a successful business but also fostered a sense of trust and respect within the community. “There’s always a stigmatism about a pawn shop being bad and that it only draws bad people, but it’s not always the case,” she said. “We are a financial institute for people who need a quick loan or can’t get what they need at a bank. We help a lot of people.”
Running a pawn shop comes with its share of unique experiences and challenges. May shared some memorable moments, like when someone brought in a prosthetic leg or dentures. “People have brought in dentures before. Sometimes older teeth have gold fillings in them, but I don’t touch them. I cannot,” she said with a laugh. “We get some really weird things in here sometimes, but it makes every day interesting.”
May’s journey from an inexperienced business owner to a beloved community figure highlights the importance of compassion and community spirit. “I want everyone who walks in to have the best experience ever,” she said. “We’re just normal people who understand life and want to help others as much as we can.”
Cabot Pawn Shop also prides itself on providing quality items at affordable prices. May explained their system for determining an item’s value, which involves researching online to get an average price and then offering a quarter of that value.
Despite the shop’s success, May still faces challenges, particularly balancing her time between work and community involvement. “I am a member of the Chamber of Commerce, but I don’t have a lot of spare time to attend luncheons or events. I hope one day to grow the business enough to free up some time and be more involved in the community,” she said.
May is also looking forward to the positive changes in the community, such as the new police station being built nearby. “I’m very much looking forward to the police station coming over here. Just for eyes and ears and my satisfaction at home,” she explained.
For Cindy May, Cabot Pawn Shop is more than just a business; it’s a way to give back to the community that has supported her throughout her life. By defying stereotypes and fostering a sense of community, she has transformed the shop into a place where people feel welcome and valued.
“We’re just normal people who understand life and want to help others as much as we can. I want everyone who walks in to have the best experience ever,” May emphasized. Her dedication to her customers and her community shines through in everything she does, making Cabot Pawn Shop a true cornerstone of the town.
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