Palatine rejects plan for pawnshop

Despite the backing of police, village manager and neighboring businesses, Palatine officials aren't going to allow a pawnshop in town.

"I understand you have a very good reputation but does Palatine need a pawnshop?" Mayor Rita Mullins asked petitioner Kelly Swisher during Monday's village council meeting. "I have a little trepidation about the whole concept."

The council voted 6-1 against the proposed Palatine Jewelry and Loan at the southeast corner of Northwest Highway and Smith Road. The outcome surprised Swisher, whose business plan seemed to impress officials during a lengthy discussion.

One concern was the perception that criminals head to pawn shops to hock stolen goods. But Swisher, the owner of Arlington Jewelry and Loan in Arlington Heights, said he bought exactly three stolen items out of about 1,200 transactions in the last year. He takes patrons' photographs and reports all sales to nine area police departments, measures not required by state regulators.

Police told Village Manager Reid Ottesen that Swisher runs a "very good establishment and in fact, they've learned from him."

Palatine nixed another proposed pawnshop last year, but unlike that owner, Swisher agreed to a number of conditions including a review after 12 months.

"We have a number of protections in place," said Ottesen.

In the end, aside from Councilman Jack Wagner, officials just couldn't get on board with the concept itself. Councilman Brad Helms said he received several phone calls from residents "worried about certain elements drawn to pawn shops."

In a related development, the village approved stricter zoning requirements for payday loan businesses. State regulations aren't that strict, making a closer look locally advisable, village officials said.