No more pawn shops in Elgin

Does revitalization, image or renaissance go with pawn? Dictionary.com defines pawn as a verb “to swindle, cheat, hoodwink, or hoax,” also “to run away hurriedly, hostage.” It also defines pawn as a noun “someone who is used or manipulated to further another person’s purposes,” and in chess “the weakest and most numerous piece in the game.” Pawn shops are sometimes referred to as a “staple of the urban poor.”

I understand the city of Elgin will consider a request from the chain EZ Pawn to locate a new facility in the Town & Country shopping center. As a longtime resident of the southwest side, I have seen plenty of changes there, and the last thing that this eyesore of a shopping center needs is a pawnshop, especially one that is named “E Z Pawn.” With approximately 20 “cash or title loan” shops scattered around the city, and a pawnshop on North McLean, there surely cannot be a need for another one. Predatory lending establishments cannot be on the city’s “wish list” and there should be a mandate to stop granting licenses to such.

I was under the impression that the city was on a path toward improving its image by trying to attract businesses that actually give citizens hope that we are on an upward trend. I know this is not the downtown area or a TIF district, but some consideration for the residents in the southwest area is needed. There are several people in South West Area Neighbors trying hard to raise the image of our neighborhood through efforts in recognition of our cottage community, gardens, numerous bungalows and Sears homes. Having a shopping center with some “curb appeal” is crucial to the neighboring areas, as we try to promote our area as a desirable place to live.

Kathy Moore

SWAN

Elgin