A photo of Chicago.

Fun Summer Idea in Chicago: Visit Your Local Pawn Shop


Want to check out some cool handbags not available anywhere else? How about a second-hand guitar for a fraction of the price of a new one? Summer is the season for exploring, including those neighborhood shops you’ve walked past many times without taking a peek inside. 

Some adventures take place closer to home than you might think. On Chicago’s north side, Fullerton Pawners has been providing local residents with surprising deals for decades. 

In fact, there are several good reasons to step inside and take a look around:

Check Out Unusual Gems, Jewels, Watches and More

Want to check out unusual gems or jewels from various parts of the globe – as well as different time periods? Many pawn shops are home to diamonds, rubies and amethysts in boxes lined with felt. Others specialize in unusual antique watches that are no longer easy to find. Big box jewelers have their allure (and their price tags!). But intrepid consumers – as well as curious window shoppers – often prefer places with goods a bit more off the beaten path. 

Get Gently Used Merchandise for a Fraction of the Cost

Too many people spend gobs of cash on electronics when they have other options. Want to get a starter phone for your kid without unnecessary bells and whistles? A pawn shop is the perfect place to look. In need of a faster, higher functioning laptop? If you’re looking for quality merchandise, a good pawner will help you select the right laptop for your needs and at a fair price. Why spend two grand when you can buy a used one for a fraction of the price? 

A Chance to Sell Your Gold 

Got any old belongings made of gold stashed away in a drawer somewhere? Sometimes the best thing to do with those outdated cufflinks, watches and pendants is to sell them. If no one is making use of them, the cash might come in handy. A trustworthy pawn shop near you will have opportunities to buy, sell or get a loan for a gold heirloom that would otherwise remain out of sight and out of mind.

Get Market Value of Heirlooms and Other Belongings Assessed at Nearby Pawn Shop

Who doesn’t love an episode of Pawn Stars or Antiques Roadshow now and then? One of the main reasons these types of shows are so universally popular is the unexpected treasures that folks bring in from their homes. Every pawn shop is unique. They may or may not accept antique artwork, cool old lamps and wood-carved furniture. What hidden gems do you have in your attic or basement that might be worth more than a few dollars? You don’t have to sell it to find out its true value.

Need a Local Repair Service for Jewelry, Electronics or Other Items?

Perhaps the best kept secret at select pawn shops is their ability to fix older belongings such as jewelry and electronics. This service becomes more valuable as fewer and fewer repair shops are able to remain in business. Americans have become accustomed to buying new electronics every year or two, but those older models may still work just fine. 

3 things that a local pawn shop might repair for you:

  • Vintage electronics
  • Jewelry repair
  • Silver repair

Want to Sell an Unusual, Gently Used Valuable from Your Home?

Take a look around. Sometimes you can judge a book by its cover. Pawn shops can be assessed like any other business. Does the space look clean, organized and respectable? Are the workers polite, helpful and informed? If so, it might be the place to sell a gently used valuable from home. You might even get your asking price.

Visit Best Pawn Shop Near You: Fullerton Pawners on Chicago’s North Side 

At Fullerton Pawners in Chicago, our specialists will let you know if something is available for sale and are happy to answer any other questions about our offerings that catch your eye. Past clientele have raved about our services. Our staff has extensive knowledge of certain electronics, both for sale and for repairs. A customer in search of diamond earrings found a pair of beautiful diamond studs with our help. This type of occurrence happens all the time here. 

Contact Fullerton Pawners at 773-637-9999, or check us out in person to find out why we have a reputation for amazing finds at fair prices.

A sign that says "yes, we're open."

Why Reputation Matters in the Pawning Industry


Chicago-area pawn shops are a great source of many things – not just pawning. To name just a few:

  1. Get a temporary loan against collateral
  2. Sell a personal item
  3. Find a great, unique gift 
  4. Repair jewelry and other products
  5. Scout out valuable merchandise

Yet these familiar neighborhood shops don’t always have the best reputation. This is unfortunate, as the above services are highly valuable, and you never know when you might decide to use this popular neighborhood service. With so many different pawning businesses around, it’s vital to know a little about the one you choose to do business with. That way you can be sure you’re getting a good deal, as well as access to high-quality items and trustworthy loan services.

To Help You Find High Quality Merchandise in Chicago

Typically, all of the merchandise in a pawn shop once belonged to someone else. An experienced and reputable pawner will take time to determine the value of the items brought into the store. Doing so requires having a good eye and a fair amount of expertise in assessing the worth of a whole range of belongings, from precious gems and vintage jewelry to guitars and gaming consoles. 

Some of the varied merchandise you might be able to find under one roof include:

  • Valuable watches
  • Family heirlooms
  • Artwork
  • Antique jewelry
  • Musical instruments
  • Electronics
  • Gaming equipment
  • Curiosities

Has there been any damage or repairs needed? Because the merchandise has been owned or used by a previous owner, you may want to know more about it to conclude what a fair price would be for you. 

To Accurately Evaluate Jewelry, Watches and Other Valuables

One misconception is that products at a pawn shop aren’t very valuable. However, you might be surprised at how many folks will want to sell precious gems and other valuables they have inherited from family members. For this group, selling to a pawner is often more desirable than finding a buyer online. Therefore, those products can go for less since they didn’t come in at market price. 

All of which is to say: it’s important to vet a pawner the same way that they vet the products that come through their door. What would the item have originally sold at? What would it go for now if new? Most consumers aren’t also experts in assessing value, and that can leave them vulnerable to being taken advantage of by disreputable players. 

Be sure you’re doing business at an establishment with a solid track record and great reputation in the area where it operates. 

Contact Established, Trusted, Full-Service Pawnbroker at Fullerton in Chicago

To avoid fly-by-night pawners, work with a highly reputable business such as Fullerton Pawners, which has a proven history of excellence in the neighborhood where we have been doing business for decades. We provide cash loans – but also do much more:

  • Diamond Sales
  • Cash Purchases
  • Inventory Assessments
  • Repairs of Jewelry, Watches & Other Items
  • Sales on Broad Diversity of Merchandise 

Contact us online, or call us at 773-637-9999 for more information on what we can do for you today!

Illinois Pawn Association National Pawnbrokers Association Chicago Jewelers' Association IWJG
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