After more than two decades in the pawn industry, Jery Howland and his wife Denise took a leap of faith and opened their own shop in 1997.
Now, with their son Trip by their side, they’ve grown Jery’s Pawn to three locations across southeastern North Carolina. Add to that their commitment to ethical practices, customer service, and advocacy, this family-run business embodies
For Trip Howland, his dad’s pawn career was a part of his childhood. “Jery worked for another pawn shop when I was young, so my early memories were of Dum-Dum suckers and meeting up with Dad to go to the Chinese buffet,” he recalls. While the shop provided some unique perks, it also taught him valuable lessons about the industry. “We often got things without a factory box as kids,” Trip shares, “but we got them!”
Overcoming Challenges
Starting a pawn shop from scratch is no easy feat. Denise Howland remembers the initial challenges vividly. “No one will lend money to a pawn shop, especially a new shop and owner,” she says. “Banks and government agencies won’t have anything to do with you, but they’ll gladly take your money once you open.”
A Changing Industry
The whole pawn industry has undergone significant changes over the years. Denise notes the positive impact of the television show Pawn Stars. “It changed the public perception of the pawn industry in a very positive way,” she says.
Words of Wisdom
Trip credits his father for much of his success. “There have been so many things Jery has taught me over the years,” he says, “but the sales advice is probably the best he gave, aside from teaching me how to repair jewelry.”
Memorable Moments
The pawn business is full of surprises. Trip recalls a particularly memorable transaction: “A high school friend’s brother wanted to have a last weekend with his girlfriend before his prison sentence. He pawned his cash bond receipt. The worst part was on Monday, I had to turn him over to the police before I could collect the cash bond. Never did that again!”
Denise also has her share of unique pawn experiences. “The most unusual item I’ve ever pawned was an 1876 Carville musket,” she shares.
The NPA Connection
The Howland family is actively involved in the NPA. “We joined the NPA for education, fellow pawnbroker knowledge, and legal expertise in the industry,” says Denise. Trip serves on the Outreach Committee, Denise is on the Membership Committee, and the whole family attends both the Legislative Conference and Pawn Expo each year.
The mother and son both agree the most rewarding aspect of working together is simply enjoying success as a family. “Also, going to jewelry shows and NPA conventions,” Trip adds. This is not surprising considering Pawn Expo 2023, the NPA’s annual convention, was a defining moment in his life. Trip proposed to his longtime girlfriend, Ashleigh, during the Pawn Expo Atlanta Braves game that year, with hundreds of pawnbrokers cheering them on. Ask anyone in attendance that day and they’ll tell you he hit it out of the park.
The happy couple wed on May 4, 2024 (and yes, they embraced “May the Fourth Be with You”).
