Elmwood Neighborhood

Pawn Shop Updates (Neighborhood)

Neighborhood Newsletter -October 2007 -Pawn America in the Park?

On Monday, October 1, the St. Louis Park City Council unanimously voted to approve an interim ordinance temporarily prohibiting additional pawnshops within the city limits. The ordinance came as a result of concerns raised by citizens after word spread that a retail location for the Pawn America franchise had entered into a purchase agreement with Trestman Music.

Trestman Music, located at 5600 Excelsior Boulevard, resides at a location long zoned for commercial use. But the location is also closely intertwined with several residential neighborhoods — especially the Elmwood Neighborhood — and concerns about traffic and safety have been voiced loudly recently.

According to one group of citizens opposed to the sale, the primary concerns are:
• increased business hours and traffic on residential streets, made worse by the single, hard-to-identify entrance off Excelsior Boulevard;
• safety of neighborhood residents, particularly in light of recent news that the Excelsior Boulevard location would accept (although not sell) firearms; and
• property value of neighborhood homes.

According to Pawn America, the City of St. Louis Park has long given the impression that it would approve the license application. “We did not slink into the City of St. Louis Park and spring up, opening a pawn store,” said a representative of Pawn America.

Citizens seeking more information or wanting to voice opinions are encouraged to contact their block captains. A petition campaign opposing the sale is underway, and those interested in getting involved should contact Prentice Kugler at pkugs@yahoo.com.

City Council Update (in newsletter)

The City Council passed a moratorium on a vote of 7- 0 preventing any additional pawnshop licenses until a complete study is conducted. The Trestman family, of Trestman Music Center, have chosen to consider selling their property to Pawn America. The potential sale is scheduled to close on October 31. With the moratorium in place they could still buy the property but cannot operate a pawnshop without a license. The city cannot control any property owner, including homeowners, or whom they can sell their property to, but has the ability to control the use. Although we cannot control the sale, they may reconsider buying the property based on the moratorium. They may continue with the purchase and sue the city for the right to open a pawnshop, or wait to the conclusion of the study. The Trestman family can also decide not to sell to Pawn America and seek a community-centered / children-first business.