Like to dig for treasures and great deals? Magazine Pawn Shop is the place for you. Serving Magazine Street for 32 years, this shop is stocked with gold and silver jewelry from plain bands, necklaces and bracelets to opulent cocktail rings loaded with shimmering precious and semi-precious stones. Diamond jewelry ranges from vintage diamond engagement rings to contemporary tennis bracelets. Watches also abound, from extremely high-end wristwatches to vintage pocket styles.

All jewelry is available for up to 20 percent off when paying cash or debit. Layaway and check cashing services are also offered, as are watch, jewelry, mobile telephone and computer repair.

“We have a real balance of everything said, Christine, who has served as the store manager since it opened in 1989. “We have a bit of everything – jewelry, high end purses and shoes, electronics, art, musical instruments of all kinds, and tools from construction to garden. Our inventory changes constantly. We offer collateral loans ranging from single digit to multiple against anything of value. We will also purchase items outright that people want to sell.”

In addition to items acquired through loans (pawn) or sale, Christine orders new merchandise she knows her patrons are looking for. Things like opulent, gold “New Orleans-style” hoop earrings, and fashionable sunglasses. Special orders for merchandise will be made upon request.

The atmosphere in the shop is welcoming with daytime television chattering in the background and staff warmly greeting both regular customers and first-time visitors with generous, enthusiastic customer service. They clearly enjoy their work.

And they let their customers down easily when they must: “These stones are not real, my dear. I am so sorry.”

A recent exploration of Magazine Pawn revealed numerous flat screen televisions, telephones, wireless chargers, cameras of all sorts, original art, framed and signed JazzFest posters, collectible Lladró figurines, vintage cutlery, computers and computer accessories, a karaoke machine. There was even a vintage German Leitz Wetzlar microscope.

But the real magic is in the musical instruments: guitars, both electric and acoustic (Martins!, Gibsons! Epiphones!); enough brass instruments to start a marching band; drums, amplifiers...

“Anything of value, we will buy it,” Christine cheerfully reminds. “One person’s trash is another’s treasure!”

Magazine Pawn Shop
3315 Magazine Street
891.1332