Chatham Makes it Hard for EZPAWN

citizen |

EZPAWN s proposed location is the former Chatham Pancake house at 700 E. 87th St.
EZPAWN s proposed location is the former Chatham Pancake house at 700 E. 87th St.

By: Abbra Stiffend

Concerned Citizens of the Chatham-Avalon Park Community Council (CAPCC) met at Seaway Bank last week to discuss a proposal from EZ Corp to bring an EZPAWN store to the neighborhood. The group considers the proposal unfavorable for the community.

EZPAWN s proposed location is the former Chatham Pancake house at 700 E. 87th St.

Its [EZPAWNS] presence may hurt the new Garrett's Popcorn location that is currently under construction as well as deter other businesses from coming into the area, said Worlee Glover on a blog site he maintains. Glover is a resident of the Chatham community and his extended family has lived in the community for the last 50 years.

EZPAWN is owned and operated by EZ Corp, a publicity traded company that has pawn shops in 11 different states, with three locations in Chicago. According to its website, EZ Corp was established in 1989 starting out with 16 pawn shops, now operating over 670 storefronts in North America and Mexico. It is described by company representatives as a community based financial institution that provides small loans to individuals who do not meet bank and other financial standards.

Despite the community opposition to its proposal, EZ Corp is committed to opening a Chatham location.

EZ Corp really wants to be located in this community; it has great traffic flow, a lot of retail and good disposable income from residents who are primarily retirees, explained Amy Kurson, EZ Corps attorney.

Chatham already has two pawn shops; Chatham Jewelry & Loan at 645 East 79th St. and Freeman Jewelers at 111 W. 87th St.

Ald. Roderick Sawyer (6th Ward) has also weighed in on the issue.

This is a community issue, if the community does not support the proposal, it would be hard for me to do otherwise, Sawyer said in a release.

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