Name for a Pawn Shop

November 23, 2007 2:32 PM

What to name a Pawn Shop?

Im opening a pawn shop in Mexico but maybe you guys can still help me. I need names that inspire security, family, trust. Or something fun that makes sense with the business. Clever wordplay in english, obviously, will not work but the theme or feel of the name still applies.

Just get creative and say anything, so far I've got the words Liberty, Monarch and Empire. Although these are not related to the adjectives I mentioned, it can still work as more of a business/competitive oriented name. So, pretty much anything goes...

Thank you!

posted by theholotrope to work & money (39 comments total)

Holotrope Pawn
posted by rhizome at 2:46 PM on November 23, 2007

Fistful of Pesos
posted by evariste at 2:46 PM on November 23, 2007

Hock-o Bell
posted by evariste at 2:48 PM on November 23, 2007 [2 favorites]

Comfort & Trust
posted by chrisalbon at 2:54 PM on November 23, 2007

Maybe a chess pun?
Queen's Pawn
Pawn to Queen
posted by evariste at 2:55 PM on November 23, 2007

A fairly generic name might be best. I don't think it's really possible for a pawn shop to inspire feelings of "security, family, trust", because it's by nature a pretty shady, depressing, and hopeless business, isn't it? I imagine nobody is ever truly happy going to hock their stuff at the pawn shop.
posted by evariste at 3:00 PM on November 23, 2007 [1 favorite]

p4nwn3d.
posted by knowles at 3:00 PM on November 23, 2007

-1 n. p4wn3d is more like it.
posted by knowles at 3:00 PM on November 23, 2007

Pawn de Rosa.

(There's a pawn shop in Ottawa called that.)
posted by sebastienbailard at 3:04 PM on November 23, 2007

The first official pawn shops were initially founded but franciscan monks trying to keep crime down. So, pawn shops were definitely a boon for many people who were down on their luck as well as for the rest of the towns that had them. There might be something there that helps the shady image a bit.
posted by theholotrope at 3:14 PM on November 23, 2007 [2 favorites]

Fascinating, I had no idea.
posted by evariste at 3:19 PM on November 23, 2007

Saint Expedite. Saint Expedite is the patron of those who hope for rapid solutions to problems, who wish to avoid or put an end to delays, and who want general financial success. His aid is also sought by those who wish to overcome procrastination as a personal bad habit, as well as by shop-keepers and sailors. His feast day is April 19.
posted by generic230 at 3:26 PM on November 23, 2007 [2 favorites]

Golden Cajones (... from the universal pawn broker symbol of 3 gold balls)
posted by fearfulsymmetry at 3:33 PM on November 23, 2007

Not a suggestion, really, but here's some thinking-ammo: A locally founded chain of pawn shops here in Montana is called First National Pawn.

I think it's kind of clever that they took two thirds of their name from a generic bank name, and replaced "bank" with "pawn." I think this gives a somewhat subconscious influence of stability and trust.

I have purchased CDs and DVDs in a few of their locations, and can tell you they also present a very professional image in how they run the business. The staff all have matching polo shirts with the shop logo on them. They keep the shops as clean and uncluttered as possible. Everything is clearly marked with the price. The staff are all clean cut. They don't come across as shady at all.

Your name is definitely important. But more than that, if you want to be trusted, just make sure your entire image and your way of doing business, not just your name, invites trust.

Good luck!
posted by The Deej at 3:41 PM on November 23, 2007

Happy Pesos
Freedom Pesos
Centavos Temporales
Pesos Seguro
Pesos Con Seguridad
Cuidado Centavos
Pesos al Carbon
posted by wackybrit at 3:45 PM on November 23, 2007

Dinero Divertido
posted by wackybrit at 3:45 PM on November 23, 2007

Pesos en Tiempo.
posted by oddman at 4:15 PM on November 23, 2007

I second Saint Expedite.
posted by chrisalbon at 4:15 PM on November 23, 2007

Pawncho Villa
posted by kitty teeth at 5:48 PM on November 23, 2007

Every pawn shop I've ever seen has a name which is a variant on "No! This is totally not a pawn shop, really!"
posted by dagnyscott at 5:54 PM on November 23, 2007

abaloanie
posted by bruce at 6:07 PM on November 23, 2007 [1 favorite]

Wife suggests "Pawnadria" or "Pawn-Dulce"?
posted by Orb2069 at 6:17 PM on November 23, 2007

I've always wanted to name a business "The Pantomime Horse."

Pawnsylvania? Pawn Song? Here Today, Pawn Tomorrow?
posted by troika at 7:15 PM on November 23, 2007

Abandon All VCRs Ye Who Enter
posted by Blazecock Pileon at 7:52 PM on November 23, 2007

Lucky's
posted by kuujjuarapik at 9:19 PM on November 23, 2007

Mayapawn
posted by Civil_Disobedient at 9:54 PM on November 23, 2007

If you're looking for trust, use your family name, something "The Holotrope Family Pawn Shop" or "Holotrope and Associates Pawn".
posted by blue_beetle at 11:01 PM on November 23, 2007

The current vogue for pawnshop names seems to emphasize "fast money" over anything else: Cash America, Fast Cash, etc. There's also SuperPawn (now owned by Cash America) and names like Pawn King.

So I'd go with one of the "pesos" names.

Some of the newer chains seem to make a great effort to come across more as a strip-mall office, like an insurance broker or H&R Block, than a seedy dark place full of other people's stuff. So decor could be a factor as much as anything else.
posted by dhartung at 11:32 PM on November 23, 2007

Casa Medici
Prestas Medici
posted by Mr_Crazyhorse at 12:28 AM on November 24, 2007

In the upcoming Futurama movie, there is a pawnshop called Queen takes Pawnshop or something. So if you named it that, a tiny percentage of people would be amused by the reference. You could make a policy where if they mentioned the reference, they get a token discount for having good taste in television.
posted by !Jim at 12:50 AM on November 24, 2007

_{Oh crap, I just read the question again, sorry for my useless answer.}
posted by !Jim at 12:51 AM on November 24, 2007

This is from the Futurama movie but how about...

Rook Takes Pawnshop.
posted by utsutsu at 1:16 AM on November 24, 2007

I am able to preview prior to 8 beers. After this point, it would appear that I am not,
posted by utsutsu at 1:18 AM on November 24, 2007

abogue por Santa Rita - Saint Rita being the saint of lost causes

Wholly Pawn sound nice in spanish, as well.
posted by ptm at 2:43 AM on November 24, 2007

En passant.
posted by jeffamaphone at 9:15 AM on November 24, 2007

Tiger Pawn!
posted by criticalbill at 9:17 AM on November 24, 2007

Ching ching for bling bling.
posted by dannon205 at 12:05 PM on November 24, 2007

A Nifty Way To Shop
posted by Afroblanco at 12:07 PM on November 24, 2007

St. Nicolas is the patron saint of pawnbrokers.
posted by Morrigan at 2:31 PM on November 25, 2007