I've experienced a lot of "Firsts" lately

I got my FIRST tattoo over a year ago, and not long after that I walked into my FIRST pawn shop. I had no idea what to expect, the only thing I knew about this line of business was the tv show - Pawn Stars.  So I have to be honest, after watching a couple of episodes of that program, about a pawn shop in Las Vegas, I was fully anticipating the rarest and most bizarre items, I was also quite sure I would observe the employee's attitude as cocky and brash, like how tv portrays them. I was wrong in every way, well except for a few things ( remember that old saying now "To each his own" )

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North Sky Pawn in Mandan has been around for over 5 years

So that was one of the first things I noticed when I walked in, I went ahead and passed on buying it. I came across the owner Mario immediately. I introduced myself and brought up that lame Pawn Stars TV show. I could tell right away that this guy was the real deal - no flash, no gimmicks - his store was packed full of every kind of product you can imagine:

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I had just a couple of questions I was eager to ask before I went in

My first one was simple "What's the craziest thing someone has brought in?" - Mario took a second and then calmly replied, "I've seen it all..."   I didn't need to push it after that, I could tell that his store was different. He and his 6 other employees only want to help those that come in and for the most part, they absolutely can. "We can't always meet on the same terms ( with a customer ), but we'll do our best"

My perception of just how accurate his comment was to me,

I walked around for a bit and saw how jam-packed the place is - they hardly turn anyone down. Mario told me they have 2-3 times more inventory than they normally have. You name it, this place probably has it - electronics, gaming, sports equipment,
jewelry. Justin has been working there for 4-5 months - he had a great answer for me about this job - "Working here, every day is something new...."

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North Sky Pawn is not a television show

This is a wonderful store with genuine people who care about others - I have proof of that, here is a picture of Mario, the owner, not acting on a lame script ( which I guarantee that pawn show in Las Vegas does ) - here he is making sure a customer is taken care of:

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Next time you are arriving or leaving the strip here in Mandan, I encourage you a trillion times over to stop by and see North Sky Pawn Shop yourself!


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Gallery Credit: Madison Troyer & Zack Abrams

 

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