On October 4th, 1979, Mark Lax opened his first pawnshop in downtown Spokane, Washington. Over the next 15 years, he opened 2 more pawnshops in the Valley of Spokane (1983), and North Division (1993). Mark then grouped the stores under a single brand with the promise of delivering the highest level of service to his valued customers.
Pawn 1 was born in 1994 in Hillyard, Washington, in a 2,500 square foot store. Store #5 was opened in Post Falls, ID in 1996. At this time, each store was transformed to deliver the same exceptional experience and Mark rapidly expanded into Idaho.
With a formidable management team and over 100 years of combined experience, Pawn 1 has since opened fifteen additional stores from Bremerton, Washington, all the way east to our newest store in Idaho Falls, Idaho.
The foundation of this small-business success story is built on 43+ years of experience, incredible family members and great support from friends and loyal customers. The next generations will sustain this history and continue to improve the business and services that owner Mark Lax has so richly imprinted on Pawn 1, Inc. and its cherished customer following.
We strive to be ethically solid, inspiring trust and honesty throughout our company. We say what we mean, match our behaviors to our words and hold ourselves accountable for our actions.
By settling for no less than exceptional, we will build enduring relationships with our customers.
In order for Pawn 1, Inc. to grow, it is imperative that the same focus is given to internal growth and the growth of individuals within our organization. This will encourage evolution, progressive development, and expansion for all involved.
By challenging the norm and by using our creativity and imagination to inspire new ideas, the opportunities and sustainability of our organization will remain endless.