After 40 Years Keith’s Pawn Shop Closing It’s Doors [VIDEO]

Whether you've been there or not, if Keith's Pawn Shop is mentioned just about everyone knows where the longstanding Lake Charles business is.  KPLC-TV reports the pawn shop is getting ready to close it's doors.   Keith and Laura Waldmeier have operated their pawn shop, situated on the corner of Ryan and Broad Street in Downtown Lake Charles, for 40 years.

KPLC 7 News, Lake Charles, Louisiana

Their store has become a staple in the city and so has the clock that help's us all keep track of time, perched on the corner of the building.  By the way, the clock originally hung at a Lake Charles Bank & Trust down the street, but was purchased and restored by the Waldmeiers.Laura Waldmeier told KPLC-TV,

"It was in his blood.  He was a third generation pawn broker. His father, uncle and grandfather had Waldmeier and Sons Pawn Shop."

As you can imagine over the years, the Waldmeier's have seen some rather interesting items come through the shop, such as a snore stopping machine that shocked you, each time you snored.  Jud Waldmeier, Keith and Laura's son, said working long-side his parents he's learned a lot about the business.  He added,

"From a business standpoint, you had to base that loan on what that person brought in, not necessarily what hard times they were going through and what they told you,"  Jud continued. "If you let your emotions take over in a business like this, you'd be out of business."

Keith Waldemier passed away in 2011 of cancer.  Since his death Laura Waldmeier has kept the historic pawn shop in operation.  Mrs. Waldmeier explained how much her husband loved the store.  She told KPLC-TV,

"He was proud of being down here on the corner of Ryan and Broad St. He was proud of what he and I built along with his father, our son worked with us. His brother worked with us for several years. He was very very proud of this business."

After all these years, Mrs. Waldmeier says the time has come to close the store. There will be a liquidation sale October 7 through the 10.  Believe it or not, the iconic downtown clock will also be part of the sale.

Lake Area collector, Jason Machulski, would like to see the clock stay where it's at. He said of the old clock,

"That's my goal is to keep it where it is and keep the memories and history of Lake Charles downtown."

Machulski has even gone as far as establishing a Facebook page, Save the Clock Lake Charles, in hopes of keeping the clock perched on the corner of Ryan and Broad St.