“Everybody and their brother these days are buying gold, but if you want the best service and the best price, you come to us.”

That’s the declaration that owner Marty Kindle uses to define Porterdale Pawn, his growing pawnshop located on Washington Street.

It’s a tagline that has served the business well, attracting local customers everyday. From guns and tools to gold and movies, the store has something for everyone to buy, sell or trade. 

“We’re moving a lot of product — about $24,000 a month — but you won’t find much in our cash register,” said Kindle. “We keep things moving fast.”

Kindle attributes the store’s success to its in-home atmosphere. Most pawn shops are made of steel and concrete — not too far from the county jail, said Kindle. The shop avoids that stigma, as the business is housed in wooden walls, thick carpeting, songs playing on the radio and a hygienic restroom for customers.

“We’ve got carpet that’s cleaner than most houses,” said Kindle. “When you come in here, you’re gonna get a down-home feeling.”

Kindle, who previously owned two trucking companies and an upholstery shop, felt that once the business found its footing, it would find a way to run itself. After selling a couple of his Harley Davidson motorcycles, his truck and several other personal belongings, the store opened its doors in March 2008. 

“I know a little bit about everything and whole lot about nothing,” said Kindle. “I felt that this was the kind of business I could be good at.”

Indeed, the business found its way, as its growth led to Kindle opening a second store in Union Point at the beginning of this year. Kindle expects a third store to open in the next couple of years, perhaps in the Lake Oconee area.

“We started with nothing and worked the store from the ground up,” said Kindle, as he noted how they had to perform extensive renovations to the facility they took over, installing shelving, light fixtures, desks, computers and even a clock.

The business is also involved with plenty of community activities. According to Kindle, the store has donated a number of goods to a lot of local functions in Porterdale, including the recent Fourth of July celebration in the city.

“People have asked me why I don’t advertise on the internet,” said Kindle. “That’s because my customers are very local... We’re a down-home business, and we try our best never to turn people away.”