Keith's Pawn shop closing its doors after 40 plus years

LAKE CHARLES, LA (KPLC) - For over 40 years, a Waldmeier has operated a pawn shop in Lake Charles. Keith and Laura Waldmeier had the latest incarnation downtown.

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

They've seen some pretty interesting things come in their shop over the years.

"A snore stopper. It had a band that was placed on the arm with a wire to a battery operated box with a microphone. When you snored, it would shock you and wake you  up so you would stop snoring."

When some people think about Keith's Pawn Shop, they think about the old clock that's hanging on the outside of the building at the corner of Ryan and Broad. You set the time inside on a separate clock and that same time shows up outside.

Son Jud Waldmeier said his dad taught him a lot about the pawn industry.

"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," said Jud. "If you let your emotions take over in a business like this, you'd be out of business."

When Keith died of cancer in 2011, Laura kept the business going, but recently decided to liquidate the store.

"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."

A liquidation sale is set for October 7th through the 10th.

Part of the estate sale at the pawn shop is that iconic clock on the outside of the building. It originally hung at a bank down the street, but was purchased and restored by the Waldmeiers. Lake Area collector Jason Machulski wants to keep the clock where it is.

"The clock over here at Keith's, I would like to see it stay where it's at. That's my goal is to keep it where it is and keep the memories and history of Lake Charles downtown."

Machulski has established a Facebook page called "Save the Clock Lake Charles" to help with keeping the clock where it is located now.

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