Business Feature—Prentiss Pawn and Equipment Rental
Published 11:13 am Wednesday, January 21, 2015
For over 18 years Prentiss Pawn & Equipment Rental has been an integral part of the Jeff Davis County business community.
In his early years JDC native Todd Broome found himself traveling to Hattiesburg to work and thinking there had to be some business beneficial to the county that could bring him home. Actually, Broome stated he had his “ah ha” moment when he had to rent a floor sander to work on his house. After having to go to Hattiesburg to rent the equipment, use it and return it before closing time he found he was wasting at least four hours that he could have been working on the project, if he could have rented the equipment in Prentiss. That essentially is how a new business in the county was born that included equipment rental, a pawn shop, a personal cash checking service and a bait shop. From personal experience Broome knew he could save people time, gas and money by offering the services of his business.
Shirley Burnham / The Prentiss Headlight—Owner of the Prentiss Pawn & Equipment Rental Todd Broom and wife Sonja. Broome says just call to see what equipment is available for rent.
Broome states rentals include from 7,000 lb. track hoes and skid steers to the smallest garden tiller but says with a smile that the pawn part of the business is not quite like that portrayed on TV. “I’ve never gotten in a million dollar painting of anything like that,” states Broome with a smile. We have had some high end Rolex and heavier jewelry and have had cars, trucks, tractors and other big equipment and I have even had a kitchen sink pawned, but only about 10 percent who pawn an item intend to leave the it when they pawn.”
Shirley Burnham / The Prentiss Headlight—Broome stands in front of the unique bait vending machine that helps fishermen get bait during business closed hours.
Broome states that part of the business is giving an item report to the police every week so they can check against their stolen item list. “It’s really pretty easy to catch a thief if they pawn a stolen item.”
Broome also offers a check cashing service, and live bait for the local fishermen. He even has a vending machine outside the building that contains bait for the before business hours purchase. He offers gunsmith service and a variety of popular guns for sale and states his most popular item for sale right now is the 4-camera security system with motion sensors that alerts your cell phone to a disturbance.
Foxworth Pawn & Trade in Foxworth and Radio Shack/Quick Cash Super Pawn in Magee are also a part of Broome’s business and he has three employees in Prentiss, five in Magee and two in Foxworth.
Todd Broome would like to thank the community for their patronage over the years and states he will continue to offer home town service in whatever capacity needed.
