Even though many businesses are closed, pawn shops have seen a spike in business in the past couple of weeks since they are technically essential financial institutions. Now more than ever, people are looking to pawn retailers to help them make ends meet during the COVID-19 pandemic via trades for crucial goods and loans custom-tailored to their needs.

As one of the top pawn shops in the country, King’s Jewelry & Loan is using Podium to remain operational at a time when face-to-face interactions are limited. To showcase their commitment to staying open for those in their communities, they’ve transitioned most of their interactions online. They have started to leverage Podium to enable text-based payments as they socially distance. “It’s so easy, we just send a text and get paid,” says Sam Shocket, owner. “Our customers love the convenience, and we love the fact that we’re able to stay open and keep serving our community.”

They’ve also started using Podium to keep their customers informed on their employee policies and inventory, maintain open communication with clients, and encourage curbside trades while keeping both their staff and customers safe.

As customers visit pawn retailer’s websites in search of a grand bargain or short-term loan during this time of great need, shops need to create convenient interactions that foster comfortability, safety, and drive future business into the store as the crisis rescinds.