Assemblyman Ricardo Lara Event A Success

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The California Pawnbrokers Association held a special reception in honor of   Assemblyman Ricardo Lara, representing California’s 50th Assembly District.

The event was held at BG Loan & Jewelry on January 12th. In attendance were Bell Gardens Mayor Jennifer Rodriguez, Mayor Pro Tem Sergio Infanzon, Downey City Councilman Fernando Vasquez, as well as other distinguished City Council Members and local business owners.
 
Attending from CAPA was President Diane Taylor, First Vice President Tony DeMarco, Executive Director Kim Andosca, CAPA Lobbyists Bill Duplissea, Attorney Jon Webster, Treasurer Mike Herda, and several other CAPA members.
 
Assemblyman Ricardo Lara recounted how the Assembly Speaker asked him to run for Senate. He expressed his surprise at being asked, having just recently being elected to the Assembly.
 
Bill Duplissea also spoke about several new pawn laws that went into effect on January 1st.

Later in the evening, team CAPA gave out free posters of California rates to hang in memebers’ stores. It was a fantastic event to start the new year.

We would like to thank Assemblyman Lara and everyone who attended for making this event a great success.

CAPA Board Meeting January 23-24, 2012

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All CAPA Members are invited and encouraged to attend the next meeting of the CAPA Board January 23-24, 2012, at the Hyatt Regency, Sacramento.

The schedule is as follows:

Fundraiser for Dr. Pan at Larry Anapolsky’s shop (flyer attached):
    •    Monday, January 23, 8 – 9 a.m.

Board Meeting – Lunch provided :

    •    Monday, January 23, 9:30 a.m. -  5 p.m.

Walk the Halls of the Capitol:

    •    Tuesday, January 24, 8:30 a.m. – 3 p.m.

If you can attend all or part of the meeting, please RSVP to Kim Andosca at 209-786-5115 or by email to kandosca@caltel.com.

Mourning the loss of a great friend – Bob Goldstone

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Our Beloved Mentor Bob and Jari Goldstone on the Queen Mary during the CAPA Convention in October

It is with great sadness that we have lost one of our industry’s best friends this year, our beloved Bob Goldstone. Bob was a true gentlemen, and he loved the Association with all of his heart!

Bob remained active on our Board of Directors even after selling his shop several
years ago. The California Pawnbrokers Association voted to make Bob the “Treasurer Emeritus”. He always was supportive and involved. Bob and Jari attended the conventions and board meetings whenever they could. We are very pleased that Bob was able to be with us at our last convention in Long Beach, and we will miss him very much.

Media Interest in Pawn Industry Spikes During the Holidays

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Members of the California Pawnbrokers Association continue to garner media attention as reporters, journalists and TV broadcasters show continued interest in the surge of holiday pawn shopping.

Most recently, Don Belville of Best Collateral Pawn Shop spoke with reporters from CBS 5 News in San Francisco about the improved in the pawn industry’s image and the growing trend in business. According to the report, business at Best Collateral is up 25% compared to only 2% growth in other brick-and-mortar stores.

“With only a few shopping days until Christmas, some shoppers aren’t flocking to the malls, but to pawn shops. Nationwide, pawn shops are reporting higher sales.”

Read the full report.

CAPA PR Chair Featured on NBC Nightly News

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The pawn industry has received a lot of attention from the media during the holiday season as many Americans look to pawn shops for big savings on their holiday shopping.

Jordan Tabach-Bank, public relations chair for the California Pawnbrokers Association, was featured in a story that aired on NBC Nightly News with Brian Williams. The report explores the rise in business at pawn shops around the country during the holiday season due to the downturn in the economy and cites pawn shops as an excellent alternative to department stores or retail chains. 

View the Report on the NBC Website