Globe Loan Jewelry Co. has operated as Bakersfield's oldest pawn shop since 1966, building over 50 years of community presence in downtown Bakersfield. The company positions itself as a trusted financial resource for working families in Kern County who need short-term liquidity for essential expenses like utilities, rent, and vehicle maintenance. Their business model centers on three core services: providing collateral-based loans, buying secondhand items, and reselling merchandise both in-store and through online marketplaces.
The company offers pawn loans secured by jewelry, tools, electronics, and sporting goods with loan terms of 4 months at rates set by the State of California. They also operate as a secondhand dealer, specializing in fine gold jewelry (wedding sets, diamond earrings, chains, bracelets) and other items including musical instruments, televisions, Blu-ray players, video game consoles, and equipment. All loan and purchase transactions are reported to the Bakersfield Police Department as required by law. The company extends its reach beyond physical retail through eBay and Etsy storefronts.
Globe Loan distinguishes itself through longevity and local market reputation—over five decades of operation in a single community. Their consistent downtown location and limited but predictable hours (Wednesday-Saturday) reflect a stable, established operation. They explicitly target working families with immediate cash needs rather than promoting high-risk lending products. The company holds a valid pawn shop license (1502-0995) and complies with state rate regulations rather than operating outside lending frameworks.
As a traditional pawn shop, Globe Loan serves a specific niche: consumers with immediate cash needs who have tangible assets to pledge. The 4-month loan term is relatively standard for pawn operations but creates a hard deadline for redemption. While state-regulated rates provide consumer protection, the essential nature of pawn lending means borrowers sacrifice ownership temporarily. The limited hours and single downtown location may inconvenience some customers, and the business model inherently requires customers to possess items of sufficient value.