KISSIMMEE, Fla. — The city of Kissimmee passed a controversial new plan Wednesday to limit the number of pawn shops, but some city leaders want to go even further.
They're difficult to miss with bright colors and in-your-face signs; pawn shops can rule any strip mall or street corner they're near.
"Some pawn shops, quite frankly, stand out like sore thumbs," Kissimmee City Commissioner Cheryl Grieb said.
Kissimmee has at least eight pawn shops, but an ordinance passed by commissioners restricts no more than five pawn shops in city limits and they must now be built one-mile apart.
"I think there is an element that goes along with pawn shops that's viewed more negative than positive," Grieb said.
But Kissimmee pawn shop owner Tracy Rosado finds the ordinance completely negative.
"It's highly unconstitutional. It's not fair. It's bad for people in general," Rosado said.
But it may get worse for shop owners. Commissioners are pushing for a second ordinance that regulates what the facade of pawn shops looks like; no dazzling colors, for example, and leaders might even restrict the use of the word "pawn" on shops all together.
"Maybe the pawn shops would have to file fictitious names," Grieb said.
"It's too much government regulation. Governments are saying you've been in business for years and now we're going to force you to change it," Rosado said.
WFTV checked and many other Central Florida communities don't have any specific regulations for pawn shops, but Kissimmee leaders want more regulation in an attempt to beautify the city.
"We don't want our face to be a pawn shop. Kissimmee has so much more to offer," Grieb said.
Existing pawn shops would be grandfathered in, meaning they can stay even after the ordinance.
WFTV
