LONGMONT, Colo. (KDVR) — A pawn and gun store in Longmont that has been open for decades in that community now says it is shutting down.
And the owner is partly blaming the city for making changes to the street and his parking lot, which he says makes it difficult for customers to access the store.
The problems started, the owner tells us, when the city removed an exit customers previously used and blocked it with gates and fences at the adjacent railroad crossing.
“It’s affected our sales. It’s affected the safety for everyone who is on 9th Avenue,” said Grandpa’s Pawn and Gun Shop Owner Rod Brandenburg.
Brandenburg spoke with FOX31 next to the newly designed, narrower street and railroad crossing, which he said makes it more dangerous to park in front of his store.
“The city has shut down a safe way to access this business. It’s been here 69 years, and all of a sudden, with these new railroad crossings, people can’t get in and out of here like they use to,” Brandenburg said.
FOX31 is told the changes on the street are part of the city’s Quiet Zone Safety Improvement Program, impacting 14 existing railroad crossings across Longmont in coordination with Burlington Northern Santa Fe Railroad, the Federal Railroad Administration and the Colorado Public Utilities Commission.
“Travel lanes on 9th Avenue across the railroad were narrowed and a median was installed to increase crossing safety for all users…and to eliminate the need for loud train horns,” said city of Longmont Public Information Officer Rogelio Mares. “The City of Longmont is in contact with businesses adjacent to railroad crossings in the first construction group of Quiet Zone Safety Improvements.”
But Brandenburg told FOX31 that he believes the changes around his store were “political moves” because of his outspoken stance on gun rights laws.
Grandpa’s Pawn and Gun has been in business in Longmont for 32 years. 11 of those years have been at the 9th Avenue location. A good spot, the owner says, because of all the traffic.
Joe Tennant has been a customer for years.
“It’s horrible he’s going to be gone. I’d rather support somebody local than go to the big box stores. Because you get more one-on-one deals. It’s going to be sad,” Tennant said.
Brandenburg told FOX31 he had hoped to sell the store to staff who helped build up the business that has thrived in Longmont for decades.
Brandenburg tells us he plans to shut the store down for good on Dec. 31.
FOX31 has reached out to the city of Longmont for a response regarding the owner’s statement saying this was a political move. We have not yet received a response.
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