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Three generations of pawnbrokers have presided over Stavenhagen on 581 Fifth Avenue. Park Slope Brooklyn, a 114-Year Old business chock full tradition- and great bargains. Founded by owner Ernest Wasserman's great-grandmother, who began pawn brokering out of her Red Hook apartment in 1878, the firm moved to Park Slope in 1939.
Twenty years ago Wasserman transformed the business from a standard pawnshop- in which loans were doled out for valuables - into a second- hand store. Where used goods are bought and sold.
Everything from jewely, stereos, computers, and faxmachines, tools, to musical instruments, fishing tackle, and sporting goods can be found at Stavenhagen, named after a city in his forefathers' native Germany, said Wasserman.
The store's customers include couples looking for an inexpensive wedding ring, folk hunting down unusual items, neighborhood residents down on their luck who need some extra cash, and spring cleaners who realize they are never going to wear their great-aunt's silver broach.
Sometime Wasserman's finds are unusual. "I once bought a wooden leg. "he said. Dealers come from all over to our store because they know we have interesting items. "He says he has become an expert in spotting quality merchandise. Stavenhagen also caters to area residents in need of business services: money orders, Western Union services, ATM machines and money transfers, travelers cheques, and a place to pay utility bills.
As his business has changed, Wasserman's philosophy has as well. "My motto used to be: Don't sell borrow, because what you sell today will cost you more tomorrow. Now my motto is: Sell your unwanted merchandise before someone steals it from you.






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